Unveiling The Top 10 Biggest Print-on-demand Companies

In this article, we’ll unveil the top 10 biggest print-on-demand companies, giving you insights into their offerings, services, and why they stand out in this thriving industry.

Top 10 Biggest Print-on-demand Companies

Printful

Overview

Printful is ideal for anyone wanting to create and sell custom products easily. It’s perfect for starting a business in printed or embroidered t-shirts, wall art, and blankets. Printful offers a full fulfillment service, handling printing, packaging, and shipping to your customers. This lets you focus on your creative ideas while Printful handles the logistics.

Setting up with Printful is quick and easy, letting you start selling your products fast. Their user-friendly design tools allow you to effortlessly create or upload your designs.

Additionally, Printful ensures high-quality products, customer satisfaction, and repeat business. They also offer custom branding options, allowing you to personalize packaging and more with your brand.

Product Offering

Printful offers a wide range of products for print-on-demand services, including:

• Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, tank tops, and leggings
• Accessories: Hats, bags, phone cases, and face masks
• Home & Living: Pillows, blankets, towels, and wall art
• Drinkware: Mugs, water bottles, and tumblers
• Stationery: Stickers, notebooks, and greeting cards
• Sports & Leisure: Yoga mats and sports bras

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Consistent quality with high standards.
• In-house printing control, ensuring better quality
• Various customization options, including sleeve prints and private label branding.
• User-friendly, easy to upload designs and customize products.
• Seamless integration with popular e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, eBay, BigCommerce, PrestaShop, Squarespace, and WixStores
• Efficient fulfillment and shipping services, ensuring timely delivery to customers.

Cons

• Shipping times can vary significantly
• Inconsistency in print quality

Printify

Overview

Printify serves as a bridge between creative minds and the global market. It empowers users to design and sell custom products while taking care of the intricate printing, packing, and shipping processes. This hands-off approach allows entrepreneurs to focus on what they do best – creating exceptional designs and marketing their products.

One of Printify’s standout features is its vast network of print providers worldwide. This network ensures that your products are printed and shipped efficiently to customers, regardless of location. This global reach is a significant advantage for businesses looking to expand internationally.

Product Range

Printify offers a wide selection of customizable products, making it suitable for various niches. Whether you’re interested in creating personalized clothing, unique phone cases, or custom wall art, Printify has you covered.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Wide selection of custom products
• User-friendly design tools enable users to upload their designs quickly and effortlessly.
• No need to invest in stock upfront. You only pay for production and shipping when a sale is made.
• Ability to reach customers worldwide.
• Seamless integration with major e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, eBay, Etsy, and Walmart.

Cons

• Higher shipping rates compared to other print-on-demand companies
• Printify uses multiple third-party providers, so the quality of products and printing can vary.

Gooten

Overview

Gooten is a print-on-demand art platform known for its easy-to-use interface and smooth integration with e-commerce sites like Shopify, Etsy, Woocommerce, and BigCommerce. It offers merchants over 150 customizable products, including wall art, apparel, and home decor. Gooten’s network of over 30 manufacturers in more than 70 locations worldwide allows for efficient production and shipping, even globally.

Furthermore, Gooten provides dedicated teams for tailored business solutions and 24/7 support. This ensures that merchants receive help with the complexities of the print-on-demand business for a seamless and successful experience.

Product Offering

Gooten provides various customizable items, including custom t-shirts, posters, or unique home decor items. This diversity enables businesses to tap into different markets and offer products that resonate with their target audience.

Pros and Cons:

Pros

• User-friendly interface
• Competitive pricing
• High-quality items
• Responsive customer service
• Fast shipping.
• Unique product offerings that may not be readily available on other print-on-demand platforms.

Cons

• There can be product quality and printing inconsistencies across different orders and products.
• Complex pricing structure
• Fewer opportunities for custom branding than in other POD companies

CustomCat

Overview

CustomCat is a platform that simplifies the process for merchants to create and sell unique products. Its standout feature is its efficient print-on-demand fulfillment, which removes the need for physical stock. This lets merchants focus on other business areas, as CustomCat handles production and shipping. It’s ideal for those wanting to sell custom merchandise or personalized gifts, offering a range of options, including activewear and DIGISOFT printing.

Additionally, CustomCat integrates easily with existing product listings, allowing for smooth synchronization with a merchant’s store. It offers tools for creating attractive product mockups, templates, and bulk posting to streamline product catalog management. CustomCat also provides features to manage listings, monitor stock status, and adjust fulfillment settings, giving merchants full control over their print-on-demand operations.

Products Offering

CustomCat offers many customizable products, from apparel and accessories to personalized gifts. Their product offerings also include activewear, which suits those looking to create custom fitness apparel and accessories.

Pros and Cons 

Pros:

• Extensive product range
• Reliable print quality
• Prompt resolution of rare fulfillment issues
• Exceptional customer service
• User-friendly interface with tutorial videos, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced users.
• Competitive pricing.

Cons:

• Higher shipping costs
• International shipping options are more limited

SPOD

Overview

SPOD, located in Vietnam, is well-regarded in the print-on-demand industry. It integrates smoothly with Shopify, making it an attractive option for e-commerce entrepreneurs. The platform is known for its user-friendly interface and easy setup, which helps merchants easily transition into print-on-demand business.

A significant advantage of SPOD is its fast 48-hour print-on-demand drop shipping service. This means SPOD prints and ships merchandise within 48 hours of an order being placed, leading to prompt deliveries and happy customers.

Product Range

SPOD provides a wide range of customizable products, boasting over 200 print-on-demand items. This variety enables merchants to choose products that best fit their brand and appeal to their target audience. With a broad selection of apparel and accessories, SPOD allows merchants to flex their creative muscles and meet their customers’ diverse preferences.

Pros and cons

Pros

• SPOD’s 48-hour print-on-demand service ensures quick order fulfillment and delivery.
• Competitive Pricing.
• Avast graphic library enables merchants to create and customize products effortlessly.
• SPOD products are produced and shipped with environmental responsibility in mind.

• User-friendly interface
• Seamless integration with Shopify

Cons

• Some users have reported difficulties with sample orders, experiencing delays and verification issues.
• Relatively high base prices of certain products.

TPOP

Overview 

TPOP focuses on eco-friendly e-commerce, emphasizing respect for the planet. Since its launch in September 2018, TPOP has offered sustainable print-on-demand solutions suitable for businesses and individuals. The platform is user-friendly, enabling users to quickly create their own brand. TPOP stands out with its wide range of organic products, meeting the increasing demand for environmentally conscious options.

The company supports merchants throughout their journey, offering a fully automated print-on-demand service for a hassle-free experience. This automation allows sellers to concentrate on their business without worrying about inventory management or production. Additionally, TPOP provides options for customizing packaging in your brand’s colors, aiding in building a strong and memorable brand identity.

Product Range

TPOP stands out for its commitment to eco-friendly and high-quality product offerings. Their products, including t-shirts and other items, adhere to sustainable practices. TPOP also ensures that products are always available and ready for careful printing. This efficiency in turnaround time is particularly beneficial for merchants who aim to meet their customers’ needs quickly and reliably.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Wide range of eco-friendly products
• Excellent print quality
• Customizable branding options
• Focus on sustainability
• Fast shipping
• Easy integration with Shopify
• Responsive customer service

Cons:

• Limited product range compared to other POD services
• Shipping times and costs can be a concern, especially for orders outside Europe
• Higher costs for eco-friendly materials

Apliiq

Overview 

Apliiq quickly became popular among entrepreneurs and businesses for creating screen print quality clothing and custom products on demand. Its key strength is making the print-on-demand (POD) process easy for merchants. Developed by apparel experts, Apliiq automates various product creation, ordering, and fulfillment aspects, saving merchants time.

Operating from both coasts, Apliiq boasts an impressive average shipping time of just two days, making it highly suitable for North American stores.

Apliiq’s team of clothing experts is a major asset, offering support to merchants, whether experienced in the apparel industry or just starting. This expert guidance helps merchants make well-informed decisions, contributing significantly to the success of their businesses.

POD Products Offered

Apliiq stands out for its wide selection of high-quality, customizable products. They offer a variety of items, including T-shirts, hoodies, and an extensive range of accessories, all adaptable to your brand’s unique designs. 

A significant feature of Apliiq is its private label services, which enable brands to establish their own identity without wholesale tags. Furthermore, Apliiq specializes in screen printing, ensuring that designs are vivid and long-lasting, bringing each creation to life with exceptional quality.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Wide range of quality products
• Private labeling
• Automated process
• Quick shipping
• A team of apparel experts is readily available to assist you in making informed decisions.

Cons:

• Limited language support (only in English)
• More expensive than standard print-on-demand offerings
• Apliiq’s focus is mainly on apparel, with a more limited range in other product categories compared to other POD services.

Gelato

Overview

Gelato has quickly become a notable player in the print-on-demand industry, driven by its mission to connect people and ideas worldwide, transforming them into tangible products that can be sold globally. The company’s strength lies in its global print-on-demand network, which facilitates local production. This approach minimizes carbon emissions and ensures the delivery of high-quality products that resonate with customers.

A key aspect of Gelato’s approach is its focus on environmental sustainability. Using its extensive network of printing partners across different regions, Gelato enables creators to lessen their environmental impact. This method of local production allows for the delivery of premium products to customers across the globe while actively contributing to environmental conservation.

POD Products Offering

Their product offerings include:

• Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts, available in different styles and sizes
• Wall Art: Canvas prints and posters
• Photo Products: Photo books, prints, and other customizable items for gifts or keepsakes
• Stationery: Business cards, flyers, and greeting cards catering to business and personal stationery needs
• Accessories: Phone cases and tote bags
• Home & Living: Mugs and other home decor items

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Seamless integration with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Amazon, and Squarespace
• High-quality prints
• Global reach and local production
• Environmentally friendly
• Competitive pricing

Cons:

• Complex user interface
• Variable shipping times

Gelato is a popular print-on-demand company in South Africa. For more details about their services and how they can benefit your business in Africa, check out our article.

Lulu Direct

Overview

Lulu’s main objective is to empower entrepreneurs and business owners by giving them control over their products, which is crucial for business growth. The Lulu Direct App connects Lulu’s extensive global print and fulfillment network to your Shopify store, streamlining the process of selling books. When a customer orders your books, Lulu manages the printing and shipping and offers order tracking for you and your customers. This integration simplifies the whole procedure, aiming to ensure satisfaction for both you and your customers.

Product Offerings

Lulu offers a wide range of flexibility regarding the formats, binding types, and layouts of the books you can create. With over 3,000 book format options, you have the creative freedom to design books that meet your specific needs. Whether you’re looking to print novels, textbooks, or coffee table books, Lulu’s professional quality printing ensures that your products meet the highest standards.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy to use
• An extensive range of book format options to create books tailored to your audience.
• Professional quality

Cons

• Since Lulu Direct primarily focuses on book printing, their product range is limited compared to other POD services that offer a wider variety of items.
• Shipping can be costly and time-consuming.
• Complex setup for beginners

Teelaunch

Overview of Teelaunch

Founded in 2015, Teelaunch‘s mission is to assist Shopify store owners in launching and growing their e-commerce businesses. This new print-on-demand website bridges that gap by offering a wide array of products, allowing entrepreneurs to focus solely on creating unique store items.

Teelaunch simplifies the process of product creation. They handle the printing and fulfillment aspects, making it hassle-free for store owners. This means merchants can concentrate on designing and marketing their products without the burden of inventory management or production.

One of Teelaunch’s standout features is its worldwide production capability. This ensures that customers receive their orders quickly, regardless of their location. This can be a significant advantage for businesses catering to an international audience.

Range of POD Products

Teelaunch offers an extensive range of products. Whether you’re interested in apparel, accessories, or home decor, they have various customizable items. This diversity allows merchants to cater to different niches and customer preferences, expanding their market reach.

Pros and cons

Pros 

• No upfront costs
• Wide product range
• Global reach

Cons

• International shipping challenges. This may result in additional fees and delays for European and UK customers.
• The customization process has been less user-friendly, especially for specific product types like jewelry. 

How To Choose the Best POD Suppliers For Your Bussiness

Choosing the right print-on-demand (POD) supplier is essential for businesses entering the custom merchandise market. This decision affects product quality, customer satisfaction, and the success of your e-commerce venture. To select the best POD supplier, consider the following factors:

• Product Range: Look for a supplier with a diverse catalog, including apparel, accessories, and home decor. This variety lets you target a wider audience and explore different niches.
• Product Quality: Focus on suppliers known for high-quality printing and materials. Your customers should receive products that reflect well on your brand.
• Fulfillment Capabilities: Consider the supplier’s shipping options and delivery times. Fast and reliable fulfillment is crucial for great customer experiences and building brand trust.

Final Thoughts

The print-on-demand industry thrives, offering countless opportunities for creative individuals and businesses to bring their unique ideas to life. With these top 10 print-on-demand companies, you have various options to explore based on your specific needs and preferences.

FAQs