Printify vs Contrado: Which POD Solution is Best?

Printify vs Contrado: Which is the best print on demand solution overall?

There are some similarities between the two. After reviewing both platforms, I was impressed by both Printify and Contrado’s excellent range of product and customization options, simple design tools, global fulfillment services, and commitment to product quality.

However, there are some major differences between the solutions too.

For instance, Printify integrates with a range of sales channels and ecommerce platforms, and connects companies to a huge network of printing partners. Contrado, on the other hand, only integrates with Shopify, or allows creators to sell products through an existing marketplace.

So, how do you make the right choice? I created a (free) account with both providers, to explore their unique features and benefits, and help you decide.

Printify vs Contrado: How the Platforms Work

Let’s start by looking at one of the biggest differences between Contrado and Printify: how the platforms work.

Printify is a POD solution that connects you with a directory of global manufacturers and print partners for outsourced fulfillment, and integrates with existing storefronts, marketplaces, and social media platforms.

Contrado, creates custom products in-house, and allows you to sell through its custom marketplace, or an integration with Shopify.

How Printify Works

One of the things I love about Printify as a print on demand solution, is how versatile the platform is. Not only does it allow you to customize hundreds of unique products, but it gives you a direct way to connect with printing partners all over the world, so you can choose the ideal partner for your company.

With Printify, you can create an account for free, customize products with an intuitive mockup generator, and sell through a range of channels.

Printify integrates seamlessly with various popular ecommerce platforms, such as Wix, Shopify, and WooCommerce.

You can also leverage connectors for marketplaces like Etsy and Walmart, or sell through social media platforms. Printify even offers access to open APIs for flexible automation.

Plus, if you don’t have an existing online store, you can create a free “pop-up store” with Printify, and sell products through a custom link.

On top of standard print-on-demand services (like outsourced order fulfillment), Printify also provides companies with numerous additional services, like Express Delivery solutions, bulk ordering options, and the “Printify Studio” for help building your online presence.

How Contrado Works

Contrado is a UK-based print on demand company, that offers fulfillment services and unique products to customers worldwide.

Although you can create an account for free (just like with Printify), and design products with Contrado’s intuitive mockup generator, the way you actually sell your items with Contrado is a little different.

One option is to simply visit Contrado’s product library, customize the products you want to buy, and order them directly from the website.

Of course, this means you’ll need to handle fulfillment yourself, or enter your customer’s shipping details manually every time someone places an order.

The more common alternative is to host your products on the Contrado marketplace, where they’ll be advertised alongside other custom items from independent artists.

When customers place an order on the marketplace site, Contrado produces your products on-demand and gives you a share of the profits. Notably, you can also leverage Contrado with a single ecommerce platform: Shopify.

Contrado’s Shopify integration gives you access to basic tools you can use to automate order fulfillment processes with Contrado, whenever a customer places an order on your Shopify site.

The good news is that whatever method you choose for selling, you can expect exceptional quality products, all made by Contrado’s in-house printing facilities.

MORE: Printify vs Printful: The Ultimate Print-on-Demand Services Comparison

👉 Read our Contrado review.

Printify vs Contrado: The Pros and Cons

If you’re looking for a quick insight into the benefits and disadvantages of Printify and Contrado (before I dive into features, pricing, and other details), here’s what you need to know:

Printify Pros and Cons

Contrado Pros and Cons

Printify vs Contrado: Pricing and Fees

Low upfront costs is one of the major factors that makes the print on demand business model so attractive. However, some POD partners do charge more than others. Fortunately, both Contrado and Printify allow you to start creating and selling products with no monthly fees.

Printify’s Pricing and Fees

Printify’s free plan is very generous, and definitely the option I’d recommend to most beginners in the POD space.

It allows you to create up to 5 stores, design unlimited products, and access all of the intuitive design tools the platform offers.

As your business scales, however, and you start making more sales, Printify’s premium plan often pays for itself. It’s available for $24.99 per month (annually) or $29.99 per month (monthly), and gives you up to 10 stores, and 20% discounts on all products.

Printify also offers an enterprise plan to high volume sellers, with additional discounts and premium customer support.

The other costs you’ll need to consider with Printify include the base costs of the products you create, and shipping fees. Both of these are pretty reasonable for the most part, although costs can vary depending on the supplier you choose.

Express shipping is obviously more expensive, and is only available for some products, but you can always pass this cost over to your customers.

The additional services offered by Printify, such as “Printify Studio” come with custom quoted costs, so you’ll need to contact the team to find out about pricing.

On top of that, I’d recommend accounting for any fees you’re going to be paying to use ecommerce platforms alongside Printify, such as Shopify’s monthly costs, starting at $39.99.

Contrado Pricing and Fees

Similar to Printify, Contrado allows you to get started for free, even if you’re using it’s Shopify dropshipping integration, or online marketplace for sales. You’ll only pay for the base price of the products you create, and shipping costs (if you don’t charge these fees to customers).

There are no “premium plans” available from Contrado, but the product costs can be extremely high, due to the quality of the materials and printing strategies used.

A unisex shirt, for example, costs $32.95, and that doesn’t include delivery, or additional branding (like tags).

Shipping fees vary depending on the location of your customer, and your desired speed. In the UK, standard shipping starts at a reasonable £2.49, but in the US, you’ll pay $9.99 for the same service. Notably, there are some discounts available to certain Contrado customers.

For instance, students can access a 20% discount on products, and wholesale vendors can get up to 40% off bulk purchases. Overall, however, you’ll need to charge pretty high prices to make a decent profit margin with Contrado.

Core Features and Functionality

Although Contrado and Printify approach print on demand very differently, there are some similarities in the features they offer.

For instance, both offer global fulfillment services and the option of express delivery. They also both give you excellent design tools, and basic mockup generators.

Printify does have a significant edge over Contrado in terms of design tools, however. While both platforms give you access to free assets, like graphics and icons, Printify has a generative AI solution that can create unique images for you.

Conrado’s mockup generator is also relatively basic. You can create a 360-degree view of the products you create, but I couldn’t find any option for “lifestyle” shots, like the ones you get from Printify.

Standout Features of Printify

• AI design tools and advanced mockup generator
• Access to a global network of printers and providers
• Pop-up store generator for those without a storefront
• Expert assistance and extra services
• Huge product catalog (nearly 1,000 products)
• Premium plans with discounts on products

Contrado Unique Features

• Specialist fabric printing options
• Access to unique products and branding options
• Artist marketplace for beginners without a store
• Options for creating limited edition designs
• Discounts for wholesale buyers

Printify vs Contrado Product Designs and Quality

Validating the quality of the products you get from a print on demand provider can be difficult, particularly with companies like Contrado and Printify, which don’t offer discounts on sample orders.

I think Printify is a little tougher to evaluate, however, as you’d need to order samples from all of the different vendors you plan on working with. Remember, quality can vary from one partner to the next.

Since Contrado creates products in-house, you can usually expect to get the same level of quality every time. The good news is that both companies use strict quality assurance methods to ensure they meet customer expectations.

Printify evaluates all of its suppliers regularly, and Contrado tests each product in-house before shipping it to customers.

Overall, based on my experience, and the reviews I’ve read online, both companies offer great product quality.

Contrado is particularly impressive, and is well known for its crisp, clean, and beautiful prints. If you’re ordering from Printify, I’d definitely recommend checking the reviews shown for each partner before you make your choice, for better insights into product quality.

Additionally, both Contrado and Printify give you a pretty broad selection of products to choose from, including unique and eco-friendly items.

There are more than 450 products available from Contrado, and over 950+ to choose from on Printify.

Contrado vs Printify: Integrations

The ability to integrate with different sales channels and platforms is one of the biggest differences between Contrado and Printify. Contrado only gives sellers the option to sell through its marketplace, order products directly, or leverage a dropshipping integration with Shopify.

Printify, on the other hand, gives you endless ways to sell. You can create a pop-up store if you don’t have an existing storefront, or integrate Printify with a range of platforms.

Printify has integrations available for marketplaces like Etsy, Ecommerce platforms like Shopify, and social media platforms.

The only thing Printify doesn’t offer is a pre-built marketplace where you can list your products for sale alongside other vendors.

Customer Support and Service

Finally, let’s look at the customer support offered by both companies. Printify and Contrado both offer access to self-help resources like guides and FAQs. However, I think Printify’s resources are a lot more comprehensive, they even have their own blog page, and share videos online.

In terms of direct customer support, Printify stands out again. Customers can access 25/7 support via live chat and email, although phone support doesn’t seem to be available on standard plans.

You do get priority support if you upgrade to an enterprise plan, however.

Contrado offers phone, email, and chat support, but it’s not available on a 24/7 basis. The company only operates during standard business hours in the UK.

This means if you’re located in the US, you’ll only be able to reach the team between 6pm and 2:30am EST.

MORE: Best Print on Demand Companies

Printify vs Contrado: The Verdict

Overall, both Contrado and Printify are excellent options for different types of print on demand sellers. Printify is great if you’re looking for a great range of products, great design tools, and the opportunity to sell through a range of channels.

Contrado is a more expensive solution overall, with fewer integrations, but it’s ideal if you’re looking for high quality products, or you want to sell on a marketplace without creating your own storefront.

Generally though, I’d only recommend this platform to sellers in the UK, as if you’re located elsewhere, you might struggle to get fast support, and low shipping fees.