The best print on demand company depends on what you're selling and where. Printful suits brands that want quality and branding options, Printify suits sellers who want to choose between print partners, Gelato suits selling internationally with local production, Prodigi suits wall art and fine art prints, Gooten and CustomCat suit large product ranges, SPOD suits fast apparel production, and Redbubble and Spring suit creators who want the platform to handle more of the selling.
Print on demand lets you sell T-shirts, mugs, posters and more without holding any stock. A customer orders, the product is printed and shipped by your partner, and you never touch a box. It's one of the simplest ways to test a merch idea or add products to a brand.
The companies below are well known and widely used. Some own their production, others work through a network of print partners, and a few run their own shops for your designs. I've focused on what each one is known for, so order samples from two before you put your name on anything.
What should you look for in a print on demand company?
- Product range. Check they make the products you want, in the styles and sizes your customers expect.
- Print quality. Always order samples. Your reviews depend on what arrives.
- Store connections. Look for connections to Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce or wherever you sell.
- Production locations. Printing close to your customers means faster delivery.
- Branding. Custom labels, packaging inserts and packing slips help your brand stand out.
- Mockups and design tools. Good product images make the difference on a listing.
Print on demand companies compared
| Tool | Best for | Stand-out feature |
|---|---|---|
| Printful | Brands focused on quality | Own production and branding options |
| Printify | Choosing print partners | Network of print providers |
| Gelato | Selling internationally | Local production network |
| Prodigi | Wall art and fine art prints | Art-quality printing |
| Gooten | Home and lifestyle products | Wide catalogue via partners |
| CustomCat | Large apparel ranges | Big product catalogue |
| SPOD | Fast apparel production | Quick turnaround from Spreadshirt |
| Redbubble | Artists selling designs | Shoppers browse its own site |
| Spring | Creators selling merch | Creator-focused storefronts |
Plans and features change often, so check each vendor's current plans before you commit.
The best print on demand companies
1. Printful
Printful is one of the best-known print on demand companies. It runs its own fulfilment centres and connects with stores such as Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce and Wix. Products include clothing, embroidery, wall art, mugs and accessories.
Who it suits: brands that care about consistent quality and want branding options such as custom labels and packing slips.
What stands out: control. Owning its production helps keep quality consistent.
Watch out for: the most popular products sell everywhere, so your designs and brand need to do the standing out.
2. Printify
Printify connects you to a network of print partners rather than printing everything itself. For each product you choose which provider makes it, based on location, quality and speed.
Who it suits: sellers who want a large catalogue and the freedom to choose who prints each product.
What stands out: choice. You can switch providers if one doesn't meet your standards.
Watch out for: quality varies between providers, so order samples from the exact provider you plan to use.
3. Gelato
Gelato prints through a network of local production partners in many countries, so orders are made close to the customer. It connects with stores such as Shopify, Etsy and WooCommerce.
Who it suits: sellers with customers in several countries who want faster delivery.
What stands out: local production, which cuts shipping distances and delivery times.
Watch out for: check product availability in each country, as ranges can differ by location.
4. Prodigi
Prodigi is a UK-based print on demand company known for wall art, fine art prints, canvases and framed prints, alongside other products.
Who it suits: artists, photographers and brands selling high-quality prints.
What stands out: print quality for art. Its focus on wall art shows in the finish.
Watch out for: its apparel range isn't its main focus, so pair it with another partner if you sell clothing too.
5. Gooten
Gooten is a print on demand company that works through a network of production partners, with a wide range of home goods, accessories and apparel.
Who it suits: brands that want home and lifestyle products alongside clothing.
What stands out: variety. Its catalogue goes well beyond T-shirts.
Watch out for: as with any partner network, order samples so you know what your customers will receive.
6. CustomCat
CustomCat is a print on demand company with a large catalogue, especially of apparel. It offers direct-to-garment printing, embroidery and other print methods.
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Who it suits: sellers who want a big apparel range and lots of product options.
What stands out: range. There are a lot of styles and colours to choose from.
Watch out for: with so many options, it's worth narrowing to a small, tested range before you launch.
7. SPOD
SPOD is the print on demand service from Spreadshirt. It's known for fast production of apparel and accessories, and connects with stores such as Shopify and WooCommerce.
Who it suits: sellers who want quick turnaround on clothing orders.
What stands out: speed. Fast production keeps delivery times short.
Watch out for: its catalogue is narrower than the largest providers, so check it covers your products.
8. Redbubble
Redbubble works differently. You upload your designs, and Redbubble lists them on its own site, prints the products and handles customer service. You earn when your designs sell.
Who it suits: artists and designers who want to sell without running their own shop.
What stands out: reach. Shoppers browse Redbubble directly, so you don't need your own traffic to make a sale.
Watch out for: you have less control over branding and customer relationships than with your own store.
9. Spring
Spring, formerly Teespring, is a creator-focused merch platform. Creators design products, set up a storefront and connect it to their channels and social profiles.
Who it suits: YouTubers, podcasters and creators who want merch for their audience.
What stands out: the creator focus, with storefronts and integrations built around channels and communities.
Watch out for: it's designed for creator merch, so a product brand may want a store-first partner such as Printful.
How to choose the right print on demand company
Start with your store. If you sell on Shopify or Etsy, Printful, Printify and Gelato all connect easily. If you'd rather not run a shop at all, Redbubble or Spring handle more of the selling for you, in exchange for less control.
Then let samples decide. Order the same product from two companies and compare the print, the fabric, the packaging and the delivery time. The partner that arrives looking best is usually the right choice, because it's your name on the box.
If you sell on Shopify, read my guide on how to choose a print on demand app for Shopify. My Etsy marketing strategy post helps you get seen, and my custom merchandise giveaway ideas show how branded products can grow your audience.
Building a tool in this space? Here's how tools get considered for my roundups.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best print on demand company?
Printful is a strong all-rounder for quality and branding, Printify suits sellers who want to choose print partners, Gelato suits international sellers and Prodigi suits wall art.
How does print on demand work?
You create designs and list products. When a customer orders, your print partner makes and ships the product, so you never hold stock.
Which print on demand companies work with Etsy and Shopify?
Printful, Printify and Gelato all connect with Etsy and Shopify, and several others connect with Shopify and WooCommerce.
Should I order samples before selling?
Yes. Samples show you the print quality, fabric and packaging your customers will receive, and give you real photos for your listings.
