Why POD Feels Like a Constant Fire Drill
Print-on-demand (POD) is one of the most exciting, flexible, and opportunity-filled business models out there. But if you’re deep in it, you may have noticed it can also feel like you’re sprinting through a maze blindfolded. Orders come flying in, artwork is wrong, packages are late, and everyone’s looking at you like you’re the one with the crystal ball.
On top of that, with direct-to-film (DTF) and other digital print equipment becoming more affordable and accessible, there are more people entering the POD space. The problem is, many of them don’t understand their numbers or the value they provide, so they start cutting prices just to win orders. That drives the entire market into a race to the bottom.
And here’s the kicker: Every time we source the cheaper garment, cut a corner on packaging, or accept razor-thin margins just to stay competitive, we might be creating bigger problems than we solve. Those quick fixes can lead to more mistakes, slower turnaround times, and unhappy customers, which end up costing way more than we saved.
If you want to stay in the game long term, don’t be the cheapest — be the most efficient. When you improve your workflow, you stop leaking money in places you didn’t even know were draining you. Slowing down just enough to fix the chaos that’s keeping you stuck is how you build real profit and peace of mind.
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