⏱️ Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
- 1. Understand Your Printing Options: Digital, Litho, and Wide-Format
- 2. Choose Materials That Reflect Your Brand and Values
- 3. Size and Format Flexibility Helps You Stand Out
- 4. Think About Finishing Touches and Presentation
- 5. Integrate Print with Your Online Store Seamlessly
- A Short Case-Style Example: A Growing Eco-Friendly Greetings Card Range
- Conclusion
Starting a print on demand store is an exciting venture, but it’s also one where you quickly realise that printing is much more than just pressing a button. At Newstyle Print, we’ve seen a lot of businesses come through who want to offer quality products, stay sustainable, and deliver on time — all while keeping costs manageable. So, if you’re looking to set up or optimise your print on demand store, it’s worth taking a step back to understand some key aspects of printing, materials, and design choices that can make a real difference.
1. Understand Your Printing Options: Digital, Litho, and Wide-Format
One of the first things you’ll want to get your head around is the printing process. Digital printing is a popular choice for print on demand because it’s cost-effective for smaller runs and allows for quick changes between designs. This makes it perfect if you want to offer personalised items or test new products without large upfront costs.
That said, litho printing, also known as offset printing, still has its place. It’s traditionally used for larger print runs and can deliver excellent colour consistency and quality, especially for items like business cards, brochures, or booklets. While it’s less flexible than digital when it comes to smaller quantities or customisation, if you find a best-seller, litho could reduce your per-piece costs significantly.
Wide-format printing is another avenue, especially for products like posters, banners, or exhibition graphics. Here, materials range from vinyl to various eco-friendly options, and you can print large-scale, eye-catching items that stand out. If your store includes merchandising or promotional products, this is where wide-format shines.
2. Choose Materials That Reflect Your Brand and Values
You’ve probably noticed how much customers appreciate sustainability these days. Offering an eco-friendly range can be a real selling point. At Newstyle Print, we provide a wide selection of recycled papers and boards, from business cards and postcards to gift tags and booklets, all made from responsibly sourced materials.
Using recycled stocks doesn’t mean sacrificing quality — modern recycled papers can be just as vibrant and tactile as virgin fibres. Plus, they add a story to your brand that resonates with eco-conscious buyers. For example, recycled folded business cards or eco-friendly greetings cards can be a great way to showcase commitment to sustainability.
3. Size and Format Flexibility Helps You Stand Out
One thing I always find interesting is how custom sizes can really elevate a product. While standard sizes like A5 flyers or A6 postcards are practical and popular, offering bespoke sizes or folded formats can create a memorable experience. For instance, folded leaflets or multi-set business cards allow you to pack more information or creative design into a compact, tactile package.
Booklets, available in stapled, wiro, or perfect bound options, can be tailored in page count and size to suit your product. A well-designed booklet can transform a simple product catalogue or informational guide into a keepsake that customers want to hold on to.
4. Think About Finishing Touches and Presentation
Details matter in print — and finishing processes can really enhance the perceived value of your products. Options such as satin or matt lamination, spot UV coating, or textured stocks can add that extra layer of sophistication. For example, a satin laminated business card feels smooth and premium, while a soft-touch finish adds a velvety sensation that’s hard to forget.
Similarly, things like fold styles on leaflets or the binding method on booklets influence not only the look but also the durability and usability of the item. Wiro binding is great for calendars or thicker booklets, while saddle stitching works well for smaller, lighter products.
5. Integrate Print with Your Online Store Seamlessly
Running a print on demand store means juggling design, order management, and production schedules. While this might sound daunting, setting up a workflow that connects your online store to your print provider is crucial. Automation tools and APIs can help streamline this process, reducing errors and turnaround times.
From our experience supporting print resellers, having clear print specifications and templates ready for customers or designers can save a lot of back-and-forth. It might also be worth considering offering print-ready downloads or design support to help your customers get the best results.
A Short Case-Style Example: A Growing Eco-Friendly Greetings Card Range
One of our clients started a print on demand store focused on eco-friendly greetings cards. They chose recycled card stocks with a natural feel, perfect for their brand story. By offering folded cards in a custom size, they differentiated their range from standard flat cards on the market.
We advised them on digital printing for short runs to keep the costs down and quick turnaround times, with the option to switch to litho if a design became popular. The use of satin lamination on the outside added a subtle sheen without compromising recyclability. This combination helped them gain traction with customers who appreciated both the look and the sustainability angle.
Conclusion
Setting up and running a successful print on demand store is as much about understanding the nuances of printing and materials as it is about creativity and marketing. From choosing the right printing process to embracing eco-friendly options and offering custom sizes or finishes, every decision impacts how your products are perceived.
At Newstyle Print, we’ve been helping businesses navigate these choices for years, ensuring that their printed products not only look fantastic but also align with their brand values and customer expectations. So, take the time to explore your options, experiment with materials and formats, and keep your customers’ experience front and centre — that’s where printing truly comes to life.
Updated on 2 November 2025
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