What We Learned Listing on 5 Different POD Marketplaces (And What You Should Try First)

What We Learned Listing on 5 Different POD Marketplaces (And What You Should Try First)

When you first get into print-on-demand (POD), it’s tempting to ask: Which platform should I start with?

Ideal Platform for Print-on-Demand Businesses 

After all, no one wants to waste time uploading designs to a site that’s a ghost town. But here’s the catch: no single POD marketplace is perfect. They all have their quirks, and the only way to truly know what works for you is to try them.

We did. On five different platforms. And here’s exactly what we learned.

The 5 POD Marketplaces We Tested

We went wide — from hyper-curated art platforms to massive online bazaars — to see how designs performed in different environments:

  • Redbubble
  • Society6
  • Etsy
  • TeePublic
  • Zazzle

Each one offered something different in terms of audience, pricing, and creative freedom.

1. Redbubble — The Mass Market Machine

What Worked:

  • Easy setup — you can upload a design and have it on 60+ products in minutes.
  • Organic traffic for trending designs.
  • What Didn’t:
  • Generic designs got buried instantly.
  • Margins are slim unless you raise prices (and risk fewer sales).

Our Takeaway:

Great for bulk publishing a large catalog. Not so great if you want deep brand control.

2. Society6 — The Premium Art Crowd

What Worked:

  • Art prints and home decor sold far better here than apparel.
  • Customers seemed willing to pay more for quality and style.

What Didn’t:

  • Audience has a very specific “aesthetic” — bold, trendy, or highly curated art wins.
  • Lower royalties on certain products.

Our Takeaway:
If you’re a visual artist with a cohesive style, Society6 can feel like home. If your work’s all over the place, it’s a harder sell.

3. Etsy — The Brand Builder

What Worked:

  • Total control over your listings, mockups, and pricing.
  • Easier to sell in niches and create themed collections.

What Didn’t:

  • More work: you need to handle customer messages, SEO, and shop branding.
  • Listing fees and ad costs can add up if you’re not careful.

Our Takeaway:
If you’re serious about building a long-term business, Etsy is worth the effort. But you can’t just “set it and forget it” here.

4. TeePublic — The Impulse Buyer Haven

What Worked:

  • Simple, clean interface for uploading designs.
  • Sales spikes during sitewide promotions.

What Didn’t:

  • Lower base prices (and lower royalties) than Redbubble.
  • Mostly t-shirts — not as great for variety.

Our Takeaway:
Think of it as the “t-shirt wing” of Redbubble. Great for casual designs that target pop culture trends.

5. Zazzle — The Customization King

What Worked:

  • Tons of unique products other platforms don’t offer.
  • Built-in personalization options for buyers.

What Didn’t:

  • Steeper learning curve for setting up custom templates.
  • Storefront feels a little dated compared to others.

Our Takeaway:
A good place for wedding invites, event stationery, or products that benefit from customization.

So… Which Should You Try First?
If you’re brand new:

Redbubble will get you uploading and selling fastest.

Etsy is best for those willing to learn branding and shop setup from day one.

If you already have an art style nailed down:

Society6 will help you reach the home decor crowd.

If you want quick wins from trends:

TeePublic can work well for short-term design hits.

If you like personalization:

Zazzle will give you tools others don’t.

Final Advice:

Don’t bet everything on one marketplace right away. Start with 2–3, track your results for a few months, and then double down on the one(s) giving you the best return. POD is as much about testing as it is about creating.