When a client came to me looking for a print-on-demand (POD) partner based in Canada, Art of Where was one of the first names that came up.
As someone who works with ecommerce brands and creators to help them pick the right tools for their businesses, I decided to take a deep dive into the platform.
The client was a digital artist based in Vancouver, looking for premium-quality merch — not bulk, low-cost prints.
They needed strong branding options, decent shipping times within Canada, and ideally, a platform that could scale as their store grew.
In this review, I’ll walk you through my full experience with Art of Where — from ordering samples and testing the branding tools to reviewing its integrations, pricing, and overall fit for creative sellers.
I’ve also compared it head-to-head with platforms like Printful and Printify so you can see how it stacks up.
What is Art of Where?
Art of Where is a Canada-based print-on-demand service with in-house manufacturing in Montreal. It’s best known for high-quality, artist-friendly products — especially apparel and accessories like:
- Leggings and kimonos
- Scarves, beanies, and tote bags
- Notebooks, sketchbooks, and art prints
- Apparel basics like t-shirts and tanks
The platform is built more for creatives and boutique sellers than mass-market ecommerce. Everything about it — from product design to packaging — is geared toward making your brand feel personal and handcrafted.
I Recommend Art of Where for:
- Canadian creators who prioritise quality over speed
- Etsy sellers or Shopify brands with a strong artistic identity
- Designers who want branded packaging and inserts
I Don’t Recommend Art of Where for:
- Sellers targeting international audiences
- Beginners chasing low-cost fulfilment options
- High-volume dropshippers who rely on automation and global warehouses
Art of Where: Pros & Cons
Art of Where
Best for Canadian artists and premium POD products
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4.2 out of 5)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| In-house Canadian production (better control and quality) | Slower international shipping |
| Excellent print and fabric quality | Higher product base prices |
| Strong branding options (labels, stickers, artist cards) | Limited platform integrations |
| Unique product range for artists | Interface and mockup tool could be better |
What I Like
✔️ Made in Canada – Great for local fulfilment, fewer delays, and better QC
✔️ Boutique product range – Scarves, leggings, books you don’t see everywhere
✔️ Personalised branding tools – Inside labels, artist cards, and stickers
✔️ Creator-first platform – Feels like it’s built for designers, not just sellers
What I Dislike
❌ Expensive base prices – Slim margins unless you price high
❌ No WooCommerce or Amazon integration – Shopify and Etsy only
❌ Basic mockup generator – Not as modern or flexible as Printful
❌ International shipping is costly and slow
My Experience With Art of Where
I tested the platform the same way I would for any client: signed up, built a product, ordered samples, and checked how it integrates with Shopify.
There was no fluff during onboarding — just straight to business.
The dashboard is functional but a bit dated. I uploaded designs to a few products (leggings and notebooks), applied some branding options, and pushed the listings into a Shopify test store.
Setup & Store Connection
- Connects easily to Shopify and Etsy
- No onboarding wizard, but documentation is clear
- Product builder has step-by-step flow, though it lacks advanced editing tools
Overall, the process was straightforward. But for clients with bigger product ranges or high expectations for mockups and automation, it may feel a bit basic.
Product Quality: Better Than Most
This is where Art of Where really shines. I ordered:
- Custom leggings
- An all-over printed scarf
- A softcover sketchbook
All three items were superb in print quality. The leggings had vibrant colours with no bleed or pixelation, and the stitching was top-notch. The scarf fabric felt premium — not something you’d get off AliExpress.
Compared to Printify (which depends on third-party print providers), Art of Where’s consistency is a massive plus.
Comparison Table: Print Quality
| Feature | Art of Where | Printful | Printify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print Quality | Excellent | Good | Varies |
| Fabric Feel | Premium | Standard | Inconsistent |
| Cut & Sew | In-house | Mostly automated | Outsourced |
Verdict:
If your brand is visual or artistic, this is one of the best-quality POD services available — especially within Canada.
Branding Tools: Ideal for Building a Real Brand
Art of Where includes free or low-cost branding options with every order:
- Inside Labels — Custom tags sewn into apparel
- Artist Cards — Personalised business cards or thank-you notes
- Branded Stickers — Applied to packaging
This makes a huge difference for artists or creators looking to deliver a premium, branded experience — especially on Etsy or with direct repeat customers.
Printful offers similar options, but Art of Where feels more personal. It’s not just about branding a t-shirt — it’s about building an identity.
Verdict:
For creators serious about branding, Art of Where gives you everything you need to look like a real brand, not just another POD seller.
Shipping & Fulfilment: Only Great If You’re in Canada or the US
Because Art of Where manufactures everything in Montreal, Canadian and US shipping times are solid. But they don’t have fulfilment centres abroad, so international orders are expensive and slow.
Average Shipping Times & Costs:
| Destination | Time (Business Days) | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 3–7 days | $8–$12 |
| USA | 5–10 days | $10–$15 |
| Europe | 10–21 days | $18–$25 |
Verdict:
Great for North American customers — but if your audience is global, this is a serious drawback.
Platform Integration: Limited Compared to Others
Art of Where only supports:
- Shopify
- Etsy
- BigCommerce (beta)
There’s no WooCommerce plugin, no Squarespace, and no Amazon or eBay integration. You could use their API if you’re technical, but most creators aren’t going that route.
Verdict:
It’s fine if you’re using Shopify or Etsy, but more limited than Printful or Printify, both of which support a wide range of platforms.
Pricing & Profit Margins: Quality Costs More
Product pricing on Art of Where is above average. Leggings, for example, start around $38. Add shipping and branding, and you’re close to $50 in costs. That means you need to price products at $75–$90+ to make a decent profit.
Sample Breakdown: Selling Leggings
| Cost Element | Price |
|---|---|
| Base Product | $38 |
| Shipping (US) | $12 |
| Branding Extras | $2 |
| Total Cost | $52 |
| Retail Price | $80–$90 |
| Estimated Profit | $28–$38 |
Verdict:
You can make money, but only with premium positioning. If your audience expects $25 tees or $40 leggings, margins are tight.
Tariffs & Cross-Border Fees: A Major Advantage for U.S. Customers
One of the most common questions I get from clients selling into the U.S. from Canada is: “Will my customers get hit with surprise tariffs or import fees?”
Thanks to recent changes to U.S. trade policy, the answer for many platforms — especially those shipping from China or using courier services — is now yes.
But for Art of Where, the good news is: none of this applies.
What Changed?
As of May 2, 2025, the U.S. ended the de minimis exemption for goods imported from China and Hong Kong.
That means orders under $800, which used to enter duty-free, are now subject to tariffs of up to 145% or a $100 flat fee.
This impacts companies like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress significantly — and it’s already causing delays and higher costs for U.S. customers.
Why Art of Where Isn’t Affected
Art of Where products are:
- Made entirely in Canada
- Shipped from their Montreal studio
- Imported into the U.S. via USPS, not courier services like DHL
Because of that, all U.S.-bound orders from Art of Where qualify for tariff-free shipping under USMCA (formerly NAFTA) and the existing $800 de minimis threshold.
Even large orders over $800 are automatically split into smaller packages to avoid triggering import duties — something they handle behind the scenes.
One Caveat: Courier Shipping
If you request courier delivery (e.g. DHL), the order will be processed differently at the border. These packages are more likely to incur brokerage fees and tariffs, so Art of Where recommends sticking with USPS for standard orders whenever possible.
Verdict:
If you’re shipping to U.S. customers, Art of Where has one of the smoothest cross-border processes out there right now. No surprise tariffs.
No extra handling fees. Just make sure you avoid courier upgrades unless absolutely necessary.
Customer Support: Helpful But Not Hand-Holding
I contacted Art of Where support about shipping timelines and branding setup. Response time was under 24 hours, and the answers were helpful, but don’t expect live chat or ongoing business advice.
They have a detailed knowledge base, but it’s a DIY platform at heart.
Verdict:
Responsive and knowledgeable, but not white-glove service. Best for self-sufficient creators.
Art of Where vs Printful: Quality vs Convenience
Printful is the go-to POD platform for many sellers because it’s reliable, scalable, and feature-rich. It supports dozens of integrations, has global fulfilment centres, and offers solid print quality across a wide range of products.
But when compared to Art of Where, the trade-offs become clear — especially for creators who care more about premium production than plug-and-play selling.
Comparison Table: Art of Where vs Printful
| Feature | Art of Where | Printful |
|---|---|---|
| Production Location | Canada (in-house) | USA, Mexico, Latvia (in-house) |
| Branding Options | Labels, cards, stickers | Inside/outside labels, pack-ins |
| Product Quality | Premium, boutique feel | Very good, scalable quality |
| Mockup Generator | Basic | Advanced with lifestyle mockups |
| Shipping Reach | North America focused | Global fulfilment network |
| Ecommerce Integrations | Shopify, Etsy, BigCommerce | Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, WooCommerce, more |
Verdict:
Choose Art of Where if you’re focused on quality, handmade feel, and selling mainly in Canada or the U.S.
Choose Printful if you want scalability, speed, and integrations with major platforms like Amazon and WooCommerce.
Art of Where vs Printify: Control vs Variety
Printify offers the widest range of POD products — from phone cases to mugs to eco-friendly shirts. But that variety comes with a catch: Printify is a network, not a manufacturer. Quality can vary widely depending on the print provider you choose.
In contrast, Art of Where produces everything in-house. You lose variety, but you gain consistency.
Comparison Table: Art of Where vs Printify
| Feature | Art of Where | Printify |
|---|---|---|
| Production Model | In-house manufacturing | Third-party print network |
| Product Variety | Focused and curated | Huge, 500+ products |
| Quality Control | High and consistent | Varies by supplier |
| Pricing Flexibility | Fixed | Can shop for lower prices |
| Integrations | Shopify, Etsy, BigCommerce | Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Wix, eBay |
| Branding Features | Labels, cards, stickers | Varies by supplier |
Verdict:
Go with Art of Where if quality and brand control matter more than variety.
Choose Printify if you want the biggest product catalog and don’t mind vetting suppliers for quality.
Art of Where vs Gelato: Local Craft vs Global Print Power
Gelato is another solid POD platform, built for global scale. They use a distributed fulfilment model with print partners in 30+ countries — which means faster shipping and fewer customs issues for international customers.
Art of Where, on the other hand, is laser-focused on North American creators. Their products feel more premium and handmade, but international reach is limited.
Comparison Table: Art of Where vs Gelato
| Feature | Art of Where | Gelato |
|---|---|---|
| Production Location | Canada (in-house) | 130+ partners globally |
| Global Shipping | Limited | Excellent |
| Product Quality | Premium, artistic | Very good, modern |
| Sustainability | Low shipping miles in NA | Strong focus on eco-efficiency |
| Branding Tools | Custom labels, cards, stickers | Basic brand options |
| Integrations | Shopify, Etsy, BigCommerce | Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, BigCommerce |
Verdict:
Pick Art of Where for quality, branding, and boutique-style products made in Canada.
Choose Gelato if you’re building a global business and need fast, local fulfilment worldwide.
Final Verdict: Is Art of Where Worth It?
If your main customers are in Canada or the US, and you’re focused on building a creative, premium brand, Art of Where is absolutely worth a look.
You get:
✅ Exceptional print quality
✅ Unique, boutique-style products
✅ Strong branding tools
✅ Canadian-based fulfilment
But it’s not for everyone. If you need global shipping, lower prices, or more automation, Printful or Printify will be a better fit.
