POD Suppliers vs. POD Marketplaces: What’s the Difference?
POD suppliers (e.g., Printful, Printify, Gooten) print, pack, and ship products for you, but you bring the storefront (Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, etc.).
POD marketplaces (e.g., Redbubble, TeePublic, Zazzle) are all-in-one platforms—you upload designs, they host the storefront and handle fulfillment, and you earn royalties.
Ready to explore options?
• Browse POD suppliers → podsellers.com/pod-suppliers/
• Browse POD marketplaces → podsellers.com/pod-marketplaces/
Quick Comparison
| Feature | POD Suppliers (Printful, Printify, Gooten…) | POD Marketplaces (Redbubble, TeePublic, Zazzle…) |
|---|---|---|
| Storefront | You provide (Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, Amazon, etc.) | Provided by the marketplace |
| Fulfillment | Supplier prints & ships | Marketplace prints & ships |
| Traffic & marketing | You drive traffic (SEO, ads, social, email) | Marketplace has built-in traffic; you still benefit from SEO & tags |
| Branding | Strong: custom branding, packaging, inserts (varies) | Limited: marketplace-first branding |
| Margins / pricing | You set retail price; pay base cost | You earn royalty / artist margin; base price set by platform |
| Catalog control | Large catalogs; you decide which items | Catalog varies per marketplace |
| Multi-channel | Sell across many channels via integrations | Usually locked to that marketplace |
| Complexity | Higher: you manage store, listings, customer service | Lower: upload designs, optimize listings/tags |
| Long-term asset | You own the customer and brand | Platform owns the audience |
What Is a POD Supplier?
A print-on-demand supplier is a behind-the-scenes partner that prints, packs, and ships products under your brand when an order comes in. You connect the supplier to a sales channel (Shopify/WooCommerce store, Etsy, Amazon, eBay, etc.). Popular suppliers include Printful, Printify, Gooten, Gelato, CustomCat and many more.
Typical workflow with suppliers
Customer orders on your storefront (e.g., Shopify or Etsy).
Order auto-routes to your connected supplier.
Supplier prints, packages (often with your branding), and ships directly to the customer.
You manage pricing, marketing, and customer service.
Why choose suppliers
Brand control: custom labels, pack-ins, unboxing experience.
Flexible channels: sell on your site, Etsy, Amazon, eBay, etc.
Pricing power: set your retail prices and margins.
Scale: add products and suppliers as you grow.
Trade-offs
You must drive traffic (SEO, ads, social, email).
More moving parts (site, payments, policy, returns).
Need to choose suppliers with regions and lead times that match your audience.
Explore vetted suppliers: POD Suppliers Directory →
What Is a POD Marketplace?
A print-on-demand marketplace is a platform where you upload designs, and the marketplace provides the storefront, traffic, and fulfillment. You earn a royalty or artist margin on each sale. Popular marketplaces include Redbubble, TeePublic, Zazzle, Spreadshirt, Society6 and more.
Typical workflow with marketplaces
Create an account and upload designs.
Add titles, descriptions, and keywords/tags.
The marketplace lists your products on its site.
You earn royalties when shoppers buy.
Why choose marketplaces
Fast start: no website or tech setup required.
Built-in traffic: customers are already shopping.
Low overhead: marketplace handles checkout, fulfillment, returns.
Trade-offs
Limited branding and customer ownership.
Royalties may be lower than direct-to-consumer margins.
You’re subject to platform rules, trends, and policy changes.
Explore platforms with built-in traffic: POD Marketplaces Directory →
Which Path Should You Choose?
Choose POD suppliers if you want:
To build a brand and own customer relationships.
Custom packaging/labels and a branded unboxing.
Higher margins and full control of pricing.
The ability to sell on multiple channels (your site + marketplaces).
Choose POD marketplaces if you want:
A simple, low-maintenance start.
To validate design ideas quickly with built-in traffic.
No need for a website or paid apps initially.
Royalties are fine as long as it’s hands-off.
Many sellers do both
Use marketplaces to test designs and spot winners.
Move proven designs to your own store + suppliers for better margins and customer ownership.
Costs & Margins (High Level)
Suppliers
You pay the base cost + shipping; you set retail price.
Margin = Retail – (Base + Shipping + Fees/Apps/Ads).
Higher control but you must market and support the customer.
Marketplaces
Platform sets a base price; you set an artist margin (varies per platform).
You earn a royalty; the platform handles fulfillment and support.
Choosing Your First Setup (A Simple Framework)
Where will you sell first?
No audience yet → start with a marketplace to learn and test.
Already have followers or products → launch a store + supplier.
Where are your buyers located?
Pick suppliers with production regions close to your audience (faster/cheaper shipping).
What products matter most?
Different suppliers dominate different SKUs (tees vs. embroidery vs. AOP vs. home goods).
Marketplaces also vary by product depth (stickers, phone cases, art prints, etc.).
Branding needs
If branding, inserts, custom neck labels are important → go supplier route.
Risk tolerance
Need ultra-simple setup? Start on a marketplace.
Willing to manage more pieces for higher upside? Go store + supplier.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring shipping regions & lead times – check where suppliers print for your target market.
Underpricing – account for base + shipping + platform/app fees + ads.
Weak SEO/tagging – titles, descriptions, and tags matter on both routes.
Relying on one platform – diversify suppliers or channels to reduce risk.
Next Steps
Compare suppliers by integrations, regions, and lead times →
POD Suppliers Directory →Compare marketplaces by audience, payout, and product range →
POD Marketplaces Directory →
FAQ
Do I need a website to use a POD supplier?
No—you can connect a supplier to Etsy, Amazon, eBay, or to your own Shopify/WooCommerce store.
Can I use more than one supplier?
Yes. Many sellers use multiple suppliers to cover different products or regions.
Can I start on a marketplace and later build a brand?
Absolutely. Many creatives validate designs on marketplaces, then build a branded store with suppliers for higher margins.
Are royalties lower than supplier margins?
Usually, yes. Marketplaces trade lower margins for simplicity and built-in traffic.
POD Supplier Profiles (A–Z)
Deep dives on popular print-on-demand suppliers: integrations, regions, products, and tips. Browse them all:
POD Marketplaces Profiles (A–Z)
Deep dives on POD-focused marketplaces: listing rules, fees, best-sellers, and tips. Browse them all: