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Understanding Print-on-Demand (POD) and the Custom Apparel Process

October 24, 2025 By Ayers
Hybrid DTG/DTFilm Printers | T-Shirt Printing Machine | Epson US

Using a website to upload your own designs and customize clothing via print-on-demand (POD) has become a popular entry path into apparel entrepreneurship, creative hobbying and personalised gift-giving. The process typically works like this:

  1. You create (or hire someone to create) a graphic, design or text layout.
  2. On a POD website you upload your design, choose a garment (T-shirt, hoodie, hat, etc.), select placement (front/back/sleeve), colours and optionally add text or other design elements.
  3. Once the order is placed (either by you or a customer), the POD provider prints the design on demand — meaning the product is manufactured after the order is confirmed, rather than being produced in bulk up front. Printful+1
  4. The provider takes care of fulfillment: printing, packing, shipping (and often returns/handling) so you don’t need to hold inventory or manage production logistics. Printful+1
  5. You keep the difference between the retail price you charge and the cost of the item + printing/shipping/fees. With effective marketing and good niche targeting, it can be profitable. Bootstrapping Ecommerce+1

Below we’ll explore the advantages and drawbacks of this model, and then highlight several top-POD companies — with special emphasis on one local friendly option.

Pros of Using a POD Website for Custom Apparel

Here are many of the key benefits offered by the POD approach:

  • Low upfront cost / minimal risk: Because items are only printed once sold, you don’t have to buy large inventory ahead of time or risk holding stock that doesn’t move. blog.bulkapparel.com+1
  • No inventory or storage required: You don’t need a warehouse or store unsold garments – production and fulfilment is on demand. SwagMagic+1
  • Flexibility & creative freedom: You can upload new designs, test them, pivot quickly or run seasonal/limited-edition pieces without major cost. Printful+1
  • Scalable: As your design catalog grows or you find winning designs, you can expand by adding more garments or variants without needing to pre-order large quantities. Bootstrapping Ecommerce+1
  • Customization & personalization: POD is particularly well suited for offering personalized apparel (names, photos, custom text). This adds value and differentiates from mass-produced generic tees. SwagMagic
  • Sustainability & reduced waste: Because garments are only produced when ordered, the waste associated with overproduction and unsold stock is greatly reduced. SwagMagic
  • Ease of setup: Many POD platforms integrate easily with online storefronts (Shopify, Etsy, etc.) and handle production/fulfilment so you can focus on design and marketing. Printful+1

Cons / Challenges of the POD Model

Of course, POD is not without its trade-offs. Some of the challenges to watch out for include:

  • Lower profit margins: Because you’re using on-demand production (which tends to cost more per item than bulk manufacturing), your margin per item can be thinner. blog.bulkapparel.com+1
  • Limited control over quality, materials, and fulfilment: You rely on the POD provider’s standards. If their print quality or shipping speed falters, it reflects on your brand. Printful
  • Longer production and shipping times: Since items are only produced once ordered and may ship from remote facilities, delivery times may be longer than from stocked inventory. SwagMagic
  • High competition: The ease of start-up means many players in the space. Without strong branding, niche differentiation, or marketing, your designs may struggle. Printful+1
  • Less brand control / fewer customisation options: Some POD services offer limited garment types, print placements or finishing options compared to full manufacturing. SwagMagic
  • Dependency on the provider: Your business is partly reliant on the POD supplier’s uptime, costs, shipping partners, and fulfilment reliability. Disruptions or changes in their terms can impact you. Do Dropshipping
  • Marketing is required: Even with great designs, you still need to generate traffic, build a brand and convert sales. It’s not a “set it and forget it” goldmine. Reddit

The Process (Step-by-Step) for Custom Apparel via POD Website

Here’s a typical workflow you’d follow when using a website for upload-and-customize apparel:

  1. Concept & design
    You sketch or design the artwork or text you want to put on the garment. This could be your logo, illustration, typography or a photo.
  2. Choose garment & placement
    On the POD platform you pick what item you want (T-shirt, hoodie, hat, etc.), the colour options, sizes, and where the design will go (front, back, sleeve, etc.).
  3. Upload design / customise
    You upload the design file and position it on the garment mock-up. Many sites allow you to add text, switch colours, preview how it will look.
    For example, the website for 705 Collection mentions “Add text, upload designs and create anything you want!” on their custom section. Instagram
  4. Set retail/price (if selling) or order (if buying)
    If you’re using the garment for personal/custom use, you just place the order. If you’re selling it, you set what you’ll charge (retail) and the POD cost determines your margin.
  5. Production upon order
    Once a customer orders (or you confirm), the POD provider prints/manufactures the item. Because it’s on demand, no inventory is held before.
  6. Fulfilment & shipping
    The provider packs and ships the item to the customer (or you) and handles tracking, sometimes returns.
  7. Customer experience & brand follow-up
    You monitor quality, shipping times and customer feedback. Over time you might test new designs, expand into new products, or refine your niche.

Spotlight: Top Companies for POD Custom Apparel

Here are several reputable POD platforms to consider — followed by why the 705 Collection stands out (especially if you’re in Canada).

1. 705 Collection

This Canadian-based brand (serving areas like North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and Muskoka) offers streetwear such as hoodies, snapbacks and accessories. the705collection.com Importantly, their website includes a customisation section where you can “Add text, upload designs and create anything you want!”

Why favour them:

  • Local Canada relevance (for you in Ontario) may mean easier shipping, returns and potential support.
  • Their customisation tool suggests they offer upload-and-design flexibility (not just pre-set designs).
  • Supporting a more niche/local brand rather than global mega-platform might give you more personal service.

Considerations:

  • Unlike major global POD suppliers, they may have a smaller product catalogue or fewer fulfilment centres.
  • You’ll want to check garment quality, print methods, shipping times and minimums if you scale.

2. Printful

Printful is a major global POD service that offers a wide product catalog (over 444 items) and supports design, production, fulfilment and global shipping. Printful+1
Strengths: broad selection of products, strong infrastructure, global reach.
Trade-offs: More competition (as many sellers use them), costs may be higher per item.

3. Printify

Printify is another large POD marketplace allowing you to connect to multiple print providers, upload your own designs and integrate with platforms like Shopify, Etsy etc. printify.com
Strengths: flexibility, large provider network, many product types.
Trade-offs: Quality and shipping vary depending on which print provider is used; you’ll need to research specific provider options.

4. Apliiq

Apliiq offers print-on-demand with a stronger emphasis on premium apparel, private-labeling, embroidery and more custom finishes. apliiq.com
Strengths: More upscale feel, more finishing options (embroidery, woven labels).
Trade-offs: Likely higher cost per item; may require higher retail pricing to achieve margin.

5. Others / niche specialists

Smaller or more specialised POD providers (e.g., for specific niches, eco-friendly materials, extraordinary finishing) exist. For example, blogs mention how some companies are better for certain customisation types. SwagMagic

How to Decide Which Platform/Provider is Best for You

Here are some criteria to evaluate when choosing a POD service or website:

  • Garment & print quality: Sample orders are useful. Check fabric quality, print alignment, color fidelity, wash durability.
  • Customization & product selection: Does the provider offer the garments you want (hoodies, hats, premium cuts), and allow the design placements you need?
  • Fulfillment / shipping times: For your customers, long production or shipping times can hurt satisfaction. Is the provider local or has fulfilment centres near your market?
  • Cost / pricing / margin potential: How much will the base cost + printing/shipping be? What wholesale cost do you have to charge to make profit?
  • Branding & packaging options: Can you incorporate your own labels, packaging, custom hang-tags, unbranded prints? (Especially important if building a brand.)
  • Integration & ease of use: Does the website/tool allow simple upload of designs, mock-ups, preview, integration with your store (Shopify/Etsy)?
  • Support & reliability: How good is customer service? Are there reviews about quality, returns, shipping issues?
  • Niche and differentiation: Given the competition in POD, how will your designs, niche or brand stand out?
  • Local vs global logistics: For Canadian sellers/customers (like you in Hamilton, Ontario), using a Canadian/Canada-based provider (like 705 Collection or Canadian print partner) might reduce shipping cost/time, customs issues.

Why Consider 705 Collection Since You Are in Ontario

  • Being Ontario-based (serving Ontario/Northern Ontario areas) means potential advantages in shipping speed, returns and better local support.
  • Their customisation statement (“Add text, upload designs and create anything you want!”) indicates they have a flexible design upload tool — which makes them relevant for your use-case. Instagram
  • If you are creating for a local community/niche (like Ontario lifestyle, region code “705” area etc), they may have more regional appeal and brand alignment.

Summary

Using a website for uploading designs and customizing clothes via a print-on-demand model can be a very accessible way to launch custom apparel, experiment with designs, scale a small brand and minimise risk. You benefit from low upfront costs, no inventory, flexibility and creative freedom. However, you must be mindful of thinner margins, reliance on providers for quality/shipping, and the need for good marketing to stand out.

If you’re based in Ontario (as you are in Hamilton), choosing a regional provider like 705 Collection gives you some nice local advantages. At the same time, comparing that with larger global POD services (Printful, Printify, Apliiq) will help you weigh cost, quality and scale.

If you like, I can compare side-by-side pricing, shipping times, and garment options of say 705 Collection vs Printful vs Printify specifically for Canadian sellers — would you like me to pull that together?

Create Your Own Style: Why Custom Clothing and Print-on-Demand Are the Future of Fashion

(And Why 705 Collection Should Be Your Go-To Choice)

In today’s world, fashion is no longer about simply wearing what’s on the rack — it’s about expressing who you are. From personalized hoodies to one-of-a-kind graphic tees, custom apparel has become the modern way to stand out. Thanks to the growth of print-on-demand (POD) technology, you don’t need to be a designer or own a factory to create clothes that represent your style.

With a few clicks, you can upload your ideas, add text or graphics, and have your design printed on high-quality apparel that ships straight to your door. Websites like The 705 Collection make this process easy, fun, and surprisingly affordable.

Let’s look at the reasons why shoppers everywhere are turning to customizable clothing — and why 705 Collection stands out as one of the top places to do it.

What Is Print-on-Demand (POD)?

Print-on-demand is a process where your custom clothing is only made after you place your order. Instead of mass-produced items sitting in warehouses, each piece is created individually — just for you.

Here’s how it works:

  1. You visit a POD website, like The 705 Collection’s custom page.
  2. Choose your item — a hoodie, T-shirt, hat, or more.
  3. Upload your own design or add text (like your name, logo, or artwork).
  4. Preview it in real time and place your order.
  5. The company prints it and ships it straight to your doorstep.

This process means you get a unique, personalized piece every time — not something thousands of others already own.