When I first started turning my illustrations into products, I knew I wanted to keep things simple. I’d actually come across the idea of print on demand a few years earlier, and it had always stuck with me. I knew I wanted to keep things simple. I wasn’t interested in boxes of prints cluttering up my house or spending my evenings printing, trimming, packing and posting. I could not even afford stacks of raw materials or a high quality printer. I truly just wanted to make art and share it with people, starting small but from the heart. To see what happens when I put something out into the world. That’s when I found Prodigi—and honestly, it’s been such a good fit.
Before we start I just wanted to say that I’m not affiliated with Prodigi, nor do I receive any compensation for recommending them. I genuinely like the company and I thought this blog post might help others who are just getting started.
Why I Picked Prodigi
There are a lot of print on demand options out there, but Prodigi stood out to me for a few key reasons:
- Prodigi lets you order single items, like one greeting card. Other sites I looked at like Gelato only do packs of 10 – not helpful for me at all if I want to avoid pre-ordering and shipping products myself.
- They care about the planet. What really drew me in was their whole approach to sustainability. Their mission is to make global printing local—which means when someone orders one of my prints, it’s made as close to them as possible. That cuts down on shipping miles, costs and carbon. As someone who’s trying to build a thoughtful, earth-conscious business, that really mattered to me. They also use neo pigment, water-based inks that are 100% non-hazardous and toxin-free. They meet the strictest industry standards as defined by Oeko-Tex 100 safety applications for infant wear, Global Organic Textiles (GTOTS-3V), Residues Standard List (RSL) and the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists. Read more here.
- The print quality is beautiful. Before I listed anything, I ordered a sample pack—and I was honestly blown away. The colours were rich, the detail was sharp, and everything just felt really high quality. When you put so much love into your artwork, it’s so reassuring to see it reproduced beautifully. It was also really useful to feel the weight of the paper types and being able to touch and see them in real life. I reviewed this sample pack in a YouTube video, which you can also watch below.
- Etsy integration is a dream. Once I connected Prodigi print on demand to my Etsy shop, the magic happened. Orders come in, and they just go. I don’t have to touch a thing. Prodigi prints the order, packages it, and ships it straight to my customer. That is what print on demand is all about. It’s totally automated, which saves me a huge amount of time and stress.
- They’re actually helpful. I’ve had the odd hiccup—like a parcel getting lost or one print arriving with a small flaw—but every time, Prodigi’s customer service has sorted it quickly and without any drama. That kind of support makes such a difference when you’re running a small business.
- They offer 50% off samples. This is such a lovely perk! If you’re testing out a new product or want to check the finish of something before launching it, you get half off sample orders (one sample per product type). It’s made experimenting with new ideas way more affordable, plus you’ll have a physical product to take photos or videos of.
- Prodigi actively encourages its users to submit products/features they’d like to see that they currently don’t offer. They do add them on eventually! I’m currently waiting for them to introduce foiled options for cards eeeek! They also periodically send you newsletters I actually want to read, about upcoming products and features. Their CEO also shares an end of year report with all the registered users, telling you about what they’re working on, how things are changing and encouraging you to share ideas and get in touch. No company is perfect but I feel Prodigi genuinely cares about continuously improving things for artists and customers alike.
Why Print on Demand Suits Me as an Artist
I actually came across the idea of print on demand a few years before I even started taking my art seriously. And honestly? It immediately caught my attention. The thought of running a full-blown business—with stock to buy, boxes to store, printers to manage, packaging materials, trips to the post office—felt completely overwhelming. I didn’t grow up around business talk, so the logistics side of things always seemed really intimidating. I just wanted to make art… not become a warehouse manager! I was also doing this on the side, so the little time I had I wanted to spend creating.
That’s why print on demand is such a game-changer. You only have to set it up once, then when an order comes in, it’s all taken care of—printing, packing, shipping. I don’t have to handle any stock or worry about storage space or running out of budget. It runs in the background while I focus on what I actually love: creating art. For any artist who’s feeling daunted by the idea of setting up shop, this kind of setup takes off so much pressure and makes it all feel doable.
And just to say—I know and admire so many artists who do handle every part of the process themselves. They sign each print by hand, work with custom fabrics, wrap things beautifully and post everything out personally. There’s something really special and soulful about that, and I love supporting those kinds of businesses too. If you have a little time take a look at one of my favourite British artists, Natasha who runs Studio Coverdale. Her art is so unique and colourful, truly aspirational!!
I’m not saying I’ll never offer hand-packed or custom items myself one day – I actually would love to – and as my style and product range evolve, who knows! But especially in the beginning, when you’re still finding your feet, this kind of business model takes off so much pressure and makes it feel possible to just start. That is often the hardest part for many of us creatives!
Want to Try Prodigi print on demand Yourself? Here’s How to Get Started
If you’re an artist, designer or creative maker looking to sell your work without all the fuss of doing it manually, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get going with Prodigi.
- Create a free account. Go to www.prodigi.com and sign up. It’s quick and easy—and totally free. Add your card details when prompted so they can automatically invoice you and take payments.
- Explore their products! You’ll find a huge range of things to print on—art prints, posters, canvases, framed prints, apparel, phone cases… literally thousands of options! I mainly use their fine art prints and greeting cards, but it’s nice knowing there’s room to grow. Seeing their range can also inspire you to create something you never would have thought of otherwise. And don’t forget custom gifts!! You can also place orders just for yourself and your loved ones. You want a yoga mat with your artwork for your bendy bestie? No problem! Have a nephew who loves skating? You can design one with his favourite superhero and have it sent right to his doorstep. There are so many opportunities to get creative!
- Order some samples to see your art come alive. Test out how your artwork will look and feel on your chosen product by ordering some samples. Don’t forget to take advantage of the 50% discount (email their customer service with your order number, they’ll refund you). Take some photos or use Prodigi’s mockup generator to list your products on Etsy. If you’re new to Etsy visit this link to see how to open your shop.
- Connect your Etsy shop. Once your listings are live on Etsy go to your Prodigi dashboard, then Sales Channels and connect Etsy. It’ll walk you through the steps—just log into your Etsy account and approve the connection. Once the integration is in place your Etsy listings will appear in your Prodigi dashboard 🙂
- Upload your artwork & setup products – This is the fun part! Once your Etsy shop is linked, it’s time to setup your products! Go to Sales Channels and click Configure next to your Etsy shop. You should see all your Etsy listings here. (If you don’t, you might have to wait a bit, it can sometimes take a few hours for the product to appear. ) Under your product, click Configure again to choose the shipping option and add your print template. Done! Now when you get an Etsy order it’ll automatically be sent to Prodigi for printing, packaging and sending to your customer. You get notified of orders, but you don’t have to do anything unless you want to.
- Setup custom inserts – optional but a great idea to get reviews or encourage customers to check out your website/Instagram. You can design an A4 document in Photoshop or Word, a thank you note or further info about your brand, and set it to automatically get printed and added to all the orders. You can do this in Sales Channels – Etsy shop – Configure – Settings (top right corner) – Default Branded Inserts (just upload your insert here). A black and white A4 insert is free. You can upgrade to add your fully customised, colourful inserts but they do cost a lot more so more ideal for established brands/sellers. I definitely recommend adding the free insert. I created one to say thank you and to encourage people to visit my website instead of Etsy, where my prices are better as there are no fees. I also included a QR code so they can leave a Google review, and I’ve had a response on my next sale!
Final Thoughts
Using Prodigi print on demand has taken so much of the stress and guesswork out of selling my art. I get to focus on creating, and they handle the logistics beautifully behind the scenes. If you’re an artist trying to make things happen without burning out or turning your home into a print shop, I genuinely recommend giving them a try. It is completely free, they only charge you once you make a sale and they begin production of your item.
One thing I really want to say—especially if you’re an artist just starting out—is: please don’t wait until everything is perfect to begin. So many of us get stuck in self-doubt, comparing ourselves to others or worrying we’re not “ready.” But the truth is, your voice, your art, your perspective… it all matters. There’s always space for more artists, because each of us sees and expresses the world in a completely unique way. Your version of beauty is worth sharing. You don’t need a huge plan or fancy setup—just a way to start. Print on demand gave me that first step, and if it helps you too, then that’s a wonderful place to begin.
If you’ve got any questions about getting started, drop them in the comments or get in touch — I’m always happy to share what’s worked for me!
– Ronnie 💛
