Choosing the best print-on-demand platform for 2025

The debate over the "best" production on demand platform is asking the wrong question. For years, creators have been locked in a battle of Shopify versus Etsy, believing one holds the secret key to success. The truth? In 2025, a single platform won't make or break your business. The most successful brands aren't just choosing a storefront; they are building a powerful, interconnected ecosystem with a global production partner at its core. While your platform is the customer-facing hub, the real engine for growth is the network that designs, produces, and delivers your vision to customers worldwide. This guide will reframe the question, helping you choose not just a platform, but the right ecosystem to build a resilient and scalable brand.

Main takeaways

Here’s a quick overview of what you need to know when choosing the best platform for your production on demand business in 2025:

• Think ecosystem, not just platform: The best setup combines a storefront (like Shopify), design tools, marketing channels, and a central production partner (like Gelato) that connects them all.

• The 3 C's framework: Your decision should be guided by three key factors: control (brand ownership vs. marketplace audience), connectivity (seamless integration with your production partner), and cost (a full picture of all fees).

• Brand is everything: Success in a crowded market comes from building a memorable brand, not just selling products. Platforms like Shopify offer the deep customization needed for strong brand identity.

• Marketplaces offer a head start: Platforms like Etsy are excellent for reaching an existing audience of buyers actively searching for unique products, making them ideal for new creators or as part of an omnichannel strategy.

• Global production is a non-negotiable: Consumer demand for fast, sustainable shipping is at an all-time high. A platform choice is only as good as its connection to a production network that can produce locally and deliver quickly across the globe.

The shifting landscape of production on demand in 2025

The appetite for unique, personalized products is growing at an unprecedented rate. The global production on demand market, valued at approximately USD 7.47 billion in 2024, is projected to surge at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.8% through 2032. This explosive growth is fueled by a larger trend: global ecommerce revenue is expected to surpass USD 7.9 trillion in 2025, with personalized goods being a major driving force.

What does this mean for you? The opportunity has never been bigger. However, it also means that the market is more competitive. Standing out requires more than just a great design; it demands a smart, strategic approach to the technology you use to run your business.

The ecosystem approach: Why your platform is more than just a storefront

As a leading digital marketing strategist noted, "The debate isn't just about Shopify vs. Etsy anymore. It's about which ecosystem gives you the best tools for marketing, analytics, and customer retention." This insight is the key to making the right choice in 2025.

Your business isn't just a website. It’s a collection of interconnected parts working together:

• Your storefront: This is where customers browse and buy. It could be a dedicated store (Shopify) or a space on a marketplace (Etsy).

• Your design tools: This is where your creativity comes to life, using software like Adobe or accessible tools like **Canva**.

• Your marketing channels: This is how you attract customers, from Instagram and TikTok to email newsletters and SEO.

• Your production partner: This is the operational core. A partner like Gelato connects to your storefront, receives orders automatically, and routes them to a global network of production hubs for printing and shipping.

The best platform is the one that integrates most seamlessly into your ideal ecosystem, allowing you to focus on design and marketing while the technology handles the logistics.

The 3 C's framework for choosing your platform

To build your perfect ecosystem, evaluate your platform options using this simple framework.

Step 1: Control - do you want to build a brand or leverage an audience?

This is the fundamental choice between a dedicated ecommerce store and a marketplace.

• Dedicated stores (maximum control): Platforms like **Shopify** give you complete control. You own the domain, design the customer experience, capture all customer data, and build a lasting brand asset. This is the path for creators with a long-term vision. For example, a fictional art collective, "Cosmic Canvases," might start on a marketplace but move to Shopify to build a premium brand around its high-quality custom wall art, using custom packaging and targeted email marketing—features a marketplace can't offer.

• Marketplaces (built-in audience): Etsy is a powerhouse for creators because it provides access to millions of buyers actively looking for unique, handcrafted, and personalized items. The trade-off is less control over branding, higher competition within the platform, and adherence to marketplace rules. It's an excellent starting point and a powerful sales channel in a multi-channel strategy. If you choose this route, you can explore the best print-on-demand options for Etsy to ensure a smooth integration.

Step 2: Connectivity - how seamlessly does your platform talk to your producer?

Your chosen platform is useless if it can't communicate flawlessly with your production partner. A weak connection leads to manual order entry, lost tracking numbers, and frustrated customers.

Your integration should automatically handle:

• Order syncing: When a customer buys from your store, the order details are sent directly for production without you lifting a finger.

• Product creation: You should be able to design products in your production partner’s tool and push them directly to your store with mockups, descriptions, and pricing.

• Fulfillment & tracking: Once an order ships, the tracking information should automatically sync back to your store and notify the customer.

Gelato offers robust, best-in-class integrations for all major ecommerce platforms, ensuring your ecosystem runs like a well-oiled machine.

Step 3: Cost - calculating the true price of your platform

Look beyond the monthly subscription fee. Your total cost is a combination of several factors:

• Platform subscription: A fixed monthly fee (e.g., Shopify's plans).

• Transaction fees: A percentage of each sale taken by the platform or payment processor.

• Listing fees: A small fee for each product you list on a marketplace (e.g., Etsy).

Model your projected sales to understand how these costs will impact your profitability. A higher subscription fee on a platform like Shopify might be more cost-effective at scale than the per-transaction fees of a marketplace if you have high sales volume.

Aligning your platform with 2025's biggest trends

The right platform will also empower you to capitalize on emerging consumer demands.

Meeting the demand for sustainability and speed

Today's consumers expect fast shipping, but they are also increasingly eco-conscious. The production on demand model is inherently sustainable by eliminating inventory waste. You can take this a step further by choosing a partner like Gelato, whose global network produces orders closer to the end customer. This drastically reduces shipping distances, delivery times, and carbon emissions for products from best-selling apparel like custom t-shirts to home decor.

Capitalizing on the creator economy and micro-merch

The creator economy, valued at over USD 250 billion, is built on community and authenticity. Creators are leveraging this by launching "micro-merch"—limited-edition drops for specific events or milestones.

Imagine a fictional gaming streamer, "PixelatedPeaches." For every new subscriber milestone, she launches a limited 48-hour sale of a unique t-shirt design. This requires a platform that allows her to quickly add and remove products, and a production partner who can handle sudden spikes in demand without a hitch. Platforms with flexible product management are ideal for this high-urgency sales model, and it's a great way to sell a variety of accessories including tote bags.

Advanced strategies for scaling your business

• Once your ecosystem is in place, focus on growth. The expert advice is clear: "Niche down to stand out." Instead of a generic gift shop, create a store for "mugs for book lovers" or "apparel for vintage car enthusiasts." A tight niche allows for highly targeted marketing and builds a loyal community.

A strong brand is your greatest asset. It's the story you tell, your visual identity, and the reason customers choose you over a competitor. Dive deep and learn how to turn your artwork into products that resonate with your audience and build a brand that lasts.