Print on demand has changed the ecommerce game, allowing entrepreneurs to create and sell custom products without the big upfront costs.
These platforms let sellers design and market items like clothing, accessories and home decor and only produce them when customers order.
As the market for personalized products grows more and more, print on demand sites are popping up left and right.
Each one has its own features, product catalog and pricing structure to suit different business needs and target markets. Choosing the right one can make all the difference for a seller in this crowded space.
The Best Print on Demand Services
Printful is the top choice for print on demand overall. Printify is great for Etsy sellers. Gelato is good for global shipping. Artists like Redbubble. Sellfy is all-in-one for simplicity. Small businesses like Gooten. Modalyst is Wix friendly.
A Few Words About the Printful and Printify Merger
With the recent merger between Printful and Printify announced on November 5, 2024, the print-on-demand landscape is set to experience significant changes.
This merger promises to unify the strengths of both platforms, offering enhanced product selection, streamlined fulfillment, and potentially improved shipping options for sellers worldwide.
However, for now, both companies will continue to operate independently, and no immediate changes will impact existing sellers or orders.
Over the coming months, we’ll be watching closely to see how this merger shapes the future of print on demand, but rest assured that current operations remain stable.
Choosing the Right Print on Demand Partner
When choosing a print on demand company, there are several things to consider. Product range is important. Look for a provider with a wide catalog that matches your brand. This can be apparel, accessories, home decor and more.
Print quality and methods are key. Different companies use different methods, sublimation or direct to garment printing. Each has its pros and cons, so evaluate which one suits your designs.
Shipping options and costs are important. Compare delivery times and rates to make sure they meet customer expectations. Some companies offer global shipping, others only regional.
Design tools are a must. Look for platforms with mockup creators and customization options. These help you see the product before production.
Tracking and analytics features for order management. Look for real time updates and sales data.
Pricing structure is important. Compare base cost, profit margin and subscription fee to see what’s best for your business model.
MORE: Best Ecommerce Platforms for Print on Demand
What are the top print on demand services in 2025?
1. Printful – Overall Best
Printful is the top print on demand service for 2025. The platform has a simple design interface and integrates with many ecommerce platforms. You can create custom products from apparel to accessories to home decor.
Printful’s mockup generator allows you to see the design before production. They offer sublimation and embroidery printing. Sample orders are 20% off so you can test before full production.
Fulfillment time is 2-5 business days with shipping from USA, Europe and Mexico. Pricing varies by product and method but shipping starts at $3.99 for most items.
Read more about Printful pricing here.
2. Printify – Best for Etsy Sellers
Printify is great for Etsy sellers and other e-commerce entrepreneurs. The platform connects you with a network of third party manufacturers and offers a wide range of custom products.
You can choose from different printing methods, cut and sew, sublimation and direct to garment. Printify’s global network of providers offers worldwide shipping but costs and production time varies by provider.
Free plan is available, Premium is $29/month with unlimited product designs and discounts on orders.
3. Gelato – Worldwide Shipping
Gelato has an extensive global production network with over 130 locations across multiple continents. This means faster shipping to many international markets.
They offer a range of custom products, apparel, wall art and photo books. While the product range is not as big as some competitors, Gelato focuses on high quality products popular among designers and illustrators.
Gelato’s free plan gives you access to their full product catalog and integrations with multiple e-commerce stores.
4. Redbubble – Artist Marketplace
Redbubble is a marketplace for artists and designers. You can upload your designs and sell them on products without handling production or shipping.
Artists set their own profit margin on top of the base price of each item. Redbubble handles production, customer service and shipping so it’s a great option for designers who just want to focus on design.
They offer products from clothing to stickers and home decor.
5. Sellfy – Built in Online Store
Sellfy is a print on demand service with an integrated e-commerce platform. This all in one solution allows you to create and sell custom products through your own online store.
They offer customizable store themes and marketing tools. Sellfy’s print on demand service offers products like t-shirts, hoodies and phone cases.
Pricing starts at $29/month, higher tiers offer more features and lower transaction fees.
6. Gooten – Small Business Friendly
Gooten is for small business with a simple interface and big product range. They integrate with many e-commerce platforms and marketplaces.
Gooten’s network of manufacturers offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround. They provide detailed analytics so you can track performance and make data driven decisions.
No upfront costs or monthly fees, you only pay for the products and shipping.
Print on Demand Providers Comparison
This table compares 10 print on demand providers across different features. Most offer free sign up, a few offer premium subscription. All support DTG printing, embroidery, sublimation and cut & sew vary.
| Feature | Printful | Printify | Gelato | RedBubble | Sellfy | Gooten |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Sign-up | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Premium Plans | Coming soon | $29/month | $14.99/month | Account fee | $29/month | ✗ |
| DTG Printing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embroidery | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sublimation | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cut & Sew | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Provider Choice | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Print Facilities | 15+ | 100+ | 130+ | N/A | N/A | 70+ |
| Fulfillment Time | 1-3 days | 2-5 days | 2-4 days | 2-4 days | 2-7 days | 2-4 days |
| Shipping Time | 2-7 days | 4-12 days | 3-10 days | 5-15 days | 5-20 days | 5-12 days |
| Flat Shipping Rates | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Live Shipping Rates | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Custom Return Address | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Live Chat Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Email Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Phone Support | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Neck Labels | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sleeve Printing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Printify is the only one that lets you choose your print provider. Print facilities range from 1 to over 130 (Gelato). Fulfillment time is 1-5 business days, shipping time varies from 2-20 days depending on the provider.
Many offer flat shipping rates, some offer live shipping rates. Custom return addresses are available with a few providers. Customer support options vary, email support is universal.
Product branding options like neck labels and sleeve printing are available with most providers so you can customize more for your sellers.
How to Choose the Right Print on Demand Service
Print on demand (POD) services allow entrepreneurs to sell custom designed products without holding inventory.
They handle production and shipping so you can focus on design and marketing. When choosing a POD partner consider product range, print quality and integrations.
Look for providers with a wide range of products from apparel to accessories. This will allow you to expand into different product lines.
Print quality is important as it affects customer satisfaction. Research reviews and request samples to test the provider’s output.
Integration is key to a smooth operation. Many POD services offer plugins for popular e-commerce platforms to automate the order fulfillment process.
Check the shipping options and costs as this will affect the delivery time and profit margin.
Pricing structures vary between providers. Compare the base cost and profit margin across different providers. Some offer volume discounts or special features that will benefit your business as it grows.
Customer support is another factor to consider. Choose a provider with good support so you can get help when you need it.
Print on Demand Marketplaces vs Dedicated POD Services
Print on demand (POD) solutions offer two ways for sellers: marketplaces and dedicated services. Each has its pros and cons for entrepreneurs who want to sell custom products online.
POD marketplaces like Redbubble and Zazzle provide ready made platforms for sellers to showcase their designs.
These environments have built in audiences so you don’t need to create your own website and manage sales. The simplicity of this is appealing to many new sellers.
Dedicated POD services like Printful and Printify are different. They integrate with your existing e-commerce platform so you can have your own branded store. This gives you more control over pricing, marketing and brand identity.
Marketplace pros:
- Easy to set up
- Built in audience
- No website required
Marketplace cons:
- Limited branding options
- Pricing restrictions
- High competition
Dedicated service pros:
- Full brand control
- Flexible pricing
- Integrates with your store
Dedicated service cons:
- Requires separate e-commerce platform
- More setup and management needed
The choice between a marketplace and a dedicated POD service depends on your business goals, technical skills and level of control.
Marketplaces offer simplicity and exposure, dedicated services offer flexibility and brand control.
Global Shipping and Product Delivery Strategies
Print on demand companies have different fulfillment approaches. Many can ship globally but production is often done in specific regions to reduce costs. This can result to longer delivery times for customers.
Businesses looking for a competitive edge should consider partners with local fulfillment centers near their target market. This will significantly reduce shipping times and increase customer satisfaction.
Some providers have expanded their printing facilities to multiple countries. This not only speeds up delivery but also reduces environmental impact by minimizing long distance shipping.
Benefits of Local Fulfillment:
- Faster delivery times
- Lower shipping costs
- Lower carbon emissions
- Better customer experience
When choosing a print on demand service, businesses should check the provider’s fulfillment network. A global, localized network can give you a competitive edge in meeting customer expectations and being in the market.
2025 Predictions
In November 2024, the print-on-demand (POD) industry has gone through a huge shake up with the recent Printful and Printify merger.
The two companies that were previously competitors have joined forces to become the biggest POD giant to date.
This merger brings together Printful’s reputation for quality and integrations with Printify’s network of global printing partners to give you an unprecedented range of products, more production flexibility and shipping options.
For sellers this means access to both companies combined resources in one place, more control over your brand, pricing and logistics.
This will set a new benchmark for the industry, making workflows more efficient and giving smaller sellers access to competitive fulfillment options that were previously only available to big businesses.
With this combined platform entrepreneurs can reach international markets more easily through optimized, localized production, faster delivery and lower shipping costs.
And by combining their tech and infrastructure the merged entity will lead the way in POD, with AI powered design tools and predictive analytics to help sellers better understand customer demand and tailor their products.
This is a turning point for the POD market as a whole. With one giant at the top, smaller companies will focus on niche products, specialized services or targeted markets to stay competitive.
The merger will have a knock on effect through the industry, forcing other POD providers to differentiate themselves by enhancing their unique selling points or doubling down on specialized service whether through eco friendly options, bespoke designs or partnerships with popular marketplaces.
Ultimately, the Printful-Printify merger promises a more cohesive, innovative, and competitive future for the POD space, benefiting sellers and buyers alike.
Read more about the merger here.
Choosing the Right Print on Demand Service to Make Money
Print on demand (POD) services have many options for online businesses. The right one for you depends on your needs and goals.
If you sell custom products like beanies or phone cases you might want to check out Redbubble. These marketplaces have existing customer bases already.
If you want to have a full ecommerce presence more robust solutions are needed. Printful is a popular choice and has integrations with major platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce.
This gives you more control over branding and customer experience.
Starting a POD business is easy. Many services have mockup tools so designers can see their products before production. This helps to create designs that will appeal to your target audience.
POD companies simplify the selling process by taking care of production and shipping. While you focus on design and marketing, they take care of logistics. This is perfect for those new to ecommerce.
Pricing structures differ between POD providers. Some offer upfront pricing so you can calculate your profits.
Integration capabilities vary, some services integrate with popular ecommerce platforms like WordPress and Shopify.
When choosing a POD service consider:
- Subscription and transaction fees
- Branding opportunities
- Marketing support
- Product range
- Print quality
- Shipping times and costs
Customer support is key especially for newbies. Some providers are better than others in providing guidance and resources to help you grow. High quality mockups is another important feature so you can see your products accurately.
Each POD service has its own strengths. Some specialize in certain products, others have a wide range of products. Evaluating these against your business goals will help you choose the best one.
Entrepreneurs should consider:
- Ease of use
- Integration
- Product range
- Pricing
- Branding
By thinking through these you can choose a POD service that matches your goals and maximizes profit.
FAQs
What is print-on-demand?
Print-on-demand services allow online sellers to create and sell custom products without inventory. They handle design, production and shipping so you can focus on marketing and sales.
How to choose the best POD company?
A top POD company has a wide range of products, great customer support, competitive pricing and integrates with popular ecommerce platforms.
How do POD platforms work?
Some POD platforms have marketplaces to sell custom products to existing audiences. Others have design tools and fulfillment services that integrate with your ecommerce store.
What can you sell through POD?
POD companies offer customizable products like apparel, accessories, home decor, drinkware and art prints. Some have eco friendly and premium options.
Which one has the best quality?
Printful is known for its high quality print, they use advanced quality control methods and AI powered tools. Gelato and Gooten also have high standards for their products.
Are there startup costs?
Many POD services are free to start but sellers may need to pay for ecommerce platform subscriptions and domain names. Some companies charge monthly fees for advanced features.
Can POD integrate with ecommerce sites?
Many POD services integrate with popular ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Wix and WooCommerce. Some have APIs for custom automation.
How to choose the best POD service?
Consider your target audience and products. Look for vendors with good products, affordable prices, global fulfillment, great customer support and integrates with your preferred selling platforms.
What are the profit margins?
Profit margins for POD products are 20% to 60% for t-shirts. Actual margins depend on base product cost and item chosen.
How long is production and shipping?
Production time varies by vendor, some are 48 hours. Total delivery time depends on the company’s fulfillment network and customer location.
Can I have custom branding?
All POD services allow custom designs on products. Some have additional branding options like custom tags, packing slips and packaging.
Do POD companies ship internationally?
Many POD services including Gelato, Printful and Printify ship worldwide. Check with a vendor before committing.
How do returns and exchanges work?
Most POD companies require sellers to handle returns and exchanges. Refunds and replacements are usually only for quality issues, not customer change of heart.
Can I order product samples?
Reputable POD companies usually allow sample orders, often at discounted price. So sellers can test the product and take product photos.
Are there eco friendly options?
POD can be more eco friendly than traditional manufacturing as products are only made when ordered. Some vendors use eco friendly materials and work with local manufacturers to reduce carbon footprint.
What are the marketing strategies?
Effective marketing strategies are landing pages, building email lists, social media, SEO and video ads.
How do top POD services differ?
POD companies differ in products, print quality, shipping time and branding options. Some have additional services like warehousing or design assistance.
Are there eco friendly POD options?
Yes, companies like Printful, Printify, Gooten and Gelato are eco conscious, using sustainable materials and optimizing shipping routes.
