If you're looking to start a print-on-demand store, chances are you’ve come across Spreadshop and Printify. Both platforms make it easy to design, list, and ship custom products without holding inventory, but they cater to very different types of sellers.
After testing both platforms hands-on, Printify comes out on top if you want full control, scalable margins, and the ability to grow a real ecommerce brand.
Spreadshop, on the other hand, is a solid option for beginners or content creators looking to monetize with minimal effort.
Let’s take a closer look at how they compare on pricing, product quality, ease of use, branding, and more.
Spreadshop vs Printify: Quick Verdict
| Platform | Best For | Monthly Cost | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printify | Growing ecommerce businesses | $0 – $29 | Customizable products, scalable margins |
| Spreadshop | Beginners and creators | Free | Fully hosted storefront, no setup required |
Quick Comparison: Spreadshop vs Printify
Get a side-by-side overview of the two platforms in the table below:
| Feature | Spreadshop | Printify |
|---|---|---|
| Storefront | Built-in, fully hosted | Requires integration (e.g. Shopify, Etsy) |
| Pricing | Free | Free or $29/month Premium plan |
| Product Catalog | ~130 core items | 800+ via 90+ global print providers |
| Branding Control | Low | High (custom branding available) |
| Fulfillment | Spreadshop handles all | Print providers handle fulfillment |
| Profit Margins | 15–25% average | Up to 50% with Premium |
| Setup Time | Under 10 minutes | 30–60 minutes |
| Customer Support | Spreadshop handles returns/support | You manage support |
| Best For | Creators, beginners | Brand-focused sellers, scaling businesses |
Best for Getting Started: Spreadshop
Spreadshop is ideal for beginners who want a low-risk way to start selling merch online.
You can launch a store in minutes, add your designs, and start sharing your products—all without paying for a storefront or dealing with customer support.
Setting up my Spreadshop store took less than 10 minutes.
I didn’t need to connect a domain, worry about shipping zones, or build a Shopify site. Everything’s hosted under Spreadshop, so you just focus on the designs and marketing.
Spreadshop’s biggest strengths:
- It’s 100% free to use
- Storefront is fully hosted (no tech required)
- Spreadshop handles shipping, returns, and support
- Fastest setup of any print-on-demand platform I tested
Things to keep in mind:
- You’re limited to Spreadshop’s layout and design system
- Profit margins are lower compared to Printify
- Custom branding is minimal
The Verdict
If you’re a content creator or influencer who just wants to sell merch with zero hassle, Spreadshop is an excellent place to start.
Best for Selling at Scale: Printify
While Spreadshop offers simplicity, Printify delivers control.
With Printify, you connect to Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce, and choose from over 90 print providers globally. This lets you customize product quality, fulfillment speed, pricing, and branding.
During my testing, I created a Shopify store and synced it with Printify. I could choose suppliers by location, shipping rates, product quality, and even ratings.
I also had full control over product descriptions, profit margins, and packaging options.
What makes Printify stand out:
- Over 800 products across 90+ suppliers
- Control over pricing, branding, and providers
- Supports white-labeling and branded labels (select providers)
- Integrates with major ecommerce platforms
- Up to 20% discount on products with Premium plan ($29/month)
Drawbacks to consider:
- Requires integration (Shopify, Etsy, etc.)
- You handle customer service and returns
- More setup and learning curve upfront
The Verdict
Printify is best for sellers who want full ownership of their store and brand. If you’re serious about building a scalable business, Printify gives you the tools to do it.
Pricing: Printify Offers More Flexibility
| Platform | Pricing Plans | Discount Options | Profit Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spreadshop | Always free | None | Limited |
| Printify | Free or $29/month Premium | 20% discount on products (Premium) | Full control |
Spreadshop is free to use, and there are no subscription fees. Your earnings come from markup—Spreadshop sets the base price, and you choose how much extra to charge.
With Printify, the free plan works well for testing, but the Premium plan ($29/month) offers serious savings. You get up to 20% off product costs, which increases your profit margins, especially at scale.
Example hoodie:
- Spreadshop base price: $25 → Sell at $40 = $15 profit
- Printify base price: $22 ($18 with Premium) → Sell at $45 = $27 profit
The Verdict
Printify offers better long-term earning potential, especially if you're serious about building an ecommerce business. Spreadshop wins on cost for beginners, but Printify wins on profit.
Product Range and Quality: Printify Wins on Choice
| Feature | Spreadshop | Printify |
|---|---|---|
| Total Products | ~130 | 800+ |
| Product Types | Apparel, accessories, drinkware | Apparel, pet gear, home goods, accessories, eco-friendly items |
| Print Provider Choice | No | Yes |
| Quality Control | Standardized | Varies by provider |
Spreadshop offers a focused product catalog: mostly apparel, accessories, and mugs. You can’t pick the printer or customize much beyond the design. That said, the quality is consistent.
With Printify, I was able to test products from multiple providers and compare quality, fulfillment speed, and pricing. This means more trial and error—but also more customization.
The Verdict
Printify offers significantly more variety and customization, making it ideal for niche products or specialized branding. Spreadshop is solid if you want simplicity and fewer decisions.
Fulfillment and Shipping: Spreadshop Handles It All
Spreadshop handles the entire fulfillment process, including:
- Printing
- Packaging
- Shipping
- Customer service
- Returns
Shipping times are usually 7–14 days worldwide, and support is fully managed by Spreadshop.
With Printify, fulfillment depends on the provider. Some ship within 2–5 days, others take longer.
You’ll also need to:
- Handle returns yourself
- Manage customer emails
- Set up shipping rates in your ecommerce platform
The Verdict
If you want a hands-off experience, Spreadshop is the clear winner. If you want control and can manage fulfillment, Printify gives you more options.
Branding and Customization: Printify Takes the Lead
| Branding Element | Spreadshop | Printify |
|---|---|---|
| White-Labeling | No | Yes (select providers) |
| Custom Packaging | No | Yes (limited) |
| Branded Domain | No (subdomain only) | Yes (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.) |
| Product Pages | Limited customization | Full control |
Spreadshop gives you basic branding: upload your logo, adjust store colors, and personalize your header.
But you're still using a Spreadshop-branded subdomain unless you embed the store into your own site.
Printify, paired with Shopify or WooCommerce, gives you full branding control:
- Sell under your own domain
- Customize product pages and checkout
- Add branded packaging (via select suppliers)
This level of control is a major advantage if you're trying to build a standalone brand rather than just sell merch.
With the ability to fine-tune your store design, use your own logo on packing slips, and even select suppliers that offer inside-label printing or custom branding options, Printify gives you the foundation to create a seamless customer experience from homepage to delivery.
It’s the better choice for businesses that want to be taken seriously as a brand and not just operate as a storefront for generic products.
The Verdict
Printify gives you the tools to build a real brand. Spreadshop is fine for personal projects or creator merch, but it’s limited when it comes to serious ecommerce branding.
Ease of Use: Spreadshop Is Simpler to Launch
When testing setup times:
| Task | Spreadshop | Printify |
|---|---|---|
| Create store | 5–10 minutes | 30–60 minutes |
| Add products | Easy drag-and-drop | Requires provider selection |
| Domain setup | Not needed | Required (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.) |
Spreadshop’s onboarding is beginner-friendly. The dashboard walks you through uploading designs, setting prices, and launching your store. It’s ideal for users who want a quick setup with minimal customization.
Printify requires more setup. You need to:
- Choose and integrate with a platform
- Set up taxes, shipping, and payments
- Sync products to your store
It’s not hard—but it’s more work than Spreadshop.
That extra setup time does come with long-term benefits. Once Printify is connected to your platform of choice, you gain full control over your store's functionality, layout, and marketing tools.
Whether you’re customizing product SEO, running upsells through third-party apps, or building abandoned cart flows, the extra flexibility can help boost conversions and revenue.
The Verdict
Spreadshop is faster and easier for first-time sellers. Printify is more powerful but comes with a learning curve.
Customer Support: Spreadshop Handles the Work
Spreadshop offers:
- Full-service customer support (you don’t interact with customers)
- Built-in returns handling
- Help center with guides and FAQs
This hands-off approach is great if you’d rather focus on designing and promoting products instead of dealing with order issues or customer emails. Spreadshop takes care of the logistics so you can keep things simple.
Printify expects merchants to:
- Manage all customer inquiries
- Handle refunds and replacements
- Contact Printify support for supplier issues
While this adds extra responsibility, it also gives you full control over the customer experience. You can personalize communication, set your own policies, and build stronger relationships with your audience.
The Verdict
Spreadshop is more beginner-friendly if you don’t want to deal with customer service. Printify gives you more control, but more responsibility too.
Final Verdict: Printify Is Best for Building a Real Ecommerce Brand
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Spreadshop |
| Product Range | Printify |
| Branding | Printify |
| Fulfillment | Spreadshop |
| Profit Margins | Printify |
| Customer Support | Spreadshop |
| Overall Value | Printify |
Both platforms are strong, but they serve very different needs.
Choose Spreadshop if:
- You’re just getting started
- You don’t want to handle logistics
- You’re a content creator or influencer
Choose Printify if:
- You want control over your store
- You plan to scale or sell on Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce
- You care about profit margins and product variety
Both platforms have their place—it really comes down to how hands-on you want to be.
If ease and speed are your top priorities, Spreadshop keeps it simple. But if you're aiming to build a long-term brand with full flexibility, Printify gives you the tools to make that happen.
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