As an artist looking to sell my designs online I’ve compared Redbubble and Zazzle. These popular print-on-demand sites allow me to upload my artwork and sell it on products.
Redbubble tends to attract a younger, trendier crowd while Zazzle is more geared towards custom gifts and corporate merchandise.
I find Redbubble’s interface easier to use for uploading designs but Zazzle has more product customization options.
Both sites handle production, shipping and customer service so I can focus on creating. My earnings vary between the two with different royalty structures and pricing models.
I’ll break down the main differences to help fellow creators choose the best fit for their work and goals.
Quick Verdict
Overall, Redbubble and Zazzle serve different segments of the print-on-demand market. Redbubble excels with its artist-focused platform and trendy designs, while Zazzle stands out with extensive customization options and corporate-friendly features.
Redbubble's Key Advantages:
- Cleaner, more intuitive interface
- Artist-friendly platform
- Younger, trendier audience
- Higher base royalty rates (20%)
- Strong focus on independent artists
- Better mobile experience
- Eco-friendly production practices
- Simple pricing structure
Redbubble's Drawbacks:
- Limited customization options
- Higher product prices
- Fewer product options
- Basic design tools
- Limited corporate features
- Less control over royalties
- Longer processing times
- Limited bulk order options
Zazzle's Key Advantages:
- Extensive customization tools
- 1,300+ product options
- Corporate/business friendly
- Brand partnerships (Disney, Marvel)
- Powerful design interface
- Strong bulk order discounts
- Quick order processing
- Volume-based incentives
Zazzle's Drawbacks:
- Complex interface
- Lower base royalty (15%)
- Overwhelming design options
- Less intuitive mobile experience
- Higher base prices
- Steeper learning curve
- More complex pricing model
- Limited eco-friendly options
Read on for a detailed analysis of both platforms' features, pricing, and capabilities.
Redbubble and Zazzle
Redbubble and Zazzle are the big two in print-on-demand. I’ll cover their company history and main features.
Redbubble: Company History
Redbubble was founded in 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. I found out it started as a platform for artists to showcase and sell their designs on products.
The company went public in 2016 and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Redbubble’s business model is to connect independent artists with customers looking for custom products.
I found Redbubble has a vast range of products including t-shirts, stickers, phone cases and home decor. The platform handles production, shipping and customer service so artists can focus on creating designs.
Zazzle: Company History
Zazzle was founded in 2005 in Redwood City, California. I found out it was founded by Robert Beaver and his sons Jeff and Bobby.
The company received funding from investors including Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Zazzle allows users to create custom products or buy designs from independent creators.
I noticed Zazzle has more customization options than Redbubble. Users can add text, images and designs to products. The company has partnered with big brands like Disney and Marvel for licensed merchandise.
Products
Redbubble and Zazzle have different product ranges for customization. I’ll go through the products available on each site and highlight the differences.
Redbubble Products
Redbubble is focused on print-on-demand products with artwork from independent artists. Their catalog includes apparel like t-shirts, hoodies and dresses. I found they have a wide range of home decor items like throw pillows, duvet covers and wall art.
Redbubble’s stationery section has notebooks, greeting cards and stickers. They also have tech accessories like phone cases and laptop sleeves. Redbubble is the only one with jigsaw puzzles and face masks which have become popular additions.
Zazzle Products
Zazzle has a huge product range with over 1,300 customizable items. Their clothing includes t-shirts, polo shirts and activewear. I found they have more accessories like ties, shoes and jewelry than Redbubble.
Zazzle’s home goods include bedding, kitchen items and bathroom decor. They have office supplies like business cards and stamps. Zazzle is unique with personalized gifts like photo ornaments and engraved items.
Both have invitations and paper products but Zazzle has more in this category.
Customization
Redbubble and Zazzle have different customization options for creators and buyers. I’ll go through the tools and features available on each site for customization.
Redbubble Customization
On Redbubble I can upload my design and apply it to products. The platform has a simple interface to adjust the size, position and repetition of the design. I can choose which products to offer and set my desired profit margin.
For buyers Redbubble has limited customization. They can choose product colors, sizes and styles where applicable but can’t edit designs or add text.
Zazzle Customization Tools
Zazzle has more customization tools for both creators and buyers. As a designer I can create templates with editable elements like text, images and colors. This allows buyers to customize products to their liking.
Zazzle’s design tool is quite powerful. I can add complex effects, layered graphics and custom fonts. I can also create multiple versions of a product design.
For buyers Zazzle has an interactive customization interface. They can edit text, change colors, add images and adjust design elements on many products. This level of customization is a big differentiator for Zazzle.
Material and Quality
Redbubble and Zazzle have products with different materials and quality levels. I went through their offerings to see how they compare in terms of materials and overall quality.
Redbubble Material Quality
Redbubble uses high quality materials for most of their products. I found their t-shirts to be soft and durable, 100% cotton or cotton blends. Their canvas prints are archival grade canvas and fade resistant inks.
For stickers Redbubble uses vinyl material that’s water resistant and long lasting. Their phone cases are made from impact resistant polycarbonate, good protection.
One of the standout is Redbubble’s throw pillows which uses spun polyester fabric that’s soft and vibrant. They also have eco-friendly options like organic cotton totes and recycled polyester laptop sleeves.
Zazzle Material Quality
Zazzle has a wide range of materials across their products. Their t-shirts come in different fabric options, 100% cotton, polyester blends and performance materials.
I found Zazzle’s paper products like greeting cards and invitations use high quality cardstock with a premium feel. Their canvas prints are made with artist grade canvas and archival inks for long lasting color.
Zazzle’s phone cases are available in different materials, hard plastic and silicone. For home decor they have pillows in polyester and natural linen fabrics.
A unique feature of Zazzle is their custom fabric printing, customers can print designs on various fabric types, from cotton to polyester blends.
Pricing and Value
Both Redbubble and Zazzle have competitive pricing for their print on demand products. I’ll go through how each platform approaches pricing and the value they give to customers and sellers.
Redbubble Pricing
Redbubble has a base price for each product type which covers the production cost. I can then add my desired margin on top. This allows me to control my earnings while keeping prices reasonable for buyers.
For example a standard t-shirt has a base price of $20. If I set my margin to 20% the final retail price would be $24 and I would get $4 as profit.
Redbubble has sales and promotions from time to time which can affect the final price the buyer pays. But these discounts don’t affect my set margin so I still get my profit.
Zazzle Pricing Comparisons
Zazzle’s pricing model is slightly different from Redbubble’s. It has a base price but I can customize more how I set my royalties. I can choose percentage margin or flat fee per sale.
Zazzle’s base prices are slightly higher than Redbubble’s. For example a basic t-shirt starts at $22. If I set 15% royalty the final price would be $25.30 and I would get $3.30 as earnings.
Zazzle has volume discounts for customers which can make bulk orders more attractive. These discounts don’t affect my royalty percentage but the lower total price might increase sales.
User Interface and Experience
Both Redbubble and Zazzle have unique interface for browsing and creating custom products. I’ll go through their website navigation and user experience to help you decide which one is best for you.
Redbubble Website Navigation
Redbubble’s interface is clean and nice. I find the site easy to navigate, with a big search bar and clear category menus. The product pages have big and high quality images and a smooth customization process.
Redbubble’s mobile site is responsive and easy to use. I like how I can filter results by product type, design style or artist. The checkout process is simple with multiple payment options.
One thing I like is I can view designs on different products by clicking on different thumbnails. This saves time when browsing an artist’s work on multiple products.
Zazzle Website Navigation
Zazzle’s interface is more complex with more customization options. The homepage can feel overwhelming at first but the search and category navigation is prominent.
The product designer tool is powerful and can do intricate customizations. I find it takes some time to learn all the features but it’s great for creating unique products.
Zazzle’s mobile experience is functional but I find it less intuitive than their desktop site. The checkout process has helpful previews of the customized product before finalizing the order.
I like Zazzle’s “Quick Create” feature which simplifies the design process for those who want to make quick edits to existing templates.
Community and Support
Both Redbubble and Zazzle have support options for their artist community. I’ll go through the resources and assistance each platform provides for creators.
Support for Artists on Redbubble
Redbubble has a help center with articles and guides on getting started, optimizing designs and managing sales.
I find their artist forum very useful where artists can connect, share tips and ask advice from fellow artists.
Redbubble has email support for specific issues. Their response time is usually within 1-2 business days. They also have an active blog with artist spotlights and marketing tips.
For more personalized support, Redbubble sometimes hosts virtual events and webinars. These sessions cover topics like trend forecasting and product listings.
Support for Designers on Zazzle
Zazzle’s support system has a knowledge base and video tutorials. I notice they put a lot of emphasis on educating designers about their tools and features.
Their community forum is well moderated and Zazzle staff participate frequently. This creates a collaborative environment where designers can get official answers and peer advice.
Zazzle has email and chat support. In my experience, their chat support is very responsive during business hours. They also have a dedicated phone line for top selling designers.
Zazzle has design challenges and contests. These events provide exposure and cash prizes and other incentives for participating artists.
Market Reach and Popularity
Redbubble and Zazzle have different market presence, each targeting different audience and expanding their reach in different ways. I’ll go through the key aspects of their market position and popularity.
Redbubble’s Audience
Redbubble is geared towards a younger, trendier demographic.
I notice it’s popular among millennials and Gen Z who value artistic expression and individuality. The platform’s focus on independent artists appeals to those who want unique, non-mainstream designs.
Redbubble has a strong social media presence with over 600,000 followers on Instagram. This drives traffic and sales. They have 6.8 million active customers which shows their growing market reach.
Redbubble’s marketplace is in over 70 countries, a truly global platform for artists and buyers. Their mobile app has made it even more accessible, users can browse and buy on-the-go.
Zazzle’s Market Presence
Zazzle targets a wider demographic, both casual shoppers and businesses looking for customized products. I notice it’s popular among those planning events, creating promotional materials or looking for personalized gifts.
They have over 30 million unique visitors monthly, that’s a big market presence. Zazzle’s partnerships with big brands like Disney and Marvel has made it more appealing to mainstream consumers.
Zazzle’s strength is in its customization options, it attracts customers who want to create bespoke items. This has made it a hub for small businesses and entrepreneurs looking for branded merchandise.
Their physical presence in retail stores through partnerships has expanded their reach beyond the digital space. This omnichannel approach has helped Zazzle get a wide range of customers.
Shipping and Fulfillment
Redbubble and Zazzle have different shipping and fulfillment processes for their print on demand products. I’ll go through their policies and services so you know what to expect when ordering from each.
Redbubble’s Shipping Policies
Redbubble ships worldwide with different options depending on the destination. I notice they process orders within 1-3 business days before shipping.
For US domestic orders, Redbubble has standard and express shipping. Standard takes 3-7 business days and express 1-3 business days.
International shipping times vary, 1-3 weeks for standard and 3-7 business days for express. I notice Redbubble uses local fulfillment centers in some countries which can speed up delivery times.
Redbubble offers free shipping promotions occasionally, usually on orders over a certain amount. They also provide tracking information for most of their shipments so customers can track their package.
Zazzle’s Fulfillment Services
Zazzle’s fulfillment process is similar to Redbubble’s but with some differences. I notice Zazzle processes orders within 24 hours which can result to faster overall delivery times.
Zazzle has multiple shipping speeds for US orders:
- Standard (5-7 business days)
- Premium (3-5 business days)
- Express (2-3 business days)
For international orders, Zazzle has standard and express. Standard takes 1-3 weeks and express 3-7 business days.
I notice Zazzle runs free shipping promotions often, especially during holidays. They also have a unique feature called “Zazzle Black” which is a subscription service that gives you free standard shipping on all orders for a yearly fee.
Zazzle tracks most of their shipments and has a good reputation for fulfillment even during peak seasons.
Customer Feedback and Reviews
I went through customer reviews for both Redbubble and Zazzle to get an idea of the user experience. Redbubble gets praise for its unique artist driven designs and product quality. Many customers love the platform for independent creators.
Zazzle gets positive feedback for its customization options and wide range of products. Users mention the easy to use design tools and can personalize almost everything.
Both have mixed reviews for shipping and customer service. Some get quick delivery and good support while others get frustrated with delays or lack of communication.
Product quality is generally good for both sites but there are occasional complaints about print quality or durability. This seems to be more dependent on the item rather than the platform.
Pricing is a common topic in reviews. Redbubble is sometimes seen as more expensive but many feel the designs are worth it. Zazzle’s prices vary greatly due to customization options.
Here’s a quick comparison of average customer ratings:
Platform Average Rating Redbubble 4.2/5 stars Zazzle 4.0/5 stars
These ratings are generally good for both platforms but there’s room for improvement.
Earning Potential for Sellers
As a seller on both Redbubble and Zazzle for a long time, I have an idea of the earning potential on these platforms. Both have unique opportunities for artists and designers to monetize their work.
On Redbubble, I set my own profit margins for each product. I can adjust the pricing based on demand and competition. I found that popular designs can earn big during holiday seasons.
Zazzle uses a different model. They have a base royalty rate and I can increase it up to 99% on most products. This can result to higher per item earnings but may impact sales volume because of higher prices.
Both platforms have volume based incentives. As my sales increase, so does my earnings. Redbubble has a tiered system while Zazzle has performance bonuses.
Here’s a quick comparison of base royalty rates:
Platform Base Royalty Redbubble 20% Zazzle 15%
Note that actual earnings can vary greatly. Design quality, marketing and niche selection plays a big role on success on both platforms.
I found that offering more products can increase overall earnings. Both Redbubble and Zazzle have a wide range of customizable items from t-shirts to home decor.
Sustainability and Ethical Practices
I went through Redbubble and Zazzle’s sustainability and ethical practices. Both have made efforts in the last few years but there are some differences.
Redbubble emphasizes eco-friendly production. They use water-based inks and have recycling programs in their facilities. They also have products made from organic and recycled materials.
Zazzle on the other hand focuses more on ethical sourcing. They have strict supplier guidelines to ensure fair labor practices. They’ve also partnered with several organizations to promote social responsibility.
Here’s a quick comparison of their initiatives:
Initiative Redbubble Zazzle Eco-friendly inks ✓ ✓ Recycling programs ✓ – Organic materials ✓ Limited Fair labor practices – ✓ Social partnerships Limited ✓
I noticed that both are getting more transparent. They publish reports on their sustainability and ethical practices regularly so consumers can make informed decisions on their purchases.
Not that both are not 100% sustainable. There’s still room for improvement on packaging and shipping emissions. But I see progress from both Redbubble and Zazzle on this.
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