Why is print-on-demand so valuable for artists today compared to the past?

In the past, if you wanted prints or merchandise, you had to order expensive lithographs or serigraphs with minimums of $10,000-$20,000 and warehouse everything. Now with print-on-demand, you hold zero inventory. You can have six original pieces and offer 1,200 products in your store. Whether you get one order or 1,000, the system handles it—the printer gets paid, you get paid, orders are printed, boxed, and shipped without you lifting a finger. It’s revolutionary for artists.

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Asked by general teaching point · Answered by Patrick · Art Business Webinar · 2026-08-12