Printify vs Redbubble: Difference, Scalability, Usability, Pros, Cons

Redbubble is a marketplace-based print-on-demand platform. Redbubble has a pre-existing customer base and ships orders directly to customers. Redbubble is easier upfront due to ease of entry and low-effort. However, Redbubble limits ability to scale.

Printify is a print-on-demand (POD) and dropshipping platform. It connects e-commerce sellers with a global network of third-party print providers. Sellers can add their custom designs to a catalog of over 1,300 products such as apparel, mugs, home decor, and accessories and sell them online without having to hold any upfront inventory.

What is the difference between Printify and Redbubble?

The difference between Printify and Redbubble is that Printify runs as a company that handles orders and connects sellers to print providers whereas Redbubble functions as an online selling site that sells to consumers. Printify suits business-to-business owners and Redbubble suits marketplace participants. Printify values margins and has control over prices whereas Redbubble has 15-20 percent royalties and its fees use one fifth to half of the earnings.

Printify requires effort in setting, building, and handling customers. Redbubble requires less work due to immediate publishing. Printify has no builtin visibility so it requires you to bring traffic. Redbubble has millions of customers and competition. Printify's audience spans small entrepreneurs and online store managers. Redbubble's audience spans artists and designers. Printify fits scalable businesses and works for growth needs. Redbubble has a growing ceiling and lower returns. Printify helps sales through its own stores and works with Shopify, BigCommerce, Etsy, Squarespace, Wix, and eBay. Redbubble runs internally and does not need setting up a shop.

For business-to-business, Printify allows connections with clients. Printify sellers get buyer details, private label shipping, and personalized tags inside. Redbubble keeps customer email addresses and personal information. Printify has bundle flexibility and promotional variety to adjust prices. Redbubble does not have flexibility in pricing, promotional ability to run sales, bundle offer flexibility, or geographic ability to adjust prices. Printify's selection is broader with thirteen hundred items. Redbubble has seventy items and 20 types. Printify boosts profitability and Redbubble cuts operational complexity.

What products do Printify and Redbubble specialize in?

Printify and Redbubble specialize in print-on-demand services. Printify has more than thirteen hundred products covering 64 product types, while Redbubble has about 70 products across about 20 categories. Both platforms let users create and sell custom products without keeping inventory, because items are made after a customer purchases. Their product listings cover multiple categories like apparel, accessories, house decorations, and stationery. Clothing items include joggers, leggings, personalized underwear, and hoodies like printed boxers and intimate apparel. Jewelry collections include necklaces, bracelets, and identification tags with personalized messages or designs. Bags include grocery totes, backpacks, pouches, and carryalls with personalized artwork. Resin products cover pieces of ornaments, decorative pieces, and jewelry, and use plastic-like substances. Home products include bedding, cushion covers, towels, and linen items. Buyers can personalize items with initials, custom changes, or names. In terms of branding, Printify offers personalized stuffers, collar tags, and custom notes. Redbubble has minimal branding options, so sellers have fewer choices for adding a personal touch.

Printify has a catalog of more than 1,300 products and a network of fulfillment partners. It does not use centralized production which helps in localized fulfillment and allows choice between suppliers. Redbubble focuses on a carefully chosen range of about 80 products. Categories, centered on artists, include decorative prints, stickers, and apparel. Redbubble values accessibility and runs an independent selling platform, not focusing on expansion.

Does Printify or Redbubble offer better quality?

Redbubble offers better quality as Printify's quality changes by provider. Printify uses more than 80 outside printing companies, while Redbubble uses inhouse production partners. Printify lets users select product suppliers based on quality ratings, and some providers get 9.8 out of 10. Redbubble has no choice among suppliers, which is why quality is predictable and moderate.

Printify's quality depends on the provider whereas Redbubble's quality is consistent due to in-house production. Printify has personalized custom packaging, garment tags, and package notes with select providers while Redbubble has no personalized packaging or tags. Both use direct printing on fabric for apparel, and print transfer method for items printed across the whole surface. Printify has specific demands on image quality, and design tools allow precise placement. Redbubble has a simple file submission method with less control over specifications.

Which company has faster production times: Printify or Redbubble?

Printify has faster production times than Redbubble. Printify's print production time usually takes 12 days whereas Redbubble's production takes around 27 days. Printify ships faster because of a network spread across more than 110 printing facilities worldwide. Production speed depends on the Printify provider. The Printify model lets merchants choose providers allowing for speed optimization. Redbubble processes orders through centralized facilities and its seller locations are fixed. Because of this, Redbubble processes slow considerably during busy periods. Redbubble production lasts week or longer during busy times.

Which has better shipping: Printify or Redbubble?

Printify has better shipping. Printify has domestic shipping in the US and UK, which takes 2-5 business days. Redbubble American shipments take 5-8 days, and international orders take over 10 days. Printify international orders takes over 10 days as well. Thanks to local production and over 100 global locations, Printify can fulfill orders close to customers, cutting shipping periods. Redbubble centralized approach slows delivery and faces bottlenecks, that's why speed is key when choosing.

Printify shipping begins lower, from $3.99, and has variable shipping costs from different suppliers. Cost depends on provider and destination, with total tshirt plus shipping costs about $9.89. Redbubble charges higher set prices, with total tshirt plus shipping costs about $23.66. Redbubble keeps unchanging prices, which are predictable but higher. Printify merchant controls shipping pricing: they can pay costs or pass on costs, which helps because shipping cost cuts into earnings. Redbubble automates ships without customer involvement, but its rigid pricing framework cuts margins. So Printify has better costs for entrepreneurs who focus on margins.

Printify has full shipment monitoring, and tracking integrates with store control panels. Redbubble has limited order monitoring, and tracking is platformcontrolled, more hidden to sellers. Printify uses outside shipping services, but merchants can select fulfillment partners from over 100 global locations, letting geographic optimization. Redbubble centralized approach standardizes delivery but doesn't let choosing which company to handle orders. Printify packages have merchant branding, which helps return customers, thanks to using the company's name on the package. Redbubble packages has Redbubble branding. Printify wins in shipping flexibility and speed, but loses on simplicity. Redbubble loses on customization and speed, but works for artists wanting passive income. That's when Printify shipping is better for control and branding.

I run a print on demand business. I have used both Printify and Redbubble. The shipping experience differs between them. With I choose suppliers based on where buyers are based. This creates lower shipping costs and faster shipping speed. For American customers, I fill orders through an American supplier, packages arrive within a standard work week. Redbubble does everything automatically. However, international delivery takes longer. I have no visibility into which facility processes each shipment, and no meaningful way to update buyers on tracking information. This lack of openness upsets several of the people I sell to, because they ask for tracking details and I cannot give shipping updates. So, Printify has better shipping.

Patrick Looney

T-Shirt Designer, Print on Demand Seller

Which is better for growth: Printify or Redbubble?

Printify is better for growth in terms of scalability. Redbubble has easier entry but lower lasting growth prospects. Printify works with eBay, Etsy, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, BigCommerce, and Shopify TikTok's store. Redbubble has no external integrations. Printify has products across 64 product groups and over a thousand items. Redbubble has seven categories and products across two dozen product groups.

Printify gives full ability to set your own prices, and allows free delivery options, limited deals, bundle offers, geographic pricing, and volume discounts. Redbubble limits profit around 20% and limits freedom to set prices on stickers and pricing options on cases for phones. Printify has higher earnings. Printify pays immediately through a linked payment system like PayPal or Stripe. Redbubble pays monthly with a $20 minimum threshold.

Printify has full control over product labels, personalized boxes, branded inserts, labels on the collar, and personal notes. Redbubble has limited branding, no personalized packaging, and packages are sent under Redbubble branding. Printify allows control over customer data, helps upselling, retargeting, and email list building. Redbubble sellers have no access to buyer email addresses or buyer information.

Redbubble has built-in customer traffic, but sellers compete against other sellers. Printify needs you to drive your own traffic, requires marketing, SEO, and paid ads. This builds a lasting brand. Printify requires building your own store and handling customer support. Redbubble handles all returns, support, and refunds. Printify has a steeper learning curve whereas Redbubble is easier to learn. Printify connects to more than 80 printing partners and allows choosing a supplier close to customers which allows for faster shipping. Redbubble has slower shipping. Thanks to control and integrations, Printify is better for lasting growth prospects.

I sold designs on Redbubble. It needed no upfront investment; I uploaded artwork in minutes, and made a first sale within a quarter hour. However, I had to distinguish my store from thousands of others. So I shifted to Printify with my own Shopify store. The transition was challenging, needing more effort in learning advertising and refining the store. But my earnings tripled and I owned customer relationships.

Patrick Looney

T-Shirt Designer, Print on Demand Seller

What integration options do Printify and Redbubble provide?

Printify has extensive integration options and it works with external systems like WooCommerce, store, Wix, Shopify, eBay, Etsy, Squarespace, PrestaShop, and BigCommerce Amazon. It gives access to places to sell through its mechanism. This mechanism lets shop operators integrate with online stores. Printify has personalized connection integration for external platforms. Redbubble does not have native integrations with external selling platforms. Users upload designs directly to the Redbubble platform.

Do you need to bring your own traffic with Printify or Redbubble?

You need to bring your own traffic with Printify but not with Redbubble. Printify has no native group of customers and functions as an online shop connection. You drive traffic through advertisements you pay for, SEO, social media, and collaborations with popular personalities. Printify sellers spend on Meta ads, ads on Instagram, and advertisements on Google. This needs ecommerce knowledge, know-how in promoting, and constant traffic investment. However, Printify gives traffic control, allows building an email subscriber list and customer retargeting, and helps in growing a company.

Redbubble benefits from store traffic and attracts organic visitors; you need not generate external traffic. Redbubble has browse buyers, an audience from search ranking, and people know the brand. Its organic visibility is limited, and Redbubble does not let you build an email list or retarget.

With Redbubble, I have access to an established platform. Millions of buyers already browse on Redbubble. However, I give up ownership of buyer connections and accept thinner margins. With Printify I keep complete control over branding and profits. I build channels through social media, SEO, and sponsored promotions. If I have tight funds and not much background in marketing, Redbubble has a lower barrier to entry. If I want genuine ownership in the business, Printify gives me something I actually own, even if it needs more effort.

Patrick Looney

T-Shirt Designer, Print on Demand Seller

How do prices differ between Printify and Redbubble?

Printify uses variable pricing structure, and Redbubble uses set pricing approach. Printify gives sellers full ability to set prices whereas Redbubble has limited ability to set prices. Printify has transparent starting prices but Redbubble has underlying expenses. Printify production expenses are separate from starting costs while Redbubble's production expenses are included in starting prices.

Redbubble charges selling fees as a percentage of retail price, and platform costs hit half for standard accounts. Service charges reach one fifth for top-tier accounts, and excess markup fees are half on margins above one-fifth. Printify charges fees as a percentage of the original prices, and it has a paid subscription. The monthly subscription costs $24.99 per month, and the higher-tier subscription costs 29 bucks per month with 20% off items. Both Printify and Redbubble have a free plan, but Redbubble has no premium membership option. Printify has full markup control, which is why it imposes no price limits.

Printify's profit setup shows high earning possibilities because markup freedom is high. For example, a Gildan 5000 t-shirt on Printify starts at five dollars and ninety cents, and the total cost with shipping is nine dollars and eighty-nine cents. If sold at $25, the profit is fifteen dollars and eleven cents, which is a sixty percent earnings rate. On Redbubble, an unbranded t-shirt starts at sixteen dollars and forty-nine cents, and the total cost with shipping reaches twenty-three dollars and sixty-six cents. When sold at $25, the profit is only a dollar thirty-four, or a five percent margin. Printify has lower financial risk whereas Redbubble has a higher financial risk.

Which allows higher profits: Printify or Redbubble?

Printify allows higher profits. Printify pays full markup minus production expenses, so Printify's margins reach 60% or higher. Redbubble pays a flat commission rate and its margins are limited to at 20% because Redbubble caps creator income at 15-20%.

Printify gets $15.11 per $25 tshirt while Redbubble gets $1.34 per $25 tshirt. Printify's profit is $453.30 per three dozen t-shirts while Redbubble's profit is $40.20 per three dozen t-shirts. Printify keeps all markup above cost of materials and has custom price settings. Printify's Premium helps higher margins; paid members save 20% on initial product prices.

Printify demands generating customers from the merchant and needs money spent on advertising. Redbubble has built-in visitors and needs minimal effort, generating passive income. Redbubble is a closed marketplace. Redbubble has centralized fulfillment and holds buyer information. Printify gives buyer information to merchants and sells via merchant-owned stores.

With Redbubble, I earned about 15% per sale and kept a small fraction of each sale. I shifted to Printify and connected with my own Etsy store. I set my own retail prices and chose my printing partners. I kept about half of each sale. The monthly premium plan paid for itself through lower starting expenses.

Patrick Looney

T-Shirt Designer, Print on Demand Seller

Which is easier to use: Printify or Redbubble?

Redbubble is easier to use. It has intuitiveness for beginners, and it is simpler for passive sellers. Redbubble manages the initial configuration. Printify demands more effort in setting up. However, Printify allows a level of control over the brand. Redbubble is easier for beginners and passive sellers. Printify is easier if a person wants top ranking and control. Print on demand success changes by which service you use, because it depends on what a person wants to achieve.

Redbubble is easier to use. The system automatically handles manufacturing and customer support. I just upload artwork, and the platform takes care of the rest. Printify has a steeper learning curve. I need additional upfront effort, like connecting to external stores like Shopify or Etsy. I set pricing manually and manage buyer connections myself. The simplicity with Redbubble has tradeoffs in earnings and control over the brand name.

Patrick Looney

T-Shirt Designer, Print on Demand Seller

Is Printify or Redbubble better for beginners?

Redbubble is better for beginners. Redbubble has built-in buyer visits, manages order processing, and takes care of customer support. That is why Redbubble suits passive artists. Printify suits serious entrepreneurs. Printify needs setting up a shop and external linking to other sites. Printify needs marketing you handle on your own. However, Printify gives full control over customer information, branding, and pricing. Printify allows unlimited markup.

Which has better customer service: Printify or Redbubble?

Redbubble has better customer service. Redbubble runs as a centralized marketplace and manages everything inhouse. It has a centralized customer service system. Redbubble handles customer interaction directly and automatically. Refunds are handled centrally and tracking is sent to buyers directly. Customer service experience is seamless with Redbubble, due to predictable support experiences and consistent response times.

Printify works as a middleman and links sellers with external printing partners. Because of this, customer service assistance quality varies and depends on the fulfillment partner. Printify does not talk with buyers; sellers handle customer interactions through connected stores, and customers move between seller, Printify, and the fulfillment partner. Returns rely on each provider's rules, and most providers take just faulty items. Issues must be tracked through multiple parties, and quality problems need action from the merchant.

What are the pros and cons of Printify and Redbubble?

The pros of Printify include that it connects to Squarespace, eBay, BigCommerce, Wix, Etsy, Shopify, and WooCommerce TikTok Store.Printify advocates want passive income due to these integrations. Printify's product selection covers 64 product types with 1300+ items. That is why top users prefer Printify for scaling. Printify Pro users find value in Premium which costs $29 monthly or $24.99 annually and has 20% base cost discounts. For example, Printify makes $453.30 from three dozen t-shirts at $25 retail, due to its $15.11 profit per shirt. The cons of Printify include that the shipping is very slow, with about a month's delivery to the United States. Printify sellers handle their own customer service, because Printify uses selected suppliers.

The pros of Redbubble include that it does not require setting up a shop and is easy to begin with. Redbubble handles all support inquiries and runs order processing internally. Redbubble uses carefully selected printing partners. Redbubble has around seventy items covering around 20 categories. The cons of Redbubble include that it sets starting prices, so sellers sacrifice margins and control. Redbubble has limited branding and allows no control over your brand image. Redbubble keeps all personal details of customers, so sellers have no buyer information. Redbubble has no external integrations, so its online selling method is not suitable for scaling.