Choosing the Right Print on Demand Service: A Comprehensive Review
Written on
Chapter 1: Introduction to Print on Demand Services
In recent years, the print-on-demand (POD) industry has gained significant traction, offering a unique avenue for artists and entrepreneurs to monetize their creativity. This review series will explore four distinct POD platforms, beginning with RedBubble.
A few years back, in 2018, I attempted to launch a shop selling stickers and art, particularly focused on journal stickers. These stickers were designed to enhance planners and cater to the Bullet Journaling community. My initial choice was RedBubble; however, I was dissatisfied with the quality of the sample products I received, leading me to close my shop.
Fast forward to today, I'm rekindling my passion for drawing and have created several designs perfect for journal stickers. Yet, I'm still not ready to manage bulk orders or operate a physical shop. Hence, I'm revisiting POD services. Given the time elapsed, RedBubble may have improved its offerings, and I'm also considering three other platforms: Society6, Zazzle, and Printful.
Although I did order samples from Printify, they arrived too late for this review. If they come in soon, I will include an evaluation of Printify at the end of this series. To keep the information concise, I'll review each service in separate posts and link them accordingly. First up is RedBubble.
Chapter 2: My Design Experience
For consistency in my review, I used a single design across all sticker samples. The design features four cozy beverages and measures approximately 1800 pixels wide by 500 pixels tall. I ensured the image wasn't scaled up artificially on any POD platform to prevent blurriness or artifacts in the final print.
I had to adjust or rearrange the stickers to meet each service's kiss-cut requirements and to maximize the number of stickers on each sheet. Whenever feasible, I ordered all available sizes and materials to thoroughly assess what each service offers.
Section 2.1: Print Quality Analysis
The print quality of the RedBubble stickers aligns with my previous experiences. While the designs are clear, the final prints exhibit various artifacts, likely due to issues during either the upload or printing stages. The transparent stickers appeared blurry and faded, which is more apparent in person than in images. It’s uncertain whether this is a common issue with all transparent stickers or if I simply received a subpar batch.
In contrast, the matte white background stickers showed better quality, though noticeable pixelation remained in areas that should have been solid colors. Although I designed these samples with minimal gradients to improve quality, it seems this strategy had little effect.
Subsection 2.1.1: Sticker Material Assessment
Regarding the material, I found the matte stickers' surface appealing, resembling an eggshell finish. The transparent stickers, on the other hand, are quite shiny, which is typical. However, I found the thickness of RedBubble's stickers somewhat off-putting for my intended use in journals. While their durability may be enhanced by this thickness, it doesn't align with my preferences.
Section 2.2: Peeling and Kiss-Cut Experience
Generally, the stickers were easy to peel from the sheet, but I noticed that some kiss cuts were incomplete, particularly around the mugs. This required me to pull them free, resulting in jagged edges as the thick vinyl stretched. The preview on RedBubble indicated adequate spacing for separate cuts, but the close positioning meant I would need to leave even more space in future designs to avoid this issue. It’s frustrating when the previews do not accurately reflect the final product, a risk that seems inherent to all POD services.
Chapter 3: Marketplace Insights
RedBubble boasts an active marketplace that is user-friendly, which initially attracted me to the platform years ago. Setting up a shop is straightforward, and the design editor offers substantial flexibility.
However, one drawback is the saturation of the market with "quick and easy" designs. Many users upload thousands of designs annually, making it challenging for unique and intentional works to stand out. Therefore, I believe generating traffic from another platform or mastering RedBubble’s SEO would be essential for achieving sales.
Section 3.1: Costs and Royalties
I ordered three small sticker sheets, measuring 4 inches by 0.9 inches. The options included matte white, glossy white, and transparent stickers, with prices ranging from $1.61 to $1.99 per sheet, totaling $5.37, plus $7.06 for shipping.
Artists' royalties are calculated based on RedBubble's printing prices, which include their fees. The profit for artists comes from a markup percentage; however, sales or discounts can reduce the potential profit, making earnings unpredictable.
Furthermore, RedBubble offers discounts on bulk orders, even when items come from different shops. This situation can reduce immediate profits but may drive traffic to individual shops in the long run.
Chapter 4: Conclusion
In summary, RedBubble’s primary advantage is its recognition and a large audience actively seeking products. The design editor is intuitive, and the royalty structure is straightforward. While the vibrant colors of the transparent stickers are a plus, the print quality and sticker material do not meet my expectations for journal use.
Ultimately, RedBubble may suit those willing to compromise on product quality for ease and convenience. This review is just the beginning; I will continue to explore other POD services.
For a deeper understanding of the best print-on-demand companies, check out this video that highlights key players in the industry.
Additionally, this video provides an honest review of 13 different print-on-demand websites, offering insights into their strengths and weaknesses.