Home » Business Automation Tools » Printful
Printful is an on-demand printing and fulfillment company that helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into custom brands and products without inventory.
It offers print-on-demand dropshipping for items like apparel, accessories, and home goods, handling printing, packaging, and global shipping automatically upon orders. With integrations to platforms like Shopify, it simplifies e-commerce for sellers worldwide.
Free: $0/month
Key Features and Benefits: Access to 435 premium products; Design Maker with 20K+ visuals and unlimited Premium Images; Unlimited stores (10 with Quick Stores); 22 e-commerce integrations; 20% off samples; Automatic fulfillment.
Printful Growth: $24.99/month (or equivalent in other currencies like €24.99, £19.99); Free for a year after $12K in yearly sales.
Key Features and Benefits: Up to 33% off products; 9% off branding; 25% off samples; Free digitization on samples; Exclusive deals; Large front prints on select items; Personalized product transfer; Potential 25–100% profit increase.
Pricing details: https://www.printful.com/plans
Competitor |
Pros of Printful |
|---|---|
| Printify | Printful’s in-house production ensures consistent high-quality prints and reliable order fulfillment, unlike Printify’s third-party supplier model, which can lead to variability in quality and shipping times. Its robust branding options, including custom packaging, labels, and inserts, provide a professional customer experience.
Printful also offers seamless integrations with a wide range of e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon, and its iOS app (rated 4.7/5) allows for efficient on-the-go management, surpassing Printify’s Android-only app. |
| Gelato | Printful delivers superior print quality through its controlled in-house facilities, ensuring vibrant and accurate prints compared to Gelato’s reliance on external partners.
Its extensive product catalog of over 395 items, including unique apparel and accessories, outshines Gelato’s offerings. Printful’s Design Maker tool with 20K+ visuals and multilingual support in seven languages enhances user experience, making it ideal for global sellers seeking polished, customizable solutions. |
| Teelaunch | Printful offers a significantly broader product range (395+ items) compared to Teelaunch’s limited selection, enabling greater diversification. Its advanced design tools and compatibility with numerous e-commerce platforms, beyond just Shopify and Etsy, provide flexibility for scaling businesses.
Printful’s in-house fulfillment also ensures consistent quality and faster turnaround, giving it an edge for sellers prioritizing reliability and customer satisfaction. |
| CustomCat | Printful’s owned facilities guarantee high print quality and low defect rates (0.24% return rate), outperforming CustomCat’s third-party model. It provides a wider product catalog and advanced branding options, such as custom packing slips and stickers, for a premium customer experience.
Printful’s analytics dashboard and 24/7 support further enhance business operations, making it a stronger choice for professional sellers. |
| SPOD | Printful’s extensive catalog of 395+ customizable products surpasses SPOD’s offerings, providing more variety for sellers. Its direct integrations with major e-commerce platforms worldwide, without third-party connectors, ensure seamless scalability.
In-house production also guarantees consistent quality and predictable shipping costs, making Printful a better fit for businesses targeting global markets with a focus on reliability. |
Competitor |
Cons of Printful |
|---|---|
| Printify | Printful’s higher base product costs can reduce profit margins compared to Printify’s lower prices through its global network of suppliers. Its reliance on fewer in-house fulfillment centers may lead to slower shipping in some regions, and Printify’s supplier choice flexibility allows for more tailored cost and speed options, which Printful lacks.
Additionally, Printful’s free plan limits advanced discounts compared to Printify’s Premium plan ($24.99/month). |
| Gelato | Printful’s fewer fulfillment centers can result in longer delivery times in certain regions compared to Gelato’s extensive local network, which prioritizes speed. Its focus on in-house production may limit eco-friendly product options, a strength of Gelato’s sustainability initiatives.
Printful’s platform, while feature-rich, may also feel less intuitive for beginners compared to Gelato’s streamlined interface. |
| Teelaunch | Printful’s higher pricing makes it less accessible for beginners compared to Teelaunch’s budget-friendly options. Its comprehensive features and tools can be complex for new users who prefer Teelaunch’s simpler interface.
Additionally, Printful’s production times (2-5 days) may be slower than Teelaunch’s for specific products, impacting delivery for time-sensitive orders. |
| CustomCat | Printful’s average production time of 2-5 days is slower than CustomCat’s rapid 3-day fulfillment, potentially delaying customer deliveries. Its higher costs without a premium discount plan can be a drawback for high-volume sellers compared to CustomCat’s affordability.
Printful also lacks some specialized printing techniques offered by CustomCat, limiting certain customization options. |
| SPOD | Printful’s slower turnaround (2-6 days) compared to SPOD’s 48-hour fulfillment can hinder time-sensitive orders. It may also lack niche printing methods like foil prints, which SPOD offers for unique designs.
Printful’s higher pricing structure can be less competitive for sellers prioritizing speed and cost over extensive branding and integration options. |
