Print-on-Demand Profit Calculator

What this calculator does

Print-on-demand looks simple on the surface: set a price, let the printer handle the rest. But your real profit is what survives three separate bites — the production (base) cost your POD provider charges, the shipping you cover, and the percentage the marketplace keeps in fees. This calculator subtracts all three from your retail price and shows profit per item, margin as a percentage of the sale price, and — if you enter an expected sales volume — your monthly profit. Everything runs privately in your browser; nothing is uploaded or saved. Figures are estimates only, not financial, tax, or legal advice.

The fee bite most sellers forget

Base cost is easy to look up, but marketplace fees are where new POD sellers get surprised. Between transaction fees, payment processing, and offsite ad charges, the total percentage on a typical marketplace often lands around 9–13% of the sale — sometimes more if ads kick in. Because the fee field here is fully editable, you can model your exact platform: enter your combined percentage and watch how it reshapes the margin. On a $25 shirt, three extra fee points is 75 cents per sale — real money at volume.

How to use it

1. Enter your retail price — what the customer pays for the item.
2. Add the production or base cost your POD provider charges you.
3. Enter the shipping cost you pay (use 0 if the customer pays it separately and it covers your cost).
4. Set your combined marketplace fee percentage, then optionally add expected monthly sales.
5. Read the cards: profit per item, margin %, fee amount, and monthly profit update live as you type.

FAQ

What is a good margin for print-on-demand?

Many POD sellers target 25–40%. Below about 15%, one price change from your provider or a fee increase can wipe out your profit entirely.

Should fees apply to shipping I charge the customer?

On many marketplaces, yes — transaction fees often include shipping charged to the buyer. If that applies to you, fold the shipping charge into your retail price so the fee math matches reality.

My profit shows negative. What now?

Raise your retail price, choose a cheaper provider or product variant, or reduce shipping costs. Small base-cost differences between providers compound quickly at volume.

Does this include income tax?

No. This shows gross profit before income or self-employment taxes and before design or ad costs. Treat the output as an estimate and confirm details with a tax professional.