Print on Demand vs Do It Yourself: What’s the Difference?

Thinking about starting a small business selling custom products?

If so, you’ve probably asked yourself one big question: Should I go with print on demand or try printing things myself?

Both options are popular. And both can work—depending on what kind of business you want to run.

In this guide, we’ll go over how each one works, what the differences are, and how to choose the right fit for your goals.

What Is Print on Demand (POD)?

Print on demand is a modern way to run a product business without managing inventory.

Here’s how it works: when someone places an order, your third-party provider prints the product, packs it, and ships it directly to your customer. You don’t touch a thing.

This setup makes it easy to start small. You don’t need to buy equipment, rent storage, or hire staff. And since you only pay when you sell, it’s a low-risk way to test ideas and explore new product types.

For many new sellers, POD is appealing because it frees up time to focus on branding, marketing, and building an audience—without getting bogged down in production.

Image: Geri Sakti

What Is Do It Yourself (DIY) Printing?

DIY printing means you do it all yourself. You start with the idea. You choose the printer. You pick the material. And you create the final product the way you want it.

You’re in control from beginning to end. It might seem like a lot at first—but it gives you more freedom.

You can try different printing types like UV printing, DTG, or sublimation. And choose inks that fit your needs—UV ink, water-based, or dye ink.

Want to print on paper, plastic, wood, fabric, or even metal? It’s possible.

DIY printing gives you the tools to turn your ideas into something real—made your way.

Factors to Consider Between Print on Demand vs Do It Yourself

Which One Fits You Better? There’s no universal answer here.

The right approach depends on your goals, how much control you want, and how ready you are to invest time and resources.

Let’s look at a few things that can help you decide.

1. Upfront Costs

Print on demand is simple to start. There’s no need to buy machines or keep inventory—you only pay when someone places an order.

DIY printing, on the other hand, requires a larger initial investment. You’ll need to purchase equipment, materials, and possibly hire help.

 But if you’re planning for long-term growth, this setup could save you more in the long run.

2. Control Over Your Products

With DIY, you're fully in charge. You decide how things are made, what materials to use, and how the final product looks and feels. If you're focused on creating a unique brand experience, DIY gives you more creative freedom.

In contrast, POD takes most of that off your plate. That’s convenient—but it also means giving up control over quality and customization.

3. Room to Grow

Print on demand is built for fast scaling. These services often have international printing partners, making it easier to reach a global audience or handle large spikes in orders. If you’re planning to grow quickly or expect seasonal demand, POD makes it easier to adapt.

DIY printing grows at your own pace. As demand increases, you’ll need to expand production, which might mean investing in more space or staff.

4. Per-Unit Costs

With POD, the cost per product tends to be higher—mainly because you're paying for the service, shipping, and convenience.
Once your DIY setup is running smoothly, your per-item costs can drop significantly, especially at higher volumes. If you’re producing in bulk, this can lead to better profit margins.

5. Time

With Print on Demand, you often have to wait longer for your products. Since another company makes and ships everything for you, you cannot control how fast it gets done. This can slow down your business and delay how quickly you make money.

If you print things yourself, you can make and ship orders right away. Having your own machine means you do not have to wait. You can get products to customers faster and start making a profit sooner.

6. Storage & Inventory

Print on demand doesn’t require you to manage inventory. There’s no leftover stock, no warehouse needs, and less financial risk.

DIY printing means storing blank materials and tracking finished goods. It’s manageable, but requires planning and space.

Image: Christina Radevich

7. Product Flexibility

POD gives you access to a wide variety of ready-made product options—from shirts and mugs to tote bags and posters.

DIY printing allows for far more experimentation. For example, the eufyMake E1 UV printer lets you print on wood, acrylic, metal, glass, and other unique surfaces that POD providers usually don’t support.

That’s a huge plus if your ideas go beyond standard templates.

8. Quality Assurance

With DIY, you can monitor the entire production process and ensure every item meets your standards.

POD handles quality behind the scenes. Most providers do a good job—but if quality is a top priority for your brand, having full control can make a difference.

9. Shipping & Fulfillment

POD services usually have streamlined logistics and reliable shipping partners. They pack and ship your orders automatically, often with tracking and customer support built in.

If you’re handling your own printing, you’ll also need to handle packaging and delivery. It gives you more room for custom touches—but also adds more to your to-do list.

Image: Elijah Mears

10. Learning Curve

POD is beginner-friendly. You don’t need technical skills or production knowledge.
DIY does take more learning up front, especially when it comes to operating printers and managing materials. 

But that’s where tools like the eufyMake UV printer really help—bringing pro-level printing tech into a simpler, more accessible format for small businesses, studios, or even home use.

So, POD or DIY?

The best choice really comes down to where your business is right now, what kind of products you want to create, and how much time and money you're ready to invest.

Here’s a quick way to figure out which path might fit better.

Go with Print on Demand if you…

• Are just getting started and want to keep costs low
• Don’t want to buy or manage inventory up front
• Prefer to spend your time on design, marketing, or customer service
• Want to test ideas with less risk before committing
• See spikes in demand at certain times of year
• Need a way to ship products internationally without the hassle

DIY printing might be the better fit if you…

• Have money set aside for gear, materials, or setting up your own workspace
• Want full control over product quality, packaging, and design
• Expect larger sales volumes and want better profit margins
• Already have some technical experience—or are open to learning
• Rely on packaging or custom touches to stand out from competitors
• Need the freedom to make products that aren’t offered by POD services

But what if you're somewhere in between?

That’s where the eufyMake E1 comes in.

It bridges the gap between DIY and POD—giving you the flexibility of doing it yourself, without the steep learning curve or high upfront investment that traditional DIY setups usually require.

At the same time, you skip the transaction fees and limitations that often come with POD platforms.

If you're mainly selling in your local community, through events, markets, or social media (instead of shipping products internationally), the eufyMake E1 might just be the smartest choice.

You get professional-quality prints, more creative control, and the freedom to scale at your own pace.

Final Thought

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to growing your creative business. It really comes down to what fits your workflow, your style, and your goals.

The more you try, the more you learn what works for you.

Tools and tech will keep changing, but your creativity and decisions will always be at the heart of it.

FAQ about Print on Demand vs Do It Yourself

Is print-on-demand better than DIY printing?

POD is great if you want low startup costs, no inventory, and help with shipping. It lets you focus on design and sales. DIY printing gives you more control and can be cheaper for large orders—but takes more time, tools, and effort.

Do I need special equipment for DIY printing?

Yes. What you need depends on what you’re making. For shirts, you’ll need a printer, transfer paper, and a heat press. For stickers, a cutter and printable vinyl. Good tools = better results.

Can I use both POD and DIY?

Absolutely—and many creators do! Use POD for variety and low risk, and DIY when you want full control or lower costs for big orders. Mixing both gives you more flexibility.