If you want to begin your own business, establish your brand, and generate a passive income, utilizing print on demand (POD) can greatly simplify your first endeavors in eCommerce. (Please refer to our guide on understanding what eCommerce is.)
Finding the right POD partner is of utmost importance. In addition to having the correct products, your POD partner should be relatable, adaptable, and compatible with your business approach. Whether your main focus is prompt order processing or exceptional customer service, your print on demand partner should align with these objectives.
In order to assist you, we have compiled a compilation of the top POD solutions available in the market, alongside guidelines for choosing the most suitable one.
Best print-on-demand sites
1. Modalyst
Modalyst has been rated as the best dropshipping software by Fast Company, Forbes, and other sources. With its newly introduced print-on-demand abilities, Modalyst remains a respected industry leader. Its print-on-demand features, supported by Kornit, are specifically designed to promote sustainable practices while maintaining top-notch, on-demand printing quality.
With its wide variety of products and suppliers, including well-known brands, Modalyst can deliver fast domestic shipping in the U.S. and Europe. Currently, more than 350,000 eCommerce stores are supported by Modalyst. In 2021, it was acquired by Wix and is now seamlessly integrated with any Wix eCommerce store.
Modalyst provides a wide range of products that consist of home accessories, clothes, pet toys, accessories, jewelry, makeup, and purses. Gain entry to suppliers of exceptional quality (with an extensive screening process) who are able to promptly and reliably deliver orders to your customers.
Modalyst’s free plan allows users to have unlimited orders and access to all core platform features. However, users on this plan are restricted to non-premium suppliers and can only list up to 25 products. By upgrading to the Start Up plan at $35 per month, users can increase their product limit to 250. Alternatively, the Pro plan, priced at $90 per month, allows users to collaborate with premium suppliers and enjoy shorter shipping times without any restrictions on the number of products they can list.
Due to its extensive product inventory, Modalyst is capable of fulfilling the majority of orders within a span of one to two business days. Moreover, Modalyst collaborates with numerous suppliers from the United States and the European Union, who are equally efficient in swiftly completing POD orders.
2. Printful
Printful, which is another established POD software, takes pride in its in-house printing and the high quality of its products. With Printful, you are given your own storefront, and it also offers convenient integration with platforms such as Wix eCommerce and marketplaces like Etsy and eBay.
Printful offers a diverse range of premium products in different categories, such as apparel, phone cases, homeware, and jewelry. Their line of eco-friendly products caters to consumers and merchants who are concerned about sustainability and the environmental impact of retail operations.
Printful offers a platform that is free to use and does not have any minimum requirements. The pricing for products is based on each item, ensuring that you only pay for the items that you sell. To determine the ideal prices and margins for your specific business, you can utilize Printful’s useful pricing calculator. Alternatively, if you prefer, you have the option to purchase items in bulk from Printful.
In addition to its POD/dropshipping services, Printful also provides warehousing services. For efficient logistics management, POD products can be shipped in as little as two days. Printful’s global network of in-house and partner facilities enables competitive worldwide shipping rates.
3. Gelato
One of the difficulties print-on-demand poses is the challenge of reaching intended target audiences, which is compounded by the fact that warehouses are typically located in the US or Asia. Consequently, individuals operating outside these regions often experience lengthier shipping times, putting them at a disadvantage.
Taking into consideration this information, we are delighted to present Gelato: The print-on-demand corporation with a global network of more than 130 production locations, spread throughout Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Australia.
Print-on-demand products are offered by Gelato in the following product categories:
- Apparel
- Wall art
- Phone cases
- Mugs
- Totebags
- Wallpaper
- Photo books
- Calendars
- Cards
Although Gelato does not offer a wide range of products, it is sufficient for passionate designers and illustrators who want to personalize and sell various top-notch products. Gelato is free and provides the option to determine your own prices. Additionally, the platform easily integrates with your preferred eCommerce solutions.
Gelato is completely free to use, as mentioned above. By using its free plan, you can access Gelato’s entire product catalog and connect two eCommerce stores while registering two account users. This should be enough for newly established businesses; however, it may be beneficial to consider upgrading to one of Gelato’s paid plans in the future.
For a monthly fee of $14.99, Gelato+ enables you to connect with up to ten stores. Notably, you will have access to additional design tools including premium mockups, the product personalization tool, image filters, premium fonts, and more. The most significant advantage is the 30% discount you receive on shipping.
By following a step-by-step approach, let’s rephrase the given text without altering the meaning, adding new information, or removing any information: The Gelato+ Gold plan, available at $99 per month, offers further reductions in shipping costs through a 50% discount, which becomes applicable after achieving a monthly order count of 50. Additionally, this plan allows you to establish your desired profit margins for shipping.
If you’re a seller aiming for global audiences and want to start with popular print on demand categories such as wallart, apparel, and mugs, Gelato is perfect. Gelato’s numerous production facilities not only minimize your carbon footprint but also guarantee quicker shipping times, benefiting both you and the environment.
4. Redbubble
Redbubble, a renowned print-on-demand website originating from Australia, offers independent creators and artists a platform to sell their creations online. With a vast array of print on demand products, this marketplace empowers individuals to express themselves and be heard.
With a wide range of options, the Redbubble platform is ideal for designers and creators of any background, as it offers a suitable audience regardless of your origin. It provides over 60 products to select from, such as:
- Notebooks
- Scarves
- T-shirts
- Smartphone cases
- Duvet covers
- Stickers
Redbubble has a large number of customers and a strong following, allowing you to easily reach a wide audience without the need to build your own online brand. Moreover, Redbubble promotes creativity and originality, and offers the convenience of multiple language options to ensure your audience doesn’t miss out, no matter where they are.
The Redbubble platform is very user-friendly and allows for worldwide shipping in most cases. Although it can’t be integrated with other website platforms, it is still quite manageable to use. However, it should be noted that you cannot use this service on your own website. On the bright side, receiving payments through PayPal and direct bank deposit is extremely convenient.
Similar to most print-on-demand companies, you are required to pay for the base price of the item, as well as the shipping and fulfillment costs involved in delivering your product to the customer. Additionally, you have the freedom to determine the markup cost for your product, allowing you to have control over your own profits. Moreover, the process of receiving your earnings is fast and uncomplicated.
The cost of the service fee for creating and listing your products, as well as the cost of manufacturing the items you wish to sell, are included in the base price you pay on Redbubble. Base prices may differ based on the destination of your items.
In addition, it is important to take into account several other factors that may impact your expenses, including production costs for artists and the level of customization desired for your clothing. Furthermore, it is worth noting that prices on Redbubble can change frequently, making it challenging to establish a reliable business model.
If you prefer not to go through the trouble of setting up your own website and doing your own marketing, Redbubble is an excellent choice for selling your print on demand products online. It allows you to easily create and sell your items without having to worry about marketing, as you can leverage Redbubble’s existing audience.
