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Redbubble Review: Should You Sell Print on Demand Here?

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Redbubble Review: Should You Sell Print on Demand Here?

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Yes, you should consider selling on Redbubble if you are a beginner looking for a low-effort way to start in print-on-demand, as it offers a ready-made market with a lot of customers. However, it may not be ideal for those seeking significant income, as the marketplace is very saturated with low-quality designs, and profit margins can be low unless you also drive external traffic to your work. The quality of products can also be inconsistent due to multiple production partners.

If you're a designer, artist, or creator looking to make money online, you've probably heard of Redbubble. You can upload your designs to this well-known print-on-demand platform and sell them on a variety of items, including T-shirts, stickers, phone cases, and more. But with so many options out there, is Redbubble really worth your time?

In this review, we will look at how Redbubble works, what it offers for sellers, and the pros and cons you should know before joining. This guide will help you decide whether Redbubble is a good fit for your creative business, regardless of whether you are just beginning your print-on-demand journey or are searching for a new marketplace to broaden your reach.

What is Redbubble Print on Demand?

What is Redbubble Print on Demand?

When a customer places an order on Redbubble's Print on Demand (POD) marketplace, artists can upload their designs to be printed on items like t-shirts, stickers, and home décor. Redbubble takes care of all shipping, packing, and production so that artists can concentrate on their artistic endeavors. In addition to the base cost, artists determine their own profit margins and receive an "artist margin" from every sale.

If you have never used Redbubble before, it is one of the largest print-on-demand marketplaces in the world, designed to help independent artists sell their work on custom products. Founded in 2006 in Australia, Redbubble connects creators with customers who love unique, creative designs.

Today, Redbubble hosts over 700,000 artists and offers more than 70 product types, from clothing and home decor to accessories and stationery. With millions of active shoppers and a global reach, Redbubble gives artists an easy way to earn passive income from their designs. 

How Does Redbubble Work for Sellers?

For sellers, Redbubble works by allowing you to upload artwork to create designs on a wide range of products, and the platform handles all production, shipping, and customer support. You set your own artist margin to determine your profit, and customers purchase the products with your designs. When a sale is made, Redbubble takes its base price for the item, and you receive your earnings based on the margin you set. Payments are calculated monthly after sales have been shipped and a threshold of $20 is reached. 

To start selling on Redbubble, you just need to create an account, upload your designs, and choose which products to feature. Redbubble then prints your designs on items like shirts, mugs, phone cases, and more whenever a customer places an order.

Here is a simple overview of how Redbubble works for sellers:
Step 1: Create a free Redbubble account.
Step 2: Upload your designs and choose the products you want to sell.
Step 3: Set your prices and publish your store.

Redbubble takes care of everything else, including production, shipping as well and customer support. With every sale, you receive a royalty, and your profit depends on the margin you set. There are no upfront fees, which makes Redbubble an easy and low-risk way to turn creativity into income.


Redbubble Key Features (In-depth Review)

Redbubble's main features are a simple way to set up a shop, flexible pricing options that let artists choose how much money they want to make, a global marketplace that lets them reach a lot of people, and a print-on-demand model that handles production and shipping. Other features include a diverse product range, a supportive artist community, and direct integration with Google Shopping, though challenges include high competition and potentially lower profit margins. 

1. Redbubble Products & Quality

Redbubble Products & Quality

Redbubble offers a large selection of products made by independent artists, such as clothing, stickers, mugs, and wall art, based on the design, the printing location, and the type of product. Although many customers are satisfied with their purchases, some report inconsistent outcomes, like faded prints or misaligned prints. It's a good idea to read product reviews before making a purchase so you know what to anticipate.

For Quality-Focused Buyers: If you care most about premium materials and clear prints, Redbubble’s higher-end items may suit you better.

  • Premium T-Shirt: This is often praised for its soft fabric and sharp graphics. Many customers say it feels more durable and looks better than other shirt types. The downside is that it is more expensive and not always discounted.
  • Active T-Shirt: Distinguished by its solid print results and smooth, slightly glossy material. Although the sporty style may not suit everyone's taste, it's excellent for casual wear.

For Budget-Focused Buyers: Although the quality may differ, there are less expensive options if you want to enjoy Redbubble designs without going over budget.

  • Graphic T-Shirt: The prints usually look good, but the fabric can feel thin or less durable.
  • Classic T-Shirt: The most affordable option, but users sometimes report faded graphics and a less flattering fit.

For Artist-Supporting Buyers: If your main goal is to support artists, Redbubble’s variety will impress you.

  • Stickers: A fun and affordable way to buy art, though quality can differ by material.
  • Mugs and Other Items: Many enjoy the unique designs, but some reviews mention prints that fade or arrive misaligned.

Redbubble has new products at all price points, but it is the quality of what you buy and who you buy it from can vary.

2. The Redbubble Dashboard and How Easy It Is to Use

The Redbubble Dashboard and How Easy It Is to Use

Redbubble is made to help artists who want to focus on being creative instead of dealing with logistics, even for people who are new to it, because of its clean dashboard, well-organized, and easy-to-use interface. Everything you need to manage your shop, track your performance, and view your earnings is in one place.

Redbubble Dashboard: The dashboard gives you a clear overview of your store’s activity and performance.

  • Performance Insights: You can view data such as visitor numbers, where your traffic comes from, and which products are selling best. These insights help you understand what your audience loves and which marketing efforts work best.
  • Sales and Earnings: Artists can easily see how much they have sold, check monthly reports, and track their total earnings. Payment information is updated automatically, so you always know when you will be paid.
  • Shop Management: It's easy and quick to upload designs, set product availability, and change prices. At any time, you can add or remove products from your listings.
  • Traffic Tracking: The platform helps artists see which channels generate the most visitors by displaying traffic sources such as social media or custom links.

Ease of Use
Redbubble's system is designed to be as simple as possible. In just a few minutes, artists can create a free account, upload their artwork, and have it ready for sale. Other than your artwork, no coding or design knowledge is needed for the setup process. The best part is that Redbubble takes care of everything else, such as customer service, shipping, packaging, and printing. This implies that Redbubble will handle orders while you concentrate on designing.

All things considered, Redbubble's dashboard is ideal for both novice and seasoned artists. It makes running an online art store simple and stress-free by offering practical tools and a seamless user experience.

3. Redbubble Delivery and Shipping Times

Redbubble Delivery and Shipping Times

Redbubble’s delivery process combines both production and shipping, so times can vary depending on what you order and where you live. Since every product is made to order by third-party printers around the world, your delivery time depends on several factors, such as product type, shipping method, and location.

When you place an order, Redbubble shows an estimated delivery date at checkout. This estimate includes both the time it takes to make your product and the time needed for shipping. Most items are shipped on business days, and if you buy multiple products, they may come from different printers and arrive in separate packages.

Factors that affect shipping times:

  • Standard vs. Express shipping: Express options are available for certain products and countries if you need faster delivery.
  • Production location: Redbubble sends your order to a printer nearest to your address, which helps reduce shipping time. However, production speed can vary, especially during busy seasons like Christmas.
  • Delivery location: The farther the printer is from you, the longer it might take for your order to arrive.
  • Multiple items: Orders with different product types may be made and shipped from different facilities, leading to separate delivery times.

How to check and track your delivery:

  • Check the estimated delivery date: This is the most accurate information and is displayed before you confirm your order.
  • Track your order: Once shipped, you’ll get a confirmation email with tracking details. You can also check your order status on the Redbubble website by entering your order number and email.
  • If your order is delayed: If your package does not arrive within 30 days after the final estimated date, you can contact Redbubble’s support team for help.

Overall, Redbubble offers reasonable shipping times for custom-made products, with most customers receiving their orders within the estimated window.

4. Earnings, Pricing & Profit Margins on Redbubble

Earnings, Pricing & Profit Margins on Redbubble

On Redbubble, how much you earn depends on the artist margin you set on top of the product’s base price. The base price is the cost Redbubble charges to make and ship the item. The final price a customer pays is the base price plus your margin. Redbubble also takes a standard fee of 20%, which covers production, shipping, and platform costs.

How earnings work:

  • Base Price: Cost to produce the item, set by Redbubble.
  • Artist Margin: The profit you set on top of the base price. You have the option of selecting a fixed percentage or dollar amount.
  • Retail Price: Base price + artist margin, this is what the customer pays.
  • Your Profit: After Redbubble deducts its fee, the remaining amount from your margin is your earnings.

Example: For instance, the base price of a t-shirt is $20. Your margin is set at 20%, or $4. Your profit from this sale is $4, and the retail price is $24.

Factors that affect earnings:

  • Markup: Increasing your artist's margin raises your profit per sale.
  • Product type: Some items have higher base prices, giving more room for profit.
  • Trends & marketing: Popular designs and good promotion can increase sales.

Important points:

  • Excess Markup Fee: If you set your margin above 20%, Redbubble adds a 50% fee on the extra profit for Standard Tier accounts.
  • Low-margin items: Because stickers and small products usually have lower profits, higher margins may be needed.
  • Strategic pricing: You can increase margins for popular products and lower them for new designs or exclusive deals to increase sales.

Because of understanding pricing, margins, and fees will help you boost sales and keep your designs competitive on Redbubble.

5. Redbubble Customer Service & Support

Redbubble Customer Service & Support

Redbubble’s customer service has received mixed reviews from users. Some people find the support team helpful and responsive, while others report slow replies, unresolved issues, and difficulties with returns. Common problems include receiving the wrong item, items with poor print quality, or orders that are missing parts.

Positive aspects:

Redbubble provides support through email, social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook), and an online help center. When problems are simple, a lot of users say the team is helpful. Refunds or replacements for defective products are occasionally offered, and the company's return policies are usually simple to locate.

Negative aspects:

Many customers report slow or no responses to inquiries. Issues such as incorrect or damaged items are sometimes handled poorly, with long resolution times. Some users describe difficult returns, including having to pay for return shipping. Other complaints involve poor product quality, such as prints fading or disappearing after washing, and some customers say they never received a refund even when Redbubble agreed the order was wrong.

All things considered, Redbubble can help, but buyers and sellers should be advised that results vary and that some problems might take some time to fix.

Redbubble Print on Demand Pros and Cons

Redbubble offers pros like an easy setup, no upfront costs, and hands-off fulfillment, making it simple to sell designs on a global marketplace without managing inventory, shipping, or customer service. However, cons include lower profit margins, high competition, limited control over product quality and branding, and some artists have reported higher fees on lower sales tiers. The platform is best for beginners or artists seeking exposure, while those focused on building a distinct brand or maximizing profits may find it restrictive. 

Pros:

  • Simple to use: Without creating your own website, you can upload your designs and begin selling right away.
  • No up-front expenses: Redbubble offers a free storefront, and you are not required to purchase supplies or inventory.
  • Hands-off fulfillment: You can concentrate on creating while the platform handles printing, shipping, and customer service.
  • Global reach: Redbubble's marketplace allows customers worldwide to view your designs.
  • Broad range of products: Use your designs for home décor, apparel, accessories, and other items.

Cons:

  • High level of competition: It's more difficult to stand out on Redbubble because millions of artists sell there.
  • Reduced profit margins: Because Redbubble keeps a cut of sales, your earnings may suffer.
  • Limited control: You cannot fully control product quality, packaging, or branding.
  • High fees for new sellers: Accounts with fewer sales may face higher fees until they reach a certain tier.
  • No off-platform sales: Redbubble does not let you easily sell products on other marketplaces or your own website.

Redbubble is ideal for beginners or artists looking for exposure, but those wanting full control or higher profits may find it limiting.

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Detailed Guide to Selling on Redbubble

Create a free account and set up your shop profile with payment information, a unique name, a profile picture, and a cover image before you can start selling on Redbubble. After that, upload your high-resolution artwork using the templates that are supplied to make sure it will fit properly on a variety of items, including stickers, t-shirts, and mugs. Finally, write a detailed description, add relevant tags to improve search visibility, choose a default product, and promote your store on social media to attract customers. 

1. Establish your store

  • Make an account: Visit the Redbubble homepage to register for a free account.
  • Fill out your profile: Add a catchy shop name, a profile picture, a cover photo, and a brief bio.
  • Add the payment details: To accept payments, enter your PayPal or bank account information.

2. Upload and configure your artwork

Upload and configure your artwork
  • Photos of high quality: For bigger things, use pictures that are at least 6500 pixels wide and 300 dpi.
  • Change the items as follows: Use Redbubble's templates to make sure your art looks good on things like mugs, shirts, and stickers.
  • Turn off ugly things: You should turn off products that look like they have been cropped or have low-quality designs.

3. Optimize your product listings

Optimize your product listings
  • Title and description: To help clients find your work, make sure your titles are clear and include keywords in your descriptions.
  • Add tags: To increase search visibility, use pertinent tags.
  • Select the default item: Select one item to display on the listing page first.

4. Promote your store

  • Share on social media: Post links to your designs on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
  • Link your profiles: Make it easy for people to find your store from your other accounts.

5. Get paid

  • Understand payouts: Redbubble handles printing and shipping, and you earn a royalty on each sale.
  • Receive payments: Royalties are paid monthly once your earnings reach $20, £20, or €20.

These steps will help you begin selling your designs on Redbubble and reach a global audience without handling inventory or shipping. Read this full guide from Michael Essek to see how to sell on Redbubble step-by-step.

The Secret to Optimizing Revenue and Effective Sales

The secret to optimizing revenue and effective sales lies in a data-driven approach that aligns sales and marketing, focuses on the customer, and leverages technology for efficiency. Important tactics include streamlining the sales process to remove bottlenecks, utilizing analytics to improve pricing and comprehend customer behavior, and guaranteeing a smooth, customer-focused experience from lead generation to post-sale support.

Make decisions based on data.

  • Monitor performance: To determine what works and what doesn't, keep an eye on website traffic, sales figures, and customer interactions.
  • Refine pricing: Use insights to set prices that attract customers while keeping profits healthy. You can also try bundling or special offers to increase the value of each sale.

Focus on the customer.

  • Understand their journey: Map out how customers discover your product, make a purchase, and return for more. Use this knowledge to provide helpful, personalized messages at each step.
  • Build relationships: Engage customers personally and offer excellent service. Using tools like CRM systems helps remember preferences and follow up effectively.
  • Prioritize leads: Focus on prospects most likely to buy to save time and increase conversion.

Streamline processes and use technology.

  • Simplify sales steps: Remove unnecessary tasks and automate routine actions to free your team for high-value activities.
  • Leverage tools: Use CRM, email automation, and AI to manage leads, personalize outreach, and stay organized.
  • Train your team: Teach product knowledge, objection handling, and communication skills to improve performance.

By combining data, customer focus, and smart processes, you can optimize sales, increase revenue, and make every marketing effort more effective.

Real Reviews from Redbubble Sellers

Research into seller experiences on Redbubble shows a mix of success stories and frustrations. Here’s what sellers are saying:

Positive Views

Positive Views

(Source: Trustpilot)

  • "After upgrading to Premium, I made $500 in December just by sharing my designs on social media. Low-effort passive income works if you’re active."
  • "Unique designs are key. I average $700 monthly after a year of consistent uploads."
  • Sellers with a lot of products or followers on social media say they make sales every day and see steady growth, especially when they optimize their titles, tags, and trending niches.

Negative Views

Negative Views

(Source: Reddit)

  • "The tiered fee system is punishing. I earned pennies per sale and eventually switched to self-printing for better profits."
  • Many complain about poor product quality, with prints fading quickly, and sudden account suspensions with no appeal process.
  • Some sellers report opaque fee calculations, reduced traffic, and feeling overlooked if they don’t already have an audience.

Mixed Perspectives

  • Hobbyists enjoy occasional sales for validation: "It’s nice to know someone has my design," but earnings are usually small.
  • Those with followings succeed more, while smaller creators often feel ignored.
  • Redbubble can work for passive testing or niche designs like AI art or retro graphics, but many advise platforms like Etsy or Zazzle for more control and consistent profits.

Conclusion: Redbubble sellers have a wide range of experiences. Established creators with unique art and a social presence often succeed, while newcomers may encounter challenges like fees, quality issues, and platform limitations. Although it can be a good option for testing ideas or for passive income, serious sellers should think about other options.

Sources: Twitter, Accio, Profits Unraveled, Reddit, and Trustpilot

Best Redbubble Alternatives in 2025

Some of the best Redbubble alternatives in 2025 include Society6, Zazzle, TeePublic, Merch by Amazon, and Printful. Your unique needs will determine one of the best options, such as whether you prioritize a large built-in audience (Merch by Amazon), control over branding and product variety (Zazzle), a focus on artists and home decor (Society6), or a more hands-on, e-commerce integration-focused model (Printful). 

1. Society6

Society6

Society6 is a popular print-on-demand (POD) platform for artists and designers, especially those focused on fine art, photography, and home decor. It lets creators sell their designs on a variety of products while keeping full rights to their artwork.

Why Choose Society6?

  • Artist-Friendly: You keep full ownership of your designs.
  • Wide Range of Products: Sell prints, wall art, home decor, furniture, apparel, and accessories.
  • Built-in Audience: Society6 has an established customer base looking for unique art and design products.
  • Simple Setup: Easy to upload artwork and list products without worrying about production or shipping.

Key Features:

  • Art prints, posters, and canvas
  • Home decor items like rugs and furniture
  • Apparel and accessories
  • Print-on-demand production and global shipping
  • Artist royalties and earnings dashboard

Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Keep full rights to your artwork

When compared to selling in your own store, profit margins may be lower.

Wide product variety, especially for art-focused items

Less control over branding and packaging

Handles printing, packaging, and shipping for you

High competition among artists for visibility on the platform

You will have the right to access Society6’s built-in audience



2. Zazzle

Zazzle

The well-known print-on-demand business Zazzle is well-known for having a wide range of customizable products. Artists and designers are welcome to send in their work to be used on stationery, home décor, t-shirts, and mugs. Zazzle is beginner-friendly and gives sellers access to a massive catalog, making it versatile for many types of creators. Like other POD platforms, Zazzle handles production, shipping, and customer support, allowing you to concentrate on creating and promoting your designs.

Why Choose Zazzle?

  • Large product catalog with thousands of options
  • Easy-to-use platform for beginners
  • Handles printing, shipping, and customer support
  • Offers marketing tools and affiliate programs to increase sales

Key Features:

  • Thousands of customizable products
  • Global fulfillment network
  • Artist royalties and pricing control
  • Integrated marketing and affiliate tools

Pros and Cons:

Pros

Cons

Easy to start with and beginner-friendly

Profit margins can be lower on some products

An extensive selection of customizable products

fierce rivalry between sellers

manages customer service, shipping, and production.

Less control over packaging and branding

provides affiliate and marketing tools.

Some customers complain about the inconsistent quality of the products.


3. TeePublic

TeePublic

One well-known print-on-demand business that specializes in apparel, in particular, is TeePublic. For artists and designers, it is beginner-friendly because it is made to be simple to join. TeePublic's pre-existing buyer base allows new sellers to quickly connect with clients who are already searching for distinctive designs. TeePublic, like other POD platforms, takes care of customer support, shipping, and printing, allowing creators to focus on promoting their store and uploading new designs.

Why Choose TeePublic?

  • Easy signup and store setup
  • Having access to a community of clothing buyers
  • Handles production, shipping, and customer service
  • Frequent site-wide sales can help boost visibility

Key Features:

  • Focused on t-shirts, hoodies, and other apparel
  • Global printing and fulfillment network
  • Artists set their own profit margins
  • Marketing tools to increase exposure

Pros and Cons:

Pros

Cons

Quick and easy to start

Mainly limited to apparel

Access to a large, ready audience

High competition for popular designs

Handles printing, shipping, and customer service

Profit margins can be lower due to site discounts

Regular promotions raise awareness.

Reduced authority over product customization and variety


4. Merch by Amazon

Merch by Amazon

As you might know, designers and artists can connect with Amazon's large customer base through Merch by Amazon, a print-on-demand platform. Since millions of customers can see your products when they search on Amazon, this could result in significant organic sales. However, joining Merch by Amazon requires an invite, and competition is high, especially for popular t-shirt niches. Like other POD platforms, it handles production, shipping, & customer service, allowing you to concentrate on developing and uploading designs.

Why Opt for Amazon Merch?

  • Getting access to Amazon's enormous audience
  • manages customer service, shipping, and printing.
  • Possibility of substantial organic sales
  • Connectivity to Amazon listings

Key Features:

  • Primarily concentrated on clothing and t-shirts
  • Amazon provides worldwide fulfillment and distribution.
  • Artists determine their own profit margins.
  • No up-front expenses

Pros and Cons:

Pros

Cons

Access to Amazon’s large customer base

Requires an invitation to join

Handles printing, shipping, and support

High competition in popular categories

No upfront costs

Limited product variety compared to other POD platforms

Potential for high organic sales

Strict content guidelines and rules


5. Printful

Printful

Printful is a well-known print-on-demand platform that is ideal for creators who want more control over their products and want to sell through their own e-commerce store. It provides a variety of goods, such as apparel, accessories, and home decor, and is praised for its high-quality printing and materials. Printful handles production, shipping, and customer service, enabling you to concentrate on creating and promoting your goods. It integrates seamlessly with popular online stores like Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and more.

Why Choose Printful?

  • High-quality printing and products
  • Wide variety of items to sell
  • Handles fulfillment and customer support
  • Easy integration with online stores

Key Features:

  • There are more than 400 products available.
  • Worldwide fulfillment facilities
  • Real-time tracking and shipping costs
  • Options for branding and a mockup generator

Pros and Cons:

Pros

Cons

High-quality products and printing

Slightly higher prices than some other POD platforms

Wide product variety

It can be overwhelming for beginners

Handles fulfillment and support

Some advanced features require learning

Easy integration with e-commerce stores

Profit margins depend on product cost and pricing


In Conclusion

To sum up, Redbubble is a straightforward and safe online marketplace where creators and artists can sell their works. It manages customer service, shipping, and production so you can concentrate on making art. While the platform offers global exposure and a wide range of products, profit margins can be lower, and quality may vary depending on the product or printer. 

Redbubble is best for beginners or those looking to reach a large audience without managing an online store. Other print-on-demand platforms might be a better fit if you want complete control over branding and increased revenue. All things considered, Redbubble is a practical place to start generating revenue from creativity while gauging the market and developing a following.

FAQs

1. How to sell on Redbubble from India?

By registering for a free account on Redbubble's website, you can sell from India. Select the goods you wish to sell, upload your designs, and set your artist margin. Make sure to add your PayPal or bank details to your account to receive payments. Redbubble handles printing, shipping, and customer service, so you only need to focus on creating and promoting your designs.

2. How much does it cost to start a Redbubble?

Starting on Redbubble is free. There are no upfront fees, subscription costs, or minimum order requirements. You only pay production costs when a customer buys your product, and you earn a profit based on the artist's margin you set. This makes it a low-risk way to start selling your designs online.

3. Does Redbubble pay monthly?

Yes, Redbubble pays monthly. After your earnings hit the minimum amount (which is typically $20, £20, or €20), you will receive a payout at the beginning of the next month. This applies to all your sales combined, so you get paid regularly without having to track each order individually.

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