So I was recently researching print and demand types of businesses. You know, stuff like Teespring, Printify, Printful, Print Aura, and selling on Etsy, Shopify, etc... You can design mugs, shirts, leggings, etc. But I don't think this business model is highly regarded here. It violates control. Possibly scale. Though there is a shop on Etsy that IS at a Fastlane stage and has only been up since 2018 (Special gifts for any occasion! Come shop with us :) by UltimateGiftsShop). So it is possible to go Fastlane with this model, but again...you don't OWN Etsy. You don't OWN Printful. They go down (doubful) YOU go down with them. The funny part is people don't think about how much the actual services make...Etsy...print on demand stores...and this has me thinking...
Could someone compete with Print on Demand services and make their own company? I realize they'd have to market, and get customers who already trust the well known guys. And I'm sure you would need to invest in the supplies, and employees to actually get the designs made and shipped. But would this be more "Fastlane" than simply paying P.O.D. services to make and ship your designs? Afterall, you have no idea whether you'll make anything on the designs. But then again, this seems like a tough business to start. Either way seems like it would take some creativity and work.
What are your thoughts?
Could someone compete with Print on Demand services and make their own company? I realize they'd have to market, and get customers who already trust the well known guys. And I'm sure you would need to invest in the supplies, and employees to actually get the designs made and shipped. But would this be more "Fastlane" than simply paying P.O.D. services to make and ship your designs? Afterall, you have no idea whether you'll make anything on the designs. But then again, this seems like a tough business to start. Either way seems like it would take some creativity and work.
What are your thoughts?
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