Prep for the Print-on-Demand Back-to-School Season
The back-to-school season is an important period in sales worldwide, marking the timeframe when people gear up for the upcoming school year. Retail stores go above and beyond to sell products customers love at attractive prices. Discounts are expected and appreciated and often include additional perks, such as a limited period of tax-free sales in the US, for instance.
Regarding print-on-demand, the back-to-school season is an excellent opportunity for selling customized merch to a large audience. The beauty of print-on-demand lies in its versatility – it allows virtually any product to be tailored to the customer’s unique preferences – from T-shirts to mouse pads and blankets.
This flexibility makes print-on-demand products attractive to consumers worldwide, particularly as they seek unique essentials or gifts for special occasions such as the start of a new academic year.
Key takeaways
To maximize the success of print-on-demand back-to-school sales, consider the following tips:
- Identify your target groups: Understand the needs and preferences of your target groups to tailor your products and marketing strategies effectively.
- Leverage social media and influencer marketing: Use social media platforms to showcase your products and collaborate with influencers to reach a wider audience.
- Offer special deals and bundle packages: Attract customers with special deals, discounts, or bundle packages on your products.
- Provide excellent customer service: Respond promptly and professionally to customer inquiries and feedback, and engage with your customers through contests or giveaways.
- Go the extra mile: Provide your clients with resources such as checklists, organizing tips, and healthy lunchbox ideas to add value to your offering and build stronger relationships.
What potential is there for the POD back-to-school market?
The global back-to-school market has been evaluated at USD 171.8 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% until 2028. The survey considered three main product categories essential for the new school year – clothing and accessories, stationery supplies, and electronics. That indicates that the market potential expands beyond traditional school supplies, such as backpacks and spiral notebooks, to custom mouse pads and hoodies.
According to the National Retail Federation, a typical American household is expected to spend over $850 on back-to-school essentials. Your POD store can provide a part of the options that customers are after. If you don’t sell custom stickers and backpacks, you can enter the market with personalized apparel and mugs for teacher appreciation. The options are endless and well worth considering.
When does the school season begin?
The school year starts after the summer vacation, which varies across countries and regions. In most countries, the back-to-school season spans from late July until early September, depending on the country, state, and type of school. To get your online store ready for the beginning of the school season, starting at least a month in advance is a good idea—that way, you ensure everything runs smoothly, from product testing to marketing campaigns.
In the US, fewer students return to school in late July, most resume classes in August, and the rest enjoy their summer vacation until early September, after Labor Day. In Canada, elementary and secondary school children return to school in late August or early September.
The academic year in most European countries starts in September. Denmark is the first to start the school year in 2023 on August 7th. Belgium and Germany also get an early start in August, while children in other European countries return to school in early September. Malta is the last one to call students back to school on September 26th.
Identify target groups for print-on-demand back-to-school season
Back-to-school marketing may include several target groups, from school children to college students, educators, and parents. While children may have a word to say regarding their preferred supplies, the parents decide and do the shopping. That is worth remembering when preparing your marketing campaigns for the new school year.
The most obvious target group is schoolchildren, who may have very strong opinions on what designs they want on their clothing and how they want to decorate their rooms. When preparing designs for personalized back-to-school products, looking into trends for different age groups is important.
In addition to parents, extended family members and friends may often contribute to back-to-school shopping. They may seek unique personalized gifts to support their loved ones as they start a new academic year. A back-to-school package deal can make a thoughtful gift that would save them the hassle of picking individual products.
Educators also spend a great deal of resources every school semester. The younger their students, the more visual the teaching aids must be, which opens great opportunities for photo products such as posters, canvases, photo tiles, and more. The school administration is also an excellent potential market to explore, as they often require large quantities of customized items such as uniforms and posters. Offering bulk discounts or package deals can be an effective way to cater to this group.
High-school graduates are another essential category who need more than textbooks when moving closer to university. Bundle deals can work well, making their personalized products easier to find. Remember that it’s mainly the parents who shop for college students, so address their pain points and release some of the stress associated with this milestone in their children’s lives.
Choose the best POD products for the back-to-school season
When teaching, custom products such as posters or lightweight Mixpix tiles can be used to display educational content.
Canvas prints of political and historical figures ideally fit into a history classroom, while an art class may benefit from famous painting reproductions to study.
Schoolchildren can benefit from an extensive range of custom products. Besides getting them a typical backpack with adjustable straps and a spiral notebook, parents may consider redecorating their room or upgrading it to accommodate their growing children. Home décor items are a cost-effective and practical choice to refresh and personalize their bedroom instantly.
Tip: Refer to our collection in the Wall Decoration and Home and Living sections to explore more product options.
Nothing is more precious for a parent than the pride of celebrating their children’s milestones. An excellent way to do that is through a Mixpix grid.
First-year college students look for a broader range of products compared to high-school students, mainly on account of moving out to a college dorm or rental space. Thus, you can offer them renter-friendly home décor and personalized items like peel-and-stick posters or products they can use daily, such as mugs, coffee tumblers, custom cushions and blankets, unisex t-shirts, and more.
Promote Your Print-on-Demand Back-to-School Products
Social media platforms are a powerful tool for promoting your print-on-demand back-to-school products. Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to showcase visually appealing products effectively. You can regularly post high-quality images and videos of your products being used. Consider running targeted ads to reach a wider audience.
Influencer marketing can also be an excellent strategy for your online store. Collaborate with influencers who have a significant following among your target audience. Send them product samples and let them create authentic content featuring them. Such an approach can significantly boost your brand visibility and credibility.
Customers love special deals and sales this time of year when expenses add up quickly. Offer special discounts or bundle packages to increase back-to-school sales. Promote your discounts across multiple marketing channels, your website, and email newsletters to ensure all your customers can use them.
Along with influencer marketing, user-generated content is a great way to build trust with your target audience. Showcase positive reviews and pictures from your clients to encourage buying. Whether it’s a high-grade stainless steel coffee tumbler customized for a college student, a personalized mouse pad, or a magic mug revealing a family picture, positive reviews from customers stimulate new purchases.
Much of the success of your POD store relies on effective communication with your target audience. Do your best to quickly address customer issues, respond to feedback, and boost engagement through contests and giveaways.
Go beyond print-on-demand back-to-school products
Whether they are college students, parents, educators, or school children, you are more likely to connect with your audience if you add more value to your offering. So besides listing what items you have available in your product catalog, provide your clients with back-to-school supplies lists, organizing tips and tricks, healthy lunchbox ideas, study hacks, and other valuable resources. These will add value to your services and help your clients navigate the changes associated with the back-to-school season.
Other ideas worth considering are Q&A sessions on social media platforms, where you can also invite experts from various fields to share opinions and impart advice on the best shopping practices, how to alleviate stress during exams, and more.
By going the extra mile to support your clients during the back-to-school period, you can build stronger bonds and foster customer loyalty while driving more sales to your business.
Summing up
Back-to-school season is a significant time for print-on-demand businesses. You can tailor your products and marketing strategies to meet their needs by identifying your target groups, including school children, parents, educators, and college students.
Leveraging social media and influencer marketing can help boost your brand visibility while offering special deals and bundle packages to attract more customers. Additionally, providing excellent customer service and supporting your clients can positively impact customer loyalty and drive more sales.
