Printful vs Printify: Which Print-on-Demand Service Is Better in 2026?
Free Online Selling Course, Lesson 47 · Module 9: Print on Demand · See all lessons
Print on demand lets you sell T-shirts, mugs, posters, and more with your designs, without buying stock. When a customer orders, the print company makes and ships the product for you. Printful and Printify are two of the biggest names, and both connect to stores like Etsy and Shopify.
Here is the key difference most comparisons bury: Printful prints most products in its own facilities, while Printify is a marketplace of independent print providers you choose from. That one difference shapes everything else: product range, price, and how consistent quality and shipping are. Both are free to start, and both have a paid plan that cuts product prices by up to 33%.
This lesson compares Printful and Printify side by side, explains when each paid plan pays off, and helps you choose. Sources are Printful’s and Printify’s pricing pages, checked in late October 2026.
Printful vs Printify: Quick Answer
Both are free to start and charge you only when an order is placed. Printful handles production in-house for consistent, quality-checked fulfillment and offers 594 products. Printify connects you to 70+ independent print providers with 2,000+ products, so you can often find lower prices but quality and shipping depend on the provider you choose. Both offer a paid plan with up to 33% off products: Printful Growth at $24.99 a month and Printify Premium from $24.99 a month billed yearly ($39 monthly).
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Printful | Printify | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | In-house production with quality-checked fulfillment | Marketplace of 70+ independent print providers |
| Products | 594 custom products | 2,000+ products |
| Free plan | $0/month | $0/month |
| Paid plan | Printful Growth: $24.99/month | Premium: $39/month, or $24.99/month billed yearly |
| Paid plan discount | Up to 33% off product pricing | Up to 33% discount on products |
| Paid plan free when | You reach $12K/year in sales | Not stated on pricing page |
| Stores | Unlimited stores and 10 Quick Stores (Free) | 5 stores (Free), 10 stores (Premium) |
| Trial | 14-day trial of Growth | Not stated |
| Extra on paid plan | 9% off branding, 25% off samples | Mentorship with Sellers Club PRO, Printify Connect order management |
How Printful Works
According to Printful’s pricing page, the Free plan includes:
- Access to 594 custom products
- In-house production with automatic, quality-checked fulfillment for every order
- Unlimited stores and 10 Quick Stores
- Free Design Maker and Mockup Generator
- Selling on 20+ ecommerce platforms and marketplaces
- 24/7 customer support
Printful Growth ($24.99/month) adds up to 33% off product pricing, 9% off product branding, 25% off sample orders, and more. Printful says Growth becomes free when you reach $12K a year in sales, and you can start with a 14-day trial.
How Printify Works
According to Printify’s pricing page, Printify is a print-on-demand marketplace with 2,000+ products and 70+ print providers, and no upfront costs.
- Free: $0 a month, 5 stores per account, unlimited product designs.
- Premium: from $39 a month, or from $24.99 a month billed yearly, with up to 33% discount on new products, mentorship through Sellers Club PRO, 10 stores, and Printify Connect for order management.
Printify says to “start free and upgrade only when the discounts outearn the fee.”
When Does the Paid Plan Pay Off?
Each plan pays off when your monthly discount savings are bigger than the plan fee. For example, if a T-shirt’s base price is $12 and the discount is 20%, you save $2.40 per shirt. At $24.99 a month, you need about 11 sales a month to break even.
The actual discount varies by product, so check the plan price on the products you sell.
Do the math for your products: our free print-on-demand profit calculator shows your profit per sale and when a paid plan is worth it.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Printful if:
- You want consistent quality from in-house production
- You value one company handling fulfillment and support
- You want the Growth plan to become free once you pass $12K a year
Choose Printify if:
- You want the widest product range (2,000+)
- You want to compare print providers on price and location
- You are comfortable checking provider reviews and ordering samples
Either way: order samples, take your own photos, and price for profit after shipping and platform fees.
Using Print on Demand on Etsy
Both connect to Etsy. Etsy’s rules require you to be transparent about production partners. See can you dropship on etsy for Etsy’s production partner rules, etsy fees to price correctly, and etsy mockups for image rules on print-on-demand listings.
Common Mistakes
Picking only by base price. A cheaper provider can mean slower shipping or lower quality.
Skipping samples. Always check print quality before selling.
Paying for a plan too early. Upgrade only when the discount covers the fee.
Forgetting shipping and platform fees. Your real profit comes after both.
Key Takeaways
- Printful prints in-house (594 products); Printify connects you to 70+ providers (2,000+ products).
- Both are free to start and offer up to 33% off products on a paid plan.
- Printful Growth costs $24.99/month and becomes free at $12K/year in sales.
- Printify Premium costs $39/month, or $24.99/month billed yearly.
- Upgrade only when your discount savings beat the plan fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Printful or Printify cheaper?
Printify often has lower base prices because you can choose among many print providers. Printful focuses on in-house production. Compare the exact product, provider, and shipping cost for what you sell.
Are Printful and Printify free?
Yes, both have free plans. You pay for products and shipping when an order is placed.
What is the difference between Printful Growth and Printify Premium?
Both offer up to 33% off products. Printful Growth is $24.99 a month and free once you reach $12K a year in sales. Printify Premium is $39 a month or $24.99 a month billed yearly.
Can I use Printful or Printify with Etsy?
Yes. Both connect to Etsy, and you must follow Etsy’s production partner rules.
Final Thoughts
Printful is the choice for consistency and in-house quality; Printify is the choice for range and provider options. Start free on either, order samples, and upgrade only when the numbers say the plan pays for itself.
Next, see how to start a shopify store, or explore the free online selling course.
You finished: Free Online Selling Course, Lesson 47
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