POD Profit Calculator
Calculate real profits for your print on demand products
Product Details
From Printful, Printify, etc.
Etsy ~6.5%, Shopify ~2.9%
Ad spend per sale
Design, packaging, etc.
Profit Analysis
Enter product details to see profit breakdown
When To Use This Calculator
Before Launching a Design
Calculate if a new design will be profitable before investing time or money. Know your minimum viable price.
Setting Product Prices
Find the sweet spot between competitive pricing and healthy margins. Don't leave money on the table.
Monthly Profit Review
Track actual profits vs projections. Identify which products are winners and which need repricing.
Ad Budget Planning
Know exactly how much you can spend on ads per sale while staying profitable. Set realistic ROAS targets.
Supplier Comparison
Compare profits between Printful, Printify, Gooten. Lower base cost doesn't always mean higher profit.
Scaling Decisions
Project profits at different sales volumes. Understand when it makes sense to invest more in growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What profit margin should I aim for with POD?
Aim for 40-60% gross margin (before marketing). After all costs including ads, 15-25% net margin is solid. If you're below 10% net, you're working too hard for too little.
How do Etsy fees affect my profit?
Etsy takes roughly 6.5% in transaction fees, plus $0.20 listing fee, plus payment processing (3% + $0.25). On a $30 sale, expect ~$3 in Etsy fees alone. Factor this in!
Should I offer free shipping?
Free shipping converts better but cuts into margins. Build shipping into your price. A $25 shirt + $5 shipping often sells worse than a $30 shirt with "free shipping."
How do I account for returns in profit calculations?
POD returns typically run 2-5%. Reduce your expected profit by this percentage. A 3% return rate on $10 profit means your real profit is closer to $9.70 per sale.
What's a realistic marketing cost per sale?
Depends on your niche. Broad niches: $5-15 per sale. Specific niches with less competition: $2-5. Organic traffic (SEO, social): effectively $0 but requires time investment.
How many designs do I need to make $1000/month?
It's not about quantity. One viral design can do $1000/month. But typically, 20-50 solid designs with 2-5 sales each at $8-10 profit gets you there. Focus on quality over quantity.
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