The Best Print On Demand Platforms: A Review

Print on demand (POD) is an increasingly popular business model that allows entrepreneurs to sell custom products like t-shirts, mugs, and more without needing to keep inventory. With POD, you can focus on design, marketing, and customer engagement while the platforms handle the printing and shipping logistics. In this review, we’ll explore the best print-on-demand platforms and how each one can help you launch a successful business.

1. Printful

Overview: Printful is one of the most well-known print-on-demand platforms, and for good reason. It offers a wide range of products, from clothing and accessories to home décor and even custom items like embroidered hats and backpacks.

Key Features:

• Wide selection of products
• Integrates easily with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, and more
• No upfront costs—you only pay when you make a sale
• Custom branding options like personalized packaging
• Global fulfillment centers for faster shipping

Why it’s great: Printful’s easy integration and vast product catalog make it ideal for entrepreneurs who want a diverse range of offerings. Its branding options also help you create a professional and memorable experience for your customers.

2. Printify

Overview: Printify is another top contender in the POD space, offering a robust selection of products from multiple suppliers. This gives you the flexibility to choose the supplier that works best for your business, based on factors like price, quality, and shipping time.

Key Features:

• Over 600+ customizable products
• Integration with major platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and eBay
• Supplier network offers competitive pricing
• Automatic order routing to the nearest supplier for faster delivery
• Mockup generator for creating product images

Why it’s great: The flexibility of working with various suppliers allows you to find the best deal for your business. Printify also stands out for its affordable pricing, which can help you maintain healthy profit margins.

3. Teespring

Overview: Teespring, now known as Spring, initially gained popularity for its apparel offerings, but has since expanded to include items like home décor and accessories. It’s particularly popular among content creators, thanks to its integration with platforms like YouTube and Twitch.

Key Features:

• Easy to use platform, great for beginners
• No upfront fees—simply upload your design and start selling
• Integrates with social platforms like YouTube, allowing influencers to sell merch directly
• Extensive product customization options
• Global fulfillment and delivery

Why it’s great: If you’re a content creator or influencer looking to monetize your audience, Teespring’s social media integrations are a game changer. Plus, it’s easy to set up and manage, even for those new to e-commerce.

4. Redbubble

Overview: Redbubble is a marketplace that caters to artists and creatives who want to sell their designs on a wide range of products. Unlike Printful or Printify, Redbubble also brings traffic to your store through its established customer base.

Key Features:

• A vast marketplace that drives traffic to your store
• No need to create a separate website
• Large selection of products, from apparel to stationery
• Global fulfillment
• Low upfront effort—just upload your designs and Redbubble handles the rest

Why it’s great: Redbubble is a great option for designers who want a hands-off approach to selling their artwork. The built-in audience and marketplace give you the potential to earn sales without heavy marketing efforts.

5. Zazzle

Overview: Zazzle is a print-on-demand platform that offers a broad array of customizable products, including clothing, gifts, and home décor. It’s an excellent choice for entrepreneurs looking to offer personalized and unique items to customers.

Key Features:

• Thousands of products available for customization
• High-quality printing and product materials
• Customizable design templates
• Marketplace for designers to sell their artwork
• Easy integration with social media for marketing

Why it’s great: Zazzle is perfect for entrepreneurs looking to offer personalized and custom-made products, especially in the gift market. Its vast product catalog and design tools make it simple to create one-of-a-kind items.

6. Society6

Overview: Society6 is another marketplace-driven POD platform focused on artwork, home décor, and lifestyle products. It’s similar to Redbubble in that artists upload their designs, and Society6 handles production and shipping.

Key Features:

• Specializes in home décor, furniture, and art prints
• Simple upload process for designers
• Marketplace helps drive traffic to your store
• High-quality products
• International shipping available

Why it’s great: Society6 is ideal for artists and designers focused on home décor and high-quality artwork. The marketplace also takes care of much of the marketing, allowing you to focus on creating designs.

7. SPOD (Spreadshirt Print On Demand)

Overview: SPOD, a POD service offered by Spreadshirt, is known for its fast production times, boasting a 48-hour turnaround for 95% of its orders. This platform is ideal for sellers who want quick delivery for their customers.

Key Features:

• 48-hour production time for most orders
• Over 200+ products to choose from
• Integrates with Shopify and WooCommerce
• Free design templates and mockup generator
• Simple pricing with no hidden fees

Why it’s great: If fast shipping is a priority for your business, SPOD’s quick production times make it a standout option. It’s also easy to use, making it great for beginners.

8. Gooten

Overview: Gooten is a lesser-known POD platform but offers robust tools for scaling your e-commerce business. With Gooten, you can automate the fulfillment process and take advantage of its global network of manufacturers.

Key Features:

• 100+ customizable products
• Automated order fulfillment
• Competitive pricing with volume discounts
• Easy integration with Shopify, Etsy, and other e-commerce platforms
• Global shipping network

Why it’s great: Gooten is an excellent choice for those looking to scale their POD business. Its automation features and global fulfillment network are particularly beneficial for larger stores.

Choosing the Right Platform for Your Business

When deciding on the best print-on-demand platform, consider your business goals, target market, and the types of products you want to offer. Whether you need fast shipping, branding options, or social media integration, there’s a platform tailored to meet your needs. For those just starting out, platforms like Printful and Printify offer a great balance of ease of use and product variety. More established entrepreneurs might find Gooten or SPOD’s advanced tools perfect for scaling their business.

Print-on-demand offers a low-risk, scalable way to launch your own business without the hassle of managing inventory. With the right platform, you can turn your designs into profitable products and grow your brand.