My first interaction with print on demand wasn't online but on Nasser Road. The manual or offline version that most Ugandans or Kampala residents know when they need to print t-shirts for events or branded items for conferences. But that's not the print on demand I wanna talk about today. I want to talk about the online version of print-on-demand. If you were on side hustle TikTok during the 2020 lockdown, then you definitely watched a lot of so-called Money Gurus or Freelancers encouraging you to try print-on-demand over dropshipping or affiliate marketing. If you didn't, lemme explain it to you.
What is Print on Demand
Print on Demand (POD) is a business model that allows Ugandan creatives and designers to sell custom-designed products—like T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases, notebooks, and wall art—without holding inventory or handling printing and shipping. Instead, orders are fulfilled only when a customer makes a purchase, taking away most of the financial risk from the designer.
For Ugandan designers, POD presents an opportunity to monetize their creativity by showcasing unique Afrocentric, cultural, and trend-driven designs on global and local platforms. It enables artists to reach customers through online stores, social media, and e-commerce marketplaces without investing into producing in bulk.
With the rise of digital printing services and local suppliers, Ugandan creatives can leverage POD to build a brand, generate passive income, and compete in both local and international markets while focusing on design and marketing rather than logistics.
How the POD Process Works
How the POD Process Works
Create Your Design
- Use design tools like Canva, Photoshop, or Procreate.
- Your design could be text, illustrations, quotes, or patterns.
Upload Your Design to a POD Platform
- Choose products (e.g., t-shirts, tote bags, stickers).
- Upload your design and position it using the platform's editor.
Set Your Prices & Open a Store
- Customize your pricing (you keep the profit after base production cost).
- Some platforms give you a full online store, others integrate with marketplaces like Etsy.
Customer Buys → Platform Prints & Ships
- You don’t handle stock, shipping, or customer service.
- The POD platform automatically fulfills the order.
You Get Paid 💸
- After production and shipping costs, your profit is deposited via Payoneer, bank transfer, or other non-PayPal methods.
Printful
Printful is one of the most popular POD platforms worldwide. It offers a wide range of products including t-shirts, hoodies, posters, mugs, hats, and more. The platform is free to join and only charges a base production fee when an order is made. Payouts are available via Payoneer, which works well in Uganda. Printful integrates smoothly with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and other online stores. Shipping to Uganda is available, but it comes with international rates and may take 10–20 business days depending on the product and courier.
- Products: Apparel, mugs, posters, hats, and more
- Pricing: Free to join, pay only base product costs
- Payouts: Payoneer
- Integrations: Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, etc.
- Shipping: Global (Uganda included), takes 10–20 days
Spring (formerly Teespring)
Spring is a user-friendly platform made for creators who want to sell products without managing a store. It’s great for selling t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and tote bags. The platform is free to use, and you only pay when a product is sold. Payouts can be made via Payoneer. Spring also integrates with YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, making it perfect for social media-savvy Ugandan artists. Shipping is handled by Spring, and delivery to Uganda may take up to 3 weeks depending on location.
- Products: Clothing, mugs, tote bags, accessories
- Pricing: 100% free to use
- Payouts: Payoneer
- Integrations: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram
- Shipping: Global delivery, including Uganda
Redbubble
Redbubble is ideal for visual artists and illustrators. You simply upload your artwork, and Redbubble turns it into products like stickers, home décor, t-shirts, phone cases, and wall art. It’s free to join and Redbubble handles customer service, production, and shipping. You earn a royalty on each sale and get paid via Payoneer. While Redbubble does ship to Uganda, delivery times can vary between 2–4 weeks, and shipping costs are calculated at checkout.
- Products: Stickers, shirts, art prints, phone cases
- Pricing: Free to join, you earn royalties
- Payouts: Payoneer
- Integrations: Built-in marketplace, no external store needed
- Shipping: Ships to Uganda, 2–4 weeks delivery
Sellfy
Sellfy lets you sell print-on-demand products alongside digital goods like ebooks or music. It’s perfect for creatives who want one platform for everything. It offers t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and more, and has a simple setup process. While there’s a monthly subscription for advanced features, there's a free version for starters. You can receive payments via Stripe (which supports Ugandan banks via Payoneer). Delivery depends on the chosen POD partner, but most orders arrive within 15–20 days.
- Products: Clothing, mugs, plus digital products
- Pricing: Free tier available, paid plans start at $19/month
- Payouts: Stripe (works via Payoneer)
- Integrations: Built-in store, no need for Shopify
- Shipping: Global delivery available
Gelato
Gelato is a global POD platform known for its fast and eco-friendly production. It offers a wide variety of products like apparel, wall art, phone cases, and stationery. It integrates easily with Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce. Gelato’s pricing is competitive and there’s a free plan, although premium tools require a subscription. Payments are made via Stripe, which works in Uganda through linked Payoneer accounts. Shipping to Africa is quicker than many other platforms due to Gelato’s distributed production model.
- Products: T-shirts, art prints, phone cases, notebooks
- Pricing: Free plan available; premium features optional
- Payouts: Stripe (supports Payoneer)
- Integrations: Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce
- Shipping: Fast global delivery, Africa-friendly
Zazzle
Zazzle lets you sell custom-made products ranging from t-shirts and mugs to invitations, cards, and home décor. It’s free to sign up and creators earn royalties. Zazzle pays via Payoneer or check, and you can sell to a global audience through its marketplace. While it doesn’t integrate with Shopify, it’s great for designers who don’t want to manage an online store. Shipping to Uganda is available, but may come with high international rates.
- Products: Apparel, mugs, cards, stationery, gifts
- Pricing: Free to join
- Payouts: Payoneer or mailed check
- Integrations: Marketplace-based, no store setup needed
- Shipping: Global, including Uganda
Shirtee
- Products: Apparel, mugs, bags, phone cases
- Pricing: Free to join, pay base cost per sale
- Payouts: Payoneer or SEPA bank transfer
- Integrations: Custom storefront, external store links
- Shipping: Worldwide including Uganda, 10–20 days
A table comparing the different Print on Demand platforms for Ugandan Creatives
Final Recommendation
Choosing the right Print-on-Demand (POD) platform as a Ugandan creative depends on your unique needs and how you plan to sell your designs. If you’re a fashion-forward hustler ready to build a brand, Printful, Gelato, or Shirtee are your runway. They give you full control, great integrations, and scalable potential—even if you're still printing from your parents’ Wi-Fi.
If you’re a visual artist who wants to focus more on creating than managing, Redbubble and Zazzle are perfect for hands-off passive income. Upload your art, sip your chai, and let the royalties roll in.
For the social media-savvy—those blessed with TikTok moves or an Instagram aesthetic—Spring gives you a direct plug to your followers, turning likes into loyal buyers. And if you’re a creative all-rounder, juggling merch, music, or digital art, Sellfy is your all-in-one creative toolkit.
The Wrap-Up
So, dear creative, whether you sketch in the taxi, design from a café in Ntinda, or dream up t-shirt slogans while dodging boda bodas, there’s a POD platform with your name on it (literally—monogrammed mugs, anyone?).
The world is your market, and Uganda is your launchpad. Pick your platform, prep your Payoneer, and start selling one tote bag, one tee, or one quirky mug at a time.
Just remember: your designs deserve more than dusty folders and forgotten flash drives—let them fly off shelves (and screens), one order at a time. Happy creating, and may your sales be ever in your favor!
Final Recommendation
Choosing the right Print-on-Demand (POD) platform as a Ugandan creative depends on your unique needs and how you plan to sell your designs. If you’re a fashion-forward hustler ready to build a brand, Printful, Gelato, or Shirtee are your runway. They give you full control, great integrations, and scalable potential—even if you're still printing from your parents’ Wi-Fi.
If you’re a visual artist who wants to focus more on creating than managing, Redbubble and Zazzle are perfect for hands-off passive income. Upload your art, sip your chai, and let the royalties roll in.
For the social media-savvy—those blessed with TikTok moves or an Instagram aesthetic—Spring gives you a direct plug to your followers, turning likes into loyal buyers. And if you’re a creative all-rounder, juggling merch, music, or digital art, Sellfy is your all-in-one creative toolkit.
The Wrap-Up
So, dear creative, whether you sketch in the taxi, design from a café in Ntinda, or dream up t-shirt slogans while dodging boda bodas, there’s a POD platform with your name on it (literally—monogrammed mugs, anyone?).
The world is your market, and Uganda is your launchpad. Pick your platform, prep your Payoneer, and start selling one tote bag, one tee, or one quirky mug at a time.
Just remember: your designs deserve more than dusty folders and forgotten flash drives—let them fly off shelves (and screens), one order at a time. Happy creating, and may your sales be ever in your favor!
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