If you’re running a print-on-demand (POD) business, you’ve probably heard of Printful. It’s one of the most widely used platforms in the industry—known for its wide product selection, platform integrations, and user-friendly interface. But here’s the thing: when searching for the best Printful alternatives, you’ll find that Printful isn’t always the most cost-effective or flexible solution, especially as your business grows.
Whether you’re launching a fashion line, running a niche Etsy store, or scaling an eCommerce brand, relying solely on one provider may not be ideal. That’s where Printful alternatives come in. Some offer cheaper base prices, others provide faster shipping, deeper customization, or stronger international reach.
As competition increases in the POD world, your ability to choose the right fulfillment partner can impact everything from profit margins to customer satisfaction.
Why Choosing the Right POD Platform Matters
In 2025, print-on-demand is more competitive and more promising than ever. But relying on the wrong platform can seriously hinder your growth. Here’s why the platform you choose matters:
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Profit Margins: High base costs eat into profits. Some platforms offer better pricing structures.
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Shipping Times: Customers expect fast delivery. Certain services ship faster regionally or offer local fulfillment globally.
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Customization & Branding: If you want to build a real brand—not just sell t-shirts—you’ll need options like custom labels, packaging inserts, or embroidery.
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Product Variety: Not all platforms offer the same range. Some specialize in apparel, others in home decor, accessories, or unique items like pet gear.
Choosing the right POD platform means balancing cost, quality, features, and fulfillment speed to meet your brand’s goals.
Top Printful Alternatives in 2025
Printful isn’t the only option for print-on-demand success. Many platforms now offer lower costs, faster shipping, or better customization. Selecting the right alternative can give your business a competitive edge in quality, branding, and profit.
1. Printify
Printify is one of the most popular Printful alternatives because it offers flexibility through its global network of printing partners. With over 800 products and support for major platforms like Shopify and Etsy, Printify stands out for its pricing and scalability. Sellers can decide between different vendors for each product, making it easy to find the best balance of cost, quality, and shipping speed.
Best for: Sellers looking for affordability and choice across multiple suppliers.
Pros:
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Large network of global suppliers
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Often lower base product costs than Printful
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User-friendly and supports multiple platforms
Cons:
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Product quality and shipping times can vary by print provider
2. CustomCat
CustomCat is a U.S.-based POD platform known for fast shipping and a massive selection of apparel, including sportswear and performance gear. While the interface may feel slightly dated, it delivers where it counts—speed and reliability. With an optional paid plan, you can access even deeper discounts, making it a budget-friendly choice for U.S.-focused sellers.
Best for: U.S.-based sellers who prioritize fast domestic delivery and apparel variety.
Pros:
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2–3 day U.S. fulfillment
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Extensive catalog, especially in activewear
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Affordable pricing with subscription tier
Cons:
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Limited international shipping options
3. Gelato
Gelato is all about local production with a global footprint. With printing partners in over 30 countries, it reduces shipping times and carbon emissions by producing items close to your customers. While the product catalog isn’t the largest, the quality and delivery consistency are excellent, especially for sellers with global reach.
Best for: Brands with an international customer base and a sustainability focus.
Pros:
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Local production in 30+ countries
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Eco-friendly and fast shipping
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Easy to integrate with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and more
Cons:
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Smaller product catalog than competitors
4. SPOD
SPOD is known for lightning-fast turnaround times shipping over 95% of orders within 48 hours. Backed by Spreadshirt’s manufacturing experience, it offers a mix of speed, reliability, and competitive pricing. It also provides helpful features like custom branding, print-on-demand samples, and a beginner-friendly platform.
Best for: Brands that value ultra-fast fulfillment and simplicity.
Pros:
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Fastest POD shipping in the industry
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White-label branding available
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Affordable base prices on popular items
Cons:
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Limited creative control for design placement
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5. Spring
Spring is purpose-built for creators, streamers, and influencers who want to monetize their audiences through merch without managing inventory or shipping. It integrates directly with platforms like YouTube and TikTok, making it ideal for social-first brands. While you get less control over fulfillment and pricing, the ease of setup is hard to beat.
Best for: Influencers and content creators who want to launch merch easily.
Pros:
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Seamless social media integrations
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Zero upfront cost or inventory management
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Built-in storefront features
Cons:
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Limited control over product pricing and customer experience
6. Apliiq
Apliiq stands out by offering advanced customization for clothing brands. With features like private labeling, custom embroidery, and unique fabric applications, it’s ideal for entrepreneurs looking to go beyond basic tees. The learning curve is a bit steeper, but the branding potential is unmatched.
Best for: Fashion-forward brands looking to create a premium clothing line.
Pros:
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True private label apparel and packaging
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High-end customization features
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Great for premium or streetwear lines
Cons:
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More expensive than standard POD providers
7. T-Pop
T-Pop is a Europe-based POD service that emphasizes automation and sustainability. Every order is packed plastic-free and branded on your behalf. Their ethical practices make it a hit with environmentally-conscious businesses selling within Europe.
Best for: Eco-friendly European sellers.
Pros:
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100% plastic-free branded packaging
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Automated branding options
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Transparent about carbon impact
Cons:
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Limited shipping outside of Europe
8. Gooten
Gooten is engineered for scalability. It’s a bit more technical than most POD platforms but shines in backend automation and logistics. Its network of global fulfillment partners ensures consistent delivery, while its API support makes it suitable for custom integrations or enterprise-level needs.
Best for: Growing businesses and tech-savvy sellers needing automation.
Pros:
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High scalability and automation
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Enterprise support and integrations
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Global fulfillment coverage
Cons:
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Interface isn’t the most beginner-friendly
9. Zazzle
Zazzle doubles as a POD platform and marketplace. Creators can upload their designs to thousands of products and sell them directly on Zazzle’s marketplace, earning passive income through licensing. There’s less control over branding, but you benefit from built-in traffic.
Best for: Designers wanting passive income from a marketplace.
Pros:
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Built-in traffic and exposure
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No need to handle logistics or customer service
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Great product variety
Cons:
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Limited customization and branding control
10. Redbubble
Redbubble is a well-known marketplace for independent artists. Like Zazzle, it handles everything from manufacturing to shipping, letting artists focus solely on creativity. It’s ideal for passive income but less suited to those wanting to grow a branded store.
Best for: Artists and illustrators seeking low-effort revenue streams.
Pros:
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Easy to set up and start selling
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Global reach and platform traffic
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Diverse product catalog
Cons:
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Minimal control over customer experience or branding
Making the Best Choice for Your Print-on-Demand Needs
Choosing the right print-on-demand partner is about much more than just cutting costs. Your decision should depend on your goals, whether that means maximizing profit margins, reaching international customers quickly, delivering premium branded products, or simply launching merch with minimal effort.
If your focus is cost and product variety, look for platforms with supplier networks and competitive base prices. If you’re building a fashion brand or want a strong brand identity, prioritize providers that offer private labeling and custom packaging. For creators and influencers, ease of use and social platform integration will make your life easier. And if sustainability or passive income are top priorities, there are platforms tailored for those values too.
Ultimately, the best platform is the one that aligns with your business model, brand vision, and customer expectations.
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