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

Santrel Media
6 Nov 202326:07

TLDRIn this video transcript, the creator compares two popular print-on-demand services, Printful and Printify, to determine which platform is more suitable for setting up an online store. The comparison includes factors such as product quality, pricing, shipping times, and ease of use. The creator orders samples from both services to provide a firsthand experience and shares insights on the design process, supplier selection, and packaging. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of testing both platforms to make an informed decision, highlighting that while Printful offers consistent quality, Printify may provide lower prices but with varying quality.

Takeaways

  • 🔍 When considering a print-on-demand store, the choice of supplier is crucial for success, as a bad supplier can lead to high shipping costs, low quality products, and lost customers.
  • 📦 Printful and Printify are two of the most recommended print-on-demand services, but they have fundamental differences in how they manage orders and suppliers.
  • 🏭 Printful handles the entire process in-house, including printing, packaging, and shipping, while Printify acts as a middleman, connecting customers to third-party suppliers for printing and shipping.
  • 🌐 Both Printful and Printify offer a wide range of products, but Printify has a significantly larger number of suppliers and products, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.
  • 💰 Pricing can vary greatly between the two services, and it's important to consider factors such as bulk pricing, membership discounts, and shipping costs when comparing.
  • 🎨 The design process for both platforms is user-friendly, allowing for easy customization and product mockups, with Printful offering more placement options for designs.
  • 📦 Shipping times and packaging quality can differ, with Printful providing more environmentally friendly packaging and potentially faster shipping for some products.
  • 🔎 It's recommended to order samples from both services to personally assess product quality, shipping times, and overall satisfaction before committing to one.
  • 📈 While Printful may offer more consistent quality and reliability, Printify can sometimes provide lower prices and faster shipping from certain suppliers.
  • 🛍️ The choice between Printful and Printify ultimately depends on individual business needs, product offerings, and personal preferences after testing both services.
  • 📝 For those starting with Shopify, there are free resources available to help set up an e-commerce store and learn how to integrate print-on-demand services effectively.

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 fundamental difference between Printify and Printful?

    -Printful has a big warehouse where they make, package, and send out the products in-house, while Printify contracts out to third-party suppliers and acts as a middleman connecting the store to the actual supplier.

  • What is the impact of choosing the right supplier for a print-on-demand store?

    -Choosing the right supplier can make a significant difference between a successful store and a failed one, affecting shipping costs, product quality, customer satisfaction, and overall business reputation.

  • What are some factors to consider when evaluating suppliers on Printify?

    -Factors to consider include production speed, quality, stock reliability, and location for shipping times.

  • How does Printful incentivize customers to buy samples?

    -Printful offers discounted sample orders, which shows their confidence in the product quality and their strategy to encourage customers to experience the products before committing to selling them.

  • What was the experience with the Printify and Printful hats?

    -The Printful hat had a good material and quality, but required approval and took 6 days to arrive. The Printify hat had a cheaper price but the quality was poor, with sloppy embroidery and a dirty appearance.

  • What were the differences in the mugs ordered from Printify and Printful?

    -The Printify mug had a lower price but took more than twice as long to arrive and the print quality was grainy. The Printful mug was double the price but arrived faster with a richer and more accurate print quality.

  • What is the recommendation for deciding between Printify and Printful?

    -It is recommended to test out both services by ordering samples to feel the products and determine which one is better suited for the specific needs and preferences.

  • How did the shipping packaging differ between Printify and Printful?

    -The Printify mug came in a foam cube, while the Printful mug arrived in an environmentally friendly cardboard box that folds into itself without requiring bubble wrap.

  • What is the main conclusion from the comparison of Printify and Printful in the transcript?

    -Printful is often considered a safer bet due to its consistent quality and reliability, while Printify can be a gamble with varying quality depending on the supplier, but may offer cheaper and faster options at times.

Outlines

00:00

📦 Introduction to Print-on-Demand Platforms

The paragraph discusses the importance of choosing the right supplier for a print-on-demand store, regardless of the platform used for selling. It highlights the potential issues with a bad supplier, 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 shipping times, packaging, product quality, and comparing pricing and customer service. The difference between Printful's in-house production and Printify's third-party supplier model is also introduced, setting the stage for the comparison.

05:00

💰 Pricing and Product Availability Comparison

The speaker compares the pricing and product availability of Printify and Printful. They discuss the variables affecting pricing, such as bulk pricing and membership discounts, and note that Printify often has lower prices but Printful may offer better quality and customer service. The difference in product availability is highlighted, with Printify having a wider range of products due to its multiple suppliers. The speaker recommends checking both platforms for product availability, as some products might be exclusive to one platform.

10:02

🎨 Design Process and Supplier Ratings

This paragraph delves into the design process on both Printify and Printful, noting the ease of uploading designs and the options for customization. The speaker discusses Printify's supplier ratings based on production speed, quality, and stock reliability, and the impact of these ratings on pricing and shipping times. They also mention the option to filter suppliers based on express delivery availability in the United States, which can affect both cost and delivery speed.

15:04

📦 Product Order and Shipping Experience

The speaker shares their experience ordering products from both Printify and Printful, detailing the process of creating orders and the options for shipping. They compare the shipping costs and delivery estimates for samples ordered from each platform, noting the differences in pricing and the potential for combined shipping to save costs. The paragraph also touches on the environmental impact of packaging, with a preference for Printful's cardboard packaging over Printify's foam packaging.

20:05

👕 Review of Received Products

In this paragraph, the speaker reviews the products they received from both Printify and Printful. They discuss the quality of the embroidery on the hats, the print quality and material of the t-shirts, and the print quality and packaging of the mugs. The speaker notes that while some products from Printify had issues with design accuracy and cleanliness, others like the American t-shirt were of good quality and arrived quickly. Printful's products were consistently reliable in quality and arrived within a week, although the pricing was generally higher.

25:06

🔍 Conclusion and Recommendation

The speaker concludes their comparison by recommending that users test both Printify and Printful by ordering samples to determine which platform best suits their needs. They note that while Printful is a safer bet for consistent quality and reliability, Printify can offer lower prices and faster shipping on some products, but the quality can be more variable. The speaker emphasizes the importance of personal preference and the need to consider the specific requirements of one's store when choosing a print-on-demand platform.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Print on Demand

Print on Demand is a business model where products are manufactured and shipped to customers only after an order has been received. This approach eliminates the need for holding inventory and reduces the financial risk for the seller. In the video, the user is exploring two major print on demand services, Printful and Printify, to determine which one is more suitable for their needs.

💡Supplier

A supplier in the context of the video refers to the companies that actually produce and ship the products for the print on demand services. Choosing the right supplier is crucial for the success of the store as it can affect shipping costs, product quality, and customer satisfaction.

💡Printful

Printful is one of the two major print on demand services discussed in the video. It operates by having a large warehouse where it manufactures and ships products in-house, providing a more controlled and consistent experience for the customers.

💡Printify

Printify is another print on demand service mentioned in the video. Unlike Printful, Printify acts as a middleman, connecting the store owner with third-party suppliers who handle the actual printing, shipping, and fulfillment.

💡Product Quality

Product quality refers to the standard or grade of the products being sold. It is a critical factor for any business, especially in print on demand where customers expect consistent and reliable products. High-quality products can lead to positive customer reviews and repeat purchases, while low quality can result in returns and lost customers.

💡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. Factors such as shipping speed, location of the supplier, and shipping methods can affect the overall shipping costs.

💡Customer Service

Customer service refers to the support and assistance provided to customers before, during, and after their purchase. Good customer service is essential for building trust and maintaining a positive brand image. It can also influence a customer's decision to continue using a service or product.

💡Pricing

Pricing refers to the amount of money charged for products or services. In the context of print on demand, pricing can vary based on factors such as product type, quantity, supplier, and any additional services like express shipping. Competitive pricing is important for attracting and retaining customers.

💡Product Catalog

A product catalog is a comprehensive list or display of all the products that a company offers. It provides customers with information about the available products, including descriptions, images, and pricing. A well-curated catalog can help attract customers and increase sales.

💡Design Process

The design process refers to the steps taken to create a visual or graphical representation of a product, such as a t-shirt or mug design. This process includes selecting colors, uploading artwork, and arranging the design on the product. A user-friendly design process can enhance the customer experience and result in more sales.

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 suppliers, 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, testing shipping times, packaging, product quality, and comparing pricing and customer service.

The creator highlights the difference in product availability between Printful and Printify, with Printify offering a substantially larger selection due to its numerous suppliers.

Printify allows for more control over the chosen supplier, with the ability to rate them based on production speed, quality, and stock reliability.

Printful's pricing and quality are generally consistent, while Printify's can vary greatly depending on the chosen supplier.

The video provides a detailed walkthrough of setting up accounts with both Printful and Printify, and the process of designing and ordering samples from each platform.

The design interface and process are compared between Printful and Printify, with the creator testing out their ease of use and functionality.

The shipping and fulfillment process is examined, with Printful offering faster shipping times but Printify potentially providing lower costs.

The unboxing and review of the received products from both Printful and Printify are shared, providing insights into the quality and presentation of the final products.

The creator concludes that while Printful may be a safer bet for consistent quality and reliability, Printify can offer cheaper and faster options, but with more variability in outcome.

Recommendations are made to test both Printful and Printify by ordering samples to determine which platform best suits the individual's needs.

The video serves as a comprehensive guide for those considering starting a print on demand store, offering practical advice and firsthand experience with two of the leading suppliers.

The impact of supplier choice on customer satisfaction and store reputation is discussed, highlighting the potential risks and benefits associated with each platform.

The video provides a clear and unbiased comparison, demonstrating the unique advantages and potential drawbacks of both Printful and Printify.