Print on demand businesses are changing the e-commerce game, giving entrepreneurs a flexible and low risk way to sell custom products. I’ve seen firsthand how choosing the right platform can make or break a print on demand business.
In my experience the best ecommerce platforms for print on demand stores have powerful integrations and robust marketing tools.
After lots of research and testing I’ve found several that cater specifically to print on demand entrepreneurs.
Best Ecommerce Platforms for Print on Demand Business
These platforms have features that make life easier and help businesses succeed in this competitive space:
1. Shopify
For Custom Print Stores
I’ve found Shopify to be the best for print on demand businesses. It has the most integrations, most marketing tools and a user friendly interface.
This allows print on demand entrepreneurs to focus on growing their business rather than getting bogged down in technical details.
Connects to:
- Printful
- Printify
- SPOD
- Apliiq
- Teelaunch
Plus over 400 print on demand apps in the Shopify App Store.
Promotion Tools
Shopify’s marketing tools are impressive:
- Free Google Ads app
- Free Facebook & Instagram Ads app
- Free TikTok Ads app
- Built-in email marketing
- Pinterest & Snapchat marketing options
- 2,000+ marketing apps
I love Shopify’s exclusive YouTube integration. It’s the only e-commerce platform that allows content creators to display products under their videos.
Shopify Pricing
| Plan | Starter | Basic | Shopify | Advanced | Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $5 | $39 | $105 | $399 | From $2,300 |
| Credit Card Fee | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.6% + 30¢ | 2.4% + 30¢ | Custom |
| Transaction Fee | 5.0% | 2.0% | 1.0% | 0.5% | Custom |
| Staff Accounts | 1 | 2 | 5 | 15 | Unlimited |
| Reports | Basic | Basic | Standard | Advanced | Custom |
| Shipping Discount | Up to 77% | Up to 88% | Up to 88% | Up to 88% | Negotiated |
| Support | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | Dedicated |
Shopify’s pricing is competitive, but has two unique features:
- No annual sales limits on any plan
- Transaction fees for non-Shopify payment gateways
Using Shopify Payments gets rid of those extra fees.
Shopify Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 24/7 support
- Unlimited sales
- Simple admin interface
- Great theme customization
- Nice theme selection
- Lots of print on demand apps
- Good marketing tools
Cons:
- Transaction fees for external payment gateways
- Support can be hit or miss
I’d rate Shopify 4.4 out of 5 for these.
Who is Shopify For
I recommend Shopify for designers, entrepreneurs and content creators getting into print on demand. Its many print on demand integrations and robust marketing tools make it a good choice for anyone serious about building a custom print business.
2. BigCommerce
Shopify Rival
BigCommerce is a strong competitor to Shopify in the e-commerce platform space. It’s particularly good for print on demand. BigCommerce is for large enterprises but also has an Essentials plan for smaller businesses.
Connected Services
BigCommerce connects to:
- Printful
- Printify
- Printy6
- Teelaunch
- Gelato
Plus 15 more print on demand apps.
Promotion Tools
BigCommerce has:
- Facebook and Instagram selling
- Google Shopping integration
- Built in SEO tools
- Email marketing
These are good promotion tools.
BigCommerce Pricing
| Plan | Standard | Plus | Pro | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $39 | $105 | $399 | Custom Pricing |
| Annual Online Sales Limit | $50k | $180k | $400k | Negotiable |
| Transaction Fees | None | None | None | None |
| Credit Card Fees | Varies by Provider | Varies | Varies | Negotiable |
| Staff Accounts | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Abandoned Cart Saver | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customer Segmentation | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Google Customer Reviews | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Product Filtering | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Support | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | Priority Support |
BigCommerce’s pricing is similar to Shopify but has annual sales limits. The Basic plan is capped at $50,000 per year which is quite low. For higher sales volumes you’ll need to upgrade to a more expensive plan or a custom enterprise solution.
BigCommerce doesn’t charge transaction fees and has 65 pre-installed payment gateways including PayPal, Stripe, Amazon Pay and Apple Pay.
BigCommerce Pros and Cons
Pros:
- User friendly dashboard
- 24/7 support
- Social media selling
- Bulk product editing
- Good order management
- Many print on demand integrations
Cons:
- Performance issues
- Annual sales limits
I’d rate BigCommerce 4.1 out of 5.
Who is BigCommerce For
BigCommerce is good for those looking for a Shopify alternative with similar features. It’s good for businesses that want to combine print on demand products with their existing inventory. If you want to learn more I recommend reading a full review of the platform.
3. Wix
Best for Budget Print on Demand
Wix is a budget friendly option for entrepreneurs starting small print on demand stores. It has a website builder and a good range of integrations at a lower cost than some of the others.
I found Wix’s print on demand app selection to be quite good. It includes:
- Printful
- Printify
- Gelato
- Printy6
Plus 9 more print on demand apps.
Promotion Tools
Wix has:
- Facebook & Instagram Ad integration
- Email marketing
- Blog and SEO tools
Not as many as the more expensive options but a good starting point for new businesses.
Pricing
Wix’s pricing is very competitive:
| Plan | Business Basic | Business Unlimited | Business VIP | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $27 | $32 | $59 | Custom Pricing |
| Storage Space | 50 GB | 100 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Transaction Fees | None | None | None | None |
| Abandoned Cart Recovery | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Reports | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Loyalty Programs | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Priority Support | No | No | Yes | Dedicated Support |
| Professional Logo | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
All plans have unlimited products, no turnover limits and no transaction fees. Good for those who want to start a print on demand business without spending too much.
Pros and Cons
Wix has:
- Good feature set
- Full website customization
- Cheap plans
- Many themes
- 24/7 support
Some cons:
- Workflow could be better
- Changing templates can be tricky
- Hosting performance not as good as premium options
I’d rate Wix 3.4 out of 5.
Who is Wix For
I recommend Wix for individuals or small businesses who want to start a print on demand website with minimal upfront cost. It has a full featured website builder, decent integrations and marketing tools at a reasonable monthly price.
4. Ecwid
For Existing Websites
Ecwid is good for those who have existing websites and want to add Print on Demand products. I found it very useful for WordPress bloggers who want to monetize their content. The single plugin integration and secure checkout makes it easy to set up.
Connected Services
Ecwid has limited integrations but they have the essentials:
- Printful
- Printy6
Promotion Tools
Ecwid has:
- Facebook & Instagram Ads
- Google Ads
- TikTok Ads
- Email Marketing (via MailChimp)
It’s good on marketing capabilities though I wish they had more Print on Demand options.
Ecwid Pricing
| Plan | Business Basic | Business Unlimited | Business VIP | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $27 | $32 | $59 | Custom Pricing |
| Storage | 50 GB | 100 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Transaction Fees | None | None | None | None |
| Abandoned Cart | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Reports | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Loyalty Programs | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Priority Support | No | No | Yes | Dedicated |
Ecwid has a free tier with 5 products so it’s one of the best free ecommerce platforms. Paid plans have no revenue limits or transaction fees. They have over 30 payment gateways including PayPal, Stripe and Square.
Ecwid Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Multi channel selling
- Seamless WordPress integration
- No fees or revenue caps
- Free option
- User friendly admin interface
- Good product and order management
Cons:
- Limited SEO tools
- Some features only available on higher plans
- Basic website builder
- Few Print on Demand apps
I’d rate Ecwid 4.2 out of 5.
Who is Ecwid For
I recommend Ecwid for businesses with existing websites who want a hosted checkout. Also for bloggers who want to try Print on Demand, since it’s compatible with WordPress. The design is simple and easy to use so good for those who want a basic and affordable shopping cart.
5. WooCommerce: Your Self Hosted Print on Demand Solution
Best Self Hosted Print on Demand Store
WooCommerce is the top self hosted platform for print on demand businesses. It has many integrations and marketing tools so it’s a good choice for store owners.
Connect with Print on Demand Services
WooCommerce integrates with:
- Printful
- Printify
- Printy6
- SPOD
- Hoplix
Plus many other plugins for other print on demand suppliers.
Marketing Features
I found WooCommerce has many marketing features:
- Facebook and Instagram ads
- Google Ads integration
- Pinterest marketing tools
- TikTok ads
- Email marketing
There are also many marketing plugins to extend your store’s reach.
Pricing
| Expense | Basic Setup | Enhanced | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plugin Cost | Free | Free | Free |
| Hosting | $10–$30/month | $30–$100/month | $100+/month (High-traffic) |
| Domain | ~$12/year | ~$12/year | ~$12/year |
| SSL Certificate | Free or $50/year | Free or $50/year | Free or $50+/year |
| Themes | Free or $20–$100 | $50–$150 | $100+ (Custom) |
| Extensions (Plugins) | Minimal or Free | $100–$300 (Premium) | $500+ (Advanced plugins) |
| Payment Fees | Varies by Gateway | Varies by Gateway | Varies by Gateway |
| Customer Support | Hosting or Paid Add-on | Hosting or Paid Add-on | Hosting or Paid Add-on |
The WooCommerce plugin is free to use. You’ll need to consider:
- WordPress hosting
- Premium themes (optional)
- Additional plugins (as needed)
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Free core plugin
- Highly customizable
- Many themes
- Huge plugin ecosystem
- User friendly admin interface
Cons:
- Requires multiple plugins for full functionality
- No dedicated support
Who is WooCommerce For
I recommend WooCommerce for store owners who:
- Want full control over their website
- Have access to a huge plugin library
- Want flexibility in print on demand suppliers
- Are comfortable with self hosted solutions
WooCommerce has more customization options and integrations than any other. It’s good for those who don’t mind a bit of a learning curve for powerful features and flexibility.
Setting up a WooCommerce store requires more work than some other options but the platform’s ecosystem and customization options make it the top choice for serious print on demand entrepreneurs.
What to Look for in an Ecommerce Platform for My Print on Demand Business?
1. Hosted vs Self Hosted: Which one is for me?
When choosing an ecommerce platform for my print on demand business I need to decide between hosted and self hosted. Hosted platforms offer an all in one solution with website builder, hosting and support. They charge a monthly or annual fee.
Self hosted platforms I need to buy hosting separately and install the software myself. While the software is free I need to pay for hosting and potentially an SSL certificate.
For most print on demand stores I find hosted platforms more suitable because of ease of use and support.
2. Must Have Integrations and Features
Integration is key for my print on demand business. I want to automate as much of the order fulfillment as possible so I’ll check if my print partner has an app or plugin for my chosen platform.
Marketing tools are also important. I’ll look for platforms that have built in marketing features and support additional marketing apps or plugins.
Payment options are important for conversion rates. I’ll make sure my chosen platform supports:
- PayPal
- Credit card payments
- Mobile payment methods (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
3. User Interface
A user friendly platform can save me time and stress. I’ll rate platforms on:
- Store setup process
- Theme customization options
- Integration functionality
- Inventory and order management tools
I recommend trying out a few before making a decision. What works for others may not work for me.
Here is a simple table to compare:
Before I make my decision I’ll consider:
- My technical skills
- Budget
- Level of control
- Time I can dedicate to store management
By weighing these factors I can choose an ecommerce platform that fits my print on demand business.
Conclusion
Shopify: Our Winner
I’ve found Shopify to be the best for Print on Demand businesses. It has so many features that makes it super user friendly and powerful. The platform has a huge amount of Print on Demand apps so you have plenty of options to customize your store.
I love Shopify’s marketing tools that can help you reach and engage with customers. For newbies to ecommerce Shopify’s interface is so easy to set up and manage your store.
In my experience Shopify strikes a great balance between functionality and ease of use. It’s a solid platform that can grow with your business so you won’t have to move to a new system later on.
It may not be the cheapest upfront but I believe Shopify’s value is in the time and productivity it will save you in the long run. That means more profit for your Print on Demand business.
