Print on Demand Profit Calculator
A $25 shirt doesn't mean $25 profit. This tool subtracts the base cost and marketplace fees so you see what actually lands per sale.
TL;DR
- A $24.99 tee at $9.50 base keeps about $13.57 before ads — roughly 50% margin.
- That's ≈ $1,357 per 100 sales at the same price and cost.
- Target 40–50% margin; price from your break-even up, not from vibes.
How the calculation works
Your profit is the retail price minus the base cost (blank + print) and the marketplace fees (a percent plus a fixed fee):
Profit = Price − Base − (Price × Fee% + Fixed)
Pick your product to load a realistic 2026 base cost, set your price and fee, and the calculator shows profit, margin, monthly income, and break-even.
Profit at common prices
Net per sale at 6.5% + $0.30 fees (before ads and shipping gaps):
| Product | Base cost | You keep |
|---|---|---|
| T-Shirt ($24.99) | $9.50 | ≈ $13.57 |
| Hoodie ($49.99) | $24.00 | ≈ $22.44 |
| Mug ($16.99) | $7.00 | ≈ $8.59 |
| Tote ($22.99) | $11.00 | ≈ $10.20 |
Realistic example
100 tees a month at $24.99
About $13.57 profit each means roughly $1,357/month before ads. Spend $400 on ads and you're still near $950 net.
Hoodie at $49.99 with $24 base
About $22.44 per sale. Fewer sales needed — 50 hoodies beat 100 tees on profit.
Frequently asked questions
Is print on demand still profitable?
Yes, at 40–50% margins with designs people actually search for. It stops working when base costs plus ads eat the margin — usually under $20 tees or broad niches with $1+ CPCs.
Should I sell on Etsy or my own store?
Etsy brings built-in search but charges ~6.5% plus processing; your own store keeps more per sale but you pay for every visitor. Most sellers start on Etsy, then move winners to their own store.
How do I raise POD profit without raising prices?
Switch to a cheaper print provider, bundle (2-pack tees), push hoodies and mugs with better dollar profit, and cut ad waste before touching retail price.
Methodology & sources
Base costs reflect 2026 published POD supplier ranges (Printify, Printful: tees $8–$15, hoodies $20–$35, mugs $6–$10). Fee defaults mirror common marketplace structures. Treat all figures as estimates — confirm your provider's live base and shipping before pricing. Informational only.
Related tools & guides