How to choose a print-on-demand supplier

Most suppliers can print a mug or a T-shirt. Where they deliver, which stores they connect to and what goes in the parcel decide which one fits your shop.

For my shop…

and take orders on
It also needs

7 could work, 1 don’t fit

Your shortlist

6 of 8 suppliers make this mug for US delivery

Standard 11oz Ceramic Mug

Supplier, A to Z in each groupUS mug
Fits your shop · 7
YesUS mug: $11.81 delivered · 3–9 days
Yes, with a conditionUS mug: Other mugs only
YesUS mug: $12.75 delivered · 5–6 days
Yes
YesUS mug: $12.06 delivered · 5–8 days
YesUS mug: $13.12 delivered · 4–8 days
YesUS mug: $11.95 delivered · 3–6 days
Doesn’t fit · 1
NoUS mug: Doesn't sell mugs

Pick where you sell or tick a need in your brief to add its column here.

The guide

What to check when choosing a print-on-demand supplier

Six questions decide most choices. The shortlist above answers them for your product and customers; here’s what each one means for your shop.

An opened kraft mailer with a folded printed T-shirt, a small insert card and a sticker seal on tissue paper.
What your customer unboxes is part of the choice.

Does it make your exact product?

Blanks that look alike can differ in brand, fabric weight, print method and size. Compare the same product, not just the category.

Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton Tee: all 8 suppliers · Standard 11oz Ceramic Mug: 6 of 8 · US delivery · checked Oct 28, 2026

What does delivery to your customers cost?

The base price is only part of the bill. Shipping to your customers’ country can change which supplier is cheapest, so compare delivered totals.

Standard 11oz Ceramic Mug (11 oz · White) delivered in the US: $11.81 to $13.12 across 5 suppliers · checked Oct 28, 2026

Will it take orders from your store?

A direct connection sends each sale to the supplier for printing and returns the tracking number. Without one, you place orders yourself. TikTok Shop support is narrower and depends on where your shop is registered.

Etsy, Shopify and WooCommerce: CustomCat, Gelato, Inkthreadable, Printful, Printify, Prodigi · Apliiq: Etsy and Shopify only · No direct connection: Fourthwall · checked Sep 28 – Oct 26, 2026

Can you put your own branding in the parcel?

Most suppliers ship in plain packaging with your store name on the label. Inserts, stickers and labels usually cost extra, and each supplier attaches conditions.

Adds your branding to a Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton Tee: Fourthwall, Gelato, Printful, Printify · to a Standard 11oz Ceramic Mug: Printify · US orders · checked Sep 28 – Oct 26, 2026

Do you need a paid plan?

Seven of the eight let you start without a monthly fee. Paid plans lower product prices, so they’re worth a look once you sell steadily.

Free plans: Lite at CustomCat, Core at Prodigi, Free at the other five · checked Sep 28 – Oct 26, 2026

Can you choose who prints it?

Picking the print partner gives you a say in location, print method and packaging. Most suppliers send each order to a facility for you.

You pick: Printify (15 print partners for a Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton Tee to the US) · One facility in Detroit: CustomCat · Routed for you: Fourthwall, Gelato, Printful, Prodigi · checked Aug 9 – Oct 26, 2026

Before your first sale

A shortlist narrows the field. These three habits keep your first launch small enough to learn from.

  1. Order a sample of the exact option

    Holding it is the only way to judge the print, the fabric and the parcel before your customers do.

  2. Price from the delivered total

    Product plus shipping plus your store’s fees. The profit calculator does the sum for each supplier.

    Estimate your profit

  3. Check again when things change

    A new product, a new country or a paid plan can change the answer. Run the shortlist again first.

Common questions about print-on-demand suppliers

What’s the best print-on-demand company for beginners?

The one that makes your exact product, delivers it to your customers at a price that leaves you a profit, and connects to your store. The shortlist above checks all three. Seven of the eight here let you start free, so order a sample before you list anything.

Is Printful or Printify cheaper?

It depends on the product. A Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton Tee (Adult M · Black) costs $14.13 delivered in the US at Printful, against $14.63 at Printify. A Standard 11oz Ceramic Mug (11 oz · White) costs $12.06 at Printful and $13.12 at Printify. Prices checked Oct 28, 2026.

Compare Printful vs Printify

Are Printful and Printify free to use?

Yes. Like Apliiq, CustomCat, Fourthwall, Gelato and Prodigi, they let you start on a free plan and pay only for what you order: the product plus shipping. Paid plans such as Gelato+ ($29.99/month), Printful Growth ($24.99/month) and Printify Premium ($39/month) lower product prices for a monthly fee. Plans checked Sep 28 – Oct 26, 2026.

Which print-on-demand companies work with Etsy?

Apliiq, CustomCat, Gelato, Inkthreadable, Printful, Printify and Prodigi connect directly, so Etsy orders reach them automatically. Fourthwall's Etsy integration isn't live yet; Etsy orders can only reach Fourthwall through its beta API. Checked Sep 28 – Oct 26, 2026.

Which print-on-demand companies work with TikTok Shop?

It depends on where your TikTok Shop is registered. For US shops, Fourthwall, Gelato, Printful and Printify connect directly, and CustomCat takes orders through Order Desk or the CustomCat API. For UK shops, Gelato, Inkthreadable, Printful and Prodigi connect directly. Checked Sep 28 – Oct 20, 2026.

Can I use Printful and Printify on the same store?

Yes. Each connects to Etsy or Shopify as its own app, and each listing is fulfilled by the supplier it’s synced with, so you can print T-shirts with one and wall art with another. On Etsy, add each supplier as a production partner.

Which print-on-demand companies offer custom packaging?

It depends on the product. For a Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton Tee sent in the US, Fourthwall, Gelato, Printful and Printify add your inserts or labels; for a Standard 11oz Ceramic Mug, only Printify does. CustomCat adds no inserts or labels to any product. Checked Sep 28 – Oct 26, 2026.

How long does print-on-demand shipping take?

For a Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton Tee delivered in the US, estimates run from 3 to 10 business days across seven of the eight suppliers. Where it’s printed matters: CustomCat prints in Detroit, so the same shirt takes 8–23 days to reach the UK, where Printify quotes 3–4. Checked Oct 28, 2026.

Which print-on-demand company has the best quality?

None wins on every product. Quality comes from the blank, the print method and the facility that prints your order, and at Printify every print partner is different. Order a sample of the exact product from the exact supplier or partner before you sell it.

The eight suppliers in this guide

Compare Printful vs Printify