6 Best print-on-demand platforms in 2023
Print-on-demand platforms are on the rise, as they can help people and small businesses start selling personalized products in a few hours. After all, they allow you to activate a clothing e-commerce, for example, with just a small initial investment. You just need to make a beautiful design and apply it to the image of the product you want to sell through these platforms and they take care of the rest for you.
However, the websites offered by these print-on-demand platforms do not always provide a customer support tool suited to their client’s needs. So, if you’re thinking of starting a business in this segment and having an online business, don’t forget to implement a professional chat system on your website. AppTuts has already tested some of these tools and the most recommended ones on the market, in order of quality, are:
With any of these tools, especially Jivochat, your print-on-demand store will be more professional, offering fast, efficient, and quality online service.
Regardless of whether you are an experienced businessperson or a novice entrepreneur, in this article, we are going to introduce you to the best print-on-demand platforms. This will give you a clear view of the industry, which will help you find the right company for your goals and the type of business you want to start.
How to make money with print-on-demand?
The first step is to create a virtual store within a printing platform so that you can sell your products. You can market prints on canvas or print your creations on t-shirts, hoodies, and mugs, for example. It all depends on the target audience you want to reach. When the customer makes a purchase, the platform receives the order, prints it, and packs it. Afterward, it ships the products directly to the customer’s address.
You can use social media like Instagram and TikTok to promote the products you are selling. This can help increase your sales chances. With a good strategy, you can earn money without having to worry about logistics and processing the shipment of goods.
With that in mind, it’s time to get to know the best print-on-demand platforms to start putting your idea into practice. And if you really want to get into this world of on-demand sales, you need to know the 12 essential steps to open e-commerce.
1. Printful
Printful offers a variety of services for product customization. Among them, we can mention direct printing on clothing, embroidery, cutting and sewing, and sublimation printing, depending on the type of product. In addition, you have the option to add removable labels to your products and make inserts and stickers on the package at an additional cost to provide a branded experience for your customers.
A unique feature offered by Printful is the built-in mockup generator which allows you to be ready to sell in just a few minutes. They also have integrations with a good number of marketplaces and e-commerce platforms such as Shopify. To encourage experimentation, Printful also offers a 20% discount on sample orders.
With over 220 different products available, you can take advantage of the built-in Design Maker to create complex and eye-catching designs, even if you have no prior experience in this field. For those of you who are concerned about customer delivery times, it is worth mentioning that Printful offers a fast shipping service, with products usually ready to ship in 2 to 5 business days, in addition to competitive rates and reliable quality.
If you have a strategy to create videos to promote your online store, you need to know the 15 best video hosting websites and tools.
2. JetPrint
Following our list of best print-on-demand platforms is JetPrint. This company is recognized as one of the top names in print-on-demand specializing in watches and other exciting product categories such as shoes, yoga accessories, and housewares. So if your goal is to go beyond printed shirts or mugs, this could be the ideal option to achieve your goals.
By submitting your designs to JetPrint, you can enjoy the service of automatically generating professional-looking product photos showing your products from different angles. This allows you to have high-quality images ready to use on your product page without the need to produce custom photos.
Additionally, orders are processed automatically by JetPrint, allowing you to set flexible deadlines that allow you to make changes or corrections if necessary. Another advantage is the ability to automatically generate high-quality mockups and detailed specifications for each product, making it easy to show your products in a way that positively captures the attention of your customers.
If you already have an online store and it is growing, sooner or later you will need a dedicated collaborator for your business. Find out about what an e-commerce assistant is and how much they cost!
3. Gelato
Gelato is a leading global print-on-demand company. After all, it has a network of over 100 printing partners in 30 countries. Therefore, it enables the delivery of products in more than 200 countries and territories around the world, which can help to expand your business. Another highlight is its perfect integration with the main online sales channels. To offer an improved support, check out the best customer service software
With a vast library of products such as apparel, wall art, and stationery, Gelato offers a variety of options for customization. In addition, this company is a reference when it comes to delivery speed, promising to produce and ship most orders in just 72 hours. As it partners with 130 printing facilities located in 32 countries, orders are automatically connected to the production facility closest to the customer.
And if you care about the environment, know that the fact that Gelato is able to produce and fulfill part of its orders locally, it manages, in addition to reducing delivery costs, to significantly reduce carbon emissions. Finally, the platform also stands out for offering subscription plans, providing you with greater flexibility and additional benefits. However, there is a free tier you can use to start selling merchandise with no monthly fees, only paying for what you sell.
4. Zazzle
Zazzle also deserves space when the list is about the best print-on-demand platforms. This is because it is one of the largest and most visited markets in this area in activity. That is, the chances of products being sold there are enormous. The company offers thousands of items that you can add your own designs to and sell, including business cards, drinks, t-shirts, mugs, and luggage tags.
Once you create your design, you are free to set the royalty rate and you will receive payment each time a product featuring your artwork is sold on the marketplace. Zazzle handles all customer service and product shipping on your behalf. About integrations, the platform integrates with Amazon, Etsy, and Shopify. Customer service is quality, created to help sellers and buyers
In addition, the platform offers the opportunity to earn money through Zazzle LIVE. As a live designer, you interact with clients via text, audio, or video chat, allowing them to express their ideas about your work. You then use your design skills to bring those ideas to life and get paid for them. You can also create affiliate product links to your Zazzle merchandise from your own online site.
5. Redbubble
Redbubble is a print-on-demand website that aims to provide a platform for independent creators and artists to sell their creations online. With a variety of print-on-demand products available, the company is a great choice for designers and creators from all backgrounds. That’s because it has a wide variety of products to choose from, which include notebooks, scarves, t-shirts, smartphone cases, duvet covers, and stickers.
This platform also gives you the opportunity to tap into an already established audience. As a result, it helps you cut some of the hard work involved in promoting your own brand online and even making an initial investment in a marketer. Creativity and originality are encouraged on the platform, and it also supports multiple languages, making it easy to connect with your audience, regardless of their location.
Redbubble is extremely easy to use, and most products can be shipped worldwide. Although the platform does not integrate with other sites, using it in itself is not a bad option. However, keep in mind that you will not be able to use Redbubble as a service on your own website. However, as an advantage, it offers payment options through PayPal and direct bank deposit in a simple and convenient way.
6. Lulu Xpress
Lulu Xpress rounds out our list of the best print-on-demand platforms, being the only one that helps to grow in the publishing world. If you are in the book publishing business, Lulu Xpress offers several advantages to suit your needs, with several book formats available. Through it, you can choose from thousands of finishing sizes, paper types, and binding options to create a personalized book and have your work printed in a professional way.
In addition, Lulu Xpress has specialized support to assist you in the entire process of printing and publishing your work, providing the best possible quality. The company has good usability on its platform, making the process of creating and sending files for printing very intuitive.
Another outstanding benefit is the global reach of Lulu Xpress. With their services, you can have your books printed on demand in the exact quantity you need, whether it’s just one copy or over 1000 copies. In addition, the company makes international shipments and breaks down regional barriers. But if you prefer, you can team up with other writers and publish your book at the Lulu Bookstore, online retailers, and even on your own website.
What is print-on-demand?
Print-on-demand is a business concept where the product is only produced, usually by third parties, when a customer places an order. This is very good for small entrepreneurs because it avoids having a stock, minimizing risks and expenses.
How to sell print-on-demand products?
To get started in the print-on-demand market, start by selecting a platform, then create designs that appeal to your audience. Create your online store, adjusting prices and other design details. Finally, advertise your store using digital marketing tools or social media.
What is the best print-on-demand site?
The main site that provides these types of customizable products for online entrepreneurs is Printful. It offers a vast variety of products you can customize, so you can sell whatever you want. The products are all of high-quality.
What are print-on-demand’s best-selling products?
T-shirts and other garments are, without a doubt, the most sold products in the print-on-demand format. Personalized mugs and posters are also successful in the segment’s virtual stores. However, there are other equally popular products like cell phone cases, pillows, and accessories.
What are the best print-on-demand platforms?
There are several options for platforms specializing in on-demand sales. Among the most renowned are Printful, JetPrint, and Gelato. However, before choosing, it is essential to evaluate each platform to understand which one best suits the segment and audience you intend to reach.