Quick answer
To add print-on-demand products to your online store, connect a print-on-demand partner (such as Printful, Printify or Gelato), create each product with its options and SKUs, price it to cover the partner's cost, shipping and fees, order a sample, then let the partner print and ship each order. In our latest video we show this inside Scale.gg MyStore, plus printed books through Lulu next to digital products. No warehouse needed.
Key takeaways
- Print-on-demand means the partner prints and ships each order; you hold no stock
- Set up options and SKUs carefully so each variant maps to the right print
- Price for partner cost + shipping + 3% platform fee + processor fee, then your margin
- Always order a sample before launch
- Mix POD, digital products and Lulu printed books in one MyStore catalogue
📘 Main article: This guide supports Scale.gg MyStore: An Online Store Builder, Not Just a Buy Button. Start there for the full MyStore overview.
In this guide
You have designs, an audience and no garage full of boxes. Good. This guide answers one question: how to add print-on-demand products to your online store without a warehouse, using Scale.gg MyStore as the example. For the store walkthrough, see Scale.gg MyStore: An Online Store Builder, Not Just a Buy Button.
How does print-on-demand work in an online store?
A customer buys from your store. The order goes to your print-on-demand partner. The partner prints the item and ships it straight to the customer.
You never touch stock. You pay the partner's cost per item, and the difference between that and your price is your margin.
In our video, MyStore connects to print-on-demand partners directly, so orders still show in your order desk from pending to paid to fulfilled.
How do you choose a print-on-demand partner?
The partners shown in our video include Printful, Printify and Gelato. Compare them on what your customers will notice:
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Product range | Do they make the exact items you want: tees, mugs, posters, hoodies? |
| Print quality | Only a sample tells you this |
| Base cost | Sets how much margin is left at your price |
| Production location | Closer to your buyers usually means faster, cheaper delivery |
| Shipping times and cost | Shapes your three MyStore shipping options |
🔎 Check before you rely on it: Partner lists change. A couple of the names in our video are hard to make out, so check the current integrations inside your MyStore account before you choose.
How do you set up print-on-demand products?
- Connect your chosen partner in MyStore.
- Create the product with its options (size, colour) and a SKU per variant.
- Upload up to 10 images: mock-ups, close-ups and, once you have it, a photo of your real sample.
- Write the description and fill in the SEO fields.
- Set your price (see the next section).
- Add a small order bump, such as a sticker or a digital design pack.
⚠️ Warning: A wrong SKU mapping means the wrong size or colour gets printed and shipped, and you pay for it. Test every variant with a dummy order before launch.
How do you price print-on-demand products?
Add up every cost per order before you pick a price:
- Partner base cost for the item
- Partner shipping to the customer (unless the customer pays it)
- MyStore's 3% platform fee on the free plan
- Your Stripe or PayPal processing fee
Illustrative example (made-up numbers, check your partner's real prices):
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Your price | £25.00 |
| Partner base cost | £11.00 |
| Shipping you absorb | £4.00 |
| Platform fee (3% of £25) | £0.75 |
| Processor fee (example) | £0.70 |
| Margin left | £8.55 |
💡 Tip: If the margin looks thin, raise the price slightly and use MyStore's free-shipping prompt to encourage a second item rather than cutting your price.
Can you sell printed books too?
Yes. In our video we show selling printed books through Lulu right next to your digital products. That is useful if you already sell an ebook, course or workbook and want a physical version.
Bundle them: sell the digital download on its own, and offer the printed copy as an upgrade or an order bump.
What should you check before launch?
- You have held a physical sample of every product type
- Every variant has the right SKU and print file
- Your shipping options match the partner's real delivery times
- Product pages say clearly that items are made to order
- A test order shows up in the order desk and reaches the partner
📘 Keep going: Overview in Scale.gg MyStore: An Online Store Builder, Not Just a Buy Button. Recover unfinished orders with Abandoned Checkout Reminders: What to Send at 1 Hour, 24 Hours and 72 Hours.
Building a store with Scale.gg? See the Starter Bonus Bundle and more guides on Prodify Digital.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need stock to sell print-on-demand products?
No. The partner prints and ships each order after it is placed, so you hold no stock.
Which print-on-demand partners work with Scale.gg MyStore?
Our video shows partners including Printful, Printify and Gelato. Check the integrations in your account for the current list.
Can I mix print-on-demand and digital products?
Yes. MyStore supports physical and digital products, and you can sell Lulu printed books next to digital downloads.
How long does print-on-demand delivery take?
It depends on the partner, product and destination. Check each partner's production and shipping times and set your shipping options to match.
The bottom line
Adding print-on-demand products to your online store is mostly careful setup: the right partner, clean SKUs, honest pricing that covers every fee, and a sample in your hands before launch. Do that in MyStore and the partner handles printing and shipping while you handle the selling.
Related posts
- Scale.gg MyStore: An Online Store Builder, Not Just a Buy Button
- Abandoned Checkout Reminders: What to Send at 1 Hour, 24 Hours and 72 Hours
- Build a Whole Website With AI: Scale.gg Page Builder
[…] 📘 Keep going: The full store walkthrough is in Scale.gg MyStore: An Online Store Builder, Not Just a Buy Button. Selling without stock? See How to Add Print-on-Demand Products to Your Online Store Without a Warehouse. […]