Big Cartel screenshot

Big Cartel

Big Cartel is a minimalist e-commerce platform built specifically for independent artists, creators, and small brands.
It’s perfect for print-on-demand sellers who want to launch a clean, straightforward storefront without paying high monthly fees or dealing with complicated setup steps.
You can connect Big Cartel to Printful, Order Desk, or Zapier to automate order fulfillment while keeping your online shop simple and design-driven.

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Why sell POD on Big Cartel?

Big Cartel was built for makers, artists, and designers who want to sell without technical hassle. It’s lightweight, affordable, and gives you just enough customization to create a clean, branded storefront. With direct integrations like Printful or automation tools like Order Desk, Big Cartel is a great choice for creators who want to focus on art — not back-end logistics.

Artist-Friendly Affordable Plans Simple Dashboard Printful Integration

How Big Cartel + POD Works

  1. Create your Big Cartel store and choose a theme that fits your brand.
  2. Install the Printful integration from the Big Cartel app directory or connect via Order Desk.
  3. Design products in Printful — they’ll automatically sync to your Big Cartel store.
  4. Customers order directly on your Big Cartel website; the order routes to Printful for fulfillment.
  5. Printful prints & ships the product under your brand, with real-time tracking updates.
Tip: Big Cartel is perfect for smaller POD catalogs or limited-edition drops — it keeps things minimal and creative.

Pricing & Fees

Big Cartel offers transparent, flat-rate pricing. There are no listing fees, and you only pay your plan and your payment processor’s fees.

Gold Plan
Free — up to 5 products.
Platinum Plan
$9.99/month — up to 50 products.
Diamond Plan
$19.99/month — up to 500 products.
Transaction Fees
None from Big Cartel; only Stripe or PayPal processing fees apply.
Payment Options
Stripe, PayPal, Venmo, and Apple Pay.

SEO, Marketing & Analytics

Big Cartel includes basic SEO tools like custom meta titles, descriptions, and clean URLs. You can connect Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel, run email campaigns via Mailchimp, and promote new POD designs on social media using built-in sharing tools. It’s simple but effective for small creative brands.

Brand & Compliance

  • Design Ownership: Only sell original artwork or designs you have rights to.
  • Transparency: Note that products are made-to-order if using POD fulfillment.
  • Privacy & Security: Big Cartel includes SSL on all stores and complies with PCI standards.
  • Policy Pages: Add clear return and shipping policies for customer trust.

Setup Essentials

Must-Do

  • Choose and customize a theme that fits your brand.
  • Connect Printful or Order Desk for POD automation.
  • Set up Stripe or PayPal for payments.
  • Add clear product descriptions and shipping times.

Nice-to-Have

  • Connect Google Analytics and Meta Pixel.
  • Use product lifestyle mockups for stronger visuals.
  • Offer limited-edition or seasonal collections to drive urgency.
  • Use discount codes to reward repeat customers.

Tips for POD Success on Big Cartel

  • Keep your catalog small and curated — Big Cartel is best for fewer, quality designs.
  • Focus on storytelling — your product pages should feel personal and authentic.
  • Leverage Printful’s branding tools to customize labels and packaging.
  • Promote limited runs on social media to build hype and scarcity.
  • Use consistent color schemes and fonts for brand recognition.

Common Pitfalls

  • Uploading too many items — Big Cartel is optimized for smaller shops.
  • Skipping product variants (size, color) — add them in Printful before syncing.
  • Neglecting SEO fields or image alt text.
  • Not previewing on mobile — always test your layout on phones and tablets.
Pro tip: Combine Big Cartel with Linktree or your Instagram bio for easy social sales — perfect for artists and creators with an engaged audience.

Integrations & Compatibility

Big Cartel integrates with popular print-on-demand, marketing, and automation tools.

Printful Order Desk Zapier ShipStation Google Analytics Mailchimp

Alternatives

  • Etsy – more marketplace exposure for handmade or artistic designs.
  • Squarespace – more template options and built-in email marketing.
  • Shopify – better automation for larger product catalogs.

FAQ

Can I sell print-on-demand products on Big Cartel?

Yes. Big Cartel integrates directly with Printful and can connect to other POD suppliers via Order Desk or Zapier.

Does Big Cartel charge transaction fees?

No. Big Cartel doesn’t take any cut of your sales; you only pay payment processor fees.

Is Big Cartel good for beginners?

Yes — it’s one of the easiest platforms for small creative stores and ideal for artists who want to avoid complex dashboards.

Can I use a custom domain with Big Cartel?

Yes. All paid plans support connecting your own domain name for professional branding.