Explore the best platforms to create and sell custom products without inventory or upfront costs.

If you're looking to start a print-on-demand (Print on demand) business or simply want to sell custom products online without the hassle of managing inventory, you’re in the right place. Print-on-demand services allow you to create and sell your designs on various products like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and more, all without needing to hold stock or ship items yourself. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best Print on demand sites available today, examining their features, pricing, and pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

1. Printful: A Leading Print on Demand Service

Printful is one of the most popular and well-known print-on-demand platforms. It offers a wide variety of products, from apparel and accessories to home decor. The platform is easy to integrate with eCommerce sites such as Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce, allowing for seamless product creation and order fulfillment.

Printful’s main strengths lie in its high-quality printing, diverse product selection, and reliable shipping. With its global fulfillment centers, you can reach customers worldwide, ensuring faster delivery times. They also offer custom branding options, which include branded packing slips and labels, a great feature for building your brand identity.

Pricing is competitive, with no monthly fees, but you’ll pay for the cost of the product and printing on each sale. This makes Printful an ideal option for small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to keep their overhead low. However, it’s important to keep an eye on their product costs as they can vary depending on the item and the printing method you choose.

2. Teespring: Simplified Design and Sales

Teespring, now rebranded as Spring, is another great choice for print-on-demand services. It’s especially popular among creators who want to sell products without worrying about managing inventory or customer service. Spring allows users to design products, set prices, and immediately start selling on its platform, which includes integration with social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

What sets Teespring apart is its emphasis on simplifying the process for creators. You don’t need an eCommerce store or website to sell, as everything can be done directly on the platform. They also offer a variety of products, ranging from apparel to home goods, and provide easy integration with major social media platforms, allowing creators to promote and sell their designs seamlessly to their audience.

However, Teespring’s profit margins can sometimes be lower than other platforms, especially when you factor in their fees and shipping costs. Additionally, the platform's design interface may not be as advanced as some of the competition. But for beginner entrepreneurs or social media influencers, Teespring is an excellent option.

3. Redbubble: A Creative Community for Artists

Redbubble is a fantastic choice for artists looking to showcase and sell their designs to a broader audience. It’s a marketplace where users can upload their artwork and sell it on a variety of products such as clothing, wall art, stationery, and more. The platform is known for its vibrant creative community, and its user-friendly interface makes it easy for artists to upload and manage their designs.

One of Redbubble’s major advantages is its built-in marketplace. As a seller, you don’t have to worry about driving traffic to your store because Redbubble already has a massive, established customer base. The platform handles all aspects of order fulfillment, from printing to shipping, allowing you to focus on creating unique designs.

While Redbubble takes a commission from each sale, it’s still an attractive option for artists who want to passively earn income. However, the downside is that you have little control over branding or customer relationships, as Redbubble handles everything on the back end. Nonetheless, it’s a great platform for independent artists looking to monetize their designs without the burden of setting up a full-fledged store.

4. Zazzle: Customization at Its Best

Zazzle is a long-standing player in the print-on-demand space, offering an extensive range of customizable products. From business cards to furniture and even skateboards, Zazzle allows you to create and sell a wide variety of items. One of its key features is the flexibility it offers, allowing customers to not only purchase your designs but also personalize them with their own text or graphics.

Zazzle’s customization features set it apart from many other platforms. As a seller, you can earn a royalty on each item sold, and they provide various options for customizing your storefront. Their extensive product catalog also means you have more options to cater to different niches, from personalized gifts to office supplies and beyond.

However, Zazzle's fee structure may be a bit complex for beginners, as they offer a percentage royalty system that varies depending on the product category. Additionally, while their design tools are fairly easy to use, the competition can be stiff, as Zazzle hosts many other sellers with similar products. Despite these challenges, Zazzle remains a top choice for those who want to offer highly customizable products to their customers.

In conclusion, choosing the best print-on-demand platform depends on your specific needs as a seller. If you prioritize high-quality products and excellent customer service, Printful may be your best bet. If you're a social media influencer or creator, Teespring offers an easy way to start selling quickly. Redbubble is a great choice for artists looking to share their work with a large audience, while Zazzle provides the most customization options for diverse products. No matter which platform you choose, Print on demand services make it easier than ever to turn your creative ideas into a profitable business.