We’ve all made personalized items at some point in our lives. Whether it was writing our names all over notebooks with colourful pens or putting stickers on our backpacks. We’ve all done it, but few of us have considered turning it into a business. But why not? The market for personalised items is constantly growing and selling custom products can fetch you a decent income nowadays. Even if you don’t have a brick-and-mortar shop, there are so many online platforms available for you to sell your products.
Almost anything can be personalised if you have the right tools. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune on expensive equipment to get your business off the ground. Find a reputable manufacturer or supplier, such as Camaloon.com/en, to help you transfer your designs. They bring your products to life in a matter of minutes.
What to sell
Now is the perfect time to make money! Here’s a list of popular items you can personalise and sell in 2022.
T-shirts
You can earn from selling unique t-shirts. An awesome t-shirt can make an entire outfit stand out, make a statement, or spark a conversation. T-shirts make a great canvas and allow for a lot of creativity. You can use silkscreen printing for simple designs or high-quality digital printing for more complex ones to get your original idea onto a t-shirt. Make your t-shirts look and feel designer and they will sell in no time.
Hoodies
A hoodie is a great seller, just like a t-shirt, but with the added benefit of being warm. They are available in a variety of colours and provide plenty of space for your design. Get the best quality hoodies you can afford and create a design that will set them apart from the crowd. Silkscreen printing is suitable for simple designs, but digital printing is required for more intricate ones.
Tote bags
Tote bags are extremely popular and easy to personalise. Funny tote bags are always a winner. You can choose silk-screening and digital printing for computer-generated designs or opt for more conventional (and perhaps more time-consuming) techniques such as hand painting, textile dyeing, beading or embroidering.
Yoga mats
Yoga has become an important part of many people’s lives, whether they practice it for physical or mental health. Personalised yoga gear is skyrocketing these days, so why not create personalised yoga mats for all yogis and yoginis out there? Choose digital printing or laser engraving for long-lasting prints that will withstand extended yoga sessions.
Water bottles
Hydration is super important and it’s great to have a bottle of water on hand. However, single-use water bottles are incredibly wasteful and usually end up polluting the environment. Conscious consumerism is gaining traction, and more and more buyers are looking to do their bit in protecting the environment. You too can make a difference by selling reusable water bottles! There’s a wide range of reusable water bottles and printing techniques to choose from to make your own merchandise.
Related: How to start a planner business
Mugs
Everyone should have their own personalised mug to show off, and people appreciate when they are unique or limited edition. Personalised mugs also make a great gift for tea or coffee lovers. So why not sell mugs with your creative artwork? With the right technique, you can make awe-inspiring mugs that will sell like hotcakes! Aside from the classics, you can also personalize and sell travel mugs. So many commuters drink their coffee or tea on the go!
Coasters
There are never enough coasters to fight condensation rings on furniture. Besides being practical, coasters are a wonderful blank canvas for your ideas and can be turned into small works of art. They can be made from different materials, but those made of cork seem to be the most popular. Get creative, make your own personalised coasters that will impress any customer and start selling!
Stationery
Sell personalised stationery: pens, notepads, notebooks, diaries, planners and other useful products. Although stationery is widely available, many people prefer stationery that is a bit more special. You can use a variety of printing techniques or even engraving to personalise products and make them appeal to your target audience.
Posters
If you are a photographer or a cartoonist, you can transfer your work onto posters and sell them in a physical shop or online. Your photos or designs will retain their quality when printed on premium paper using cutting-edge technology. Posters add a decorative touch to any room. Consider finding your niche and distinguishing yourself from the competition.
Umbrellas
Sell one-of-a-kind designer umbrellas. Most of us dislike walking in the rain, and plain umbrellas don’t make grey days any more bearable. An umbrella that is just functional is not enough. People want stylish, colourful options. Apply your original designs onto umbrellas and start making money from rainy days.
Gadgets
Gadgets have become an essential component of modern life. Consider selling personalised tech gizmos like power banks, Bluetooth speakers and wireless earphones. They are trending right now and can be personalised to look even cooler. You too can profit from this booming industry by adding your own flair.
Laptop bags
Laptops are amazing, but we wish we could say the same about laptop bags. Most laptop bags are boring and there is so much space for improvement in this market. You can sell laptop bags that are more than just functional. Use your imagination to make them trendy fashion accessories!
Picture frames
Create personalised picture frames for people to display their treasured memories in. People dedicate entire walls or accent tables to their loved ones, so there is always demand for more frames. Offer different sizes, make them exclusive to gain a competitive edge.
Magnets
Design and sell personalised fridge magnets. Magnet collecting is a low-cost hobby that brings a lot of joy to those who do it. Magnets are also decorative and make any space more interesting. Play around with different techniques to find the one that works best for you and make one-of-a-kind magnets. The competition is fierce, but originality always sells.
Keyrings
Keyrings are useful because they keep keys together and make it easier to find them at the bottom of a bag. Because almost everyone has more than one set of keys, keyrings are always in high demand. They are appropriate for all ages and, if carefully crafted and decorated, can serve as a fashionable accessory. Pack them with colour and personality and start selling!
Gift baskets/boxes
You can personalise and combine several awesome products to make a stunning gift basket or a box. Pair hoodies and earphones, mugs and coasters, water bottles and yoga mats, picture frames and magnets and so on. Many people struggle with gift-giving, and you can save them time and energy by providing thoughtful solutions.
Eco-friendly merchandise
Many customers’ buying decisions are influenced by environmental concerns. They are turning toward sustainably sourced and produced items that won’t pollute the environment. Sell personalised eco-friendly products such as reusable grocery bags, bamboo travel mugs, paper, bamboo or metal straws, notebooks made of recycled paper, etc. You can earn money while remaining environmentally conscious.
Where to sell
You can open a physical shop, an online shop or both. There are a number of factors to consider when opening either.
Although opening a brick-and-mortar shop can be costly, many people still prefer to buy in person. To succeed, you must consider the following factors:
location,
setup costs,
operating costs.
The location has to be noticeable, easily accessible and reasonably priced. Setup costs include any shop equipment and inventory. Operating costs are rent, utilities, maintenance and taxes. Your shop must be able to generate enough revenue each month to cover these expenses while also providing you with enough money to live comfortably.
It’s much easier and less expensive to set up an online store. You have the option of selling through your own website, various commerce platforms or social media platforms. There is no need for a spruced-up physical location, and you will save money on both setup and operating costs. Anyone from anywhere can become a customer. Compared to a physical shop, you can sell your products online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Wrap up
These are just a few ideas on how to make money selling personalised products. Many fantastic items are easy to personalise with original designs and cutting-edge design-transfer technologies. All you need is a little help. The market for personalised products is ever-growing and competition is strong, but there is always room for outstanding creativity. When starting out, it may be a good idea to focus on one or two types of products. You can branch out later. Launching a business is always risky, so think carefully about how you want to do it. Consider whether you want to sell your products in a physical shop or online, as well as the setup and running costs of both. Make wise decisions and your business should flourish.
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