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

Santrel Media
6 Nov 202326:07

TLDRIn this video transcript, the creator explores the differences between Printful and Printify, two leading print-on-demand services. They compare pricing, product quality, shipping times, and supplier options. The creator orders samples from both platforms to provide a hands-on evaluation, sharing insights on their experiences with each service. The conclusion suggests that while Printify may offer lower prices and more supplier choices, Printful delivers consistent quality and reliability, making it a safer choice for those new to print-on-demand. The creator encourages viewers to test both services for themselves to determine the best fit for their needs.

Takeaways

  • 🔍 When choosing a print-on-demand service, considering the supplier is crucial as it can significantly impact the success of your store.
  • 📦 Printful and Printify are two of the most recommended services, but they have fundamental differences in how they manage orders and suppliers.
  • 🏭 Printful handles everything in-house, including printing, packaging, and shipping, while Printify acts as a middleman connecting you to third-party suppliers.
  • 🌐 Printify offers a wider range of products and suppliers, potentially leading to lower prices but also a gamble on quality and shipping times.
  • 💰 Pricing can vary greatly between Printful and Printify, with factors like bulk pricing, membership discounts, and shipping costs affecting the final cost.
  • 🎨 Both platforms provide design tools and templates, but the user experience and design options may differ, affecting the final product appearance.
  • 📦 Packaging differences between Printful and Printify can have environmental implications, with Printful offering more eco-friendly options.
  • 🔜 Shipping times can vary, with Printful generally offering faster delivery but at a potentially higher cost compared to Printify.
  • 👕 Quality control is more consistent with Printful, while Printify's quality can fluctuate depending on the chosen supplier.
  • 🛍️ It's recommended to order samples from both Printful and Printify to personally assess product quality, shipping times, and overall value for money.
  • 📈 Ultimately, the choice between Printful and Printify depends on the balance of cost, quality, shipping speed, and environmental considerations that best suits your business model.

Q & A

  • What is the main difference between Printful and Printify in terms of their business model?

    -Printful has an in-house production process where they handle the manufacturing, packaging, and shipping of products. On the other hand, Printify acts as a middleman, connecting customers to third-party suppliers that handle the printing, shipping, and fulfillment process.

  • How can the choice of supplier impact a print on demand store's success?

    -The choice of supplier can significantly affect a store's success by influencing factors such as shipping costs, product quality, customer satisfaction, and brand consistency. A bad supplier can lead to high shipping costs, low-quality products, lost customers, and inconsistent product quality.

  • What are some advantages of using Printful for a print on demand store?

    -Printful offers advantages such as in-house production, which can lead to better quality control, more reliable customer service, and potentially higher product quality. They also provide faster shipping options and a more streamlined production process.

  • How does Printify's model of using third-party suppliers affect pricing and product availability?

    -Printify's model allows for a wider range of products and potentially lower prices due to competition among suppliers. However, this can also lead to variability in product quality, shipping times, and the need for more careful selection of suppliers based on ratings and reliability.

  • What are some factors to consider when choosing between Printful and Printify?

    -Factors to consider include pricing, product quality, shipping times, supplier reliability, customization options, and the level of control over the production process. It's also important to consider the type of products you plan to sell and the target market for your store.

  • What is the significance of supplier ratings on Printify?

    -Supplier ratings on Printify provide insights into the supplier's production speed, product quality, and stock reliability. These ratings help users make informed decisions when selecting suppliers and can greatly impact customer satisfaction and product delivery times.

  • How does the user in the script determine the quality of the products from Printful and Printify?

    -The user orders samples from both Printful and Printify, comparing the shipping times, packaging, product quality, and pricing. They also consider the environmental impact of the packaging and the accuracy of the print quality.

  • What was the outcome of the user's comparison between a Printful and a Printify t-shirt?

    -The Printful t-shirt arrived a day later than the Printify t-shirt but was slightly cheaper when including shipping costs. Both t-shirts had similar print quality, but the Printify t-shirt was faster and cheaper, making it a good option for those prioritizing speed and cost.

  • What were the user's observations about the mugs from Printful and Printify?

    -The Printful mug had a higher quality print, arrived faster, and came in environmentally friendly packaging, but was double the price of the Printify mug. The Printify mug had a grainier print quality but was significantly cheaper and still acceptable for certain types of designs.

  • What was the user's experience with the embroidery quality on the hats from Printful and Printify?

    -The Printful hat had a clean, well-centered embroidery with good material quality, while the Printify hat had sloppy embroidery, was not centered, and the material appeared dirty. This demonstrated a clear difference in quality between the two suppliers.

  • What is the user's final recommendation for those considering using Printful or Printify?

    -The user recommends testing both platforms by ordering samples to get a feel for the product quality, shipping times, and pricing. While Printify can offer cheaper and faster options, Printful is considered a safer bet for more consistent quality and reliability.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Introduction to Print-On-Demand Platforms

The paragraph introduces the topic of print-on-demand platforms, focusing on the importance of selecting the right supplier for a successful online store. It highlights potential issues with bad suppliers, such as increased shipping costs, low-quality products, and lost customers. The speaker shares their intention to compare two popular platforms, Printify and Printful, by ordering samples, testing software, shipping times, packaging, product quality, and pricing, as well as customer service. The fundamental difference between Printify (a middleman connecting to various suppliers) and Printful (handling everything in-house) is also discussed, setting the stage for a detailed comparison in the video.

05:00

📈 Comparing Product Catalogs and Pricing

This paragraph delves into the comparison of product catalogs and pricing between Printify and Printful. It emphasizes the vast number of products available on Printify due to its use of multiple suppliers. The speaker recommends checking both platforms for product availability, as some products might be exclusive to one. A specific product, the Gilden 5000 t-shirt, is used as an example to illustrate price differences and the impact of supplier ratings on quality, production speed, and stock reliability. The paragraph also discusses the trade-offs between lower prices and potentially lower quality or slower shipping times, urging viewers to consider express delivery options for faster fulfillment.

10:02

🎨 Design Process and Supplier Selection

The speaker describes the design process on both Printify and Printful, highlighting the ease of uploading designs and customizing products. The paragraph covers the selection of a top-rated supplier on Printify and the design of a t-shirt with specific placement of logos. It also touches on Printful's options for different print placements, such as front, back, sleeves, and labels. The speaker then contrasts this with Printify's design process, noting the ability to choose from various suppliers and the platform's mockup views for a realistic preview of the final product.

15:04

📦 Shipping and Order Fulfillment

This paragraph discusses the shipping and order fulfillment aspects of Printify and Printful. It compares the shipping times and costs associated with each platform, noting that Printify's use of third-party suppliers can result in longer shipping times. The speaker orders a product from the highest-rated supplier on Printify and then from the cheapest supplier to test their performance. The paragraph also mentions the ordering process on Printful, including the potential for discounts on sample orders and the platform's CO2 offsetting initiative.

20:05

🧢 Embroidered Hats and Mug Comparison

The speaker continues the comparison by focusing on embroidered hats and mugs available on both Printify and Printful. They discuss the design process for a hat on Printful and the selection of a mug on both platforms. The paragraph highlights the differences in pricing, supplier ratings, and design options. It also touches on the potential for cost savings when ordering multiple products from Printful, as they may ship in the same package. The speaker's intention to test various products and suppliers to determine the best platform for their needs is reiterated.

25:06

📦 Receiving and Reviewing Products

In this paragraph, the speaker reviews the products they received from both Printify and Printful. They discuss the quality, shipping times, and packaging of each item, providing specific examples of a hat, t-shirts, and mugs ordered from the platforms. The speaker notes that while Printify can offer cheaper and faster options, the quality may vary depending on the supplier. Printful, on the other hand, provides consistent quality across different suppliers, albeit with potentially higher prices. The speaker concludes by recommending that viewers test both platforms for themselves to determine which best suits their needs.

🏆 Final Verdict and Recommendation

The speaker concludes the video by summarizing their findings and offering a final recommendation. They note that while Printify can be more affordable and sometimes faster, the quality of products can be a gamble depending on the supplier. Printful, however, offers a safer bet with consistent quality and reliability, making it an easier choice for those new to print-on-demand services. The speaker encourages viewers to try both platforms, order samples, and make an informed decision based on personal experience and product feel. The video ends with a reminder to check out a free Shopify training course provided by the speaker's company, Sandal Media.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Print on Demand

Print on Demand is a business model where products are only produced or ordered from a supplier once a customer has placed an order. This approach reduces the need for inventory and upfront costs, as the seller does not have to stock products beforehand. In the video, the concept is central to the discussion of choosing the right supplier for a successful online store, as it directly impacts shipping costs, product quality, and customer satisfaction.

💡Supplier

A supplier in the context of the video refers to a company or individual that produces and ships the products on behalf of the seller. The quality, pricing, and reliability of a supplier can significantly affect the success of a print on demand store. The video emphasizes the importance of selecting a good supplier to ensure timely delivery, high-quality products, and competitive pricing.

💡Etsy

Etsy is an e-commerce platform focused on handmade or vintage items and craft supplies. In the video, Etsy is mentioned as one of the possible platforms where a seller could list their print on demand products for sale, alongside other platforms like Shopify or personal websites.

💡Printful

Printful is a print on demand service that handles the production, packaging, and shipping of products for online stores. They operate by maintaining their own warehouse and printing facilities, which allows them to control the quality and delivery of the products. The video provides a detailed comparison of Printful with another service, Printify, based on factors like pricing, product quality, and shipping times.

💡Printify

Printify is another print on demand service that differs from Printful in that it acts as a middleman, connecting the seller with third-party suppliers for the production and shipping of the products. This model gives the seller more control over the choice of supplier but can also lead to variability in product quality and shipping times.

💡Product Quality

Product quality refers to the standard or grade of the products being sold. It is a critical factor for customer satisfaction and the success of an online store. In the context of the video, the creator evaluates the quality of products from different suppliers to determine which service provides the best value and customer experience.

💡Shipping Costs

Shipping costs are the expenses associated with transporting products from the supplier to the customer. These costs can significantly impact the profitability of a print on demand store and the final price that the customer pays. The video discusses how different suppliers and their locations can affect shipping costs, with a focus on finding a balance between low product costs and reasonable shipping fees.

💡Customer Service

Customer service refers to the assistance and support provided to customers before, during, and after a purchase. It is a key aspect of the customer experience and can influence a customer's loyalty and satisfaction. In the video, the creator considers the customer service offered by Printful and Printify, as this can affect how issues are resolved and how smoothly the print on demand process runs.

💡Competition

Competition in this context refers to the rivalry between different suppliers or platforms in the print on demand industry. Competition can drive down prices, improve product quality, and enhance customer service as companies strive to attract and retain customers. The video discusses how competition between Printful and Printify can impact the pricing and service levels offered to sellers.

💡Product Catalog

A product catalog is a comprehensive list or display of all the products that a company offers. In the context of print on demand services, the product catalog showcases the variety of items that can be customized and sold by the seller. The video highlights the importance of examining the product catalog of different services to determine which one aligns best with the seller's product offerings and needs.

💡Design Process

The design process refers to the steps taken to create and finalize the visual appearance of a product, such as a t-shirt, mug, or hat. This includes choosing colors, sizes, and placement of the design on the product. The video walks through the design process on both Printful and Printify, noting the ease of use and options available to the seller when creating their products.

Highlights

The importance of considering the supplier when starting a print on demand store is emphasized, as it can make a significant difference between a successful and failed store.

Printful and Printify are recognized as the two biggest print on demand services, but they have fundamental differences in the way they manage orders.

Printful handles everything in-house, including printing, packaging, and shipping, while Printify acts as a middleman connecting the store to third-party suppliers.

The video creator plans to conduct a thorough comparison between Printful and Printify by ordering samples, checking shipping times, packaging, product quality, pricing, and customer service.

The difference in supplier management between Printful and Printify can lead to variations in product quality, shipping costs, and customer satisfaction.

Printify offers a wider range of products due to its extensive network of suppliers, which could be beneficial for stores looking for specific items.

Printful's pricing might be higher, but it could offer better quality and customer service due to its direct involvement in the production process.

The video creator demonstrates the process of setting up accounts with both Printful and Printify, and highlights the differences in their sign-up processes and dashboards.

The catalog and product selection process is compared between Printful and Printify, showing differences in pricing, product availability, and supplier ratings.

The design and ordering process for a t-shirt is demonstrated on both platforms, showcasing the ease of use and differences in design tools.

The video creator orders samples from both Printful and Printify to test shipping times, with the Printful order arriving faster and with a discount for sample orders.

The quality of the received products is evaluated, with the Printful hat being of higher quality than the Printify hat.

The Printify t-shirt from the American supplier is praised for its quick delivery and good quality, despite not having the best rating.

Both Printful and Printify mugs are compared, with the Printful mug showing superior print quality and arriving faster, albeit at a higher price.

The video concludes with a recommendation to test both services by ordering samples, as the quality can vary significantly depending on the supplier.

The creator's final verdict is that Printful is a safer bet for consistent quality and reliability, while Printify can offer cheaper and faster options but with more variability in quality.