Print-on-Demand for Artists: Best Options & How to Get Started

Print-on-demand (POD) has revolutionized how artists monetize their work. Instead of investing in inventory upfront, you can sell prints, canvases, apparel, and home goods that are only produced when a customer orders. In this guide, we'll compare the best POD options for artists and show you how to get started.

What is Print-on-Demand?

Print-on-demand is a fulfillment model where products are printed and shipped only after a customer orders. You upload your artwork to a POD platform, set your prices, and the platform handles printing, shipping, and customer service. You earn the profit margin without managing inventory or fulfillment.

Benefits of POD for Artists

• No upfront costs: No need to buy inventory or equipment
• Passive income: Once uploaded, products sell while you sleep
• Wide product range: Prints, canvases, apparel, mugs, pillows, and more
• No fulfillment hassle: The POD platform ships directly to customers
• Global reach: Sell worldwide without managing international shipping

Top Print-on-Demand Platforms for Artists

1. Brakebee (Best for Seamless Integration)

Brakebee includes print-on-demand built directly into the platform via Prints by Brakebee. No third-party apps, no duct-taping—POD just works. Plus, you get a custom-designed website through the Custom Sites offer, marketplace discoverability, and transparent pricing ($500/year ongoing).

Get started with Prints by Brakebee →

2. Printful (Best for Product Variety)

Printful offers a huge product catalog and integrates with Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce. However, it requires a separate e-commerce platform and can get complex with multiple moving parts.

3. Printify (Best for Budget)

Printify is similar to Printful but often cheaper. You choose from multiple print providers. Like Printful, it requires integration with a separate platform.

4. Redbubble (Best for Marketplace-Only)

Redbubble is a POD marketplace where you upload designs and sell to their audience. Easy to start, but you have no control over branding, pricing, or customer relationships.

How to Get Started with Print-on-Demand

1. Choose your platform: Integrated (Brakebee) or third-party (Printful/Printify)?
2. Upload your artwork: Ensure high-resolution files (300 DPI for prints)
3. Select products: Start with popular items like prints, canvases, and apparel
4. Set your prices: POD platforms show base costs; you set your retail price
5. Market your products: Share on social media, email, and your website
6. Monitor and optimize: Track what sells and adjust your catalog

Tips for POD Success

• Start with best-sellers: Focus on a few proven products rather than uploading everything
• High-quality mockups: Use professional product photos to show your art in context
• Niche down: Target specific themes or audiences (e.g., "coastal watercolors" or "abstract botanicals")
• Bundle products: Offer matching sets (e.g., print + pillow)
• Leverage marketplaces: If your platform includes marketplace access (like Brakebee), take advantage of it

Which Print-on-Demand Platform is Best for Artists?

If you want the easiest, most integrated experience, Brakebee is the best choice. Here's why:

• Integrated POD via Prints by Brakebee: No third-party apps or juggling services
• AI listing assistance: Get help writing compelling product descriptions and optimizing your catalog
• Find juried events to attend: Discover art shows and festivals to expand your reach beyond online sales
• Custom-designed website: Professional storefront included with your Custom Sites subscription
• Marketplace reach: Get discovered by art buyers browsing Brakebee's marketplace
• Etsy & Shopify connectors: Already selling on Etsy or Shopify? Connect them to Brakebee and manage your POD catalog in one place—your orders and fulfillment stay centralized even when selling across platforms
• Marketplace-only option available: You can also set up a seller profile with a POD catalog and auto-transfers for a set-and-forget experience, similar to Redbubble but with more control over your brand

All for $500/year ongoing.

If you're already committed to Shopify or Etsy as your primary platform and want maximum product variety, Printful or Printify work well—but consider using Brakebee's connectors to keep your POD operations centralized while still selling on those marketplaces.

For marketplace-only selling with zero setup (but also zero branding control), Redbubble remains easy but limiting compared to Brakebee's marketplace-only offering.

Ready to start selling with print-on-demand? Get started with Prints by Brakebee →

Read more: How to sell art online | Best website builder for artists