This checklist covers the practical setup steps for a US print on demand business. It is general information, not tax or legal advice.
Business basics
- Decide your business structure. Many people start as a sole proprietor and consider an LLC later.
- Check whether your state or city requires a business license or a DBA filing if you use a shop name.
- Learn your state’s sales tax rules, including whether you need a seller’s permit (see our sales tax guide).
- Consider an EIN from the IRS. It is free and lets you avoid sharing your Social Security number with some partners.
- Open a separate bank account for the shop to keep records clean.
Shop setup
- Choose a print provider and order samples (see Printful vs Printify).
- Write clear shipping and return policies that match what your provider actually does.
- Create a pricing sheet (see our pricing guide).
Designs and listings
- Only use art you created or have a license for. Avoid trademarks and characters you don’t own.
- Use real mockups or photos, and describe the exact product.
- Write titles and tags around what a buyer would actually search for.
Growing past Etsy
- Start collecting buyer emails where the platform allows.
- Consider a simple website of your own later. Hosting providers offer starter plans for this.
TREVOR: add a short “what I wish I’d known” note from starting Odd Lantern Co.
Based in Canada? See Starting a Print on Demand Shop in Canada.
