Print on Demand Profit Calculator
(Profit per Order, Margin and Break-Even Price)
Enter your selling price, the print provider's price and shipping, and where you sell. The calculator shows profit per order, margin and the price you need.
Where you sell
One order
The base cost your print-on-demand supplier charges for the printed item
Ad spend divided by orders. Use 0 for orders that come without ads
What a design cost you, divided by the orders you expect from it
Optional. Shows the price that gives this margin
Per month
Store plan, apps and tools. Spread across the month's orders
Print on Demand Profit
💡 Formula Guide
This print on demand profit calculator shows what you keep from one order. Enter your selling price, what the print provider charges for the product and shipping, and the platform you sell on. It returns profit per order, margin, the break-even price and the price that reaches a target margin.
How Print on Demand Profit Is Calculated
A t-shirt sells for $24.99 plus $4.99 shipping on Shopify, so the customer pays $29.98. The print provider charges $9.50 for the shirt and $4.75 for shipping. Selling fees are 29.98 × 2.9% + 0.30 = $1.17. With $5 of ads, $0.50 of design cost and a $25 monthly plan over 100 orders, profit is $8.81 per order, a margin of 29.4%, and $881.06 for the month.
In this example you charge $4.99 for shipping and pay $4.75, so shipping roughly covers itself. If your provider charges more than you collect, the difference comes out of your profit.
Break-Even Price and Target Margin
Fixed costs here are everything that does not move with the price: $14.25 to the provider, the 30 cent fixed fee, $5.50 of ads and design, and $0.25 of monthly costs. That is $20.30. The break-even price is 20.30 ÷ 0.971 − 4.99 = $15.92.
For a 30% margin the customer has to pay 20.30 ÷ 0.671 = $30.25 in total, so the price is $25.26 with $4.99 shipping. The Markup vs Margin Calculator explains why margin is measured on the selling price.
The Same Shirt on Three Channels
Here is the $24.99 shirt with $4.99 shipping, $5 of ads and $0.50 of design cost, before any monthly plan:
| Channel | Rate applied | Fee on $29.98 | You keep | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | 2.9% + $0.30 | $1.17 | $9.06 | 30.2% |
| Etsy | 9.5% + $0.45 | $3.30 | $6.93 | 23.1% |
| Amazon | 15% | $4.50 | $5.73 | 19.1% |
Each percentage is charged on what the customer pays, shipping included. The Etsy figure adds its transaction fee, payment processing and listing fee into one rate. Rates vary by country and plan, so confirm them on the platform's fee page before you set prices.
This comparison leaves out monthly plans, which is why it differs from the example above. If you sell on a marketplace that sets its own royalty, such as Redbubble or Merch on Demand, use the Redbubble Royalty Calculator or the Merch by Amazon Royalty Calculator instead.
Getting the Inputs Right
- Use the exact product. Base prices differ by provider, garment, print area and size. Larger sizes often cost more.
- Use the right shipping rate. Providers charge by destination and often charge less for each extra item in an order.
- Spread the design cost. Divide what a design cost you by the orders you expect it to bring.
- Allow for reprints and refunds. A misprint or a return is usually a cost to you or the provider, depending on the provider's policy.
- Taxes. Sales tax or VAT collected from the buyer and income tax on your profit are not included.
How to Use the Print on Demand Profit Calculator
- Pick your sales channel: Select the store or marketplace the product is listed on. Use other for any channel not listed.
- Enter what the customer pays: Type the product price and the shipping amount shown at checkout.
- Enter the print provider's charges: Type the provider's price for the printed product and what it charges you for shipping.
- Add ad and design costs: Optional. Type your ad cost per order and the design cost spread over the orders you expect.
- Set a target margin: Optional. Type a margin to see the price that reaches it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate print on demand profit?
Add the selling price and the shipping you charge, then subtract the print provider's price, the shipping it charges you, selling fees, ad cost and design cost. A $24.99 shirt with $4.99 shipping, a $9.50 base price, $4.75 shipping and $1.17 of fees leaves $14.56 before ads and design.
What is the base cost in print on demand?
It is what the print provider charges you for the blank product and the printing. It depends on the provider, the product, the print area and sometimes the size. Use the price shown in your provider's catalog for the exact item.
How do I find the break-even price?
Add the costs that do not depend on the price, divide by 1 minus the percentage fee, and subtract the shipping you charge. With $20.30 of costs and a 2.9% fee, the total has to be $20.91, so with $4.99 shipping the break-even price is $15.92.
What price gives me a 30% margin?
Divide the fixed costs by 1 minus the fee percentage and the margin together. With $20.30 of costs, a 2.9% fee and a 30% margin, the customer has to pay $30.25 in total. With $4.99 shipping, the price is $25.26.
Should I charge for shipping or offer it free?
Either way the cost is the same. If you offer free shipping, put 0 in shipping charged and raise the price to cover it. The calculator charges the selling fee on the price plus shipping, so the fee is the same on the same total.
Does a larger size or a second print area change the profit?
It does if your provider charges more for it. Many providers price larger sizes and extra print areas higher. Run the calculator with the base price of each variant, or price every variant from the most expensive one.
Formulas and worked examples checked in October 2026. Amazon's referral fee checked on sell.amazon.com in October 2026. Shopify and Etsy rates are those used on this site's Shopify and Etsy fee calculators.