PrestaShop screenshot

PrestaShop

PrestaShop is a robust open-source e-commerce platform that gives you total control over your store — from design and hosting to checkout flow and integrations.
It’s a great choice for print-on-demand sellers who want flexibility and scalability without monthly subscription fees.
With available POD plugins and integrations like Printful and Order Desk, PrestaShop combines advanced customization with automated fulfillment and a global reach.

Visit PrestaShop

Why sell POD on PrestaShop?

PrestaShop offers complete control over your online store’s design, functionality, and hosting. It’s built for entrepreneurs who prefer to customize their shop down to the smallest detail. For print-on-demand sellers, it supports dedicated modules and integrations with suppliers like Printful and Order Desk, allowing automated order routing while maintaining advanced control over product listings, taxes, and currencies.

Open Source Highly Customizable Printful Module Multi-Language & Currency

How PrestaShop + POD Works

  1. Install PrestaShop on your web hosting server (many hosts offer one-click installation).
  2. Set up your store with a responsive theme and essential modules.
  3. Install the Printful module from the PrestaShop Addons marketplace, or connect via Order Desk for other suppliers.
  4. Design products in your POD supplier’s platform — they’ll automatically sync to your PrestaShop catalog.
  5. Orders print & ship automatically, with tracking updates sent back to your PrestaShop dashboard.
Tip: PrestaShop’s open-source flexibility means you can customize your integration, add advanced pricing rules, or run multiple stores for different POD niches.

Pricing & Fees

PrestaShop itself is free and open-source, but you’ll pay for hosting, domain, and optional premium modules or templates.

Software Cost
Free (open source)
Web Hosting
$5–$25/month depending on your provider.
Domain Name
$10–$15/year.
Modules & Addons
Varies — many are free, premium ones from $20 to $100+.
Transaction Fees
None from PrestaShop; payment processors apply standard rates.
Payment Options
PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.Net, Amazon Pay, and 200+ gateways.

SEO, Marketing & Analytics

PrestaShop is built with strong SEO foundations — you can customize URLs, meta titles, schema markup, and alt text for every product. It integrates with Google Analytics, Meta Pixel, and other marketing tools for tracking and retargeting. You can also use modules for email marketing, upselling, and abandoned-cart recovery to boost POD sales.

Brand & Compliance

  • Intellectual Property: Only sell designs or artwork that you own or are licensed to use.
  • Transparency: Mention print-on-demand production times on product pages.
  • Security: Use SSL certificates and GDPR-compliant cookie banners.
  • International Compliance: Configure taxes, languages, and shipping according to your target markets.

Setup Essentials

Must-Do

  • Choose a fast, responsive PrestaShop theme.
  • Install the Printful or Order Desk module.
  • Set up payment gateways and shipping zones.
  • Optimize product titles and descriptions for SEO.

Nice-to-Have

  • Add multilingual and multicurrency support for global POD sales.
  • Enable product reviews to build trust.
  • Use advanced pricing rules for discounts and promotions.
  • Install caching or CDN modules for faster performance.

Tips for POD Success on PrestaShop

  • Test your Printful or Order Desk sync before launching to avoid order mismatches.
  • Group products by theme (e.g., Jewish art, nature, motivational quotes) for easier browsing.
  • Use lifestyle mockups to make your POD products look premium.
  • Automate abandoned-cart emails and retargeting ads to recover lost sales.
  • Regularly back up your site and keep modules updated for security.

Common Pitfalls

  • Choosing cheap or unreliable hosting — performance heavily depends on your server.
  • Installing too many modules — can slow your site or create conflicts.
  • Not enabling SSL or cookie consent — essential for compliance.
  • Overcomplicating checkout — keep it fast and user-friendly.
Pro tip: Use PrestaShop’s built-in multistore feature if you plan to launch multiple POD brands under one backend.

Integrations & Compatibility

PrestaShop supports direct and third-party integrations for print-on-demand and order automation.

Printful Order Desk Zapier ShipStation Mailchimp Google Shopping

Alternatives

  • OpenCart – similar self-hosted control, simpler UI.
  • WooCommerce – easier to set up with WordPress.
  • Shopify – hosted solution with faster setup and less maintenance.

FAQ

Can I connect Printful or Printify to PrestaShop?

Yes. PrestaShop has a dedicated Printful module, and you can connect Printify or other suppliers through Order Desk or Zapier.

Is PrestaShop free to use?

Yes. The platform itself is free and open-source — you only pay for hosting, domain, and any premium modules you choose.

Do I need technical skills to run PrestaShop?

Some basic setup knowledge helps. Hosting providers often offer one-click installs, and once running, most management is visual and modular.

Can I use multiple POD suppliers?

Yes. You can connect multiple suppliers through Order Desk or Zapier and route products automatically by category or vendor.