5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Print-On-Demand Service
Consider the following factors when choosing a print-on-demand company.
The 5 Best Print-on-Demand Companies Comparison
Pricing
Companies | Products | Apparel Pricing | Non-Apparel Pricing | Monthly Fee | Bulk Discounts |
Printify | 800+ | $7 to $60 | $5 to $82 | Free to $24.99 monthly | No |
Gelato | 100+ | $8 to $25 | $4 to $88 | Free to $99 monthly | No |
Printful | 330+ | $8 to $42 | $8 to $45 | Free to $49 | Up to 33% |
Sellfy | 100+ | $9.25 to $60 | $2.20 to $37.95 | $29, $79, or $159 monthly | No |
Teemill | 50+ | £14.50 to £34.50 | £10.20 to £14.00 | Free to £10 monthly | Up to 53% |
- Products
How many products does your print-on demand-company offer, including apparel and non-apparel products?
- Apparel pricing
How much does the apparel cost? Check if the t-shirts are pure cotton or cotton mixed with cheaper materials.
- Non-apparel pricing
How much do non-apparel products cost? These products include mugs, tumblers, stickers, cellphone cases, and many others.
- Monthly fee
How much do the print-on-demand sites charge for their services? Some POD sites offer annual billing plans that can save you money.
- Bulk discount order
Does your print-on-demand company offer discounts if you buy in bulk? Discounts can increase your profit margins if you already have an established online store and plan to sell t-shirts in bulk.
Printing Technology
Printing Technologies | Direct to Garment | Sublimation | Digital Printing | Embroidery | Engraving |
Printify | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Gelato | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
Printful | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Sellfy | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Teemill | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
- Direct to Garment Printing (DTG)
This printing method involves spraying ink directly onto t-shirts or garments.
Source: GadgetsMagazine
- Sublimation
The design is printed on a special sheet of paper, then the image is transferred to another material, typically polyester or a polyester blend.
The ink gets heated until it disintegrates into the fabric. This method can be more costly, but the printed design lasts longer.
Source: Prodigi
- Digital Printing
This cost-effective process involves mapping an image onto your desired products, such as t-shirts, hats, or bags. Tiny droplets of ink transfer the image onto that specific surface.
Source: Farandaway
- Embroidery
In this method, the image or design is stitched on t-shirts or fabric using different threads. Embroidered designs withstand repeated washes and are unlikely to fray or get undone.
Source: CustomPlanet
- Engraving
This high-precision technique involves using a laser beam to carve the design onto the material’s surface. Engraved designs won’t easily fade or deteriorate over time.
Source: Xtool
Fulfillment and Support
Companies | Shipping Regions | Turnaround Time | Custom Packaging | 24/7 Support | Live Chat |
Printify | Global | 2 to 7 days | No | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Gelato | Global | 2 to 6 days | Yes | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Printful | Global | 2 to 7 days | Yes | ❌ | ✔️ |
Sellfy | Global | 5 to 27 business days | No | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Teemill | Global | Within 5 days for UK orders | Yes | ✔️ | ✔️ |
How fast your print-on-demand company fulfills orders can significantly contribute to your e-commerce business’s success.
Consider if your print-on-demand company offers 24/7 live customer support so you have someone to talk to if you have any inquiries, complaints, or feedback.
Check the location of your POD company’s print facilities if you plan to sell worldwide. Doing so ensures the quick delivery of orders, no matter where your customers are from.
Integrations
Companies | E-commerce platforms Integration | Marketplace integrations | |||||
Shopify | Woocommerce | Bigcommerce | Wix | Etsy | Ebay | Amazon | |
Printify | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Gelato | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Printful | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Sellfy | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Teemill | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ | ✔️ |
Integrating your print-on-demand service with marketplaces and e-commerce platforms lets you market and sell your products across multiple online channels.
Doing so helps you reach more of your target customers and drive them towards your print-on-demand service.
These platforms can help streamline your business operations by automating inventory management, order fulfillment, and customer support.