Podbase

Desk Mats are now live on Podbase! With 32.6M people working remotely and 88% of employers supporting flexible work, the desk has become more than just a surface. It’s part of someone’s daily routine and personal space. At the same time, the category is growing fast, already reaching a $6.2B market. It reflects a broader shift in how people think about their environment. For sellers, this means: ✔ High perceived value ✔ Strong bundling potential (AOV growth) ✔ Daily-use product with consistent demand Now available on Podbase. Ready to sell.

The classic marketing funnel (Awareness → Interest → Desire → Action) is broken for Gen Z. Their path to purchase is instead described as an infinite loop of Inspiration → Exploration → Community → Loyalty. They find new brands through social media, especially YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, where they’re constantly inspired by peers and creators. But rather than buying impulsively, they research deeply - checking materials, reviews, and authenticity before committing. For this generation, belonging matters just as much as buying: over half say their favorite brands make them feel part of a community. Loyalty, too, looks different; many Gen Zers consider themselves loyal fans even if they haven’t purchased yet, because their connection is emotional, not transactional. -> For the print-on-demand community, this means success isn’t just about making great products, it’s about building meaning around them. -> Designs should reflect real identities and subcultures, storytelling should be transparent and authentic, and customer engagement should invite participation.

We’re thrilled to announce that Podbase now integrates with both WooCommerce and OpenAPI! -> With the WooCommerce integration, you can sync your store in just a few clicks and start offering premium tech accessories without managing inventory or logistics. -> Our OpenAPI integration gives developers and partners full flexibility to build tailored workflows, automate processes, and seamlessly connect Podbase with existing systems. ------------------------------------------------- Learn more: 🔗 WooCommerce - https://lnkd.in/d-Vn6E_f 🔗 OpenAPI - https://lnkd.in/dkmdH4V4

Over 85% of people carry their laptop almost everywhere they go... yet less than 10% of brands include a laptop sleeve in their Shopify store. It’s a surprising gap, especially when you think about how often laptops (and their sleeves) are seen in everyday life. Laptop sleeves might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of branded products, but they probably should be. → They’re used daily Unlike a t-shirt or tote bag that gets occasional use, a laptop sleeve travels constantly - to meetings, co-working spaces, airports, and coffee shops. That’s daily, organic visibility for your brand. → They elevate your brand A good laptop sleeve feels premium. It adds a layer of professionalism and care that reflects directly on your brand. → They fit almost any audience From students and startup teams to remote workers and business travelers, nearly everyone carries a laptop. That makes sleeves a universally relevant merch choice for shops, drops, or loyalty gifts.

Last year, creators earned up to 3× more from seasonal designs. The reason? Seasonal drops align perfectly with how the creator economy and e-commerce are evolving. For one thing, the creator economy itself is becoming even more influential, a recent report found that nearly half of consumers have made purchases based on creator recommendations, and 43 % of Gen Z say they discover products via creators. When you combine those two: creators tapping seasonal moments hit the sweet spot of relevance + resonance. Seasonal designs don’t just meet a consumer’s need, they meet their emotional state (“it’s fall, I’m prepping gifts”), their cultural context (Halloween, back-to-school, holidays), and they benefit from the social content wave that creators ride (users share, talk, personalise). So for print-on-demand creators, leveraging seasonal themes is more than a design choice; it’s aligning with big macro-trends in creator economics, consumer behavior, and digital commerce.

Trendy vs. Evergreen We see both sides every day through the thousands of phone cases our community designs and sells. -> Trendy designs follow the moment. They fit almost everyone’s taste, which makes them easy to sell and perfect for reaching a wide audience. But their success often depends on how long the trend lasts. -> Evergreen designs go deeper. They don’t follow trends, they represent a specific style or mood. They attract people who truly connect with them and keep performing long after trends fade. And that’s the beauty of it: • Trendy designs help you reach more people. • Evergreen designs help you resonate with the right ones. The best strategy? Use trendy to attract, and evergreen to connect.

Side hustlers keep asking: “How do I price my designs to stay competitive?” We get this one a lot, so let’s talk about it. When you’re just starting out with custom phone cases, it’s easy to look at what everyone else is charging and feel like you have to go low to compete. Here’s what we recommend if you’re starting your store with Podbase: -> Know your competitors - check what similar cases are selling for on marketplaces like Etsy or TikTok Shop. Take note of both the budget options and the premium ones. -> Offer variety - start with a mix of products that hit different price points. For example: - a clear phone case, for customers who want something sleek and affordable. - a tough phone case, for those who want premium protection and durability. -> Test and learn - use your first few sales to understand what your customers value most. Then, adjust your prices based on feedback. Remember: it’s not just about being the cheapest, it’s about showing why your designs are worth it!

This month, laptop sleeves have quickly become our fastest-growing category. It’s a reflection of what today’s customers are looking for. The Podbase Premium Laptop Sleeve combines full-surface, no-fade custom printing with real functionality: soft foam padding, a smooth metal zipper, and a vegan-friendly PU leather finish. It’s lightweight, stylish, and designed for daily life. -> For creators and brands, it's an ideal way to offer a product that feels premium and performs beautifully, while keeping design at the center. Just add it to your Shopify store and start selling!

The latest Veo 3 update is changing how we bring ideas to life. You can now create short videos that include built-in audio, smoother motion, and scene consistency, all from a simple product mockup. -> Upload your product mockup. Choose a model with HeyGen. Then generate a realistic video ad using Veo 3 model, where your design moves naturally in a real-world scene with background sound, voiceover, and cinematic flow. This new feature bridges the gap between design and storytelling, making high-quality content accessible to every brand, no matter the size. So if you’re just starting your print-on-demand business and stressing about content - don’t. The tools are here, and your story is ready to be told!

Did you know that over 60% of remote workers carry their laptops with them every day? Protective and stylish tech gear has become part of everyday essentials. -> One product catching attention lately is the premium laptop sleeve. It’s made from cruelty-free PA leather, includes a soft padded interior for protection, and features a durable metal zipper that adds to the overall quality feel. According to recent market insights, the global consumer electronics accessories market is set to reach over $270B by 2033. At the same time, the POD industry is growing fast, expected to scale at over 26% annually. More sellers are turning to lifestyle products not just for the margins, but because they align better with changing consumer behavior: people want items that feel personal, look premium, and make sense for how they live and work now. So, add laptop sleeves to your store; they could be your next bestseller!