In this episode, Christopher Hamze of teelaunch shares his journey in the printing business. He’s with us to give guidance for other companies to follow their success. If you are interested in learning how overcoming impossible challenges can help a business succeed.

In Technological advancements over the years allowed for improvements. It introduced new printing techniques. The print on demand business is now a staple in several industries. It takes the hassle out of printing for different customers.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:

1. To learn about the latest trends and developments in print on demand ecommerce.
2. To gain insights into how print on demand can be leveraged for business success and personal branding.
3. To discover tips for maximizing the potential of print on demand in marketing and product creation.

Resources

• For more inspiring insights, connect with Christopher through his LinkedIn profile.
• Visit teelaunch’s website for more information on their services.
• You may connect Christopher Hamze on X | Instagram
• For more Informative Interviews Click Here

Episode Highlights

Early Challenges of Print on Demand

• They were having trouble finding demand. People do not want to buy their shirts before because of the price. In screen printing, an order of 50 shirts would cost $5 per piece. But with the direct to garment (DTG) method, each print would cost $8.
• They tried selling to small businesses, bands, and artists, but they did not find any fulfillment in the DTG prints.
• The technology was advancing at a rapid rate, causing their then DTG machine to become obsolete. They accumulated debt from buying custom products to keep up with the technology.

Success in a Pod

• They interviewed twenty developers. Every one of them did not understand their idea, and they wanted a significant amount of money.
• They found a little agency in Los Angeles that understood their business idea and decided to develop it. They developed the application for $30,000.
• The application worked, and they launched it on August 14, 2015. There were no customers in the first week. But, when the second week came, there were a few orders. By the end of August, they already had $500,000 in revenue.
• By the end of 2015, they generated $1 million a month.

The Competitive Market of the Print-on-Demand Business

• After their success, the industry became competitive. The pricing became competitive among online stores. Etsy increased their prices, so were the other big companies.
• They started printing on other products to help solve some of the problems brought by the competitive market. They have over 85 products on their application.
• Print quality comprise 100% of their sales. Today, they only comprise 40% of their total shopify sales.

Retaining Customers for Print-on-Demand Service

• They were hands-on with their customers. They value customers’ feedback and suggestions during business days. If you want to do the same, practice first with a mockup generator.
• They built personal relationships with their customers and offered to customize their apparel. That made their customers comfortable working with them.
• If customers feel heard, they will trust you with their needs from your business. If they want wall art, but you’re only interested in your profit margin, they will turn their backs on you.

Best Print-on-Demand Recommendations for Other Businesses

• Do not give up, especially if you believe in what you and your business can offer. If you believe in something, keep working for it. Customize products if you have to.
• Keep brainstorming for ideas to sustain your ecommerce business and sell custom products.
• It is essential to build backups because unexpected things may happen.
• You need to put the business first. For instance, business owners need to know when to fire an employee who affects the company.

Top Mistakes of Entrepreneurs

• Business owners do not focus on cash flow, which is an essential aspect of a business.
• They do not realize that there are a lot of ups and downs. There are cyclical factors that affect a business.

Importance of Business Strategies

• It is crucial to learn about new advertising techniques. To succeed, you must reduce the shipping time of your deliveries and sell products without defects.
• It is not advisable to rely on one social media platform for advertisements. An online business takes advantage of a range of products and platforms.

About Christopher Hamze

Christopher Hamze is the founder of the print on demand company teelaunch. Teelaunch promises to bring your ideas to life. They take your design ideas and orders, fulfilling them from start to finish. Customers only pay for the items they printed; thus, avoiding surplus products.

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