Getting started with print-on-demand can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure out which platform to use.
The good news? You don’t need to worry about inventory, upfront costs, or shipping. Print-on-demand lets you sell custom products without handling any of that.
But with so many companies offering this service, how do you choose the right one?
After testing and researching different platforms, I’ve put together this list of the top five print on demand companies for beginners in 2025.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase, I’ll earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
What Are Print-on-Demand (POD) Companies?
Print-on-demand companies make it easy to sell custom products without the hassle of managing inventory, packaging, or shipping.
Instead of investing in bulk orders, you can upload your designs, list your products online, and let the POD company handle everything once a customer makes a purchase.
This model is perfect for beginners because it eliminates upfront costs and reduces risks. There’s no need to worry about storing products or handling logistics, all you need to do is focus on creating great designs and marketing your store.
With print-on-demand, anyone can turn their creativity into a real online business.
How Does Print-on-Demand Work?
Print-on-demand is a simple process that allows you to sell custom products without handling inventory or shipping.
It starts with uploading your design to a POD platform and choosing the type of product you want to sell, whether it’s t-shirts, mugs, hoodies, or phone cases.
Once someone places an order, the print-on-demand company takes care of the rest. They print the design, package the product, and ship it directly to the customer. This means you don’t need to worry about storing stock or managing deliveries.
What makes it even easier is that many POD platforms integrate with eCommerce stores like Shopify. With Shopify’s POD apps, you can connect your store to a print-on-demand supplier, and orders will be processed automatically.
As soon as a customer buys something, the supplier prints and ships the item, making it a hands-off and hassle-free business model.
The Best Print-on-Demand Companies
| Companies | Integrates with | Pricing |
| Printful | Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Wix | Free, pay per order |
| Gelato | Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy | Free, pay per order |
| Printify | Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce | Free, premium plan available |
| Zazzle | Zazzle Marketplace | Free uploads, royalty 5%-99% |
| SPOD | Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy | Free, pay per order |
Print-on-demand has made it easier than ever to start a business without worrying about inventory or shipping.
But with so many platforms out there, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. That’s why I’ve put together this list of the best POD companies based on reliability, ease of use, and product quality.
The right platform will handle the printing and fulfillment while you focus on growing your business. Whether you’re starting a side hustle or building a full-time brand, these companies will help you create and sell custom products with ease.
1. Printful
When it comes to print-on-demand, Printful is one of the biggest names in the industry. They’ve been around since 2013 and have built a strong reputation for high-quality printing and fast fulfillment.
With over 430+ products to choose from, like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and hoodies, there’s plenty of variety for anyone looking to start a custom product business.
One of the best things about Printful is its seamless integration with over 20+ e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, and Squarespace. This makes it super easy to connect your online store and start selling right away.
Another great part? You can sign up for free, You only pay for fulfillment and shipping when a customer places an order, making it a low-risk option for beginners.
Pricing: Signing up is completely free. You only pay for fulfillment and shipping when an order is placed.
Try Printful2. Gelato
Gelato is a print-on-demand company with a global reach, making it a great choice for businesses that want fast and reliable fulfillment.
With 100+ production hubs across 32 countries, orders are printed closer to the customer, reducing shipping times and costs.
They offer 150+ customizable products, including t-shirts, posters, canvases, mugs, and tote bags. This variety makes it easy to create a unique product line for your store.
Plus, with fast delivery times (typically 3-5 days), you can compete with larger brands without handling inventory yourself.
Gelato also integrates smoothly with major eCommerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and more, making setup and order management simple.
Pricing: Signing up is free. Paid plans unlock additional features and shipping discounts.
Try Gelato free3. Printify
Printify is a print-on-demand platform with a global network of over 90 print facilities, making it one of the most versatile options available.
Whether you want to sell t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, or even home décor, Printify offers 700+ customizable products, giving you plenty of flexibility to build a unique store.
One of its best features is the free Mockup Generator, which makes designing products easy. You can upload your designs, adjust colors, and preview your final product before listing it for sale. This saves time and ensures your products look exactly how you want them.
Printify also integrates smoothly with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, eBay, and more, making it simple to connect with your favorite eCommerce platform and start selling.
Pricing: Signing up is free. There’s also a premium plan that offers a 20% discount on all products, which can be helpful if you’re scaling your business.
Try Printify free4. Zazzle
Zazzle is a print-on-demand marketplace that’s been around since 2005, and it’s a great option for anyone looking to turn their creativity into profit.
What sets Zazzle apart is its easy-to-use platform where you can upload your own designs, and they take care of everything from printing to customer service.
Whether it’s t-shirts, pillows, or notebooks, Zazzle offers a wide range of products for you to choose from.
One of the features I love about Zazzle is the ability to set your own royalty rate. You can earn anywhere from 5% to 99% for every sale made with your design.
This gives you a chance to earn more based on how popular your designs are. It’s an awesome way to monetize your art, and if your designs do well, you could make a nice income.
Pricing: It’s free to upload and sell your designs. Plus, you get to choose your royalty rate, which can go as high as 99%.
Try Zazzle5. SPOD
If you’re looking for a reliable print-on-demand service that handles everything from printing to shipping, SPOD is definitely worth considering.
One of the things that stood out to me when I first explored SPOD was the massive selection of over 200 products that can be customized. Whether you’re into designing t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, or notebooks, SPOD has got you covered.
But here’s a cool thing: If you’re not a graphic designer or don’t have the skills to create designs, SPOD offers over 50,000 free designs. This makes it easier for anyone, regardless of experience, to start selling quickly.
SPOD integrates seamlessly with platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, so you can easily sell your custom products without worrying about managing inventory or handling shipments.
Pricing: It’s free to use SPOD. You only pay when your customers make a purchase, which is a great way to minimize upfront costs.
Try SPOD freeHow to Find the Best Print on Demand Companies
When it comes to choosing the right print-on-demand (POD) company, there are a few things I’ve learned along the way that can make a huge difference in the long run.
It’s not just about finding a company that prints your products, you want one that delivers high-quality prints and on-time shipping, all while keeping your costs manageable.
I know from experience that with so many POD companies out there, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is the best fit.
To make the process easier, I always recommend keeping these questions in mind:
- Does the company integrate with the eCommerce platform you’re using? For me, I always check if it’s easy to connect with platforms like Shopify or Etsy.
- What customization options are available? It’s essential to have a variety of products and printing methods to match my designs and style.
- How’s the product quality? This is key, I’ve learned the hard way that product quality can make or break your business.
- Where are the fulfillment centers located? Shipping time can be a big factor, so I prefer companies that have fulfillment centers close to my target audience.
- Can they offer custom packaging? This is something I look for because branded packaging gives a more personal touch to your products.
- How do their subscription plans affect your profits? I always make sure to calculate the long-term cost so that I don’t lose out on profit margins.
- What about shipping and fulfillment costs? These costs can add up, so I keep a close eye on this.
- Does the shipping speed meet your needs? Slow shipping can lead to unhappy customers, so speed matters a lot to me.
Answering these questions will help you find a POD service that fits your needs.
And trust me, choosing the wrong one can lead to poor quality, long wait times, and high shipping costs, which ultimately harms your brand and reputation.
That’s why I take time to find a reliable partner who delivers the best results.