Dropshipping vs Print on Demand – Complete Guide for 2025

You’ve probably heard the saying: “Price = Cost × 2.” Sounds nice, doesn’t it?But anyone who’s done dropshipping knows — if you really follow that, you’ll basically end up eating dirt. This article will walk you through, step by step: where your profits actually go, and how to calculate a realistic pricing strategy to avoid the nightmare of “the more you sell, the more you lose.” The Cost Components of Dropshipping  Don’t fool yourself into thinking the cost is just what you pay on 1688, AliExpress, or Temu. The real cost = product price + shipping + fees + marketing expenses + returns/customer service + taxes + your own salary/profit expectations. Let’s break it down: Cost Item Example Data (Selling One T-shirt) Product Cost ¥20 (AliExpress cost) International Shipping ¥15 (ePacket or Yanwen small package) Platform Fees ¥5 (e.g., PayPal + Shopify transaction fees) Marketing Cost ¥30 (Facebook ad spend) Returns/After-sales Allocation ¥3 (average 1 return per 10 orders) Other Expenses ¥2 (Shopify subscription, domain, customer service, etc.) Total Cost ¥75 Note: This doesn’t include your profit expectations yet. How to Calculate Your “Bottom-Line Price”   Many people set prices on a whim: “The product cost is ¥30, so I’ll sell it for ¥60. That should be enough to make a profit.” But in dropshipping, this kind of pricing is basically suicidal. Your costs are much more than just the product price — you have shipping, advertising, platform fees, after-sales costs, and more. If you don’t calculate these clearly, you might think you’re making money on a sale, but in reality, you’re losing. So let’s get clear on a crucial concept — the bottom-line price. What is the bottom-line price?The […]

Lately, lots of sellers have been saying that their Shopify store got blocked not long after they opened it, and their appeals were unsuccessful. They have no idea what happened, and it’s a real headache.You’ve invested a lot of time and effort, and you’ve even started to see an increase in sales, and then all of a sudden, your store gets closed. Why are stores getting closed? Shopify’s got strict rules about certain products, and if your stuff doesn’t comply with the platform’s policies, they might take it down or even close your store.Some sellers might not even know they’re breaking the rules, and they find out when their accounts get suspended and their funds get frozen. If you’re thinking about opening a Shopify store or already have one but aren’t sure if your products are allowed, it’s crucial to know which products you can’t sell or aren’t suitable for sale.Today, we’re going to go into more detail so you can avoid these issues and make sure your store is operating safely. Tobacco, Hookahs, and E-cigarettes  Tobacco, e-cigarettes, cigars, and fireworks are all completely banned on Shopify. Whether you sell traditional cigarettes, high-end cigars, or niche e-cigarettes, they are not available on Shopify. Even if your target market allows the sale of these products, Shopify still doesn’t support them, and all related items will be taken off the shelves outright, which may even result in the store being blocked. Some sellers may think: “I’m only selling vapes and oils, not tobacco itself, so I should be fine, right?” But the truth is, as long as your products are involved in the tobacco or e-cigarette industry, you run the risk of […]

With an 8.5% year-on-year growth, Japan’s e-commerce sector is projected to break through ¥152 trillion in 2024, continuing its dominance as the fastest-growing mature market in Asia. This nation of 120 million high-net-worth consumers is driving unprecedented momentum, fueled by a 94% mobile payment adoption rate and a 28% cross-border e-commerce growth rate—making it a strategic growth engine for global brands. Are you planning to enter the Japanese market, or seeking to understand the platforms Japanese consumers trust most? Mastering the local e-commerce landscape is the first step to success. From generalist platforms to niche verticals, Japan’s ecosystem offers unique opportunities. This article will analyze the top 6 mainstream e-commerce platforms in Japan, helping you decode market trends and seize growth potential. Amazon Japan  ​Platform Website：https://www.amazon.co.jp  Amazon Japan holds a significant position in Japan’s e-commerce market, with an estimated monthly visit count of approximately 601.7 million, highlighting its popularity and substantial market influence. Founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos in Bellevue, Washington, Amazon began as an online bookstore. Over time, it transformed into a comprehensive shopping platform where consumers can easily purchase a wide variety of products, including books, clothing, food, electronics, and streaming services.  Seller Fee Structure For every transaction that a seller completes, Amazon charges a fee based on a fixed percentage. The sales commission percentage varies depending on the product category. For example, the commission for fashion items may range from 8% to 15%, while consumer electronics typically range between 8% and 15%. If a seller utilizes Amazon’s FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) service, additional fees will apply. These include storage fees, which are charged for storing products in Amazon’s warehouses and are calculated based on the time period as well as […]