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When it comes to printing and shipping a design, such as merchandise, apparel and paper products, the prospect of coordinating with different vendors can seem intimidating. But emerging reseller business models like print-on-demand and dropshipping have taken much of the production, packaging, delivery and inventory storage off your hands. It’s now easier than ever before to print and ship design products—provided you know your options.
We’ll break down how reseller programs work to help you understand these new printing and shipping methods and find the best approach for your needs. Whether you’re a designer selling custom artwork or a business adding branded merchandise to your offerings, these solutions can help you get your design project off the ground.
- Reseller programs, such as print-on-demand, dropshipping and white labeling, streamline the process of printing and shipping design products by handling production, packaging and delivery for you.
- Factors to consider include product quality, customization and branding options, pricing, shipping timelines and customer care. Popular services like ProAdvantage by VistaPrint, Printify and Zazzle offer varied features to suit different needs.
- While print-on-demand and POD marketplace reduce upfront costs and risks and eliminate the need for inventory, they offer less control over branding and quality.
- With tools like ProAdvantage by VistaPrint and e-commerce website builders like Vista x Wix, you can launch a merchandise business within hours and start printing and shipping design products with ease.
How reseller printing and shipping works
Through reseller programs, designers and creatives can take the extra step to print and ship design products by incorporating printing and shipping into their service, becoming a one-stop shop for custom design products. You can also open an online store to sell design products to the public. Some examples of printed design products include custom artwork, posters, clothing, greeting cards, journals, mugs, stationery, tote bags and more.
Reseller services, such as dropshipping, white labeling and print-on-demand, are order fulfillment models. Essentially, all you have to worry about is selling the product and the reseller service will take care of production and shipping. Reseller programs can also work for one-off orders where you need to print and ship a design product to one single customer.
Source: Illustrated designs by GoodEnergy via 99designs by Vista
In the next section, we’ll discuss how these reseller businesses and services work.
Ways to print and ship design products
To compare the most common ways to print and ship design products, we’ll consider the cost, effort level and customer experience.
Combine different strategies to find the best solution that works for you.
DIY packaging and shipping
Do It Yourself packaging and shipping is the traditional way to produce merchandise. You’ll need to coordinate with third-party manufacturers and printers like VistaPrint to create the physical product and they will mail the products to you.
Source: Shipping packaging design by StanBranding via 99designs by Vista
With this method, you’ll need to stock inventory in advance, ready to ship so that customers receive their purchases promptly.
- Investment: Buying in bulk can be cheaper than producing individual orders as they come in. But this requires you to invest much more money upfront, with no guarantee products will sell. You’ll also need storage space for inventory.
- Effort: This is the highest effort method, requiring you to coordinate with the printer and manufacturer, as well as pack and ship the products yourself.
- Customer experience: Because you have complete control over the process, there’s more potential for a high-quality customer experience. You can ensure quality and include customization or personal touches to every order, like handwritten thank-you notes.
Dropshipping
Dropshipping describes the general business model by which a third-party company handles product design, manufacturing, storage and shipping. Often, dropshipping is often associated with e-commerce brands, especially the reselling of non-customizable products like jewelry, fitness equipment and cosmetics.
White label products
A white label product is a form of dropshipping where you can resell generic, ready-made products but replace a blank label with a company’s branding.
Source: Packaging design by Moxie Mason via 99designs by Vista
- Investment: Customers pay the cost of printing and shipping whenever they purchase an item, so there is no upfront cost to you. Because each item is only printed with an order (unlike bulk printing), the costs can cut deeper into profit margins than the DIY production method. Some companies offer discounts for premium customers through a paid membership.
- Effort: Retailers usually have to individually order the products on behalf of customers, which can take time when there are many orders to fill. They will also need to navigate returns and lost packages themselves.
- Customer experience: With dropshipping and white label products, you have limited control over the quality of materials and packaging design. Some dropshipping companies may offer blind shipping (in which the products are shipped in unbranded packaging).
Print-on-demand
Print-on-demand (POD) is a form of dropshipping intended for design products—retailers add designs to blank products and the POD service will print and ship orders when a purchase is made.
POD marketplace
There are two ways to sell print-on-demand products: on your e-commerce website or through an external POD marketplace site like Redbubble, Zazzle or Amazon. Creating your own online shop will require you to build up a customer base from scratch but you’ll have more e-commerce branding control. A POD marketplace, particularly if it has high traffic, will give you instant access to customers (though you will be competing on a crowded site) but you have almost no branding control.
Source: T-shirt design by ALINAsINK via 99designs by Vista
- Investment: Individual print-on-demand orders are more costly than bulk printing but the risk and investment are lower because you don’t have to place a bulk order upfront.
- Effort: Using print-on-demand on your e-commerce site works similarly to dropshipping. In POD marketplaces, the site will handle everything from fulfilling orders to dealing with returns and lost packages.
- Customer experience: You’ll have limited control over the quality of materials, packaging and shipping. Some POD services offer blind shipping and branding opportunities for packaging (such as notes and sticker inserts). In POD marketplaces, there’s no branding customization.
Source: Tote bag design by green in blue via 99designs by Vista
5 best printing and shipping services compared
As producing design products becomes easier, the number of companies specializing in one-stop printing and shipping has skyrocketed. To help you review your options, refer to this list of a general factors to look out for:
- Quality: The quality of the print, product and packaging materials. Check customer reviews and order a sample before committing.
- Degree of customization: Check whether you can customize your packaging and products with your branding. If so, to what degree?
- Available products: Does the supplier have many product categories? If you want to sell a specific product type, look into printing services specializing in that type since they may produce higher-quality results.
- Printing methods: Different companies will offer different types of printing, such as digital printing, direct-to-garment, all-over-printing, screen printing, engraving and embroidery.
- Customer care: Look into how the business handles returns or failed shipping.
- Shipping: Review the cost, the average timeline, international shipping options and whether the supplier guarantees blind or white label shipping.
1. ProAdvantage by VistaPrint
ProAdvantage by VistaPrint is a wholesale print reseller that helps you sell your products and fulfill orders through blind shipping. Customize design products online using ProAdvantage and VistaPrint will take care of production and delivery. You can also source custom designs from 99designs by Vista’s global network of designers via VistaPrint’s design services.
Source: ProAdvantage Print Reseller Program via VistaPrint
Best for: Retailers looking for big discounts who need regular custom designs for merchandise.
Packaging and delivery:
- Sent directly to customers’ homes or pick-up points
- Unbranded or white label shipping packaging
- International shipping with extra shipping costs
Pricing:
- Free basic account
- $74.99 a year for premium membership, 30-day free trial
- Premium membership saves customers 40% off all products, flat-rate shipping at $3.99 and free shipping on orders over $60
- Discounts are not based on proof of industry and offer volume, as with other services
Integration options:
- Connects with VistaPrint’s print-on-demand service
- Build a website with Vista x Wix
- Connect and collaborate with a global network of designers via 99designs by Vista
2. Printify
Printify is a print-on-demand service that works with multiple manufacturers and shippers that the customer has to choose between. While this involves more effort and quality, features and pricing may vary, it also gives the designer more control over where products come from and how they’re delivered. This can come in handy for niche printing needs and finding local shipping partners.
Source: Print-on-demand service via Printify
Best for: Resellers that want more control over the vendors producing and shipping their products.
Packaging and delivery:
- Branding, quality and shipping costs vary depending on which vendor you choose
Pricing:
- Free to get started, though final costs may vary vendor-to-vendor
- $29 per month for premium membership, 20% off all products
Integration options:
- Integrates with common marketplaces and e-commerce platforms like Etsy, eBay, Walmart, Shopify, WooCommerce and Squarespace
3. Zazzle
Zazzle is a print-on-demand marketplace that allows you to put your products directly for sale on its website. The site boasts “millions” of products, meaning competition is high. Zazzle LIVE lets purchasers connect with their favorite designers to commission custom products.
Source: Print-on-demand marketplace via Zazzle
Best for: Merchandise designers looking to sell products without relying on their website and digital marketing.
Packaging and delivery:
- Uses its own branded packaging and takes care of customer service
- Offers shipping estimates and package tracking for customers. Customers can also filter for products that will ship by a specific deadline
Pricing:
- Free to use
- Income is based on royalties. Higher percentages increase the price of products
Integration options:
- Zazzle is a hands-off, one-stop marketplace
4. Amazon Merch on Demand
Amazon Merch on Demand is made to connect specifically with the Amazon marketplace. Amazon is one of the biggest marketplaces in the world and that alone makes it worth considering. You need to be approved before you can start selling on Merch on Demand and limited products are available.
Source: Merch on Demand via Amazon
Best for: Merchandise sellers that want to connect with Amazon’s extensive customer base.
Delivery:
- Products fall under Amazon Prime, meaning Prime customers will receive the product in under 2 days.
Pricing:
- Free to get started once approved by Amazon
- Income is based on predetermined rates that cannot be adjusted
Integration options:
- This product is made to integrate exclusively with Amazon products
5. Spreadconnect
Spreadconnect by Spreadshop is like most other print-on-demand services, except it comes with an extensive library of over 50,000 ready-made designs that you can purchase. It also offers a discount on test samples for retailers looking to ensure print and material quality. Spreadconnect keeps the base price of the product while the customer establishes their margins.
Source: Spreadconnect via Spreadshop
Best for: Non-designers who need a large library of stock artwork for merchandise.
Packaging and delivery:
- Prints and ships orders within 48 hours
- Estimated 3-8 days delivery times for the US
- Eco-friendly packaging
Pricing:
- Free to use, including stock artwork
Integration options:
- Integrates with e-commerce platforms Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy and Magento
Print and ship design products today
Starting a merchandise business has never been easier. Within a few hours, you can create a business website using a free website builder and have products ready to print and ship to your customers through reseller services like ProAdvantage by VistaPrint.
As with any tool, success depends on its quality and how you use it. Thoroughly research website builders, print resellers and marketable products to find the best approach for your business. With realistic expectations and enough commitment to see your idea through, you can turn your designs into actual products and make a living while doing it—all from your home.
Shipping and printing FAQs
What are popular print-on-demand products?
Popular print-on-demand products include custom T-shirts, mugs, tote bags and posters. These items are versatile, appeal to various audiences and allow for creative designs. Other options include notebooks, stickers, hoodies and home decor items like cushions or wall art. The choice depends on your target market and the type of designs you want to create. T-shirts are the most popular and best-selling print-on-demand product. They appeal to a wide audience, are affordable and provide ample space for creative designs.
What are the best print-on-demand services and reseller programs?
To choose the right service, consider factors like product quality, customization options, shipping costs, customer reviews and ease of integration with your chosen e-commerce platform. Printing services like VistaPrint offer a range of features to meet diverse needs.
What are the benefits of using a reseller program?
Reseller programs, such as dropshipping and print-on-demand, streamline production, packaging and shipping. They reduce upfront costs, eliminate the need for inventory and let you focus on selling while ensuring professional-quality results.
Can I customize packaging with print-on-demand services?
Yes, some print-on-demand services offer customization options for packaging and branding, such as notes or stickers. However, options vary by provider, so if this is important to you, check this before choosing a service.
What is the difference between dropshipping and print-on-demand?
Dropshipping involves selling ready-made products that are shipped directly to customers by a third party. Print-on-demand focuses on creating custom designs that are printed on products only when an order is placed, offering more creative control.
Can print-on-demand be used for one-off orders?
Yes, print-on-demand is ideal for one-off orders as products are created only when ordered. This makes it a great solution for personalized gifts or niche products without requiring bulk production.
