Comprehensive Guide to Selling Print-On-Demand Products: Amazon, Etsy, Society6, and More

Comprehensive Guide to Selling Print-On-Demand Products: Amazon, Etsy, Society6, and More

Print-on-demand (POD) has transformed the way entrepreneurs and artists bring their designs to life. By eliminating the need for inventory, POD allows creators to focus on designing and marketing while leaving production and fulfillment to a third party. However, choosing where to sell your POD products is just as critical as selecting a POD partner. The platform you choose will impact your audience reach, branding, profit margins, and more. In this detailed guide, we’ll compare and contrast popular platforms for selling POD products, including Amazon FBM, Amazon Merch, Etsy, Society6, Fine Art America, Redbubble, TeeSpring, TeePublic, and eBay.

 

 

1. Understanding the Different Types of Platforms

Before diving into individual platform comparisons, it's essential to categorize them based on their nature and functionality:

  • Marketplaces (e.g., Amazon, Etsy, eBay): These platforms are massive online marketplaces that attract millions of visitors daily. They allow you to list and sell products within a competitive environment.
  • Print-on-Demand Marketplaces (e.g., Redbubble, TeeSpring, TeePublic): These are specialized platforms specifically designed for POD products. They handle everything from printing to shipping, with a built-in audience of shoppers looking for unique designs.
  • Art and Niche Marketplaces (e.g., Society6, Fine Art America): These platforms cater to artists and designers who focus on selling higher-end or niche products like art prints, home decor, and more.

2. Amazon FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant)

Overview

Amazon FBM allows sellers to list their products on Amazon but handle the fulfillment themselves. For POD sellers, this means you list your products on Amazon, but your POD partner prints and ships the items directly to your customers.

Pros

  • Massive Audience: Amazon is the largest e-commerce platform globally, offering access to millions of potential customers.
  • Brand Control: You maintain control over your branding and product listings.
  • Prime Eligibility: While you handle fulfillment, you can still qualify for Amazon Prime if you meet specific criteria, increasing your sales potential.

Cons

  • Competition: The marketplace is highly competitive, with many sellers often offering similar products.
  • Fees: Amazon’s selling fees can be high, cutting into profit margins.
  • Customer Expectations: Amazon customers have high expectations regarding shipping times and customer service.

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling on Amazon FBM

  1. Create an Amazon Seller Account: Choose between an Individual or Professional seller account.
  2. List Your Products: Upload your product details, including descriptions, images, and pricing.
  3. Integrate with POD Partner: Ensure your POD partner can fulfill Amazon orders efficiently.
  4. Manage Orders: Monitor your Amazon account regularly to fulfill orders promptly and respond to customer inquiries.
  5. Optimize Listings: Use Amazon SEO strategies to improve your product’s visibility.

3. Amazon Merch

 

 

Overview

Amazon Merch, also known as Merch by Amazon, is a POD service where Amazon handles everything—from printing to shipping. You upload your designs, set your prices, and Amazon takes care of the rest.

Pros

  • Hands-Off Fulfillment: Amazon handles printing, shipping, and customer service.
  • No Upfront Costs: There are no fees to join or maintain your account.
  • Prime Eligible Products: All Merch by Amazon products are eligible for Prime shipping, increasing your chances of making sales.

Cons

  • Invitation Only: Currently, you need to apply and be approved to join the program, which can be restrictive.
  • Limited Control: Amazon sets many of the rules, including product pricing and availability.
  • Competition: With a large number of designers on the platform, standing out can be challenging.

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling on Amazon Merch

  1. Apply for an Invitation: Visit the Merch by Amazon page and request an invitation.
  2. Upload Your Designs: Once approved, upload your designs and choose your product types (e.g., t-shirts, hoodies).
  3. Set Your Pricing: Determine your royalties by setting your product prices.
  4. Publish and Promote: Your products will be listed on Amazon, and you can start promoting them to drive sales.

4. Etsy

 

 

Overview

Etsy is a well-known marketplace for handmade, vintage, and unique products. It has become a popular platform for POD sellers, particularly those offering custom and artistic designs.

Pros

  • Niche Audience: Etsy attracts shoppers looking for unique, handcrafted, or customized items, which aligns well with POD products.
  • Creative Control: Sellers have significant control over their branding, shop design, and pricing.
  • Customization Options: Etsy allows for personalized orders, which can be a big draw for customers.

Cons

  • Fees: Etsy charges listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees, which can add up.
  • Competition: With over 7.5 million active sellers, standing out can be difficult.
  • Marketing Required: Etsy has a built-in audience, but successful sellers often need to invest in marketing to drive traffic to their stores.

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling on Etsy

 

 

  1. Create an Etsy Shop: Sign up for an Etsy account and set up your shop with a unique name and branding.
  2. List Your Products: Add your POD products, including detailed descriptions and high-quality images.
  3. Set Up Shipping Profiles: Integrate your POD partner’s shipping options or set your rates.
  4. Promote Your Shop: Use Etsy Ads, social media, and other marketing strategies to drive traffic to your shop.
  5. Fulfill Orders: Coordinate with your POD partner to ensure orders are fulfilled quickly and accurately.

5. Society6

 

 

Overview

Society6 is a POD marketplace designed for artists and designers. It allows you to sell your designs on a wide range of products, including art prints, home decor, and accessories.

Pros

  • Artist-Focused: Society6 is tailored for artists, offering a platform that showcases their work effectively.
  • High-Quality Products: Society6 is known for its premium product quality, which can justify higher pricing.
  • Built-In Audience: Society6 has a community of art lovers who are specifically looking for unique designs.

Cons

  • Limited Control: Society6 handles everything from pricing to fulfillment, leaving sellers with little control.
  • Lower Profit Margins: Society6 sets the base prices, and your profit is determined by the markup you add.
  • Less Customization: Compared to platforms like Etsy, there is less opportunity for custom orders.

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling on Society6

  1. Sign Up for an Account: Create an account on Society6 and set up your artist profile.
  2. Upload Your Artwork: Add your designs to Society6 and choose which products to apply them to.
  3. Set Your Markup: Society6 allows you to set the markup on art prints; for other products, prices are fixed.
  4. Promote Your Portfolio: Use social media, art communities, and Society6’s built-in tools to promote your work.
  5. Monitor Sales: Society6 handles fulfillment, so your main focus will be on promoting and expanding your portfolio.

6. Fine Art America

Overview

Fine Art America is a niche POD marketplace that specializes in fine art prints, home decor, and other high-end products. It’s a platform favored by artists and photographers.

Pros

  • High-Quality Products: Fine Art America is known for its premium prints and products, which appeal to discerning customers.
  • Customization Options: You can offer various sizes, frames, and finishes, which allows for personalization.
  • Artist Community: Fine Art America has a strong community of artists and buyers who appreciate fine art.

Cons

  • Higher Costs: The premium nature of the products means that they are priced higher, which may limit your audience.
  • Lower Profit Margins: Similar to Society6, Fine Art America sets the base prices, and your profit is determined by the markup.
  • Less Control: You have limited control over how your products are presented and marketed on the platform.

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling on Fine Art America

  1. Create an Artist Account: Sign up on Fine Art America and complete your artist profile.
  2. Upload Your Art: Add your designs, choosing the types of products to feature them on.
  3. Set Your Prices: Determine your markup for each product category.
  4. Promote Your Art: Utilize Fine Art America’s marketing tools and your external networks to drive sales.
  5. Expand Your Portfolio: Regularly update your offerings to keep your portfolio fresh and appealing.

7. Redbubble

 

 

Overview

Redbubble is one of the most popular POD marketplaces, offering a wide variety of products and a large community of shoppers looking for unique designs.

Pros

  • Wide Product Range: Redbubble offers a vast selection of products, from apparel to home decor, giving artists plenty of options to showcase their work.
  • Global Reach: Redbubble ships worldwide, expanding your potential audience.
  • No Upfront Costs: You only pay when a product is sold, making it a low-risk platform for artists.

Cons

  • Lower Profit Margins: Redbubble sets the base prices, so your profits depend on the markup you add.
  • Limited Customization: Redbubble handles all fulfillment and pricing, giving you less control over your shop.
  • Intense Competition: With millions of designs available, standing out can be challenging.

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling on Redbubble

  1. Create a Redbubble Account: Sign up and set up your artist profile.
  2. Upload Your Designs: Add your artwork and apply it to different products.
  3. Set Your Markup: Choose your profit margin by adjusting the markup percentage.
  4. Promote Your Work: Use social media and Redbubble’s promotional tools to drive traffic to your designs.
  5. Monitor Your Sales: Keep track of your sales and earnings through the Redbubble dashboard.

8. TeeSpring (now Spring)

 

 

Overview

TeeSpring, rebranded as Spring, is a platform designed for creators looking to monetize their social media following. It allows you to create and sell custom products without any upfront costs.

Pros

  • Integrated with Social Media: TeeSpring offers integrations with platforms like YouTube and Instagram, making it easy to promote your products directly to your followers.
  • No Upfront Costs: You only pay when you make a sale, so there’s no financial risk.
  • Easy to Use: The platform is user-friendly, making it easy to create and launch products quickly.

Cons

  • Limited Product Range: Compared to other POD platforms, TeeSpring offers fewer product options.
  • Dependent on Your Audience: Success on TeeSpring often depends on having an existing social media following.
  • Lower Profit Margins: Similar to other POD platforms, your profit margins are dependent on the markup you add to the base price.

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling on TeeSpring

  1. Create an Account: Sign up on TeeSpring and connect your social media accounts.
  2. Design Your Products: Use TeeSpring’s design tools to create custom products.
  3. Launch Your Campaign: Publish your products and promote them to your social media audience.
  4. Monitor Sales: Track your sales and performance through the TeeSpring dashboard.
  5. Expand Your Offerings: Regularly introduce new products to keep your audience engaged.

9. TeePublic

Overview

TeePublic is a community-driven POD platform that specializes in apparel, art prints, and home goods. It’s similar to Redbubble but with a more niche focus on t-shirt designs.

Pros

  • Community-Oriented: TeePublic has a strong community of designers and shoppers who appreciate unique, indie designs.
  • No Upfront Costs: You only pay when you make a sale, making it a low-risk platform.
  • Simple Pricing: TeePublic offers straightforward pricing, with the same base price for all products.

Cons

  • Limited Product Range: TeePublic has a smaller selection of products compared to platforms like Redbubble.
  • Lower Profit Margins: Similar to other POD platforms, profit margins are determined by the markup you add to the base price.
  • Less Customization: TeePublic handles fulfillment and pricing, giving you less control over your shop.

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling on TeePublic

  1. Create an Account: Sign up and set up your TeePublic store.
  2. Upload Your Designs: Add your artwork and apply it to the available products.
  3. Promote Your Store: Use social media and other marketing strategies to drive traffic to your TeePublic shop.
  4. Monitor Sales: Keep track of your sales and earnings through the TeePublic dashboard.
  5. Engage with the Community: Participate in TeePublic’s community events and promotions to increase your visibility.

10. eBay

 

 

Overview

eBay is one of the oldest and largest online marketplaces, offering sellers the opportunity to reach a global audience. It’s a versatile platform where you can sell almost anything, including POD products.

Pros

  • Massive Audience: eBay has a vast global audience, giving you access to millions of potential customers.
  • Flexibility: You can sell new, used, or custom products, offering a high level of flexibility.
  • Auction Options: eBay allows you to list products as auctions or fixed-price listings, giving you more control over pricing.

Cons

  • Fees: eBay charges listing fees, final value fees, and payment processing fees, which can add up.
  • High Competition: With millions of sellers, competition can be fierce, making it challenging to stand out.
  • Customer Expectations: eBay buyers often expect fast shipping and responsive customer service, which can be demanding.

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling on eBay

 

 

  1. Create an eBay Seller Account: Sign up for an eBay account and choose a seller plan.
  2. List Your Products: Add your POD products, including detailed descriptions, images, and pricing.
  3. Integrate with POD Partner: Ensure your POD partner can fulfill eBay orders efficiently.
  4. Manage Listings: Regularly update and optimize your product listings to improve visibility.
  5. Fulfill Orders: Coordinate with your POD partner to ensure orders are fulfilled quickly and accurately.

11. Comparison Table

Platform Audience Size Product Range Fees Customization Profit Margins Ease of Use
Amazon FBM Extremely Large Extensive High Selling Fees High Moderate Moderate
Amazon Merch Extremely Large Limited to Apparel No Fees, Amazon Takes a Cut Limited Moderate High
Etsy Large and Niche Extensive Listing, Transaction Fees High High Moderate
Society6 Large and Artistic Extensive Society6 Takes a Cut Limited Lower High
Fine Art America Niche Artistic Extensive Fine Art America Takes a Cut Limited Lower High
Redbubble Large Extensive Redbubble Takes a Cut Limited Lower High
TeeSpring (Spring) Medium Moderate No Fees, TeeSpring Takes a Cut Limited Lower High
TeePublic Medium Moderate TeePublic Takes a Cut Limited Lower High
eBay Extremely Large Extensive Listing, Final Value Fees High High Moderate

12. Which Platform is Right for You?

The best platform for selling your POD products depends on your specific goals and resources:

  • If you want to reach a massive audience with diverse product offerings: Amazon FBM or eBay might be the best fit.
  • If you are an artist or designer looking for a community-focused platform: Society6 or Fine Art America are excellent choices.
  • If you have a strong social media following and want to monetize it: TeeSpring (Spring) is designed specifically for this purpose.
  • If you’re looking for an artist-friendly platform with a wide range of products: Redbubble or TeePublic could be ideal.
  • If you want to sell custom, handmade-style items: Etsy offers the best environment for unique, artistic products.

13. Conclusion

Selling POD products is a flexible and potentially lucrative way to monetize your designs, but the platform you choose plays a crucial role in your success. By carefully considering the features, pros, and cons of each platform, you can select the one that aligns best with your business goals and target audience. Whether you're aiming for mass market appeal on Amazon or Etsy, or focusing on niche art sales on Society6 or Fine Art America, there’s a platform out there that can help you turn your creative vision into a thriving business.

 

14. Alternative Reading:

Check out the following articles to help you on your journey - we hope you like our:

e-commerce guide.

Guide to Print on Demand on Etsy

Guide to building Passive Income Streams

Guide to AI Side Hussle's

The best e-commerce Blogs for Beginners

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