Print-on-demand (POD) services allow businesses to sell customized products without an inventory. Nowadays, POD apps keep getting better with new features, advanced integrations, and improved user experiences.
In this blog, we’ll look at the best print on demand apps for Shopify in 2024. We’ll highlight what makes each of them special and how they can help boost your online store. Let’s find out which tools will help you stay competitive and make your customers happy in the growing eCommerce market.
Contents
1. What is the best print on demand app for Shopify?
Print on demand is a fulfillment method where products are printed only after a customer orders them. You design the artwork, upload it to a POD app, and they handle the printing, shipping, and customer service.
POD apps integrate with your Shopify store. You upload your designs onto their platform and choose which products you want to print on (t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, etc.). When a customer buys one of your products, the POD app takes care of everything, from printing the design and packaging it to shipping it directly to your customer. You act as the designer and marketer, while the POD app is your manufacturing and fulfillment partner.
🔶 Benefits of using POD:
- Low startup costs
- Easily add new products
- Only pay for products that sell
- Experiment with different designs and products
- Focus on design and marketing
>>> Learn more: The best Shopify apps to boost your eCommerce store
2. Overview of print-on-demand apps for Shopify
| No. | Apps | Review | Pricing | Link download |
| 1 | Printify: Print on Demand | 4.8 ⭐(6,198 reviews) | – Free plan available – Premium: USD 24.99/month | Get app |
| 2 | Printful: Print on Demand | 4.6 ⭐(6,564 reviews) | – Free to install – Printful Growth: $24.99/month | Get app |
| 3 | Gelato: Print on Demand | 4.8 ⭐(738 reviews) | – Free to install – Gelato+: $24/month – Gelato+ Gold: $119/month | Get app |
| 4 | ShineOn: Print On Demand | 4.7 ⭐(1,457 reviews) | – Free to install- Starter: $27/month – Side-Hustle: $77/month – Empire Builder: $87/month | Get app |
| 5 | Apliiq ‑ Print On Demand | 4.8 ⭐(502 reviews) | Free to installYou are only charged for orders fulfilled by Apliiq. | Get app |
| 6 | CustomCat: Print on Demand | 4.2 ⭐(549 reviews) | – CustomCat Lite: Free – CustomCat Pro: $30/month – Enterprise: Custom Price | Get app |
>>> Related post: Best Shopify Free Apps to Start Your Venture
3. Top 6 print on demand apps for thriving Shopify
3.1. Printify: Print on Demand
Printify is one of the best Shopify apps for print on demand that lets you create and sell custom-designed products without handling inventory. With Printify, you can sell t-shirts, hoodies, shoes, bags, jewelry, phone case, shocks, hats, wall art, mugs, and more.
You design the products, and Printify takes care of printing and shipping them directly to your customers. It’s like having your custom merchandise store without any upfront costs.
🔶 Shopify rating: 4.8 ⭐(6,198 reviews)
🔶 Key features:
- Unlimited product designs
- Extensive product catalog
- Choose the world’s top print providers to print your stuff
- Get high-resolution mockups to preview how your collection will look
- Control the fulfillment status of each order
- Design your products easily with a drag-and-drop interface
- Seamlessly integrates with Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce
- Estimate profit margins before listing a product for sale
🔶 Pricing plans:
- Free plan
- Premium: USD 24.99/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
🔶 Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Low startup costs – Easy to use – Wide product range – Global reach – Seamless integrations – Mockup generator – Multiple print providers – Increase profit margins with higher sales | – Limited printing process control – Lower profit margins compared to traditional methods |
>>> You might be interested in: 7 Best Print-On-Demand Shopify Stores In 2024 To Learn From
3.2. Printful: Print on Demand
Do you want to start a printed or embroidered t-shirt business or sell wall art and blankets from home? Printful will help you to turn your ideas into reality. It’s a print-on-demand dropshipping supplier that handles everything for you, from printing to shipping so that you can totally focus on your creativity.
🔶 Shopify rating: 4.6 ⭐ (6,564 reviews)
🔶 Key features:
- Create custom products & we handle printing, packaging, shipping
- Use easy tools or upload your designs
- Build your brand with packaging & more
- Source products from various locations
- Design tools, mockups, pack-ins, private labels
- Multiple shipping options for your needs
- Available in English, Spanish & more
- Works with major platforms: Etsy, Shopify, Amazon & others
🔶 Pricing plans:
- Free to install
- Printful Growth: $24.99/month
🔶 Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Connect & start selling fast – Keep customers satisfied and coming back – Easy to use and navigate – High-quality products and printing – Responsive customer support – Mockup generator for product visualization | – Can be expensive compared to other POD services – Some users experience syncing issues with Shopify – Uploading artwork can be difficult – Limited control over fulfillment process – Interface changes can be confusing for long-term users |
3.3. Gelato: Print on Demand
Gelato is the best print on demand app for Shopify that allows you to sell arts and crafts, clothing and accessories. The app takes your designs and prints them on those items, then ships them directly to your customers.
They have printing partners all over the world. This means they can print close to where your customer lives, potentially leading to faster delivery and lower shipping costs. Basically, Gelato lets you sell custom stuff without needing any inventory or worrying about printing yourself. You design, they handle the rest.
🔶 Shopify rating: 4.8 ⭐ (738 reviews)
🔶 Key features:
- Over 130 printing partners in 32 countries
- Prints closer to customers for quicker, cheaper shipping
- Cater to a worldwide audience without limits
- Customizable apparel, accessories, home & living items, and more
- Integrates with Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce, etc.
- Visualize designs on products before publishing
- Routes orders to the nearest printing partner for faster delivery
- Pay-as-you-go model with no upfront inventory costs
- No minimum order requirements
🔶 Pricing plans:
- Free to install
- Gelato+: $24/month
- Gelato+ Gold: $119/month
🔶 Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Extensive network of worldwide printing partners- Faster delivery & lower costs – Wider customer base – Wide product range – Seamless integrations – Mockup generator – Automatic order route to nearest printing partner | – Limited design control – Shipping costs vary depending on product, location, and method |
3.4. ShineOn: Print On Demand
The best print on demand apps for Shopify – ShineOn lets you design your custom jewelry and accessories, like necklaces, bracelets, or keychains. They then take care of printing your designs on those items and ship them directly to your customers. Think of it like a personalized jewelry store without needing a big stock of products or fancy equipment. You create the designs, they handle the printing and shipping, so it’s all hassle-free for you.
ShineOn is a good option for entrepreneurs interested in creating and selling custom jewelry and accessories. Their focus on quality, fast production times, and user-friendly tools can be appealing.
🔶 Shopify rating: 4.7 ⭐ (1,457 reviews)
🔶 Key features:
- Orders are produced and shipped within 3 business days
- User-friendly tools to personalize jewelry with logos, images, or text
- Visualize designs on products before publishing
- Integrates with Shopify and Etsy for easy store management
- Offers discounts, early product access, personalization features, Amazon FBA integration, and expedited shipping
- Import orders via CSV or add them manually
- API available for advanced users to integrate their store or workflow
🔶 Pricing plans:
- Free to install
- Starter: $27/month
- Side-Hustle: $77/month
- Empire Builder: $87/month
🔶 Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Niche focus: custom jewelry and accessories – Rapid production, with most orders shipped within 3 business days – Made in the USA – Easy-to-use design tools – Visualize designs before publishing – Connects directly with Shopify and Etsy | – Limited product range – Customization options may be limited compared to broader POD services |
3.5. Apliiq ‑ Print On Demand
If you are looking for the best print on demand app for Shopify to sell premium apparel products, Apliiq is worth considering. This app automates every step of product creation, ordering, and fulfillment, saving you valuable time.
You only pay when you make a sale, helping you conserve capital and simplify planning. With fulfillment centers on both coasts, the app ensures an average shipping time of just two days, making it ideal for North American stores.
🔶 Shopify rating: 4.8 ⭐ (502 reviews)
🔶 Key features:
- 700+ products with DTG, DTF, embroidery options
- Get help from apparel pros & automate order processing
- Pay per sale, no upfront costs
- Reach customers in 2 days with coast-to-coast fulfillment
- Private label everything with custom woven labels
- US-based customer service team to assist you
🔶 Pricing plans: Free to install. You are only charged for orders fulfilled by Apliiq.
🔶 Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Excellent customer service – High quality products and prints – A wide variety of products and customization options – Private label branding – Easy to use app | – Slow shipping times (especially internationally) – Confusing variant creation – Inconsistent chat response time – Long wait time for base garments |
3.6. CustomCat: Print on Demand
For those who are seeking a solution to sell unique apparel and personalized gifts such as hats, branded apparel, activewear, etc., CustomCat is your ultimate choice. This is the best print on demand fulfillment app for Shopify. Its fast and reliable print-on-demand fulfillment removes the need for physical inventory, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.
🔶 Shopify rating: 4.2 ⭐ (549 reviews)
🔶 Key features:
- Create & sell custom products (apparel, hats & more)
- Use your designs & publish to your online store
- Fast & reliable fulfillment (US-based)
- No inventory needed, focus on your business
- Sync existing product listings from your store
- Beautiful product mockups with bulk editing tools
- Manage orders & fulfillment all in one place
🔶 Pricing plans:
- CustomCat Lite: Free
- CustomCat Pro: $30/month
- Enterprise: Custom Price
🔶 Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Fast turnaround times and shipping – High-quality prints with DIGISOFT technology – Great customer service – User-friendly app with many integrations – Wide range of customizable products – Competitive pricing – Excellent for beginners | – Limited print size control – No phone support (email only) – Discontinued items not clearly communicated to sellers |
4. Conclusion
Choosing the right Shopify print on demand app is crucial for staying competitive in the bustling eCommerce landscape of 2024. eComStart has walked you through 6 best print on demand apps for Shopify that can help you manage your store more efficiently, produce high-quality custom products, and ensure timely order fulfillment.
Whether you’re looking to expand your product range, improve customer satisfaction, or streamline your operations, the right POD app can make all the difference. Stay ahead of the curve, delight your customers, and watch your eCommerce business thrive in 2024 and beyond.
5. FAQs
