Are you thinking about starting a print-on-demand business, but not sure which platform to use – Printify or Printful?
Two of the most popular options out there are Printify and Printful. They sound similar, and they even do similar things, but they’re actually quite different when you dig a little deeper.
I get questions about these two platforms all the time from readers who are launching their first online business or starting a clothing brand on Etsy.
So, today, I’m sharing a full breakdown of Printify vs. Printful to help you understand the pros and cons of each and choose the best platform for your goals.
Spoiler: You don’t have to pick the perfect one on day one. I always recommend trying both if you’re on the fence.
What is Print On Demand?
Before we compare Printify and Printful, let’s talk about the basics.
Print-on-demand (POD) is a business model that lets you sell custom-designed products without having to buy inventory, store anything, or handle shipping.
Here’s how it works:
- You create a design.
- A customer orders a product with that design from your shop, such as on Etsy.
- A POD company prints, packs, and ships it to the customer for you.
It’s a low-risk way to start a side hustle or even a full-time business. You can sell T-shirts, candles, mugs, tote bags, stickers, hats, and hundreds of other products – all without ever touching the inventory yourself.
Print-on-demand has exploded in popularity because it’s beginner-friendly, scalable, and creative. And Printify and Printful are two of the best-known companies in the space.
Now let’s talk about what makes them different because I’m sure you’re wondering which one you should go with!
Printify vs. Printful
Here’s a high-level comparison before we dive into the details:
| Feature | Printify | Printful |
| Fulfillment Model | Network of 100+ independent print providers | In-house fulfillment at Printful facilities |
| Product Catalog | 1,300+ items | ~400 products |
| Pricing | Lower base prices; optional Premium plan | Higher base prices; free or Growth plan ($24.99/month) |
| Print Quality | Varies by provider | Consistent, high quality (Printful manages it all) |
| Shipping | Depends on print provider | Predictable shipping from Printful’s own warehouses |
| Integrations | Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce, and more | Same as Printify, plus extra tools like a mockup generator |
Recommended reading:
- How I Make $7,500 Monthly Selling Print-On-Demand Gifts
- How I Made $6,161 in Just 4 Months With a New Etsy Printables Shop
1. Fulfillment and print quality
Printify is a platform that connects you with a network of 100+ print providers all around the world (United States, Spain, Latvia, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and China). You can choose which provider you want to use for each product based on price, location, and shipping time.
The downside? Since you’re using third-party providers, quality can vary. Some suppliers are amazing. Others … not so much.
That means you may have to test a few to find the best one.
Printful, on the other hand, owns its own fulfillment centers in the United States, Spain, Latvia, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. Everything is handled in-house, which means better quality control and consistent print results.
If you’re looking for reliability and don’t want to worry about supplier differences, Printful is a great choice.
2. Product selection
Printify wins when it comes to the size of their catalog and the amount of print-on-demand products that you can choose from. They have more than 1,300 product types through their global print network, including apparel, accessories, eco-friendly products, drinkware, and more.
Printful has around 400 products. It’s still a wide selection, but the catalog is more curated. They focus more on apparel and essentials with consistent quality.
So, if you’re looking to have a lot of variety or find unique items, Printify wins. But, Printful still has around 400 products that you can choose from, which is a lot!
3. Pricing and profit margins
When it comes to base prices, Printify generally has lower costs than Printful. This is especially true if you upgrade to Printify Premium ($29 per month), which gives you up to 20% off most products.
Here’s an example:
- A classic unisex T-shirt
- Printify: $10.39 (with Premium)
- Printful: $13.38
Selling at $25:
- Printify profit: ~$9.61
- Printful profit: ~$8.81
That said, Printful doesn’t charge a monthly fee (unless you upgrade to their Growth plan), so it may be better if you’re just starting out and want to test things.
Printify is great for those who want higher profit margins or want to scale faster.
4. Shipping times and delivery
Printify’s shipping times depend entirely on the print provider you choose to use.
Some providers ship in 2–3 days and others might take a week or more. Delivery costs also vary by provider and destination.
Printful has more predictable shipping and because they handle fulfillment themselves, they can usually ship within 2–5 business days.
If you want more control over the delivery timeline, Printful is usually more reliable.
5. Branding and customization
This is one of Printful’s biggest strengths.
Printful has branding features like:
- Inside shirt labels
- Outside sleeve prints
- Custom packing slips
- Branded inserts
- Custom packaging
If you’re trying to build a strong, memorable brand (like your own fashion line), these are huge pros.
If branding matters a lot to you, Printful is the better choice.
6. Design tools and ease of use
Both platforms are easy to use and beginner-friendly.
Printful has a built-in mockup generator, product templates, and a design tool. You can even create designs inside the dashboard without using an outside app.
Printify also has a mockup generator, but the design tool is simpler. Still, it gets the job done if you already have your artwork ready (like from Canva).
Overall, Printful has more advanced built-in tools, but both are great for beginners.
7. Integrations
Both platforms integrate with the major e-commerce platforms:
- Etsy
- Shopify
- WooCommerce
- Squarespace
- BigCommerce
- eBay
- Wix
Printify also has a “Pop-Up Store” feature that lets you start selling without a separate website. It’s simple looking but effective.
8. Customer support
Both platforms have helpful customer support with help centers, tutorials, and email/chat support.
- Printful has 24/7 live chat and email support.
- Printify’s support is available during business hours with fast response times.
So, you can’t go wrong with either when it comes to this.
Which print on demand platform should you use?
Here’s how I recommend choosing:
- Use Printify if you:
- Want lower prices and higher margins
- Want more product variety
- Don’t mind testing suppliers to find the best fit
- Use Printful if you:
- Want the highest-quality prints every time
- Care about building a strong brand
- Want fast, reliable shipping
You can also use both and see which one you like more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about Printify vs. Printful.
Does Printful have better quality than Printify?
Yes, this is many times true; because Printful handles production in-house, they maintain more consistent print quality. Printify quality can vary based on the third-party print provider you choose.
Which platform, Printify or Printful, has higher profit margins?
Printify usually has higher profit margins because of its lower base prices and Printify Premium discounts.
Are Printify and Printful the same company?
No, they are two separate companies with different fulfillment models and pricing structures. But, they are partners and merged in 2024 (but the platforms are still separate).
How much money can you make on Printify?
It depends on your pricing and volume. Many sellers make $500 to $5,000+ per month, but it takes time to grow. You can earn around $9 profit per T-shirt if priced right.
Does Printify charge a monthly fee?
No, Printify is free to use. They have a Premium plan for $29 per month that gives you extra discounts, though.
How much is Printful per month?
Printful has a free plan and an optional Growth plan at $24.99 per month with extra branding and support features.
Printify vs. Printful: Which POD Platform Is Best for You?
I hope you enjoyed my Printify vs. Printful comparison.
Starting a print-on-demand business is one of the best ways to create an income stream from home.
Printify and Printful are both great options, and the right one for you depends on what matters most:
- Lower prices? Try Printify.
- Premium branding? Try Printful.
- Still unsure? Test both!
Both platforms are free to try, so there’s no reason not to see which one works best for you.
You can sign up for Printify by clicking here.
You can sign up for Printful by clicking here.
If you do start your print-on-demand shop, let me know – I’d love to see what you create!
Which print-on-demand site do you think you’ll use – Printful or Printify?
Want to learn how to make money selling print-on-demand products on Etsy? Check out this free workshop and learn how Emily made $500,000 in just two years.
Recommended reading:
- How To Decide What Business To Start in 8 Simple Steps
- How To Start a Business With No Money (Here’s How I Did It)
- How I Make $400,000 Per Year Selling Educational Printables
- 14 Best Low Maintenance Businesses to Start Today
- 16 Low Effort Side Hustles That Can Make You Extra Money
- How To Start a Print On Demand Side Hustle With $0
- How To Start Your Clothing Brand Side Hustle on Etsy With Zero Upfront Costs
- Printify Review: Can You Actually Make Money From Printify?
Leave a Reply