Selling your art online doesn’t have to mean drowning in packing tape, shipping labels, and warehouse chaos.
You’ve got the talent. The internet’s got the buyers. So, all you need to do is find the right avenues, like a print-on-demand website.
A print-on-demand platform lets you turn your designs into products without the upfront hassle and risk, so you can return to what you do best: creating amazing art!
Using the best print-on-demand sites, you can turn your designs into cash without even touching a box.
Note: Please feel free to navigate to the part you want to read if you’re familiar with the basics of print-on-demand.
Let’s get started!
How Print-on-Demand Works
The comfort of selling your art and designs without worrying about inventory, printing, or shipping—sounds great, doesn’t it?
That’s exactly what print-on-demand (POD) helps you with. Using the POD business model, you simply upload your designs to a platform and select the products you want them printed on (like t-shirts, canvases, or even journals), and when someone makes a purchase, you get the order, but the platform takes care of the rest. The print-on-demand platform prints the item, handles packaging, and ships it directly to your customer.
The good part is that you don’t have to invest in bulk inventory or expensive equipment! As an artist or creator, you can focus your energy and creativity while they manage the logistics.
Print-on-Demand Marketplaces vs. Platforms – What You Should Know
Before we get started with the best print-on-demand websites, you should know that not all POD websites work the same way. You basically have two main models to work with – print-on-demand marketplaces and POD platforms.
After thorough research, I’ve compiled a list of features and functions that beginners or artists will need from print-on-demand sites.
To start with…
Print-on-Demand Marketplaces
These are websites like Zazzle, where you list your art alongside thousands of other creators. The platform handles the printing, shipping, and customer support. In this model, you’re responsible for the designs, while the marketplace brings in the traffic.
Some of the POD marketplaces are Redbubble, Society6, and Zazzle. More about these later.
POD Platforms
With these POD platforms, you integrate the service with your own online store (like Shopify or your website). This gives you full control over your branding, customer data, and marketing. The platform handles production and fulfillment, but you’re in charge of driving traffic to your site.
Some of the popular Print-on-demand platforms are Printful, Printify, and Gelato. We’ll discuss them in a bit.
These POD platforms help you own the data to build a brand that brings you more credibility and long-term profits. We live in a time where data is money. Knowing your customer data and their purchase patterns can help you make the right business decisions.
Perks and Trade-offs
Each model has its perks and trade-offs. In short, POD marketplaces help you benefit from an existing audience, but you have limited control over your brand and customer interactions. On the other hand, POD platforms let you build your brand from the ground up, though you must invest in marketing to drive sales.
To give you a better idea, here are some key differences between print-on-demand marketplaces vs. platforms.
| Attribute | POD Marketplaces | POD Platforms (Fulfillment Services) |
| Branding & Control | Limited branding – your work appears under the marketplace’s umbrella. | Full control over your brand, with your own website and storefront. |
| Customer Data | Restricted access to customer details – the platform manages the relationship. | Direct customer data lets you personalize your marketing and retarget. |
| Traffic Generation | Built-in audience brings organic traffic automatically. | You need to drive your own traffic through SEO, ads, and social media. |
| Fulfillment | The platform handles printing, shipping, and customer service. | Fulfillment is taken care of, but it’s integrated into your own sales channel. |
| Pricing & Margins | Often fixed pricing with commission fees, which can limit margins. | You set your prices and control your profit margin (subject to base costs). |
| Customization Options | Limited storefront customization. | Greater flexibility to offer a unique shopping experience. |
| Marketing Support | The marketplace does some marketing for you (search, recommendations). | Requires you to actively market your store, though integration with other tools helps. |
| Ideal For | Beginners who want ease of entry with minimal setup. | Entrepreneurs who want to build a personal brand and control every aspect of the customer journey. |
Select the most suitable POD model that aligns with your business goals.
Best Print-on-Demand Platforms For Your Art
Now, let’s look into the key attributes that’ll make each of these platforms unique.
Gelato
Gelato is one of the popular print-on-demand platforms that offers a diverse product range, including apparel, wall art, calendars, cards, phone cases, and more, catering to a wide range of creative needs. Their product line is also known for offering sustainability and eco-friendliness, which is particularly useful if you’re targeting an audience like Gen Z, who are generally environmentally conscious. On the other hand, orders are typically produced and shipped within 72 hours, as their network boasts over 130 local production partners across 32 countries. Yes, the fulfillment is relatively better.
Also, you can add packaging inserts and branded labels, crafting memorable experiences for customers. It’s cost-effective for artists and designers who are starting out. Besides, Gelato integrates seamlessly with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, BigCommerce, Amazon, and TikTok Shop.
Gelato has one of the best customer support teams among its peers. They usually offer quick and helpful support in case of queries. Pricing is competitive, with no monthly fees or minimum orders, and they’ve recently reduced prices on many of their products across select markets. However, their product portfolio is limited compared to Printful or Printify.
Printful
Printful offers a vast product range of over 390 items, including apparel, accessories, home decor, and more, catering to various creative needs.
Orders are typically fulfilled within 2–5 business days, thanks to their global network of fulfillment centers.
The platform integrates seamlessly with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, and more, providing flexibility in setting up your online store.
Besides, Printful has decent customer support. They’re available through chat, email, or call whenever you need one.
Just like Gelato, Printful offers extensive branding and personalization options, including custom labels, packaging inserts, and a product personalization tool for end customers.
One of the significant aspects of Printful is that it maintains high QC (quality control) standards, ensuring consistent product quality. Also, Printful is a great alternative to Printify if you’ve already tried the latter.
When you look at prices, Printful’s product pricing is generally higher than some of its competitors. But that reflects in their commitment to quality.
Printify
Printify is one of the top players in the market with over 1,300 items to sell. The vast portfolio means you can customize and sell almost any available print-on-demand product out there!
Printify has an extensive product range, including apparel, accessories, home decor, and more, providing ample options for your creative endeavors.
Fulfillment times usually vary depending on the print provider and location, but many orders are produced and shipped within 2–7 business days, offering flexibility based on your chosen partner. However, depending on the location, especially if you’re shipping outside the US, I’ve observed the orders take as long as 2 weeks or more to reach the customer.
You can easily integrate with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, and more, giving you the tools to set up your online store with ease.
Printify provides 24/7 customer support via email and live chat. While it offers white-label packaging, it doesn’t support custom branding on packaging materials, which may limit your branding opportunities.
The quality of products can vary since Printify connects you with multiple print providers. You need to be careful about the product quality and sizing, so it’s better to order the samples before selling.
Printify’s pricing is competitive, and you can access up to 20% discounts on product costs by subscribing to their Premium plan at $29/month, which is beneficial if you’re a long-term seller.
Sellfy
Sellfy is another worthy mention in the popular print-on-demand platforms, with over 120 POD products, including apparel, accessories, and home decor items. It was used mainly for digital print-on-demand products. However, it is also popular among artists for print-on-demand. Besides, Sellfy offers integrated email marketing, upselling, and affiliate marketing features to help grow your business.
The platform handles production and worldwide product delivery with a streamlined fulfillment process. While it doesn’t offer direct integrations with platforms like Shopify or Etsy, you can embed your Sellfy store or product widgets into your existing website, so in a way, it still offers you flexibility.
Customer support is available through email, and higher-tier plans offer priority support to address your needs more promptly. You can customize your storefront’s appearance, but options for product-level branding, such as custom labels or packaging, are limited.
Pricing starts at $29 per month for the Starter plan (monthly), with higher tiers offering additional features and support for increased sales volumes.
Along with the aforementioned print-on-demand platforms, Fourthwall, Podbase, FinerWorks, and Bay Photo Lab are some of the noteworthy ones.
The Best Print-on-Demand Marketplaces for Artists and Creators
Zazzle
Zazzle is a versatile print-on-demand marketplace, especially for artists. It is also one of the leading print-on-demand marketplaces out there!
It stands out with its wide array of customizable products tailored for designers, artists, and creators. The marketplace has a user-friendly interface and an extensive product catalog.
Besides, Zazzle offers a unique opportunity to reach a global audience. Zazzle boasts over 1,300 customizable products, ranging from apparel and accessories to home decor and stationery, providing ample opportunities for creators to diversify their offerings.
The platform offers an easy-to-use design editor, allowing both creators and customers to personalize products effortlessly. Buyers can personalize products directly on the platform, enhancing the shopping experience and increasing the appeal of your designs.
A key aspect of Zazzle is that it attracts a diverse, global customer base seeking unique, personalized items. Its marketplace is ideal for creators aiming to reach customers interested in custom-designed products.
Zazzle handles production and shipping logistics, with fulfillment times varying based on product type and destination. While some products ship promptly, others may experience longer processing times.
You get comprehensive customer support that can manage inquiries and issues related to orders, allowing you to focus on your art solely.
Creators can set their own royalty rates, typically ranging from 5% to 50% on physical products and up to 99% on digital products, offering flexibility in pricing strategies.
Zazzle offers extensive customization features, enabling customers to tailor products to their preferences, enhancing customer satisfaction, and driving sales.
While Zazzle provides a built-in marketplace with its own traffic, creators are encouraged to promote their stores through external marketing efforts to maximize visibility and sales.
Keep in mind that the platform offers limited options for custom branding, which may be a consideration for those looking to establish a distinct brand identity.
Redbubble
Redbubble is yet another popular print-on-demand platform that allows independent artists to showcase and sell their designs on a diverse range of products.
Key Features:
- Redbubble offers a wide array of products, including apparel, accessories, home decor, and more, enabling artists to diversify their offerings.
- A vast customer base around the world
- Artists can set their own profit margins, giving them control over their earnings.
- Redbubble is free to join, with no setup or listing fees, making it accessible for artists at all levels. However, here’s more information on how Redbubble pricing works.
The platform’s intuitive design tools make it easy for artists to upload and manage their designs across various products.
Keep in mind that:
- Artists have minimal control over branding and packaging, which may affect brand recognition.
- Since Redbubble partners with third-party manufacturers, product quality can vary depending on the supplier.
- While Redbubble has its own traffic, artists may not get enough traction to generate consistent sales. So ensure you have a solid marketing plan to promote your work to maximize visibility and sales.
Fine Art America (FAA)
Fine Art America (FAA) is another leading print-on-demand marketplace that caters specifically to artists, photographers, and illustrators. With a focus on high-quality art prints and extensive customization options, FAA provides a platform for creators to sell their work to a global audience.
Unique Features:
Diverse Product Range: FAA offers a wide array of products, including canvas prints, framed artwork, acrylic and metal prints, home décor, greeting cards, and apparel. This variety allows artists to present their work in multiple formats, appealing to different customer preferences.
Custom Framing and Matting: Customers can choose from various framing and matting options, enabling them to receive ready-to-hang artwork tailored to their tastes. EComposer
Artist-Controlled Pricing: Artists have the flexibility to set their own prices for products, allowing them to control their profit margins effectively.
Premium Membership Benefits: For an annual fee of $30, artists can access enhanced features, including increased visibility in the marketplace, advanced marketing tools, and customizable website features.
Marketplace Audience:
FAA attracts a global customer base interested in purchasing high-quality, customizable art pieces. Its platform is particularly appealing to art collectors, interior decorators, and individuals seeking unique artwork for personal or professional spaces.
Shipping Duration:
While the FAA operates multiple manufacturing centers across different countries, shipping times can vary depending on the product and destination. Some users have noted that shipping can take longer, especially for international orders.
Customer Support:
FAA handles all aspects of order fulfillment and customer service, allowing artists to focus on creating and marketing their work. The platform provides support for order-related inquiries, ensuring a seamless experience for both artists and customers.
Pricing & Margins:
Artists set their own base prices for products, and FAA adds a markup to cover production and fulfillment costs. This structure allows artists to maintain control over their earnings while ensuring transparency in pricing.
Customization Options:
FAA’s platform offers extensive customization features, including various print sizes, framing options, and product types. This flexibility enables customers to personalize their purchases, enhancing the overall shopping experience.
Marketing & SEO:
FAA provides built-in marketing tools and benefits from strong organic search traffic, helping artists attract buyers. Artists can also integrate their FAA store with Shopify or their own websites via API, expanding their reach beyond the FAA marketplace.
Additional Considerations:
- Limited Free Uploads: Artists can upload up to 25 designs for free; additional uploads require a premium membership.
- Complex Interface: FAA’s interface may be slightly complex for some users compared to other POD marketplaces, which may require additional time to navigate effectively.
Society6
Society6 is a print-on-demand platform that enables artists to sell their designs on a variety of products, including wall art, home decor, apparel, and tech accessories. The platform has introduced a subscription fee for artists who wish to upload more than 10 designs and earn higher royalties, leading to mixed reactions from the artist community.
With a focus on high-quality products, Society6 offers a unique marketplace for creators.
- Society6 offers a diverse selection of products, such as art prints, canvas prints, tapestries, throw pillows, rugs, and phone cases, allowing artists to showcase their work across multiple formats.
- The platform attracts a global audience seeking unique, artist-designed products, making it ideal for creators aiming to reach a wide customer base.
- Shipping times vary, with U.S. orders typically taking 4 to 14 days via USPS. However, some of them faced challenges with order tracking and international shipments.
- Society6 handles production, shipping, and customer service, allowing artists to focus on creating and promoting their work.
- Artists can set their own profit margins for art prints, framed prints, and canvas prints. For other products, a standard 10% margin applies. You should also factor in the discounts applied by Society6, as they can potentially reduce your earnings without prior notice.
- While artists have limited control over branding and packaging, they can customize their storefronts with profile images and product descriptions.
TeePublic
TeePublic is a print-on-demand marketplace where artists can sell their designs on various products, including apparel and accessories. It offers a user-friendly interface, allowing creators to upload designs easily. TeePublic handles production, shipping, and customer service, enabling artists to focus on their work. The platform uses high-quality materials and offers a satisfaction guarantee to customers.
Teespring (now Spring)
Teespring, rebranded as Spring, is a print-on-demand platform that enables creators to design and sell custom merchandise. It offers a range of products and handles production, shipping, and customer service. Spring integrates with various online marketplaces, including Amazon and eBay, expanding the reach for sellers. The platform also provides built-in marketing tools to help promote products.
Merch by Amazon
Merch by Amazon is a print-on-demand service that allows creators to sell custom merchandise directly through Amazon. Artists can reach Amazon’s vast customer base by uploading designs without managing inventory or shipping. Amazon handles production, fulfillment, and customer service, providing a hassle-free experience for sellers.
Displate
Displate is a marketplace specializing in high-quality metal posters featuring artwork from various genres, including video games, movies, and anime. Artists can sell their designs as unique metal prints, with Displate handling production and shipping. The platform offers a tool-free, magnet-mounted system for easy installation of the posters.
With the best print-on-demand sites listed above, getting your art on products like tees, totes, or tapestries is easier than ever! Let these platforms handle the hard part, while you make sales from the designs on your iPad!