My Print-on-Demand Journey: From Burnout to Balance

I stumbled across the world of print-on-demand in 2016 during a college break. I had some extra time on my hands and a creative itch to scratch—so I decided to try out a platform called Zazzle. It felt like magic to upload a design and imagine it printed on something people could actually buy. My first sale? A $0.60 postcard with a scrappy little design I threw together on a whim. But that tiny sale meant everything. It was proof that my art could live beyond my sketchbook.

That one moment set off what would become a long, wild ride.

After Zazzle, I jumped to Redbubble, then Society6. I was hooked—not just on making art, but on the idea of building something real. Redbubble and Society6 brought in the most traction for me early on. They gave me the confidence to improve, experiment, and grow my style. But like a lot of creatives, I fell into what I now call “shiny platform syndrome.” If there was a new POD platform out there, I had to try it. And I did—literally every single one.

At one point, I had:

• 4 different Etsy shops
  
• 6 Zazzle accounts
  
• 2 Redbubble stores
  
• 2 Society6 shops
• 1 Rageon
• Threadless
  All in different niches, trying to build a “brand empire.”

Spoiler alert: it was too much.

By 2020, everything came to a crashing halt. I hit burnout hard. I had a breakdown and stepped away from everything—platforms, shops, social media, all of it. I realized I wasn’t creating from joy anymore. I was chasing trends, sales, and validation. I knew I had to slow down and focus on myself.

Fast forward to now, and I’m rebuilding—but on my terms this time.

I’ve rebranded with clarity and care. I’m now focused on two new shops that feel aligned with who I am and what I want to offer the world. Well, three if you count my personal store on my website.

These days, I’ve kept things simple:

• Zazzle is still in the mix—because it was my first love.
  
• Threadless is a new favorite with a solid community and clean setup.
  
• As for Redbubble? They banned me.
  
• And Society6? They removed countless artists, including me, in what felt like a mass purge. Honestly, they’re starting to look more like a wannabe Amazon than an artist-first platform.
  

But that’s okay. I’ve found peace in a slower, more intentional approach. I’ve learned that I don’t need to be everywhere to make an impact. I just need to be true to myself and connect with people who resonate with my work.

If you’re just starting out, or maybe burned out like I was, here’s my advice:
Choose platforms that feel sustainable. Give yourself permission to rest. Your creativity is a gift—but it needs space to breathe.

Want to learn about Print on Demand? Check out this blog post

Already a POD Artist? Check out these tips!

Wanna check out my shops: Zazzle and Threadless

Thanks for being here. 💛
If you’ve ever felt this too, I’d love to hear your story in the comments.