Choosing your first (or next) print-on-demand platform is a little like choosing a neighborhood to live in.
You’re not just picking a place to sell — you’re picking a culture, an audience, and a way of working.

Redbubble, Society6, and Etsy

Redbubble, Society6, and Etsy are three of the most popular destinations for POD sellers. Each one has its own perks, quirks, and hidden rules. Picking the wrong fit can slow your growth, while picking the right one can put you in front of thousands of ready-to-buy customers.

Let’s break down how these platforms stack up so you can make an informed choice.

1. Redbubble — The Upload-and-Go Marketplace

Vibe: The “set it and forget it” platform.

Redbubble is all about simplicity. You upload your designs, choose the products you want them on, set your margins, and the platform takes care of the rest — fulfillment, customer service, payments.

Best For:

• Beginners who want to start selling fast
• Artists with a large library of designs
• Passive income seekers who aren’t looking for heavy brand building

Strengths:

• No upfront costs
• Global audience reach
• Huge product catalog (apparel, stickers, home goods, accessories)
• Easy bulk upload for multiple products

Weaknesses:

• Limited control over branding
• Lower profit margins compared to self-managed shops
• Very competitive for generic keywords

Pro Tip: Your mockups matter less here than your keyword optimization. The right tags and titles can make or break discoverability.

2. Society6 — The Premium Art Destination

Vibe: The curated gallery of POD.

Society6 positions itself as a destination for beautiful, high-quality products — especially home decor and wall art. Customers here aren’t just impulse shopping; they’re looking for designs that fit their lifestyle.

Best For:

• Artists and designers with a cohesive aesthetic
• Sellers who focus on art prints, framed prints, rugs, bedding, or premium home goods
• Creators who value brand association with an upscale platform

Strengths:

• Higher perceived value and pricing
• Loyal, design-conscious audience
• Less “cheap merch” feel than some POD marketplaces

Weaknesses:

• More selective style-wise (not every design fits)
• Smaller product range than Redbubble
• Royalties vary, with some products having lower payouts

Pro Tip: Lifestyle mockups are your secret weapon — they help buyers visualize your art in their space, and Society6’s audience expects that level of presentation.

3. Etsy — The Branding Playground

Vibe: Your own storefront in the middle of a bustling market.

Etsy isn’t technically a POD marketplace — it’s a marketplace for anything handmade, vintage, or custom. But with integrations like Printify, Printful, and Gelato, it has become a top POD selling platform.

Best For:

• Sellers who want to build a recognizable brand
• Creators targeting niche audiences with themed products
• Sellers willing to handle customer communication and store presentation

Strengths:

• Huge active buyer base
• More control over product presentation and branding
• Easier to build repeat customers
• Etsy SEO can get you seen faster than Google SEO

Weaknesses:

• Listing and transaction fees
• Requires more work to manage (mockups, product descriptions, policies)
• Competition is fierce — branding matters more than ever

Pro Tip: Treat your Etsy shop like a standalone brand. Consistent product photography, cohesive listings, and high-quality mockups will separate you from the hobbyists.

Which One Should You Choose?

Pick Redbubble if you want a no-fuss, upload-and-sell experience where you don’t worry about customers or fulfillment.

Pick Society6 if your art fits a higher-end, lifestyle-oriented audience that values home decor and statement pieces.

Pick Etsy if you’re ready to invest in branding, visuals, and customer experience — and you want control over how your store looks and feels.

Final Thought:

The best platform for you depends on your goals, design style, and how hands-on you want to be. If you’re just testing the waters, Redbubble or Society6 might be the best start. If you’re in it for the long game, Etsy gives you the tools to build something that lasts.