How to Create a Passive Income Online Business with Printify and Pixabay

In this article, we’ll explore a simple, automated online business model that could help you generate passive income. This method leverages tools like Pixabay, Printify, and e-commerce platforms such as Etsy, Amazon, or Redbubble. Best of all, it’s accessible even if you’re on a tight budget, as it requires no upfront investment. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process.

Start by visiting Pixabay.com, a platform that offers over 5 million royalty-free images and videos. Create a free account and search for pet-related images, such as dogs, cats, and birds. Download at least 5–10 high-quality images of pets with no background clutter. These images will serve as the foundation for your designs.

Alternatively, platforms like Pexels and Unsplash also provide free, high-quality photos that you can use.

Next, visit Printify.com and sign up for a free account. Printify is a print-on-demand platform that allows you to create custom designs and sell products like:

Phone cases

T-shirts

Pillows

Mugs

Printify handles the printing and shipping for you. When a customer places an order, Printify automatically fulfills the order and deducts its production cost from the sale price. The remaining amount is your profit.

1. Click "Add a New Store" and connect your Printify account with an e-commerce platform of your choice, such as Etsy, Shopify, eBay, Redbubble, or even Printify’s own pop-up store.

2. Once your store is linked, go to the "Catalog" section to explore the products available for customization.

For this tutorial, we’ll design custom phone cases using pet images. Follow these steps:

1. Select a phone case from the Printify catalog.

2. Click on "Start Designing" and upload the pet images you downloaded from Pixabay, Unsplash, or Pexels.

3. Use Printify’s background remover tool to create a clean, professional look. Adjust the image placement to ensure it fits perfectly on the phone case mock-up.

4. Optionally, add personalized text, such as the pet’s name, a catchy phrase, or a fun design element.

1. Set a price for your product. Research competitors on platforms like Etsy to find an ideal price point.

2. Publish your product to your connected store. Include clear, attractive titles, descriptions, and keywords to improve search visibility.

Promote your products on social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.

Collaborate with influencers or pet communities to increase visibility.

Run targeted ads if your budget allows.

The print-on-demand model eliminates the need for inventory or logistics. Platforms like Etsy or Redbubble expose your products to millions of potential buyers, making it easier to generate sales. With tools like Printify handling fulfillment, you can focus on creating and marketing your designs.

As seen with successful Etsy shops like ModPauseUS, which has sold over 180,000 items, this business model has substantial earning potential. Even at an average price of $10 per item, that’s over $1.8 million in revenue.

Starting an online business using Pixabay and Printify is a low-risk, high-reward opportunity. With minimal upfront investment and the potential for passive income, it’s an excellent way to break into e-commerce.

Take the first step today by gathering pet images and experimenting with Printify’s design tools. You could be on your way to earning $7 or more every minute in passive income!