Support our educational content for free when you purchase through links on our site. Learn more
How to Make Money with a Printer [2024]

Have you ever wondered how to turn your printer into a money-making machine? Well, you’re in luck! In this comprehensive guide, we will show you how to make money with a printer in creative and profitable ways. Whether you’re looking to earn some extra income or start a full-fledged business, we’ve got you covered. So, grab your printer and let’s dive in!
Quick Answer
You can make money with a printer by:
- Printing and selling photos as art prints on platforms like Etsy.
- Printing and selling documents as printables on online marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon FBA.
- Offering printing services for local businesses by printing business cards and flyers.
- Creating unique crafts like scrapbooking embellishments, decals, and stickers to sell on sites like Etsy.
- Printing personalized gifts like gift wrapping paper, labels, t-shirts, hats, and bags.
- Designing and printing custom invitations, thank you cards, and other stationery items for special events.
- Collaborating with event organizers, schools, and sports teams to create and sell customized merchandise.
- Creating and selling educational materials such as flashcards, worksheets, and activity books.
- Utilizing Print on Demand (POD) services like Redbubble or Teespring to create and sell custom merchandise.
Now that you have a quick overview, let’s explore each method in more detail and discover how you can turn your printer into a money-making powerhouse!
Quick Tips and Facts
Before we dive into the various ways to make money with a printer, here are some quick tips and facts to keep in mind:
- Research the market and target audience for each printing venture to ensure there is demand for your products.
- Consider the costs involved, including ink, paper, and any additional materials needed for your chosen printing projects.
- Price your products competitively, taking into account the time and effort invested in creating them.
- Familiarize yourself with legal and copyright laws regarding the reproduction and resale of images and designs.
- Be aware of any personal allowance and legal requirements for additional income streams in your area.
Now that you’re armed with these tips, let’s explore each method in more detail and uncover the potential for profit!
1. Print and Sell Photos as Art Prints
✅ Profit Potential: High
✅ Ease of Entry: Medium
If you have a knack for photography, why not turn your stunning shots into art prints? With the rise of online marketplaces like Etsy, it has never been easier to sell your photography as wall art. Here’s how you can get started:
- Select your best photographs: Choose a collection of your most captivating images that you believe will resonate with potential buyers.
- Print your photos: Invest in high-quality photo paper and use your printer to bring your images to life. Ensure that your printer is capable of producing vibrant and detailed prints.
- Frame your prints: Consider offering your prints both framed and unframed. Invest in attractive frames that complement your photographs and enhance their appeal.
- Set up an online store: Create a shop on platforms like Etsy or your own website to showcase and sell your art prints. Write compelling descriptions and use high-quality images to entice potential buyers.
- Promote your prints: Utilize social media platforms, photography communities, and relevant online forums to showcase your work and drive traffic to your store.
Remember, the key to success in this venture is to create unique and visually striking photographs that stand out from the crowd. With the right marketing and a bit of luck, you could turn your passion for photography into a profitable business!
CHECK PRICE on:
2. Print and Sell Documents as Printables
✅ Profit Potential: Medium
✅ Ease of Entry: High
If you have a talent for graphic design or creating printable resources, selling printables can be a lucrative business. Printables are digital files that customers can download and print at home. Here’s how you can get started:
- Choose a niche: Decide on a specific niche for your printables, such as meal planners, coloring pages, or organizational tools. Find a niche that aligns with your interests and has a potential market.
- Design your printables: Use graphic design software or online tools to create visually appealing and functional printables. Ensure that your designs are easy to print and use.
- Convert to PDF format: Save your designs as PDF files, which are universally compatible and easy to print.
- Set up an online store: Create a shop on platforms like Etsy or your own website to showcase and sell your printables. Write detailed descriptions and provide attractive preview images to entice potential buyers.
- Promote your printables: Utilize social media platforms, relevant blogs, and online communities to showcase your printables and drive traffic to your store.
By offering unique and high-quality printables, you can attract customers who are looking for convenient and aesthetically pleasing solutions to their everyday needs.
CHECK PRICE on:
3. Offer Printing Services for Local Businesses
✅ Profit Potential: Medium
✅ Ease of Entry: High
Local businesses often require printing services for their marketing materials, such as business cards, flyers, and brochures. By offering printing services, you can tap into this demand and establish yourself as a reliable printing partner. Here’s how you can get started:
- Invest in a high-quality printer: To provide professional printing services, you’ll need a printer capable of producing high-resolution prints with vibrant colors. Consider investing in a printer specifically designed for business printing needs.
- Create a portfolio: Design sample business cards, flyers, and other marketing materials to showcase your printing capabilities. Highlight your attention to detail and the quality of your prints.
- Network with local businesses: Attend local business events, join networking groups, and reach out to small businesses in your area. Offer your printing services and provide samples of your work.
- Set competitive pricing: Research the market rates for printing services in your area and set your prices accordingly. Consider factors such as the cost of materials, printing time, and your expertise.
- Provide exceptional customer service: Deliver your prints on time and ensure that they meet or exceed your clients’ expectations. Build strong relationships with your customers to encourage repeat business and referrals.
By offering printing services to local businesses, you can establish a steady stream of clients and build a reputation as a reliable and professional printing partner.
CHECK PRICE on:
4. Create and Sell Unique Crafts
✅ Profit Potential: Medium
✅ Ease of Entry: Medium
If you have a creative streak and enjoy crafting, your printer can be a valuable tool for creating unique and marketable crafts. Here are some craft ideas that you can create and sell:
- Scrapbooking embellishments: Design and print decorative elements like stickers, die-cuts, and patterned papers for scrapbooking enthusiasts.
- Decals and stickers: Create custom decals and stickers for laptops, water bottles, cars, and more. Offer personalized designs to cater to individual preferences.
- Temporary tattoos: Design and print temporary tattoos that can be easily applied and removed. These are popular for parties, events, and festivals.
- Greeting cards: Print custom greeting cards for various occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, and holidays. Offer personalized options to make your cards stand out.
- Wall decals: Design and print removable wall decals that can add a touch of personality to any space. Offer a range of designs to cater to different tastes.
- Party decorations: Create printable party decorations like banners, cupcake toppers, and favor tags. These are in high demand for birthdays, baby showers, and other celebrations.
To sell your crafts, you can set up an online store on platforms like Etsy or create your own website. Market your products through social media, craft fairs, and local boutiques to reach a wider audience.
CHECK PRICE on:
5. Print Personalized Gifts
✅ Profit Potential: High
✅ Ease of Entry: Medium
Personalized gifts are always in demand, as people love to give and receive unique and thoughtful presents. With your printer, you can create a wide range of personalized items that make for great gifts. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Gift wrapping paper: Design and print custom gift wrapping paper featuring unique patterns, photos, or personalized messages.
- Labels and stickers: Create custom labels and stickers that can be used for organizing, personalizing belongings, or adding a special touch to gifts.
- T-shirts, hats, and bags: Print custom designs on t-shirts, hats, and bags using heat transfer or sublimation printing techniques. Offer personalized options for individuals or groups.
- Mugs and drinkware: Design and print custom mugs, water bottles, and other drinkware with personalized messages, photos, or artwork.
- Home decor items: Print custom artwork, quotes, or photographs on canvas, wood, or other materials to create personalized home decor items.
- Phone cases: Design and print custom phone cases featuring unique designs, photos, or personalized messages.
To sell your personalized gifts, you can set up an online store on platforms like Etsy or create your own website. Market your products through social media, gift guides, and targeted advertising to reach potential customers.
CHECK PRICE on:
6. Design and Print Customized Stationery
✅ Profit Potential: Medium
✅ Ease of Entry: Medium
Customized stationery is always in demand, especially for special events like weddings, birthdays, and baby showers. With your printer, you can create beautiful and personalized stationery items that will leave a lasting impression. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Invitations: Design and print custom invitations for various events, including weddings, parties, and corporate gatherings. Offer a range of designs and customization options.
- Thank you cards: Create personalized thank you cards that can be used for weddings, baby showers, or any occasion where gratitude is expressed.
- Save the dates: Design and print save the date cards or magnets to announce upcoming weddings or events. Offer customization options to match the theme and style of the event.
- RSVP cards: Create custom RSVP cards that make it easy for guests to respond to event invitations. Offer personalized designs and options for different event types.
- Programs and menus: Print custom programs and menus for weddings, parties, and other events. Offer design options that match the overall theme and style of the event.
To sell your customized stationery, you can set up an online store on platforms like Etsy or create your own website. Market your products through social media, wedding blogs, and event planning communities to reach potential customers.
CHECK PRICE on:
7. Print and Sell Customized Merchandise for Events
✅ Profit Potential: High
✅ Ease of Entry: Medium
Events like conferences, trade shows, and sports tournaments often require customized merchandise to create a memorable experience for attendees. By collaborating with event organizers, schools, and sports teams, you can create and sell customized merchandise that caters to their specific needs. Here’s how you can get started:
- Research local events: Identify upcoming events in your area that may require customized merchandise. Reach out to event organizers and offer your printing services.
- Collaborate with schools and sports teams: Approach local schools, sports teams, and organizations to offer customized merchandise for their events, fundraisers, or team spirit wear.
- Design and print merchandise: Create custom designs for t-shirts, hats, bags, banners, and other merchandise based on the event or team branding. Ensure that your prints are of high quality and durable.
- Set up an online store: Create a dedicated online store or section on your website to showcase and sell your customized merchandise. Provide options for customization, such as adding names or numbers to apparel.
- Promote your merchandise: Utilize social media, targeted advertising, and local marketing channels to promote your customized merchandise. Attend relevant events and showcase your products to potential customers.
By tapping into the demand for customized event merchandise, you can establish long-term partnerships with event organizers, schools, and sports teams, ensuring a steady stream of orders.
CHECK PRICE on:
8. Create and Sell Educational Materials
✅ Profit Potential: Medium
✅ Ease of Entry: Medium
With the rise of homeschooling and the demand for supplemental educational materials, there is a growing market for printable educational resources. If you have a background in education or a passion for creating educational content, this could be a profitable niche for you. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Flashcards: Design and print flashcards for various subjects and grade levels. Offer visually appealing designs and comprehensive content.
- Worksheets: Create printable worksheets that cover different topics and skills. Ensure that your worksheets are engaging and aligned with educational standards.
- Activity books: Design and print activity books that provide interactive and educational experiences for children. Offer a range of themes and difficulty levels.
- Lesson plans: Create comprehensive lesson plans for teachers or homeschooling parents. Provide detailed instructions, learning objectives, and assessment tools.
- Classroom decor: Print educational posters, charts, and visual aids that can be used to enhance classroom environments or homeschooling spaces.
To sell your educational materials, you can set up an online store on platforms like Etsy or create your own website. Market your products through educational blogs, social media groups, and homeschooling communities to reach potential customers.
CHECK PRICE on:
9. Utilize Print on Demand (POD) Services
✅ Profit Potential: High
✅ Ease of Entry: High
If you prefer to focus on the design aspect rather than the printing and fulfillment process, Print on Demand (POD) services can be a great option. POD services allow you to create and sell custom merchandise without the need for inventory or upfront costs. Here’s how it works:
- Choose a POD platform: Research and choose a reputable POD platform that aligns with your design style and target audience. Popular options include Redbubble, Teespring, and Printful.
- Create your designs: Use graphic design software or online tools to create unique and eye-catching designs for various products, such as t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and more.
- Upload your designs: Upload your designs to the POD platform and customize product options, such as colors, sizes, and placement.
- Set your prices: Determine the pricing for your products, taking into account the base cost, platform fees, and your desired profit margin.
- Promote your products: Utilize social media, targeted advertising, and influencer collaborations to promote your POD products. Drive traffic to your POD store and encourage sales.
With POD services, you can focus on the creative aspect of designing while leaving the printing, fulfillment, and shipping to the professionals. This allows you to scale your business without the need for a physical printer or inventory.
CHECK PRICE on:
FAQ

What can I make with a printer to sell?
With a printer, you can make a wide range of products to sell, including:
- Art prints
- Printables
- Business cards and flyers
- Crafts
- Personalized gifts
- Customized stationery
- Customized merchandise for events
- Educational materials
The key is to identify a niche or target audience and create products that cater to their specific needs or preferences.
Read more about “Top Selling 3D Printed Items on Etsy …”
Is there money in printing?
Yes, there is money to be made in printing. By offering unique and high-quality products, targeting the right audience, and effectively marketing your offerings, you can turn your printer into a profitable business. However, it’s important to research the market, understand your costs, and price your products competitively to ensure profitability.
Read more about “Can You Make Money with an Ender 3 in 2024?”
Can you actually make money with print-on-demand?
Yes, you can make money with print-on-demand (POD) services. POD allows you to create and sell custom merchandise without the need for inventory or upfront costs. By designing unique and appealing products, promoting them effectively, and utilizing reputable POD platforms, you can generate income through sales and royalties.
How do I start printing money?
While printing money is illegal, you can start making money with your printer by exploring the various methods mentioned in this guide. Choose a printing venture that aligns with your skills and interests, research the market, create high-quality products, and market them effectively. With dedication and creativity, you can turn your printer into a valuable source of income.
Read more about “… How to Choose a 3D Printer? – Best 3D Printer™”
Conclusion

In conclusion, a printer can be a versatile tool for making money in creative and profitable ways. Whether you choose to sell art prints, printables, customized merchandise, or educational materials, there are plenty of opportunities to turn your printer into a money-making machine. Remember to research your market, create high-quality products, and market them effectively to maximize your chances of success.
So, what are you waiting for? Dust off your printer, unleash your creativity, and start turning your ideas into profit!
Recommended Links
- 3D Printer Reviews
- 3D Printer Brands
- 3D Printers for Small Businesses
- 3D Printers for Education
- Can You Make Money with an Ender 3 in 2024?





