The on-demand commerce revolution has opened up countless possibilities for creative entrepreneurs. If you have an idea for unique blanket designs, it's now easier than ever to start selling custom blankets online without investing in inventory thanks to print-on-demand (POD) technology. But with so many base materials, printing methods, finishes and decorators to choose from, how do you select the best types of blankets for your print-on-demand store?
In this in-depth guide, we’ll break down the pros, cons, costs and applications of different POD blanket varieties so you can determine optimal fabrics for displaying artwork, photography or graphic patterns. Let’s unravel the wide and wonderful world of manufactured-on-order blankets!
Woven vs. Printed: Understanding POD Blanket Textures
The first decision when choosing product materials on POD platforms is blankets’ texture and fabric category: woven or printed. Here’s the difference:
Woven Blankets: Weaving interlaces longer threads horizontally and vertically to create durable, naturally textured fabrics. Materials like cotton, wool, chenille, fleece and synthetics can be woven into plush throws and lightweight quilts ideal for displaying intricate graphic designs or repeating all-over patterns with a high-end, artisanal look. Custom woven goods stand out from mass-produced prints.
Printed Blankets: Print-on-demand technology uses advanced digital printing equipment to directly apply ink onto blankets’ surface after base materials are mechanically manufactured. This allows stunning photorealistic designs like custom portraits or landscape photography. Printers use a variety of ink technologies to embed designs into microfibers. Output tends to have a more uniform, mass-produced aesthetic.
Weigh cost, texture preferences and design style when deciding between printed and woven POD blankets for your product line. Now let’s explore popular base materials…
Choosing the Best Fabric for Your POD Blanket Business
From elegant sheer cotton throws to extra plush faux fur, base fabric determines the look, feel and pricing of your customized blankets. Consider these popular print-on-demand blanket materials based on key characteristics:
Fleece: Made from finely spun polyester fibers, plush anti-pill fleece sports a soft nap ideal for kids rooms or photo throw blankets. Moisture-wicking and lint-resistant fleece launders well too. It comes in varied densities and often incorporates cotton for high-end luxury.
Flannel: Lightweight cotton flannel retains subtle texture from napping and brushing processes. Flannel “gives” nicely for optimal print design display and insulation. Find it in entry-level inexpensive blankets or pure organic varieties.
Sherpa: The Sherpa’s thick, dense simulated sheepskin pile lends incredible softness and warmth yet is durable for daily use. Microfiber polyester or cotton bases with synthetic or faux fur piles work beautifully displaying photographic designs or solid fills.
Channeled: Channel-quilted blankets feature thin channels between slightly raised stitches forming air pockets that maximize overall loft and heat efficiency. Channels beautifully frame custom repeating patterns.
Consider display space for graphic elements, overall coziness and cost-per-item production expenses when selecting material types for your print-on-demand blanket offerings.
Read more: How Much Are Blanket Hoodies? Pricing Factors to Consider
Key Printing Methods for POD Blanket Decoration
Manufacturing processes introduce immense design flexibility too. Digital printing boasts near-limitless imagery capabilities for super-customized photographic blankets while specialist industrial equipment allows intricate woven motifs. Let’s compare techniques:
Digital Dye Sublimation: Also called “dye-sub”, this process heat presses artwork, photos or graphic designs into polyester substrates for photo-realistic renders that won’t fade. As one of the most advanced methods, it excels at detailed imagery like faces or scenes.
Digital Direct Garment Printing: Using commercial inkjet printers, this prints full-color graphics directly onto fabrics. It works well for all-over custom patterns, but has more handmade imperfections than dye-sub. Ideal for designs with fine text or layering.
Weaving: Complex looms digitally interlace a multitude of fine yarns to “draw” patterns into woven throws for a luxe, bespoke aesthetic. Labor-intensive butGD high-end for intricate repeating motifs like geometric shapes or themed iconography.
With built-in designs or by uploading your own files and mockups, print-on-demand platforms offer loads of decoration choices for your retail blankets.
Unique Applications for Print on Demand Blankets
Beyond plush bedding and throw blankets, consider these creative applications for your designed POD products:
Trade Show Giveaways: For product launches or special events, offer custom printed blankets with brand logos and new product visuals to generate buzz. Conferences love big swag!
Memorial Keepsakes: By printing favorite family photos across blankets, they make heartfelt posthumous gifts to warm loved ones both physically and emotionally.
Fundraising Initiatives: Nonprofits design commemorative P.O.D. blankets for donor gifts. Schools also sell customized blankets for bands, sports teams or graduations.
How to Make Print on Demand Blankets: Online print services utilize printing blankets to transfer customized digital designs during manufacture-on-order processes for products like how to make print on demand blankets.
The manufacturing flexibility of print-on-demand lends itself wonderfully to all kinds of blanket styles for individual purpose or scale distribution.
Maximizing Visual Impact Based On Blanket Features
To make the most of production capabilities in creating compelling product imagery, design your POD blankets factoring in manufacturing limitations and advantages:
Print Space & Layout: Frame images and sizes of central focal points based on blanket dimensions so key subjects don’t get cut off. Arrange supporting design details proportionately.
Bleed Area for Printing: When planning designs, extend artwork past the print area to “bleed” so no white margins appear during finishing variations after printing.
Resolution Differences: Digital printing reproduces photos with precision while woven graphics have slightly more handmade imperfections. Adapt expectations accordingly.
The beauty of print-on-demand is products only get created once customers order them. This lets you offer limitless customizable designs catered to buyer preferences!
Read more: What are Printing Blankets Used For? A Comprehensive Guide
Unique Applications for Print on Demand Blankets
Beyond plush bedding and throw blankets, consider these creative applications for your designed POD products:
Trade Show Giveaways: For product launches or special events, offer custom printed blankets with brand logos and new product visuals to generate buzz. Conferences love big swag!
Memorial Keepsakes: By printing favorite family photos across blankets, they make heartfelt posthumous gifts to warm loved ones both physically and emotionally.
Fundraising Initiatives: Nonprofits design commemorative P.O.D. blankets for donor gifts. Schools also sell customized blankets for bands, sports teams or graduations.
The manufacturing flexibility of print-on-demand lends itself wonderfully to all kinds of blanket styles for individual purpose or scale distribution.
Choosing Your Print on Demand Blanket Partner
So many material weaves, printing modes and design choices—where to start? The easiest route to launch your own customized blanket line is partnering with an established print-on-demand platform. Industry leaders like Printify, Printful and Merchize offer complete soup-to-nuts services:
Integrated Ecommerce: Seamlessly connect your online store or marketplace listings to their manufacturing ecosystems for instant fulfillment.
Design Creator: User-friendly tools to mockup and visualize designs applied to products through various printing methods.
Global Production: Top-tier factories around the world manufacture garments domestically for quicker processing and delivery.
Warehousing & Shipping: Products ship directly from localized fulfillment centers to customers for faster delivery and lower rates.
With end-to-end support handling manufacturing details, you focus purely on designing for profit! Start conceptualizing your customized blankets knowing POD platforms enable scaling designs without upfront risks.
Read more: Top Websites For Print On Demand Custom Blankets
The Final Takeaway: Unlimited Possibilities with POD Blanks
From plushy basic fabrics to deluxe minky sherpa, today’s print-on-demand technologies offer no shortage of posh blank blankets for applying specialized graphic treatments like sentimental photos or themed patterns. By selecting high quality bases showcasing decoration techniques flatteringly, creative entrepreneurs can launch customizable blanket shops economically through established POD ecosystem integration. Capitalize on consumers’ growing appetite for personalized products by exploring every variety of available print-on-demand blanket!
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