The printing industry has change drastically in recent years. Now you can print-on-demand (POD) to sell your merchandise online. This method allows you to be hands off, not hold any inventory, only pay when ordered, and they take care of fulfillment. Research and choose the platform that best fits your needs.
- Printify – My favorite to use for apparel POD vendor. Less expensive, alternative to Printful.
- Pros: huge selection of printer network, 20% off with monthly plan, many integrations.
- Cons: limited branding options, different quality from different vendors.
- Printful – The leading POD vendor most popular and familiar to people.
- Pros: user-friendly platform, great quality, 20% discount on samples, no subscription.
- Cons: pricing – which may lower your profit margin.
- Apliiq – POD with ability to make extensive customizations to products on your own branded label custom clothing line.
- Pros: variety of selections beyond basic apparel, such as denim jackets, premium joggers, etc. Cut and sew from digital print (dtf), embroidery, and screen printing.
- Cons: little decorations can add up to your premium apparel, which could reduce your profit margin.
- Sellfy – Besides print-on-demand, you can also launch an entire online storefront!
- Pro: storefront, built-in marketing tools, order confirmation, no transaction fee.
- Cons: their most top tier plan can be $99/mo, sometimes slow uploads.
- Gelato – Great platform to fulfill your merch with a variety of products in their catalog. Best for custom stationery items like stickers or tote bags.
- Pros: many locations for faster shipping, mobile app for insight, fair pricing.
- Cons: better benefits with subscription, no embroidery and engraving.
- Gooten – Best for custom homeware such as wall art, home decor, drinkware, and accessories.
- Pros: fulfillment network globally, flat-rate shipping costs, wide range of customizable products with quality prints.
- Cons: shipment can vary or be slow compared to other vendors, items might ship separately, quality control vary outside of USA.
- CustomCat – Offers a hefty catalog of more than 550 products, alongside easy-to-use tools and quick fulfillment times. Best seller community.
- Pros: paid plan offers discounts across the entire product range. Easy to use design tools. Low base costs.
- Cons: basic design mockup. I’ve had inconsistent print quality before, but maybe it’s better now?
- Redbubble – A platform known by artists to display their graphic on merchandise.
- Pros: big community, marketplace, wide range of products, anti-piracy protection.
- Cons: base prices changes without warning, less control/flexibility, tiers.
- Spreadshirt – Another great place for artists to sell worldwide with many products. Best for fast fulfillment. (new site: SpreadShop)
- Pros: existing marketplace, artists earn their own commissions, eco-friendly.
- Cons: custom designs can get pricey.
- Zazzle – One of the forerunners of print-on-demand marketplaces. It has the second largest existing audience of any POD marketplace.
- Pros: large customer reach, marketplace, sell gifts & stationery.
- Cons: uploading process can improve, need better user-experience.
- SPOD – Another print-on-demand fulfillment service with focus on concern about sustainability. It offers a library of 50,000 free designs to create your artwork.
- Pros: simple shipping, sustainable production, intuitive dashboard.
- Cons: no custom branding.
- FineArtAmerica – They primarily focus on wall art, posters, and prints. Other types of products are offered, but this community is not really an apparel crowd.
- Pros: fast-growing marketplace, great for photographers, marketing & sales tools.
- Cons: not as much traffic as some other marketplaces.
