Recently, I started to think about monetizing the photos I’ve taken for stocks. Print-on-demand (POD) seemed like the perfect solution. By choosing this option, I can offer consumers personalized products like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases without dealing with inventory or shipping.
As a beginner in the world of e-commerce, I wanted the print-on-demand platform that would seamlessly integrate with my existing online stores on Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce. Besides, I was looking for the service that offered user-friendly design tools, an intuitive setup process, and smooth navigation.
Having access to a broad range of top-notch products is crucial. Thus, beginners like me can provide a variety of options, such as clothing, home decorations, and accessories, to satisfy multiple customers.
Naturally, the POD platform must be known for delivering high-quality prints and products. To my mind, this is important for keeping customers happy and reducing returns or complaints. Early on, I had a negative experience working with a local photo printing service, when I tried to print mugs and magnets featuring photos I had taken for my clients.
The outcome was terrible with distorted colors, warped faces, and even unevenly applied paint on the surface. Both my clients and I were disappointed. However, that experience had a positive aspect. Now, I’m more selective when choosing print-on-demand sites to work with.
Key features:
Currently, Printful provides users with a selection of 293 customizable items, ranging from t-shirts and tank tops to hats, hoodies, face masks, and more. I can either upload my own designs or create them right within Printful, using a built-in free graphic design software. If I choose the second option, I can take advantage of over 80 million $1 images ready for customization.
With this service, I don’t have to worry about the print quality. Printed pictures always look exactly like they do after editing on my laptop screen. Since I don't have many orders yet, I really appreciate that Printful doesn’t require a minimum order quantity. This way, I can deliver products to my customers as quickly as possible, without having to wait until I meet a minimum order requirement.
Key features:
Redbubble attracts clients with the possibility of making offbeat and attention-grabbing designs. There is a vast selection of products and print designs available on the site. They are created by independent professional artists. What I appreciate most is the variety of printing mediums supported. Generally, I can order prints on phone cases, wall art, stationery, and accessories for different needs.
I like that this print-on-demand site has a user-friendly interface. Thus, beginners like me can effortlessly upload designs and start selling right away. Moreover, it seems that Redbubble takes care of everything, from production to shipping and customer service, while you’re concentrating on making unique products.
Plus, it helps talented artists find businesses for cooperation. I can either use my own photos or designs, or buy professional designs from over 700,000 artists on the platform.
Key features:
Spring simplifies the process of making, selling, and ordering custom products, adhering to top industry standards and meeting the expectations of today’s customers. I think the most impressive thing about Spring is that it allows me to sell products through the YouTube merch shelf, TikTok, and across various social media for photographers. I am very grateful for multiple ways to reach my audience.
The main focus here is on upper-body clothing and digital products. You will see lots of tank tops, t-shirts, and hoodies for both men and women. Being designed with the younger generation in mind, Spring integrates with popular platforms like Discord, Streamlabs, Google Shopping, and Twitch.
Key features:
SPOD offers an incredibly fast production. Most orders, namely, 95% are shipped within just two days. If you are a beginner, this can be a huge benefit, as your customers will receive their orders very promptly and will likely return to you.
On the platform, you can fin easy-to-use T-design software, along with instruments for making other products. Thanks to such a toolset, I can create and customize different items like clothing, home décor, and more. Besides, SPOD has a product personalization option. Thus, customers can add their own text or images to products to personalize the look.
Key features:
If you're just starting out with an online store, Gooten is one of the best print on demand sites for beginners. Here you can produce a variety of products, including unique items like puzzles, pet accessories, and travel bags. Therefore, it is possible to create a store that's different from the rest.
When using Gooten, you can quickly access popular online ecommerce platforms, including Shopify and Etsy. This is particularly beneficial for novices. They can manage orders and keep their product listings synchronized across different sales channels.
Another advantage is the automation of sending orders to different production facilities around the world. This is important for shipping products to consumers in the fastest manner possible.
Gooten has a great order management system. You can track your orders in real-time and see details about them. I think beginners like me will appreciate such a functionality, especially, if they aspire to level up their business.
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Merch by Amazon is a great choice for new sellers who want to start selling printed products online. It is really easy to use because it’s connected to Amazon with a huge community of customers from different parts of the globe. There is no upfront payment required. Instead, you earn money for each item sold, so you don’t have to worry about keeping products in stock or shipping them.
I believe Merch is a terrific option for anybody, who wants to start a photography business with no money.
Merch handles the printing and shipping of your products in accordance with Amazon policy. In fact, many items can be delivered quickly with Amazon Prime. You can also use Amazon’s tools to analyze your sales and make changes to boost them.
Key features:
Apliiq specializes in high-quality, custom clothing. They offer a wide range of stylish and comfortable options, including trendy base layers, lined hoodies, and tees with extra pockets.
This print-on-demand site offers a private label subscription. It is the perfect solution for my business. I wanted to establish a strong brand identity from the start, and this option fully fit my desires.
With Apliiq, you can expect high-quality prints thanks to the usage of advanced heat transfer printers. Besides, the service has a transparent shipping process, allowing users to see the delivery times and costs to ensure their products are market-ready.
Key features:
I trust Printify when I need to create high-quality prints. The service helps me bring my photo and graphic design ideas to life in a fast and easy way. I particularly like that they can handle big orders, even during holidays. Besides, here you can find a selection of more than 500 quality products from popular brands. Their designs are modern, unlike what other companies offer.
With Printify, it is very convenient to design unique products and sell them the way I want. Everything is very intuitive, so even if you are a complete beginner, you will be able to produce the needed items. Besides, I appreciate that experts will take care of printing, delivery, and other logistic details.
Key features:
Teelaunch boasts a comprehensive product collection that goes beyond the usual. In addition to standard items like clothes and home decor, here you can find niche products, e.g., Bluetooth speakers, cutting boards, and pet accessories. Sellers can make and distribute unique and diverse products, which makes Teelaunch one of the best print-on-demand sites.
Thanks to the integration with Shopify, I have managed to start a photography business with Shopify and run it successfully. It is so easy to manage orders and create custom products with bespoke designs. My clients appreciate that I can satisfy their demands no matter how non-standard they are.
Key features:
CustomCat is a perfect option if you are looking for the best print on demand site for beginners free of charge. It offers a big catalog of 550+ customizable products made from eco-friendly materials. I was pleasantly surprised to discover this commitment to sustainability, which isn’t so frequent among similar companies.
Starting an online store doesn't have to be expensive. CustomCat offers very reasonable pricing plans and discounts for bulk orders. Another strong point is quick production times. Beginners can create high-quality stuff without going bankrupt.
Key features:
Sellfy is a modern eCommerce platform that simplifies the process of selling both digital and physical products. For instance, here you can sell online courses, artwork, videos, ebooks, and more. I'm particularly grateful for the possibility of selling digital photos and printed materials in one place. Moreover, everything is very intuitive here.
Sellfy claims anyone can set up an eCommerce store in just 5 minutes. I’ve tried to do that and say it is true. The site is incredibly user-friendly and you can handle all the processes independently. While Sellfy may not have as many advanced features as platforms like Shopify, it attracts users with simplicity and affordability.
