2 answers
Sanvhi
Student
Orlando, Florida
6
Questions
Asked
2451 views
Starting dropshipping/print on demand business as a minor as someone who wants to make money with limited income?
Hello! As a freshman in high school, soon sophomore, I have learned a lot out and in school. I want to begin making money now, and I have heard of both drop shipping and print on demand businesses for minors. Print on demand seems more easily accessible to my age, and I want opinions on how to start, my success rate, and from those experience, how much money can be expected to make if I put my all into it (which if I do I will)! I am more likely to do print on demand, but it depends on the money that goes in and out of it, and how each works legally. I still have research a bit, but I wanted to know some opinions. I am also aware I may not make a lot, but with the right effort and hardworking I believe I can.
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2 answers
Ibrahim Ali
Software Developer
9
Answers
Mogadishu, Banaadir, Somalia
Updated
Ibrahim’s Answer
Hey! First off, major respect to you for wanting to start early and learn about business — you’re way ahead of the game for a freshman going into sophomore year. That drive and curiosity will take you far, whether you go into print-on-demand (POD), dropshipping, or anything else.
Let me give you some real talk based on what I’ve seen:
💡 Print-on-Demand vs. Dropshipping (For Minors)
Print-on-Demand (POD) is generally the better fit for someone your age:
No need to buy inventory.
Less customer service hassle.
No need to deal with international suppliers like in dropshipping.
It’s creative and fun — you can design t-shirts, mugs, hoodies, etc., and sell through places like Etsy, Redbubble, or Shopify (with Printful or Printify).
Dropshipping, on the other hand, can work too — but:
It usually requires more money up front for ads.
You have to deal with longer shipping times and more customer complaints.
The learning curve is steeper, and success is harder without spending on ads.
So you’re right to lean toward POD!
📈 What’s the Success Rate?
If you really put your all into it — learning design, branding, SEO, and how to market yourself — you can absolutely make money.
But here’s the realistic timeline:
First 3–6 months: You might make $0–$100. This is learning time. You’ll test designs, figure out how Etsy works, and improve.
After that: If you build a store that people like and stay consistent, it’s realistic to make $50–$500/month after your first year.
Some teens even grow their shops to $1,000+/month, but that’s with time, smart niche selection, and sometimes paid ads.
💸 Costs and Legal Stuff
Start-up costs: Basically free if you use a platform like Etsy + Printify. You only pay when you sell something.
Software/tools: You can use free tools like Canva for designing. Don’t buy expensive courses right now — there’s tons of free info on YouTube.
Legal stuff: Since you’re under 18, you’ll need a parent/guardian to help set up your accounts (like Etsy or a PayPal/Stripe account). It’s 100% doable — just talk to them and explain your plan.
💪 Final Advice
Start small — Pick one niche (like pets, school clubs, mental health, or gaming) and make a few designs.
Focus on quality and design — Unique, clever designs beat generic ones every time.
Be consistent — Upload weekly, study what sells, and improve your craft.
Treat it like a learning experience — Even if you make $20, you’re learning valuable skills (design, marketing, business) most people don’t get until their 20s.
You’ve got a solid mindset already, and that’s honestly more important than anything else. Stick with it, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback or advice — you’re not alone in this!
If you ever want to brainstorm niche ideas or need feedback on designs, I’d be happy to help. Keep that hustle going, you’re doing amazing.
Let me give you some real talk based on what I’ve seen:
💡 Print-on-Demand vs. Dropshipping (For Minors)
Print-on-Demand (POD) is generally the better fit for someone your age:
No need to buy inventory.
Less customer service hassle.
No need to deal with international suppliers like in dropshipping.
It’s creative and fun — you can design t-shirts, mugs, hoodies, etc., and sell through places like Etsy, Redbubble, or Shopify (with Printful or Printify).
Dropshipping, on the other hand, can work too — but:
It usually requires more money up front for ads.
You have to deal with longer shipping times and more customer complaints.
The learning curve is steeper, and success is harder without spending on ads.
So you’re right to lean toward POD!
📈 What’s the Success Rate?
If you really put your all into it — learning design, branding, SEO, and how to market yourself — you can absolutely make money.
But here’s the realistic timeline:
First 3–6 months: You might make $0–$100. This is learning time. You’ll test designs, figure out how Etsy works, and improve.
After that: If you build a store that people like and stay consistent, it’s realistic to make $50–$500/month after your first year.
Some teens even grow their shops to $1,000+/month, but that’s with time, smart niche selection, and sometimes paid ads.
💸 Costs and Legal Stuff
Start-up costs: Basically free if you use a platform like Etsy + Printify. You only pay when you sell something.
Software/tools: You can use free tools like Canva for designing. Don’t buy expensive courses right now — there’s tons of free info on YouTube.
Legal stuff: Since you’re under 18, you’ll need a parent/guardian to help set up your accounts (like Etsy or a PayPal/Stripe account). It’s 100% doable — just talk to them and explain your plan.
💪 Final Advice
Start small — Pick one niche (like pets, school clubs, mental health, or gaming) and make a few designs.
Focus on quality and design — Unique, clever designs beat generic ones every time.
Be consistent — Upload weekly, study what sells, and improve your craft.
Treat it like a learning experience — Even if you make $20, you’re learning valuable skills (design, marketing, business) most people don’t get until their 20s.
You’ve got a solid mindset already, and that’s honestly more important than anything else. Stick with it, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback or advice — you’re not alone in this!
If you ever want to brainstorm niche ideas or need feedback on designs, I’d be happy to help. Keep that hustle going, you’re doing amazing.
Thank you so much! I have been researching a bit, and am thinking of doing the Printify + Etsy combo. I am aware that you have to pay once an item is sold, but the money you pay with is from the money from the customer that bought the item, correct?
Sanvhi
Adriana Predoiu
Sales Operation
6
Answers
Bucharest, Romania
Updated
Adriana’s Answer
Hi Sanvhi,
I’m super glad you’re thinking about this early—print-on-demand is actually a great way to start learning business and making money with little to no upfront cost. You're right that it's way more beginner-friendly (and minor-friendly) than dropshipping.
Here’s the real deal:
Why Print-on-Demand is a Smart Pick
You don’t have to buy products upfront or ship anything yourself.
You just create designs (like for t-shirts, stickers, hoodies, etc.) and when someone buys, the company prints & ships it for you.
Sites like Redbubble, Teepublic, and even Etsy (with Printify) make it super easy to start.
You can even use free tools like Canva to make your designs.
Money
I’ll be honest: You probably won’t make a ton right away. Most people don’t. But it’s not impossible.
First few months = learning and uploading phase. You might make a few bucks here and there.
After 3–6 months of consistent effort, some people start making aprox. \$50–\$200/month.
If you really treat it like a business (promoting it, researching trends, uploading regularly), you could grow to \$500/month or more within a year.
It depends on your effort, niche, and how well you market it.
Legal Stuff
Since you're under 18, you’ll need a parent or guardian’s help to set up payment accounts (like PayPal or Stripe).
Most POD platforms are okay with minors using their site with permission.
You don’t need a business license to start unless you're doing high volume or using platforms like Etsy (then it depends on your local laws, but your parents can help with that too).
Taxes: If you start earning more, your parent may need to report it on their taxes—something to keep in mind.
Tips for Starting Strong
Pick a niche (funny school shirts, pet lovers, gaming, etc.)
Check what’s trending on Redbubble or Etsy and put your own spin on it
Promote on TikTok or Instagram—even a few videos can help
Keep uploading designs. A lot of people quit too early
Don’t worry about being perfect. You’ll learn as you go
Yes, you can 100% start a POD business as a high schooler. It’s cheap to start, great for building real-life skills, and can earn you decent money with time and effort. Just start small, get your parent’s help with the setup, and keep showing up consistently.
You’re already on the right path by asking smart questions. Keep going!
I’m super glad you’re thinking about this early—print-on-demand is actually a great way to start learning business and making money with little to no upfront cost. You're right that it's way more beginner-friendly (and minor-friendly) than dropshipping.
Here’s the real deal:
Why Print-on-Demand is a Smart Pick
You don’t have to buy products upfront or ship anything yourself.
You just create designs (like for t-shirts, stickers, hoodies, etc.) and when someone buys, the company prints & ships it for you.
Sites like Redbubble, Teepublic, and even Etsy (with Printify) make it super easy to start.
You can even use free tools like Canva to make your designs.
Money
I’ll be honest: You probably won’t make a ton right away. Most people don’t. But it’s not impossible.
First few months = learning and uploading phase. You might make a few bucks here and there.
After 3–6 months of consistent effort, some people start making aprox. \$50–\$200/month.
If you really treat it like a business (promoting it, researching trends, uploading regularly), you could grow to \$500/month or more within a year.
It depends on your effort, niche, and how well you market it.
Legal Stuff
Since you're under 18, you’ll need a parent or guardian’s help to set up payment accounts (like PayPal or Stripe).
Most POD platforms are okay with minors using their site with permission.
You don’t need a business license to start unless you're doing high volume or using platforms like Etsy (then it depends on your local laws, but your parents can help with that too).
Taxes: If you start earning more, your parent may need to report it on their taxes—something to keep in mind.
Tips for Starting Strong
Pick a niche (funny school shirts, pet lovers, gaming, etc.)
Check what’s trending on Redbubble or Etsy and put your own spin on it
Promote on TikTok or Instagram—even a few videos can help
Keep uploading designs. A lot of people quit too early
Don’t worry about being perfect. You’ll learn as you go
Yes, you can 100% start a POD business as a high schooler. It’s cheap to start, great for building real-life skills, and can earn you decent money with time and effort. Just start small, get your parent’s help with the setup, and keep showing up consistently.
You’re already on the right path by asking smart questions. Keep going!