Hey there, Side Hustlers! Oscar here from Side Hustle Playbook. Today, I want to dive deeper into a topic that often comes up when you’re starting or expanding a print-on-demand (POD) business: choosing the right POD provider. Whether you’re running a Shopify store, selling on Etsy, or testing other platforms, finding the right POD company is crucial to scaling your business smoothly.
Here’s a breakdown of my experience with three popular POD providers: Printful, Printify, and Print Genie. Let’s talk about what they offer, their strengths, and the challenges you might face.
1. Printful: The All-Around Favorite
Printful is often the go-to for many entrepreneurs starting in the POD world—and for good reason.
Pros:
- Extensive Product Options: Printful offers a wide range of products, from t-shirts and hoodies to accessories like hats, iPhone cases, and backpacks. They even provide embroidery services.
- Seamless Integrations: Printful easily integrates with most major e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, Etsy, BigCommerce, and more.
- Automation: Once an order is placed, Printful automatically processes it, prints the product, and ships it directly to your customer.
- Inventory Updates: Their system updates your online store when items go out of stock, reducing manual oversight.
Cons:
- Longer Shipping Times: Printful can be slower, particularly during peak holiday seasons. Estimated production times vary, and delays can impact your customer reviews.
- Higher Prices: While Printful offers high-quality products, their pricing is typically higher than competitors, which can eat into your margins.
- Holiday Challenges: During busy periods, Printful might enforce early cutoff dates for orders, making it tough to meet customer expectations.
If you’re just starting out with Shopify, Printful is a solid choice. However, if you’re on Etsy or Amazon, you’ll need to stay on top of their shipping timelines to avoid penalties.
2. Printify: Flexible and Cost-Effective
Printify stands out as a flexible platform that connects you with multiple printing partners. This means you can select the best provider based on cost, quality, and shipping speed.
Pros:
- Faster Fulfillment: With providers like Monster Digital offering production times as fast as 1-2 days, Printify is often quicker than Printful.
- Lower Prices: By choosing a premium plan, you can access significant discounts, making it more affordable if you’re scaling.
- Diverse Providers: Printify allows you to select from various print partners, so you’re not tied to one company.
Cons:
- Inconsistent Product Options: Each provider has its own inventory, so certain colors or sizes might not be available across all partners.
- Support Delays: Printify acts as the middleman, so resolving issues might take longer since they need to communicate with the printing partner.
- Manual Adjustments: Since providers differ in what they offer, you’ll need to ensure that your product lineup can work across multiple print shops.
If speed is your priority, Printify—with partners like Monster Digital—is a great option. It’s especially helpful if you’re comfortable managing multiple providers.
3. Print Genie: A Reliable Backup
While not as feature-rich as Printful or Printify, Print Genie can be a lifesaver for specific use cases.
Pros:
- Emergency Fulfillment: Print Genie is excellent for hard-to-find items or when your main provider is out of stock.
- Quick Turnaround: Orders are typically printed and shipped quickly, even if the product catalog is smaller.
- Growing Inventory: While their range was initially limited, Print Genie is steadily adding new items, including hoodies and accessories.
Cons:
- Limited Product Options: Their catalog is smaller than competitors, which might not work for every brand.
- Inventory Accuracy: At times, stock levels shown on their platform may not match real-time availability, leading to delays.
- Slower Support: Their customer support team is responsive but tends to take longer than Printful or Printify.
Print Genie is ideal for businesses looking to fill occasional gaps or handle emergencies. However, it’s not yet robust enough to be a primary provider.
Tips for Choosing the Right POD Partner
- Test Products: Order samples from all three providers to evaluate quality, shipping times, and packaging.
- Optimize Listings: If you’re on Etsy, be extra cautious with lead times. Set realistic expectations to avoid negative reviews.
- Diversify Your Suppliers: Choose products available across multiple POD platforms to switch providers seamlessly when needed.
- Use Premium Plans Strategically: If your volume is growing, upgrading to a premium plan on Printify can save you money.
Final Thoughts
For my business, Printify is currently my top choice due to its speed and flexibility. Printful is my go-to for variety and automation, while Print Genie is a great backup for unique needs. Each provider has its pros and cons, so it’s essential to match them with your business goals.
Have you tried any of these platforms? Let me know your experiences in the comments—and if you’ve found a better women’s shirt than the Anvil 880, I’d love to hear about it!
Keep hustling and making those dreams a reality! 🚀
