Insider Knowledge from 7+ Years in the POD Game
Hey there, fellow entrepreneurs! After seven years in the online selling trenches, I’ve seen Print-on-Demand evolve from a niche concept to a booming industry. I’ve tested dozens of platforms, shipped thousands of products, and made pretty much every mistake possible—so you don’t have to.
This isn’t just another generic list. These are my actual go-to platforms that I use daily in my six-figure POD business. Let’s dive into the companies that truly deliver in 2024.
1. Printify – The All-Around Champion for Quality and Profit
After testing nearly every POD service on the market, Printify remains my #1 recommendation for both beginners and scaling businesses. The numbers don’t lie—my profit margins are consistently 15-20% higher with Printify compared to other platforms.
Why Printify Dominates My Business:
- Global Production Network: Access to 90+ print providers worldwide means faster shipping and lower costs
- Product Range That Sells: Their 700+ product catalog includes customer favorites like Gildan 5000 and Bella Canvas 3001 t-shirts
- Flexible Return Policy: They approve refunds or reprints for approximately 60% of return requests, saving me countless customer service headaches
- Premium Plan Advantage: 20% discount on ALL products (which adds up quickly when you’re scaling)
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get Printify’s Premium Plan completely FREE using code “Houry” – this is the exact plan I use for my 6-figure store!
The real game-changer? Being able to choose between different print providers for the same product. When one facility gets backed up during holiday rushes, I simply switch to another—keeping my delivery times consistent year-round.
Click here to join Printify with the free Premium Plan →
2. Printful – Unbeatable Mockups, Premium Pricing
Printful holds a special place in my business strategy, but with an important caveat. Their mockup generator is genuinely industry-leading—creating scroll-stopping product images that convert like crazy on social media.
However, Printful’s pricing structure has consistently been their Achilles’ heel. Let me be candid: their base prices can eat into your margins if you’re not strategic.
My Printful Strategy:
- Use for High-End Collections: I reserve Printful for premium products where I can command higher prices
- Leverage Their Mockups: I create stunning visuals with their generator even when fulfilling elsewhere
- Utilize Integration Power: Their seamless connections with Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, and eBay make multi-channel selling effortless
Their catalog of 430+ products gives you plenty of options to experiment with, from clothing to home decor. Just be mindful that you’ll need to price strategically to maintain healthy margins.
3. Gelato – The Global Expansion Specialist
When I decided to target international markets, Gelato became my secret weapon. With 100+ production facilities across 32 countries, they’ve helped me break into markets I previously thought were unreachable.
The math is simple: local production = faster delivery = happier customers = more repeat orders.
Gelato’s Standout Features:
- Truly Global Reach: Production in 32 countries means your products travel shorter distances
- Environmental Edge: Local production reduces carbon footprint by up to 90% (a selling point my eco-conscious customers appreciate)
- Cost-Effective International Shipping: Save on shipping costs and customs fees
- Quality Consistency: Standardized production across all hubs ensures consistent quality
For sellers targeting multiple countries, Gelato’s ability to print locally gives you a competitive edge that’s hard to match. Their platform integrates smoothly with Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce, making global expansion relatively painless.
Explore Gelato’s Services Here →
4. SPOD – When Speed is Your Priority
In the e-commerce world, delivery speed can make or break customer satisfaction. SPOD (Spreadshirt’s POD service) has built their entire business model around rapid fulfillment—and they deliver on that promise consistently.
The numbers speak for themselves: 95% of orders ship within 48 hours. That’s not just marketing talk; I’ve tested them extensively during peak seasons, and they maintain this speed even during holiday rushes.
Why SPOD Stands Out:
- Lightning-Fast Fulfillment: Most orders ship within 48 hours (compared to 3-5 days for most competitors)
- Ready-to-Use Design Library: 50,000+ free designs available if you’re not design-savvy
- Competitive Base Pricing: Lower than Printful on many comparable items
- Reliability During Peak Seasons: They maintain speed when other providers get backlogged
Where SPOD falls short is product variety—with around 200 items, their catalog isn’t as extensive as Printify or Printful. However, if you’re focusing on popular basics and value quick delivery above all else, SPOD deserves serious consideration.
5. Zazzle – The Designer’s Marketplace with Flexible Royalties
Zazzle operates differently from the other platforms on this list—functioning more as a marketplace where designers can set their own royalty rates (anywhere between 5% and 99%).
This model is particularly appealing for artists and designers who want to monetize their creativity without managing a store or handling customer service.
The Zazzle Advantage:
- Flexible Royalty Structure: Set your own rates based on your brand value
- Built-in Audience: Tap into Zazzle’s existing customer base
- Unique Product Categories: Offers items rarely found on other POD platforms
- Zero Management Required: Upload designs and collect royalties
The downside? You’re competing in a marketplace with thousands of other designers, making it harder to stand out. Additionally, when you factor in Zazzle’s base product prices plus your royalty, the final consumer price can be higher than direct-to-consumer models.
I recommend Zazzle as a supplementary income stream rather than your primary POD business, particularly if you create designs that appeal to gift-buyers.
Explore More Free Marketplaces for Your Designs →
Side-by-Side Comparison: Making Your Final Decision
Let’s break down how these platforms compare across the factors that matter most:
| Company | Key Features | Pricing | Best For | Potential Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Printify | 90+ global print facilities, 700+ products | Free/Premium with 20% discount | Affordable, global reach, scaling businesses | Learning curve with multiple providers |
| Printful | Best mockups, 430+ products, seamless integration | Free to sign up, higher product costs | Premium products, visual marketing | High pricing, inconsistent customer support |
| Gelato | 100+ production hubs in 32 countries | Free/Paid plans available | International sellers, eco-conscious brands | Limited customization options |
| SPOD | 48-hour shipping on 95% of orders | Free to start | Speed-focused sellers, beginners | More limited product selection (200+ items) |
| Zazzle | Flexible royalty rates (5-99%), marketplace model | Free for designers | Artists, passive income, unique products | Marketplace competition, high final prices |
My Recommendation: The Hybrid Approach
After years of testing, I’ve found that the most successful POD businesses don’t rely on just one platform. My personal strategy combines multiple services:
- Printify as my primary fulfillment partner (using their Premium Plan for the 20% discount)
- Printful for creating high-quality mockups and fulfilling premium products
- Gelato for international orders to reduce shipping times and costs
- SPOD during holiday rushes when speed is critical
- Zazzle as a passive income stream for certain design collections
This approach lets me leverage each platform’s strengths while minimizing their weaknesses. It requires more setup initially, but the flexibility and resilience it provides to your business is worth the effort.
Take Action: Your POD Success Roadmap
The Print-on-Demand landscape continues to evolve, but these five platforms have consistently delivered results for my business. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to optimize an existing POD operation, here’s what I recommend:
- Start with Printify using the free Premium Plan code “Houry”
- Set up your first 10-20 products focusing on bestsellers like t-shirts, hoodies, and mugs
- Create stunning mockups with Printful’s generator
- Test different platforms with small product batches before fully committing
- Track your metrics (profit margins, shipping times, customer feedback) to refine your approach
Remember, the best POD platform is ultimately the one that works for YOUR specific business model, target audience, and products.
FAQ: Print-on-Demand in 2024
Is Print-on-Demand still profitable in 2024?
Absolutely! While competition has increased, so has consumer demand for unique, personalized products. The key is finding your niche and leveraging the right platforms for your specific business model.
Which POD company has the best quality?
Based on my extensive testing, Printify and Printful consistently deliver the highest quality products. However, quality can vary by specific item and print provider, so it’s worth ordering samples before scaling.
How much can I realistically make with POD?
Income varies widely, but dedicated sellers typically earn $1,000-$5,000 monthly within their first year. I’ve scaled my POD business to six figures annually by diversifying across platforms and focusing on targeted marketing.
Do I need design skills to succeed in POD?
Not necessarily. While design skills help, you can succeed using templates, hiring affordable designers on platforms like Fiverr, or using AI design tools. Your marketing and niche selection often matter more than design complexity.
Which platform has the fastest shipping?
SPOD consistently provides the fastest fulfillment, with 95% of orders shipping within 48 hours. For international customers, Gelato’s local production network often results in the fastest delivery times.
