Print-On-Demand & Heat Press Startup Course

PHASE 0: Pick Your Model & ₹10K Budget

• You upload designs to a POD partner (Printrove, Qikink, Blinkstore, etc.)
• They print & ship after a customer orders. You focus on designs & marketing.
• Very minimal hardware cost. Quickest way to validate.

• Buy a mini heat press + supplies, print 15–40 shirts/month yourself.
• Slower validation, but possible under ₹10K. Hardware: ₹5–9K for heat press.

PHASE 1: Name & Brand Setup

• Brainstorm 40 name ideas using patterns ([Niche]+Word, [UniqueWord]+Tees, [Local]+Threads — e.g, KahaaniTees).
• Quick checks: Google+Instagram search, domain availability, reserve social handles.
• (Optional) Trademark search on IP India portal (Class 25).
• Register domain, reserve Instagram, FB, Twitter/X handles. Bio: same tagline + store link.
• Create a Google Business Gmail for Razorpay, hosting, profiles.

PHASE 2: Design Assets & Mockups

• Make brand kit in Canva: logo, primary/accent colors, 2 fonts.
• Create logo: 500×500 px, header: 1200×360 px
• Make 10 designs (bestseller, niche, seasonal/gifting). Export PNG 300DPI/3000×3000px.
• Create mockups in Placeit or Canva. Lifestyle + flat images convert better.
• Order 1–2 physical samples for QC.

PHASE 3: Create Sales Channels

1. Pick Shopify (fast) or WooCommerce (cheap, flexible).
2. Customize store: upload logo, choose colors, add hero mockups, add products (title, images, price).
3. Payments: connect Razorpay (API keys needed, see KYC below).
4. Shipping: set zones; for POD, let the app handle it.
5. Apps: Install POD partner app (Printrove, Qikink, Blinkstore) to automate orders.

PHASE 4: POD Partner Setup

• Sign up as merchant on Printrove / Qikink, enter bank details.
• Upload designs, create products in dashboard, save.
• Install Shopify app, authorize, orders will sync.
• Test order & print sample to check print quality.

PHASE 5: Razorpay Payment Gateway Setup

• Create Razorpay account (guide), upload KYC docs (PAN, Aadhaar, bank proof).
• Get API keys — integrate into store (Shopify or WooCommerce).
• Test with sandbox mode then go live.

PHASE 6: Shipping & Order Management

• POD handles shipping; for home-printing, use Shiprocket or Pickrr for discounted rates.
• Policy:
  Processing: 2–5 days | Delivery: 4–7 days, free shipping over ₹999.
  Returns: defect returns within 7 days; customer pays return unless error.

PHASE 7: Product Listing Copy & Conversion

• Title: [Design name] – Premium Cotton Tee | [BrandName]
• Price: ₹599
• Short desc: 100% combed cotton; breathable; high-fade resistance print.
• Bullets: Fabric details, Fit, Care, Print process, Shipping
• CTA: Buy Now • Free delivery above ₹999
• SEO title/meta: [Design name] T-shirt – [BrandName] | Custom Printed Tees India

PHASE 8: Marketing Step-by-Step

1. Days 0–14 (Organic): Create Instagram profile, WhatsApp catalog. Post 3 Reels a week. Offer first 50 buyers 10% off.
2. Days 15–30 (Paid): 2 Ads for ₹300 each, one to colleges, one to gifters. Collect testimonials, user pics.

PHASE 9: Legal & Taxation Basics

• GST needed above ₹40L/₹20L turnover or inter-state sales (GST info).
• Keep simple order/cost/ad spreadsheets; start as sole-proprietor, upgrade later.

PHASE 10: 60-Day Launch Calendar

1. Day 1: Choose final name, buy domain, reserve handles.
2. Day 2: Create Gmail & Google Business Profile.
3. Day 3: Canva brand kit & 10 designs.
4. Day 4: Build Shopify or WooCommerce store.
5. Day 5: Create Printrove/Qikink account & upload products.
6. Day 6: Order test sample.
7. Day 7: Set up IG/WhatsApp Catalog.
8. Week 1: Post Reel, run ₹300 ad, DM 200 buyers, collect feedback.
9. Weeks 2–4: Scale ads, add designs, bulk college outreach, bundles.
10. Weeks 5–8: Automate, expand, Shiprocket shipping, email list.

PHASE 11: Unit Economics & P&L Example

PHASE 12: Common Problems & Quick Fixes

• Low ad CTR: Lifestyle mockup with person wearing tee + CTA + headline test
• POD sync issue: Re-authorize Shopify app, check SKUs (fix).
• Payment declined: Check Razorpay mode & KYC complete (fix).

Final Copy Templates & Links

• Instagram bio: [BrandName] • Custom printed tees • 100% cotton • 3-day dispatch • DM for bulk & college orders ▶ Link below
• WhatsApp greeting: Hi 👋 — Welcome to [BrandName]! Tell us design & size. For bulk, type BULK.
• Product page: Premium combed cotton tee | Unisex fit | Long-lasting ink | Ships in 2–5 days | Free defect returns
• Ad primary: Limited run: [Design Name] tee. Premium cotton. Grab before sizes sell out. Shop ➜ [link]

1. Decide POD vs home-print
2. Pick name + buy domain
3. Create Gmail + reserve social handles
4. Canva kit, 10 designs & mockups
5. Shopify/WooCommerce store setup
6. POD partner & Razorpay account
7. Instagram, WhatsApp, 3 Reels, 2 ads
8. Launch, get first sample, track sales in sheet