Top five Spring (Teespring) alternatives for custom merchandise [2024]

If you're an artist or creator, sourcing and selling custom merchandise can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. You know your designs deserve better, and that’s why you're here, right? We’ve got the lowdown on the top five alternatives to a popular custom merchandise platform - Teespring. 

Dive in to discover reliable platforms offering high-quality products, fast shipping, and impressive global reach. These gems are waiting to take your merch to the next level!

• Explore five alternatives to Spring (Teespring) for custom print on demand merchandise. This includes a comprehensive analysis of platforms such as Gelato, Sellfy, Redbubble, Fine Art America, and Merch by Amazon.

• Gain insight into the various features, pricing, and product ranges offered by these platforms, allowing you to make an informed decision about which is right for your needs.

• One of the best platforms, Gelato, offers key advantages in terms of product quality, local production, and extensive global reach – making it a strong candidate for your merchandise needs.

• Learn ways to enhance your sales, including leveraging Vexels for access to trendy designs, and utilizing Designious for researching and designing artwork.

• It is important to create emotionally compelling artwork, which is a key driver in sales, giving artists and creators the opportunity to better understand and tap into their audience's needs.

Teespring, while popular, has its share of drawbacks that you, as a creator, should be aware of. They include:

• Limited customization: Unlike some of its competitors, Teespring offers limited customization options. That means your ability to design and tailor your products can be somewhat constrained.

• Hidden charges: Some users have reported facing unexpected costs on Teespring. Always be sure to dig into pricing details before making decisions.

• Quality concerns: The quality of print on demand services can be hit or miss. Some Teespring users have reported concerns with print quality and product durability.

• Fulfillment and shipping delays: This problem isn't unique to Teespring, but it can cause problems nonetheless. Sometimes, customers might have to wait longer than expected for their orders.

• Customer service: The level of customer support can also be a matter of contention among users. Quick and helpful support isn't always guaranteed with Teespring.

Embrace the myriad of opportunities beyond Teespring with our hand-picked selection of five top-notch alternatives. These platforms provide the perfect canvas to transform your creative ideas into profitable merchandise, helping you diversify your business avenue and meet diverse customer needs.

1. Gelato

Gelato is one of the leading global print on demand platforms offering a wide range of custom products. This platform is designed to help online store owners, artists, and creators sell their designs on various items, like mugs, phone cases, wall art, hoodies, etc., without the need for inventory, thereby minimizing upfront costs and reducing risk.

Features

• A global network of production facilities, which ensures faster delivery times and reduces shipping costs. 

• The platform integrates seamlessly with major ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce, making it easy for sellers to connect their online stores. 

• Gelato also offers API solutions for business customization and automation of the print on demand process, catering to both small businesses and larger enterprises.

• Unleash your creativity with Gelato's Design Maker – your go-to tool for effortlessly designing and bringing your custom product ideas to life!

Pricing and plans

Gelato offers four plans

• Free: $0 for forever

• Gelato+: $24/month or $239/year

• Gelato Gold: $119/month, or $1185/year

• Gelato Platinum: Bespoke Pricing

Product range

Gelato offers a diverse product range that includes apparel (such as custom t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts), home decor (like posters and canvas prints), and accessories (such as phone cases and mugs). The platform continuously expands its product offerings to meet the changing demands of the market and the creative ideas of sellers.

Ease of use

Gelato is user-friendly, with intuitive interfaces that make it straightforward for sellers to upload their designs, choose products, and start selling. The integration with popular ecommerce platforms ensures a smooth workflow, from product creation to order fulfillment.

Production and shipping logistics

Gelato's global network of production facilities in 32 countries enables local production and shipping, significantly reducing delivery times and environmental impact. This approach ensures that products are printed closer to the customer, leading to faster fulfillment and lower shipping costs.

Customer support

Gelato offers robust customer support, including a comprehensive help center, email support, and live chat options. The support team is available to assist with any issues that arise, from order fulfillment to platform navigation.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a key focus for Gelato. The platform aims to minimize waste and reduce carbon emissions by producing orders closest to the customer's location. Additionally, Gelato is committed to using sustainable materials wherever possible and continuously seeks to improve its environmental footprint.

Ideal audience

Gelato is ideal for artists, designers, and online store owners looking for a hassle-free way to expand their product offerings without the need for inventory. It suits both newcomers to the ecommerce space and established businesses aiming to scale their operations globally.

Pros

• No upfront costs or monthly fees for basic services.

• Wide product range catering to various niches.

• Integrates with major ecommerce platforms.

• Bring your designs to life with Gelato's mockup studio.

Cons

• Pricing can be higher than buying bulk inventory, impacting profit margins.

• Limited control over production and shipping, as it's outsourced to Gelato's network.

• A subscription is required to get the best pricing options with Gelato+.

As the best Teespring alternative, Gelato presents a compelling option for those looking to start or expand their online artist shop with custom products. Its global reach, focus on sustainability, and ease of use make it a strong contender among print on demand services.

2. Sellfy

Sellfy is an ecommerce platform designed for creators and merchants to sell digital products, physical goods, and subscriptions all from one storefront. Unlike traditional print on demand services, Sellfy provides a comprehensive suite of tools for building a standalone online store, emphasizing simplicity and ease of use.

Features

• A customizable storefront that allows sellers to personalize their shop to match their brand.

• Instant payout, enabling sellers to receive their earnings as soon as a sale is made.

• Built-in marketing tools, including email marketing, discount codes, and upselling capabilities, to help sellers increase their sales.

• Analytics and tracking tools that provide insights into store performance, visitor data, and sales metrics.

• Integration capabilities with external platforms and services, enhancing the store's functionality and reach.

Pricing and plans

Sellfy provides monthly, yearly, and two-year plans:

• Starter: $29 per month / $22/month billed annually / $19/month if billed every two years

• Business: $79 per month / $59/month billed annually / $49/month if billed every two years

• Premium: $159 per month / $119/month billed annually / $99/month if billed every two years

Product range

While Sellfy is primarily known for digital products (e.g., eBooks, music, videos, software), it also supports the sale of physical goods and subscriptions. This versatility makes it a suitable platform for a wide range of creators and merchants, from authors and musicians to apparel brands and subscription-based services.

Ease of use

Sellfy stands out for its simplicity and user-friendly interface. Setting up a store on Sellfy is straightforward, requiring no technical skills. The platform guides users through the process of adding products, customizing the storefront, and setting up payments, making it accessible to sellers of all experience levels.

Production and shipping logistics

For physical goods, Sellfy allows sellers to manage their own production and shipping logistics. This means that while Sellfy provides the platform for selling, the seller is responsible for fulfilling orders, either by managing inventory themselves or by partnering with external fulfillment services.

Customer support

Sellfy offers support through a comprehensive help center, email, and live chat. The platform is dedicated to providing timely assistance to its users, ensuring that any issues are promptly addressed.

Sustainability

While Sellfy's focus is on providing an ecommerce platform rather than production, the sale of digital products inherently supports sustainability by reducing the need for physical materials and shipping. For physical goods, sustainability practices depend on the sellers' own operations and choices.

Ideal audience

Sellfy is ideal for independent creators, digital content producers, and small to medium-sized businesses looking to sell directly to their audience without the need for complex ecommerce setups. It's particularly beneficial for those selling a mix of digital and physical products or subscriptions.

Pros

• Easy to set up and manage, with no technical skills required.

• Supports a wide range of products, including digital, physical, and subscriptions.

• Built-in marketing and analytics tools.

• Instant payout for sales.

Cons

• Sellers are responsible for their own production and shipping logistics for physical products.

• The platform's simplicity may lack some advanced features needed by larger stores.

• Depending on the plan, the pricing can be higher than that of some competitors for businesses just starting out.

3. Redbubble

Redbubble is a global online marketplace that allows artists and designers to sell their artwork on a wide range of products. It operates on a print on demand model, meaning products are created once an order is placed, reducing waste and the need for inventory. 

Features

• A user-friendly platform that allows artists to upload their designs easily and apply them to various products.

• An automatic product mockup generator, helping artists visualize how their designs will look on different items.

• A global reach, with customers able to purchase products from almost anywhere in the world.

• Artist control over markup percentages, allowing for customizable profit margins.

Pricing and plans

Redbubble does not charge artists to list items on the platform. Instead, it operates by taking a base price (covering production and operation costs) and adding the artist's markup, which is set by the artists themselves.

This model allows artists to control their earnings, though it's important to balance competitive pricing with desired profit margins.

Product range

Redbubble's product range is extensive and includes apparel (like t-shirts and hoodies), stickers, phone cases, prints, home decor items, and much more. This wide variety ensures that artists can offer their designs on products that best suit their style and audience preferences.

Ease of use

The platform is designed to be accessible for artists of all skill levels, with straightforward tools for uploading and managing designs. Redbubble's interface makes it easy to set up a store with minimal technical knowledge. The platform also offers helpful resources and community forums for artists to learn and share experiences.

Production and shipping logistics

Redbubble partners with third-party producers around the world to print and ship products. This decentralized model allows for faster shipping times and reduced shipping costs since products are produced closer to the buyer. However, this can also lead to variability in product quality, as different producers may handle orders.

Customer support

Redbubble provides customer support for both artists and buyers, including an extensive FAQ section, email support, and a help center. Support topics cover everything from uploading designs to handling order issues, ensuring comprehensive assistance is available when needed.

Sustainability

Redbubble is committed to reducing its environmental impact through various initiatives, including optimizing production processes to minimize waste and selecting environmentally friendly materials whenever possible. However, sustainability efforts can vary by production partner, affecting the overall environmental footprint of products.

Ideal audience

Redbubble is best suited for independent artists and designers looking to reach a wide audience without the hassle of managing production and shipping.

Pros

• Wide range of products for artists to design for.

• No upfront costs or fees for listing products.

• Control over profit margins through artist-set markups.

• Global reach for selling products.

Cons

• Variability in product quality due to different production partners.

• Competition is high, making it challenging for new artists to get noticed.

• Artists have limited control over the production and shipping process.

4. Fine Art America

Fine Art America (FAA) is a leading online marketplace that specializes in selling art prints and other art-related products. It caters to artists, photographers, and graphic designers who wish to sell their work as high-quality prints and a variety of other products.

Features

• A wide-reaching marketplace that attracts art enthusiasts and collectors.

• Tools for artists to create their own customizable web pages within the FAA site, allowing them to showcase their portfolios.

• An integrated print on demand service, ensuring artists do not have to handle inventory or fulfillment.

• Advanced marketing tools, including email marketing and discount codes.

• Analytics and insights to help artists understand their sales and audience.

Pricing and plans

FAA provides two membership plans

• Standard: Free

• Premium: $30 per year

Product range

Fine Art America's product range focuses on art prints and includes canvas prints, framed prints, metal prints, and more. Beyond prints, FAA also offers a selection of other products like greeting cards, phone cases, throw pillows, and tote bags, allowing artists to sell their work in various formats.

Ease of use

The platform is designed to be user-friendly, enabling artists to easily upload their artwork, set their prices, and manage their portfolios. Fine Art America also offers tools to help create artist websites within the platform, making it easy for artists to establish an online presence without needing technical skills.

Production and shipping logistics

Fine Art America handles all production and shipping logistics, producing items close to the buyer's location whenever possible to ensure quick delivery and reduce shipping costs. Their print on demand model allows artists to sell their work without worrying about inventory or fulfillment.

Customer support

FAA provides customer support through a detailed FAQ section, email support, and phone support, ensuring both artists and customers have access to assistance when needed.

Sustainability

While Fine Art America's sustainability efforts are not prominently featured in their marketing or operations, the print on demand model inherently reduces waste by only producing items that have been ordered.

Ideal audience

Fine Art America is best suited for artists, photographers, and designers looking to sell high-quality prints of their work. It's particularly appealing to those who want to reach a global audience of art collectors and enthusiasts without the logistics of production and shipping.

Pros

• Specializes in high-quality art prints.

• Provides a platform for artists to create a customizable web page.

• Print on demand model eliminates the need for inventory.

• Premium membership offers enhanced visibility and marketing tools.

Cons

• The annual fee for premium membership may be a barrier for some artists.

• High competition among artists and photographers on the platform.

• Limited control over product pricing and margins for free accounts.

5. Merch by Amazon

Merch by Amazon is an on-demand t-shirt printing service that allows designers, artists, and content creators to upload their designs and sell them on the world-renowned Amazon marketplace with no upfront cost. This platform simplifies the process of selling branded merchandise, making it accessible for creators to tap into Amazon's organic traffic and monetize their designs on a variety of products.

Features

• Integration with Amazon's marketplace provides a large potential customer base.

• Royalty-based earnings mean creators are paid a portion of the sales without handling inventory or fulfillment.

• An easy-to-use design platform allows for straightforward upload and management of designs.

• Products are made to order, reducing waste and the need for storage.

Pricing and plans

Merch by Amazon operates on an invitation-only basis and does not charge any upfront fees or subscriptions. Instead, creators earn royalties on each product sold. Royalty is based on your product's purchase price, excluding any applicable tax and Amazon's costs. This model allows creators to earn without any initial investment, though they have less control over pricing and margins.

Product range

Initially focused on t-shirts, Merch by Amazon has expanded its product range to include sweatshirts, hoodies, and phone cases. The platform continues to grow, adding more products over time. This expansion allows creators to offer their designs on a wider variety of merchandise, catering to different customer preferences.

Ease of use

Merch by Amazon is designed to be user-friendly, with a straightforward process for uploading designs and launching products. Creators can simply upload their artwork, choose product types and colors, and get their designs live. Amazon handles the rest, from printing to shipping to customer service, making it easy for creators to focus on design.

Production and shipping logistics

Amazon's robust fulfillment network powers the production and shipping logistics for Merch by Amazon. Products are printed on demand and shipped worldwide, leveraging Amazon's efficient logistics and Prime shipping options. This setup ensures fast delivery times and high customer satisfaction, though creators have little control over the fulfillment process.

Customer support

Merch by Amazon provides support primarily through its help center and community forums. Direct support options may be limited, with a focus on self-service resources and community advice. However, the platform's integration into the larger Amazon ecosystem ensures a level of reliability and support consistency.

Sustainability

Merch by Amazon's print on demand model inherently reduces waste by producing items only when they are ordered.

Ideal audience

Merch by Amazon is ideal for designers, artists, and content creators looking to monetize their work with minimal hassle. It's particularly suited for those with a significant online following or those who wish to tap into Amazon's massive customer base without dealing with production, inventory, and shipping.

Pros

• Access to Amazon's vast customer base.

• No upfront costs or inventory are required.

• Simple to use, with Amazon handling production, shipping, and customer service.

• Products are eligible for Amazon Prime benefits.

Cons

• Limited control over product pricing and royalty rates.

• Invitation-only access can be a barrier to entry.

• Limited product range compared to some other platforms.

• Less transparency about sustainability practices.

Choosing the right print on demand platform to sell custom merchandise can be challenging, especially with the myriad of options available.

To guide you in making the right decision, here's a simplified guide on what to consider when selecting the perfect print on demand program: 

• Product quality: Ensure the platform can deliver products that reflect the quality you desire. You’d want your brand to be known for good quality, and that starts with the product itself.

• Product variety: An ideal platform provides a wide range of products to cater to varying customer demands. Whether you want to create custom mugs or sell t-shirts online, a wider range will result in a more diverse market.

• Price and fees: The platform's pricing strategy, including any additional fee, will affect your selling price and, in turn, your profit margins. Pay close attention to this.

• Shipping and fulfillment: You want to make sure that you choose a platform with a reliable global delivery network and fast shipping time.

• Ease of use: Select a platform that's user-friendly, especially if you're new to the print on demand business. Features like drag-and-drop design and seamless integration with online marketplaces can simplify the process.

• Customer service: Exceptional customer service can make your print on demand journey easier. You want to be confident that the platform's support will be readily available and effective whenever you face issues.

• Sustainability: As businesses globally are becoming more conscious about their environmental impact, choosing a platform with sustainable practices can boost your brand image.

If you're seeking premium quality and a diverse range of customizable merchandise for your brand, it's time to consider Gelato. Offering a plethora of products including, but not limited to, t-shirts, mugs, wall art, phone cases, and photo books, Gelato ensures you can express your creativity with ease and proficiency. 

Don't compromise on the look and feel of your brand. Sign up for Gelato today and choose a subscription plan that matches your needs and objectives.