One of the best ways to start earning passive income is via print on demand. So what are the Best print on demand platforms in 2023 for beginners? My recommendations are based on my own experience of using print on demand when I was just getting started. I have used all of these platforms and I am currently selling on four of them. Each of the platforms has its pros and cons and each need subtly different methods in order to be successful. So let’s take a look at them in more detail.
Redbubble
Redbubble is a great place to start your print on demand journey. The application and the upload system are super easy to navigate.
Redbubble is an Australian print on demand company that has been around since 2006. The platform is very popular in North America and Europe.
The company encourages artists to sell their artwork on a variety of products on their massive online marketplace. Products include clothing, accessories, home décor, and stickers.
Redbubble Pros:
- A low barrier to entry as most applications are accepted.
- There is no customer service for the seller to deal with.
- A large customer base.
- Good range of products to sell.
- Simple royalty-based payment.
Redbubble Cons:
- Low barrier to entry means the platform is pretty saturated. It can be tough for new sellers to gain initial traction.
- The platform is flooded with IP-infringing design that dominate the best sellers.
- The pricing method is a bit of a mess. You can only set prices for one currency and then they are automatically converted. This means you end up with prices like 25.05 instead of the usual 24.99.
Verdict:
A great platform for new sellers to learn the process of writing listings and uploading.
Amazon Merch on Demand
Amazon Merch on Demand or Merch by Amazon, as it is more commonly known, has had the clear edge over other print on demand platforms since it was launched in 2015. The sheer size and selling potential of Amazon, coupled with a straightforward user interface and a no hassle royalty-based payment system ensured MBA quickly became a must have account for merch designers.
Unfortunately, the application process can be a bit be a bit of a lottery. Acceptance can rely on seasonal traffic and the current capacity of Amazon’s servers and suppliers. However, it does appear that both new and experienced sellers have an equal chance of being accepted. Click here for my article on how to give yourself the best possible chance.
Amazon offer a wide range of products, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, and more, and have a user-friendly interface for creating and uploading designs. In addition, they handle the production, fulfilment, and customer service for the products, making it easy for sellers to get started.
A game-like tier system operates in order to ensure that sellers don’t try to run before walking. Sellers start in tier 10 with just 10 designs available. You climb the tiers by filling your design slots and making sales relative to your tier.
Amazon Merch Pros:
- World’s biggest online marketplace.
- Amazon deals with customer service.
- Decent product range.
- Great user interface.
- Royalty style payments.
- Fantastic future earning potential.
Amazon Merch Cons:
- Not everyone gets accepted.
- Getting out of the lower tiers can be difficult.
- Amazon is very strict on copyright and trademark infringement.
- Takes time and a lot of patience.
Verdict:
The best print on demand platform with the potential to make thousands of dollars per month. On the downside, applying is a lottery, early progress can be slow and Amazon’s rules are extremely strict. Overall, if you can get accepted and are prepared for the long term then the sky is the limit.
Etsy
Originally, Etsy was set up as a platform for selling handmade or vintage items, as well as unique factory-manufactured items. Etsy has always had a strong focus on supporting independent sellers and businesses.
The main difference between Etsy and the other four print on demand platforms, is that Etsy is simply an online shop window. The seller needs to source the printable products and deal with any customer service issues. This is made easier by Etsy’s user-friendly interface allowing integrations with companies such as Printful and Printify.
When you make a sale, Printify prints and posts the item and you get billed for it. At the same time Etsy sends you your share of the sale price, although this does not arrive straightaway. In order to prevent delivery times being delayed you need a credit or debit card on file.
Of course, if you sell digital products, you can cut out this part of the process.
Etsy pros:
- Low barrier of entry and popular with shoppers.
- Great for real “artists”.
- You can sell almost anything including digital products.
- Can be integrated into Shopify etc.
Etsy cons:
- More complicated initial set up than other platforms.
- Customer service responsibilities mean Etsy is less “passive”.
- You need a card on file.
- After initial free period, each listing costs small fee.
Verdict:
If you are an actual artist and don’t mind the extra admin, then Etsy might be your perfect platform. If not, then you are probably better choosing a no hassle platform.
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
This platform, also offered by Amazon, allows users to self-publish and sell their books on the Amazon marketplace. They offer a variety of tools and resources to help authors through the publishing process, and handle the production and distribution of the books.
As a print on demand beginner, KDP allows sellers to easily produce low content notebooks and journals.
KDP is ideal to combine with other POD platforms as existing designs can be reused to make colourful and interesting book covers. Lined interiors are freely available on the web and it is very easy to get going.
It’s easy to apply using your existing Amazon shopping account details.
Once you master low content books you can move onto more complex projects such as colouring and puzzle books.
Amazon KDP Pros:
- Low barrier of entry.
- Powered by Amazon marketplaces.
- No customer service.
- Easy to use.
- Royalty payment system.
- Reuse existing designs.
Amazon KDP Cons:
- Uploading process is quite time consuming.
- There are strict rules.
- It takes time to gain sales traction.
Verdict:
A great way of reusing existing designs. Ideal for beginners as the only cost is time. Best combined with Amazon Merch, Redbubble or both!
Spring, formerly Teespring
Spring is another popular print on demand platform that offers a wide range of products, including t-shirts, hoodies, and more. They have a user-friendly interface and offer a variety of customization options, making it easy to create and sell unique products.
You can upload up to 50 designs per day, so it is easy to build a large inventory. Unlike Amazon and Redbubble, Teespring sellers are expected to drive traffic to their own shop and designs. Consequentially, it is difficult to drive regular sales when you first start.
I think of Spring a bit like having a Shopify store but without the hassle. If you can funnel traffic to your store, it should do well.
Spring Pros:
- Low barrier of entry.
- User friendly interface.
- No customer service
- Attractive storefront.
Spring Cons:
- You will need to drive your own traffic.
- It can be challenging to build momentum.
Verdict:
Any easy to use platform, with a great interface for beginners. On the other hand, your sales will rely on the traffic you send there from social media etc. Redbubble and Amazon are better starting points for beginners.
So what are the Best print on demand platforms in 2023 for beginners?
If you can get accepted, Amazon Merch on Demand is the clear winner. The power of Amazon’s customer base and the possible earnings potential is huge.
If you can’t get into Amazon Merch, then try one of the others. Redbubble and KDP are ultra-easy to get going and are completely hassle-free. Etsy is probably best for real “artists” but there are more moving parts. Spring is more suitable for creators who have a very strong social media presence.
Choose one that suits you best and get started today. Good luck.
