This white paper explores what print-on-demand really means today – and why so many POD initiatives fail to deliver on their promise. Drawing on real-world insights from industry leaders, it cuts through the hype to focus on execution, workflow foundations, marketing, and strategy.
• What true print-on-demand is – and why it’s not about order quantity
• The most common execution mistakes holding PSPs back
• Why workflow foundations must come before platforms and technology
• How marketing, education, and partnerships impact POD success
• Practical guidance to build a sustainable, profitable POD strategy
The print industry is entering a new phase – where print-on-demand is no longer a niche offering, but a core operating model shaping how print businesses compete, scale, and deliver value.
Our new Print-on-Demand: Unplugged white paper distils the most valuable insights from the Print Island Matrix session into one clear, execution-focused resource for print service providers.
• What print-on-demand really means – beyond order quantities and customisation
• Why many POD initiatives fail at execution, not technology
• How workflow foundations, marketing, and internal education shape POD success
• The role of partnerships in scaling capability without excessive capital investment
• Expert insights on where POD is heading and how to prepare for what’s next
This isn’t a technical manual or a platform comparison – it’s a practical guide to understanding how print-on-demand actually works in the real world. You’ll gain clarity on where to focus, what to fix first, and how to avoid common mistakes that stall POD growth.
Whether you’re exploring print-on-demand for the first time or looking to strengthen an existing offering, this paper provides a clear, confident framework for building sustainable, profitable POD operations.
