Summer is right around the corner, which means it’s the perfect moment to prepare your summer sales plan! With so many summer items to choose from, it might be challenging to determine the right products to sell online. Luckily, we’ve carefully curated the hottest-selling products to skyrocket your sales.
Whether you’re into apparel, lifestyle, or home decor, you’ll find some of the best summer products to elevate your online business. Plus, we’ve got product and design tips to help you make the most out of this seasonal collection.
Ready to turn up the heat on your summer sales? Keep reading to discover your next best-sellers! ☀️🏄♂️🌴
When Does Summer Start?
😊🚀 The year’s hottest season is just a few weeks away! In the northern hemisphere, summer starts on June 20th and lasts until September 22nd.
During these sunny months, you have the opportunity to boost your business by adding some seasonal products to your online store, making good revenue, and letting your customers know you’re always trendy with the freshest products.
Summer Items: Print-on-Demand Edition
It’s worth noting that this guide exclusively focuses on print-on-demand summer items. Why? Because the summer items we’re going to list next are readily available on numerous print-on-demand sites, and best of all, they’re fully customizable! This means your customers get something truly unique and tailored to their interests, needs, and preferences rather than settling for generic finds from retail stores.
Excited to explore this hot list? Let’s dive in! 🌞
Best Summer Items: 15+ POD Ideas to Help You Boost Your Sales
Get ready to elevate your online store this summer with our curated list of over 15 print-on-demand ideas guaranteed to boost your sales!
In this summer items blog, we’re all about sun-kissed designs that’ll get you in the mood for some serious fun in the sun. But as always, feel free to create designs that resonate with your audience. (Stay tuned—we’ll dive deeper into this design topic shortly!) 🌞
🌴 Best-Selling Summer Items for Clothing and Accessories
Regarding print-on-demand, apparel is the bread and butter of every seller! 🤤🍞✨ And with endless options for clothing styles and customization, the possibilities are as limitless as your imagination!
So, let’s explore some summer essentials that will be best-selling and leave your customers feeling fresh and stylish on sunny days!
🧢 Custom Hats
Custom hats are an absolute must-have on any summer items list, especially for those who prioritize skin care and UV protection! Thanks to print-on-demand providers, you’ll find many styles to sell online. Whether it’s bucket or dad hats, there’s a perfect style waiting for every customer. 
And the best part? Some POD sites even offer organic hats made from premium materials for eco-conscious shoppers!
Plus, hats are versatile and stylish, perfect for pairing with any outfit and taking everywhere thanks to their flexibility and small size! 
- Opt for embroidery to make your custom hats stand out even more! 🧵✨
- To capture the essence of summer in your custom hats, consider adding a short quote related to summer, your customer’s initials, a pretty graphic with good vibes, or a full-print motif!
🩴 Custom Flip Flops
Custom flip-flops are absolutely essential for your summer collection!
But how can you make yours stand out? It’s all about offering custom designs and sizes to fit every customer’s unique style!
When it comes to flip-flops, safety is key. Look for non-slip options to prevent accidents on wet surfaces. Additionally, opt for water-resistant materials like EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) and PV plastic to keep feet dry and odor-free. 
Ensure every customer finds the perfect fit by offering a variety of sizes and styles!
- While aesthetics are important, consider going the extra mile by offering additional features like adjustable, fabric, or leather straps.
When it comes to design, all-over prints, patterns, and text designs are great options to make your flip-flops stand out from the crowd!
🤿 Custom Rash Guards
Custom rash guards are another hot item that’ll fly off the shelves like hotcakes this season! 
These summer items are perfect for surfers and outdoor enthusiasts looking for protection from the sun’s rays and even the wind! Look for a print-on-demand provider that offers Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) in its apparel for extra protection during outdoor adventures! 
Regarding comfort, look for rash guards that aren’t too tight and feature flat seams – they’ll keep your buyers comfortable and allow them to move freely! Plus, they help prevent chafing and irritation on the skin while allowing for air circulation during intense activities!
- To guarantee high quality and customer satisfaction, include detailed care instructions to help customers preserve their rash guards and avoid returns!
Go bold and colorful with eye-catching patterns in vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, or green! Pair them with a catchy quote for an extra touch of personality and fun! This not only helps the wearer stand out in the water but also adds a playful and summery vibe to their look! 😉
Alternatively, for those who prefer a more understated style, opt for classic dark colors like black or navy blue. These timeless hues offer a sophisticated appeal and provide additional UV protection, making them a practical choice for sunny days by the water! ☀️🏖️
🩳 Custom Shorts
Custom shorts are a must-have addition to our summer items list for online sales! After all, who doesn’t love a comfy pair of shorts on hot, sunny days? 
When selecting these summer items to sell online, prioritize quality— your customers deserve nothing but the best! Look for shorts that are not only comfortable for all-day wear but also lightweight, breathable, and gentle on the skin.
When browsing different print-on-demand sites for this popular summer item, check for features like elastic waistbands or adjustable drawstrings. And don’t forget about pockets—they’re a practical addition for carrying phones and other accessories!
Quality fabrics like polyester, nylon, or cotton blends are ideal for outdoor activities, water sports, and sun exposure, ensuring durability! 🙌
- Keep it simple and stylish! Opt for solid colors or summer-inspired patterns to capture that seasonal vibe. If you want to add a bit more sophistication, incorporate cool summer graphics, but strategically place them on the bottom hem or front corner for an aesthetic finish!
😊✏️ Make the most of our summer mockups to give your customers a sneak peek at their customized designs!
🩱Custom Swimsuits
You might see this coming, right? This summer list wouldn’t be complete without swimsuits, a classic item for the summer. In order to stand out, you need to focus on customization. While traditional retail stores offer tons of swimsuits, they often lack uniqueness – that’s where you come in! 
So, look for soft, stretchy fabrics that hug the body comfortably and allow for freedom of movement during swimming or beach activities. Inner linings should be smooth to prevent skin irritation and quick-drying for convenience. Some customers may even seek UV protection, so consider this aspect when choosing your POD ally.
- Make shopping for swimsuits a breeze for your customers by providing a detailed size chart and recommendations to help them find their perfect fit! 📏✨ And don’t forget to mention if colors may vary slightly to manage expectations and prevent disappointment – transparency is key!
- Offering various styles is a great strategy. For instance, you could include designs with quotes, graphics, or patterns.
- Additionally, you can get creative by pairing matching swimsuits for friends and family with personalized messages.
👚 Custom T-Shirts
Oh, custom t-shirts—the holy grail of every print-on-demand seller! 🙌
These summer items are always a good idea, but in the hot season, you’ve got the perfect opportunity to showcase fresher and more captivating designs!
And don’t forget about the fabric—look for breathable options like cotton to keep your customers fresh and comfortable all summer!
- Think beyond traditional t-shirts and explore options like custom tank tops and custom crop tops. 🌞 Give your customers more variety and style choices for their summer wardrobe!
- For standout designs, think of fresh, light colors that perfectly capture summer’s essence! Incorporate summer-themed quotes with rounded fonts, and sprinkle in some summer motifs or graphics to make those tees pop! Your customers will be ready to rock their summer style in no time! 😉
✨ Custom Tote Bags
Custom tote bags are a must-have for summer, earning a well-deserved spot on our summer items list: print-on-demand edition!
These versatile accessories are not only easy to transport due to their foldability but also spacious enough to carry all your customers’ essentials. Therefore, choosing providers who prioritize durability and resistance during fabrication is important so your buyers can confidently take their custom tote bags everywhere they go! 
- Did you know that tote bags come in various styles and variations? From weekender tote bags to wine tote bags, cotton, organic, and adjustable options, there’s a diverse range to explore. Highlighting these features will help your customers choose the perfect style that suits their needs and preferences! ✨
- Consider refreshing patterns or minimalist quotes with a pop of color for those who love simplicity. If you’re feeling playful, opt for cursive typefaces or incorporate summer graphics like sun, waves, palms, coconuts, or flowers to capture that sunny vibe! ✏️
🌴 Personalized Beach Towels
Personalized beach towels are an absolute must-have for summer adventures by the sea or poolside! So, to ensure your customers have the ultimate beach experience, it’s crucial to seek out top-notch quality towels that are gentle on the skin, highly absorbent, and durable enough to withstand multiple washes and exposure to sun and water. ✨
While cotton towels are often the ideal choice for achieving these features, if you’re looking for a summer item that won’t accumulate sand, microfiber or polyester towels might be a better option! Thanks to their smooth surface, sand tends to slide right off, ensuring a sand-free experience for your customers! 🏝️😊🫶
- Make sure the towels are big enough to wrap around after a refreshing swim. Additionally, consider offering sizes for both kids and adults to meet all your customers’ needs! Better yet, provide family/friends packages with various sizes and customization options so everyone can enjoy their favorite style or a coordinated set!
- Take a close look at the descriptions provided by print-on-demand sellers to make the right choice, and don’t forget to include washing instructions for your customers to preserve their towels properly!
- Think of bold colors, chic linear patterns, and trendy characters! And remember to include the option for customers to add their names for that custom experience!
✨ Trending Summer Items for Home & Decor
Now, shell we look at some summer items for those customers who love everything about home decor?
In this section, we’ve rounded up the trendiest products! So get ready to explore and discover the perfect goodies to sell online this season. 🥥☀️🥵
🧺 Custom Blankets
Aha, you probably didn’t expect to see custom blankets on this summer items list, right? Well, let us tell you why this is a great option.
First, as we mentioned, summer is ideal for many outdoor activities, so a pretty and soft custom blanket with a summer theme might be perfect for a picnic, a camping trip, or even a beach day to celebrate Christmas in July.
But here’s the thing – people are looking for blankets to refresh them during hot summer nights! They want something light, breathable, and soft that won’t trap too much heat and is easy to care for. That’s where materials like cotton, bamboo, and microfiber shine!
- When considering custom blankets, aim to target various age groups! Offering sizes for kids and adults ensures everyone can enjoy their blankets during outdoor activities! Plus, by providing options for all audiences, you’re making it convenient for buyers to get everything they need in one place—your shop!
- While pretty patterns are always a favorite among buyers, why not consider offering customization options like adding a photograph or a quote for that extra personal touch? Your customers will love snuggling up with their custom summer blankets, whether it’s for a fresh night in or an outdoor adventure under the stars!
🍹 Custom Drinkware
Custom drinkware is the perfect example of how everyday items can become best-sellers for summer. 🍹☀️
When it comes to choosing the right summer items, think of trendy and aesthetic options like wine glasses and can-shaped glasses with lids and straws! These items are ideal for enjoying cold beverages in style during the sunny season.
- You could also consider selling tumblers to keep drinks at the perfect temperature, which is ideal for long-day adventures! 🌳
- Bright colors paired with your customer’s name, minimalist text with a touch of design, or catchy summer graphics with a fun quote can be what you need to make these summer items sell like hotcakes. Your customers will love sipping their favorite drinks from personalized drinkware during the hot season.
🪴 Custom Pots
Custom pots are a game-changer for plant and nature enthusiasts!
Say goodbye to plain colors and mismatched designs – with custom pots your customers can add a personal and fresh touch to their spaces this summertime! Just like with other summer items, durability is key. Look for print-on-demand providers offering pots made from durable materials like ceramic, which are suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Additionally, to prevent water from accumulating at the base and drowning the plants, make sure they have a drainage hole. 
- Offering a variety of sizes is also essential! From small pots for tiny plants to larger ones for those growing over time, give your customers options to suit their needs. 🌱🌿
- Embrace summer vibes with patterns featuring fruits, marine animals, flowers, abstract figures, or geometric shapes! You could even allow customers to upload pictures for a truly custom pot!
🥹 Custom Stickers
Custom stickers are an absolute favorite, aren’t they? Who can resist adding a touch of personality to their belongings? With your custom options, you’ve got the chance to make every summer moment memorable!
Whether it’s a beach day, a bachelor party, or an outdoor adventure, your customers can create unique stickers to adorn their water bottles, cars, or any desired surface! 🏄🏼♀️☀️🌴
To ensure they last through all the summer fun, consider offering water and sun-resistant options made from durable vinyl!
- Everyone loves freebies! Include a free sticker with each purchase to bring smiles to your customers’ faces and encourage future purchases! 😉
- Showcase your custom stickers in a carousel of images, demonstrating the transformation from customization to final product! With Placeit by Envato, creating stunning visuals is a breeze! ✨
- Provide recommendations to your customers on the best image files to ensure top quality! Include an illustrative image detailing sizes, dimensions, and other important details! 📏
- Get creative with summery sticker ideas featuring beaches, memes, or kawaii styles! Consider using holographic, glossy, or metallic finishes to make your designs stand out! 💫
😊 Discover all about stickers by reading How to Make and Sell Stickers.
🌟 Custom Wall Decorations
Custom wall decorations are the perfect way to infuse any space with summer vibes! If you’re looking to sell these summer items with ease and make some extra money, here are some tips to follow:
- Versatility is key! Offer wall decorations that are lightweight and easy to hang, with options like hooks, adhesive hangers, boards with stands, or framed posters. Make sure they’re also easy to move around and suitable for a variety of spaces in the house!
- Quality is essential! Ensure your wall decorations are made to withstand the test of time and various weather conditions. Therefore, we recommend providing precise and detailed instructions on cleaning and preserving them to maintain their beauty!
Don’t get stuck only in conventional finishes; provide different options to elevate any design. For example, glossy, matte, or even materials like aluminum, acrylic, foam, or wood prints. Rest assured, some of our top 3 print-on-demand providers (listed below) include these options. 😉
- Some designs can make a difference in custom wall decoration. Offer a wide range of landscapes, from ocean views to sunny beach days, or consider abstract or following current trends like in “My Summer Era.” Or you could keep the designs simple yet aesthetically pleasing to appeal to these minimalist enthusiasts!
🥶 Personalized Ice Buckets
Personalized ice buckets are a summer essential that no one should miss out on! Perfect for keeping beverages cold, they’re a must-have for parties, picnics, and barbecues! To ensure your ice buckets are popular, here’s what you need to consider:
Choose durable and lightweight materials, making them easy to carry everywhere! Plastic or stainless steel are great options, offering both sturdiness and portability. Don’t forget to pay attention to capacity – the more drinks, the merrier! Also, ensure your ice buckets come with handles for easy carrying.
- When choosing your POD provider, ensure the ice buckets already come with tongs or other helpful accessories and offer them as a gift with purchase! Promoting them as a bonus gift will make customers feel they’re getting more value for their money! 🤑
- Opt for summer-inspired patterns, personalized names, quotes, and messages for special occasions like “Hawaii 2024” or initials. Showcase various customization examples to give customers a taste of the possibilities and make them eager to purchase!🌟
🌞 Best-Selling Summer Items for Outdoor Activities
Last but not least, we have 3 summer items that are the perfect companions for outdoor activities. ✨😎🍦
Let’s check what’s in store:
🎒 Custom Backpacks
Custom backpacks are a summer essential for all outdoor adventures and on-the-go plans! But what makes them stand out and appeal to online buyers? Here are some key factors to consider:
- Materials should be durable enough to withstand the use and exposure to the sun, rain, and even sand!
- Look for backpacks with soft shoulder straps, breathable fabrics, or mesh panels on the back to prevent sweat buildup and keep users cool on hot days!
- Consider backpacks with multiple compartments and pockets, including front zippers and hidden compartments, to accommodate items like bottles, towels, snacks, and more.
Take advantage of the wide range of custom backpack styles offered by print-on-demand sites to find the perfect fit for your customer’s needs! 🌟
Looking for a smaller alternative? You’ve got it! Look to create custom fanny packs, custom pouches, and personalized travel bags. As these items will be smaller, you can opt for full patterns or minimalist graphics in doodles.
- Ensure the design suits any occasion, from beach days to hiking trips!
- Stand out by offering personalized options like adding names, initials, images, or inspiring quotes that reflect your customers’ unique personalities! While eye-catching patterns are great, allowing customers to customize their backpacks truly will set you apart from the competition!
🧥 Custom Sweatshirts
Who says sweatshirts are just for winter? Whether it’s a fantastic summer night or an outdoor adventure, custom sweatshirts are a must-have summer essential!
The key is choosing lightweight, breathable, soft materials, like cotton or polyester blends. Not only will these fabrics keep your customers cool, but they’ll also ensure the designs stay fresh and vibrant all season long! ✨
- Expand your product offerings beyond just sweatshirts. Consider exploring options like hoodies or long-sleeve clothing to provide diverse choices for all your customers’ needs. This way, you can ensure you’re offering something for everyone and maximize your sales potential! 🌟
Get playful with your designs! Consider adding fun summer messages, including a marine theme, or create a design inspired by the most beloved beachy destinations. And don’t be afraid to get creative with your layout – experiment with curves, circles, or wave-like illustrations to present a fresh, eye-catching concept.
When it comes to colors, think light and bright! Opt for shades like white, light blue, pink, and yellow to complement the summer vibes and easily pair with any outfit. But if you’re feeling bold with darker hues like navy or black, use contrasting graphics and messages in white to make your sweatshirt design stand out.
✏️ Printables for Kids
To wrap up this summer items list, let’s dive into the world of digital products with printables for kids! 
These are perfect for parents looking to keep their kids entertained beyond just video games. You can create a variety of worksheets and activities that parents can easily print out, all conveniently packaged together. Luckily, at Placeit by Envato, we have some amazing resources you can customize with total ease and use for commercial purposes!
- Consider preparing printables for kids of all ages and with different complexity levels to stand out.
- Include personalization options, such as adding the child’s name and favorite character, to make them feel extra special! ✨
- When advertising or promoting your printables, include clear and easy-to-follow instructions to make them hassle-free for busy parents.
- Also, highlight your printables’ key features and benefits to attract potential buyers’ attention. 💡
- Use vibrant colors to catch attention and incorporate trendy characters that kids love, whether it’s superheroes, princesses, dinosaurs, or their favorite cartoons! Let your creativity run wild and create printables that will make learning and playing fun for kids this summer!
💡 Want to know more about these online resources? Then don’t miss our guide on selling digital products.
Choose the Best Summer Designs: Tips and Tricks
If you’ve just finished scrolling through our complete summer items list and are wondering what designs will turn your products into best sellers, let’s dive into some awesome tips together! 🏝️🌞✨
Competitors
Analyze your competitors’ activities to get inspiration and identify opportunities they might miss. This will help you generate new ideas that attract your customers, especially in the summertime.
Inspiration Sources
Explore platforms like Pinterest, Etsy, Instagram, and TikTok to see what’s trendy and selling well for the season. You can benefit from these platforms by learning about popular trends and designs.
Informative Sources
Utilize tools like Google Trends, Semrush, or Ahrefs to understand search volume and keyword relevancy. This analytical approach helps filter the most convenient summer items and designs to sell online.
Customer Feedback
Conduct surveys or polls to gather customer insights about their preferences and interests. Engaging with your audience directly ensures you create products they want to buy. Do it via WhatsApp, X (known before as Twitter), Instagram, or by email.
Seasonal Campaigns
Consider seasonal events and holidays like weddings, graduations, and Mother’s/Father’s Day to create extraordinary product lines. Tailoring your designs to these occasions can boost sales and engagement and, most importantly, offer diversity for your customers. The possibilities are endless, whether they’re custom stickers, t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, or any other summer item.
Business Expertise
Here’s some golden advice: Always keep your audience in mind when making design decisions! 🎯
Reflect on their past purchasing behaviors to see and understand what worked and where there’s room for improvement—it’s like having a cheat sheet for success! ✨
This doesn’t have to be rocket science. For example, if you specialize in selling for kids, think about what shared purchasing behaviors these parents have in common. Parents are probably always looking for adorable patterns with cute animals or playful objects. This will help you understand what to implement on your selected summer items for 2024.
Placeit by Envato Library
Every day, we upload new and fresh designs, videos, templates, and mockups waiting for you. So, take advantage of ready-to-use templates to get inspired or to jump directly to the action.
Rest assured, our professional team of creatives continually updates content based on trends, ensuring top-quality designs that can be 100% customized to meet your business needs. We also have valuable blog resources. Make a splash on them:
- May Through August Trends: Get Ready for the Hottest Summer Sales
- 43+ Summer Templates to Use This Season
- Top 13 Summer T-Shirt Design Trends
- How to Sell More T-Shirts This Summer
- Sell Custom Crop Tops Online this Summer!
And even a special page with curated summer color palettes. 🌊🌞🏄🏼♀️
Remember, Placeit by Envato has your back for all your design needs! Say goodbye to complicated design programs and hello to our friendly editor to make all your summer creations in less than 5 minutes! ✨😊🫶
Here’s a full video on how to use our design templates:
Create Stunning Summer Items: Our Top Print-on-Demand Sites!
Now that you’ve gained insights into the hottest summer items, you need to select the right print-on-demand partners to bring your visions to life.
For this blog, we’ve picked 3 of the most popular platforms among online sellers. These platforms own extensive libraries of customizable products, including all the summer items we’ve discussed. So, without further ado, let’s dive in and explore these print-on-demand allies! 🚀😉
Gelato
Based in Oslo, Norway, Gelato is on a mission to empower the rapidly growing creator economy by offering local production and delivery of customized items to consumers worldwide, all while maintaining exceptional quality. With over 130 printing facilities in 32 countries, Gelato enables print-on-demand sellers to sell globally and produce locally, significantly reducing carbon emissions. 🌱
Due to its 17 years of experience since its founding in 2007, Gelato is well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of the print-on-demand industry.
To learn more about Gelato and hear what other print-on-demand sellers say about their experience, visit Trustpilot. This company has an impressive rating of 4.7 stars based on 1681 reviews.
Printful
Printful is another reliable favorite in the print-on-demand industry, boasting extensive experience since its foundation in 2013. Over the years, Printful has continuously elevated the print-on-demand game, making it easier for millions of businesses, sellers, entrepreneurs, and creatives to bring their visions to life. 🚀
With a catalog of more than 230 products to choose from, Printful, headquartered in North Carolina, USA, offers apparel, accessories, home & living items, and more. This wide selection makes it a fantastic option for supplying your summer items and beyond!
With industry-leading technology, Printful efficiently fulfills and ships over 1 million items monthly, demonstrating its commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. 🌟 They operate from 15 fulfillment centers and partner facilities across the USA, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Japan, Australia, and Brazil, ensuring fast and reliable service worldwide.
To gain insights into Printful customers’ experiences, visit their Trustpilot page. They currently have an excellent score of 4.6 based on 4657 reviews.
Printify
Printify stands out as one of the most prominent names in the print-on-demand industry, bringing innovation and excellence to the market since its founding in 2015. Located in San Francisco, California, this Latvian company has revolutionized the print-on-demand game, empowering over 8 million sellers like you to showcase their designs on 850+ customizable items!
What’s more, Printify has an impressive network of 75 print-on-demand houses worldwide, ensuring quality and efficiency no matter where you are in the world. Whether you’re looking to print apparel, accessories, home decor, or more, Printify has a vast selection of high-quality products.
If you’re curious about the experience of choosing Printify as your designed print-on-demand provider, look no further than Trustpilot! With an outstanding 4.8 out of 5 score based on 2946 reviews, Printify has earned the trust and satisfaction of countless users around the globe. 🌟
Discover More Sites
If you’re looking for more print-on-demand sites, you’ve got it! We’ve curated some blogs that might help you decide which will be your ally for printing and shipping these summer products!
Dive into each blog to discover everything you need to know about these awesome companies: pricing plans, product catalogs, eco-friendly options, shipping, and more!
Wrapping up Our Summer Items List
So, we’ve come to the end of this summer items list. We hope you find all these curated seasonal products useful and follow our design tips. Remember that we even included some valuable resources to implement into your summer sales campaign and inspiration blogs that we update yearly according to the latest trends so you can have the right resources to make your print-on-demand business shine.
Let us know in the comments what other summer items you would include in this best-sellers list. 😊🌴🥥
