[16+] Best Print-On-Demand Sites For Artists in 2024
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Looking to turn your art into income? You’re in the right place! You should focus on creating as an artist, but finding ways to earn money from your passion is also important. That’s where print-on-demand platforms come in.
In this blog, we bring you the Best Print-On-Demand Sites For Artists. These sites allow you to sell your artwork on products like prints, clothing, and home decor—without worrying about purchasing inventory or managing shipping.
How To Choose The Right Site For Your Art
Choosing the right site for your art can be daunting, but it's essential for showcasing your work and reaching potential buyers. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:
Your Goals
Determine what you want to achieve with your online presence. Are you looking to sell your art, build your brand, or simply share your work with the world? Your goals will influence the type of site you choose.
Your Audience
Identify who you want to reach with your art. Are you targeting collectors, art enthusiasts, or a specific demographic? By thoroughly understanding your audience, you can choose a website that suits their tastes.
Your Budget
Consider your budget for creating and maintaining a website. While some platforms are free to use, others charge a membership fee. Factor in the cost of domain names, hosting, and any additional features you may need.
Your Technical Skills
Evaluate your level of technical expertise. If you're uncomfortable with website design and development, you may choose a platform that offers easy-to-use templates and tools.
Your Art Style
Consider your art's style. Some platforms may be better suited for certain types of art, such as photography, painting, or sculpture.
Your Desired Features
Think about the features you need for your website. Do you want to sell your art online? Do you need a blog to share your creative process? Do you want to showcase your portfolio in a specific format?
Platform Options
After considering the factors above, explore different platform options. Some popular choices include:
- Dedicated Art Platforms: These platforms are specifically designed for artists and offer portfolio management, online galleries, and e-commerce features. Examples include ArtStation, Saatchi Art, and Society6.
- General Website Builders: These platforms allow you to create a website from scratch but may not have all the features you need to showcase art. Examples include Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly.
- Social Media Platforms: Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest can effectively promote your art, but they may be better for selling or showcasing your work in detail.
Customization and Branding
Consider how vital customization and branding are to you. Some platforms offer more flexibility for customizing your website's design and branding, while others may have more limited options.
SEO and Discoverability
Think about how you want your website to be found by potential customers. Select a platform that assists you in search engine optimizing your website and provides SEO tools.
Customer Support
Look for a platform that provides good customer support. If you encounter any problems or have questions, you want to be able to get assistance quickly.
Top 16 Best Print-On-Demand Sites For Artists
1. Shopify
Shopify is not just a marketplace but a full-fledged ecommerce platform designed to help businesses of all sizes start, grow, and manage their online presence. Shopify stands out and is a great option for artists because of its smooth interaction with print-on-demand (POD) services. It also provides extensive control over branding, customer experience, and business operations. With robust SEO tools and analytics, Shopify gives artists the data they need to make informed business decisions. It is an excellent choice for those looking to elevate their art sales.
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Pricing:
- Basic: $25/month
- Shopify: $65/month
- Advanced: $399/month
- Plus: Starting at $2,300/month
See details of Shopify prices in each region in the blog: Shopify Pricing Plans
Moreover, Shopify offers a $1/month plan for first-time customers, a great way to explore the platform and ensure it’s right for you.
2. Etsy
Etsy is a community-driven platform perfect for artists looking to showcase their unique and handcrafted items. It attracts a specific audience searching for one-of-a-kind, artist-crafted products, which gives your artwork a spotlight amidst mass-produced items. Etsy also allows you to open your shop, giving you control over how your products are displayed and marketed. Plus, its integration with Gelato makes printing and selling your designs easy.
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Pricing
- Listing Fee: $0.20 per item
- Transaction Fee: 6.5% of the sale price
- Payment Processing Fee: Varies by location
3. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a highly customizable platform, perfect for artists who want full control over their print-on-demand business. With WooCommerce, an open-source WordPress plugin, you have total control over how your artwork is shown in your online store. You may tweak any part of it. Because WooCommerce doesn't impose additional costs on each transaction, it stands out as a desirable choice for artists looking to grow their companies. However, its flexibility may require some technical skills or assistance from a developer.
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Pricing
- Web Hosting: Starting at around $5-30 USD/month
- Themes & Plugins: Prices vary depending on features
- Developer Assistance: Optional, but could add to costs
4. Fine Art America
Offering a broad selection of goods, including art prints, home decor, greeting cards, and even phone cases, Fine Art America is a specialist marketplace created for photographers and artists. One of its standout features is the ability to set your own prices for your artwork. Fine Art America excels in offering custom framing and matting options, allowing customers to receive "ready-to-hang" artwork. Additionally, artists can showcase their portfolios on a separate Artist Website.
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Pricing
- Free plan: Upload up to 25 designs
- Premium plan: Starts at $30/year with higher upload limits and additional benefits
5. Threadless
Threadless is a community-driven platform known for its unique crowd-sourcing model. Artists submit designs to be voted on by the Threadless community, and the winning designs are printed on a variety of products, including apparel and home decor. Threadless is a joyful, interactive space for artists to explore and showcase their work to a global audience, with a heavy emphasis on community engagement and artist-centric regulations.
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Pricing: FREE
6. Printful
Printful is a premium print-on-demand service that offers high-quality printing and excellent integration with platforms like Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce, and Etsy. It works similarly to Printify, where you upload your designs, choose products, and Printful handles the printing, packaging, and shipping. What sets Printful apart is its superior print quality, white-label branding options, and built-in design tools. While it’s slightly more expensive than competitors, the top-notch quality of products makes it a favorite for artists who prioritize premium merchandise.
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Pricing:
- Free plan available with basic features
- Discounts based on order size
7. Zazzle
Zazzle is the second-largest print-on-demand marketplace, just behind Redbubble, with over 10 million monthly visitors. It has a large selection of goods, ranging from commonplace things like clothes and drinkware to more unusual choices like cornhole sets and flip-flops. Artists can upload their designs, set royalty rates, and let Zazzle handle the rest, including printing, shipping, and customer service. Additionally, Zazzle features popular creators on its homepage, boosting visibility for high-performing sellers. The Zazzle LIVE program also allows artists to collaborate directly with customers on custom designs.
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Pricing: FREE
8. Gelato
Gelato is a popular print-on-demand service designed for artists who have their own websites or online stores. It provides a large selection of premium goods, such as mugs, t-shirts, and other memorabilia. Gelato integrates seamlessly with platforms like Etsy, making it easy to sell directly from your store. It is ideal for beginners because there are no minimum order requirements and a free plan to get started.
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Pricing:
- Free plan available
- Premium plan starts at $14.99/month
9. Printify
Printify is a print-on-demand fulfillment service designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing website or ecommerce platform. It offers over 500 products, including apparel, home decor, and accessories, for customization and sale. Artists can use the Mockup Generator to preview their designs and select from a global network of printing providers.
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Pricing:
- Free plan (up to 5 stores)
- Paid plan: $24.99/month (includes product discounts and more stores)
10. Merch by Amazon
Merch by Amazon is Amazon’s exclusive print-on-demand program that allows creators to sell products featuring their designs on Amazon's vast marketplace. While the program is invite-only, once accepted, artists can upload their artwork, set prices, and rely on Amazon for fulfillment and fast shipping through Amazon Prime. This platform provides unrivaled reach due to Amazon’s massive global customer base, making it a prime choice for artists looking to scale their product visibility.
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Pricing: FREE
11. Sellfy
Sellfy is an all-in-one ecommerce platform explicitly tailored for creators, offering built-in print-on-demand functionality. Artists can create and sell POD merchandise from their online store, which is customizable and independent of third-party marketplaces. This approach gives artists more control over their brand, store appearance, and profit margins. Sellfy also offers built-in marketing tools to help drive traffic and grow a customer base.
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Pricing:
- Paid plans start from $19/month
- 14-day free trial
- 30-day money-back guarantee
12. Redbubble
Redbubble is the largest print-on-demand marketplace globally, with over 700,000 artists selling their creations and millions of customers purchasing artist-designed products each month. Unlike other POD platforms where artists sell through their stores, Redbubble is a third-party marketplace that handles production, shipping, and marketing. Artists can quickly set up shop by uploading their designs to a variety of products, allowing them to reach a wide audience without needing to manage their ecommerce site.
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Pricing:
- Free to open a shop on Redbubble.
- Redbubble takes a cut from sales, including the base product cost and additional fees for standard plan users.
13. Society6
Society6 is a popular print-on-demand marketplace known for its focus on home decor and wall art. Unlike Redbubble, which covers a broad range of products, Society6 is more niche, catering to artists who specialize in floral prints, watercolor patterns, and abstract art. It offers a solid social media presence and a built-in customer base, making it easier for artists with a specific aesthetic to reach their audience.
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Pricing:
- Free to open an artist shop on Society6.
- Earnings: 10% of every sale.
- For art prints and framed/canvas prints, artists can set their own markup. Society6 takes the rest of the sale.
14. Print Bind Ship
With over 60 years of experience in professional printing and fulfillment, Print Bind Ship stands out as a leading provider in North America. The company manages the entire print-on-demand process, from high-quality printing to shipping and handling returns. Known for operating advanced printers, Print Bind Ship ensures top-tier quality and customization for artists, taking care of logistical details to simplify the process.
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Pricing:
- Free to set up an account and access services.
- Cost: Charges are based on the products sold, with pricing details available on request or based on specific orders and services.
15. Teepublic
Teepublic is more than just a print-on-demand site; it’s a vibrant community where artists can showcase their designs and build a fanbase. The platform offers an automated system for managing product types and color options with no limit on design uploads, which enhances profit potential. Known for its higher royalty rates compared to many competitors, Teepublic also partners with notable brands, providing exclusive opportunities for selected artists.
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Pricing:
- Free to open a shop.
- Revenue sharing: Artists earn a percentage of sales, with detailed royalty rates provided upon registration.
16. Spring
Spring, formerly known as Teespring, offers a minimalist and user-friendly platform for artists to monetize their designs. Its streamlined interface allows for easy upload and customization of designs, with realistic mockups to help visualize how your art will look on various products. A standout feature is its merch shelf integration with YouTube, which enables artists to showcase their merchandise directly under their YouTube videos, potentially enhancing visibility and sales.
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Pricing:
- Free to use.
- Sales threshold: Profits are paid out only after reaching a $100 sales threshold.
How Does Print-on-Demand for Art Prints Work?
Print-on-demand for art prints is a simple yet powerful way for artists to sell their work without worrying about the logistics of production and fulfillment. Here’s how it works:
- You upload your digital art files to a print-on-demand platform of your choice.
- When a customer orders your artwork, the platform starts the printing process.
- The platform prints your artwork only after placing an order—no need for bulk printing.
- The platform handles everything from printing and packaging to shipping the order directly to the customer.
- If the order has any issues, the platform’s customer service team takes care of them, so you don’t have to.
- You don’t pay for printing or inventory upfront—you only pay after a customer purchases.
- You can offer various products (like prints, posters, and more) without worrying about production or storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the benefits of using print-on-demand for art prints?
Print-on-demand art prints come with several advantages. First, it keeps upfront costs low since you don’t need to pay for printing or storage in advance. You also avoid the hassle of managing inventory, allowing you to offer various designs without worrying about overstock. Plus, with print-on-demand, you can spend more time doing what you love—creating and marketing your artwork—while the platform handles the printing and shipping for you.
2. Are there any specific requirements for artwork when using print-on-demand for art prints?
Yes, there are specific requirements for artwork when using print-on-demand for art prints. Your artwork should be high-resolution and in a format compatible with the printing platform. You may also need to adjust the color profile to ensure accurate printing. Additionally, it's essential to carefully review the platform’s printing specifications and guidelines to avoid any issues with the final product.
3. Is print-on-demand profitable for artists?
Yes, print-on-demand can be a profitable venture for artists. It offers low costs, global reach, passive income, versatility, and branding opportunities. However, success requires high-quality designs, effective marketing, competitive pricing, and excellent customer service.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the best print-on-demand site for you will be the one that best matches your artistic style, business needs, and personal preferences. Explore these platforms, test them out, and find the perfect fit for your creative journey. Happy selling!
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