Looking to create custom products for your Shopify store without managing inventory? Print-on-demand (POD) tools allow you to sell items like t-shirts, mugs, and posters, with production and shipping handled after a sale. Here are six top POD tools for Shopify:
| Tool | Key Features | Pricing Model | Fulfillment Centers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel POD | Low base costs, mockup generator | Pay per product + shipping | Multiple |
| Printful | Global shipping, white-label options | Free integration; discounts | 12 worldwide |
| Printify | Over 1,000 products, flexible plans | Free, Premium ($29), Custom | 141 worldwide |
| Gelato | Local production, eco-friendly | Free, Gelato+ ($25), Gold | 140+ in 32 countries |
| Gooten | Automated supply chain, global reach | Pay per product + shipping | 70+ worldwide |
| SPOD | Fast production, design tools | Pay per product + shipping | Multiple |
Each tool offers unique strengths. Choose based on your store’s needs, such as pricing, product variety, and shipping speed.
Fuel POD is a print-on-demand service tailored for Shopify stores. It holds an impressive 4.8-star rating from 439 reviews, with 81% of users giving it 5 stars.
The platform offers competitive base prices, helping merchants maximize their profits: apparel starts at $5.50, accessories at $2.85, and home & living items at $3.00.
Fuel POD is built to handle growth. It includes tools like a CSV import feature for managing large order volumes and a mockup generator for quick and easy product customization.
The Geology Initiative team shared their thoughts:
"Fuel seamlessly integrates with Shopify, making it super convenient to scale your business."
Order fulfillment is hassle-free. Orders are automatically sent to printing facilities, shipped directly to customers, and tracked in real-time using the Fuel POD app [2]. One standout feature is its focus on safeguarding creative designs from online theft.
Fuel POD operates on a simple pricing model. Merchants only pay the base product cost plus shipping. For example, a standard shirt order costs $10 - $6 for the base price and $4 for shipping - with extra charges for plus-size items.
The platform's dedicated support team ensures smooth operations by offering fast fulfillment, quality checks on every order, and multiple fulfillment centers. Up next, we’ll dive into another top print-on-demand tool for Shopify.
For Shopify store owners looking to streamline print-on-demand (POD) operations, Printful provides a seamless integration with Shopify. This free integration automates the entire fulfillment process, from order placement to shipping, saving you time and effort.
To get started, install Printful from the Shopify App Store. Once connected, you’ll gain access to its extensive catalog and the Design Maker tool, allowing you to create custom apparel, accessories, and home goods with ease.
Here’s a breakdown of Printful’s pricing structure:
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Price | Includes product cost and standard customization |
| Shipping | Depends on product quantity and destination |
| Additional Fees | Extra charges for additional design placements or embroidery |
| Growth Plan | Discounted pricing after $12,000 in annual sales |
One of Printful's standout features is its global network of 12 fulfillment centers. This helps cut down on international shipping times and costs, making it a great choice for businesses with a worldwide customer base.
The platform also supports multi-currency pricing and offers white-label packaging, ensuring your brand stays front and center. Plus, their 24/7 customer support ensures help is always available, no matter your time zone.
Additional perks include bulk discounts for orders of 25 or more units and support for major payment methods, making it flexible for businesses of all sizes.
Another key benefit is the automated synchronization between your Shopify store and Printful. When a customer places an order, the system automatically processes, prints, and ships it - no manual input required. This hands-free approach allows you to focus on growing your business.
Printful also provides tools to enhance your store’s presentation. Its mockup generator creates professional product images, while product templates simplify the listing process. For best results, craft unique product descriptions and include detailed specifications to attract and inform potential buyers.
Next, take a look at how Printify can complement your POD strategy.
Printify is a popular print-on-demand platform designed for Shopify sellers. With over 10 million users and 59 million orders fulfilled, it has become a go-to solution for many entrepreneurs. Its smooth Shopify integration has earned it an impressive 4.8-star rating from more than 7,420 merchants.
Printify offers flexible pricing plans to suit businesses at different stages:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 5 stores, unlimited designs |
| Premium | $29 | 10 stores, up to 20% product discount |
| Enterprise | Custom | Unlimited stores, extra discounts |
With 141 fulfillment centers worldwide, Printify ships to 209 countries and territories. Most orders are delivered within 2–5 days. Their catalog includes over 1,000 customizable products, and you only pay production costs after a sale is made, helping you manage your cash flow effectively.
"The integration is seamless, making it incredibly easy to create and sell custom products without any hassle", says Verbutech.
For Shopify sellers aiming to grow, Printify simplifies operations with automated order processing that handles printing, shipping, and inventory. The platform also offers 24/7 customer support, advanced order management through Printify Connect, compatibility with up to 10 stores, and unlimited product designs. It accepts all major credit cards and has earned a five-star rating from 83% of its users.
Next, we’ll look at how Gelato can enhance your print-on-demand options.
Gelato is a leading print-on-demand (POD) platform, boasting a 4.8-star rating from over 1,200 Shopify merchants. With a network of 140+ production partners across 32 countries, Gelato fulfills 90% of orders locally, ensuring most deliveries arrive within five days.
Their pricing plans are designed to cater to businesses of various sizes:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | Basic POD services |
| Gelato+ | $25 | $249 | Up to 10% discount, premium mock-ups |
| Gelato+ Gold | $129 | $1,285 | Up to 15% discount, automated product workflows |
Gelato's extensive catalog includes apparel, wall art, drinkware, cards, calendars, and accessories. With partnerships with over 60 logistics providers, they streamline both production and shipping.
N3 Studios praised the platform, saying:
"Absolutely the best PoD interface I have ever used. The ability to create variants and THEN LINK THEM TO MULTIPLE PRODUCTS is absolutely amazing".
When a customer places an order, they pay you directly, while Gelato charges you separately for production and shipping. This setup gives you full control over retail pricing and profit margins, all while utilizing Gelato's reliable infrastructure.
Igor Vasiliadis highlighted the platform’s strengths:
"The platform offers a seamless way to print high-quality products globally. The network of local printers ensures fast delivery, reduced carbon footprint, and lower shipping costs."
– Igor Vasiliadis
Gelato also provides 24/7 customer support and robust tools for product creation and management. By focusing on local production, Gelato not only speeds up delivery but also reduces the environmental impact of shipping.
Gooten operates an automated supply chain with over 70 manufacturing sites worldwide. The platform boasts a 99% print accuracy rate and completes orders within a 3-day SLA.
Thanks to its efficient supply chain, Gooten integrates seamlessly with Shopify, earning a 4.3 out of 5 stars rating from over 500 merchants. Its dynamic routing engine ensures optimized shipping times and costs across its global network.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Catalog | Over 300 customizable items, including 200 exclusive products |
| Manufacturing Network | More than 70 locations worldwide |
| Processing Time | Orders processed within a 3-day SLA |
| Print Accuracy | 99% accuracy rate |
| Support Coverage | Global support teams |
Gooten's pricing model is straightforward: merchants only pay for production and shipping. There are no monthly or setup fees, making it easy to experiment with new products without the burden of inventory risks.
"Gooten allows us to scale quickly without wasting time and money on setting up physical infrastructures. Being global means we can quickly enter new markets in a scalable, environmentally friendly way." – Eyal Fisher, Art Al's founder
"Gooten was a great partner in helping to launch the Rolling Stone Shop. The team was always available to us and ready to assist with any products we wanted to explore."
For businesses looking for tailored eCommerce solutions, Gooten offers a flexible API. Its unified invoicing system simplifies accounting, while shipping calculators and Advanced Shipping Rules integration make custom shipping configurations easy for Shopify stores.
"I love Gooten because they make the Print on Demand process so simple and streamlined. Their interface is way more intuitive than other POD sites. I also love that Gooten can link with Shopify and Etsy and their customer service is amazing." – Liz B., Prints & Plants
SPOD processes 95% of orders within 48 hours and integrates seamlessly with Shopify through the Spreadconnect app, which holds a 4.1/5 rating on the Shopify App Store.
The platform offers over 250 customizable products, including apparel, accessories, and home goods. It supports various printing methods - digital, thermosublimation, DTF, and flex/flock - catering to a wide range of merchandising needs.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Production Time | 95% of orders completed within 48 hours |
| Product Range | Over 250 customizable items |
| Design Resources | 50,000+ free designs |
| Printing Methods | Digital, thermosublimation, DTF, flex/flock |
| Integration Cost | Free setup and operation |
Merchants using SPOD only pay for production and shipping, giving them full control over their profit margins. With no setup or operational fees, SPOD is an attractive option for new Shopify store owners.
"The Spreadconnect Print on Demand app has been great since day 1. Setup was easy and integration was a breeze. Super intuitive! Honestly, the support team has been nothing short of amazing to work with when we had questions/concerns. 10/10 highly recommend!"
- Napster Official Merch Store, Shopify
SPOD also features an intuitive design tool called the "Create Your Own Tool", enabling customers to personalize their purchases. It handles warehousing, logistics, and fulfillment, while providing merchants with full visibility into inventory and customer data.
"I have been a loyal user of Spreadconnect for several years, consistently experiencing excellent service and rapid production times."
- Edendesign, Shopify Shop
With its efficient workflow and transparent pricing, SPOD is a strong contender for merchants seeking a reliable print-on-demand solution.
Finding the right print-on-demand (POD) tool for your Shopify store means focusing on a few critical factors.
A smooth integration is essential for running a successful POD business. Look for tools with features like:
| Feature | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|
| One-click Integration | Simplifies setup, no technical skills needed. |
| Automated Order Processing | Cuts down manual tasks and reduces mistakes. |
| Real-time Inventory Sync | Prevents overselling and stock issues. |
| Order Tracking | Keeps you and your customers informed. |
Once integration is sorted, shift your focus to product quality.
Order samples to ensure the products meet your standards. Pay attention to:
Understand your profit margins with this formula:
Profit Margin = (Gross Profit / Net Revenue) x 100
When analyzing costs, consider these key factors:
| Cost Component | What to Review |
|---|---|
| Base Product Cost | Compare prices across providers. |
| Printing Fees | Look at costs for different printing methods. |
| Shipping Rates | Check both domestic and international shipping fees. |
| Platform Fees | Include any subscription or transaction charges. |
Fast production and shipping are crucial. Look into:
Check Shopify app store reviews and user feedback to gauge reliability. Key areas to evaluate include:
Make sure the tool offers the technical features you need:
| Feature | Why It’s Useful |
|---|---|
| Design Upload Tools | Simplifies product customization. |
| Mock-up Generators | Creates professional product previews. |
| API Access | Supports advanced customization for your store. |
| Bulk Import/Export | Speeds up product management. |
Lastly, evaluate the platform’s reliability by reviewing:
Choose a tool that aligns with your business needs, as switching providers later can be a hassle.
