Introduction
Print on demand (POD) is an excellent side hustle for creatives and beginners who want to monetize their ideas with minimal upfront costs. One of the easiest and most popular design styles in POD is creating simple quote designs for print on demand products. These text-based graphics feature motivational, funny, or thoughtful quotes that resonate with specific audiences. You don’t need advanced graphic design skills or expensive software to create these — just a strategic approach and the right tools.
This comprehensive guide will teach you how to make simple quote designs for print on demand, step-by-step. You'll learn how to craft compelling quotes, select the best fonts, use free beginner-friendly design tools, and prepare your designs for printing. Whether you want to sell on Redbubble, Etsy, or your own online store, these practical tips will help you start your print on demand side hustle with confidence.
Pro tip: Focus on creating quotes that connect deeply with a specific audience niche to increase your chances of sales and build loyal customers.
Why Simple Quote Designs Work for Print on Demand
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Join the newsletterSimple quote designs are a favorite in the POD community because:
- They are quick and easy to create compared to detailed illustrations or complex artwork.
- Text-based designs fit well on a wide variety of products such as t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and posters.
- They appeal to broad audiences through relatable, funny, or inspiring messages.
- They typically use fewer colors, which reduces printing costs and complexity.
Step 1: Find or Create Your Quote
The foundation of your design is the quote itself. Here’s how to find or create quotes that sell:
- Reflect on your interests or communities you belong to (like fitness, pets, motivation, or hobbies).
- Research trending sayings or popular phrases on social media and quote websites.
- Avoid direct copying to respect copyright laws; instead, write your own original quotes or put a unique twist on common sayings.
Tips for Choosing Good Quotes
- Keep quotes short and punchy — ideally between 3 to 10 words.
- Use emotional triggers such as humor, inspiration, or empowerment to connect with buyers.
- Avoid controversial or overly generic phrases that don’t stand out.
- Verify copyright status to ensure your quote is safe for commercial use.
Step 2: Choose Fonts That Reflect Your Message
Typography plays a crucial role in the success of your quote design. Follow these tips:
- Limit your design to 2 or 3 fonts maximum to maintain clarity.
- Combine serif and sans-serif fonts for visual contrast.
- Use script or handwritten fonts to add a friendly or artistic feel.
- Avoid overly decorative fonts that reduce readability, especially on smaller products.
Where to Find Free Fonts for Commercial Use
- [Google Fonts](https://fonts.google.com) — a vast collection of free, open-source fonts.
- [Dafont](https://www.dafont.com) — check licenses carefully for commercial use.
- [Font Squirrel](https://www.fontsquirrel.com) — free fonts with commercial licenses.
Step 3: Use Beginner-Friendly Design Tools
You don’t need Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop to create professional quote designs. Here are some accessible tools:
- Canva — drag-and-drop interface with many free fonts and templates.
- Figma — free and powerful vector design software.
- Inkscape — open-source vector editor with advanced features.
Designing Your Quote
- Start with a blank canvas sized appropriately for your product (e.g., 4500x5400 pixels for t-shirts).
- Type your quote and experiment with font combinations and spacing.
- Add simple shapes, lines, or icons to highlight key parts of your quote.
- Stick to 1-3 colors to keep your design simple and print-friendly.
Quick win: Use Canva’s free quote templates to jumpstart your design process and customize them to your style.
Step 4: Prepare Your Design for Print
Each POD platform has specific requirements. To ensure your design prints well:
- Use a transparent background and save your file as a PNG.
- Export your design at 300 DPI for high-resolution prints.
- Keep your design within the safe print area to avoid cropping issues.
- Use RGB color mode but check the platform’s color profile guidelines for best results.
Step 5: Upload, Mockup, and Sell Your Designs
Once your design is ready:
- Upload it to your chosen POD platform such as Redbubble, Teespring, or Printful.
- Use built-in mockup generators to preview your design on various products.
- Write clear, keyword-rich product descriptions that include your quote and related terms.
- Set competitive prices and launch your listings.
Creator resource: You can also check out my Redbubble designs here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/InkWanderStudio/
Additional Tips to Stand Out in the POD Market
- Research your competition regularly to identify trending quotes and styles.
- Create themed bundles or collections of related quote designs.
- Promote your designs on social media platforms to build an audience.
- Experiment with seasonal or holiday-themed quotes to boost sales during peak times.
FAQ
Can I use famous quotes for my designs?
Many famous quotes are copyrighted. It’s safer to use quotes in the public domain (authors deceased over 70 years) or create original phrases to avoid legal issues.
What products work best for quote designs?
Popular products for quote designs include t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, posters, and stickers. Choose products that fit your target audience’s interests.
How do I ensure my design will print well?
Always check your POD platform’s print guidelines and order samples to verify print quality and color accuracy before scaling your sales.
Do I need graphic design experience to create quote designs?
No, beginner-friendly tools like Canva make it easy to create professional-looking designs without prior experience.
Conclusion
Creating simple quote designs for print on demand is a highly accessible and profitable side hustle for beginners and creatives. By focusing on meaningful quotes, selecting complementary fonts, and using free design tools, you can build a portfolio of products that appeal to diverse audiences. Preparing your files correctly and uploading them to POD platforms will help you start selling quickly.
Starting with simple quote designs can open doors to more complex print on demand opportunities, so take action today and begin crafting your unique messages!
For more beginner-friendly side hustle tips, check out How to Package One Small Skill into a Paid Service Successfully and How to Get Side Hustle Ideas from Skills You Already Have.