Best Print On Demand T-Shirt Companies & Sites (2025 Review)

Choosing the right print on demand company is paramount for your long-term success in the competitive world of e-commerce, especially when focusing on Print On Demand T Shirt sales. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the best print on demand companies and the best print on demand sites currently available in March 2025. This review is based on years of hands-on experience in the print on demand industry, designed to help you make an informed decision tailored to your specific needs and goals for selling print on demand t shirts.

These are my personal Print on Demand recommendations for March 2025, packed with valuable tips, tricks, and actionable strategies to help you maximize the potential of these leading print on demand companies and effectively sell print on demand t shirts online.

Print on Demand Companies offering t-shirts

Best Overall for T-Shirts Printify: Known for fast turnaround, a wide selection of t-shirt styles, and competitive prices, making it ideal for print on demand t shirts. Try Printify for T-Shirts

Read Full Printify Review →

Great Quality T-Shirt Printing Printful: Renowned for producing high-quality print on demand t shirts and an easy-to-use platform, perfect for premium t-shirt brands. Try Printful for T-Shirts

Read Full Printful Review →

Best For Poster & Print Fulfillment (Good for Art-Based T-Shirts) Gelato: Offers quality poster and print fulfillment, also a solid option for art-centric print on demand t shirt designs with fast printing. Try Gelato for Prints & T-Shirts

Read Full Gelato Review →

All In One Store Solution (Including T-Shirts) Sellfy: Provides a fully contained solution for quickly launching an online store, including print on demand t shirt sales, streamlining the process for beginners. Try Sellfy for Your T-Shirt Store

Biggest Marketplace Reach for T-Shirts Merch by Amazon Merch on Demand for T-Shirts Amazon Merch On Demand: Grants access to the world’s largest online marketplace, Amazon, for selling print on demand t shirts, offering unparalleled reach. Try Merch On Demand for T-Shirts

Read Full Merch by Amazon Review →

Easiest To Start Selling T-Shirts Teepublic for T-ShirtsTeepublic: Features the easiest upload process, ideal for leveraging trends in print on demand t shirts with good organic traffic potential. Try Teepublic for T-Shirts

Read Full Teepublic Review →

Big Audience for T-Shirt Designs Redbubble for T-ShirtsRedbubble: Easy to get started with and offers access to a vast audience of customers interested in unique print on demand t shirts. Try Redbubble for T-Shirts

Read Full Redbubble Review →

The Top 5 Print On Demand Companies for T-Shirts

The Top 6 Print On Demand Sites for T-Shirt Sales

If you’re specifically searching for a POD T-Shirt fulfillment company to seamlessly integrate with your Shopify or Etsy store, the following in-depth reviews will be particularly beneficial. We’ll dive into each option in detail, with a special focus on the comparison between Printful vs Printify for print on demand t shirt businesses.

Continue reading to discover which Print on Demand company is the ideal fit for your business, whether you are an independent artist just beginning to explore the world of print on demand t shirt drop-shipping, or a seasoned seller seeking the best Printful alternatives for your existing print on demand t shirt operations.

Note: I am an affiliate and partner for many of the companies reviewed here. This means I may receive a commission if you sign up through my links (at no additional cost to you).

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Printify Review for Print On Demand T-Shirts

Sign up with Printify for T-Shirts here

Printify has rapidly risen to prominence, becoming arguably the most recognized name in print on demand t shirt fulfillment. What sets Printify apart from some other print on demand t shirt companies is their unique operational model: they don’t handle any printing ‘in-house’.

Instead, Printify collaborates with a diverse network of printing ‘partners’ located around the world to manage the actual production and delivery of goods, including print on demand t shirts. Printify essentially functions as the intermediary, providing a centralized platform to manage all orders for your print on demand t shirt business.

Currently, Printify partners with over 140 printing facilities globally, ensuring a wide reach and varied production capabilities for print on demand t shirts and other products.

This extensive network of partners enables Printify to offer an almost unparalleled range of customizable products, including a vast array of apparel like print on demand t shirts, alongside homeware and more unique items such as scented candles, yoga mats, and even outdoor Bluetooth speakers. This broad selection makes Printify a versatile choice for entrepreneurs looking to diversify their print on demand t shirt offerings or expand into related product categories.

While Printify employs a slightly different business model compared to its direct competitors in the print on demand t shirt space, they have firmly established themselves as major players, backed by significant investment and a growing reputation for reliability and affordability in print on demand t shirt fulfillment.

Let’s delve into the specifics of using Printify for your print on demand t shirt venture.

How Does Printify Work for Print On Demand T-Shirts?

Printify operates as the ‘backend’ infrastructure for your print on demand t shirt store, efficiently managing the printing, packaging, and shipping processes for your orders. This seamless integration allows you to focus on design and marketing, rather than the complexities of fulfillment for your print on demand t shirts.

They accommodate both manual order placement and automated integrations with leading e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, WooCommerce, and TikTok, providing flexibility for various business setups selling print on demand t shirts.

The key differentiator in Printify’s approach is that you select a specific print facility when you create your product listings, including print on demand t shirts (unless you opt for ‘Printify Choice,’ which we will discuss later). This means that every order for a particular print on demand t shirt design will be routed to the chosen printing facility. This model presents both advantages and disadvantages, which we will explore in this comprehensive review, particularly in the context of print on demand t shirt businesses.

Printify’s Quality Of Products, Especially T-Shirts

It’s crucial to understand, particularly when focusing on print on demand t shirts, that because Printify is not a direct printer themselves, the product quality can vary among their diverse network of providers. (You can see a comprehensive list of Printify’s providers here). This variability is a key consideration when choosing a provider for your print on demand t shirts.

The sheer number of print providers available on Printify has expanded significantly, which can feel overwhelming when you are trying to select the best options for your print on demand t shirt line.

To aid in your decision-making process, Printify offers a ranking score for each provider. This score is derived from product reprint rates and production times over the last 30 days, offering some insight into reliability and quality for print on demand t shirts. Alongside this ranking, they provide the average production time for the past 30 days, which I’ve generally found to be a reliable indicator, although it can become less accurate during peak seasons for print on demand t shirt sales.

My personal experience with Printify providers is primarily with Monster Digital, SwiftPOD in the US, and T-Shirt and Sons (UK), especially for print on demand t shirts.

All of these providers have consistently delivered excellent print quality for print on demand t shirts. While I might occasionally explore other providers to access specific product types or color options not readily available, for standard print on demand t shirt needs, these are my go-to choices.

Assessing print quality across different providers for print on demand t shirts can be subjective. However, the overall quality seems to be improving steadily across the Printify platform. In my experience, most customers would be hard-pressed to discern any significant difference between prints from Printify’s recommended providers and those from slightly more expensive services like Printful, especially in the context of print on demand t shirts. I personally receive very few complaints about print quality, regardless of the provider I utilize for my print on demand t shirt orders.

Given the vast number of print providers now integrated with Printify, it’s not feasible for me to offer detailed evaluations of each one, especially concerning their specific performance with print on demand t shirts. However, I confidently recommend Monster Digital, SwiftPOD, and T-Shirt and Sons for your print on demand t shirt printing needs based on consistent positive experiences.

Important Note: Printify has recently introduced Printify Choice, a feature that automatically selects a provider for your product, including print on demand t shirts. This option is currently limited to the most popular products and US-based providers. It does, however, include branding options like branded inserts, gift messages, and express shipping, enhancing the customer experience for print on demand t shirt orders. You can find more details on the Printify Choice feature here.

Printify’s Cost Of Goods for T-Shirts

Printify’s pricing is competitive, placing them in the mid-range among major print on demand t shirt fulfillment companies like Printful and Gelato, rather than at the absolute lowest price point. This balance of cost and quality makes Printify a strong contender for print on demand t shirt businesses looking for affordability without sacrificing product integrity.

You can further reduce your costs by subscribing to Printify’s monthly premium plan. Priced at $29 per month, this premium plan offers additional savings per shirt, making it cost-effective if you sell around 14 shirts or more monthly. This subscription can significantly enhance profitability for businesses with consistent print on demand t shirt sales volume.

If competitive pricing is a key factor for your print on demand t shirt business, Printify offers a compelling value proposition, balancing cost-effectiveness with a wide range of product and provider options.

Printify’s Integrations Relevant for T-Shirt Businesses

Printify is rapidly catching up with Printful in terms of integration capabilities, offering all the essential integrations needed for a successful print on demand t shirt business.

You can find a complete list of Printify integrations here, which prominently includes:

• Etsy: Seamless integration for print on demand t shirt sales on the popular marketplace for handmade and vintage goods.
• Shopify: Robust integration for print on demand t shirt businesses using Shopify to build their own branded stores.
• Amazon: Connect to Amazon to expand your reach and sell print on demand t shirts on the world’s largest e-commerce platform.
• WooCommerce: Integration for print on demand t shirt businesses using WordPress and WooCommerce to manage their online stores.
• eBay: Expand your sales channels to include eBay for your print on demand t shirt offerings.
• TikTok: Tap into the growing TikTok Shop for direct sales of print on demand t shirts to a younger demographic.
• …and many more.

Chances are, Printify provides the integrations you need for your current setup, and they also offer an API for more customized solutions and a Printify Pop-Up option for quickly launching a basic branded storefront (US only). While Printful currently offers a broader range of integrations, unless you require a very niche or specific integration, Printify likely has you covered for your print on demand t shirt business needs.

Printify’s Turnaround Time – Is It the Fastest Print on Demand Company for T-Shirts?

Turnaround times on Printify, particularly for print on demand t shirts, depend on the specific print provider you select. However, based on my experience, providers like Monster Digital and SwiftPOD largely adhere to their stated production times of approximately 1-2 days during non-peak periods. It is always recommended to conduct your own testing to get the most up-to-date and accurate production and shipping times for your specific print on demand t shirt products.

While it’s difficult to definitively declare one provider as the absolute fastest, during normal operating conditions, the difference in turnaround times between major players in the print on demand t shirt industry is minimal. Currently, Printify, especially when utilizing providers like Monster Digital and SwiftPOD, stands out as one of the fastest print on demand t shirt companies, albeit by a narrow margin.

The general trend in recent years has been an improvement in turnaround times across the print on demand t shirt sector, a positive development I hope continues. If you are using a different provider, it is always prudent to place test orders to get a realistic understanding of their current turnaround times for print on demand t shirts.

Printify’s Fulfillment Locations for T-Shirts

Printify boasts an extensive network of Print Providers located around the world, which is a significant advantage for print on demand t shirt businesses targeting a global customer base. (Click here to view all of Printify’s current Print providers.)

Printify Locations for T-Shirt Fulfillment

This global presence is particularly beneficial for international sellers who aim to produce and ship print on demand t shirts as close to their customers as possible, reducing shipping times and costs.

However, it’s important to note that within Printify, each product, including print on demand t shirts, must be associated with a single provider. Currently, Printify does not offer ‘auto-routing’ of orders to the closest fulfillment partner to the customer’s location, unless your customer is in the US and you are using Printify Choice.

For example, if your US-based Etsy store receives an order for a print on demand t shirt destined for the UK, you would need to manually ‘copy’ the product listing and ‘replace’ the provider with a UK-based facility. Then, you would manually add this updated product to the order. More detailed instructions on this process can be found here.

Despite this manual routing for international orders, Printify’s wide range of international providers makes it a strong option if you are starting a print on demand t shirt business and want to offer international shipping options.

Any Other Things Worth Mentioning About Printify for T-Shirts

Like other leading platforms, Printify features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of creating and ordering print on demand t shirts.

Printify Order Process for T-Shirts

Because of their extensive network of providers, Printify is continuously adding new and unique products to their catalog, including diverse options for print on demand t shirts, some of which may not be available from other companies. This constant expansion of product offerings can be a significant advantage for businesses looking to stay ahead of trends in the print on demand t shirt market.

On the downside, customer service with Printify has historically been less straightforward due to their outsourced provider model. However, recent improvements are noticeable, including the introduction of a ‘chat’ option and faster response times.

They have also recently added ‘cancel order’ and ‘upgrade shipping’ buttons directly on orders, streamlining order management for print on demand t shirt sellers.

In contrast, Printful, due to their in-house printing operations, typically offers faster and more direct customer service responses.

Printify Overall Verdict for Print On Demand T-Shirts

Printify’s key strengths for print on demand t shirt businesses are their competitive pricing, consistently fast turnaround times, and the broadest selection of providers and products, including a wide variety of t-shirt styles and brands.

However, if your primary market is not the US, or if you require advanced features like custom branding labels, pack-ins, or warehousing services for your print on demand t shirts, Printify might not fully meet your needs. In general, if you are seeking extensive hands-on support and highly customized branding for your print on demand t shirt line, Printful may be a more suitable option.

However, in March 2025, I confidently recommend Printify as an excellent starting point for most print on demand t shirt businesses. They offer competitive pricing, all essential features for the average seller, and reliable service. Just remember that Printify operates on an outsourced model, requiring you to test and evaluate individual suppliers you intend to use for your print on demand t shirts. (For more detailed guidance, check out my comprehensive guide on placing a sample order with Printify).

Sign up with Printify for T-Shirts here

Printful Review for Print On Demand T-Shirts

Printful for T-Shirts

Sign up with Printful for T-Shirts here

Printful, originally from Latvia but now operating globally with facilities in the UK and Canada, has rapidly become a dominant force in print on demand t shirt fulfillment. Their reputation for quality and comprehensive service makes them a top choice for businesses prioritizing brand control and premium products for their print on demand t shirt lines.

Let’s examine how Printful performs in key areas for print on demand t shirt businesses.

How Does Printful Work for Print On Demand T-Shirts?

Printful functions as the ‘backend’ for your print on demand t shirt store, managing the entire process from printing and packaging to shipping products directly to your customers, all on-demand. This seamless fulfillment service allows you to concentrate on design and marketing strategies for your print on demand t shirt brand.

Orders can be submitted to Printful either manually or automatically via their extensive range of integrations. These integrations allow orders to be sent to Printful directly from your Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, or WooCommerce store, simplifying order processing for your print on demand t shirt sales.

Printful’s Quality Of Products, Especially T-Shirts

Printful Quality comparison for T-Shirts

Printful consistently delivers exceptional print quality, positioning them at the top tier of print on demand t shirt providers. Their print quality is considered to be as good as, or even better than, most other providers in the market. This commitment to quality is a significant advantage for businesses aiming to offer premium print on demand t shirts.

Printful also offers an impressive selection of products, including a wide variety of apparel options. They provide nearly every type of apparel product imaginable, including a comprehensive range of print on demand t shirt styles, and numerous other product categories beyond apparel (though not quite as extensive as Printify).

Printful’s Cost Of Goods for T-Shirts

Answering the question ‘How Much Does Printful Cost for print on demand t shirts?’ is not straightforward. However, it’s generally accepted that Printful is among the more expensive options in the print on demand t shirt fulfillment industry.

While Printful is known for producing high-quality products, including print on demand t shirts, their pricing reflects this premium positioning. They are not operating at bargain basement prices.

Historically, Printful has been more expensive for print on demand t shirts, with a Bella & Canvas 3001 t-shirt costing around $11.75 at last check. However, this price point is now very closely aligned with Printify’s pricing, making the cost difference less pronounced than before for print on demand t shirts.

Printful’s Integrations – Best for Shopify T-Shirt Stores?

Printful excels in integrations, offering more options than any other print on demand t shirt company and consistently adding new platforms to their list.

The Best Print on Demand Company for Shopify T-Shirt Stores?

Printful has become recognized as the leading print on demand t shirt company for Shopify users. They are currently the most installed and highest-rated print on demand t shirt app in the Shopify app store, maintaining a very positive review score.

Printful Integrations for T-Shirt Businesses

However, their integration capabilities extend far beyond just Shopify, surpassing all competitors in breadth.

Here’s a snapshot of their current integrations:

This extensive list ensures that regardless of your chosen sales platform for print on demand t shirts, Printful likely offers a seamless integration. They also provide a simple manual order submission process for those who prefer a more hands-on approach.

How Long Does Printful Take To Ship T-Shirts?

Printful’s stated turnaround time is 2-7 business days. Personal experience indicates that they are consistently approaching the faster end of this spectrum, often achieving turnaround times closer to 2 days or even faster. I frequently observe orders being dispatched on the same day, even during peak seasons for print on demand t shirt sales.

Overall, I am satisfied with Printful’s efficiency in processing and shipping orders promptly, which is crucial for customer satisfaction in the print on demand t shirt business.

Where Is Printful Located and Where Does Printful Ship T-Shirts From?

Printful operates its own facilities in the USA, Mexico, Latvia, Spain, Canada, and the UK, and partners with facilities in Brazil, Japan, and Australia. This global network allows them to efficiently reach most customers worldwide within a few days, reducing shipping times and costs for your print on demand t shirt business.

Note: Printful has recently launched its Print on Demand UK facility in Birmingham. For a detailed review of products from this location, refer to this article: Print on Demand UK: Is Printful The Best Choice?

Printful Global Locations for T-Shirt Fulfillment

If you have configured your “selling region” as “worldwide,” Printful automatically routes orders to the most geographically advantageous facility. This is a significant advantage compared to companies like Printify, which currently lacks this automated routing capability, enhancing efficiency and reducing shipping times for your global print on demand t shirt orders.

Any Other Things Worth Mentioning About Printful for T-Shirts

Printful’s end-to-end control over its operations ensures that their customer service is typically responsive and effective in resolving issues swiftly. This level of service is a key differentiator from providers like Printify, which outsources printing to third-party facilities.

Printful originated as a technology company, and this background is evident in their website design and order processing systems. Everything is streamlined and user-friendly, making it an excellent choice for beginners in the print on demand t shirt industry.

Printful Order Process for T-Shirts

Printful also offers valuable additional features such as inside labels and pack-ins, allowing you to enhance your brand’s professionalism for an extra fee. These options, while not essential for beginners, become increasingly important as your print on demand t shirt business grows and brand identity becomes more critical.

They also provide the option to include personalized gift messages with orders, a great feature, especially if you are selling on gift-centric marketplaces like Etsy. (Note: Printify now also offers this feature with select providers).

Printful has also invested heavily in educational resources and training to help users maximize their platform usage and grow their online businesses, particularly in the print on demand t shirt sector.

They also offer sample orders at a discounted rate (20% off) with free shipping, providing a strong incentive to test their services.

(If you want to evaluate Printful’s quality without fully integrating your store, check out my detailed guide on placing a Printful Sample order).

Printful Review Verdict for Print On Demand T-Shirts

It’s easy to understand why Printful is highly regarded as a top-tier provider in the print on demand t shirt industry.

They have made substantial investments and continue to innovate, making them arguably the most user-friendly print on demand t shirt fulfillment option. Printful covers all essential aspects, offers a wide range of products including quality t-shirts, and delivers consistently high-quality goods.

While Printful is slightly more expensive compared to some other providers, the consistent print quality and branding options like custom packaging and inside-label printing may justify the higher cost for businesses focused on brand building and premium print on demand t shirts.

With Printful’s rapidly expanding global footprint, your major markets are likely well-served. However, you might not find the same breadth of unique and niche products as offered by a provider like Printify. But if your priorities are quality products, custom branding, seamless integrations, and a streamlined workflow with excellent support for your print on demand t shirt business, Printful is an excellent choice.

Sign up with Printful for T-Shirts here

Gelato Review for Print On Demand T-Shirts (and Posters)

Gelato has been steadily gaining traction in the POD market over the past few years. I started noticing them in late 2020 as my art print sales increased. While initially focused on paper-based products, Gelato has expanded into apparel, including print on demand t shirts, making them a versatile option to consider.

gelato.com for Print On DemandThey identify as a “software company” that “does not own any printers.” Instead, they act as an intermediary between you and print fulfillment facilities, similar to Printify but with key differences in how they manage order routing and quality control for products like print on demand t shirts.

The main distinction between Gelato and Printify lies in Gelato’s optimized order routing. Gelato automatically directs your order to the most efficient print provider based on the delivery destination. In contrast, Printify requires you to manually select your provider. Gelato also boasts software integrations with its network partners, offering enhanced control over production processes, which can impact the consistency and quality of print on demand t shirts.

Gelato utilizes an “advanced routing algorithm” to determine the optimal print location for each order, including print on demand t shirts. This approach has both advantages and disadvantages, which we will explore further in this review, particularly as they relate to businesses selling print on demand t shirts.

Gelato’s Quality Of Products, Including T-Shirts

Gelato began by specializing in paper-based POD products such as posters, cards, and calendars. However, they have progressively broadened their product range to include apparel, now offering a respectable selection of print on demand t shirts and merchandise.

My personal experience with Gelato has primarily been with art prints and posters. They consistently use high-quality, thick poster paper and produce clear, vibrant prints.

More recently, with the introduction of Bella and Canvas t-shirts, I have occasionally used Gelato for print on demand t shirt printing. The shirts I have received have all been of good quality, featuring sharp prints and bright colors.

It’s worth noting that, in my experience, the quality and finish of products can exhibit some variability between orders. I attribute this to their outsourcing model, where printing is distributed across various print providers. This variability is a factor to consider if consistency is paramount for your print on demand t shirt brand.

For the most part, this slight inconsistency is not problematic, as my orders are generally one-offs shipped directly to customers, who are unlikely to notice minor variations between orders. Gelato does offer a 100% quality guarantee, which provides reassurance if any issues arise with your print on demand t shirt orders. However, if maintaining absolute product continuity is crucial for your brand, this is a factor to consider.

A standout feature that currently differentiates Gelato from other POD companies is their pack-in option. This feature is particularly valuable for enhancing brand experience with print on demand t shirts.

You now have the option to include custom pack-in cards and branded labels in your packaging, such as thank-you notes, store information, social media links, or discount codes for future purchases. This is a significant advantage for businesses aiming to build a strong brand identity in the print on demand t shirt market.

Gelato’s pack-in option adds a personal, handmade feel to your orders, making your brand more memorable. This feature is particularly effective for encouraging repeat purchases, as selling to existing customers is often easier than acquiring new ones.

Each add-on costs $0.70 USD (€0.69 EUR) and can be enabled per store in your Gelato account. Currently, pack-ins are available for three product types (various art prints) and in four countries (UK, USA, Germany, Sweden). However, Gelato plans to expand these options soon, potentially including print on demand t shirts and more locations.

Gelato’s Cost Of Goods for T-Shirts

Gelato’s product pricing is generally more competitive than Printful and often comparable to Printify. Recently, I’ve observed Gelato becoming even more price-competitive, particularly in certain markets for products like print on demand t shirts.

For example, a Bella Canvas 3001 t-shirt (medium size) is priced at $10.12, with shipping to the US mainland costing $4.66, totaling $14.78. This is more affordable than the $15.41+ you would expect to pay with Printify, and significantly less than Printful, making Gelato an attractive option for cost-conscious print on demand t shirt businesses.

Pricing may vary depending on your selling location. Gelato can be a more economical option in specific countries, particularly those outside the US. For instance, if you are based in the UK, Gelato is currently the most cost-effective POD option I have found for both art prints and t-shirts (Bella and Canvas).

Gelato also offers several discount opportunities:

• Quantity discounts: Applied when you order multiple units of the same product, beneficial for bulk orders or bundled print on demand t shirt offers.
• Gelato+ member discounts: Provides a 30% discount on all standard shipping.
• Gelato+ Gold subscription: Includes 30 days of free shipping with an annual plan, up to 50% discount on shipping, and 30% off branded labels and packaging inserts. These subscriptions can significantly reduce operational costs for businesses with high shipping volumes or branding needs for their print on demand t shirts.

Gelato’s Integrations for T-Shirt Businesses

Gelato offers easy-to-set-up integrations with most major e-commerce platforms, simplifying the management of your print on demand t shirt business.

Gelato Integrations for E-commerce Platforms

Additionally, they provide API options and integration through orderdesk.com for other platforms, ensuring integration possibilities with a wide range of e-commerce sites. This flexibility is crucial for businesses using less common platforms for selling print on demand t shirts.

Gelato’s Turnaround Time for T-Shirts

Production times on Gelato vary by product type. For most products, the predicted turnaround times are slightly faster than Printify or Printful. However, apparel, including print on demand t shirts, is an exception, with a slightly slower predicted turnaround compared to its top two competitors.

• Cards: 1-3 days
• Posters, Canvas, and Frames: 1-4 days
• Mugs: 2-3 days
• Acrylic and Metallic: 2-4 days
• Photobooks: 3-4 days
• Calendars: 2-3 days
• Apparel (including T-Shirts): 2-6 days

Despite the predicted 2-6 day turnaround for apparel, my personal experience indicates that most orders are shipped within 1-4 days, aligning well with Printify and Printful standards. Posters are often shipped within 48 hours. This generally efficient turnaround is suitable for most print on demand t shirt businesses, though it’s important to factor in potential variability.

Gelato’s Fulfillment Locations for T-Shirts

Gelato partners with over 140 local printing partners, ensuring a broad global reach. This extensive network increases the likelihood that your customers are located within proximity to a Gelato fulfillment center, reducing shipping times and costs for your print on demand t shirts.

Gelato fulfillment locations worldwideIt’s important to note that not all locations produce every product in Gelato’s catalog. However, Gelato provides clear visibility regarding product availability by country through a dropdown selection tool on each product page. This transparency helps you understand the fulfillment options for your print on demand t shirts in different markets.

As mentioned earlier, Gelato employs an “advanced routing algorithm” to select the optimal production location for each order. In most cases, products are fulfilled at the closest production center. However, orders may occasionally be shipped internationally if stock issues arise. Gelato reports that approximately 90% of orders are produced within the destination country, highlighting their efficiency in local fulfillment, which benefits shipping times and costs for print on demand t shirts.

Gelato Support

Gelato offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and provides a comprehensive FAQ and support section. I have found that most queries can be resolved through their support articles. Their responsive support system is crucial for quickly addressing any issues that may arise with your print on demand t shirt orders.

Any specific order issues I have encountered have been promptly resolved using the “report problem” button on the order page or through the live chat option. This efficient support system enhances the reliability of Gelato as a print on demand t shirt fulfillment partner.

Gelato Overall Verdict for Print On Demand T-Shirts

Gelato’s user-friendly system, responsive customer support, and expanding product offerings position it as a strong alternative to Printify and Printful, especially for businesses focused on print on demand t shirts and art prints. In fact, I would argue that if your store sells more internationally than in the USA or if art prints and posters, along with t-shirts, are your primary products, Gelato might be a superior option to Printify.

Gelato effectively addresses Printify’s main drawback – the need for manual order routing for international shipments or stock issues. They achieve this while maintaining competitive pricing. This automated routing is a significant advantage for businesses seeking streamlined international fulfillment for print on demand t shirts.

However, this automated routing and outsourcing model also implies less direct control, which can lead to potential inconsistencies in product prints. While these inconsistencies are generally minor and covered by their quality guarantee, they are a factor to consider if absolute consistency is paramount for your brand.

Is Gelato a serious contender against Printify and Printful? Yes, particularly for art prints, posters, and print on demand t shirts, especially for businesses with a global customer base.

Sign up with Gelato for T-Shirts here

Scalable Press for Print On Demand T-Shirts (Posters too)

Scalable Press is another long-standing player in the print on demand t shirt and white-label fulfillment industry. They handle fulfillment for several major brands, indicating their capacity to manage large-scale operations and maintain quality standards.

Scalable Press for Print On Demand

Their pricing is competitive (around $9 for a Bella Canvas t-shirt plus shipping), and their order process is relatively straightforward. However, their turnaround times can be inconsistent, ranging from very fast to occasionally longer than expected. This variability in turnaround is a key consideration when choosing Scalable Press for your print on demand t shirt business.

Overall, Scalable Press appears to focus more on serving large brands and bulk order production rather than catering specifically to the independent seller market of print on demand t shirts. This focus might influence their service offerings and support for smaller businesses.

However, for posters, I have found Scalable Press to be exceptionally competitively priced and consistently fast in turnaround times. I have been using them for my poster fulfillment for at least 12 months without any issues, consistently benefiting from their low prices and quick turnaround throughout the year. This specialization in posters, combined with their competitive pricing, makes them a strong contender for print on demand posters and potentially for businesses that bundle posters with print on demand t shirts.

While I cannot speak definitively to their print on demand t shirt printing quality based on extensive personal use, I confidently recommend Scalable Press as a cost-effective and fast print-on-demand poster fulfillment company. For print on demand t shirts, further testing and validation might be advisable to ensure they meet your quality and turnaround expectations.

This concludes my guide to the best Print on Demand sites specifically for artists and designers looking to sell print on demand t shirts and other merchandise.

Whether you’re looking for the best platform to sell shirts or other merchandise online, or you’re seeking alternatives to sites like Redbubble for your print on demand t shirt designs, this guide is designed to provide comprehensive insights.

I will compare Redbubble vs. TeeSpring, and many others, to help you identify the best place to showcase and sell your art on print on demand t shirts and products.

Best Print on Demand Sites for T-Shirt Artists

The 7 Best Print On Demand Sites for Selling T-Shirts:

Here’s my curated list of the top Print on Demand websites for selling print on demand t shirts right now: (click on the name to jump to my in-depth review of each)

In this section, I will discuss each of these Print on Demand sites in detail, explaining why they are beneficial for selling print on demand t shirts, and share my personal experiences with each platform.

Following these reviews, I will cover other notable Print on Demand sites (Zazzle, Spreadshirt, etc.) and provide recommendations for artists seeking a Print on Demand Storefront for their print on demand t shirt business.

The Best Place To Sell T-Shirts Online? (Redbubble vs TeeSpring vs Society6 vs Zazzle etc…)

To provide a data-driven comparison, I’ve researched and compiled data for each site, looking at their total monthly visitor numbers, organic traffic, social media followers, and more. This analysis will help you understand the potential reach and market presence of each platform for selling print on demand t shirts.

What Is A Print on Demand Website for T-Shirts?

My definition of a ‘Print on Demand Site’ in the context of print on demand t shirts is any e-commerce website that:

• Allows artists to upload artwork, specifically designs intended for print on demand t shirts.
• Takes that art and makes it available for sale on products, primarily t-shirts, but also potentially other merchandise.
• Prints that artwork onto a product (t-shirt) and ships that product to customers (without any direct involvement from the artist), managing the fulfillment process for print on demand t shirts.
• Pays the artist a royalty for every sale of their print on demand t shirts and other products.

The best print on demand sites for artists, particularly those focused on print on demand t shirts, will attract a high volume of visitors, have strong organic reach (traffic from Google), and make it straightforward for artists and designers to upload their work and generate sales. These sites enable you to earn money from your drawings, illustrations, artwork, and designs, primarily on print on demand t shirts, with minimal effort beyond the initial upload.

Print on Demand Sites vs. Print on Demand Companies (Redbubble vs Printful) for T-Shirts

It is crucial to understand that a Print on Demand Site is not the same as a Print on Demand Fulfillment Company, especially when discussing print on demand t shirts.

POD sites vs POD companies for T-ShirtsPrint on Demand (Fulfillment) Companies (like Printful) serve as a white-label ‘back-end’ for online stores, allowing artists to set up their own stores on custom domains or sell through marketplaces like Etsy. These companies handle the production and shipping of print on demand t shirts and other products.

Print on demand companies are not platforms where customers directly purchase t-shirts. Instead, they are services used by artists and sellers to fulfill orders to their customers for print on demand t shirts and other merchandise.

Conversely, Print on Demand Sites (like Redbubble) are self-contained websites where customers do directly purchase products, including print on demand t shirts. A Print on Demand Site offers a much simpler and faster route for artists to monetize their designs on print on demand t shirts compared to using a Print on Demand company, as they handle the customer interface and marketing.

1. Merch By Amazon for Print On Demand T-Shirts

Merch By Amazon Review for T-ShirtsI considered omitting Merch By Amazon from this list because, technically, it isn’t a standalone print on demand site. However, for selling print on demand t shirts, it is such a significant platform that it warrants inclusion.

Merch By Amazon is a Print on Demand program integrated within Amazon’s ecosystem (currently accessible on Amazon’s U.S., U.K., German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese sites). It’s not an independent website like others in this guide (such as Redbubble, etc.), nor is it simply a Print on Demand fulfillment company. It is a unique hybrid, offering direct access to Amazon’s vast customer base for your print on demand t shirts.

Given its integration within Amazon, obtaining direct traffic and search data for Merch By Amazon is challenging. However, it’s reasonable to assume that if Merch By Amazon were a standalone site (if it could be extracted from Amazon and analyzed as a distinct entity), it would dwarf all other platforms listed here in terms of visitors, organic traffic, and overall sales volume for print on demand t shirts.

What’s Good About Merch By Amazon for T-Shirt Sellers:

It’s Amazon, Of Course

Merch By Amazon provides designers with the unparalleled opportunity to list and sell various popular apparel products, particularly print on demand t shirts, on the world’s largest online store and one of the most frequently visited websites globally.

Merch By Amazon Traffic for T-Shirt SalesAmazon is both a massive marketplace and one of the internet’s largest search engines (as many users search directly on Amazon). This dual nature means you can potentially reach a larger customer base for your print on demand t shirts here than on any other platform (at least theoretically).

Prime Shipping & Amazon as Seller for T-Shirts

Merch By Amazon products, including print on demand t shirts, are shipped ‘Prime,’ making it one of the fastest ways to deliver a t-shirt to a customer. This Prime eligibility significantly enhances customer appeal and conversion rates for print on demand t shirts.

Having your designs sold through Merch By Amazon also provides the significant advantage of being associated with one of the world’s most recognized and trusted brands. (Consider: would you prefer to buy a t-shirt from Amazon directly or from a lesser-known company?) This trust factor can substantially boost sales for your print on demand t shirts.

Flexible Royalties for T-Shirt Artists

Merch By Amazon allows you to set your own royalty rate for each sale of your print on demand t shirts.

Merch By Amazon Royalties for T-Shirt DesignersWhile you are constrained by the base cost of products and face competition from other designers, this flexibility is a key advantage. Unlike platforms like Teepublic, you are not bound by a fixed royalty, allowing for strategic pricing of your print on demand t shirts.

What’s Bad About Merch By Amazon for T-Shirt Artists:

Invite Only Access

You cannot simply sign up for Merch By Amazon and begin selling print on demand t shirts immediately. You must apply for an invitation and be approved first. This selective access can be a barrier for new entrants to the print on demand t shirt market.

In contrast, many other Print on Demand sites listed in this guide have an ‘open door’ policy for new sign-ups, making it easier to start selling print on demand t shirts quickly.

Merch by Amazon’s processing time for invitation requests varies, with no fixed timeline or guarantee of approval. If you are considering Merch By Amazon for your print on demand t shirt business, it’s advisable to request an invite promptly.

Copycats, ‘Improve-cats’, Under-cutting, and More

Due to the flexible royalty system, Amazon’s open marketplace environment, and its sheer scale, Merch By Amazon has a persistent issue with design theft (copycats) or ‘improve-cats’ (those who slightly modify popular designs). This problem is particularly pronounced in the print on demand t shirt category.

Merch By Amazon products feature a public ‘BSR’ rating (Amazon’s internal ‘best-seller’ rank).

This BSR makes it easy to identify currently popular print on demand t shirt designs, making it simple for copycats and ‘improve-cats’ to replicate successful designs and undercut original creators.

In essence, once you have a successful print on demand t shirt design on Amazon, it is likely to be quickly copied and offered at a lower price, potentially reducing your sales and profits.

Merch By Amazon Copycats for T-Shirt ArtWhile you can report Copyright infringement to Amazon, the outcomes are inconsistent. Amazon’s system does not effectively prevent copycats from re-uploading stolen designs after an initial takedown.

This reality often leads to artists spending considerable time playing ‘whack-a-copycat,’ continuously searching for and reporting copyright infringements, only to see them reappear shortly after. This ongoing battle against design theft can be particularly frustrating for print on demand t shirt artists on Merch By Amazon.

Note: The issue of copycats and art theft is not exclusive to Merch By Amazon, though it is more prominent due to the public BSR, the flexible royalty rate, and the massive scale of the Amazon marketplace.

I have also found that other Print on Demand sites are generally more consistent in removing infringing designs following copyright takedown requests, offering slightly better protection for print on demand t shirt designs.

Limited Branding Options For T-Shirt Artists

Merch By Amazon offers very limited branding and audience-building opportunities for artists selling print on demand t shirts.

When you upload designs to Merch by Amazon, you are essentially providing designs to Amazon, and little else. Branding opportunities for your print on demand t shirt business are minimal.

Unlike almost all other Print On Demand sites, Merch By Amazon lacks a public ‘profile’ system. Apart from a single line of text on each product listing (your brand link), you cannot effectively use Merch By Amazon to build your brand profile or attract a following for your print on demand t shirts. (No profile or header images, no social media links, no artist bios).

Merch By Amazon branding limitations for artistsThis may change in the future, but currently, Merch By Amazon is primarily a cash-flow-focused strategy for artists, albeit potentially a very lucrative one, especially for print on demand t shirts. Brand building for print on demand t shirt businesses is largely external to the platform.

So Why Is Merch By Amazon #1 On My List for T-Shirts?

Despite its drawbacks, Merch By Amazon remains the top Print on Demand opportunity for artists, particularly those focused on print on demand t shirts, due to its sheer size and reach. No other Print on Demand site comes close to Amazon’s scale.

This scale translates directly to greater visibility for your designs. All else being equal, your print on demand t shirt designs are more likely to be seen on Amazon, and consequently, more likely to be purchased.

Is Merch By Amazon Profitable for T-Shirt Sales?

Yes, Merch By Amazon can be highly profitable, as there are no direct costs to participate. Creating an account, uploading designs, and selling print on demand t shirts on the platform is free.

With the potential for high royalties and consistent organic traffic from Amazon’s massive user base, the average artist or designer can likely earn more from Merch By Amazon than from any other platform, especially with well-optimized print on demand t shirt designs.

However, the crucial caveat is that not everything is equal!

Your actual earnings from Merch By Amazon, particularly from print on demand t shirts, depend on several factors:

• The target audience for your designs: How well do your print on demand t shirt designs resonate with Amazon’s customer demographics?
• How many designs you have: The more print on demand t shirt designs you upload, the greater your potential for visibility and sales.
• How good your ideas and designs are: High-quality, appealing print on demand t shirt designs are essential for success.
• How effective your descriptive data is (Title, Keywords, Bullet Points): Optimizing your listings with relevant keywords is crucial for discoverability on Amazon for print on demand t shirts.
• The existing competition on Amazon for similar designs: The level of competition in your niche for print on demand t shirts will impact your visibility and sales.
• The future competition on Amazon for similar designs (copycats / legitimate competition): The dynamic nature of competition, including the emergence of copycats, affects long-term profitability of print on demand t shirt designs.

..but statistically, 100 well-optimized print on demand t shirt designs uploaded to Merch By Amazon will likely generate more revenue than 100 designs on any other print on demand site, largely due to the vast difference in traffic (potential customers).

Important Point: It’s essential to note that while traffic volume is a significant factor in estimating sales potential, it is not a guarantee of higher sales for print on demand t shirts.

For instance, you might find that your print on demand t shirt designs sell exceptionally well on Society6 but fail to gain traction on Merch By Amazon. This discrepancy can occur because each platform attracts distinct customer demographics and has varying levels of competition. Your designs may simply resonate better with Society6’s audience. In other words, high traffic numbers are not the only determinant of success in print on demand t shirts.

Ultimately, if you can effectively capture even a small fraction of the market on any of these platforms, you can potentially achieve a substantial income. Therefore, do not be solely guided by traffic metrics. Focus on design quality, niche relevance, and effective marketing for your print on demand t shirts.

My Experience With Merch By Amazon for T-Shirts

Unsurprisingly, Merch By Amazon is my primary source of royalty earnings and has been since its inception. This dominance is expected to continue because Amazon remains the world’s largest online marketplace.

I foresee no significant shift in this dynamic in the near future, as Amazon’s market dominance in e-commerce, especially for products like print on demand t shirts, is firmly established.

If you can secure an account invitation and effectively manage the copycat issue, Merch By Amazon is likely the most profitable platform for licensing your print on demand t shirt designs online today.

2. Redbubble for Print On Demand T-Shirts

Redbubble for Print On Demand T-Shirts> Note: Redbubble has introduced seller tiers, including fees for those in the ‘standard’ tier. This change complicates Redbubble’s recommendation as many sellers now face fees that reduce their earnings. For detailed information on these changes, see Redbubble’s official announcement here.

Now that Merch By Amazon has been discussed, we can move on to the ‘true’ Print on Demand sites, with Redbubble being a leading example for print on demand t shirts.

Redbubble, an Australian company, is the largest standalone print on demand marketplace by total traffic and organic traffic. It has experienced consistent growth over the past several years, establishing itself as a major player in the print on demand t shirt market.

What’s Good About Redbubble for T-Shirt Sales

Redbubble’s Organic Search Traffic for T-Shirts

Redbubble has substantial organic reach, meaning it attracts a significant amount of traffic from search engines. This is particularly beneficial for print on demand t shirt sellers looking to leverage SEO.

This strong organic presence is advantageous for independent designers and artists without a large pre-existing audience. Redbubble is effective at ensuring your designs, especially print on demand t shirts, appear in Google search results, particularly for ‘long-tail’ keywords and niche search terms.

Currently, Redbubble is arguably the best and easiest platform for getting your print on demand t shirt designs visible to users searching on Google, without any direct advertising costs.

Redbubble’s Brand Growth for T-Shirt Market

Redbubble is increasingly recognized as a brand in its own right, which is beneficial for artists selling print on demand t shirts.

This brand recognition is advantageous for several reasons. Primarily, it indicates that Redbubble is likely increasing its visitor numbers beyond just Google searches for niche terms. The more customers Redbubble attracts, the higher the potential sales volume for your print on demand t shirts.

Redbubble’s Product Quality for T-Shirts

Redbubble outsources production to print-on-demand companies globally to produce and ship its products, including print on demand t shirts. The quality of goods can vary significantly depending on the printing partner and the specific product. It’s important to monitor product quality for your print on demand t shirt line and address any inconsistencies with Redbubble’s support.

Flexible Artist Margins for T-Shirt Designs

Redbubble offers flexible margin settings on its products, including print on demand t shirts. Customers on Redbubble are often willing to pay slightly higher prices compared to other platforms, providing an opportunity to increase your profit margins on print on demand t shirts.

Redbubble Margins for T-Shirt Artists

Artist Branding Options on Redbubble

Designed with artists in mind, Redbubble provides several branding options for sellers, including profile and header images and links to social media. These features help you build a brand presence for your print on demand t shirt business.

Redbubble also integrates internal ‘follow,’ ‘like,’ and ‘bubble mail’ features and actively promotes artists on their homepage. They also offer a mobile app, enhancing artist engagement and visibility for print on demand t shirts.

Redbubble Artist Profile for T-Shirt Sellers

Google Shopping Ads and Re-Targeting for T-Shirts

Redbubble uses Google Shopping ads and re-targeting to promote designs, including print on demand t shirts, at no direct cost to you. This promotional strategy increases the visibility of your designs to potential customers who are most likely to make a purchase.

What’s Not Good About Redbubble for T-Shirt Sales

Time Consuming Upload Process for T-Shirt Designs

Redbubble offers a vast array of products, which, while beneficial, means you may spend a significant amount of time optimizing your artwork for each product, including various print on demand t shirt styles.

The upload and configuration process for products on Redbubble, especially for the extensive range of print on demand t shirt options, is not the most efficient. While not the worst, it is not as streamlined as Teepublic.

Redbubble Product Range including T-Shirts

Copycats and Infringement Issues

Redbubble is not immune to copycat designs and broader copyright and IP infringement issues, particularly concerning popular print on demand t shirt designs.

Redbubble currently does not appear to use automatic artwork scanning to detect and compare designs against existing uploads. This lack of proactive monitoring means direct copycats can and do emerge. Additionally, because sellers control margins, undercutting by competitors is theoretically possible, although less common for print on demand t shirts than on platforms with more transparent pricing data.

However, the copycat issue is less pronounced than on Merch By Amazon because it is not as easy to determine which designs are currently trending or selling well on Redbubble.

My Review Of Redbubble for T-Shirt Artists

Redbubble remains a solid platform for selling print on demand t shirts. Their strong organic reach ensures that once you list a design, it has a good chance of ranking in Google searches. Their existing brand audience is also well-suited to many types of designs, including print on demand t shirts.

Given Redbubble’s scale and reach, it is an ideal platform for almost any artist looking to tap into free organic traffic for their print on demand t shirt business. It is particularly effective for pop culture and ‘artsy’ designs but is not limited to these categories.

For example, even if your design style is more aligned with Society6 (florals, patterns, watercolors), it is still beneficial to list your work on Redbubble to broaden your reach and potential sales for print on demand t shirts.

Sell On Redbubble for T-Shirts

To maximize your success on Redbubble with print on demand t shirts, check out my in-depth guide: How To Sell On Redbubble.

3. Teepublic for Print On Demand T-Shirts

Teepublic for Print On Demand T-ShirtsTeepublic is owned by Redbubble but maintains a separate site and artist accounts. It is a strong platform for selling print on demand t shirts, especially for designs that capitalize on current trends.

Teepublic has adopted and, in some aspects, enhanced the Redbubble model. However, recent changes have made it less of a completely open marketplace.

What’s Good About Teepublic for T-Shirt Sales

Great Organic Reach for T-Shirt Designs

Teepublic Traffic for T-Shirt SalesTeepublic has a high level of organic traffic, second only to Redbubble in the print on demand t shirt space.

This high organic traffic indicates that Teepublic is very effective at ranking designs and categories in Google search results, driving significant traffic back to Teepublic, particularly for print on demand t shirts.

Best Ever Upload Process for T-Shirt Art

Teepublic offers, in my opinion, the quickest and most user-friendly upload process in the Print on Demand industry, making it exceptionally efficient for listing print on demand t shirts.

While they may not offer as many product types as Redbubble or Society6, Teepublic still covers all major categories, especially for apparel, and manages to simplify product configuration significantly. Many platforms could benefit from adopting Teepublic’s approach to streamline the often tedious upload process, particularly for print on demand t shirts.

Increasing Brand Awareness for T-Shirt Market

Teepublic shows strong growth in brand searches, indicating increasing brand recognition. Like Redbubble, this growth suggests that Teepublic is becoming better known and attracting more visitors, which positively impacts artists selling print on demand t shirts on the platform.

Fewer Incentives For Copycats of T-Shirt Designs

Teepublic’s fixed royalty rates reduce the incentive for copycats and ‘improve-cats’ to undercut your designs. This fixed royalty structure provides a more stable pricing environment for print on demand t shirts.

While copycats still exist on Teepublic, the fixed royalty means they must sell their designs at the same price as yours, removing the direct price undercutting incentive found on platforms like Merch by Amazon or Redbubble.

What’s Not So Good About Teepublic for T-Shirt Sales

Fixed Royalties Are Low (and Can Decrease Further)

Teepublic’s fixed royalties are just $4 per t-shirt, which can drop to $2 during sale periods. This low royalty rate can impact profitability, especially for artists accustomed to higher margins.

Teepublic Royalties for T-Shirt ArtistsDespite the lower per-sale royalty, Teepublic often matches or slightly surpasses my monthly royalties on Redbubble. This performance indicates that Teepublic’s sale scheduling and promotional activities are highly effective in driving volume.

In essence, while the royalty per individual sale may be lower, Teepublic’s effective traffic generation during sales periods ensures that my total monthly royalties remain strong, particularly from print on demand t shirts.

IP & Copyright Infringement Issues

Like Redbubble, Teepublic faces challenges with IP and copyright infringement. While it is not easy for copycats to directly see top-selling designs, infringing on designs remains relatively straightforward.

Additionally, a significant portion of designs on Teepublic are either IP-infringing or borderline infringing. This prevalence of potentially infringing content might raise concerns about the platform’s long-term sustainability and legal compliance for some artists, especially those focused on creating original print on demand t shirt designs.

My Experience With Teepublic for T-Shirt Sales

I genuinely enjoy selling on Teepublic. While other platforms have seen fluctuations in performance over the years, Teepublic has maintained steady growth or at least remained consistently stable, especially in the print on demand t shirt market.

In fact, Teepublic is nearing my monthly earnings on Redbubble, and I have heard similar reports from other artists and designers. This performance is particularly notable in the competitive print on demand t shirt sector.

While Teepublic may not be the ideal platform for every artist, if your design style leans towards pop culture or humorous themes primarily intended for t-shirts, giving Teepublic a try is highly recommended.

Sell On Teepublic for T-Shirts

For a comprehensive guide to selling your work on Teepublic, specifically focusing on print on demand t shirts, check out my in-depth guide: How To Sell On Teepublic.

Sample Order DiscountsGet Exclusive POD Discount Codes

Get the full PDF guide & exclusive discounts on the top Print on Demand Companies for print on demand t shirts.

4. Society6 for Print On Demand T-Shirts

Society6 recently announced significant changes, transitioning from an open marketplace to a curated model, working only with a select group of artists. More details are available here. Unless you are already a selected seller on Society6, most of the following information may no longer be applicable.

Society6 for Print On Demand T-ShirtsSociety6 is a smaller platform compared to Teepublic or Redbubble (approximately half the traffic of Teepublic). However, it boasts a substantial social media following, and its traffic and brand searches remain stable. For artists whose style aligns with Society6’s aesthetic, it can be a valuable platform for selling print on demand t shirts and home decor.

While Society6 may not have the extensive organic reach of larger platforms, if your artistic style resonates with their aesthetic and audience, it could be an excellent venue for your art, including print on demand t shirts.

What’s Good About Society6 for T-Shirt Sales

Society6’s Clear Brand Identity

Society6 has a well-defined aesthetic, focusing on modern home decor and wall art. This clear brand identity helps attract a specific audience, which can be advantageous if your style aligns with their offerings.

Society6 Wall Art and Home DecorThey are less t-shirt-centric than Redbubble or Teepublic, featuring more patterns, florals, watercolors, and abstract art, and fewer pop culture-driven, bold, novelty t-shirt graphics. This focus is crucial to consider if you are primarily interested in print on demand t shirts.

This specialization is beneficial if your artwork aligns with their style but less so if it does not. However, it provides clarity on platform suitability. (Contrast this with sites like Zazzle, Spreadshirt, or Cafepress, where identifying a target style or demographic is significantly more challenging).

Large, Brand-Aware Audience

Society6 leverages regular promotional emails and a significant social media presence to drive traffic from sources other than organic search. This marketing effort can benefit artists featured in their promotions.

This built-in audience can be particularly advantageous if your designs are featured or promoted by Society6. If your work aligns with Society6’s style, there is a higher likelihood of being featured and promoted, increasing visibility and potential sales for your print on demand t shirts.

Decent Percentage Of Organic Traffic

Despite not having the highest overall traffic, Society6 still derives a healthy 39% of its traffic from organic search. This indicates that they maintain a reasonable level of SEO effectiveness.

This organic reach means your work on Society6, including print on demand t shirts, has a reasonable chance of appearing in Google search results, driving additional traffic to your listings.

Artist Branding Options

Society6 provides several branding options, including an artist bio, a follow function, and standard profile images and headers. These tools help artists build a brand presence and engage with their audience on the platform, even for print on demand t shirts.

What’s Not Good About Society6 for T-Shirt Sales

Lower Overall Traffic, Low Organic Reach

Society6 does not have the traffic volume or organic reach of Merch By Amazon, Redbubble, or Teepublic. This reduced traffic volume makes it more challenging to gain visibility for your work unless you actively drive your own traffic.

This lower traffic environment makes it harder to achieve high sales volumes unless you are prepared to invest in self-promotion and external marketing to drive traffic to your Society6 store and print on demand t shirt listings.

Their Style May Not Fit Your Style

Society6’s focus on florals, pastels, watercolors, abstract wall art, and home decor may not be suitable for all artists. If your style leans more towards pop culture or bold graphics, Society6 may not be the ideal platform.

Society6 Art Style ExamplesIf your primary design focus is on funny pop culture t-shirts, Society6 may not be the optimal platform. However, if your style aligns with their aesthetic, it can be a good fit.

This stylistic niche means that Society6 may not be the best platform for artists whose primary output is straightforward t-shirt designs, particularly those targeting mass-market appeal or pop culture themes.

Complicated Upload Process

Society6’s upload process is more complex compared to platforms like Teepublic. While they offer a wider range of products, the configuration process can be somewhat daunting, especially for artists new to print on demand t shirts and merchandise.

While the extensive product range is a benefit, the more complex upload process can be time-consuming, requiring more effort to properly set up listings for print on demand t shirts and other products.

My Experience With Society6 for T-Shirt Sales

I have had designs on Society6 since 2015, but it has never been a major revenue generator for me. This is likely because my design style does not perfectly align with Society6’s audience and overall aesthetic.

I attribute my lower sales volume on Society6 to the misalignment between my design style and their target audience. My designs are more ‘straight-forward’ t-shirt graphics, which do not always translate well to wall art or home decor, especially if you are targeting family-friendly, inspirational themes.

You should assess whether Society6 aligns with your artistic style. If it does, investing time and effort into the platform may be worthwhile. If not, it is better to focus on platforms that are a better fit for your print on demand t shirt designs and artistic style.

Sell On Society6 for Art & T-Shirts

If your work aligns with Society6, you may also want to consider Spoonflower. Spoonflower specializes in fabric and wallpaper and serves a similar demographic with a comparable aesthetic style to Society6, which could be another avenue for your print on demand designs.

6. Displate for Print On Demand Art (and potential for Art-Based T-Shirts)

Displate Review for Print On Demand ArtDisplate is a smaller platform but shows significant growth and has a large social media following. It is a promising platform, particularly if your art is well-suited to metal prints, and potentially for art-based print on demand t shirts as they expand their product offerings. Could Displate become a major player in the future?

Their traffic volume is relatively low, but they dominate a niche product category (metal wall prints). This specialization could be an advantage if your artistic style and target audience align with Displate’s focus.

What’s Good About Displate for Artists

Well Organised Site, Nicely Categorised

Displate features a well-organized and categorized site. For platforms with lower organic reach, effective categorization and collections are crucial for helping customers find desired products and for artists to understand where their work best fits within the platform. This organization is beneficial for both customers and artists selling on Displate.

Growth In Organic Traffic

Displate Traffic GrowthDisplate is experiencing significant growth in organic traffic. This growth trajectory is a positive indicator of their increasing SEO effectiveness.

While current organic traffic numbers may be lower compared to larger platforms, Displate is moving in the right direction. Displate is one of only four sites in my research showing growth in both brand searches and organic traffic, suggesting strong potential for future expansion and increased visibility for artists.

Huge Social Media Reach and Increasing Brand Searches

Displate boasts impressive social media metrics, especially on Facebook, and is showing strong growth in brand-specific searches. This indicates increasing brand awareness and direct customer engagement.

If your artistic style aligns with Displate’s audience, you could benefit from their growing brand awareness and social media reach.

Easy Upload Process

Displate’s upload process is straightforward and user-friendly, as expected from a platform primarily offering a single product type (metal prints). This simplicity streamlines the process for artists to list their work.

What’s Not Good About Displate for Artists

Still A Smaller Platform

The lower traffic volume on Displate means it may not yet generate substantial royalty earnings compared to larger platforms. However, being an early entrant on a growing platform can be advantageous, allowing you to establish a presence and potentially dominate specific niches as traffic increases.

Some Infringing Material

Displate, being a younger company, appears to have a more lenient approach to content moderation. Currently, there are numerous borderline infringing designs available, which may contribute to sales. However, this approach could pose risks regarding long-term platform sustainability and legal compliance.

My Experience With Displate

My experience with Displate is limited as I have only listed a few designs for a few months. However, their platform system is streamlined and user-friendly, and they seem to be effectively managing promotions.

While it is still early to assess Displate’s long-term viability for my designs, initial signs are promising. The low effort required to upload designs makes it a worthwhile platform to explore. You can easily upload your artwork and monitor performance over time with minimal ongoing effort.

Sell On Displate for Art

7. Threadless for Print On Demand T-Shirts and Art

Threadless Review for Print On Demand Art and T-ShirtsThreadless is a more complex platform because it offers artists multiple avenues for selling their work:

1. Submissions / Challenges: Artists can submit designs to Threadless’ Design Challenges, including their open-ended challenge without specific themes. High-scoring or selected artwork becomes available for sale on the main Threadless.com site. This submission-based model is unique compared to other platforms.
2. Threadless Artist Shops: Artists can create a Threadless Artist Shop, providing a customizable storefront hosted by Threadless (e.g., yourname.threadless.com). Threadless handles all printing, shipping, and customer service, but artists are responsible for driving traffic to their shops. This option is more akin to having your own branded store within the Threadless ecosystem.
3. Threadless Search / ‘Discover’: Artists with an Artist Shop can choose to include their designs in Threadless’ ‘Discover’ section. This inclusion allows designs to be searchable and discoverable by users browsing the main threadless.com website, expanding visibility beyond just direct shop visitors. This option is crucial for leveraging Threadless’ internal traffic.

While options 1 and 2 are less relevant for direct comparison with other sites in this list, option 3 allows Threadless to be categorized as a Print on Demand site, albeit with unique characteristics.

What’s Good About Threadless for Artists

Big Social Following

Threadless has been a long-standing presence in the online art and t-shirt community, considered one of the pioneers in online t-shirt sales and a recognized brand name.

This longevity has helped Threadless build a considerable social media following, larger than any other platform listed here, and presumably a substantial email newsletter subscriber base.

Threadless actively promotes its platform through frequent emails and regular sales events. If your designs are featured on the main Threadless platform, you can benefit from this promotional activity and potentially see increased sales for your print on demand t shirts and art.

Consistent Style And Approach

Threadless maintains a fairly consistent style and curates the type of designs they feature. This curated approach ensures a certain aesthetic quality and brand identity.

Threadless Design ExamplesYou will find fewer IP-infringing or overtly edgy designs on Threadless. The platform tends to showcase truly independent, unique, and original pop culture designs from individual artists. If your artistic style aligns with this mold, Threadless is worth considering.

Easy Upload Process

The upload and listing process for Artist Shops (and inclusion in the ‘discover’ section) is relatively straightforward. While not as streamlined as Teepublic, it is still reasonably efficient, making it easier for artists to manage their listings.

What’s Not So Good About Threadless for Artists

Low Traffic, Decreasing Organic Reach

Threadless suffers from low traffic volumes. According to SimilarWeb stats, its traffic is behind even Displate and closer to that of Bonfire. This lower traffic volume is a significant limitation compared to larger platforms.

Only 22% of Threadless’ traffic is organic, significantly lower than Society6, FineArtAmerica, and far behind Teepublic and Redbubble. This low organic reach means Threadless relies more heavily on its own marketing and promotions to drive sales, rather than organic search traffic.

Decreasing Brand Searches, Poor Reputation

Threadless appears to have experienced a decline in reputation recently. Its organic traffic is not growing, and Google searches for ‘Threadless’ have been decreasing over time. This trend suggests a potential decline in brand popularity and overall platform visibility.

Low Royalties

Threadless offers disappointingly low royalties, especially if you allow Threadless to manage your Shop’s pricing and promotions. Threadless frequently runs deep sales, with t-shirts sometimes priced as low as $12 (possibly the lowest price among Print on Demand sites listed here).

With such low list prices, artist royalties can be minimal. Artists might earn as little as $1 or even $0.50 per t-shirt sale (I have personally seen shirts sold for $22 that earned just $1 in royalty, which is exceptionally low). This royalty percentage is even worse than Teepublic, where a sale t-shirt at $14 nets the artist $2. The low royalty rates significantly impact artist earnings on Threadless.

My Experience With Threadless for Artists

Overall, Threadless functions well as a basic storefront and provides some potential exposure through its ‘discover’ system. However, if you are seeking substantial organic traffic and sales, Threadless is unlikely to deliver unless your designs are selected for inclusion in their main ‘Threadless’ collection.

Sell On Threadless for Art & T-Shirts

What About Zazzle, Spreadshirt, CafePress, DesignbyHumans… etc?

Small Print on Demand Players With Potential

As previously mentioned, independent artists do not necessarily need to sell on platforms with millions of monthly visitors to generate a sustainable and respectable income from their art, including print on demand t shirts.

If you can establish a niche and capture a decent segment of a smaller traffic site, you can still achieve a solid monthly income. This is particularly relevant for artists focusing on niche print on demand t shirt markets.

The following sites may not have high traffic ratings but could still be worth considering, depending on the alignment between your designs and their audience demographics. These platforms might offer unique communities or niches that are well-suited to specific print on demand t shirt styles.

Other Print on Demand Options For Artists

If you are looking for more avenues to sell your art on products and manage fulfillment, consider these additional options:

• A Print on Demand Storefront (discussed below): Setting up your own branded storefront provides greater control and branding opportunities for your print on demand t shirt business.
• Selling on a marketplace (e.g., Etsy, Amazon Seller Central) using a Print on Demand company like Printful or Printify: This approach combines marketplace reach with the fulfillment capabilities of dedicated POD companies, offering a balance between control and visibility for print on demand t shirt sales.
• Selling on your own site (using platforms like WooCommerce, Shopify, etc.) again using a Print on Demand company like Printful: This option provides maximum control over your brand and customer experience, ideal for building a long-term print on demand t shirt brand.

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Other Notable Print-On-Demand Companies for T-Shirts:

Besides the companies reviewed above, numerous other on-demand t-shirt printing companies are available. Here is a list of additional Printful and Printify alternatives and competitors you might want to explore for your print on demand t shirt business:

Do you know another Print-On-Demand Company that should be listed here? Message me and let me know.

Other POD Considerations, Tips and Advice for T-Shirt Businesses

Print-On-Demand T-Shirt Companies involve numerous moving parts. Here are some tips and advice to better prepare you for success in your POD business in 2025, particularly for print on demand t shirts.

Shipping And Other Costs for T-Shirt Businesses

POD Shipping Prices for T-ShirtsMost Fulfillment companies charge similar shipping prices, typically passing on the direct shipping costs. However, shipping expenses can significantly impact your profitability in the print on demand t shirt business.

Always factor in shipping costs. A low t-shirt production cost may not translate into significant profit if shipping expenses are disproportionately high.

In addition to shipping, other costs can affect your bottom line. If you use a marketplace, you will likely incur fees based on a percentage of sales. Selling through your own branded store also involves payment processing fees from services like PayPal or Stripe.

These fees, though seemingly small percentages, can accumulate and significantly reduce your profit margins, especially at lower price points for print on demand t shirts.

Other potential additional costs include (but are not limited to):

• Monthly fees or listing fees from marketplaces (Amazon, Etsy, etc.) or from your web host or e-commerce platform (e.g., Shopify).
• Monthly fees from your fulfillment partner. (e.g., Printify’s Premium Plan costs $29/month).
• Sales tax or other taxes: Tax obligations vary by location and sales volume and should be accounted for in your pricing strategy.

There may be other expenses, such as costs for Shopify apps or other software tools. For a basic print on demand t shirt business with a fulfillment partner, the above-mentioned costs are the primary ones to consider and integrate into your financial planning.

Production Techniques for T-Shirt Printing

The primary printing technique used by print-on-demand fulfillment companies for t-shirts is DTG (Direct-To-Garment) printing. DTG is essentially a large CMYK printer that prints directly onto fabric, ideal for most t-shirt designs.

DTG vs Sublimation for T-Shirt PrintingDTG printing is suitable for the majority of t-shirt designs. However, if you require ‘All-over-printing’ (Sublimation) or embroidery, your fulfillment options may be more limited. Not all POD companies offer these specialized techniques, so verify provider capabilities if these are essential for your print on demand t shirt designs.

Branding Options: Logos on Packaging, Pack-Ins, Custom Labels and Warehousing for T-Shirt Businesses

Branding is crucial for independent sellers and artists aiming to create a distinctive brand identity for their print on demand t shirt business. POD fulfillment services can sometimes limit branding opportunities, as many companies primarily offer white-label services.

Most t-shirt fulfillment printers typically ship products in unmarked poly-bags, lacking any branding that identifies the origin to the customer. The design on the t-shirt is often the only brand identifier. However, some providers are starting to offer enhanced branding options.

Printful offers options to print custom labels inside or outside garments (at an additional cost) and sleeve prints. They also provide package branding options such as a brand logo on the package (FREE), custom packing slips (FREE, with logo and optional custom message), and the ability to include ‘pack-ins’ like stickers or promotional items (not free, requires you to supply and ship these to Printful, with storage and picking fees).

Printful custom branding options for t-shirtsWhile these branding options can increase costs and reduce profit margins, they can significantly enhance the customer experience and brand perception, which is valuable for building a long-term print on demand t shirt brand.

Printaura is another fulfillment company known for offering comprehensive branding options, as shown below:

Printaura DTG POD Branding for T-ShirtsPrintful also offers warehousing services for non-POD goods. This allows you to use them for fulfilling orders of products you have manufactured or sourced independently (e.g., bulk orders of screen-printed shirts or stickers). Warehousing services incur storage and fulfillment fees but provide a convenient option for managing diverse product lines within your print on demand t shirt business. Integration is also available directly with e-commerce platforms.

Refunds, Returns, and Customer Service for T-Shirt Businesses

Even when using a fulfillment company, your customers will interact with you directly. They will contact you for refund requests, complaints, and delivery inquiries, not your fulfillment partner.

Refunds in DTG printing are complex due to the custom-made nature of each product. Most fulfillment companies typically do not offer refunds unless there is a verifiable issue with print or product quality.

This policy means that if you decide to honor a customer’s refund request for reasons other than product defects, you will likely absorb the cost of the original fulfillment and shipping, resulting in a financial loss on that order.

Therefore, it’s crucial to establish a clear refund policy for your print on demand t shirt business. Will you offer no refunds, or will you absorb the cost of returns to maintain customer satisfaction?

Keeping your refund rate low is essential for profitability. If your monthly sales volume is substantial, occasional refunds should not significantly impact your overall earnings. However, planning for potential refunds is a prudent business practice.

One strategy to mitigate losses from refunds is to reuse returned shirts whenever possible. You can ask customers to return shirts directly to you rather than the fulfillment company. These returned shirts can then be repurposed for giveaways or contests on social media platforms like Instagram. (This approach allows you to recoup some value and generate positive engagement.)

Alternatively, you could collect refunded shirts throughout the year and donate them to charity at year-end. This charitable donation could be promoted in a feel-good social media post, enhancing your brand’s social responsibility image.

Selling Via A Marketplace vs. Your Own Store for T-Shirt Businesses

Your Own Print-On-Demand T-Shirt StoreIf you aim to build a long-term brand for your print on demand t shirt business, retaining customer data is crucial. Customer data allows you to market to your customer base for future sales and brand engagement.

Selling on marketplaces like Amazon or Etsy limits your access to customer data. Marketplaces typically restrict data sharing to protect customer privacy and platform control.

In contrast, creating your own store on platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce enables you to:

• Collect email addresses and physical addresses of all customers, facilitating future marketing campaigns and direct customer communication for your print on demand t shirt business.
• Incentivize customers to provide their email addresses (e.g., with discount coupons), expanding your marketing database.
• Install a Facebook Pixel (or Google equivalent) to retarget customers and build audiences of similar potential buyers. These tools are invaluable for targeted advertising and customer acquisition for print on demand t shirts.
• Offer customers options for direct interaction via Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, enhancing customer service and future marketing opportunities.
• Implement various other marketing and customer engagement strategies to build a loyal customer base and drive repeat purchases for your print on demand t shirts.

Choosing a Print-On-Demand Fulfillment partner that integrates seamlessly with platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce is essential for brand building and long-term customer relationship management in your print on demand t shirt business.

Mock-Ups, Customer Customisation, APIs, Additional Services…

Printful Photography Services for E-commerce

My 2025 Recommendations and Predictions for Print On Demand T-Shirts

If you have read this far, you likely have a good idea of which Print-on-demand T-Shirt company is best for you. If you skipped to the end, here is my condensed advice for 2025…

The Best Print-On-Demand Fulfillment Company In 2025 for T-Shirts: Printful vs Printify

My primary recommendation for 2025 is to start with Printify, but consider Printful if you need more control and advanced customization options for your print on demand t shirt business.

Printify has gained considerable ground in recent years, primarily due to its flexible model and consistently lower base prices. This cost-effectiveness makes it an attractive option for print on demand t shirt startups and businesses looking to maximize profit margins.

Printify’s print quality is reliable, their turnaround times are generally fast, and they offer a wide selection of print providers globally. They also allow provider switching, even for live products, providing flexibility for managing your print on demand t shirt product line. Printify integrates with all major e-commerce platforms and offers a user-friendly interface.

However, because Printify does not handle printing in-house, they do not offer the same level of extra features and branding options as Printful. For some businesses, the price savings offered by Printify outweigh these limitations, making Printify a cost-competitive choice in the print on demand t shirt market. (Scroll up to read my full Printify Review ).

Sign up with Printify for T-Shirts here

Printful Review for T-Shirt BusinessesPrintful has been the market leader for a long time for good reason. They consistently deliver high-quality prints with fast turnaround times from multiple global locations, with significant expansions in facilities over the past year. Printful offers the widest range of integrations, extensive branding options, robust customer support, and a streamlined, user-friendly interface.

The primary downside of Printful is their often higher pricing. However, this higher cost may be justified by the consistency in quality and reliable turnaround times they provide. Printful remains an excellent and dependable partner for starting and scaling a print on demand t shirt store. (Scroll up to read my full Printful Review ).

Sign up with Printful for T-Shirts here

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What Is A Print On Demand T-Shirt Business?

Print On Demand Company Process for T-ShirtsPrint-On-Demand fulfillment is a relatively recent industry development, primarily emerging in the last decade. If you are new to the concept and wondering ‘what is POD fulfillment?’ or ‘how does Printful work?‘, you are in the right place.

Print-on-demand technology itself is not new, but the emergence of companies offering white-label printing and shipping services specifically for independent sellers and designers is a recent phenomenon. Their growth has been substantial, particularly in the print on demand t shirt sector.

Whether you call them ‘Print On Demand Fulfillment companies’, ‘T-Shirt Drop-shipping Companies’, or ‘White-Label T-Shirt Printers’, they essentially refer to the same business model.

Let’s explore what exactly these companies are, how they operate, and why you might want to use them for your print on demand t shirt business.

What Is A Print On Demand T-Shirt Company?

A Print-On-Demand T-Shirt Company manages the printing and shipping of t-shirts to your customers as orders are placed. They function as the ‘back end’ or ‘back of house’ for your t-shirt business.

Think of it this way: when a customer orders a t-shirt from you, you forward the order details to your Fulfillment partner. They then print the design onto the t-shirt, package it, and ship it directly to the customer’s address.

‘Print On Demand’ signifies that no t-shirts are pre-printed and stored in a warehouse. Printing only occurs when an order is received.

The ‘Fulfillment’ aspect means these companies operate as drop-shipping partners, handling logistics without direct customer interaction.

From your customers’ perspective, the t-shirt they ordered appears to have been shipped directly from you, possibly packed personally.

This seamless experience is because these companies provide a ‘white label’ service. They print the product, package it, and ship it to your customer without branding indicating their involvement. They do not handle sales or receive orders directly from your customers—that is your role.

Print-On-Demand fulfillment companies differ from Print-On-Demand marketplaces (like Redbubble, Teepublic, and others). Fulfillment companies only offer printing and fulfillment services and do not interact with customers directly.

POD Site vs Print On Demand fulfillment Company for T-Shirts

Most Print-On-Demand Marketplaces (Redbubble, Teepublic, Society6, etc.) handle all aspects of the process, from hosting product listings to customer service, and pay artists a royalty on each sale.

In contrast, Print-On-Demand Fulfillment Companies only manage printing and shipping. They do not pay you anything; instead, you pay them for their services and retain the profit margin between what your customer pays and your costs with the fulfillment company.

Many designers, illustrators, brands, celebrities, organizations, and independent sellers use print-on-demand fulfillment companies to manage their merchandise, especially print on demand t shirts. This approach is more convenient than managing inventory and shipping themselves, allows for a broad product range without upfront investment, and enables immediate profitability.

While Print-on-demand T-Shirts and apparel are the most popular products fulfilled by these companies, almost all offer a wider range of product categories. These can include posters, mugs, cushions, hats, embroidered items, all-over print shirts, and many more, diversifying your potential product offerings beyond just print on demand t shirts.

Why You’d Want To Use A Print-On-Demand Fulfillment Company for T-Shirts

There are several compelling reasons to use a POD fulfillment company like Printful or Printify for your print on demand t shirt business:

1. You want to sell t-shirts featuring your designs but prefer not to handle printing yourself and lack the capital for bulk screen-printed inventory. POD fulfillment eliminates the need for in-house printing and upfront inventory costs.
2. You wish to sell products under your ‘own brand’ store rather than directing customers to third-party marketplaces like Redbubble, Amazon, or TeeSpring. POD fulfillment enables you to build and control your brand identity.
3. You plan to sell on marketplaces such as Amazon or Etsy but without pre-purchasing stock or managing inventory. POD fulfillment allows you to list products without any upfront inventory investment, reducing financial risk.

Using a print-on-demand fulfillment company allows you to offer products for sale that do not yet physically exist and do so with minimal upfront investment. This model is particularly advantageous for print on demand t shirts, where design variety and trend responsiveness are crucial.

If your products sell, you simply forward the orders to your fulfillment partner, and they handle the rest. If a product does not sell, you have not incurred losses from unsold inventory. This low-risk model is a significant benefit for starting a print on demand t shirt business.

POD vs Screenprinting for T-Shirts

This minimal risk makes using a print-on-demand fulfillment company particularly appealing for new designers or artists venturing into online sales. There is very little financial risk involved.

POD fulfillment allows you to test product ideas and concepts to gauge market demand while focusing your resources on audience growth, marketing, and advertising for your print on demand t shirt business.

Print-On-Demand Fulfillment Factors for T-Shirt Businesses

Print-on-demand fulfillment involves numerous crucial factors. If you aim to build a sustainable business selling your designs online, especially print on demand t shirts, choosing the right fulfillment partner is critically important.

Print-On-Demand Fulfillment Factors for T-Shirts

Selecting the wrong printing partner can negatively impact your customer satisfaction and brand reputation. Switching POD providers after establishing your business can be time-consuming and complex. Therefore, careful consideration of key factors is essential when choosing a Print-On-Demand T-Shirt Company.

Quality Of Products And Printing Quality for T-Shirts

POD print-on-demand quality comparison for T-ShirtsYour business’s success depends on customer satisfaction, and receiving subpar products is detrimental. Quality is paramount for print on demand t shirts.

The good news is that most Print-On-Demand companies utilize similar technologies, printing on comparable blank t-shirts using near-identical Direct-To-Garment (DTG) printers.

As the Print-On-Demand industry has grown, investment in technology has increased, leading to year-over-year improvements in print quality for print on demand t shirts.

Kornit DTG Printer

However, quality variations between companies are inevitable. These differences can range from slight color discrepancies to poor prints that fade after minimal washing.

The best way to assess the quality of a print-on-demand drop-shipper is to order samples directly from companies you are considering. The cost is typically under $20 per shirt, a worthwhile investment to ensure customer satisfaction with your print on demand t shirts.

(Most major POD fulfillment companies encourage sample orders and offer discounted pricing for them.)

I am pleased to report that all companies reviewed in this guide deliver decent print quality in my experience, and customer complaints regarding print quality have been infrequent over the past few years.

The Cost Of Goods for T-Shirts

POD price Comparison for T-Shirts

Cost is a critical factor when starting a print on demand t shirt business. Production costs directly influence your pricing strategy and profitability.

Print-On-Demand fulfillment companies typically combine the cost of the blank t-shirt with printing, production, and packaging, charging a flat fee ranging from approximately $6 to over $13+.

Here is an example of typical costs for a ‘ready to ship’ t-shirt from Printful (left), Printify (center), and Gooten (right).

Printful vs Printify vs Gooten Price Comparison for T-Shirts

In addition to production costs, you must account for shipping costs to deliver the product to the customer. Shipping typically ranges from $3 to $6, depending on the customer’s location relative to the printing facility.

Print-On-Demand shirts are generally more expensive than bulk screen-printed shirts due to the one-at-a-time production model compared to volume discounts in bulk printing.

A single t-shirt order shipped within the US mainland typically costs around $12. Selling the shirt for $20 yields a profit of approximately $8 (though other factors, discussed later, affect overall profitability).

Here’s a simplified profit calculation example:

POD Profit Example for T-Shirt Business

As previously noted, production costs vary significantly among fulfillment companies. These price differences are a key factor to consider when selecting a POD partner for your print on demand t shirt business.

Your Selling Platform and Order Reception for T-Shirts

How will you receive orders from your customers for your print on demand t shirts?

Are you seeking a Print on Demand Company for your Shopify or WooCommerce store? Or will you sell through marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon?

Most major print-on-demand companies offer direct integrations with popular selling platforms, simplifying order management for your print on demand t shirt business.

Integrations Apps For Print-On-Demand Fulfillment for T-Shirts

These integrations automate order processing. Once a customer places an order, it is automatically transmitted to your fulfillment company, minimizing manual intervention and potential errors.

Automation saves time and reduces the chance of human errors in order processing. It also ensures faster order fulfillment, improving customer satisfaction and delivery times for print on demand t shirts.

Another advantage of integration is that your POD fulfillment company can automatically notify customers when their orders have shipped, enhancing customer service without requiring your direct input.

Shipping Confirmation Pod Fulfillment for T-Shirts

If you prefer manual order placement, most Print-On-Demand drop-shippers offer this option. (Manual ordering is beneficial for beginners and for testing initial product concepts in the print on demand t shirt market.)

If you are searching for the best Print On Demand companies for Etsy or Shopify for print on demand t shirts, read on.

(Spoiler Alert: Most major Print On Demand T-Shirt Companies offer integrations with both Etsy and Shopify).

The Turnaround Time for T-Shirt Printing (Fastest POD Company?)

After quality and cost, delivery speed is a primary concern for online shoppers. Customers expect prompt delivery, particularly influenced by services like Amazon Prime. Turnaround time is a crucial factor for print on demand t shirt businesses.

Unfortunately, no print-on-demand fulfillment company can guarantee next-day delivery. Typical turnaround times range from 2 to 10 business days for printing, followed by shipping times of a few additional days, under normal conditions (excluding peak seasons or global disruptions).

Turnaround times can vary considerably among print-on-demand fulfillment companies, although significant improvements have been made across the industry in recent years.

So, which is the fastest Print on Demand company for t-shirts?

Currently, I would rate Printify (using MyLocker or DreamJunction) as offering the fastest printing and shipping times for print on demand t shirts.

However, the most reliable way to assess turnaround times is to place test orders with several companies and compare results. Faster turnaround times are essential to minimize customer frustration and potential order cancellations in the print on demand t shirt market.

Note: During Q4 (October-December, the peak Christmas shopping season), all fulfillment companies experience slowdowns, and production times significantly increase. Switching between providers based on seasonal performance to maintain reasonable turnaround times can be a strategic approach.

The Location Of Your Customers for T-Shirt Businesses

Pod Fulfillment International Locations for T-ShirtsWhere are most of your customers located? Customer location is a key consideration for shipping costs and delivery times in the print on demand t shirt business.

If your primary customer base is in the US mainland, all major POD fulfillment companies offer excellent coverage. However, coverage becomes less consistent for Canada, Europe, or more distant locations.

Most major fulfillment warehouses are located in the United States, with a growing number of providers establishing facilities in Europe.

If facility location is important to your business strategy, it is a critical factor to consider. Customers in the UK, for example, might be dissatisfied if a t-shirt they ordered from a perceived UK company is shipped from the US, resulting in longer delivery times and potentially higher shipping costs.

Is Print On Demand Profitable for T-Shirts? Print on Demand can be a highly profitable business model, especially for print on demand t shirts, because it eliminates upfront inventory costs.

Print on Demand fulfillment costs are becoming increasingly competitive and, in some cases, are now comparable to or even lower than small-run screen-printing costs.

However, your profitability is ultimately determined by the prices you set for your customers and the fulfillment company you choose. Effective pricing strategies and cost management are essential for maximizing profit margins in the print on demand t shirt business.

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Alright – you now have my insights and recommendations for the best Print on demand companies for print on demand t shirts in 2025.

If you find any inaccuracies or think I have missed important information, please contact me via my contact page to help me keep this guide as current as possible.

Please leave a comment below to share which Print-on-Demand company you are using in 2025 for your print on demand t shirt business and why.

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Thank you for reading!

– Michael Essek

Michael Essek Author Profile

Print-On-Demand T-Shirt Fulfilment Guide Updated: February 28, 2025