6 Best Print on Demand Platforms

The Best Print on Demand Platforms:
A Comprehensive Review

The Verdict: For those serious about creating and selling printed items online, Printful is the best print on demand platform all around.

Print on demand (POD) has revolutionized the e-commerce industry by allowing entrepreneurs to sell customized products without the need for inventory.

Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or a newcomer looking to enter the market, choosing the right POD platform is crucial for your success.

In this review, we’ll explore some of the best print-on-demand platforms available today, highlighting their features, pricing, pros and cons, and overall ratings.

Comparison Table:

Feature / Platform	Printful	Printify	Gooten	Spring (Teespring)	Redbubble	Zazzle
Product Catalog	Extensive	Extensive	Wide	Apparel-focused	Moderate	Extensive
Print Quality	★★★★★ (5/5)	★★★★☆ (4/5)	★★★★☆ (4.2/5)	★★★★☆ (4.3/5)	★★★★☆ (4.1/5)	★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
Integration Options	Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, Amazon, more	Shopify, Etsy, eBay, more	Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, API	YouTube, Twitch, Instagram	None (Marketplace only)	None (Marketplace only)
Ease of Use	★★★★★ (4.8/5)	★★★★☆ (4.5/5)	★★★★☆ (4.4/5)	★★★★☆ (4.6/5)	★★★★☆ (4.4/5)	★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Pricing	Higher	Competitive	Competitive	No upfront costs	No upfront costs	No upfront costs
Customization Options	Moderate	High	Moderate	Limited (Apparel focus)	Moderate	High
Fulfillment Speed	★★★★★ (4.7/5)	★★★★☆ (4.3/5)	★★★★☆ (4.2/5)	★★★★☆ (4.1/5)	★★★★☆ (4.0/5)	★★★★☆ (4.1/5)
Shipping Costs	Higher	Competitive	Competitive	Standard	Standard	Standard
Customer Support	★★★★★ (4.8/5)	★★★★☆ (4.4/5)	★★★★☆ (4.3/5)	★★★★☆ (4.2/5)	★★★★☆ (4.1/5)	★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
Marketplace Exposure	None	None	None	Built-in marketplace	Built-in marketplace	Built-in marketplace
Overall Rating	★★★★☆ (4.5/5)	★★★★☆ (4.3/5)	★★★★☆ (4.2/5)	★★★★☆ (4.0/5)	★★★★☆ (4.1/5)	★★★★☆ (4.0/5)

Summary of Ratings:

• Product Catalog: Printful, Printify, and Zazzle offer the most extensive range of products, while Spring is more apparel-focused.
• Print Quality: Printful leads in print quality, followed closely by Printify and Gooten.
• Integration Options: Printful, Printify, and Gooten offer robust integrations with major e-commerce platforms, while Redbubble and Zazzle focus on their internal marketplaces.
• Ease of Use: All platforms rank highly, with Printful slightly ahead due to its intuitive design tools.
• Pricing: Printify offers competitive pricing, especially with its premium plan, while Printful tends to be higher.
• Customization Options: Printify and Zazzle provide the most flexibility in customization.
• Fulfillment Speed: Printful benefits from multiple global fulfillment centers, ensuring faster delivery times.
• Customer Support: Printful excels in customer support, with Printify and Gooten also offering strong assistance.
• Marketplace Exposure: Redbubble and Zazzle provide built-in marketplaces, ideal for artists and creators looking to reach a ready-made audience.
• Overall Rating: Printful emerges as the top platform overall, with Printify and Gooten close behind, offering different strengths depending on your needs.

Popularity Growth of Print-on-Demand Industry (2019 – 2023)

1. Printful – Best POD Service for 2024

Overview: Printful is one of the most popular POD platforms, known for its wide range of products, seamless integrations with major e-commerce platforms, and high-quality printing services. It offers everything from t-shirts and hoodies to home decor and accessories.

Key Features:

• Extensive product catalog
• High-quality printing with no minimum order requirements
• Integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, Amazon, and more
• Global fulfillment centers for faster shipping
• Mockup generator and design tools

Pricing:

• No monthly fees; pay only for products and shipping
• Optional paid plans for additional features like warehousing

Pros:

• Easy to use with intuitive design tools
• Excellent print quality
• Fast shipping due to multiple fulfillment centers
• Strong integration with major ecommerce platforms

Cons:

• Slightly higher base costs compared to some competitors
• Limited customization options for certain products

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.7/5)

Link: Visit Printful

2. Printify

Overview: Printify is another leading POD platform, offering a vast network of print providers. This allows users to choose between different printing partners based on cost, location, and quality, providing flexibility in fulfilling orders.

Key Features:

• Over 300 customizable products
• Multiple print providers worldwide
• Integration with Shopify, Etsy, eBay, and more
• Competitive pricing with the ability to select the best print partner
• Mockup generator

Pricing:

• Free plan available
• Premium plan ($29/month) with discounts on all products

Pros:

• Competitive pricing with a wide range of product options
• Ability to choose between different print providers
• Good integration with major e-commerce platforms
• Transparent pricing and fulfillment options

Cons:

• Print quality can vary depending on the provider
• Shipping times may vary based on the chosen print provider

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.0/5)

Link: Visit Printify

3. Gooten

Overview: Gooten is a versatile POD platform that emphasizes reliability and scalability. It’s designed for businesses looking to grow, offering automated order processing and a robust network of global print providers.

Key Features:

• Wide range of customizable products
• Automated order processing
• Integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, and custom API integration
• Advanced reporting and analytics tools
• Global fulfillment network

Pricing:

• No monthly fees; pay only for products and shipping

Pros:

• Reliable order fulfillment with automated processing
• Strong focus on business growth and scalability
• Good integration with popular e-commerce platforms
• Advanced analytics for better decision-making

Cons:

• Limited control over specific print providers
• Some users report longer shipping times compared to competitors

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)

Link: Visit Gooten

4. Teespring (now Spring)

Overview: Teespring, now rebranded as Spring, is a POD platform that specializes in apparel and accessories. It’s particularly popular among creators and influencers due to its user-friendly design tools and built-in audience access through its marketplace.

Key Features:

• Focus on apparel, accessories, and digital products
• Easy-to-use design tools with no upfront costs
• Integration with YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram
• Built-in marketplace for additional sales opportunities
• No inventory or upfront costs

Pricing:

• No monthly fees; pay only for products sold
• Optional upgrades for additional features

Pros:

• User-friendly platform with no upfront costs
• Integration with social media platforms for direct selling
• Built-in marketplace helps reach a wider audience
• Strong focus on apparel and influencer-driven sales

Cons:

• Limited product range compared to other platforms
• Lower profit margins due to the marketplace commission

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.0/5)

Link: Visit Spring

5. Redbubble

Overview: Redbubble is a unique POD platform that operates as a marketplace for artists and designers. It allows creators to sell their artwork on a variety of products, including apparel, home decor, and stationery while reaching a global audience.

Key Features:

• Artist-driven marketplace with a focus on creativity
• A wide range of products available for customization
• Global customer base with built-in marketing tools
• No upfront costs for listing products

Pricing:

• No monthly fees; artists earn a commission on each sale

Pros:

• A strong community of artists and designers
• Global reach with a dedicated customer base
• No upfront costs or inventory management
• High-quality products with artist-controlled pricing

Cons:

• Limited to the Redbubble marketplace, with no external integrations
• Profit margins can be lower due to platform fees

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.1/5)

Link: Visit Redbubble

6. Zazzle

Overview: Zazzle is a well-established POD platform with a wide range of customizable products. It operates as a marketplace, allowing users to sell their designs directly to consumers or create personalized products for themselves.

Key Features:

• Extensive product catalog with over 1,300 items
• Customization options for personal and commercial use
• Built-in marketplace with millions of visitors
• No inventory or upfront costs

Pricing:

• No monthly fees; sellers earn a royalty on each sale

Pros:

• Large marketplace with high traffic
• Wide variety of products and customization options
• No upfront costs or inventory management
• A strong community of designers and buyers

Cons:

• Limited integration options with external e-commerce platforms
• Lower profit margins due to platform fees

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.0/5)

Link: Visit Zazzle

Conclusion

Choosing the best print on demand platform depends on your specific needs, whether it’s product variety, integration capabilities, or marketplace exposure. Here’s a quick recap:

• Printful is ideal for those who prioritize quality and seamless integration with major e-commerce platforms.
• Printify offers flexibility in pricing and fulfillment options, making it a great choice for cost-conscious sellers.
• Gooten is perfect for businesses looking to scale, thanks to its automation and reliability.
• Spring (formerly Teespring) is a go-to platform for influencers and creators focused on apparel.
• Redbubble and Zazzle cater to artists and designers looking to sell their work in a community-driven marketplace.

Each platform has its strengths, so it’s important to consider your business model and goals before making a decision.