With the increased desire to own monogrammed items and a gifting culture that focuses on personal touches rather than grand gestures, print providers are getting more than their fair share of attention.
But like everything else, not all printing software are created equal. While some software offer highly intuitive features and attractive templates, some are not as useful in providing the service they promise.
In this blog post, we will examine some of the best print providers available today, paying close attention to their features, strengths, and weaknesses while comparing their prices.
What Are Print Providers and How Do They Operate?
Print providers are commercial printing services that offer printing services on demand. A print provider is a platform that offers premade templates and layouts that can be printed on a wide range of products.
Print providers make it possible for creatives and anyone with an eye for art to create a business online without holding inventory or for individuals to make customized items. They allow you to hold off on paying the cost of a product and shipping only after an order has been placed.
Print providers generally provide sales and shipping services and designing and printing services. Unlike regular printing services, which offer specialized printing services such as integrated cards, e-commerce, web-to-print, digital printing, etc., print providers offer a wider range of services that cut across the different types of printing.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Print Provider
When choosing a print provider, you must choose one that provides optimal benefits for your business, especially in saving costs and time spent processing orders. Below are some factors to consider when choosing a print provider:
Printing Options and Techniques
One important thing to consider when choosing a print provider is its printing options and the techniques used. Is there a wide range of options for you to choose from? Do they offer enough flexibility? Are their techniques based on industry standards, and do they adopt sustainable practices to reduce environmental impact?
Catalog and Product Range
Another essential thing to consider is the types of products a print provider can make. While many print providers can handle simple items such as t-shirts, you might need a more complicated service.
Shipping and Location
Shipping is also something to put into consideration. When choosing a print provider, how fast a printing provider can process orders and the locations they operate in are things to consider. Location can play a role in the cost of shipping, so you want to choose a print provider with the best services around your location.
Quality of Work
Quality of work is not something you should put on the back bench when choosing a print provider. The quality of work delivered by your chosen provider directly impacts your relationship with your customers and can directly impact your bottom line. So you want to check for a service with a history of consistently delivering great work.
Reliability
Another thing you should consider is the reputation of the platform you choose when it comes to being reliable in service delivery and customer support. Printing services require that attention be paid to details. In instances where orders are not followed to the latter, you want access to a helpful support team.
Return Policy
If there are any errors in ordering and designing, you want to know if you are allowed to return items and, if so, what is the refund process like. You should ensure there are processes in place to remedy situations like this.
Reviews of the Best Print Providers Based on Our Research
Printify
Best Print Provider Overall
Printify is a vendor network of print providers to make print-on-demand easy and accessible for everyone. They offer a wide range of products, from t-shirts to phone cases, and different printing options, such as direct-to-garment sublimation, embroidery, and other options that your chosen print providers may offer.
They have a network of over 250 print providers worldwide. That means you can always get your order fulfilled quickly and efficiently, no matter where you are. On the flip side, this could mean that the quality of service you get varies based on your chosen print provider.
Features
- Network of print provider vendors
- Large product selection
- Global fulfillment network
- Easy-to-use platform
- Excellent customer service
- Mockup generator
- Competitive prices due to cost-effective shipping from several locations
- Integration into e-commerce platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and Wix.
Pricing
- Free Account
- Premium – $24.99 per month (14% discount on annual shipping)
- Enterprise – Custom pricing
Printful
Most Flexible Print Provider
Printful is a print-on-demand company that offers a wide range of products, including t-shirts, mugs, posters, and phone cases, at an affordable price. One thing that sets Printful apart from other providers is its focus on quality.
All their products are made with high-quality materials and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re looking for a print-on-demand provider that can help you take your business to the next level, Printful is worth considering.
They also offer a wide range of customization options so you can create unique products that your customers will love. Printify will allow you to include your business branding on products for an enhanced customer experience.
Features
- Free to set up
- High-quality printing
- Affordable prices
- Short shipping period
- Wide range of products
- Customization options
- Integration with about twenty e-commerce platforms
- Unlimited business branding, including inner tags and prints.
Pricing
- Free
- Plus – $9 per month
- Pro – $49 per month
Teelaunch
All-in-One Print Provider
Teelaunch is a print-on-demand service that offers high-quality printing and fulfillment for various products. Their print-on-demand capabilities allow them to produce and ship orders quickly and efficiently, which is ideal for businesses that want to offer a wide selection of products without the hassle of inventory management.
Teelaunch offers a variety of print-on-demand options, including custom garment printing, home decor printing, t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and more. They also have no minimum order requirements, so users can start selling as soon as they create their designs.
Overall, Teelaunch is an excellent option for businesses that want to offer high-quality printed products without the hassle of managing inventory. They also have an extensive network of printers and fulfillment centers worldwide, which helps keep costs low.
Features
- Easy to navigate platform
- Integration with e-commerce platforms
- High-quality printing
- Fast turnaround times
- Wide range of print-on-demand options
- Extensive global fulfillment network
- Competitive prices
Pricing
Pricing is based on the product type and the number of colors, fonts, and other graphics used in the design.
CustomCat
There are many benefits to using a print-on-demand service like Customcat. First, it allows you to create high-quality custom products without investing in expensive inventory or equipment.
Second, it provides a hassle-free way to sell your products online. Third, it allows you to produce small batches of custom products or large quantities of standardized products.
Fourth, it enables you to reach a global market of potential customers. Finally, it offers excellent customer support and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. With so many advantages, it’s no wonder that Customcat is one of the leading print-on-demand providers in the world.
Features
- Integrations
- High-quality printing
- No minimum order requirements
- Hassle-free online selling
- Fast turnaround times
- Competitive prices
- Extensive catalog with different product options
- Simple design tool
- Excellent customer support
Pricing
Pricing varies depending on the product and the destination.
Vistaprint
Best for Bulk Orders
Vistaprint is one of the leading print providers in the world, and for a good reason. They offer high-quality printing at an affordable price and can seamlessly handle a huge order at once.
In addition, Vistaprint offers a wide range of print-on-demand products, including t-shirts, mugs, posters, and more. They also offer a wide range of customization options, so you can create unique products that meet your specific needs.
And if you’re unsure what type of printing is right for you, their team is always happy to help. All in all, Vistaprint is an excellent option for those looking for high-quality print-on-demand services.
Features
- High-quality printing
- Affordable price
- Custom design with in-house experts
- Pre-made templates
- Wide range of products
- Wide range of customization options
- Bulk Orders
- Logo maker
- QR code generator
- White labeling.
Pricing
- Pro Shop – $99 per year
- Custom – Available on request.
Gooten
Honorable Mention
Gooten is a print-on-demand service that offers high-quality products and fulfillment services to businesses of all sizes. Companies can create and upload their designs or choose from Gooten’s extensive library of pre-designed products.
They offer various printing options, including digital and screen printing. They also offer a wide range of products, including t-shirts, mugs, posters, and more. In addition, they provide a wide range of customization options, allowing customers to create unique products that meet their specific needs.
Prices are based on the quantity ordered and the design used. Gooten also offers fulfillment services, meaning businesses can order products in bulk and have them shipped directly to their customers.
This eliminates the need for inventory management and allows businesses to offer a wide range of products without worrying about stock levels. Overall, Gooten is a flexible and affordable print-on-demand solution that is perfect for companies of all sizes.
Finally, they offer a wide range of shipping options, making it easy for customers to get their products delivered to their doorsteps. All of these factors make Gooten an attractive option for those looking for high-quality print-on-demand services.
Features
- High-quality printing
- Wide range of products
- Unique products not available on other on-demand printing services
- Wide range of customization options
- Flexible and affordable pricing
- Fulfillment services are available
- Easy shipping options
- Integration with e-commerce sites
- Great customer support
- Mockup designs
- Analytics dashboard.
Pricing
Free to use. Gooten only bills on completed orders.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Print Providers
Print on demand, or POD, is a printing technology used by online printers to produce books, magazines, and other commercial printing products on demand.
When an order is received for a POD product, the printer prints only the number of items that are required, rather than having large quantities of each item printed in advance.
One of the most common mistakes is not proofreading the design before sending it to print. This can lead to errors in the final product shipped by your print provider.
There is no one “best” print-on-demand company that pays the most. It depends on various factors, including the type of products you sell, your target market, and your shipping costs.
That said, some print-on-demand companies are known for being more expensive than others.
If you’re looking for a high-quality print-on-demand company, you may want to consider one of the providers on this list.
Yes, print on demand can be profitable. There are a lot of factors that go into making a profit. You’ll also need to factor in time and labor costs. You should also see if your print provider is eating into your profits with high product prices, hidden charges, and shipping costs.
Yes, you can use multiple print-on-demand companies. This can be a great way to increase your product offerings and reach more customers. Each company has strengths and weaknesses. You’ll need to evaluate each one to see if it’s a good fit for your business.
Bottom Line
Printing is an industry that has been around for centuries, and it’s not going away any time soon. In fact, with the growth of digital marketing and online printing companies, the traditional printing market is only getting more competitive.
With the rise of fast fashion, many people are also looking into curating more personalized wardrobes, making print-on-demand even more desirable.
There are many print providers available. Printify has an impressive range of products and printing services due to its high-value vendor network. Vistaprint makes small businesses scale for growth a lot easier with its high print fulfillment capacity, and there’s Customcat with its impressive catalog.
When making your choice of print provider, make sure you consider some of the factors highlighted above and do your research.
