In 2026, diversifying your print on demand (POD) product offerings beyond t-shirts is crucial for success. This article explores five high-potential POD products—blankets, tumblers and travel mugs, tote bags, phone cases, and throw pillows—that offer better profit margins, broader appeal, and year-round sales opportunities. It also shares tips on niche research and a personal health update from the creator.
Just because t-shirts were the first item you learned to sell on a print on demand (POD) platform does not mean you are stuck selling only t-shirts forever. In fact, in 2025, some of the most successful shops were those that niched down into more specific product types beyond generic apparel.
If you are struggling to make sales by uploading t-shirt after t-shirt, it might be time to diversify your product offerings. This article shares five products that are expected to outsell t-shirts in 2026, along with reasons why they are great choices and tips on which specific products to pick within each category.
Blankets are a fantastic product to add to your POD shop because they have a higher perceived value than t-shirts. Customers expect to spend more on a nice throw blanket or bed blanket, allowing you to make a healthy profit margin.
Unlike apparel, blankets do not have size restrictions, making them an easy gift option year-round. They are popular for various occasions such as Christmas, birthdays, new parents, graduations, and housewarmings. Personalized blankets with names are especially popular.
The POD partner Printify offers many blanket options, including lined, sherpa, minky, and velvetine plush blankets. These can be priced between $50 to $70, especially with personalization.
Tumblers and travel mugs are another excellent product category. Like blankets, they are size-free and make great gifts for almost anyone. Many people love taking beverages on the go, and insulated tumblers or mugs can be priced around $40 or more.
These products have higher profit margins compared to t-shirts, where profits might be around $5 per sale. Tumblers and mugs sell well year-round but especially during the holiday season.
Focusing on niches related to careers, hobbies, or pets can help you target passionate customers. Using niche research guides can help you find over 40,000 niche ideas to apply to your designs.
Tote bags are trending on platforms like Etsy, especially among younger demographics such as Gen Z and Gen Alpha. They are a trendy accessory often used instead of purses or backpacks.
Tote bags work well with niches like boho, bookish, or western/rodeo aesthetics. A great advantage is that you can repurpose your existing t-shirt artwork on tote bags to reach new customers.
Printify offers various tote bag options, including all-over print totes for patterns and classic canvas totes for simpler designs. Canvas totes have a low wholesale cost and are great for testing designs.
Phone cases are a low-cost item with steady repeat purchase potential since people often buy new cases when they get new phones or want to switch styles.
While profit margins per sale might be around $5, the volume and repeat business make phone cases a lucrative product. Popular options include MagSafe cases for iPhones and cases for Android phones.
Patterns work well on phone cases, and tutorials are available for creating AI-generated patterns specifically for this product.
Throw pillows are a mid-range ticket item perfect for seasonal designs and niches. Customers often buy multiple pillows to switch out their home decor for holidays or seasons.
Pricing pillows above $40 is reasonable, especially on platforms like Etsy where customers expect unique, one-of-a-kind items. Printify offers several pillow options, with the basic square throw pillow being a popular choice.
If you are unsure about what designs or niches to focus on, consider signing up for niche research workshops or guides. These resources can help you develop a formula to discover new niches daily without spending hours on research.
The creator of this content also shared a personal update about their health journey battling Hodgkin's lymphoma. They have undergone several rounds of chemotherapy and are responding well to treatment. Although the journey is challenging, they remain positive and grateful for the support from family, friends, and the community.
They continue to work on their print on demand business when they have the energy, finding joy and purpose in creating content and helping others.
Expanding your POD product range beyond t-shirts to include blankets, tumblers, tote bags, phone cases, and throw pillows can significantly boost your sales and profits in 2026. These products offer higher perceived value, broader appeal, and opportunities for repeat purchases.
Utilize niche research tools and consider personalizing products to stand out in the competitive market. Remember, diversifying your offerings is key to growing a successful POD business in the coming years.
