Discover the Top 10 Print On Demand Platforms You Can't Miss

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Passive Print on Demand Websites
   1. Amazon Merch on Demand
   2. Redbubble
   3. Zazzle
   4. Teepublic
   5. Teespring
   6. Spreadshirt
   7. Threadless
3. Active Print on Demand Websites
   1. Printful
   2. Shopify
   3. Printify
   4. Etsy
4. Pros and Cons of Passive and Active Print on Demand
5. Conclusion

Introduction

In the world of print on demand, where sellers can focus on selling their designs while leaving the printing, shipping, and customer service to others, it's crucial to know about the different websites that cater to this industry. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned seller, understanding the pros and cons of each platform can give you a competitive edge. In this article, we will explore 10 websites that all print on demand sellers need to know about. We'll cover both passive and active print on demand platforms, discussing their organic website traffic, features, and what you need to know about each one. By the end of this article, you'll have a wealth of information about the print on demand industry and be ready to make informed decisions for your business. So let's dive right in!

Passive Print on Demand Websites

Passive print on demand websites are platforms where sellers can simply create an account, upload their designs, and let the platform take care of everything else – including bringing in customers, printing, shipping, and customer service. These websites offer a convenient and hands-off approach for print on demand sellers. Let's explore some of the most popular passive print on demand websites.

Amazon Merch on Demand

Amazon, the ecommerce giant, has its own print on demand department called Amazon Merch on Demand. With a staggering 1 to 2 billion monthly visitors to their website, Amazon offers access to the largest organic traffic for print on demand sellers. It's a simple and user-friendly platform where you can list your print on demand products. Customers who visit Amazon will come across your listings, increasing the chances of making a purchase. The sheer volume of potential customers on Amazon makes it an essential platform for print on demand sellers.

Pros of Amazon Merch on Demand:

• High organic traffic: With billions of monthly visitors, Amazon gives you access to a massive customer base.
• Simplified listing process: Uploading your designs and creating listings on Amazon is straightforward.

Cons of Amazon Merch on Demand:

• Competition: Due to the size and popularity of Amazon, competition among sellers can be fierce, making it crucial to stand out.

Redbubble

Redbubble is another popular platform for print on demand sellers, attracting approximately 25 million monthly visitors to its website. This platform provides a free and organic way to get your designs in front of a large audience. Redbubble offers a wide range of products, including clothing, home decor, stationery, and more. With its user-friendly interface and extensive customer base, Redbubble is an excellent choice for passive print on demand sellers.

Pros of Redbubble:

• Large organic reach: Redbubble's traffic of 25 million visitors per month provides vast exposure for your designs.
• Diverse product selection: Redbubble offers a wide range of products, allowing you to showcase your designs on various items.

Cons of Redbubble:

• Intense competition: As with any popular platform, competition among sellers is high, requiring you to create unique and eye-catching designs.

Zazzle

Zazzle is yet another website that offers a passive print on demand model. With approximately 5 million monthly visitors, Zazzle provides a free opportunity to tap into their substantial customer base. The platform allows you to upload your designs and create listings on a wide range of products, including apparel, accessories, home decor, and more. If you're looking for a platform with decent organic traffic, Zazzle is worth considering.

Pros of Zazzle:

• Free access to organic traffic: Zazzle's 5 million monthly visitors give your designs a chance to be seen by a large audience.
• Extensive product options: Zazzle offers a vast selection of products, allowing you to cater to different customer preferences.

Cons of Zazzle:

• Competition: Like any popular platform, competition among sellers can be intense, necessitating the creation of unique designs to stand out.

Teepublic

Teepublic is a user-friendly platform that attracts 1 to 2 million monthly visitors to its website. It provides an easy setup process for creating print on demand listings. Teepublic offers a range of products, including t-shirts, hoodies, and accessories. The platform's simplicity and decent organic traffic make it a suitable choice for passive print on demand sellers.

Pros of Teepublic:

• Simple setup process: Teepublic's interface makes it easy to create listings and upload designs, even for beginners.
• Good organic traffic: With 1 to 2 million monthly visitors, Teepublic offers a chance to reach a significant customer base.

Cons of Teepublic:

• Increased competition: As with other popular platforms, competition among sellers is high, so creating unique and appealing designs is crucial for success.

Teespring

Teespring was once a prominent player in the print on demand space. However, it has pivoted its focus to allow creators to build their own storefronts and sell to their audience. Nonetheless, Teespring still receives around 500,000 monthly visitors to its marketplace. While this figure is lower than what it used to be, it presents an opportunity to access a considerable number of potential customers organically.

Pros of Teespring:

• Decent organic traffic: Teespring's 500,000 monthly visitors offer a chance to get your designs seen by a significant customer base.
• Creators' storefront: Teespring allows you to create your own branded storefront, giving you more control over your brand image.

Cons of Teespring:

• Reduced traffic compared to the past: Teespring's traffic has decreased over time, meaning you may need to rely on other marketing strategies to drive more customers to your listings.

Spreadshirt

Spreadshirt is a smaller print on demand website that attracts approximately 400,000 monthly visitors. While its traffic may be lower than other platforms, Spreadshirt offers an easy-to-use interface and a range of customizable products. The platform allows you to create and upload your designs, offering another opportunity to gain exposure and potential sales.

Pros of Spreadshirt:

• Ease of use: Spreadshirt's user-friendly interface makes it simple to create listings and upload designs.
• Opportunity for exposure: With 400,000 monthly visitors, Spreadshirt provides a chance to reach customers organically.

Cons of Spreadshirt:

• Lower organic traffic: Compared to larger platforms, Spreadshirt's traffic is relatively lower, so it may require additional marketing efforts to drive more customers to your listings.

Threadless

Threadless is a relatively smaller player on this list, attracting around 200,000 monthly visitors to its website. However, it is worth considering due to its potential for growth. Threadless may be on the rise, presenting an opportunity to ride the wave as it expands. By placing your listings on Threadless, you increase your chances of being discovered by their customer base.

Pros of Threadless:

• Potential growth: As Threadless continues to expand, listing your designs on this platform may provide an opportunity to grow with them.
• Access to organic traffic: Despite being smaller, Threadless still receives around 200,000 monthly visitors, potentially leading to sales for your products.

Cons of Threadless:

• Smallest platform traffic: Compared to other passive print on demand websites, Threadless has the lowest traffic. However, the potential for growth may outweigh this downside.

Active Print on Demand Websites

Unlike passive print on demand websites, active platforms require sellers to create their websites, bring their own traffic, and handle customer service. These platforms offer more customization options and the ability to build a personalized brand. While they require more effort, they provide greater control and flexibility. Let's explore the most popular active print on demand websites.

Printful

Printful is renowned for its high-quality products and services. While it falls under the umbrella of active print on demand websites, the quality of Printful's products makes it a top choice for sellers who prioritize premium quality. To use Printful, you'll need to create your own website, typically using a platform like Shopify. This active approach gives you the freedom to build your brand and control the entire customer experience.

Pros of Printful:

• Unparalleled product quality: Printful's commitment to high-quality products ensures that your customers receive top-notch merchandise.
• Flexibility and customization: Building your own website using platforms like Shopify allows you to customize your store and create a unique brand experience.

Cons of Printful:

• Website setup costs: Creating your own website using platforms like Shopify will incur monthly fees starting at $29. Consider this additional cost when planning your print on demand business.

Shopify

Shopify is a popular website builder specifically designed for creating online stores. It provides a user-friendly interface, making it easy for sellers to set up their online presence. While Shopify is not a print on demand platform itself, it allows integration with print on demand services like Printful. By combining Shopify and a print on demand provider, you can create a personalized and fully functional online store.

Pros of Shopify:

• User-friendly interface: Shopify's intuitive platform makes it accessible for sellers of all levels of technical expertise.
• Complete control: With your own website, you have full control over branding, store layout, and customer experience.

Cons of Shopify:

• Monthly fees: Shopify charges at least $29 per month for basic plans, making it an additional cost to consider alongside print on demand service fees.

Printify

Printify is another active print on demand platform that allows sellers to create their own websites and customize their products. While Printify's product quality may not match that of Printful, it offers lower costs for business owners. With Printify, you have the opportunity to reduce expenses while still benefiting from a wide range of customizable products. If affordability is a priority for your print on demand business, Printify is worth considering.

Pros of Printify:

• Affordability: Printify offers competitive pricing, making it a more cost-effective option for print on demand sellers.
• Wide range of products: With Printify, you gain access to a diverse selection of customizable products to suit varying customer preferences.

Cons of Printify:

• Product quality: While Printify's products are still of decent quality, they may not reach the same level as Printful. Consider this trade-off when deciding between the two platforms.

Etsy

Etsy is a unique platform that falls somewhere between passive and active print on demand. While you can do print on demand on Etsy, the fulfillment of orders – including printing, shipping, and customer service – is handled by a print on demand fulfillment service. This setup gives you access to Etsy's organic traffic while still requiring some hands-on involvement. If you're willing to handle order fulfillment and customer service, Etsy can be a valuable platform with substantial organic traffic.

Pros of Etsy:

• Organic traffic: Etsy attracts a considerable amount of organic traffic, providing potential customers who may discover and purchase your products.
• Branding control: While using a print on demand fulfillment service, you still have control over your brand and can create a unique storefront on Etsy.

Cons of Etsy:

• Responsibility for fulfillment: With Etsy, you'll be responsible for order fulfillment, including printing, shipping, and customer service. This hands-on approach requires additional time and effort.

Pros and Cons of Passive and Active Print on Demand

When choosing between passive and active print on demand websites, it's essential to consider the pros and cons of each approach. Passive print on demand platforms offer convenience and require minimal effort on your part. They bring in organic traffic and handle most of the selling process. However, competition can be fierce, and you may face limitations on website customization. Active print on demand platforms provide greater control and flexibility, allowing you to build a personalized brand. However, they require more time, effort, and additional costs for website setup and maintenance. Consider your preferences, goals, and resources before deciding on the best approach for your print on demand business.

Conclusion

Print on demand has revolutionized the way entrepreneurs and designers can bring their creative ideas to life. By leveraging the power of various platforms, sellers can tap into massive organic traffic and reach a broad customer base. Whether you choose a passive approach, relying on established websites, or take an active route, building your own brand, the key is to understand your options and strategically align them with your business objectives. With this guide, you now have a comprehensive overview of 10 essential print on demand websites. So, go ahead and start exploring these platforms to take your print on demand business to new heights!