The printing industry has changed. Customers now expect speed, customization, and quality all at once. Competing on price alone is no longer enough. If you're running a sublimation, DTF, DTG, or screen-printing business, the real key to growth is standing out while staying efficient.
Whether you’re a small print shop or a growing e-commerce brand, boosting sales isn’t just about selling more, it’s about creating value, optimizing operations, and building relationships that last.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through 10 powerful, actionable strategies to help you attract new customers, retain loyal ones, and increase revenue—without relying on discounts or guesswork.
Let’s get to it.
Embrace digital marketing to reach more customers
In today’s marketplace, digital visibility is everything. If people can’t find you online, you’re missing sales. Here are the four digital marketing pillars every print business should focus on:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO is what helps your website show up when people search for “custom mugs near me” or “print-on-demand t-shirts.” Done right, it attracts high-intent customers.
Tips:
- Use keywords related to your services: “custom sublimation gifts,” “heat press printing near me,” etc.
- Write blog posts with helpful content (like this one!) targeting niche interests.
- Optimize every product page with meta descriptions and headers.
- Earn backlinks by collaborating with local blogs, creators, or business directories.
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising
PPC involves Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads. It lets you target the exact audience you want, based on interests, location, intent, or even competitor behavior.
Tips:
- Start small with remarketing ads for website visitors.
- Test ads for your bestsellers: tumblers, hoodies, signage, etc.
- Use strong visuals and a clear CTA (“Shop Now”, “Customize Yours”).
Social Media Marketing
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and even Pinterest are great places to show off your work. People love seeing real-life results and creative ideas.
Tips:
- Share behind-the-scenes videos and time-lapses of production.
- Post customer testimonials and final products in use.
- Run giveaways or “limited drop” campaigns to build urgency.
Email Marketing
Still one of the highest ROI tools. Use it to bring past customers back and announce new product lines or seasonal promos.
Tips:
- Segment your list (retail, wholesale, new leads, etc.)
- Automate thank-you and reorder emails
- Send educational content (“how to design the perfect mug”)
Digital marketing doesn’t replace your skill, it amplifies your reach. With the right mix, even small shops can punch above their weight.
Offer truly customized solutions
In a market flooded with generic products, personalization is your competitive edge. Offering tailored solutions goes beyond printing a name on a mug, it’s about delivering an experience that feels unique to each customer.
🎯 Start with product variety
Don’t just sell t-shirts and mugs. Add:
- Eco-friendly blanks (recycled notebooks, bamboo tumblers)
- Corporate-ready items (custom folders, ID tags, branded packaging)
- Event-focused kits (wedding favors, team bundles, holiday gift sets)
Offering variety attracts different buyer types, from small businesses to party planners to schools.
At Joto we offer a big variety of customizable blanks for your business.
🎨 Offer design support
Many customers love the idea of custom products but lack design skills. Solve that.
- Offer in-house design services (even basic ones).
- Create ready-made editable templates for common occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, team gear).
Use online design tools (like Canva or a plugin for your store) to let users personalize directly.
📦 Customize the experience
Packaging is part of the product. Consider:
- Including thank-you cards with re-order discounts
- Offering gift-ready packaging options
- Personalizing boxes for businesses or resellers
🤝 Make service personal too
Your staff should know the product line, guide clients through choices, and suggest creative solutions. A helpful conversation often turns a $20 mug order into a $200 branded kit.
When your business offers real personalization, not just printed names, you build loyalty. Customers come back not just for your products, but for your process.
Upgrade your equipment to compete on quality and speed
You can’t grow your sales if your equipment is holding you back. Investing in modern, high-performance machinery can drastically improve quality, turnaround times, and customer perception.
🖨️ Better print quality means higher conversions
Crisp lines, vibrant colors, and long-lasting results set you apart from cheap alternatives. Customers can tell the difference, and they’re willing to pay for it.
Whether you’re using sublimation, DTF, DTG, or UV printing, newer machines offer:
- Higher resolution
- Better ink efficiency
- Improved color accuracy
- Compatibility with more substrates
⏱️ Speed = Capacity = More revenue
Modern presses and printers allow you to complete more jobs in less time, which means:
- Faster delivery = happier clients
- More orders per day = higher income
- Less downtime = more predictable workflows
Even shaving a minute or two off per item adds up when you’re scaling.
💡 Market the upgrade
Don’t just buy the machine, sell the benefits:
- “Now printing in full-color DTF with no minimums”
- “Eco-friendly sublimation with industry-leading quality”
- “Rush orders ready in 24 hours”
The message? You’re not just a print shop. You’re a modern production partner.
Build a strategic pricing model
If your pricing is based on what your competitors are doing, or worse, guesswork, it’s time to rethink your strategy. A smart pricing model helps you stay competitive without sacrificing profit.
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💰 Know Your Costs
Before setting any price, understand:
- Material and ink usage per item
- Labor time per order
- Overhead: rent, utilities, packaging
- Equipment depreciation
Use this to define your baseline cost per unit. If you're not sure about your costs, use our sublimation profit calculator.
📊 Benchmark against competitors
Check what others in your niche charge, especially those serving the same markets (weddings, events, corporate gifts). Don't underprice just to win customers, it devalues your brand.
📦 Create tiered pricing
- Offer bulk discounts for large orders
- Introduce package deals (e.g., 10 shirts + tote + mug)
- Provide add-ons like custom packaging or design services
🎁 Use promotions wisely
- Launch seasonal campaigns (Mother’s Day, back-to-school, holidays)
- Reward repeat customers with loyalty discounts
- Offer referral incentives: "Get $10 off for every friend you refer"
Pricing isn’t just about numbers, it’s a positioning tool. Done right, it shows clients that you deliver value, not just low costs.
Streamline the customer experience
In the personalization business, the experience is as important as the product. A smooth, responsive, and enjoyable process can turn a first-time buyer into a loyal repeat customer.
📞 Make it easy to order
Confusing forms, unclear turnaround times, or poor communication will drive customers away. Instead:
- Offer clear product pages with pricing, delivery estimates, and customization options
- Let users upload artwork or use templates directly on your site
- Automate confirmation emails and order status updates
⏱️ Respect the Timeline
Speed matters, but so does transparency. If an order will take five days, say so—then deliver in four. Customers remember reliability more than speed alone.
🧑💻 Provide support that feels human
Whether it’s live chat, email, or phone, make sure someone’s available to answer questions. Personalize responses. Suggest solutions. Celebrate their events (yes, even the custom mug for their dog’s birthday).
📦 After the sale: Follow up
Check in after delivery. Ask for feedback or photos. Offer a discount for their next project.
When you treat people like partners, not just transactions, you build a business that scales on word of mouth.
Diversify your product range
If you’re only offering mugs and t-shirts, you’re leaving money on the table. The more product types and use cases you offer, the more opportunities you create to win new customers and upsell existing ones.
🧢 Expand into new categories
Explore trending and high-margin products like:
- Custom tumblers, flasks, or water bottles
- Sublimated home goods (pillows, coasters, wall art)
- Branded office items (mouse pads, notebooks, ID lanyards)
- Apparel beyond t-shirts: hoodies, polos, caps, tote bags
📦 Create kits and bundles
Package complementary items for specific occasions or industries:
- “New Hire Kits” for HR departments
- “Birthday Box” bundles for online gifting
- “Event Packs” for races, conferences, or weddings
Customers love ready-made, themed solutions, especially when they can personalize them.
🎨 Offer niche or seasonal items
Tap into holidays, sports teams, pet lovers, teachers, or hobby groups. Personalization is powerful when it connects to identity.
The more relevant you are to your customers’ lives, the more likely they are to buy again, and refer others.
Focus on local and niche markets
Sometimes the biggest growth isn’t online, it’s in your own backyard. Local businesses, schools, sports teams, and community events need printing services regularly, and many prefer working with someone nearby.
🏢 Go after local B2B clients
Reach out to gyms, restaurants, salons, and realtors for branded uniforms, menus, and signage
- Offer co-branded merch for local influencers or community campaigns
- Build partnerships with event planners or wedding venues
🏫 Support schools and nonprofits
Custom apparel, awards, trophies, banners, and fundraiser products are always in demand. Position yourself as the go-to print shop for PTA events, school clubs, or charity races.
🎯 Target micro-niches with passion
People will spend more for products that reflect what they care about. Create micro-collections or pre-designed templates for:
- Pet owners
- Teachers
- Hobby groups (fishing, dance, cosplay, etc.)
- Regional pride or hometown slogans
Local and niche marketing may not go viral, but it builds loyalty, referrals, and consistent revenue.
Collect and showcase social proof
In the printing business, your results speak louder than your ads. That’s why showcasing happy customers is one of the most powerful sales tools you have.
⭐ Gather reviews and testimonials
After every order, ask for a quick review. Make it easy—send a link or a short form. Highlight:
- Their satisfaction
- The quality of the product
- How fast or smooth the process was
Display these on your website, Google Business Profile, and social media.
📸 Show the final product in action
Ask customers to send photos, or repost them (with permission) from social media. Nothing builds trust like real people showing off your work.
Create a hashtag for your brand so people can tag you easily.
Good reviews aren’t just validation, they’re free marketing that builds credibility and turns browsers into buyers.
Use automation to scale without losing the personal touch
As your business grows, so does the complexity. More orders, more inquiries, more follow-ups. That’s where automation becomes your best friend.
⚙️ Automate key customer touchpoints
- Welcome emails for new subscribers
- Abandoned cart reminders for online stores
- Order confirmations with shipping timelines
- Post-sale follow-ups asking for reviews or referrals
Use tools like Klaviyo, Mailchimp, or Zoho CRM to set up flows that feel personal but run automatically.
📥 Streamline quotes and orders
For custom jobs, use online forms or quote builders where clients can upload their artwork, choose quantities, and get estimates—no back-and-forth emails needed.
📈 Track Leads and Repeat Buyers
A CRM can help you stay on top of hot leads, segment your best clients, and trigger upsell offers at just the right moment.
Automation doesn’t replace human connection, it frees you to focus it where it counts most.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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How can I generate more sales in my printing business?
Focus on a combination of digital marketing, personalized customer service, equipment upgrades, and a smart pricing strategy. Offer bundles, seasonal promos, and build long-term relationships with local and niche audiences.
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What’s the best way to stand out from other print shops?
Stand out by offering unique products, exceptional service, and customized solutions that go beyond what your competitors provide. Show your work, share testimonials, and emphasize speed, quality, and reliability.
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Do I need expensive equipment to grow my sales?
Not necessarily. You can grow with what you have, but investing in modern, efficient machines can increase capacity, improve print quality, and unlock new products you couldn’t offer before. Think of it as a growth enabler, not just a cost.
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Should I focus more on B2B or B2C customers?
Both can be profitable. B2B clients often bring larger, recurring orders, while B2C offers creative variety and strong word-of-mouth. Consider building strategies tailored to each: bulk pricing and branded packaging for businesses, creative personalization for individuals.
Conclusion: Grow smarter, not just bigger
Success in the printing business isn’t just about printing more, it’s about building systems, value, and trust that help you grow sustainably.
Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or managing a team, the strategies in this guide can help you:
- Attract better clients
- Deliver more value per order
- Scale without sacrificing quality
From digital marketing to product diversification, personalization to automation—it all adds up to a business that not only survives, but thrives.
💡 Need help upgrading your tools or expanding your product line? Visit Joto Imaging Supplies for equipment, blanks, and expert support that grows with your business.
