The Best Print-on-Demand Providers for Newbies: Why I Swear by Printify

So, you’re thinking about starting an online store, but the idea of managing inventory, dealing with shipping, or storing boxes of t-shirts in your living room sounds like a total headache, right? That’s where print-on-demand (POD) comes in. POD lets you sell custom products—shirts, mugs, posters, you name it—without ever having to touch them yourself. The provider handles printing and shipping for you. Easy, right? But with so many print-on-demand companies out there, picking the right one can feel like a chore.

Luckily, I’ve been through that process, so you don’t have to. I’m going to break down the pros and cons of the top three POD providers: Printify, Printful, and TeeSpring. And spoiler alert: Printify is my favorite, hands down. I’ll explain why I use it, and why you might want to consider it too—especially if you’re new to this whole print-on-demand thing.

Why Printify Is My Go-To for Print-on-Demand

Let’s start with Printify, the one I’ve stuck with and continue to use. When I first started looking into POD, I tried a few different platforms, but Printify was the one that checked all my boxes. Here’s why.

Why Printify Rocks!

Tons of Products: Printify has a massive catalog with over 800 products to choose from. Seriously, it’s huge. Whether you want to sell t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, mugs, or even shower curtains (yep, they have those), you’ll find something to match your vision. I love that I can offer my customers so much variety—it keeps things interesting for them and me.

1. Global Print Providers: One of the coolest things about Printify is that they connect you to print providers all over the world. You get to pick which one you want to use based on price, quality, and location. I usually choose a provider that’s close to my customers, which means faster shipping and lower costs. Win-win
2. Great Pricing: When I was first starting out, I wanted to make sure I wasn’t paying more than I had to. Printify’s pricing is super competitive, especially compared to other platforms. They even have a Premium Plan that offers discounts on all products, which is a game-changer if you plan on scaling your business.
3. Easy to Use: If you’re like me and get a little overwhelmed by tech stuff, Printify’s interface is a breath of fresh air. It’s so simple to design products and list them in your store. I didn’t feel lost or frustrated while setting everything up, which is honestly one of the main reasons I stuck with it.
4. Integrates with Major Platforms: Printify integrates with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and more. This means I don’t have to worry about manually handling orders—everything is automated, which saves me a ton of time and energy.

The Drawbacks (Because Nothing’s Perfect)

As much as I love Printify, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, product quality can vary depending on the print provider you choose. Since Printify works with third-party providers, some are better than others. That said, you can order samples to test them out before you start selling, which I highly recommend doing.

Also, shipping costs can be a bit unpredictable. If you choose a print provider that’s far from your customer, shipping might get pricey. But, since Printify gives you options, you can usually find a provider that keeps costs low.

Why I Stuck with Printify

After trying out a few other platforms (more on them below), I came back to Printify because it gave me the best balance of control, pricing, and flexibility. I love being able to choose print providers based on what works for me and my customers. Plus, the variety of products means I can keep adding new items to my store without getting bored. If you’re a beginner or just looking for an easy way to get started, Printify is a no-brainer.

Printful: High Quality, But You’ll Pay for It

Next, let’s talk about Printful. It’s one of the most well-known POD companies, and for good reason. If quality is your top priority and you don’t mind paying a little extra, Printful is a solid option.

Why Printful Is Worth Considering:

1. Excellent Quality: Printful is known for having top-notch products. They handle printing in-house, so there’s more consistency compared to platforms like Printify, which rely on third-party providers.
2. Branding Options: If you’re looking to create a fully branded experience, Printful has some cool options like custom labels and branded packaging. It’s a nice touch if you want to stand out as a legit brand.
3. Fast Shipping: Printful has fulfillment centers in the U.S., Mexico, and Europe, so shipping tends to be quick if your customers are in those areas. Faster shipping = happier customers, right?

The Downsides: 

Here’s the catch: Printful is expensive. Their product base prices are higher than Printify’s, which means lower profit margins unless you’re willing to charge more for your products. If you’re just starting out and need every dollar of profit you can get, this might be a dealbreaker.

 Also, the product range is smaller. While Printful offers all the basics (like shirts, hoodies, and mugs), their catalog isn’t as diverse as Printify’s. If you want to sell more unique or niche products, you might feel limited.

Best For:

If you don’t mind paying a bit more for quality and are focused on building a premium brand, Printful is worth looking into. Just be prepared for smaller margins unless you can charge higher prices.

TeeSpring (aka Spring): Simple, but Limited

Finally, there’s TeeSpring, now called Spring. This platform is probably the easiest to use, making it a great choice for total beginners who want a quick and simple way to get started.

What’s Good About TeeSpring

1. No Upfront Costs: TeeSpring is completely free to use, which is great if you’re on a tight budget. There are no subscriptions or fees—you just design your products, and they handle everything else.
2. Super Easy Setup: TeeSpring’s platform is ridiculously easy to use. You can start selling products within minutes, which is perfect if you want to skip all the complicated setup stuff.
3. Built-In Marketplace: One unique feature is that you can sell directly on TeeSpring’s marketplace. This is nice because you don’t need to set up your own store if you don’t want to.

The Trade-Offs

The simplicity comes with some limitations. For one, there’s less control over branding. You won’t be able to customize your packaging or create a fully branded experience like you can with Printful or Printify.

Also, the product range is smaller. TeeSpring has all the basics, but if you’re looking to sell more than just t-shirts and mugs, you might find it limiting.

Best For:

If you’re a total newbie and want a super simple way to start selling without any upfront costs, TeeSpring is a good option. But if you’re thinking long-term and want to build a more robust brand, you might eventually outgrow it.

The Bottom Line: Printify is the Best Print-on-Demand Company for Newbies

All three of these platforms have their pros and cons, but if you’re new to the world of print-on-demand, Printify is hands-down the best choice. The flexibility, wide product range, and affordable pricing make it perfect for beginners who want to get started without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re launching your first online store or scaling an existing one, Printify has the tools and options you need to succeed. Give it a try—I think you’ll love it as much as I do. Happy selling!

Who am I? I'm the Meme Queen! Come visit me at Meme Queen Designs