If you’re frustrated with Printful’s prices, shipping, or limited branding, platforms like Printify, SPOD, and Gelato offer better margins, faster fulfilment, or more control.

When I started using Printful, it felt like the obvious choice. They had a clean interface, solid integrations, and a decent range of products.

But after a few months, the profit margins started to look thin. I also had a couple of shipping issues that annoyed both me and my customers. That’s when I began digging into Printful alternatives.

If you’re in the same boat—frustrated with high base costs, slower fulfilment, or limited branding—there are better options out there. I’ve tested multiple platforms, run different stores, and spoken with dozens of ecommerce sellers.

Below is a breakdown of the best Printful alternatives based on real use cases, pricing, fulfilment, and branding options.

TL;DR: Best Printful Alternatives Compared

Platform	Best For	Strengths	Weak Points	Integrations
Printify	Lowest base prices + supplier choice	Cheap pricing, wide supplier network, flexible setup	Quality varies by supplier, inconsistent shipping	Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce
SPOD	Speed + US shirt fulfilment	48-hour production, very low prices, fast Shopify sync	Small catalog, basic branding only	Shopify
Gooten	Scaling high-volume stores	Stable API, large product range, B2B-focused	Not beginner friendly, average UX	Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce
AOP+	UK-based brands + full white-label	UK fulfilment, eco focus, no third-party branding	Slower outside UK, small catalog	Shopify, Etsy
ShineOn	Jewellery + emotional gift selling	High AOV, fast US fulfilment, emotional product angles	No apparel, requires good marketing	Shopify
T-Pop	Eco brands targeting EU buyers	Carbon-neutral, EU-based, white-label options	EU-only shipping, clunky UI	Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce
Teelaunch	Unique/niche products	Bluetooth items, pet gear, engraved tumblers	Limited platforms, mixed QC	Shopify
Print Aura	Full branding control	Custom labels, packaging, old-school reliability	Dated interface, slower fulfilment	Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce
CustomCat	Basic US fulfilment at low cost	Fast shipping, big product list, cheap prices	Dated UX, limited branding	Shopify, WooCommerce

9 Best Alternatives to Printful

Printify (Now Merged with Printful, But Still a Separate Brand)

As of November 2024, Printful and Printify have officially merged. This is massive news for the print-on-demand industry.

While the two brands still operate independently for now—separate dashboards, separate pricing, and supplier relationships—they are now under one umbrella.

This changes everything.

Printify used to be the scrappy, low-cost alternative to Printful. With 85+ third-party suppliers, it gave sellers more flexibility, better pricing, and a wider range of fulfilment partners. That hasn’t gone away—but it’s now part of a much bigger, consolidated player in the POD space.

What This Means:

• Printify and Printful now share resources and technology
• You can expect future overlap in pricing, tools, and possibly even suppliers
• Both platforms are working together to offer faster shipping and broader product options
• Sellers may see changes over time, especially around pricing and fulfilment strategy

Product Example	Printify Cost	Printful Cost	Future Impact
Bella+Canvas 3001 Tee	$7.50	$12.95	TBD – price alignment likely
11 oz Mug	$4.00	$7.95	TBD – depends on suppliers

I still use Printify when I want cheaper base prices and flexible fulfilment, but I’m watching closely. This merger could reshape how sellers pick platforms and how much control we actually get over costs and suppliers.

If you want to stick with the familiar workflow, it’s business as usual—for now. But just know that the Printful–Printify combo is no longer true competition. It’s now one company operating with two faces.

SPOD: Fastest Production Times (Seriously)

SPOD (powered by Spreadshirt) is built for speed. If your business lives or dies by delivery time, this is the platform to consider.

They ship 95% of orders within 48 hours, and in my experience, they actually hit that target. I’ve used them for US-based t-shirt drops where buyers expect Amazon-level shipping.

Pros

• Blazing-fast fulfilment — 2 days or less on most orders
• One of the cheapest base price providers on the market
• Simple setup — great for fast testing or new sellers
• Tight integration with Shopify for smoother workflows

Cons

• Smaller product selection than Printify or Printful
• Branding options are limited — no custom inserts or labels
• Not a fit for luxury or premium brands

SPOD is perfect for fast-turnaround campaigns, Q4 flash sales, or TikTok/IG ad testing. If you need to move product quickly with minimal overhead, this is your speed-first solution.

Gooten: Great for Scaling and B2B Integrations

Gooten flies under the radar but performs like a backend powerhouse. I’ve used them for higher-volume orders when I outgrew Printful’s pricing.

Gooten is more B2B-focused than most POD platforms, with a strong emphasis on automation, API, and process efficiency.

Pros:

• Huge product selection across multiple categories
• Stable fulfilment and solid global shipping reach
• Works well for brands doing 1000+ orders/month
• Powerful backend for teams scaling into bulk

Cons:

• UX isn’t as slick as newer platforms
• Limited branding and packaging customisation
• Not very beginner friendly — best for experienced operators

If you’ve got momentum and need a supplier that won’t choke at scale, Gooten is built for that next level. It’s not sexy, but it’s a beast for big ops.

AOP+: White Label POD Based in the UK

AOP+ is a UK-based print-on-demand platform that I started using to test handmade, ethical products with a custom feel. It’s one of the few truly white-label platforms in the POD world. Everything is produced in-house in London — no third-party fulfilment, no surprise branding.

Pros:

• All products are made and shipped from the UK
• Strong focus on sustainable materials and ethical production
• Fully white label: your customer never sees AOP+ branding
• Excellent for custom apparel, wall art, and niche gifts

Cons:

• Slower shipping outside the UK
• Smaller product range than Printify or Gelato
• Not ideal for fast scaling across multiple geographies

If you want full control over packaging, fulfilment, and sustainability — especially in the UK market — AOP+ is a top pick for independent brands.

ShineOn: Perfect for Jewellery and High-AOV Gifts

ShineOn is the go-to POD platform for high-emotion gift products. I’ve used them during Valentine’s Day and Christmas for jewellery campaigns — and the returns were impressive. You’re selling stories, not just products, which drives higher margins and stronger conversion rates.

Pros:

• Very high average order value (AOV), often $60+
• Specialises in jewellery and premium custom gifts
• Fast US fulfilment and solid packaging
• Optimised for emotional, giftable product niches

Cons:

• No apparel or basic POD items
• Requires solid ad creative and funnels to perform
• Shopify integration only (no Etsy support as of now)

If you’re running paid traffic and want to push emotional triggers like family, love, and meaning — ShineOn’s jewellery can absolutely crush it.

T-Pop: Eco-Focused Print-On-Demand for EU Sellers

T-Pop is a France-based POD platform that puts sustainability and white-label branding at the core of everything. I don’t use it daily, but I’ve spoken to a few Etsy sellers who swear by it — especially if you’re serving buyers in France, Germany, or the UK.

Pros:

• 100% white-label, eco-packaging included by default
• Products shipped from Europe = fast EU fulfilment
• Automated custom packing slips and branded tracking emails
• Built-in carbon-neutral processes

Cons:

• Ships only from Europe (no US production)
• Limited product catalogue
• Design tools and UI could use improvement

For sellers with an eco-conscious brand identity targeting EU customers, T-Pop is a strong Printful alternative with great values baked in.

Teelaunch: Unique Products and Easy Shopify Setup

Teelaunch is one of my favourite wildcard platforms. They offer unusual products — think engraved tumblers, Bluetooth speakers, and pet bowls — stuff you won’t find on Printful or Printify. It’s ideal for targeting niche buyers or standing out with uncommon gift items.

Pros:

• Access to unique, high-margin product types
• Quick and clean Shopify integration
• Stable US fulfilment for most products
• Pricing is competitive for the type of products offered

Cons:

• No Etsy or WooCommerce integration
• Dashboard is a little dated
• Quality control varies across product categories

If you’re looking to sell creative products that don’t scream “generic POD,” Teelaunch is a fun, flexible option to test niche angles.

Print Aura: Old School, But Customisation Friendly

Print Aura has been around longer than most POD platforms. It’s a bit clunky, but it does one thing well — complete control over packaging and white-label branding. When I wanted total anonymity for a premium store, I gave it a try.

Pros:

• Full white-label fulfilment with branded labels and inserts
• Good range of apparel and accessory products
• Solid print quality for core items
• US-based fulfilment

Cons:

• UX is outdated and hard to navigate
• Not great for beginners
• Slower fulfilment than SPOD or Printful

If you’re building a premium, tightly branded store and want your own packaging experience — Print Aura gives you that control, but you’ll have to work for it.

CustomCat: Solid, Reliable POD for the US

CustomCat has a no-frills vibe but delivers where it counts. I’ve used them for athletic and gym apparel, and the fulfilment has always been fast and predictable.

Their base prices are some of the lowest for US-based POD, which helps boost your margins.

Pros:

• Fulfilment within 2–3 business days
• Massive product library — including niche categories
• Low base costs across most items
• Shopify and WooCommerce integrations work well

Cons:

• Branding options are minimal
• The dashboard looks and feels outdated
• Support is functional but not amazing

If you just want a reliable POD provider with fast US shipping and solid margins, CustomCat is the workhorse worth considering.

Final Thoughts

If you’re running a print-on-demand business or starting one, Printful might not be your best long-term solution.

The competition is fierce, and keeping your margins tight and fulfilment fast can be the difference between scaling and sinking.

Here’s how I decide what to use:

• Want lowest prices + big network? Go with Printify
• Selling to Europe or eco-focused? Try Gelato or T-Pop
• Need speed? Choose SPOD
• Selling jewellery or gifts? Use ShineOn
• Scaling fast and need reliability? Look at Gooten or CustomCat
• UK based or want premium white-label? AOP+ or Print Aura are solid picks

I’ve rotated through almost all of these based on what I was selling, where, and to whom. The best POD supplier depends on your audience, your product type, and your business model.