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Dropshipping vs Print on Demand – Complete Guide for 2025

Vivan Z.
Created on November 26, 2024 – Last updated on February 6, 20253 min read
Written by: Vivan Z.

In 2025, the e-commerce industry continues to grow rapidly, and Dropshipping and Print on Demand (POD) are two of the most popular business models. Many entrepreneurs often find themselves torn between the two when deciding which type of e-commerce store to start. So, what are the key differences? Which model is better for you? In this article, we will thoroughly compare these two business models, discuss their pros and cons, and help you make a well-informed decision.

What is Dropshipping?

Dropshipping is an e-commerce business model. The retailer doesn’t keep inventory. Instead, they team up with a supplier. When an order comes in, the supplier ships the products straight to the customers. In this model, the retailer focuses on sales and marketing while the supplier takes care of product manufacturing, inventory management, and shipping.

For more details on dropshipping, check out our previous article on What is Dropshipping & How to Start.

how does dropshipping work

What is Print on Demand?

Print on Demand (POD) is a custom e-commerce model where the retailer does not need to purchase large amounts of inventory upfront. Instead, products are printed and produced only when a customer places an order. This model is often used for custom items like T-shirts, mugs, posters, and more. It allows retailers to offer unique and personalized products without the need for upfront inventory investment.

For more detailed information on Print on Demand, refer to our earlier article on What is Print on Demand? A Beginner’s Guide to the Growing?.

Dropshipping vs Print on Demand: A Comparative Analysis

feature Dropshipping

Dropshipping Pros & Cons
Dropshipping Pros&Cons

Print on Demand Pros & Cons

 

Dropshipping vs Print on Demand: A Comparative Analysis

Which One Should I Choose?

Instead of choosing between dropshipping and print on demand, the goal of this article is to help you gain a deeper understanding of both business models. By reading this guide, you should be able to make an informed decision about which industry or service is the best fit for you. Both models have their unique advantages, and your decision should be based on your business goals, target market, and product offerings.

Conclusion

As we discussed in the Dropshipping Pros section, services like DropSure can help streamline and enhance the dropshipping process. We encourage you to explore your options carefully and choose the model that aligns with your business vision and resources.

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Keep Learning

Before we get into the actual tactics, let’s make sure we understand what SEO really is. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and in simple terms, it means: how to make your store or website easier to find on Google. The higher you rank in search results, the more likely you are to get organic traffic—people who find you by searching, without you spending a dime on ads. This is especially important for dropshipping. Unlike traditional stores that rely on foot traffic or returning customers, dropshipping relies almost entirely on online visibility. Whether people can find your store online basically determines whether you get any orders. Even with a tight budget, SEO can help you build a super cost-effective customer acquisition channel.As more and more people jump into the dropshipping game, just launching a store and waiting for customers to show up is no longer realistic. You need to treat SEO like your fishing rod—casting it out to actively catch traffic. But don’t get it wrong: SEO is not just about stuffing a few keywords. It’s a full strategy, and every part matters. For example: Picking the right keywords so people can actually find you; Clear website structure, so users instantly understand where to go; Valuable, authentic content—not random fluff; Fast-loading pages, so customers don’t get annoyed and leave; External links and social shares—those little “credibility points” that search engines notice.One thing that’s super easy to overlook: Don’t ignore small website issues. Even just a broken page or duplicated title can make search engines think your site is “unprofessional,” which tanks your rankings.Bottom line: SEO isn’t a one-trick hack based on keyword stuffing. It’s about holistic optimization—making your store both […]

If you’re exploring efficient and cost-effective ways to manage your dropshipping business, Dropsure is your ultimate partner. From product sourcing to order fulfillment, we provide a seamless solution tailored for beginners and seasoned sellers alike. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about working with Dropsure, ensuring your journey is as smooth as possible. Guidance of registration 1.1 How to register Dropsure? Search our website: https://www.dropsure.com/ Fill out the form below. 1.2 How to link my store? After logging in, connect your Shopify Store to Dropsure by inputting your URL on the search space. You can check if your Shopify Store has successfully connected to Dropsure by going to the Store Management Page. Products 2.1 search and publish product Find the products you need under the ‘Products’ tab and publish them to your store by clicking the small yellow shop icon at the bottom right corner of the desired product image. 2.2 buy products Click ‘Buy Now’ on the Public Catalogue, then complete the following steps on Dropsure.  2.3 Branding Select packaging under the ‘Products’ tab and upload your own logo. Next, go to the ‘Public Catalogue’, select the product you want, and click ‘Branding’ in the ‘Recap’ column. Then, click ‘Select’ to choose the logo you uploaded. Orders 3.1 connect your store and sync orders First, you click the “store management” to connect your store, it’s very easy to operate. Then you can click”Order” tab to check your orders, sync your orders of the store for some days.  3.2 Ask for quotation You can click “Ask for Quote” to get quotation for your orders. Usually it may take about 24 hours. If you are in a hurry, please contact […]

Many e-commerce brands may appear large and well-established, but in reality, they don’t manufacture their own products. Instead, they simply put their brand logo on products that are produced and supplied by third-party manufacturers. This is what we’re focusing on today: White Label products. This model allows businesses to concentrate on brand building and marketing, while outsourcing the complex manufacturing process to specialized producers. What’s even better is that white label products can be applied across almost every category—from beauty and food to software and home goods—offering considerable profit margins. What is White Label?  White label basically means taking a product that’s already mass-produced by someone else, slapping your own brand and packaging on it, and then selling it as your own. Think of it like buying a “semi-finished” product and turning it into your own “star product.” But don’t confuse it with Private Label—they’re not the same. Private label products are made specifically for your brand, and only you can sell them. White label products, on the other hand, are ready-made and available for anyone to rebrand and sell. Here’s a simple example: Let’s say you want to sell hand sanitizer.If you go the white label route, you just need to find a supplier who already makes hand sanitizer. You get the product, put your logo on it, change the packaging a bit, and boom—you can start selling it online or in physical stores.If you choose the private label route, you’ll need to work with a manufacturer to create a unique formula, custom bottle design, and exclusive packaging—making it a product only you can sell. That way, competitors can’t offer the same thing. The beauty of white label is […]

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