Introduction
Building a profitable print-on-demand business takes more than great artwork. Along the way, you’ll need to make plenty of decisions that shape your workflow and your customers’ experience, from prepping print-ready files and picking the right products to estimating shipping costs and handling fulfillment. To help photographers, artists, and print-on-demand sellers work through these decisions, the Lumaprints team runs live webinars where customers can ask questions directly. This guide pulls together some of the most common questions from one of those Q&A sessions, covering store setup, file preparation, shipping, production, and general print-on-demand business advice to help you get your business off the ground and keep it growing.
Print on Demand Guide from Our Experts
Every print on demand business is different, but many sellers have the same questions when starting out or growing their stores. In this webinar, Lumaprints’ marketing team and CEO Ken Li, answer real questions from artists, photographers and e-commerce sellers sharing practical insights learned from years of experience in print manufacturing, fulfillment and supporting print on demand businesses. Among the more frequent topics were:
- Selecting the right products for your customers
- Properly preparing artwork and print files
- Dealing with shipping costs and production times
- Product mappings and store integrations
- Scaling your business and streamlining your processes
Below are the questions organised by topic to help you find the information that is most relevant to your business.
Store Setup, Products & File Preparation
Getting your store set up right from the start can save you a lot of time down the road. Below are some of the most common questions new and experienced sellers ask, covering everything from choosing products to setting up your artwork and integrating your online store.
What products should I sell to my customers?
The best products will depend on your artwork, your target audience and your pricing strategy. It is a good idea to have a range of products from entry level to premium so you are catering to different customer budgets. For example:
- Fine art paper prints are the most affordable entry point
- Canvas prints are the natural premium upgrade
- Framed wall art can boost average order value while giving customers a ready-to-hang option
The variety of sizes and finishes allows customers to select products that fit their space and budget.
What paper is best for different styles of artwork?
Different styles of artwork work on different paper finishes. General recommendations include:
- Illustrations and Line Art: Archival Matte, Semi-Gloss or Hot Press
- Painterly art: Archival Matte, Hot Press or Cold Press
- Watercolor work: Archival Matte, Hot Press, Cold Press
Choice of paper is important to preserving detail, texture and color in your finished prints.
Will Lumaprints offer mockups or templates?
Yes. Lumaprints now provides free mock-up templates so you can display your artwork in a professional manner. Head over to our Marketing Assets page for Photoshop and Canva templates to download, so you can easily create product mockups to use in your online store and marketing materials.
What do I need to do to get my image files ready for printing?
Lumaprints accepts .pdf, .png, .jpeg and .jpg files for print production. For optimal printing quality:
- Export in the best quality you can.
- Make sure the aspect ratio of your image is right for the size of print you want.
- Zoom in on exported files to confirm image quality before you upload.
- TIFF files can be edited, but we suggest exporting them to high quality JPEG or PNG files before uploading.
If you want to learn more about preparing artwork for print, watch our Image Setup Webinar.
Can I use a bigger image for smaller print sizes?
Yes. As long as the aspect ratio is correct you can use a larger file for a smaller print size. Keeping the correct aspect ratio is much more important than having a larger file.
What is the difference between a saved product and a mapped product?
A saved product is a product that you create yourself in the ordering process. A mapped product is a product that is synced from an integrated store such as Shopify or Etsy. Lumaprints’ product mapping automatically recognizes products from your connected store, making fulfillment management a breeze. Learn more about Bulk Mapping here.
How does store integration work?
Lumaprints partners with supported ecommerce platforms to manage your order fulfillment. When your store is connected:
- Lumaprints imports products from your online store
- You can map products, which is essentially telling us what to produce for that particular synced item
- As orders come in, they can be manually processed; or if toggled on, automatically processed
- All orders go directly to our production to fulfill. When it’s completed, a tracking number will push back to the connected store automatically
Do I use automatic processing or manual processing?
The right process depends on your experience and the amount of orders you get. Manual processing is a good choice if you:
- Are new to print on demand
- Want to review each order prior to production
- Mainly sell custom artwork
For automatic processing, it’s best if you:
- Get a steady flow of orders
- Already mapped your products
- Want orders to flow directly to production, with minimum manual work
Shipping, Production & Order Management
Knowing the shipping costs, production times and fulfillment options is key for a successful print-on-demand business. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive regarding shipping, rush production, store pickup and larger orders.
How can I estimate shipping costs?
Shipping costs are calculated by destination, package size and method of shipping. When you’re logged into your account, one of the easiest ways to estimate your costs is by using the Lumaprints Shipping Calculator. For a general estimate, our team suggests using 10001 (New York) or 04938 (a rural Maine ZIP code). These places normally have higher shipping estimates so you are able to determine realistic shipping rates for your customers. Many sellers either:
- Charge a flat rate based on the shipping estimates above
- Build shipping cost into the product price and offer free shipping
What are my options for production and rush orders
Standard production time is typically three business days. The shipping time will depend on the carrier you choose. Lumaprints also offers options for more urgent orders:
- Next day production (orders placed before 9:00 AM Pacific Time)
- Same-day production (orders placed before 9:00 AM Pacific Time)
Oftentimes, it is cheaper to choose expedited production than it is to pay for expedited shipping alone, allowing you the ability to get your products faster with a more manageable shipping cost.
How does store pickup work?
Customers near our California facility have the option to choose Store Pickup at checkout instead of shipping their order (this is subject to product availability). Once production is complete, you’ll receive an email or phone confirmation from our Customer Service team with instructions on how to collect your product. Please wait for that confirmation before visiting the showroom. Note: Metal Prints are only available at our Kentucky facility, since that’s the only location where they’re produced at this time. Visits are by appointment only. Regular pickup hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM local time, with a lunch closure from 11:00 AM–12:00 NN at our CA facility and 12:30 PM–1:30 PM at our KY facility. We can arrange other pickup times if you contact our team in advance. If you’re ordering in bulk or buying products too large for standard shipping, store pickup might also be the best option.
What are the best ways to reduce shipping costs on large orders?
For large or bulk orders there are often a few different options for shipping depending on the size and destination. To help keep shipping costs down, consider:
- Use the Shipping Calculator before placing your order
- Compare FedEx Ground with freight shipping for oversized shipments
- Order products separately when it makes sense, since multiple smaller shipments can sometimes cost less than one large one
- Choose store pickup if you’re near one of our production facilities
- Contact the Lumaprints Customer Service team for help with bulk orders and freight options
What are the biggest prints?
Lumaprints offers a variety of print sizes for different product categories. Maximum sizes depend on the product type.
| Product | Maximum Size |
|---|---|
| Stretched Canvas | 52″ × 100″ |
| Framed Canvas | 52″ × 100″ |
| Rolled Canvas | 52″ × 300″ |
| Paper Prints | 43″ × 110″ |
| Framed Paper Prints | 40″ × 60″ (image + mat size) |
| Metal Prints | 40″ × 60″ |
| Peel & Stick Prints | 49″ × 150″ |
Keep Growing Your Print-on-Demand Business with Lumaprints
Whether you’re launching your first online store or scaling an existing print-on-demand business, having the right printing partner can dramatically change your daily operations. Lumaprints offers you the tools and support to grow with confidence with store integrations, product mapping, fast production, and a wide selection of print products. Why choose Lumaprints?
- High-quality wall art and print products for artists, photographers, and online sellers
- Integrations with popular ecommerce platforms to simplify order fulfillment
- Rush production options for time-sensitive orders
- Free educational resources, including webinars, marketing assets, and guides
- Responsive customer support whenever you need help
Looking for more tips? Browse our webinar library, check out our free marketing assets, or create your Lumaprints account to start growing your print-on-demand business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer sample packs for artists? Yes. Lumaprints offers paper sample packs so you can compare paper textures before placing an order. Artists interested in ordering samples using their own artwork can also contact our Customer Service team for assistance. Why are some products available for “Store Pickup” only? Due to their size or weight, some oversized items are not eligible for standard shipping and cannot be shipped using standard shipping methods. Store Pickup may be the only option available to you at checkout in these instances. Freight shipping may also be arranged for qualified orders. Can I pick up my order from the Kentucky production facility? Yes. If you would like your order to be made or picked up at the Kentucky facility, please enter the request in the special instructions when placing your order. The Lumaprints team will check availability and arrange a pick-up with you. Can I cancel an order and get a refund? Yes. Orders can be canceled as long as they haven’t entered production. If your order has not yet been printed, you’ll receive a full refund.
Conclusion
Great art is the first step in a successful print on demand business. Knowing how to choose products, prepare files, ship products, manufacture products, and run your store will make the experience better for you and your customers. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your current workflow to the next level, we hope this print-on-demand guide has answered some of your most common questions and provided you with real print-on-demand business tips that you can implement as your business grows. For more expert advice, check out our latest webinars, check out our Marketing Assets or open your Lumaprints account to start selling with confidence.
