In today’s world, starting a business has never been easier, especially with the rise of print on demand services. These companies allow you to create and sell custom products like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases without needing to keep any inventory.
According to recent studies, the global print on demand market is expected to grow by 31% annually, reaching a whopping $10 billion by 2025. This means more opportunities for entrepreneurs and creatives to make money with unique designs and ideas.
Finding the right print on demand partner can make a huge difference in your business success. With so many options available, it’s important to choose a company that fits your needs in terms of product quality, shipping speed, and customer support.
In this article, we’ll explore the best print on demand companies and sites, highlighting what makes each one special and why they might be the perfect choice for you. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to switch providers, we’ve got you covered with all the information you need to make an informed decision
What is Print On Demand (POD)
Print on demand or POD is a form of merchandise business where the company does not have to stock physical products since they can create them upon the customer placing an order.
You collaborate with a POD company that does the printing of your designs on products such as t-shirts, mugs, or phone cases as and when a buyer places an order.
This saves you the cost of having to first invest in stock and also deal with the shipping and the delivering for you. It is productive in the testing of product concepts and sharing of products with the world at a very low risk.
How Does a Print on Demand Company Work
A print-on-demand company allows you to manufacture and sell custom-designed products without having to invest in inventory or manage manufacturing and shipping logistics.
When you upload your design to the company’s platform, they will print it on a variety of things including Custom Vintage Mechanic Shirts, hoodies, mugs, and more. When a consumer orders a product, the company prints, packages, and ships it directly to the customer on your behalf.
The technique is usually straightforward and automated. You begin by selecting the products you want to sell from the company’s catalogue, customizing them with your designs using an online design tool, and then listing them on your website or marketplace.
The print on demand provider only charges you for the goods and printing costs after a sale, allowing you to operate your business with cheap upfront costs and no danger of unsold inventory.
Factors to Look for While Selecting a Print on Demand Company
Shipping: Consider the time it takes for the company to print and ship orders to your customers. Check how shipping costs are calculated and whether they offer tracking options to ensure timely and reliable delivery.
Printing: Evaluate the printing techniques and customizations supported by the company. Look for high-quality printing options such as direct-to-garment, sublimation, or screen printing, and ensure they can meet your specific design needs.
Unique Features: Identify what sets each print-on-demand company apart from the competition. This could include unique product offerings, integrations with e-commerce platforms, or special services like branding and packaging options.
Fit: Determine who the print-on-demand solution is best suited for. Consider factors like target audience, business size, and niche to ensure the company aligns with your specific requirements and goals.
Product Catalog: Review the range of products available for customization. A diverse catalog with various items such as apparel, accessories, home goods, and more will provide more opportunities to cater to your customers’ preferences and expand your product line.
What is the Need of a Print on Demand Company
Low-Risk Investment: POD companies allow you to start selling custom-designed products without the need to invest in bulk inventory, reducing financial risk and upfront costs.
Brand Ownership: They enable you to sell products through your own branded store, maintaining control over your brand identity and customer experience rather than directing customers to third-party platforms.
Inventory Management: These companies handle all aspects of production and fulfillment, eliminating the need for you to manage or store inventory, which simplifies logistics and reduces storage costs.
Scalability: With print on demand services, you can easily scale your business by offering a wide variety of products and designs without worrying about production capacity or unsold stock.
Market Access: They allow you to sell on popular marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy without needing to pre-purchase stock, making it easier to reach a broader audience and test new products with minimal risk.
Suggested Read: Top Alternatives to Facebook Marketplace for Online Selling
12 Best Print on Demand Companies and Sites
1. Printful
Printful is a popular print-on-demand fulfilment service that integrates with your store and allows you to offer a wide range of print-on-demand products to your consumers.
It’s a print-on-demand service that gives you the tools you need to develop products and sell them on other platforms while also fulfilling orders for you.
The built-in Design Maker allows you to create intricate, eye-catching designs (even if you have no prior design knowledge) and product mockups.
Top Features:
- Free mockup tool
- Shopify customization tool
- 50k+ available designs
Product Catalog:
- T-shirts
- Sweatpants, leggings, and joggers
- Tote bags and backpacks
- Mugs
- Phone cases
- Bean bag chairs
- Framed posters
Pricing:
Free to use only shipping charges are applicable
2. Gelato
Gelato works as follows: First, you sign up and link it to your online store. It smoothly interacts with all of the major ecommerce platforms, including Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, WooCommerce, eBay, and others.
Then, you select your print on demand merchandise from Gelato’s catalogue (which includes over 48 categories), submit your designs, and add them to your store.
When a consumer puts an order, Gelato instantly fulfils the purchase and charges you the product’s base cost.
Top Features:
- 80+ printing facilities
- Print unlimited products – no order minimum or maximum
- Shipping calculator
- Huge product selection
Product Catalog:
- Apparel
- Wall art
- Homeware
- Stationery
- Tote bags
Pricing:
| Free | Gelato+ | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | $24/month | $119/month | Custom |
3. Sellfy
It is a complete ecommerce platform in and of itself, allowing you to create your own online store with total control in under 10 minutes.
Once your storefront has been established and everything is operational, you can begin creating designs, adding print-on-demand products to your Sellfy store, setting price, and selling.
When a customer puts an order, Sellfy will fulfil it for you. They will print and send your purchase, then charge you for the base item price, taxes, and shipping.
You decide the price of the goods and pocket the difference, thus you have control over the profit margins.
Top Features:
- 200+ products
- Free mockup tool
- Shopify customization tool
- 50k+ available designs
Product Catalog:
- T-shirts
- Sweatshirts
- Hoodies
- Blankets
- Pillows
- Shower curtains
Pricing:
| Starter | Business | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| $19/month | $49/month | $99/month |
4. Printify
Printify is a print-on-demand fulfilment firm that offers product printing, delivery, and a variety of design tools. You choose where to sell your products and connect Printify to your preferred platform.
It works with all of the main e-commerce platforms and marketplaces, including WooCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, Shopify, Etsy, and eBay.
One of the best aspects of Printify is that, rather than limiting you to its in-house printers, it provides access to its extensive network of globally distributed printing partners.
Top Features:
- Custom packaging
- No minimum order
- Simple mockup generator
Product Catalog:
- T-shirts and hoodies
- Backpacks
- Canvas wraps and framed prints
- Fridge magnets
- Stickers
- Swimwear
- Skirts
- Blankets
- Sneakers
Pricing:
| Free | Premium | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $24.99/month | Custom |
5. Zazzle
Zazzle was one of the first print-on-demand marketplaces, founded in 2005. It was incredibly popular early on and still receives a lot of traffic, but its growth has slowed.
Because it has been there for a while, it is also a touch oversaturated, making it difficult for new artists to break through the noise and have their items seen.
However, given how many people continue to purchase things from Zazzle on a monthly basis, it is still worthwhile to have a presence there.
Top Features:
- Upload designs or use Shutterstock integration to design your products
- 80+ printing facilities
- Print unlimited products
Product Catalog:
- Tumblers
- Water bottles
- Wall art
- Phone cases
- Stationery
Pricing:
Custom
Also Read: Best AI Tools for eCommerce and Dropshipping
6. Redbubble
Redbubble is another excellent print-on-demand site that allows artists and designers to sell their products with minimal upfront time investment.
When you list your print-on-demand products on Redbubble, you can reach out to a large current audience of potential customers and increase the number of people viewing your designs.
Additionally, Redbubble products frequently appear on Google for similar keywords. They even pay for Google Shopping Ads and retargeting out of pocket.
Top Features:
- 200+ products
- Free mockup tool
- Flexible Margin
Product Catalog:
- T-shirts
- Mugs
- Throw pillows
- Leggings
- Organic tote bags
- Hard phone cases
Pricing:
They deduct their service out of your product sales as part of the base price—you set your own profit margins
7. SPOD
SPOD is another print-on-demand fulfilment service run by Spreadshirt. It’s an excellent alternative if you’re worried about sustainability or want the quickest shipping available.
If you’re not a graphic designer, you may use SPOD’s collection of up to 50,000 free designs to create your own artwork and then print it on any of over 200 goods.
SPOD has an established track record of speedy production, completing 95% of orders in less than 48 hours, resulting in faster delivery. Its printing facilities are located in the European Union and the United States, but it ships globally.
Top Features:
- Full Automation
- Intuitive Dashboard
- Simple Shipping
Product Catalog:
- Premium organic T-shirts
- Adjustable aprons
- Baseball caps
- Camper mugs
- Crew socks
Pricing:
Free to use only shipping charges are applicable
8. TPop
TPop is a European print-on-demand service that offers the best assortment of high-quality, eco-friendly items. It’s more of a back-end service, similar to Printful, that supplies the items and order fulfilment while leaving you in charge of making sales.
You can include your logo and brand name on each package and delivery note, as well as your brand’s social media links on the packing slip.
If you like, you can include inserts and send a bespoke thank-you text with your order; TPop will even translate it for you into the language of the target country.
Top Features:
- Extensive branding options
- Great for selling to European customers
- Eco-friendly products
Product Catalog:
- T-shirts
- Hoodie dress
- Aluminum bottle
- Tank tops
- Tote bags
- Sweatshirts
- Metal and ceramic mugs
- Cushion and cushion covers
Pricing:
| Free | Plus | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $32.14/month | $75/month |
9. Teelaunch
Teelaunch is another print-on-demand service provider for clothes and luxury companies. The platform’s competitively priced catalogue includes unusual things such as Bluetooth speakers, and the Teelaunch mockup tool creates professional-looking photographs for use in marketing materials, including lifestyle photos for select items.
Production takes three to six business days, following which orders can be shipped from locations in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom.
Shipping rates vary depending on the product and location. Teelaunch provides a product personalisation tool, allowing buyers to add their name or submit a photo to a product.
Top Features:
- No upfront costs
- Worldwide shipping
- Packaging and labeling feature
- No minimum order
Product Catalog:
- T-shirts
- Sweatpants, leggings, and joggers
- Tote bags and backpacks
- Mugs
- Phone cases
- Bean bag chairs
- Framed posters
Pricing:
Free to use only shipping charges are applicable
10. JetPrint
JetPrint focuses on specific product categories such as shoes, watches, and jewelry. Delivery is simplified into free and express choices with international coverage, allowing you to promote free international delivery to your customers.
Once you’ve created your product, JetPrint will generate a variety of product images from various angles. JetPrint processes orders automatically, providing a period that allows you to make adjustments or revisions as needed.
They also enable you to instantly generate a variety of high-quality mockups and full specifications for inclusion on your product page.
Top Features:
- Extensive product catalog
- Fast shipping
- Unique products like watches, shoes, and rugs
- Real-time mockup generation
- Competitive prices
Product Catalog:
- Genuine leather strap watches
- Steel strap watches
- Magnetic steel strap watches
- Perpetual calendar watches
- Hard phone cases
- T-shirts
- Wall tapestries
Pricing:
Free to use only shipping charges are applicaple
11. AOP+
AOP+ specialises in easy all-over print products. Upload a design and select the items you want to generate. It also prints everything in-house, allowing for precise quality control.
AOP+ provides shipping from fulfilment centres in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom. Shipping rates vary depending on the product, with reductions applied to additional goods in the same order.
Top Features:
- Extensive product catalog
- More control – manage inventory, production, shipping, and returns yourself
- No monthly fees
Product Catalog:
- T-shirts
- Mugs
- Throw pillows
- Leggings
- Organic tote bags
- Hard phone cases
- Hoodie dresses
- Flip-flops
- Doormats
Pricing:
Available on request
12. Apliiq
If you want to create a clothing firm that focuses on personalised designs, Apliiq is a good print-on-demand app. Based in downtown Los Angeles, it offers a variety of customisation options that allow you to manufacture retail-quality private label garment products.
Merchants can upgrade to a plan that includes 100 custom woven labels sewn on their merchandise. Apliiq’s services include quality assurance, which involves having an in-house production artist assess your project.
That way, when you’re ready to dropship or buy in bulk, you can be sure your consumers will receive high-quality personalised goods.
Top Features:
- Easy-to-use Design Editor
- Locally sourced print solutions for limiting your carbon footprint
- Order personalized products
Product Catalog:
- Premium joggers
- Hoodies with print on interior lining
- Kangaroo hoodies
- Snapback hats
- Denim jackets
- Eco-friendly clothing
Pricing:
Free to use only shipping charges are applicable
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, Choosing the right print on demand company can make a big difference in your business success. Each organisation has unique characteristics, so it’s critical to pick one that meets your individual requirements. You can choose the finest partner to help you expand your brand by taking into account criteria like as shipping times, printing quality, unique features, business fit, and product catalogue.
With the knowledge presented in this article, you can now make an informed decision. Whether you’re just getting started or seeking to upgrade your present setup, there’s a print on demand provider that can help you achieve your goals. Happy selling!
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FAQs
Are there any upfront costs involved with print on demand?
Most print on demand services do not require any upfront costs. You only pay for the product and printing costs after a sale is made. This makes it a low-risk option for starting an online business, as you don’t need to invest in inventory or production equipment.
How long does it take for orders to be printed and shipped?
The printing and shipping times can vary depending on the print on demand company you choose. Generally, it takes a few days for the product to be printed and an additional few days for shipping. It’s important to check each company’s specific timelines and shipping policies to set accurate customer expectations.
Can I sell print on demand products on my own website?
Yes, you can sell print on demand products on your own website. Most POD companies offer integrations with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce, allowing you to manage and sell your products directly from your own branded store.
