The Power of Print-On-Demand

black blue and yellow textile
black blue and yellow textile

Pros and Cons of different types of Print on Demand:

1. Printful

Pros:

High product quality and variety (clothing, accessories, home decor, etc.)

No upfront fees or minimum order requirement

Integrates easily with popular eCommerce platforms (Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce)

Worldwide shipping and fast fulfillment times

Excellent branding options (custom labels, packaging)

Cons:

Higher base costs, leading to lower profit margins

International shipping can be costly and lengthy in some regions

2. Printify

Pros:

Access to a large network of print providers worldwide

Competitive pricing with flexible shipping options

Large catalog of products, including clothing, accessories, and home goods

Easy integration with popular eCommerce platforms

Free plan with the option to upgrade to premium for discounts

Cons:

Quality and fulfillment times vary by print provider

Customer support is not always as fast as competitors

3. TeeSpring (now called Spring)

Pros:

No upfront costs and easy to get started

Good platform for selling custom T-shirts, mugs, stickers, and more

Built-in marketplace with access to a large audience

Custom storefronts with tools for marketing and promotion

Simple and beginner-friendly interface

Cons:

Limited product selection compared to others

Higher prices can result in lower profit margins

Less integration with external eCommerce platforms

4. Redbubble

Pros:

Marketplace exposure with a large, active customer base

Wide range of products from apparel to home decor, stickers, and phone cases

Great for artists and designers looking for a pre-existing audience

No upfront costs or setup fees

Cons:

Low profit margins, with high competition in the marketplace

Limited control over branding, packaging, and customer communication

Lack of integration with personal eCommerce stores

5. Zazzle

Pros:

Huge product variety with unique customization options

Marketplace with built-in traffic

Great for selling customizable items like invitations, home decor, and accessories

Good range of royalty options for sellers

Cons:

Complex royalty structure

Limited control over the final price, which can affect profits

Slower payout process

6. Gooten

Pros:

Large catalog of products, including unique items like baby gear, accessories, and more

Competitive pricing with international print providers

Great for high-volume sellers due to volume-based discounts

Simple integration with platforms like Shopify and Etsy

Cons:

Product quality may vary depending on the print provider

Less brand recognition than some other services

Limited branding options for sellers

Best Print-on-Demand Services (Ranked):

Printful – Best overall for quality, variety, and integrations

Printify – Best for price flexibility and variety of providers

TeeSpring/Spring – Ideal for beginners with built-in marketplace

Redbubble – Best for artists looking for exposure in a competitive marketplace

Zazzle – Excellent for selling customizable products with a built-in audience

Gooten – Great for sellers who want flexibility and high-volume options

Conclusion:

Printify offers excellent pricing and flexibility for those who want access to different providers, though it requires more management.

If you're just starting out, TeeSpring/Spring and Redbubble provide easy entry points with built-in audiences but with lower profit margins and less control over branding.