I Tried Printful & Printify in 2024 - Do NOT Choose Wrong!!

Santrel Media
6 Nov 202326:07

TLDRIn this detailed comparison, MO Brien from Sandal Media explores the differences between Printful and Printify, two leading print-on-demand services. He discusses the fundamental distinctions in how each platform manages orders, with Printful handling everything in-house and Printify acting as a middleman connecting to third-party suppliers. Brien orders samples from both to test shipping times, packaging, product quality, and pricing. His findings suggest that while Printify may offer lower prices and more product variety, Printful provides consistent quality and service. He recommends testing both platforms to determine the best fit for one's business.

Takeaways

  • 🔍 When considering a print-on-demand store, choosing the right supplier is crucial for success.
  • 📦 Printful and Printify are two of the most recommended suppliers, but they have fundamental differences in how they manage orders.
  • 🏭 Printful handles everything in-house, including printing, packaging, and shipping.
  • 🔄 Printify acts as a middleman, connecting you to third-party suppliers for printing and shipping.
  • 💰 Pricing can vary significantly between Printful and Printify, with factors like shipping, quality, and bulk discounts affecting the final cost.
  • 🎨 Both platforms offer a variety of products and customization options, but the availability may differ.
  • 🔍 It's recommended to test order from both Printful and Printify to compare product quality, shipping times, and overall value.
  • 📦 Packaging differences can impact environmental considerations and brand perception.
  • 🚚 Shipping times can vary, with some Printify suppliers offering express delivery, while Printful generally maintains consistent delivery times.
  • 💡 The key to choosing the right supplier is balancing cost, quality, shipping speed, and reliability.
  • 📈 Ultimately, both Printful and Printify have their strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice depends on individual business needs and preferences.

Q & A

  • What are the two biggest print-on-demand services mentioned in the transcript?

    -The two biggest print-on-demand services mentioned are Printify and Printful.

  • What is a key difference between Printful and Printify in terms of order management?

    -Printful manages the entire process in-house, including printing, packaging, and shipping, while Printify acts as a middleman connecting the store owner to third-party suppliers who handle the printing, packaging, and shipping.

  • What does the speaker recommend when deciding between Printful and Printify?

    -The speaker recommends ordering samples from both Printful and Printify to test the quality, shipping times, and pricing, as these factors can vary and influence the decision.

  • What is the significance of the Gilden 5000 t-shirt in the comparison?

    -The Gilden 5000 t-shirt is a common product used in the comparison because it's a popular item often used by print-on-demand store owners, allowing for a fair assessment of the services.

  • How does the speaker address the issue of shipping costs in the comparison?

    -The speaker considers shipping costs by comparing the prices of individual products and the actual shipping fees incurred when ordering samples from both Printful and Printify.

  • What is the role of supplier ratings in the Printify platform?

    -Supplier ratings on Printify are based on production speed, quality, and stock reliability. These ratings help users choose suppliers that meet their requirements for quality and turnaround time.

  • What is the speaker's strategy for selecting a supplier on Printify?

    -The speaker aims for a supplier with a rating better than 9.3, ideally around 9.7, but also considers the location of the supplier for faster shipping times and the ability to offer express delivery.

  • How does the speaker evaluate the quality of the products received from Printful and Printify?

    -The speaker evaluates the quality by examining the print saturation, detail sharpness, material, and overall finish of the products such as t-shirts, hats, and mugs.

  • What is the speaker's final verdict on choosing between Printful and Printify?

    -The speaker concludes that Printful is often a safer bet due to its consistent quality and reliability, while Printify can be a gamble despite sometimes offering lower prices or faster shipping.

  • What additional advice does the speaker give for users who are considering starting a print-on-demand store?

    -The speaker advises users to always test out both Printful and Printify by ordering samples, as this will provide a hands-on understanding of the differences between the two services.

  • How does the speaker address environmental considerations in packaging when comparing Printful and Printify?

    -The speaker notes that Printful's mug came in a foam cube, while Printify's mug arrived in an environmentally friendly cardboard box that doesn't require bubble wrap, suggesting that Printify might be a better choice for those prioritizing eco-friendly packaging.

Outlines

00:00

📦 Introduction to Print on Demand Platforms

The speaker begins by discussing the importance of choosing the right supplier for a print on demand store, regardless of the platform used for selling. They mention that a bad supplier can lead to increased shipping costs, low-quality products, and lost customers. The speaker intends to compare two popular platforms, Printify and Printful, by ordering samples, testing shipping times, packaging, product quality, and comparing pricing and customer service. The speaker clarifies that while the names are similar, the two platforms have fundamentally different approaches to managing orders, which will be explored throughout the video.

05:00

💰 Pricing and Product Availability Comparison

The speaker compares the pricing and product availability on Printify and Printful. They note that Printify often has lower prices due to competition among its many suppliers, while Printful may offer better quality and customer service as they handle everything in-house. The speaker also highlights the importance of checking the product catalogs on both platforms, as some products might be exclusive to one or the other. They discuss the differences in the number of available products and the process of creating an account with both platforms.

10:02

🎨 Design Process and Supplier Ratings

The speaker delves into the design process on both Printify and Printful, noting the differences in interface and options. They discuss how Printify rates its suppliers based on production speed, quality, and stock reliability, allowing users to choose suppliers with higher scores. The speaker emphasizes the importance of considering shipping times and locations when selecting suppliers on Printify. They also compare the pricing of a specific product on both platforms, showing that Printful can sometimes be more cost-effective even with higher listed prices.

15:04

🔧 Exploring Product Options and Ordering Samples

The speaker explores the options for creating and ordering products on both Printify and Printful. They demonstrate the process of uploading designs, choosing product options, and placing sample orders. The speaker notes the variety of colors and sizes available on Printful, as well as the ability to print on different areas of the product. They also discuss the differences in supplier options on Printify, including the ability to filter by express delivery and the variety of supplier ratings.

20:05

📦 Receiving and Reviewing Products

The speaker reviews the products they received from both Printify and Printful. They discuss the quality of the embroidery on a hat, the print quality and material of t-shirts, and the packaging of mugs. The speaker notes that while some products from Printify had issues with quality and design accuracy, others like the t-shirts had good quality and fast shipping. They also compare the environmental impact of the packaging, with Printful's cardboard packaging being more eco-friendly. The speaker concludes that while Printify can offer cheaper and faster options, the quality can be inconsistent, making Printful a safer bet for consistent quality.

25:06

🚀 Conclusion and Recommendations

The speaker concludes by summarizing their experience with both Printify and Printful. They recommend that users should test out both platforms by ordering samples to get a feel for the product quality and service. The speaker suggests that while Printify can be more affordable and sometimes faster, it's a bit of a gamble due to inconsistent supplier quality. On the other hand, Printful offers more consistent quality and reliability, making it a safer choice for many users. The speaker encourages viewers to share their preferences and experiences with the two platforms.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Print on Demand

Print on Demand is a business model where products are manufactured only when an order is received, reducing the need for inventory and upfront costs. In the video, the user is considering this model for their store and is comparing two major print on demand services, Printful and Printify.

💡Supplier

A supplier in the context of the video refers to the company or individual that produces and ships the products on behalf of the store owner. Choosing the right supplier is crucial for the success of a print on demand store, as it can impact product quality, shipping costs, and customer satisfaction.

💡Printful

Printful is one of the two print on demand services being compared in the video. It operates by handling the entire process from production to shipping, offering a more streamlined and controlled experience for the store owner.

💡Printify

Printify is the other print on demand service being compared in the video. Unlike Printful, Printify acts as a middleman, connecting the store owner with third-party suppliers that handle the production and shipping of the products.

💡Product Quality

Product quality refers to the standard or grade of the products being sold. It is a critical factor for any business, including print on demand stores, as it directly affects customer satisfaction and brand reputation.

💡Shipping Costs

Shipping costs are the expenses associated with delivering products to customers. In the context of print on demand, these costs can vary based on the supplier, location, and shipping speed, influencing the overall profitability of the store.

💡Customer Service

Customer service refers to the assistance and support provided to customers before, during, and after their purchase. It is an essential aspect of any business, as it can affect customer loyalty and the resolution of any issues that may arise.

💡Design Interface

The design interface is the platform or software used by the store owner to create and customize their products. It should be user-friendly and allow for easy upload and manipulation of designs to be printed on products.

💡Product Catalog

A product catalog is a collection of all the products available for sale or production through a service. In print on demand, it includes the items that can be customized and sold by the store owner.

💡Sample Orders

Sample orders are products ordered by the store owner to assess the quality, shipping time, and overall handling of the print on demand service. They are crucial for evaluating the service before fully committing to selling the products.

Highlights

The importance of considering the supplier when starting a print on demand store is emphasized, as it can greatly impact the success of the store.

A comparison between Printful and Printify, two major print on demand suppliers, is conducted to determine which one is better.

Printful is noted for its in-house production, packaging, and shipping, while Printify acts as a middleman connecting to third-party suppliers.

The fundamental difference in how Printful and Printify manage orders can influence pricing, quality, and shipping times.

The video creator orders samples from both Printful and Printify to compare shipping times, packaging, product quality, and pricing.

Printful and Printify have different product catalogs, with Printify offering a wider range of products due to its multiple suppliers.

Printify allows for the selection of third-party suppliers based on ratings for production speed, quality, and stock reliability.

The cost of products can vary greatly between Printful and Printify, with examples showing both can offer competitive pricing.

The design process for both Printful and Printify is straightforward, allowing for easy customization of products.

Printful offers a discount on sample orders, showing confidence in their product quality.

The video creator's experience with receiving products from both suppliers, including the speed and quality of the items.

The packaging of products from Printful and Printify differs, with Printful's packaging being more environmentally friendly.

In conclusion, the video creator suggests that Printful might be a safer bet for consistent quality, while Printify can offer cheaper or faster options but with more variability.

Recommendation to test both Printful and Printify by ordering samples to determine which supplier best fits one's needs.