David Hooker, a print-on-demand expert at Printify, shares how years of working with thousands of sellers, from first-timers to top merchants, shaped his no-nonsense playbook for founders trying to build a real POD business in the age of AI.
In this DTC Daily podcast, David's experience across Printify's top sellers proves you don't need design talent or a big budget to build a print-on-demand store that actually converts.
In this podcast, David breaks down:
Why knowing who you're designing for — before you create a single product — is the first thing every new seller gets wrong
How to cross-niche your way into less saturated markets so you're not competing with a thousand other stores selling the same dad joke tees
The difference between DTG(Direct to Garment ), DTF(Direct to Film), and embroidery, and which printing method fits your design style and product
Why listing only your "best" designs will hurt your store and what the 30/35 rule actually looks like in practice
The three habits that separate Printify's top 300 sellers from everyone else
The two mistakes that kill most new stores before they get traction
If you're thinking about launching a POD store or you're already selling but not seeing consistent results, David's playbook gives you the exact research process to follow, the product decisions to avoid, and the seller mindset to build before you list your first design.