Looking to start your own custom merch business? Or maybe you’re looking for a new supplier to help increase your product offering. Either way, you’ll want to check out the best print-on-demand suppliers for custom merch!
In this blog post, we will list some of the top providers in the industry and give you a breakdown of what each one offers. So whether you’re just starting or are looking to switch suppliers, this post is for you!
What Is Print-On-Demand?
For those who are new to the industry, print-on-demand is a type of product fulfillment where products are only printed once an order is placed. This differs from traditional manufacturing where products are printed in bulk even if there are no orders for them.
With print-on-demand, there is very little risk involved as you only print products when you have an order for them. This business model is perfect for those who are just starting as it requires very little upfront investment.
What Are Print-On-Demand Suppliers?
Print-on-demand suppliers are companies that provide the services and resources needed to create and sell custom merchandise. This includes everything from design and product development to printing and fulfillment.
There are many print-on-demand suppliers out there, but not all of them are created equal. Some are better than others in terms of quality, pricing, customer service, and more.
What Services Do Print-On-Demand Suppliers Offer?
The services offered by POD suppliers vary, but most include the following:
- Product design: If you have an idea for a product but don’t know how to bring it to life, a POD supplier can help. Design services usually include creating digital mockups of your product. Once you’ve decided to move forward with production, the supplier will create production-ready files that can be sent to the manufacturer.
- Manufacturing: This is where your product is produced. Depending on the type of product you’re selling, manufacturing can be done in-house by the POD supplier or outsourced to a third party.
- Shipping and fulfillment: Most POD suppliers offer fulfillment services, which means they’ll store your products in their warehouse and ship them out as orders come in. This hands-off approach is ideal for businesses that don’t have the space or resources to manage their inventory.
- Customer service: If you’re not offering customer service yourself, you’ll need to find a company that can handle it for you. Many POD suppliers offer this service as part of their overall package.
What Are the Benefits of Working With a Print-On-Demand Supplier?
There are several benefits of working with a POD supplier, including:
1. No upfront costs or minimum order requirements
One of the biggest advantages of POD is that there are no minimum order requirements. It means you don’t have to invest any money upfront or commit to buying a certain number of products. This makes it easy and risk-free to test out new products and see what resonates with your audience before investing more money in production.
2. Increased efficiency and lower production costs
When you work with a POD supplier, they’ll handle all aspects of production for you—from design and manufacturing to shipping and fulfillment. This frees up your time so that you can focus on other areas of your business and leaves the heavy lifting to someone else.
In addition, because POD suppliers produce only what’s needed at any given time (i.e., there’s no inventory), production costs are typically lower than traditional methods. For example, screen printing or engraving.
3. Scalability
Have an idea for a new product but not sure how many people will want it? No problem!
Because there are no minimum order requirements with POD, it’s easy to introduce new products and scale up production as demand increases. This level of flexibility is ideal for businesses that are constantly introducing new products or seasonal items.
4. Access to a wider range of products
POD suppliers typically offer a wide range of products that can be customized with your designs, including t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and more. This gives you the freedom to experiment with different product types and find what works best for your business.
The Three Best Print-On-Demand Suppliers for Custom Merchandise
Choosing a POD supplier can be daunting, but it’s important to take the time to find a company that’s a good fit for your business. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the three best POD suppliers for custom merchandise.
Printful
Printful is a print-on-demand fulfillment company that offers a wide range of products, from t-shirts and hoodies to phone cases and notebooks. They have no minimum order requirements and offer a wide range of customization options.
In that case, it makes them a great option for anyone looking to sell custom merchandise. In addition, they have a partnership with Shopify, which makes it easy to set up and manage your online store.
Teespring
Teespring is another popular POD supplier that specializes in t-shirts and other apparel. They have built-in marketing tools that make it easy to promote your products and boost sales. Plus, they offer fulfillment services so you don’t have to worry about shipping or inventory management.
Redbubble
Redbubble is a great option for businesses looking for quality prints and fast turnaround times. They have a wide range of products available for printing, including t-shirts, stickers, phone cases, and more. Plus, they offer a satisfaction guarantee to ensure you’re happy with your order.
Which One Is Right for Your Business?
Print-on-demand suppliers offer many benefits, but it’s important to choose the right one for your business. To make the best decision, consider your needs and budget and the type of products you want to sell.
Printful or Teespring may be a good option if you’re just starting because they offer a wide range of products and have no minimum order requirements. If you’re looking for a marketplace to sell your products, Redbubble may be a better fit.
No matter which supplier you choose, print-on-demand is a great way to sell custom merchandise without the hassle of inventory management or production costs. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!