Top 5 Print on Demand Companies for Designers

We’re confident the best all-around print-on-demand partner for designers is Podbase thanks to studio-grade print consistency, granular product control, and a brand-first toolkit that includes custom packaging, labels, and color-accurate mocks. Printify is the value workhorse with the broadest supplier network and sharp base costs for healthier margins. Printful delivers premium quality and polished integrations for a refined, low-friction build. Gelato excels at global routing and sustainable fulfillment. And Spreadconnect is the easiest way to tap an existing marketplace and validate designs fast.

Great PoD platforms don’t just “print and ship.” They safeguard color fidelity, automate the gritty ops (returns, reships, routing), and give you real control over brand touchpoints. We hold providers to the same bar we use for client launches: predictable quality, transparent costs, solid lead times, and tools that protect your margins. If a platform makes you guess on any of that, it didn’t make this list.

Shortlist:

1. Podbase — Best Overall for Designers
2. Printify — Best for Profit Margins & Supplier Choice
3. Printful — Best Premium Experience
4. Gelato — Best for Global Shipping & Sustainability
5. Spreadconnect — Best for Fast Marketplace Reach



1. Podbase: Best Print-on-Demand for Designers

Podbase is a designer-focused PoD platform that specialises in tech accessories like phone, iPad, and laptop cases. It offers a broader catalog too, now positioned as a 300+ product platform with fast fulfillment, no platform fees, and no required credit card at signup. Packaging is neutral, so your brand stays front and center.

Features

• Tech accessory focus with first-to-market device coverage, plus an expanding catalog.
  
• Native Shopify app with product creation, pricing, mockups, and a performance dashboard. Integrations and how-to guides are available.
  
• Neutral packaging and brand-forward presentation by default.
  
• Profit calculator and education content to model margins and plan launches.

Pricing

Free to install and use. You pay the product base price and shipping only after a customer orders. Site claims include no fulfillment fees and no credit card required to start.



Shipping

Global delivery with fast fulfillment highlighted on site. Packaging details are documented in the help center, including internal protection and neutral outer mailers. Exact speeds and carriers vary by destination.



User rating

On the Shopify App Store, Podbase shows a 5.0 average rating with 70+ reviews as of 2025. Read recent reviews to confirm fit for your niche.



Why I recommend Podbase

If your catalog leans into tech accessories and you want a clean Shopify workflow, Podbase brings fast setup, brand-neutral packaging, and tools that make pricing and fulfillment straightforward. It is a strong pick for designers who care about color on hard goods, reliable case coverage for new devices, and simple costs at order time.



2. Gelato: Best for Global Shipping and Sustainability

Gelato is a global print on demand platform that produces locally in 32 countries through a network of 140+ print partners. Orders are routed to the nearest certified producer to cut delivery times, costs, and carbon footprint.



Features

• Wide integrations: Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, BigCommerce, TikTok Shop in select regions, Amazon in beta, plus a public API.
  
• Local production focus with quality controls for consistent results across regions.
  
• Sustainability positioning that highlights waste reduction and shorter shipping distances.
  
• Tools for product creation, mockups, and order routing inside a unified dashboard.

Pricing

Gelato has no upfront platform fees and no commissions. You pay for products and shipping when an order is placed. Optional subscriptions are available: Gelato+ at $25 per month or $249 per year and Gelato+ Gold at $129 per month or $1,285 per year. 



Shipping

Production is local to the buyer whenever possible, which reduces transit distance and helps most orders arrive quickly. Gelato cites over 90 percent of orders produced locally and delivery windows improved by local routing. Exact speeds depend on destination and service level. 



User rating

On external trackers, Gelato’s Shopify app shows a high average rating with hundreds of reviews, and Gelato references strong Trustpilot feedback in its help center. Always scan recent reviews to match expectations for your niche. 



Why I recommend Gelato

If your audience is international, Gelato’s local production network is a strategic advantage. You get broad integrations, lower shipping distances, and a sustainability story you can share with customers. The free plan keeps startup costs lean, and the optional Gelato+ tiers add perks when you are ready to scale.



3. Printify: Best for Profit Margins and Supplier Choice

Printify is a print on demand platform with a large supplier marketplace and a very wide catalog. You design once, pick a print provider, and orders are produced and shipped directly to your customer. The platform is free to start and supports selling on major storefronts.



Features

• Large catalog with 900 to 1,300+ customisable products depending on the source and date of publication.
  
• Network of 90+ print providers across the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and China for flexible pricing and routing.
  
• Store connections that include Shopify and guidance for Etsy, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, and more.
• Operational status page that reports fulfillment updates across the network.

Pricing

Free plan at $0 per month. Premium plan from $29 per month or $24.99 per month when billed annually, which adds up to 20 percent discounts on product costs and expands store limits. Enterprise tier available on request. 



Shipping

Orders are produced and shipped by the chosen print provider. Printify lists global coverage with some exclusions that currently include North Korea, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. Shipping options, carriers, and costs vary by provider and destination. 



User rating

On the Shopify App Store, Printify shows a high average rating with thousands of reviews. Independent roundups also cite a 4.8 average based on several thousand reviews. Always check the latest reviews for current performance. 



Why I recommend Printify

If you prioritise margin control and flexibility, Printify’s supplier marketplace is a strong fit. You can compare base costs across providers, switch vendors without rebuilding listings, and use the Premium plan to capture additional product discounts once sales scale. 

4. Printful: Best Premium Experience

Printful is a full-service print on demand platform that connects to major ecommerce storefronts, automates fulfillment, and offers brandable options like custom labels and packaging. It positions quality and a polished workflow, from product setup to shipping.



Features

• Wide integrations including Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, Big Cartel, Amazon, and more.
  
• Branding tools such as inside and outside apparel labels and custom packing inserts and slips.
  
• Catalog with apparel, accessories, home and wall art, and more, supported by accurate mockups and automated order sync.



Pricing

Free to start. You pay the product base cost plus shipping when an order is placed. Printful also offers a paid Growth plan with a free 14-day trial and a monthly fee after the trial, along with discounts and perks. Use the built-in pricing calculator to estimate margins before you publish.



Shipping

Orders ship from the nearest Printful facility to reduce time and cost. Shipping speeds and rates vary by product type, destination, and service level. The shipping page lists current prices and delivery estimates.



User rating

Printful’s integrations pages and blog showcase large creator adoption and long-running stores. Always review recent app store feedback and case studies for your niche before committing.



Why I recommend Printful

If you want premium print quality, strong branding controls, and a smooth setup across popular storefronts, Printful delivers a refined experience with clear costs and an upgrade path when you scale. The combination of robust integrations, custom packaging, and documented workflows makes it a reliable choice for designers who value consistency and presentation.



5. Spreadconnect: Best for Fast Marketplace Reach

Spreadconnect is SPOD rebranded, built by Spread Group, and focused on fast, in-house print on demand. The platform highlights 48-hour production, a catalog of 250 plus products, and neutral fulfillment so you can add merch to an existing store with minimal friction.



Features

• 48-hour production target on most orders, quality controlled in house.
  
• 250 plus products across apparel, accessories, and home, creation tools and mockups included.
  
• Integrations for Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, and Order Desk, with tutorials for marketplace connections.
  
• Sustainable claims such as non-toxic vegan inks and local routing where possible.



Pricing

Free to install and use. You pay the product base price and shipping after a customer orders. No upfront platform fees are advertised.



Shipping

Worldwide shipping is available. Production is handled by Spreadconnect facilities, then packed and shipped directly to your customer, with the 48-hour production target on most items. Exact delivery times and carriers vary by destination and product.



User rating

On the Shopify App Store, Spreadconnect shows an overall rating of about 4.0 from roughly 130 plus reviews as of 2025. Read recent reviews for specifics on quality, speed, and support before you commit.



Why I recommend Spreadconnect

If your goal is to test designs quickly and reach multiple sales channels, Spreadconnect’s fast production, in-house control, and ready integrations make it easy to plug in, publish products, and start selling without extra overhead. The combination of speed, simple pricing, and a broad yet focused catalog suits designers who want quick validation and reliable fulfillment.



How You Can Start a Profitable Print On Demand Business

The Short Answer

Pick a focused niche, price for real profit, order samples, then scale the winners with simple marketing. Treat it like a brand, not a side widget.



What to do

1. Validate a tight niche with 6 to 12 designs across 2 products. Publish fast, track clicks and first-week sales.
   
2. Order samples. Check color, print area, and feel. Use real photos on your product pages.
   
3. Price for margin. Calculate landed cost and target a healthy markup. Set a free shipping threshold to lift order value.
   
4. Make pages that convert. Clear benefits up top, shipping estimate, sizing help, and two lifestyle images.
   
5. Drive traffic simply. One SEO page per product, one creator partner, and one small paid test. Keep what works and repeat.



Avoid

Skipping samples, hiding shipping costs, and launching too many products at once.