Spreadshop and Printify are two of the most popular print on demand companies – but which one is better for your business?
I’ve spent hours testing and comparing both tools across features like product range, branding options, shipping, and pricing.
Whether you’re starting your first online store or looking to scale an existing ecommerce brand, this guide will help you make the right choice.
Spreadshop vs Printify: Quick Verdict
- Printify – Best for ecommerce businesses and custom brands
- Spreadshop – Best for creators and beginners looking to sell merch quickly
If you’re focused on branding, store control, and scaling – go with Printify.
If you’re a creator or influencer looking for a fast, no-code way to sell merch – Spreadshop is the better fit.
In this comparison, I’ll take you through each area that matters, from product selection and store control to pricing, shipping, and integrations.
Quick Comparison: Spreadshop vs Printify
Here’s a clear overview of how the two platforms stack up:
| Feature | Spreadshop | Printify |
|---|---|---|
| Storefront Included | Yes | No |
| Product Catalog Size | Small | Large (800+ items) |
| Custom Branding | Limited | Full white-label |
| Integrations | None | Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and more |
| Monthly Cost | Free | Free or $29/month (Premium) |
| Global Shipping | Yes (limited control) | Yes (with provider choice) |
| Best For | Creators & influencers | Ecommerce store owners |
Best for Product Catalog: Printify
Both platforms offer core products like t-shirts and mugs, but if you’re looking to offer a wider product range, Printify wins by a mile.
Spreadshop’s Catalog
Spreadshop’s product selection is curated and focused on:
- T-shirts and hoodies
- Mugs and water bottles
- Hats and caps
- Tote bags and stickers
The benefit here is simplicity. It’s beginner-friendly and tailored to creators who want quick merch options. But for ecommerce businesses, the lack of variety can be limiting.
Printify’s Catalog
Printify connects you to a global network of over 90 print providers, offering:
- Over 800 product types
- Niche items like wall art, furniture, car accessories, and pet products
- Eco-friendly options and premium apparel brands
You can even choose between different suppliers for the same product based on location, price, or production quality.
The Winner:
Printify has a broader, more flexible catalog ideal for businesses that want product variety or to test new niches.
Best for Branding and Customization: Printify
Your ability to control the look and feel of your business matters — especially if you’re building a long-term brand. This is where the differences between Spreadshop and Printify really show.
Spreadshop Branding
Spreadshop hosts your storefront, so your customization is limited to:
- Logos and colors
- Banner image and page layout
- Custom domain (optional)
But the backend and checkout process still reflect Spreadshop’s branding. Emails and invoices also carry their name.
Printify Branding
Since Printify integrates with ecommerce platforms, your customers never see Printify at all. You get:
- Full control over your site design (via Shopify, Etsy, etc.)
- White-label packaging options (on select providers)
- Branded invoices and order tracking
This means you can build a professional, cohesive brand that’s customer-facing from start to finish.
The Winner:
Printify offers full white-label control, giving you the power to scale and protect your brand.
Best for Pricing & Profit Margins: Tie (But Depends on Your Goals)
Both platforms are free to start, but the way they handle pricing and profit is different.
Spreadshop Pricing
Spreadshop is 100% free to use. You don’t pay subscription fees, but you’re locked into their pricing model:
- Base product prices are set by Spreadshop
- You choose your markup (the amount of profit per sale)
- You receive payouts monthly via PayPal
You can expect to earn around $5-$10 profit per shirt depending on your markup.
Printify Pricing
Printify also offers a free plan, but serious sellers may want the Premium Plan at $29/month, which gives a 20% discount on most products.
This gives you more control over pricing and profit margins:
- Choose your provider and pricing
- Set your own retail price
- Profit can be much higher depending on your niche and customer base
Pricing Example:
| Platform | Shirt Base Price | Retail Price | Your Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spreadshop | $13.99 | $22.99 | ~$9 |
| Printify (Free Plan) | $13.99 | $22.99 | ~$9 |
| Printify (Premium) | $11.19 | $22.99 | ~$11.80 |
The Winner:
It’s a tie if you’re just starting out. But Printify gives more control and higher margins if you’re scaling or running ads.
Best for Shipping and Fulfillment: Printify
Shipping speed, cost, and reliability are key for customer satisfaction — and here’s where Printify takes the lead.
Spreadshop Fulfillment
Spreadshop handles everything in-house using the Spreadshirt network.
- Fulfillment centers in the US and Europe
- Reliable shipping times (5-12 business days depending on location)
- No provider selection or custom packaging
It’s a consistent experience but lacks flexibility.
Printify Fulfillment
Printify lets you choose your fulfillment partner. This means:
- You can optimize for speed or cost based on location
- Use local suppliers for US, UK, EU, or AU customers
- Many providers offer express shipping or branded packaging
This flexibility makes it easier to optimize delivery for global audiences.
The Winner:
Printify gives you more control over fulfillment and lets you offer a better customer experience.
Best for Integrations and Store Control: Printify
If you’re serious about running a real business, integrations matter.
You want tools that plug into your store, support marketing, and scale with your needs.
Spreadshop Integrations
Spreadshop is a closed platform.
- You can’t integrate third-party tools directly
- No marketing apps or email platforms
- Limited SEO control
It’s more of a plug-and-play solution for creators than a full ecommerce tool.
Printify Integrations
Printify supports:
- Shopify
- Etsy
- WooCommerce
- Wix
- Squarespace
- BigCommerce
You can also connect to marketing tools, analytics, inventory software, and CRMs through your ecommerce platform.
The Winner:
If you want to run ads, email campaigns, and SEO — Printify is the obvious choice.
Best for Beginners: Spreadshop
Spreadshop’s Simplicity
If you’re brand new to ecommerce or just want to sell merch without stress, Spreadshop is hard to beat.
- Free to set up and use
- No store-building needed
- Minimal configuration
This makes it ideal for:
- YouTubers or streamers launching merch
- Hobbyists looking for passive income
- Creators with limited time or tech skills
It’s also a smart choice if you don’t want to worry about managing customer service or backend logistics.
Everything from order fulfillment to returns is handled by Spreadshop, so you can focus on creating content or building your audience.
Printify’s Learning Curve
Printify assumes you’re building a real ecommerce store. That means:
- You’ll need a storefront (Shopify, Etsy, etc.)
- Setup takes longer
- More moving parts (but more opportunity long-term)
That trade-off gives you far more control over your business.
If you’re aiming to build a scalable brand with custom packaging, optimized pricing, and multi-channel selling, Printify gives you the tools to make it happen.
The Winner:
If you’re just getting started and want the fastest path to a live store, Spreadshop is the better choice.
Best for Scaling a Business: Printify
If your goal is to build a sustainable ecommerce business that can grow over time, Printify has the edge.
Why Printify Is Better for Scaling
- Lower product costs on Premium plan
- More control over your customer experience
- Integrates with marketing and sales tools
- Global fulfillment options
- 100% white-label
This makes it ideal for serious sellers, especially those running paid ads, focusing on branding, or building long-term businesses.
Spreadshop, on the other hand, isn’t built with large-scale growth in mind.
It’s great for smaller creators who value simplicity over customization, but once you start driving serious traffic or want to expand product lines, its limited integrations and branding options can hold you back.
The Winner:
Printify is built for scale, while Spreadshop is better suited for side projects or creator stores.
Final Verdict: Should You Choose Spreadshop or Printify?
Here’s my bottom-line take:
| Use Case | Platform |
|---|---|
| Best for beginners or creators | Spreadshop |
| Best for building a real brand | Printify |
| Best for product variety | Printify |
| Best for fast setup | Spreadshop |
| Best for higher profit margins | Printify (with Premium) |
| Best for international shipping options | Printify |
If you’re a YouTuber or influencer, go with Spreadshop — it’ll get you up and running quickly with no upfront cost or technical setup.
If you’re running an ecommerce brand or dropshipping business, Printify is the better tool. You’ll get more control, more product options, and better profit margins.
