Best Print on Demand Companies That Actually Deliver in 2025

After more than 10 years reviewing ecommerce tools and consulting for brands at Ecommerce-Platforms.com, I’ve tested just about every major print on demand company out there. Some impressed me, others didn’t last two weeks on a live store.

This guide isn’t based on guesswork. It’s from placing real orders, handling real customer issues, and scaling real ecommerce stores across Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and beyond.

Whether you’re starting fresh or ready to upgrade your current POD setup, here’s a breakdown of the platforms that have earned a place on my go-to list — based on product quality, shipping, pricing, and actual usability.

TL;DR – Best Print on Demand Companies 2025 (Quick Comparison)

Platform	Best For	Key Strength	Shipping Speed	Product Quality
Printful	Branding and premium products	Full branding options	2–5 days	Excellent
Printify	High margins and variety	Wide supplier network	Varies (3–10 days)	Good to great
Gelato	International selling	Local printing in 30+ countries	3–5 days	Very good
Redbubble	Passive marketplace income	Built-in customer traffic	5–10 days	Decent
Spring (Teespring)	Creators and influencers	Social media integration	3–7 days	Moderate
Apliiq	Custom clothing brands	Embroidery and private labeling	5–10 days	Excellent
SPOD	Fast fulfillment	48-hour production time	2 days	Solid
Zazzle	Gifts and stationery	Massive range of custom products	4–7 days	Mixed
Merch by Amazon	Organic reach via Amazon	Prime shipping and passive sales	2–5 days	Basic
Gooten	B2B and automation	Strong backend tools and API	3–7 days	Consistent

How I Picked These Companies

There’s no shortage of POD platforms out there, and they all claim to be the best. But when you’re running a store and dealing with customers daily, you need more than bold marketing claims.

Here’s exactly what I looked for when testing each print on demand company:

• Product quality: I ordered samples from each platform and judged the actual look, feel, and durability.
• Shipping speed: I tracked how long it took from order to delivery, including during peak seasons.
• Customer service: I tested support channels—email, chat, and help docs—to see how quickly and helpfully they responded.
• Platform integrations: I tested each with Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce for real-world compatibility.
• Margins: I calculated profit per product, factoring in base costs, shipping, and fees.
• Branding: I looked at packaging, custom labels, inserts, and how much control I had over the final product.

With that in mind, here are the ten POD platforms that stood out.

1. Printful – Best Overall for Branding and Product Quality

If you want control over your brand — from print quality to packaging — Printful is hands down the best option I’ve used.

Their mockup tools, customer dashboard, and product consistency make them ideal for anyone who’s serious about building a long-term store.

Why I Use Printful

• Reliable, professional product finishes
• Global fulfillment = faster shipping to US, EU, and beyond
• Branding options like neck labels and packaging inserts
• Easy to integrate with Shopify, Etsy, and Woo

Product Quality

Printful sets the industry standard for quality in POD. I've ordered apparel, posters, mugs — and it's hard to find any real flaws. Their embroidery work is sharp, and DTG prints last through dozens of washes.

Shipping

• Ships from US, Mexico, Latvia, and Japan
• Most orders fulfilled in 2–5 business days
• Real-time tracking is accurate
• Reliable even during Q4 rush

Pricing

• T-shirts start around $12–15
• Shipping adds ~$3.99 (domestic)
• Premium plan is free if you hit $12K/year
• You pay more than Printify — but you see why

Best for: Quality-focused stores, premium apparel, lifestyle brands

2. Printify – Best for Margin and Product Variety

Printify is where I send sellers who want profit margins without sacrificing variety. Unlike Printful, it doesn’t print anything itself — you choose your supplier.

That gives you flexibility, but also means quality can vary.

Why I Use Printify

• Largest POD product catalog available
• Supplier network means you can optimise for cost or location
• Printify Premium ($24.99/month) saves 20% on all products
• Transparent reviews on suppliers help avoid quality issues

Product Quality

It depends on the supplier. Monster Digital and Print Geek have been solid in my experience. Lower-tier vendors are hit or miss, so order samples first.

Shipping

• Varies by supplier location
• US-based vendors ship in 3–7 days on average
• International options often take 10+ days
• You can view estimated shipping before publishing

Pricing

• T-shirts from $7–9 with Printify Premium
• Cheapest mugs, hoodies, even supplements on the market
• Shipping cost and speed are set by the supplier
• Great for high-margin, budget-conscious stores

Best for: Niche testing, high-margin sellers, side hustlers

3. Gelato – Best for Global Reach and Speed

Gelato is a newer player that’s been outperforming more established names when it comes to global shipping. I use them for clients targeting Europe or APAC.

They route orders to local printers — which cuts shipping time and reduces environmental impact.

Why I Use Gelato

• Fulfillment in 30+ countries
• 90% of orders arrive within 5 days
• Eco-friendly approach is a bonus
• Great for creators selling worldwide

Product Quality

Consistent, especially for paper goods and posters. Apparel quality is comparable to mid-tier Printful items. Best part? Local printing = fewer damaged packages.

Shipping

• Smart routing to local print providers
• Most items delivered within 3–5 business days
• Carbon-neutral shipping on most orders
• Clear shipping calculator in the dashboard

Pricing

• T-shirts start around $10–12
• Gelato+ plan gives access to better pricing & mockup tools
• Fewer hidden costs compared to some marketplaces
• Strong ROI in international markets

Best for: International sellers, eco-conscious brands, scalable logistics

4. Redbubble – Best for Passive Income Through Marketplaces

Redbubble isn’t for branding or control — it’s for passive traffic. Upload your design, set your royalty, and let Redbubble do the rest. I still earn royalties from designs I uploaded years ago.

Why I Use Redbubble

• Fully managed marketplace
• Built-in traffic = no ads needed
• Great for artists and print creatives
• You earn royalties, no fulfillment or support needed

Product Quality

Good enough for gifts and casual wear, but not high-end. Stickers and art prints are the standouts. Apparel is fine for fan merch but not for premium brands.

Shipping

• Fulfilled by a global network
• Standard shipping: 5–10 business days
• No control over packaging or unboxing
• Tracking available but inconsistent by region

Pricing

• Free to join and publish
• Royalty-based system (you earn ~10–30%)
• Redbubble sets retail pricing range
• No monthly fee or setup costs

Best for: Artists, illustrators, passive side income

5. Teespring (Spring) – Best for Creators with an Audience

Spring is built for creators. I’ve helped clients link their YouTube and TikTok merch directly through the platform. The process is quick and the storefront builder is decent.

Why I Use Spring

• Social integrations are a major plus
• Quick setup, no tech skills needed
• You can start selling in a day
• Good passive channel if you’ve got an audience

Product Quality

Middle-of-the-road. Mugs and accessories are solid, but clothing is generic. You’re trading branding control for ease of use and social tools.

Shipping

• 3–7 day fulfillment window
• US and EU shipping centres
• Limited packaging options
• No inserts or labels unless you hit scale

Pricing

• No upfront cost
• You set your price over the base
• Platform keeps a fixed base margin
• Ideal for beginner merch drops

Best for: YouTubers, influencers, beginner merch stores

6. Apliiq – Best for Premium Custom Apparel

Apliiq feels like POD meets fashion house. They do private labelling, embroidery, and full cut-and-sew. If you’re building a streetwear or luxury brand, this is who you want.

Why I Use Apliiq

• Fully branded apparel from the inside out
• True streetwear-quality fabrics
• Based in LA with in-house production
• Embroidery, tags, and woven labels available

Product Quality

Exceptional — this is the closest to retail-quality I’ve seen. Their embroidery and woven labels elevate any basic T-shirt to premium territory.

Shipping

• Fulfillment takes 5–10 business days
• Ships from LA
• Domestic delivery is quick, international can take longer
• Premium packaging available

Pricing

• T-shirts start around $15+
• Branding upgrades can add $2–5 per item
• Not cheap, but very sellable at premium prices
• No subscription required

Best for: Clothing brands, fashion entrepreneurs, premium niche sellers

7. SPOD – Best for Fast Shipping in the US and EU

When speed matters, I trust SPOD. They’re owned by Spreadshirt and built for fast fulfillment. Over 95% of my test orders shipped in under 48 hours.

Why I Use SPOD

• Lightning-fast order handling
• Ideal for seasonal promotions
• Easy to use, Shopify-friendly
• Clean UX for bulk editing

Product Quality

Print quality is strong, but the blank garments are basic. Fine for everyday wear or merch — not high-end apparel. Still, one of the better DTG printers in terms of clarity.

Shipping

• 48-hour turnaround on 95% of orders
• Based in US and EU
• Very low shipping issues reported
• No branding by default

Pricing

• Low base costs (T-shirts from $8)
• Flat shipping makes margins predictable
• No hidden fees or premium tier
• Great for margin stacking

Best for: Speed-sensitive campaigns, high-volume dropshipping

8. Zazzle – Best for Niche and Giftable Products

Zazzle is weird in a good way. If you’re into customised invites, stationery, or seasonal giftware — they’ve got it. Not great for branding or apparel, but a powerhouse for one-off, quirky sales.

Why I Use Zazzle

• Built-in marketplace and traffic
• Great for custom gifts and niche events
• No need to build or manage a store
• Seasonal sales can be strong

Product Quality

Inconsistent depending on product type. Stickers and paper goods are solid. Apparel is just okay. Quality control varies, so always order samples before scaling.

Shipping

• 4–7 day average fulfillment
• Global shipping available
• Tracking available but basic
• No control over how it looks on arrival

Pricing

• Royalty-based earnings
• You set the markup (10–20% standard)
• No monthly fees or upfront costs
• Low-maintenance, but lower margins

Best for: Niche designers, stationery creatives, event-based sellers

9. Amazon Merch on Demand – Best for Massive Reach

Amazon Merch on Demand is volume-based, not brand-based. I’ve used it for trend-based designs and holiday spikes — and the results can be huge, especially when Amazon SEO kicks in.

Why I Use Merch

• Free access to Amazon’s traffic
• No fulfillment, support, or printing
• You focus 100% on design and listing
• Royalties scale with volume

Product Quality

Basic blanks — don’t expect boutique quality. They’re okay for novelty or fan merch. No branding, inserts, or packaging control.

Shipping

• Prime eligible
• Fulfillment from Amazon warehouses
• Fast, reliable tracking
• No packaging customisation

Pricing

• Royalties range from $3–$7 per sale
• No monthly fees
• Amazon controls base price
• Good for testing designs with high visibility

Best for: Trend hunters, seasonal sellers, passive income streams

10. Gooten – Best for B2B and Automation

Gooten is built for scale. If you're running multiple stores, need API-level control, or want bulk automation — this is the backend tool we use for B2B clients.

Why I Use Gooten

• Built for operational efficiency
• Strong backend tools and reports
• Solid vendor network
• Works well across multiple SKUs and platforms

Product Quality

Reliable — not premium, but consistent. You won’t get fashion-forward options, but they’re solid for general merchandise, accessories, and gifts.

Shipping

• Fulfillment takes 3–7 days
• Global partners help reduce delivery time
• Good tracking tools
• Limited branding unless custom-negotiated

Pricing

• T-shirts start around $9–11
• Transparent shipping matrix
• No monthly fee
• API gives control over pricing models at scale

Best for: Agencies, wholesalers, enterprise POD sellers

How to Choose the Best Print on Demand Platform

With so many POD platforms out there, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming — especially when they all claim to be the best.

But after 10+ years of reviewing these tools and helping clients scale POD businesses across Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce, I can tell you: the “best” platform depends on what you actually need.

Here’s what to focus on — and what really matters (not just what the marketing says).

1. Product Quality

This is non-negotiable. A cheap shirt that fades after one wash will tank your reviews and refund rate.

What to check:

• Order samples before going live
• Look for DTG clarity, fabric softness, and print alignment
• Read vendor reviews (especially on Printify and Gooten)
• Stick to known brands like Bella+Canvas, Stanley/Stella, or AS Colour

If you're building a premium brand, platforms like Printful or Apliiq are your best bet. If you're testing general designs, Printify with vetted suppliers can still work well.

2. Shipping Speed & Locations

Slow shipping is one of the top reasons customers complain — especially on Etsy and Amazon.

What to compare:

• Fulfillment time (how fast the product is made)
• Delivery time (how fast it reaches the buyer)
• Where the fulfilment centres are (local = faster)
• Tracking and carrier reliability

If your audience is global, Gelato is the clear winner. For US/EU speed, SPOD and Printful perform best. Avoid platforms that don’t show clear ETA info.

3. Pricing & Margins

Your profit depends on how well you manage base costs and shipping — especially once you start scaling.

What to calculate:

• Base price per item
• Shipping fees (especially international)
• Fees for branding or subscription (like Printify Premium)
• Real profit margin after costs

If you’re going for margin, Printify Premium offers unbeatable flexibility. But if you're selling high-ticket, Apliiq’s higher cost is still worth it for brand perception.

4. Integrations & Ease of Use

A clunky dashboard or broken integration can cost you hours (and sales).

Look for:

• Native support for Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, etc.
• Clean, stable order management dashboard
• Design tools with real mockups
• Automation support (especially for Gooten or B2B setups)

For new sellers, Printful and Printify are the easiest to get up and running. For scaling, Gooten and Gelato offer serious backend power.

5. Your Goals + Business Model

What you're trying to build should shape what platform you choose:

Goal	Best Platforms
Premium clothing brand	Apliiq, Printful
High-margin general store	Printify, SPOD
Global reach	Gelato, Gooten
Passive sales on marketplaces	Redbubble, Merch by Amazon
Social-media-driven merch	Spring (Teespring)
Bulk fulfillment / B2B	Gooten

Final Thoughts

After over a decade reviewing ecommerce platforms and working directly with store owners, one thing’s clear: there’s no one-size-fits-all POD company. Each platform has its own strengths — and the right choice depends on your goals, product type, and how much control you want.

If you care most about quality and brand presentation, Printful or Apliiq are reliable every time. If your priority is profit margins and variety, go with Printify, but be picky with suppliers.

Want to ship fast worldwide? Gelato will surprise you with its reach and consistency.

Looking for passive income without running a store? Redbubble and Merch by Amazon can generate consistent, low-maintenance earnings.

Scaling a high-volume operation? Gooten handles the backend better than most.

At the end of the day, test before you commit. Start with one platform, order samples, review the customer experience from end to end — and then double down on what works.

Don’t just pick the most popular option. Pick the one that fits your brand, audience, and long-term plans.