Discover the Best Marketplaces and Platforms to Sell Your Custom Print-on-Demand Products

Print-on-demand (POD) is a popular and cost-effective way to launch an online store without the need to keep inventory. With POD, you can create custom designs on various products like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and more, and only produce them when a customer makes a purchase. However, one of the biggest questions for POD entrepreneurs is: "Where should I sell my designs?" In this article, we’ll explore the best places to sell your print-on-demand creations, so you can reach a broader audience and maximize your profits.

1. Etsy – The Creative Marketplace

Etsy is one of the most well-known platforms for selling handmade, vintage, and custom items. With over 90 million active buyers, Etsy has built a reputation as a go-to marketplace for unique and personalized goods, making it an excellent platform for print-on-demand sellers. What sets Etsy apart from other platforms is its focus on creative entrepreneurs, which makes it ideal for artists and designers.

To start selling on Etsy, you'll need to create a shop, upload your designs, and connect with a POD provider. Etsy allows you to integrate with various POD services like Printful, Printify, and Gooten, making it easy to manage your products and fulfill orders automatically. Etsy charges a listing fee and takes a commission on each sale, but the exposure to millions of potential buyers is well worth the cost.

Another benefit of Etsy is its powerful search engine and promotional tools. As you start selling and gaining reviews, your products are more likely to show up in relevant search results. Etsy also offers advertising options and discount codes to help drive more traffic to your store. However, keep in mind that competition on Etsy can be fierce, so it's crucial to create standout designs and focus on customer service to gain an edge.

2. Shopify – Your Own Online Store

If you're looking for more control over your business, Shopify is a fantastic option. Shopify allows you to create your own e-commerce website, giving you full control over your branding, design, and sales process. It’s one of the most popular platforms for entrepreneurs because it provides easy integration with print-on-demand services like Printful, Teespring, and Printify.

Shopify has a range of features that make it ideal for print-on-demand sellers. You can set up a professional-looking store without needing any coding skills, and the platform offers a variety of customizable templates. Shopify also includes tools for managing your inventory, processing payments, and analyzing sales data. It’s a great option if you want to build a brand around your designs and keep more of the profit.

While Shopify does require a monthly subscription fee, it offers a 3-day free trial so you can test the platform. Additionally, the Shopify app store has many plugins and integrations to help you grow your business. You can add features like abandoned cart recovery, email marketing tools, and even upsell options. One potential downside is that Shopify does require a higher level of marketing effort to drive traffic to your store, as it doesn’t offer the built-in audience that platforms like Etsy do.

3. Redbubble – An Easy and Low-Cost Platform

Redbubble is another popular marketplace for print-on-demand products. The platform allows you to upload your designs and have them printed on a wide variety of items, including clothing, home décor, stationery, and accessories. One of the biggest advantages of Redbubble is its simplicity. You don’t need to manage inventory, fulfillment, or shipping. Redbubble takes care of everything for you.

The platform operates on a profit-sharing model, where you set the markup on each product, and Redbubble handles the rest. It’s an easy and low-cost way to start selling, with no upfront fees. Redbubble also has a strong community of buyers and artists, so you can gain exposure quickly, especially if your designs resonate with current trends.

Redbubble also provides tools for promoting your products, such as social media sharing and built-in search engine optimization (SEO). However, one downside is that the platform’s commission structure means you may not make as much profit per sale compared to other platforms. Additionally, while the platform’s community is active, competition can be high, so standing out might require unique and eye-catching designs. Overall, Redbubble is a great place for new designers who want to test the waters of print-on-demand selling with minimal risk.

4. Amazon Merch – Reach Millions of Customers

If you want to sell print-on-demand products on the world’s largest online marketplace, Amazon Merch (also known as Merch by Amazon) is an excellent choice. With access to Amazon’s massive customer base, you have the potential to reach millions of shoppers around the globe. Merch by Amazon allows you to upload designs for apparel and accessories like t-shirts, hoodies, and phone cases, and it handles production, shipping, and customer service for you.

One of the major benefits of Amazon Merch is its vast audience. Since Amazon is the largest e-commerce platform in the world, being able to list your products there can lead to high visibility. The platform works on a royalty system, where you earn a percentage of the sale price for each product sold. The royalty depends on the product type and price you set, but it’s generally lower than platforms like Etsy or Shopify, as Amazon takes a large cut.

While Amazon Merch offers excellent exposure, there are some challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is the approval process. Amazon has a strict application process, and getting approved can be difficult, especially for new sellers. Once approved, however, you can upload designs and start selling without worrying about fulfillment or customer service. Additionally, Amazon offers promotional tools and integrates with Amazon’s vast advertising system, so you can invest in ads to boost sales. However, as with other platforms, competition is fierce, so your designs need to be high-quality and in demand to stand out.

Conclusion

Choosing the best platform to sell your print-on-demand products depends on your goals, budget, and how much control you want over your business. If you're looking for a marketplace with a built-in audience and low upfront costs, Etsy or Redbubble could be the right fit. For more control and the ability to scale, Shopify might be the best option. And if you want the ultimate exposure, Amazon Merch is a strong contender. Regardless of which platform you choose, the key to success in print-on-demand is creating unique designs, promoting your store, and providing excellent customer service. With the right approach, you can build a successful print-on-demand business and turn your creative passion into a profitable venture.