You’ve come to the correct place if you want to start an online business and are confused about which platform to use, or if you want to dabble in print on demand products but aren’t sure which platform to use. Printful and Redbubble are two of the most well-known print-on-demand sites on the market, and we’ll be looking at both in this review.
We’ll break down everything you need to know, so by the conclusion of this review; you’ll know if Printful or Redbubble is the better option.
As you may expect, there’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started!
How Printful Works
Printful, founded in 2013, is a simple online platform that allows sellers to employ the print on demand (POD) dropshipping approach. This is a fantastic choice for anyone wishing to create personalized things to sell online, including creatives, entrepreneurs, businesses, and influencers.
There is no charge for the first setup. You just connect Printful to your online store. You may then start adding new things to your product catalogue for people to buy from your online store.
When a consumer makes a purchase, Printful sends the order to fulfilment automatically. This will be sent to one of Printful’s in-house or partner manufacturing facilities. Finally, the product(s) are delivered to your customer’s door.
Isn’t it simple?
When it comes to design, you can work on it offline and then upload it to your Printful account once it’s ready. Alternatively, you can build simple designs with Printful’s mockup generator. Before presenting your design for sale, you may rest certain that you can double-check how it looks on Printful’s goods.
If you don’t have the ‘design gene’ but still want to join in on the POD fun, Printful’s graphic design service is a good option. Simply describe your vision in a request, and a designer will bring it to life for you.
Printful also provides warehousing and order fulfilment services, allowing you to order things, store them, and ship them after they’ve been printed. This can come in helpful as your company grows since you’ll be able to turn out orders more quickly.
How Redbubble Works
Redbubble, which was founded in 2006, is a print-on-demand service. It works similarly to Printful. Redbubble, on the other hand, does not allow you to integrate with your website. Redbubble, on the other hand, is a marketplace where purchasers can come and buy customized things that you’ve produced and listed directly on the site.
As a result, Redbubble caters more to designers. They want to make it easy for artists to make money off of their work. More than 700,000 artists use this platform at the time of writing, so they can’t all be wrong, right?
The way Redbubble operates (for online vendors) is as follows:
- To begin, you must first create a Redbubble account.
- The next step is to upload your artwork.
- When you’re satisfied with your design, give it a name and a description, and include as many relevant tags (keywords) as feasible.
- Finally, you put your product out there.
- It’s currently available for purchase on Redbubble.
Before developing, become familiar with each product’s unique design model, particularly its dimensions. Then, similar to Printful, you may make designs offline and upload them to your Redbubble account after they’re ready. You’ll be glad to learn that Redbubble allows a wide range of mediums and art genres, so unleash your inner artist!
You’ll need to use high-resolution image files to ensure high-quality print quality. Additionally, if you’re creating something with a translucent background, this image should be saved as a PNG file.
After you’ve uploaded your designs, you can edit them across several goods simultaneously. This, of course, saves you a lot of time. You can sell up to 60 different products from your Redbubble storefront!
From the customer’s perspective, they go to Redbubble and look for whatever they’re looking for. Redbubble prints your artwork onto the appropriate item and mails it to the purchaser if they like it.
Redbubble then deducts a percentage of the sale price from your account (AKA a royalty). Redbubble then deposits these funds into your Paypal or bank account once a month, as long as you’ve accumulated $20. (Or more).
If you don’t achieve this requirement, you’ll have to wait a year for your funds to be released (assuming the amount is at least $2).
Printful’s Pros and Cons
Last but not least, let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of both platforms.
First, there’s Printful:
The Pros
- Printful’s user interface is extremely user-friendly.
- It’s nearly straightforward to get started with Printful.
- There are no monthly or setup expenses; instead, you simply pay Printful’s base price for their products when a consumer places an order, posing an almost little financial risk.
- There are numerous ways to trademark oneself, including unique product labels, packaging, and packaging slips.
- Design, warehouse, and fulfilment services are all offered separately.
- The Printful API is simple to use.
- Printful has an app for both IOS (iPhone and iPad users) and Android devices.
- You can issue refunds for packages that have been lost or damaged.
- When you order a product sample from Printful, you will receive a 20% discount.
- Printful’s order processing is relatively speedy in contrast to its competitors.
- The number of native integrations offered by Printful is astounding.
- Printful provides good quality products and a large number of options.
- Printful’s mockup generator is quite popular among users.
- Printful’s customer service is exceptional in terms of reaction time and quality.
The Cons
- Multiple products cannot be edited at the same time.
- Printful’s starting prices are high compared to some of its competitors.
- You won’t be able to issue refunds to clients who ordered the wrong size or colour.
- Framing and shipping of framed posters and paintings are not available everywhere.
- Printful doesn’t have any metrics built-in.
Redbubble’s Pros and Cons
Now, let’s head over to Redbubble…
The Pros
The platform on which Redbubble operates is simple to grasp.
There are no monthly or startup expenses, much like Printful.
There’s a huge selection of high-quality items to choose from.
Redbubble’s customer service is outstanding.
Redbubble comes with analytics built-in.
Redbubble is a fully functional internet marketplace that facilitates sales. The platform receives a lot of visitors every month and uses retargeting ads.
There are numerous user assistance guides available.
Multiple products can be edited at the same time.
The Cons
- Because the pricing of Redbubble products changes, you’ll need to keep an eye on it and adjust your retail prices accordingly.
- Your products and packaging cannot be branded.
- You’ll have to wait a month to get your money.
- There are no eCommerce platform integrations at this time.
- Prices change depending on the product; for example, dark and light materials are priced differently.
- It can be difficult to get clients’ attention.
Printful vs Redbubble: Pricing
Let’s look at how much it will cost you to get up and running on either platform now that we’ve covered the basics…
Printful
Take a peek at Printful’s product catalogue to get a sense of their starting prices.
The cost of the product and printing is included in this pricing. However, they do not include shipping or taxes, so you will need to account for these separately.
It’s worth mentioning that the product type and brand determine the cost of an item. For example, T-shirts, leggings, skirts, and hoodies for men, women, and children cost between $7 and $55. However, the hoodie is more expensive than the t-shirt. Does that make sense?
Here are some more (average) Printful base costs:
- Wall art costs anything from $7 to $30.
- Hats are about $15.50 each.
- Mugs are around $8 each.
- Between $10 and $25 for tote bags (and various bags).
- Pillows: On average, they cost around $14.
- Towels are about $25 each.
- Cases for phones cost around $10.
Surprisingly, the product’s base pricing is determined by the fulfilment location you select. As a result, the price of Printful’s merchandise varies depending on whether you ship from Europe, the United States, Japan, or Australia.
There are no setup charges, as previously stated. After making a sale, you only pay Printful the item’s base price. However, expect to pay a little more if you want to white label your products:
- $2.49 per label for a personalized inside label
- $2.49 per label for a personalized outer label
- $2.49 per sleeve for a bespoke short sleeve print
- $5.95 per sleeve for a personalized long sleeve print
- An extra placing of an embroidered logo is $2.95.
Redbubble
Redbubble’s product prices fluctuate from time to time, so double-check the current rates for the items you wish to offer before deciding on your margins. If you’re trying to sell clothes, expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $45.
Surprisingly, home decor is Redbubble’s most expensive product category, with duvet coverings costing more than $100.
If you wish to sell wall art, the price ranges from $14 to $30, depending on the type of print and card. On the other hand, metal prints are substantially more expensive, ranging from $50 to $300.
Printful vs Redbubble: Integrations
If you currently have an online business, you’ll want a POD platform that works with your current website builder/digital shopping cart/eCommerce platform/online marketplace.
In light of this, we’ve compiled a list of Printful and Redbubble’s native integrations:
- Printful
- Shopify
- Etsy
- WordPress/WooCommerce
- Wix
- Squarespace
- Webflow
- Ecwid
- BigCommerce
- PrestaShop
- Weebly
- Amazon
- eBay
- Big Cartel
- Wish
- Magento
- Storenvy
- Bonanza
- 3dcart
- Launch Cart
- Redbubble
Unfortunately, Redbubble does not offer any native integrations that allow you to connect your Shopify store (or any other eCommerce business) to your Redbubble account. Redbubble was built from the ground up to be a full-featured online marketplace; it understands what it’s doing and sticks to it. Redbubble does enable third-party programmes such as Google Analytics and Google Maps.
Printful vs Redbubble: Shipping and Fulfillment
The timing and reliability of any print on demand service’s fulfilment and shipping are imperative to the success of your online business, so let’s see how Printful and Redbubble compare:
Printful
Printful manufactures and ships clothes orders in two to seven days on average in terms of fulfilment. Non-apparel products, on the other hand, are turned around a little faster, with an average turnaround time of two to five business days. The package will be delivered in four business days (depending on the delivery address). For more precise delivery times, see the table below.
According to reports, the following turnaround times are expected for these destinations:
- The United Kingdom: Two to five days
- The United States: Three to four days
- France: Three to five days
- South America, Asia, and other European countries: Six to 14 days
Please keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for delivery as a seller, so consider that in your product pricing plan to avoid losing money. The shipping cost is determined by the weight of the items, the shipment destination, and the shipping method. If it’s more convenient, you can specify a flat shipping charge.
It is entirely up to you how you handle shipping charges. You’ll have to do the arithmetic to see if charging a constant or changing shipping fee is more cost-effective.
Redbubble
Redbubble, like Printful, ships internationally. However, they do not ship to Cuba, Sudan, North Korea, Syria, or Crimea.
You can trust reliable couriers to deliver your customers’ orders, as Redbubble works with DHL, UPS, and FedEx. On the other hand, shipment times differ depending on the customer’s location, shipping method (standard or express), and product type. On the other hand, local orders are frequently sent in less than two days. On the other hand, orders heading further afield can take up to three working days (or more).
Redbubble, like Printful, only ships on business days.
Customers can also use Redbubble’s order tracker to track the status of their orders in real time.
Redbubble’s shipping costs fluctuate, which is interesting. However, as an online seller, you don’t have to worry about this because Redbubble handles shipping directly with your customers. The cost of shipping is computed on the buyer’s checkout page, and it is based on the shipping method selected, the shipment’s origin and destination, and the contents of the transaction.
Printful vs Redbubble: Customer Support
Even if a platform is simple to use, there’s a high chance you’ll have a query or two at some point – especially if you’re just getting started. Knowing you can count on excellent customer service is priceless in this situation. So, how do Printful and Redbubble compare in this category?
Printful
Printful provides several customer services options. Printful’s customer service team can be reached by email at support@printful.com. You’ll get a response within a day on average. You can also submit a support ticket through their ‘Contacts’ page.
Before COVID, Printful also provided live chat support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At the time of writing, they’re striving to improve chat availability to continue providing live help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can use their live chat widget from the bottom-right corner of any Printful web page and start a conversation with a Printful representative.
Printful features an online help centre overflowing with helpful materials if you choose to pursue the self-help path. You’ll find plenty of articles, video lessons, and answers to frequently asked questions here.
Printful also has a strong social media presence, with accounts on Instagram, YouTube, and a Facebook group that you can join. This is a terrific area to meet other Printful users, ask questions, and network with individuals who share your interests.
Redbubble
Redbubble provides customer service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but not via email or live chat. You’ll have to send Redbubble a direct message through Twitter instead. According to reports, this gets a near-instant response.
Alternatively, you may submit a ticket to customer service. In most cases, you should receive a response within 24 hours.
If you want to fix the problem yourself, Redbubble has a wide support area for sellers and customers. You’ll find resources here that cover nearly every Redbubble technique, so you should be able to locate what you’re searching for.
Additionally, you may follow their social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, and Pinterest. This is a must-do list if you want to stay up to speed on all the newest Redbubble changes and news.
Printful vs Redbubble: Product Designs and Quality
Any POD platform’s product and print quality are critical. They may excel in all other areas, but you will not have repeat clients if the result is poor! So, let’s see how Printful and Redbubble compare in terms of quality…
Printful
Printful has $27 million worth of state-of-the-art printing equipment (roughly).
This equipment aids in the production of high-quality goods. However, always double-check your design before uploading it to Printful to ensure you’re happy with it and that you’ve uploaded the highest resolution file. This, too, aids in ensuring a high-quality print.
After that, Printful inspects your products for quality after being printed with your design. Furthermore, Printful is known for getting its base products from high-quality manufacturers such as Bayside, Gildan, Next Level Apparel, Hanes, etc.
Redbubble
In the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands, Redbubble works with various printing businesses and fulfilment hubs. Redbubble’s items are all ethically sourced and handpicked to ensure high quality. A quick Google search also reveals that most Redbubble clients are satisfied with the overall quality of the company’s prints and products.
Printful vs Redbubble: Packaging and Branding
If you want to build an online brand, pay attention since this part is crucial.
Printful
Printful takes pride in being a white-label platform that gives you the basics you need to establish and strengthen your brand. As a result, Printful does not slap its logo on your product package. Instead, you can choose from a few other modification options. For example, you can send Printful your logo and any unique messaging to be printed on your package.
You can also include a packaging sheet with product information and your logo in each box.
While we’re on the packaging, it’s worth noting that fragile items, such as frames, are well-wrapped to avoid damage, and all products are finally placed into corrugated boxes.
Redbubble
Redbubble’s packaging, unlike Printful’s, differs based on the item. The bulk of clothes and stickers, for example, are supplied in poly bags. Framed art is placed in boxes, while posters and smaller prints are placed in tubes.
In addition, unlike Printful, Redbubble’s product packaging bears the Redbubble logo, which makes sense given that your consumers are purchasing straight from Redbubble’s platform rather than through your online store.
Alternatives to Printful and Redbubble
While Printful and Redbubble have a lot of competitive POD features, there are a lot of other amazing software options. Printify, Sellfy, Teespring, and Spocket are just a few examples. Let’s take a look at what these print-on-demand companies have to offer.
Printful vs Redbubble vs Printify
With over 250 goods to pick from, you’re sure to find something suited for your product catalogue on Printify. Printful, on the other hand, has over 150 products, whilst Redbubble only has 60.
They also feature a mockup generator that lets you test simple ideas on a 3D product image, which is great for obtaining a sense of your final product.
Printify is also a good alternative for beginners to create because of the simple drag and drop constructors.
The design aspects are very consistent across all three companies. You can choose whether a print is on the front or back of an item, select colours to test your design on, upload photographs and clipart, and add custom text.
Printify, unlike Printful, however, relies on third-party fulfilment and printing providers, which has both advantages and disadvantages. Instead of working directly with the brand, you’ll have to work with one of their partners. If there is a problem with an order, this can be a problem because all communications must go through Printify first. Similar to Redbubble, Redbubble reroutes all print requests to third-party printers closest to the delivery location.
Printful, on the other hand, has its printers and warehouses, so if an issue happens, it should be resolved faster because third parties aren’t involved!
On the other hand, being able to handpick your supplier(s) means you can choose the best firm for your needs. Printify even provides ratings for Print Providers to help you decide who to use. If you choose to work with a printer closer to your customers, you’ll also have a better chance of getting faster delivery times.
You can also request a sample to determine which supplier offers the print quality you require. With Pritnful, sellers enjoy a 20% discount on samples and free shipping to specified destinations. Printify and Redbubble, on the other hand, do not give discounts on sample orders.
Printify offers a variety of integrations, including famous online marketplaces such as Etsy and eBay. You won’t have direct access to an existing market to sell from, unlike Redbubble.
Printful vs Redbubble vs Spocket
While Spocket does not provide POD services directly, some of its vendors do. Spocket is a dropshipping marketplace that connects dropshippers with many high-quality dropshipping providers. Orange Apollo, Magenta Shadow, and Gold Molly are among the suppliers that provide POD services.
Spocket charges a monthly fee dependent on the number of products you want to sell. You may anticipate a large product catalogue because they work with over 60,000 dropshipping suppliers. Though not all of these companies offer POD, the base item cost can be 60% less than retail prices, which is a welcome boost to your bottom line.
Woocommerce, Shopify, and Squarespace are among the many connectors available. However, they are not a specialized POD service like Redbubble or Printful, which can be a drawback for individuals getting their feet wet in the POD world.
Because most of Spocket’s suppliers are based in Europe and the United States, most orders may be shipped within 2-5 days. Outside of these continents, however, shipping will be slower. Redbubble and Printful, who both provide international delivery but have printers and warehouses mostly in Europe, Canada, and Northern America, are in a similar boat.
Spocket is the superior option for dropshippers who only require minimal POD services.
Redbubble vs Printful vs. Sellfy
Another prominent subscription-based POD is Sellfy. However, with Sellfy, you also get a free eCommerce store included in the package. You can also sell physical and digital products through this store, such as ebooks, templates, and other digital products.
Unfortunately, Sellfy’s native integrations are limited to only eight. They do not integrate with other stores because they contain full eCommerce capability.
Instead, Facebook Live Chat, Google Analytics, Patreon, Zapier, and Twitter Ads are all integrated. However, when it comes to integrations, Sellfy outperforms Redbubble because they don’t have any! Printful, on the other hand, combines 22 alternatives.
Sellfy’s product selection is also limited, with only 65 items. Printful comes out on top once more. You can expect the basics from Sellfy. Hoodies, sweatshirts, bags, and a few other items come to mind. Embroidery is one of Sellfy’s unique personalization options, also available on Printful and Redbubble.
The items are made and shipped in three to five business days on average by Sellfy. Printful ships most orders in five days, whereas RedBubble takes three to seven days. Printful and Redbubble also have suppliers in the United States, Canada, and the European Union.
Redbubble vs Teespring vs Printful
Teespring has a total of 50 items to pick from. Even though this is less than Redbubble’s 60 or Printful’s 150, you still get similar design tools, such as:
- An intuitive user interface
- On-site design tools are available.
- Text, graphics, and design templates are all available.
Teespring functions similarly to other PODs in terms of pricing, with the product’s basic price removed from the retail price you’ve chosen.
TeeSpring has several useful integrations, including the YouTube Merch Shelf, Twitch Merch Store, Streamlabs, and Discord. Furthermore, Printful offers a larger selection. Teespring’s complete integrations with the channels above are a great way to market your products, especially if you’re a YouTube or Twitch creator selling merchandise.
Teespring, like Printful, offers a variety of global fulfilment options with shipping costs that vary by location.
Printful vs Redbubble – Which is The Best Print on Demand Solution?
That concludes our Printful vs Redbubble comparison. So, which is the best option?
Printful and Redbubble, of course, both allow you to make and sell personalized products. But, in the end, we believe Printful is the winner. It has a little advantage over Redbubble because of its extensive connectors, mockup generator, branding possibilities, and control over your customers’ shipping fees.
