Top 10 Printful Alternatives to Choose From

Printful is a popular and well-established print-on-demand (POD) platform known for its reliable on-demand printing, warehousing, and shipping services. It has gained a strong reputation among creators for its quality and dependability. 

However, Printful's high costs can reduce profit margins, making it less attractive for entrepreneurs just starting out. The platform’s in-house production model can also lead to increased production costs, stock shortages, and delays, particularly during busy periods like holidays. 

And while Printful offers a broad catalog of over 430 products, the range is mostly limited to apparel, with fewer options in categories like tech accessories and shoes. As a result, many merchants may find other POD platforms more suited to their needs. 

This article will explore some of the best alternatives to Printful, highlighting their pros and cons to help you choose the right platform for your print-on-demand business.

Why Should You Consider Printful Alternatives?

Printful is great, but there are several reasons why you might want to explore other POD platforms. Let's dive into some key reasons!

Lower Your Production Costs

One major reason to look for alternatives to Printful is to lower your production costs. Printful’s high-quality products come with a price tag, which can eat into your profits. By exploring other platforms, you might find more cost-effective options that still meet your quality standards, allowing you to offer competitive prices to your supporters.

Expand Your Product Selection

While Printful offers a wide range of products, other platforms offer even more variety. Expanding your product selection from unique apparel options to custom home decor and accessories can help you stand out and cater to niche markets. More products mean more opportunities to connect with your audience through unique and personalized merchandise.

Explore Better Customization Capabilities

Customization is key when it comes to merchandise. Some print-on-demand platforms offer more advanced customization options than Printful, allowing you to create truly unique products that reflect your brand's personality. Look for POD and ecommerce platforms that provide extensive design tools, color options, and personalization features to give your supporters something special.

Ease of Integration

Integrating your print-on-demand service with your website or ecommerce store should be seamless. Some platforms offer better integration capabilities with various e-commerce platforms, social media sites, and other online tools compared to Printful. Easier integration means less time spent on technical details and more time focusing on your creativity and business growth.

Top 10 Printful Alternatives for Print-On-Demand

1. Fourthwall

Now, I know we sound a little biased, but sue us! When it comes to print-on-demand, Fourthwall excels in providing extensive customization options and having an impressive user-friendly interface, making it a top choice for established creators with loyal audiences. 

With an intuitive custom storefront builder, creators can effortlessly design their own ecommerce store without any coding knowledge, establishing a unique online presence. The platform boasts an extensive product catalog featuring over 250 retail-quality print-on-demand items, such as apparel, accessories, and digital products, providing creators with boundless opportunities to monetize their creativity. 

Fourthwall’s competitive pricing, especially for apparel, ensures maximum profitability for creators. The platform supports various printing options, including DTG, embroidery, screen-printing, DTFx, and sublimation, enabling vibrant and precise designs. And with worldwide shipping from fulfillment centers in the US, EU, and AUS, Fourthwall guarantees fast and affordable delivery for users. 

In addition to its robust product and printing offerings, Fourthwall provides creators with an array of incredible features designed to enhance their selling experience. These features include personal mobile apps for shops, promo codes for customers, custom domain, and social media integration features, and comprehensive analytic tools that provide insights into sales performance, customer behavior, and overall store metrics. 

Pros:

• Full-featured ecommerce platform.
• Ability to sell digital and physical products.
• Built-in website builder.
• Variety of printing options.
• Dozens of eco-friendly custom products.
• Professional grade mockup generator.
• Offers competitive apparel costs.
• Worldwide shipping.
• Full-service customer support.
• Users own their own data.
• Integrated shopping features, including YouTube Product Shelf, TikTok Shop, and Twitch Gifting.

Cons:

• Limited product options in some categories (e.g., makeup, sports products, and CPG goods).

2. Printify

Printify stands out in the print-on-demand industry due to its vast network of international printing suppliers, offering creators extensive production tracking and good customer service. With over 900 products available and competitive pricing, Printify provides creators with diverse product options, enabling them to cater to a wide range of customer preferences. 

The platform's integrations with online marketplaces like Shopify, Amazon, TikTok Shop, and Etsy allow for significant growth potential and easy access to large customer bases. Printify is free and user-friendly, supports unlimited POD product designs, and is accessible even to beginners. 

However, while Printify offers many advantages, its longer shipping times and inconsistent printing quality can be drawbacks. The quality of products can vary depending on the chosen print provider, so thorough research is necessary to ensure consistent quality.

Pros:

• Good customer service.
• Extensive production statistics and process tracking.
• Large network of international printing suppliers.
• Good integration with other online marketplaces.
• Free to use and easy for beginners.

Cons:

• Longer shipping times.
• Print quality varies depending on the provider.
• Smaller catalog compared to some competitors.
  
  

3. Gooten

Gooten offers a varied product selection and affordable printing prices, making it a great choice for creators looking for a balance between cost and variety. The platform benefits from several sources, providing a diverse catalog that includes unique merchandise such as metal prints and woven blankets. 

With an intuitive platform that's easy to navigate, Gooten allows creators to filter through categories ranging from apparel to home decor. Unlike Printify, Gooten employs a multi-routing system with fixed printing providers, ensuring consistency but limiting choice. The platform doesn’t charge subscriptions or require upfront payments, making it accessible to new users. 

However, it’s important to note that Gooten's high international shipping prices and the need for technical support for Amazon integration can cause drawbacks. Despite these challenges, Gooten integrates seamlessly with Shopify, BigCommerce, Etsy, and WooCommerce and offers a custom API for connections with Amazon, eBay, or stand-alone sites, making it a versatile option for US-focused merchants.

Pros:

• Varied product selection.
• Affordable printing prices.
• Intuitive platform.
• 40 print facilities.
• No subscription fees.

Cons:

• High international shipping prices.
• Fixed printing providers.
• Amazon integration requires technical support.
• Smaller catalog compared to some competitors.
  
  

4. Redbubble

Redbubble is renowned for its extensive product options and user-friendly design tools, making it an excellent choice for independent artists aiming to monetize their designs. The platform allows creators to feature their work on various products, including apparel, accessories, and home decor while managing everything from manufacturing to shipping. 

One of Redbubble's standout features is the ability for creators to easily edit their profit margins, giving them control over their earnings. The platform's intuitive interface makes it easy for artists to upload and customize their designs. 

However, despite these advantages, Redbubble has some drawbacks, including slow shipping times and a highly competitive marketplace that can make it challenging for new artists to stand out. Additionally, Redbubble does not offer integrations with other marketplaces, which limits the potential for expanding sales channels.

Pros:

• Extensive product options.
• Editable profit margins.
• User-friendly design tool.
• Worldwide accessibility with global shipping.
• No upfront costs; free to sign up.

Cons:

• Slow shipping times.
• Highly competitive market.
• No integrations with other marketplaces.
  
  

5. CustomCat

CustomCat offers a wide range of products and competitive prices, making it a popular print-on-demand alternative to Printful, especially among Shopify store owners in the US. With over 20 years in the market, CustomCat has established its own printing facilities, allowing it to manage production and shipping efficiently. 

The platform boasts a catalog of more than 375 products, with a strong focus on T-shirts and athletic apparel, and includes unique merchandise like pack coolers. CustomCat stands out for its quick turnaround time, typically delivering within two to three days in the US. However, the platform has some limitations, such as slower international shipping and a lack of branding features. 

Additionally, while it integrates well with Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, BigCommerce, and via API, it offers fewer marketplace integrations compared to some competitors. CustomCat's shipping pricing, divided into four confusing tiers based on weight, can also be a drawback for some users.

Pros:

• Wide product collection.
• Competitive prices.
• Quick turnaround time for US customers.
• Solid range of athletic apparel and T-shirts.

Cons:

• Slow international shipping.
• No branding features.
• Few integrations with other marketplaces.
• Confusing shipping pricing structure.
  
  

6. Teelaunch

Teelaunch is an excellent print-on-demand alternative to Printful, offering a cost-effective solution with a range of unique features. One of Teelaunch's standout features is its automated profit calculation tool, which allows sellers to set their prices and automatically calculate profits based on production and shipping costs. 

This simplifies the financial management aspect of running an ecommerce business, enabling creators to focus more on their designs and marketing strategies. Additionally, Teelaunch requires no subscription fees, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious individuals or those just starting out in the POD industry, as users only pay for the products they sell. 

The platform offers a wide range of high-quality, branded products, including apparel, accessories, home goods, and tech products, allowing creators to provide their customers with a comprehensive and customizable selection. However, while Teelaunch excels in pricing and customer support, it has limited integrations with other e-commerce platforms and fewer white-labeling options compared to Printful.

Pros:

• Automated profit calculation simplifies financial tracking.
• Branded products add a professional touch.
• No subscription fees reduce upfront costs.
• Competitive pricing on a wide range of products.
• Responsive customer service.

Cons:

• Limited integrations with other e-commerce platforms.
• Limited white-labeling options.
• Smaller product catalog compared to Printful.
• Limited international fulfillment options.
  
  

7. Print Aura

Print Aura has become an innovative print-on-demand platform known for its reliability and extensive product selection, which includes over 360 items. However, this extensive catalog comes with an interface that may appear outdated and less intuitive compared to newer platforms. 

Print Aura stands out by offering numerous branding options, including custom packaging, hang tags, and neck label removal. It also accommodates special customer requests and packaging materials. While these unique customizations can increase costs, the platform remains attractive with its no-monthly fee model and no minimum order requirement. Print Aura operates from a single US-based facility, handling a sizable amount of daily orders while maintaining high quality. 

The platform also features a pricing wizard to help users calculate prices and determine profit margins. Integrations with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Storenvy, Etsy, and Opencart further enhance its utility.

Pros:

• No minimum orders.
• Multiple options for custom branding.
• Wide range of products.
• Strong integration with major ecommerce platforms.

Cons:

• Outdated interface and lags on loading.
• Lacks decent customer support.
• Only operates with US-based fulfillment centers.
  
  

8. Spring (a.k.a TeeSpring)

Spring, formerly known as Teespring, has long been a dominant force in the print-on-demand industry. It offers a robust catalog of products while efficiently managing production and shipping costs. The platform provides a wide array of customizable items, including t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, posters, and phone cases, allowing creators to appeal to diverse audiences and broaden their product offerings. 

With its no-subscription model and user-friendly design tool, Spring simplifies the creative and selling process for creators. A standout feature is its innovative integration with platforms like YouTube and Twitch, enabling creators to link their merchandise to their videos and channels directly. This seamless integration allows viewers to purchase products without leaving the platform, helping creators leverage their existing audiences to boost sales. 

Additionally, Spring offers various promotional tools and analytics, such as discount codes, email marketing campaigns, and social media sharing options, to help creators optimize their sales strategies. Despite some limitations in customer support and product selection, Spring's comprehensive features and collaboration programs make it an excellent choice for creators.

Pros:

• Impressive marketing tools and partnership integration features.
• Impressive product catalog.
• Can ship products to over 180 countries around the world.
• Integration tools for YouTube and Twitch creators.

Cons:

• Higher prices for certain products.
• Delayed payouts.
• Lack of customer support.
  
  

9. Spreadshirt

Spreadshirt is a strong contender in the print-on-demand market, distinguished by its eco-friendly production practices and an established customer base. It offers creators the opportunity to earn income by selling or designing unique products, positioning itself as a versatile platform similar to Spring. 

With over 150 custom printable items, including popular choices like t-shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs, and phone cases, creators have diverse products to personalize with their designs. Getting started on Spreadshirt is straightforward—creators simply create a seller account and begin designing artwork for their chosen products. 

Additionally, for those with Shopify stores, Spreadshirt allows direct publishing of products to their storefronts, while others can opt to sell their designs in the Spreadshirt marketplace. Despite its small product selection and higher prices, Spreadshirt’s dual functionality as a print-on-demand website and marketplace, combined with its eco-friendly approach, provides creators with effective tools and support to showcase and monetize their creativity.

Pros:

• Wide range of product options.
• Good quality prints.
• Easy-to-use interface.
• Integration with YouTube Merch Shelf.
• Impressive customer support.

Cons:

• Limited product varieties.
• Limited customization options for storefronts.
• Shipping costs can be high.
• Three-color maximum for higher-quality print designs.
  
  

10. JetPrint

JetPrint is a versatile print-on-demand platform offering a wide range of unique products, such as shoes, hoodies, watches, and facemasks, that are not typically available from most POD partners. With a 3-day production time and delivery within 7 to 20 days, JetPrint ensures timely fulfillment regardless of the destination. 

The platform is particularly appealing due to its various design options, including all-over printing and simple image additions. JetPrint is user-friendly, featuring automatic order processing and an express shipping service for urgent orders. Additionally, the company frequently updates its product offerings, keeping the catalog fresh and exciting. 

However, Jetprint does have some drawbacks, including minimal customer service and a less intuitive interface, which can be challenging for some creators. Processing and delivery times can also be slow, and the service can be relatively expensive.

Pros:

• Wide range of unique POD products.
• Easy-to-use backend environment with product tracking numbers.
• No order minimums.
• No paid subscriptions.
• Advanced product tracking system.

Cons: 

• Minimal customer service.
• Less intuitive interface.
• Processing and delivery times can be quite slow.
• Can be quite expensive.
  
  

Start Selling Your Products Easily With Fourthwall!

As we've explored, numerous print-on-demand (POD) platforms beyond Printful cater to various creator needs, whether you're looking to lower production costs, expand product selection, enhance customization, or simplify integration. 

Among these options, Fourthwall stands out with unparalleled design control, advanced features like in-depth mockups, membership benefits, and robust analytics. Start selling your products easily with Fourthwall and experience the difference a creator-focused platform can make!