Print-on-Demand Profit Calculator
Calculate profit per sale for print-on-demand products on Printful, Printify, and other POD platforms. Understand true margins after base cost, platform fees, and ad spend.
🖼️ E-commerce💼 POD Profit = Sale Price − Base Cost − Platform Fee − Shipping
Platform
Product type
Your retail price ($)
Actual base cost ($)
Shipping cost ($)
Platform fee % (e.g. Etsy 6.5%)
Please enter valid values.
Formula & Reference
| Variable | Formula | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Print-on-Demand Profit Calculator | POD Profit = Sale Price − Base Cost − Platform Fee − Shipping | $/order |
Step-by-Step Examples
Example 1
T-Shirt on Etsy
$35 shirt, $15 Printful base, $5 shipping, 6.5% Etsy fee.
- Platform fee: $35×0.065+$0.20 = $2.48
- Profit: $35-$15-$5-$2.48 = $12.52 (35.8%)
✓ $12.52/shirt, 35.8% margin
Example 2
Hoodie on Own Store
$65 hoodie, $28 Printify base, $8 shipping, 2.9% Shopify.
- Shopify fee: $65×0.029+$0.30 = $2.19
- Profit: $65-$28-$8-$2.19 = $26.81 (41.2%)
✓ $26.81/hoodie, 41.2% margin
Example 3
Mug on Redbubble
Redbubble sets base price; artist sets royalty %.
- Redbubble handles everything; artist earns ~10–20% royalty
- On a $15 mug: $1.50–$3.00 royalty per sale
- Much lower margin but zero fulfillment work
✓ $1.50–$3.00 royalty per mug
Real-World Applications
Artists & Designers
Launch a product line without inventory investment or fulfillment work.
Merch Stores
Creators monetize audiences with branded merchandise.
Passive Income
Set up once, earn per sale with no ongoing fulfillment effort.
Startup Testing
Test product demand before investing in bulk inventory.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
⚠️
Ignoring shipping in the margin calculation
Shipping is often $4–$10+ per order and can represent 25–50% of your apparent margin. Always include it.
⚠️
Setting prices too low because POD feels passive
POD has lower per-unit profit than bulk manufacturing. Set prices high enough to maintain 30–40% margins after all costs.
⚠️
Not testing with real orders before selling
Always order a sample before selling. Print quality, shipping time, and packaging affect customer experience and return rates significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the typical POD margin? ▾
30–40% of retail price after base cost, shipping, and platform fees. Under 25% is thin; try raising prices or using a lower-cost platform.
Printful vs Printify — which is cheaper? ▾
Printify is typically 20–40% cheaper on base costs if you use their Premium plan ($24.99/mo). Printful has better integrations and more products but at higher cost.
Can I sell POD on Amazon? ▾
Yes, via Merch on Demand (invite-only) or by integrating Printful with Amazon Seller Central. Amazon's commission is 15%, which significantly impacts margins.
Is POD profitable without ads? ▾
Yes, through organic Etsy SEO, social media, or an existing audience. POD with paid ads typically requires strong targeting and careful ROAS tracking to be profitable.
How do I set my retail price? ▾
Research comparable products, price for 30–40% margin minimum, and consider perceived value. POD products often support 3–5x markup on base cost.