Imagine effortlessly transforming your creative visions into real-world products with just a few clicks. That’s the power of print-on-demand! Gone are the days of wrestling with printing logistics and inventory management. Now, whether you’re an artist, designer, or entrepreneur, you can easily showcase your talents and reach a global audience. From trendy apparel to stylish accessories, the top 7 print-on-demand platforms listed below offer a seamless way to turn your ideas into must-have items.
Join us as we unveil these game-changing platforms and discover how you can unleash your creativity without boundaries or barriers.
What is print on demand business?
Print on demand, abbreviated as POD, stands as an innovative ecommerce strategy where products are printed only upon receiving orders, contrasting traditional mass production methods. This model offers businesses numerous benefits, including cost reduction, elimination of excess inventory, and the flexibility to cater to individualized customer preferences.
The emergence of print on demand has fundamentally transformed the ecommerce sector, offering a streamlined approach for artists and online retailers to offer personalized products without the logistical challenges of inventory management or upfront investment in printing equipment.
A print on demand site is an online platform where individuals or businesses can upload their designs or products, and when a customer places an order, the site handles the printing, packaging, and shipping of the item directly to the customer.
How do I choose the best print on demand sites?
When selecting a print-on-demand platform, it’s crucial to consider factors such as; the quality of products offered, pricing structure, shipping options, customer service reliability, ease of use of their interface, and any additional features they provide, like marketing tools or integrations with other platforms you use. It’s also wise to research user reviews and experiences to get a sense of the platform’s reputation. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your specific needs, budgets and goals as a creator or seller.
Let’s explore the top 7 print-on-demand platforms that are leading the way in 2024.
1. Printful
Printful stands out as a premier print-on-demand service, catering to businesses of all sizes seeking custom printing and fulfillment solutions. Offering an array of customizable products such as t-shirts, posters, and flyers, Printful empowers brands to craft unique merchandise without the hassle of inventory management or equipment investment.One of Printful’s key advantages lies in its flexibility, as there’s no minimum order quantity requirement, enabling entrepreneurs to start small and expand gradually. By entrusting printing, shipping, and customer service to Printful, businesses can devote their energy to core operations while relying on the company’s cutting-edge facilities and seasoned professionals for top-notch quality and swift delivery.
The company integrates with major ecommerce platforms like: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, Magento, Ecwid, Launch Cart, Weebly, Prestashop, Big Cartel, Gumroad, ShipStation, Shift4Shop.
Printful offers many clothing items, such as t-shirts, hoodies, and other custom products, including Mugs, Blankets, stickers, just name it as long as it supports it.
Pros :
1. No upfront fees or subscription costs
2. No minimum order
3. Custom packaging
4. warehousing services
5. White label products under your brand
6. Simple mockup generator
Cons :
1. Limited product selection
2. Limited product mockups
3. Some products can’t be shipped worldwide
4. High product prices
5. Low profit margins
6. Charges on order
2. Printify
Printify stands out as a leading print-on-demand company, catering to ecommerce businesses with cost-effective solutions. Its platform boasts a user-friendly interface, top-notch printing quality, and a diverse product range, seamlessly integrating with various online stores, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy. Entrepreneurs benefit from its scalability, easily expanding their stores as they grow, ensuring long-term profitability.
A key feature is Printify’s extensive network of print providers, offering product diversity and reducing shipping times and costs, particularly beneficial for businesses with a global reach. With over 6 million merchants served and $500 million worth of products delivered through 110 printing locations, Printify is a trusted choice for ecommerce ventures. Some of the products includes hoodies, backpack, Canvas wraps, Sneakers etc.
Pros :
1. Free plan
2. Wide range of eCommerce integrations
3. Free to use/ mockup generator
4. Huge product selection
5. No order minimum or maximum Shipping
6. 80+ printing facilities
Cons :
1. No custom packaging
2. Print quality may vary
3. Gelato
Gelato emerges as a rapidly expanding print-on-demand platform, offering an edge in eCommerce by prioritizing speed. With a pledge to dispatch most orders within 72 hours, it enables businesses to rival industry giants like Amazon. Ideal for entrepreneurs, creators, and corporations alike, Gelato presents a comprehensive solution for tailored print merchandise.
Its seamless integration with various online stores, such as Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Wix, and external marketplaces enhances accessibility. Moreover, Gelato champions sustainability by emphasizing local delivery, appealing to artists and creators keen on minimizing their environmental impact. Products includes Apparel, Wall art, Homeware etc.
Pros :
1. Free and Premium plans
2. Easy-to-use Design Editor
3.Eco-friendly print solutions
4. Order without an online store
5. Free 30-day Gelato+ trial
6. Shipping margin control with Gelato+ Gold
Cons :
1. The top benefits are reserved for paid subscribers.
2. High-quality stock images only available with Gelato+
3. Volume-based discounts are applicable only when ordering a minimum of $5000 worth of products monthly.
4. Redbubble
Redbubble is renowned for its global marketplace where artists can sell original designs on a variety of products. It’s loved for its easy setup, no upfront costs, and intuitive design tools. A key feature is its royalty system, giving creators control over pricing. With millions of customers worldwide, Redbubble offers significant scalability for growing businesses.
This combination of user-friendly features, transparent pricing, and a vast consumer base makes it a standout platform for artists looking to monetize their work and expand their reach globally.
Pros :
1. No upfront fees or subscription cost
2. Over 50 thousand available designs
3. Free mockup tool
4. 48-hour order fulfillment
5. Over 200 products
6. Shopify customization tool
Cons :
1. Print quality may vary
2. Low profit margin
3. Risk of designs being replicated
4. Charges on orders
5. Zazzle
Zazzle provides a versatile platform for creators to personalize a wide range of products like clothing, mugs, tote bags, and stationery. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to offer diverse products to a global audience. Entrepreneurs can adjust profit margins seamlessly, ensuring scalability to fit their business needs. Plus, Zazzle’s international shipping to over 100 countries expands market reach.
The Zazzle Pro Program rewards successful creators with incentives based on sales volume, enhancing its appeal for ambitious entrepreneurs.
Pros :
1. Free signup
2. User-friendly design tool
3. Wide range of products
4. Attractive product mockups
5. Abundant template options
6. Various earning opportunities: designer, maker, affiliate
Cons :
1. Limited selling platforms.
2. Lack of pricing control.
3. Inability to customize packaging.
6. JetPrint
JetPrint is renowned in the print-on-demand (POD) industry for its extensive product range, including watches, shoes, and unique apparel, catering to diverse consumer preferences. Its user-friendly interface simplifies design customization, fostering creativity among users. Integration with platforms like Etsy and Shopify streamlines the selling process, while JetPrint’s scalability enables business growth without operational constraints.
This combination of a diverse product catalog, intuitive interface, seamless integration, and scalability makes JetPrint a top choice for businesses aiming to succeed in the POD industry.
Product catalog includes :
- Genuine leather strap watches
- Steel strap watches
- Magnetic steel strap watches
- Perpetual calendar watches
- Hard phone cases
- T-shirts
- Wall tapestries and more
Pros :
1.Free to use
2. Diverse range of products available
3. Exclusive items such as watches, shoes, and rugs
4. Personalized design choices
5. Instant mockup creation
6. Affordable pricing
7. Swift delivery service
Cons :
1. Issues with customer support
2. Delays in generating mockups
7. Society6
Artists find Society6 appealing due to its emphasis on supporting creators, allowing them to profit from their original designs without handling manufacturing or shipping logistics. With a diverse product range spanning apparel, home decor, and tech accessories, Society6 offers scalability and global reach without minimum order requirements.
Additionally, its user-friendly platform and supportive community foster an environment where artists can explore various mediums and receive guidance to thrive creatively and financially.
Pros :
1. Free Lite version
2. Diverse artwork selection.
3. Supports independent artists.
4. Quality products.
5. Customization options.
7. International shipping available.
Cons :
1. High competition for artists.
2. Variable product quality.
3. Limited profit margin for artists.
4. Limited control over pricing.
5. Long shipping times, especially internationally.
Conclusion.
Choosing the perfect print-on-demand platform from the many available can be tough. Key factors like print quality, order fulfillment time, customer service, and price play vital roles. Some platforms excel in print quality, while others boast faster fulfillment times.
It’s crucial to find a platform that strikes a balance among these factors. Good customer service is particularly important, especially for beginners who may need help setting up their accounts or navigating the printing process.
And of course, price matters. While some platforms may be pricier, it’s essential to find one that aligns with your budget. By considering these aspects, you’ll land on the best print-on-demand platform for your business needs. We hope this guide aids you in understanding the various print-on-demand platforms available and assists in choosing the right one for your business.
