Teespring vs Shopify: Which is Better for POD Business?

The booming print-on-demand industry offers endless possibilities for creative minds to turn their designs into profits. However, with numerous platforms available, how do you choose the perfect launchpad for your POD empire? Enter Teespring vs Shopify, two heavyweight contenders vying for the top spot in the POD arena.

Teespring is a platform that specializes in print on demand products. Meanwhile, Shopify is a general eCommerce platform for selling a variety of products, including POD items. Both these 2 platforms have pros and cons, and choosing the right one for your business depends on your needs and goals.

In this article, we’ll compare Shopify vs Teespring to help you decide which platform is best for your POD business based on these 14 criteria:

1. Pricing plan
2. Setup process
3. Product design
4. Product cost
5. Production process
6. Packaging & branding
7. Shipping & delivery
8. Profitability
9. Analytics & reports
10. Online marketplace integration
11. Customer database
12. Affiliate program
13. Third-party integration
14. Customer support & resources

Let’s dive in!

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Teespring vs Shopify: An Overview

What is Shopify?

Shopify is a powerhouse in the world of eCommerce platforms. Founded in 2006, it has established itself as a go-to solution for entrepreneurs looking to set up and manage online stores. What sets Shopify apart is its versatility. It caters to many businesses, from small startups to large enterprises.

With its robust infrastructure and user-friendly interface, Shopify print on demand is just a piece of cake. Shopify empowers you to create customizable online storefronts, process payments, manage inventory, and track sales in one centralized location. Its extensive app ecosystem and integration options make it flexible for various business models, including print on demand apps for Shopify.

What is Teespring?

In print on demand industry, Teespring shines as a dedicated platform designed to turn your creative ideas into tangible products. Founded in 2011, Teespring primarily focuses on custom apparel, allowing individuals to design, market, and sell their merchandise. It simplifies the POD process by handling everything from manufacturing and order fulfillment to customer service.

How does Teespring work? Teespring provides a user-friendly design tool, enabling creators to customize products and launch marketing campaigns effortlessly. It also offers additional features like analytics and marketing tools to help you maximize your reach and increase sales.

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Teespring vs Shopify: Detailed Comparison

Now that you better understand what they are, let’s delve deeper into the detailed comparison between Teespring vs Shopify to know more about their pricing, features, and functionalities to determine which platform suits your POD business need.

#1. Pricing plan

Teespring

• Free to use
• You only pay when a product is sold.

Shopify

• Shopify pricing plans: Basic Shopify ($25/month) | Shopify ($65/month) | Advanced Shopify ($399/month). Furthermore, this platform offers a 3-day free trial for new users, followed by a one-time opportunity to use Shopify for $1 for the first 3 months.
• Additional transaction fees depend on the payment gateway.
• Higher-tier plans offer advanced features and priority support.

#2. Setup Process

Teespring

• Create a Teespring account.
• Design your products using Teespring’s user-friendly design tool.
• Set your selling price and profit margins.
• Customize your Teespring store with branding elements.
• Launch your marketing campaigns and promote your Teespring products.
• Teespring handles manufacturing, order fulfillment, and customer service.

Shopify

• Create a Shopify account.
• Choose a theme and customize your online store’s appearance.
• Set up product categories, pricing, and inventory.
• Configure payment and shipping options.
• Add additional functionalities through Shopify’s app store.
• Launch your Shopify print on demand store and start selling.

#3. Product Design

Teespring

• Use Teespring’s design tool to create product designs.
• Customize products with text, images, and graphics.
• Select from a variety of Teespring products types, including Teespring shirts, apparel, and accessories.
• Preview and adjust designs before launching campaigns.
• Design templates and integration with design software.

Shopify

• Use third-party design tools or hire a designer to create product designs.
• Upload product images and descriptions to showcase designs.
• Provide multiple customization options depending on the chosen theme and app integrations.
• Focus more on displaying and marketing products than providing built-in design tools.
• Offer a wider range of product types beyond apparel and accessories.

#4. Product Cost

Teespring

• Teespring determines the base cost per product.
• You can set your selling price by adding a markup to cover costs and profit.
• Additional costs may include shipping fees, taxes, and fulfillment fees.
• Teespring handles manufacturing and order fulfillment, which are factored into the product cost.
• You have control over your profit margins and can adjust prices accordingly.

Shopify

• You or your supplier determines product cost.
• You have flexibility in sourcing products at different price points.
• Additional costs may include shipping fees, taxes, and transaction fees.
• You are responsible for managing manufacturing, inventory, and order fulfillment processes.
• You determine pricing strategies and profit margins.

#5. Production Process

Teespring

• Teespring handles the production process, including printing and manufacturing of products.
• You design the products using Teespring’s design tool.
• Once an order is placed, Teespring takes care of order fulfillment, including printing, packaging, and shipping.
• Teespring provides customer support for order inquiries and issues.
• You have less control over the production process but can focus on designing and marketing their products.

Shopify

• Be responsible for the production process, including sourcing products and manufacturing.
• Work with third-party suppliers or manufacturers to produce their products.
• Handle inventory management, production quality control, and order fulfillment.
• Manage customer support and inquiries related to production and fulfillment.
• Have more control and flexibility over the production process.

#6. Packaging & Branding

Teespring

• Teespring handles packaging and shipping of products.
• Teespring’s packaging typically includes its branding and logo.
• Limited customization options for packaging and branding.
• You can include custom inserts or promotional materials in the package.
• Teespring’s brand is more prominent in the packaging.

Shopify

• You have control over packaging and can choose your own packaging materials.
• Customization options allow you to include your branding elements on packaging.
• You can create a unique unboxing experience for customers.
• Packaging can be aligned with your brand identity and aesthetic.
• Shopify allows for more personalized and branded packaging options.

#7. Shipping & Delivery

Teespring

• Handles shipping and delivery of products to customers.
• Decides the Shipping rates and options.
• Offers international shipping to various destinations.
• Is responsible for resolving shipping-related issues and providing customer support.

Shopify

• Have control over shipping rates, carriers, and delivery options.
• Can integrate with various shipping providers and negotiate rates.
• Can customize international shipping options.
• Are responsible for managing shipping-related issues and providing customer support.

#8. Profitability

Teespring

• Teespring’s profitability depends on the base cost, markup, and sales volume.
• You can set your selling price to include a desired profit margin.
• Teespring deducts its costs (base cost, fees, etc.) from the selling price; the remaining amount is your profit.

Shopify

• You have more control over product costs and profit margins as they can source products at different prices.
• Shopify’s pricing plans and transaction fees impact profitability.

#9. Analytics & Reports

Teespring

• Teespring provides basic analytics and reporting features.
• You can track sales, revenue, and profit data within the Teespring dashboard.
• Limited customization and advanced analytics options available.
• Reports primarily focus on sales performance and campaign metrics.
• Teespring’s analytics are tailored specifically to their platform’s features.

Shopify

• Shopify offers robust analytics and reporting tools.
• You have access to detailed reports on sales, customer behavior, and marketing performance.
• Customization options for creating custom reports and dashboards.
• Integration with third-party analytics tools for advanced insights.
• Shopify provides a broader range of analytics and reporting capabilities for in-depth business analysis.

#10. Online Marketplace Integration

Teespring

• Teespring is an online marketplace itself, and you can create and sell products directly on the Teespring platform.
• There is no need for additional integration with external marketplaces.
• Teespring provides a built-in audience and exposure to potential customers.

Shopify

• Shopify allows you to integrate with various online marketplaces, such as Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.
• Integration options enable you to sync products, inventory, and order management across multiple marketplaces.
• Additional apps and tools are available to streamline the integration process.
• You can reach a broader customer base by selling on multiple marketplaces alongside their Shopify store.

#11. Customer Database

Teespring

• Teespring provides basic customer database functionality.
• You can access customer information such as shipping addresses and order history.
• Limited customization and segmentation options for managing customer data.
• Teespring’s customer database primarily focuses on order fulfillment and customer support.

Shopify

• Shopify offers robust customer database features.
• You have access to detailed customer profiles, including contact information, purchase history, and behavior.
• Advanced segmentation and tagging options for targeted marketing campaigns.
• Integration with email marketing platforms and CRM systems for enhanced customer relationship management.
• Shopify provides comprehensive tools for managing and leveraging customer data.

#12. Affiliate Programs

Teespring

• Teespring offers an affiliate program called “Teespring Boost.”
• Affiliates earn a commission for promoting and driving sales to Teespring campaigns.
• Affiliates receive a unique referral link to track their sales and commissions.
• Commission rates and terms are determined by Teespring.
• Affiliates can access marketing materials and resources to support their promotion efforts.

Shopify

• Shopify does not have a built-in affiliate program.
• Third-party affiliate marketing apps offer various commission structures, tracking, and payout options. You can leverage these apps to set up your own affiliate programs.
• You have flexibility in customizing their affiliate programs based on their business needs.

#13. Third-Party Integrations

Teespring

• Teespring offers limited third-party integrations compared to Shopify.
• Integrations mainly focus on design tools and marketplaces, such as Canva and eBay.
• Teespring has an API that allows for custom integrations, but it requires technical expertise.
• Teespring’s integrations primarily enhance the design and selling aspects of the platform.

Shopify

• Shopify has a vast ecosystem of third-party integrations and apps covering a wide range of areas, including payment methods, marketing, accounting, inventory management, and customer support.
• Shopify’s robust integration options allow for customization and expansion of business capabilities.

💎 Bonus reading: Best Shopify integrations that you should not miss

• 15+ Best Shopify Apps for Any Type of Website
• 25 Free Shopify Apps To Boost Your Sales

#14. Customer Support & Resources

Teespring

• Teespring offers customer support through email, social media, and a help center.
• Support primarily focuses on issues related to campaign creation, production, and fulfillment.
• Limited support for third-party integrations and custom solutions.
• Seller community forums and resources are available for additional support.
• Teespring provides resources and tutorials specific to its platform and services.

Shopify

• Shopify offers 24/7 customer support through phone, email, chat, and a help center.
• Support covers a broad range of topics related to Shopify’s platform and third-party integrations.
• Dedicated support, including assistance with store setup, design, and marketing.
• Extensive documentation, forums, and resources available for self-help and community support.
• Shopify provides comprehensive resources and educational materials to support in all aspects of online business.

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Teespring vs Shopify: FAQs

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Final Words

When comparing Teespring vs Shopify for print-on-demand (POD) businesses, it becomes clear that the choice between them depends on various factors. Teespring offers a straightforward and user-friendly platform specifically tailored for POD merchandise, making it a suitable choice for individuals seeking simplicity and convenience.

On the other hand, Shopify provides a comprehensive eCommerce solution with extensive customization options, third-party integrations, and a wider range of features. This makes Shopify a better fit for those looking to build a full-fledged online business with POD as one component.

The decision between Teespring vs Shopify ultimately depends on individual preferences, business goals and requirements, and the level of customization and scalability required. Evaluating factors such as pricing, design options, production process, and support will help make an informed selection.

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