Why Staying Ahead of Trends Matters
In the fast-moving world of print-on-demand (POD), discovering the next big trend early can mean the difference between a few casual sales and a breakout success. Many sellers often wonder how some competitors consistently seem to release designs right as demand spikes. The answer isn’t luck—it’s research, validation, and quick execution.
This guide walks through a systematic process for identifying and validating new POD trends using a mix of data tools and creative thinking.
Step 1: Spotting Emerging Trends
The first step is finding products that are newly listed and already selling. Platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and others reward early adopters. Using a specialized research tool such as Merch Dominator, you can sort listings by “newest” while filtering for items that have already made sales.
This reveals products submitted within the past 24 hours that have successfully attracted buyers—a clear sign of an emerging trend.
A good example is the viral “67” design trend, which appeared across multiple stores and platforms. Within days, it evolved into variations like “67 ghosts,” “square root of 4489,” and creative math references. Such repetition is often the clearest sign that demand is accelerating fast.
Step 2: Validate Interest Using Google Trends
Once a pattern appears, it’s time to confirm public interest. A free and powerful tool like Google Trends can reveal how searches evolve over time.
Typing in “67 shirt,” for instance, shows when people started looking for this niche. Over several months, spikes in search activity indicated steady demand growth. By analyzing a 5-year timeframe, sellers can distinguish short-term fads from sustainable niches.
Step 3: Verify Sales Activity Across Marketplaces
Cross-platform validation is essential. After confirming a trend’s popularity on Amazon, check Etsy using tools like EverBee, which aggregates data from millions of listings.
Sorting by “sales in the last month” highlights the designs that are actually converting. Even new listings can reveal early traction. For example, one “67 Halloween costume” listing generated more than 60 sales in a single month, with a 6% conversion rate—solid proof of demand.
By examining top listings, sellers can identify relevant tags, keywords, and design angles. Tags such as “teen slang,” “Gen Z shirt,” “couple’s costume,” and “TikTok trend” frequently appear in top-performing listings, offering valuable SEO insight.
Step 4: Expand Keyword Research
Using tag analytics features in keyword tools can uncover additional terms buyers associate with your niche. Removing generic words like “shirt” refines results, showing related tags like “group costume,” “funny meme,” and “last-minute outfit.”
Each tag includes a keyword score that balances search volume, competition, and conversion potential. Prioritizing high-scoring, relevant tags helps listings rank faster on Etsy, Amazon, and other platforms.
Step 5: Designing Fast and Effectively
Once validation is complete, it’s time to design. Simple, text-based designs often perform best during the early phase of a trend. For instance, a bold “67” in clean typography can be the foundation.
Enhancing the design with light illustrations or graphic elements—such as an ice cream cone, a popular motif in this niche—can make it more distinctive. Using stock photo resources with open licenses or AI-assisted tools to stylize elements (for example, converting a photo into a cartoon-style vector) can help produce original visuals quickly.
The key is efficiency. A minimalist, high-quality design uploaded early can capture significant market share before saturation.
Step 6: Projecting Profit Potential
Even modest daily sales add up. Two sales per day at roughly $7 profit per item can generate over $5,000 per year—from a single listing. Scaling this process across multiple validated trends multiplies results.
The formula is straightforward:
- Identify early trends using data tools.
- Validate demand through keyword and search analytics.
- Create fast, clean designs tailored to that niche.
- Optimize listings with proven tags and SEO data.
Final Thoughts
Print-on-demand success isn’t about guessing trends—it’s about reading the signals before others do. With tools like Merch Dominator, Google Trends, and EverBee, sellers can uncover what’s hot, validate it with data, and design strategically to capture buyer interest early.
The next viral product isn’t about chance—it’s about preparation, pattern recognition, and speed.
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