Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Express POD, our software, products, fulfilment, and support.
Getting Started
Is Express POD free to use?
Yes. The Express POD app is completely free to use. There are no monthly subscriptions, setup fees, or hidden charges. You only pay for products when you receive an order, making it a genuinely low-risk way to start selling personalised gifts online.
Do I need a Shopify store?
No. While Shopify is fully supported and offers the most automated experience, you can also sell through Etsy or place manual orders directly through the Express POD dashboard.
Can I sell on Etsy?
Yes. Express POD integrates with Etsy, allowing you to sell personalised jewellery and gifts through your Etsy store while we handle production and fulfilment from our UK facility.
How long does it take to get started?
Most sellers can be up and running within a few hours. As an example, a store offering gifts for Mum, Dad, Daughter, Son, Wife and Husband could realistically upload around 30 designs in a single afternoon. The exact time depends on how many products and designs you want to create.
Do I need design experience?
Not at all. Modern AI tools have dramatically reduced the need for graphic design skills, making it easier than ever to create professional looking products. We also provide detailed video tutorials showing you how to create designs, write message cards, and publish products to your store.
Can I use Express POD as a side business?
Absolutely. Many personalised gift businesses are run alongside full-time jobs. With no stock to buy, no equipment to manage, and fulfilment handled entirely by us, Express POD is an ideal business to run in your spare time.
Is there a contract or minimum commitment?
No. There are no contracts, subscriptions, or minimum commitments. In fact, you don’t even need to add a payment card until you’re ready to process your first order. You receive full access to the software from day one and only pay when you start selling.
Products
What products can I sell?
Express POD specialises in premium personalised jewellery and gifting products. Our range includes necklaces, pendants, bracelets, and men’s jewellery, all designed specifically for the gifting market. We continually expand our catalogue with new products, giving sellers fresh opportunities to grow their stores and reach new audiences.
Do all products include a personalised message card?
Yes. Every Express POD product is designed around the concept of a complete gift experience. Each item is supplied with a professionally printed message card presented inside a premium keepsake jewellery box. If you prefer, you can also create non-personalised or static designs.
Can I create my own message card designs?
Absolutely. In fact, this is where many of our most successful sellers gain a competitive advantage. Creating unique message card designs allows you to target specific recipients, occasions, and niches. A great design combined with the right message can quickly become a best-selling product.
What materials are used in the jewellery?
Materials vary depending on the product, but our range primarily features premium 316L stainless steel, 18k gold plating, 14k white gold plating, and rose gold finishes. Individual product pages contain full specifications and material information for each item.
Is the jewellery waterproof?
Yes. Our jewellery is designed for everyday wear and is fully waterproof, making it practical as well as beautiful.
Is the jewellery waterproof?
Yes. Our jewellery is designed for everyday wear and is fully waterproof, making it practical as well as beautiful.
Is the jewellery hypoallergenic?
Yes. Our jewellery is hypoallergenic and suitable for most wearers, helping reduce the risk of skin irritation commonly associated with lower-quality jewellery.
Can I order samples?
Yes. We actively encourage sellers to order samples before launching products. Simply place a manual order through the Express POD dashboard and we’ll produce and ship it just like a customer order.
Are new products added to the range?
Yes. We are constantly expanding our product range and introducing new jewellery and gifting products. Our goal is to become the UK’s leading personalised jewellery print-on-demand provider, giving sellers access to a growing catalogue of products they won’t find everywhere else.
Why does Express POD focus on jewellery rather than products like mugs and t-shirts?
Jewellery occupies a unique position within the gifting market. Customers are often willing to spend significantly more on a meaningful gift for a loved one than they would on everyday products such as mugs or t-shirts. This typically results in stronger margins, higher perceived value, and better opportunities for sellers to build a profitable business.
Can I sell products under my own brand?
Yes. Your customers buy directly from your store, not from Express POD. We work behind the scenes to produce and fulfil your orders, allowing you to focus on building your own brand and customer relationships.
Do you offer products for different occasions?
Absolutely. Our products are suitable for a wide range of occasions including birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, graduations, retirements, and many other gifting occasions throughout the year.
What makes Express POD products different from other POD providers?
Most print-on-demand companies focus on commodity products such as mugs, t-shirts, and posters. Express POD focuses on premium personalised jewellery paired with professionally printed message cards and presented in luxury keepsake packaging. The result is a complete gift experience that customers remember, share, and recommend.
Software & Personalisation
How does the personalisation app work?
The Express POD app allows your customers to personalise products directly on your store before they buy. Depending on the product, they can add names, messages, or photos and instantly see a live preview of their personalisation. Once the order is placed, the personalisation information is automatically passed through to production.
Can customers preview their personalisation before ordering?
Yes. One of the biggest advantages of Express POD is our live personalisation technology. Customers can see exactly what their finished product will look like before they complete their purchase, helping to increase confidence and reduce abandoned carts.
Can customers upload photos?
Yes. Our software supports photo uploads, allowing sellers to create highly personalised products that go far beyond simple text personalisation.
Can customers add their own message?
Absolutely. Customers can add names, messages, dates, and other personalised text depending on the product design you’ve created.
Can customers personalise products on mobile devices?
Yes. The Express POD app is fully mobile-friendly, providing a smooth personalisation experience across smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.
Does the app slow down my website?
No. The app has been designed to be lightweight and efficient. We optimise assets wherever possible to ensure a fast user experience while still providing live personalisation functionality.
Do I need any technical skills to install the app?
No technical knowledge is required. Installation is straightforward, and we provide step-by-step video tutorials that walk you through the entire process. Most sellers can have the app installed and running within minutes.
Can I use the app on multiple stores?
Yes. You can connect multiple stores to the platform, making it easy to manage several brands or sales channels from a single account.
Is the app compatible with Shopify themes?
Yes. The Express POD app is designed to work with modern Shopify themes. If you ever encounter an issue, our support team is available to help with setup and configuration.
How long does app installation take?
Most installations take only a few minutes. Once installed, you can immediately begin creating designs, publishing products, and accepting orders.
Do I need to create product mockups myself?
No. The software automatically generates product mockups for you, making it easy to create professional-looking product listings without specialist design software.
Can I edit my designs after publishing them?
Yes. You can update designs, product listings, and personalisation settings whenever you need to, giving you complete control over your catalogue.
What makes the Express POD software different?
Most personalisation software solutions charge monthly subscription fees on top of fulfilment costs. Express POD provides live personalisation technology completely free for sellers using our fulfilment service. Combined with premium jewellery products and UK-based fulfilment, it creates a complete business solution rather than just another software tool.
Can I create products for different niches and occasions?
Absolutely. Many successful sellers build collections around specific recipients and occasions such as Mum, Dad, Daughter, Son, Wife, Husband, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and seasonal events. The flexibility of the platform allows you to target virtually any gifting niche.
Do you provide training on how to use the software?
Yes. We provide a growing library of detailed video tutorials covering everything from creating designs and building products to publishing listings and processing orders. If you need additional help, our support team is always available.
Orders & Fulfilment
What happens when I receive an order?
In most cases, nothing at all. If you have automatic order approval enabled, the order flows directly through to our production team. We charge the payment method on your account, produce the order, and dispatch it to your customer. If you prefer to review orders before production, you can enable manual approval within the app.
Are Shopify orders processed automatically?
Yes. Shopify offers the most automated experience. Once configured, customer orders can flow directly from your Shopify store to our production facility without any manual intervention.
How do Etsy orders work?
Etsy handles personalisation differently to Shopify. Because Etsy does not support live positioning of images and text in the same way, personalised Etsy orders are held in your Express POD dashboard for review. You simply enter the personalisation details, approve the order, and we take care of the rest.
Do I need to place orders manually?
No. Orders can be processed automatically through Shopify or approved through the dashboard for Etsy. We also provide a manual order facility should you ever wish to place sample orders or fulfil orders from other sales channels.
Where are orders fulfilled from?
All Express POD orders are printed, packed, and shipped from our production facility in Sheffield, United Kingdom.
What is your production time?
Our standard production time is up to 2 working days. For example, if an order is placed on Monday, it will leave our facility no later than Wednesday, and often sooner.
How quickly do customers receive their orders?
Most UK customers receive their orders within 4–6 working days from the date they place their order. This includes production time and courier transit time. Faster delivery options are also available.
Which courier services do you use?
We currently ship using Evri and Royal Mail, selecting the most appropriate service based on the order and delivery requirements.
Do you provide tracking information?
Yes. All orders are dispatched using tracked services. Tracking information is automatically provided once the order has been shipped, allowing both you and your customer to monitor delivery progress.
Do you offer express delivery?
Yes. Express delivery options are available for customers who need their gifts quickly. This is particularly popular around birthdays, anniversaries, and other important occasions.
Can I see the status of my orders?
Yes. The Express POD dashboard provides visibility of your orders as they move through production and fulfilment, allowing you to stay informed at every stage of the process.
What happens if a customer enters incorrect personalisation details?
Because customers are shown a live preview before ordering, errors are significantly reduced. However, if a customer contacts you immediately after placing an order, please contact our support team as quickly as possible. If production has not yet started, we may be able to amend the order.
What happens if an order is lost in transit?
In the unlikely event that an order is lost during delivery, our support team will investigate with the courier and work with you to arrange a replacement where appropriate.
Can I place sample orders through the system?
Yes. Sample orders can be placed at any time using the manual order feature within the dashboard, making it easy to test products before offering them to customers.
Do you hold stock in the UK?
Yes. Products are stocked and fulfilled from our UK facility, allowing us to offer fast turnaround times and reliable delivery without the delays often associated with overseas fulfilment providers.
Pricing & Profit
How much profit can I make?
Profit depends on the product you choose and the retail price you set. As an example, our Eternal Heart Pendant currently costs £10.95 plus VAT. Many sellers retail this product at around £34.95, creating a healthy margin while still offering excellent value to customers. Across our product range, sellers can typically achieve margins of over 60%.
Are there any monthly fees?
No. There are no monthly subscriptions, platform fees, or software charges. The Express POD app is completely free to use. You only pay for products when you receive an order.
Do I need to purchase stock?
No. We hold all stock and handle all fulfilment. You don’t need to invest in inventory, storage space, printing equipment, or packaging materials.
Are there minimum order quantities?
No. Whether you sell one item or one hundred, we process every order individually. There are no minimum order requirements.
Do I pay upfront for products?
You only pay when you receive an order. The cost of the product is charged to the payment method linked to your account when the order is approved or processed.
Can I set my own retail prices?
Yes. You are free to set your own retail prices and build your business however you choose. Many sellers charge above our suggested retail prices depending on their niche, branding, and target audience.
Do you provide recommended retail prices?
Yes. We provide suggested retail pricing to help sellers get started, but you remain in full control of your own pricing strategy.
Are there any setup fees?
No. There are no setup fees, onboarding fees, or hidden costs. Simply create your account, install the app, and start building products.
What are my biggest costs as a seller?
Your main costs will typically be the product itself, any platform fees charged by Shopify or Etsy, payment processing fees, and any advertising or marketing you choose to run. Because there is no stock to purchase, many sellers can start with very little upfront investment.
Can I build a business without spending money on advertising?
Yes. Many sellers generate sales through Etsy search, organic social media content, email marketing, and SEO. While advertising can accelerate growth, it is not required to get started.
Why are jewellery margins higher than many other POD products?
Jewellery is a premium gifting product with a much higher perceived value than items such as mugs or t-shirts. Customers are often willing to spend more on a meaningful gift for a loved one, allowing sellers to achieve stronger margins while still delivering excellent value.
Is Express POD suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. The combination of free software, no stock investment, automated fulfilment, and comprehensive training makes Express POD one of the simplest ways to start selling personalised gifts online.
Returns & Refunds
What happens if a customer wants to return an item?
We understand that customer satisfaction is critical to your business. Unlike many print-on-demand companies, we offer a 7-day return policy on personalised products. If a customer wishes to return their order within 7 days of receiving it, we will accept the return and provide a refund less the original shipping cost. Please see our returns policy here
Do you accept returns on personalised products?
Yes. Most personalised product providers operate a strict no-returns policy unless an item is faulty. We take a different approach. We are confident in the quality of our products and want to help protect your reputation as a seller, so we accept returns on personalised products within 7 days of delivery.
What happens if an order arrives damaged?
In the unlikely event that an order arrives damaged, simply contact our support team with details of the issue. We can either arrange a replacement to be produced and shipped immediately or provide a refund, depending on your preference.
What happens if there is a production error?
If we make a mistake during production, we will put it right at no cost to you. Whether the issue is incorrect personalisation, a manufacturing defect, or a printing error, we will replace the item as quickly as possible.
What happens if a customer receives the wrong item?
If the wrong item is shipped, please contact us as soon as possible. We will investigate the issue and arrange for the correct product to be produced and dispatched.
What happens if an order is lost in transit?
If a parcel is confirmed as lost by the courier, we will work with you to resolve the issue quickly and arrange a replacement where appropriate.
How do I request a replacement or refund?
Simply contact our support team by email with your order details and a brief explanation of the issue. We aim to deal with replacement and refund requests as quickly as possible so your customer remains happy.
Why do you accept returns on personalised products when most POD companies don't?
We believe protecting your store’s reputation is more important than arguing over a return. A single unhappy customer can leave a negative review that affects future sales. Our returns policy is designed to remove that risk and give sellers confidence when promoting our products.
Do customers return many personalised jewellery products?
Returns are actually very rare. Our products are designed to be meaningful gifts, and the combination of premium jewellery, personalised message cards, and quality presentation results in extremely high customer satisfaction.
Will a replacement order be prioritised?
Yes. If a replacement is required due to damage, loss, or a production error, we will prioritise the order wherever possible to minimise inconvenience to you and your customer.