Quick answer
- Best overall: Shopify + Printful or Printify.
- Best for marketplace traffic: Etsy + a POD integration.
- Key tip: order samples and price for a healthy margin after shipping.
How print on demand works
- You create designs and add them to products in a POD app.
- Products sync to your store.
- A customer orders; the POD partner prints and ships it.
- You keep the difference between your price and the POD base cost.
Best print-on-demand setups
Shopify + Printful/Printify
Best overallShopify has the deepest POD integrations, the best branding control, and the marketing tools to grow a real merch brand.
Price: From $29/mo billed yearly. Free trial + $1/mo for 3 months
Pros
- Full branding
- All major POD apps
- Email & social built in
Cons
- You drive the traffic
Etsy + POD
Best for built-in trafficEtsy shoppers love custom gifts. Fees are higher and competition is fierce. See Shopify vs Etsy.
Price: Listing + transaction + processing fees
Pros
- Built-in buyers
Cons
- Fees
- Policy limits on POD
WooCommerce + POD
Most controlPrintful and Printify both support WooCommerce. Good if you already run WordPress.
Price: Free plugin + hosting
Pros
- Low platform cost
Cons
- Maintenance
Printful vs Printify
| Printful | Printify | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | In-house production | Network of print providers |
| Base prices | Higher | Often lower |
| Quality consistency | High | Varies by provider |
| Monthly fee | Free to use | Free; optional premium plan |
Visit Printful (opens in a new tab) · Visit Printify (opens in a new tab)
Building a clothing brand rather than a merch side hustle? Read best platform for clothing brands.
Our verdict
Shopify plus a POD partner is the best way to build a print-on-demand business you own. Start with a niche, order samples, and grow from there.
Try Shopify free (opens in a new tab)Frequently asked questions
Is print on demand worth it?
It's a low-risk way to start because there's no inventory. Margins are lower than bulk ordering, so design quality, niche and marketing determine success.
Printful or Printify?
Printful runs its own production centers for consistent quality; Printify connects you to a network of print providers, often with lower base prices. Order samples from both.