Print on Demand Companies: The Complete Guide for UK

The rise of print-on-demand (POD) businesses has completely altered the market for unique, personalised goods. With POD, you can concentrate on marketing and design without having to worry about printing, packing, or shipping since the business handles all of that. With POD, selling personalised goods like t-shirts, mugs, and phone covers is easy and efficient, which is great news for artists, entrepreneurs, and content creators who want to grow their brands.

Discover the top Print on Demand (POD) companies serving UK artists, how to choose the right platform, and the steps to launch your own POD company right now with this in-depth guide.

Print on Demand, or POD, is a term…

As a business concept, Print on Demand waits to print things until an order is placed. Because of this, you can stop worrying about having inventory on hand or having things go unsold. Instead, the POD firm manufactures the item (typically using digital printing technology) and sends it straight to the consumer when they buy it from your online shop.

The elimination of high initial expenditures and the consequent reduction in the danger of overproduction are two reasons for the model’s rising popularity. It’s an excellent strategy for launching a company with little capital outlay.

Print on Demand: How Does It Operate?

Generally speaking, this is how print on demand works:

Pick a POD Service: Once you’ve decided on an e-commerce platform like Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce, it’s time to choose a POD service that works with it.

Make Your Designs Come To Life: Use the POD service to make your own custom designs and then put them onto things like t-shirts, sweatshirts, and posters.

Price Your Products: When deciding how much to charge for your wares, bear in mind the POD company’s established basic manufacturing cost.

Put the Designed goods on Sale: Put the designed goods on sale by adding them to your online shop.

The POD firm prints and sends the item straight to the consumer when they make an order.

Gain Financial Gain: The disparity between the selling price of your goods and the basic manufacturing cost levied by the POD firm is your profit.

The Best UK Print-on-Demand Services for Artists

There are a number of POD providers in the UK, and they all have something special to offer. Some of the most common choices are listed below:

1. The FabricPod

Clothing, accessories, and homeware are just a few of the many categories offered by The FabricPod is one of the most famous Print on Demand Companies in the UK. It works well with WooCommerce, Shopify, and Etsy, three of the most prominent e-commerce platforms. Quick delivery to the UK is guaranteed for The FabricPod clients thanks to their European fulfilment facilities.

Advantages: Swift delivery in the UK, extensive product selection, and top-notch printing.

Downside: Our basic pricing are higher than those of some of our rivals.

that this is ideal for: Artists that value dependability and top-notch quality.

2. Glaceto

The UK is only one of several nations where Gelato’s printing facilities are located; the firm is really worldwide. Utilising local products to decrease carbon emissions is central to its environmental strategy. Gelato has great delivery speeds for consumers in the UK and sells a wide range of things, such as clothing, mugs, and wall art.

Pros: Local printing allows for quicker delivery and contributes to sustainable manufacturing.

Downside: Fewer products available in comparison to competitors.

Optimal for: Makers that prioritise the environment.

Thirdly, TeeMill

A POD firm specialising on sustainable apparel, TeeMill is based in the United Kingdom. It employs a circular manufacturing strategy to cut down on waste and specialises in organic cotton goods. TeeMill’s platform gives producers complete control over the branding of their business and is very user-friendly.

Advantages: Made from organic materials, produced in the UK, environmentally friendly method.

Downside: Just clothing and accessories are available.

Ideal for: Designers with an eye on eco-friendly clothing and UK-based shipping.

4. Shutterfly

Shoppers may find designs created by independent artists on a variety of goods sold on Redbubble, a marketplace and print-on-demand business. Creators may post their items on Redbubble and forget about driving traffic to them, unlike with certain POD firms. The platform has an audience already there.

Advantages: Plenty of products to choose from, built-in marketplace.

Reduced profit margins as a result of marketplace fees.

Artists seeking visibility and a user-friendly platform are the ideal candidates.

5. Make it printed.

Clothing, accessories, and home goods are just a few of the many categories represented on Printify. The platform connects to many e-commerce systems and gives artists the option to choose printing services according to factors like price, proximity, and quality. Printify isn’t situated in the UK, but they have partners who can process orders in the UK, so customers get their goods quicker.

Advantages: Wide selection of products, affordable prices, and customisable delivery choices.

The quality could differ from one print service to another, which is a drawback.

Ideal for: Makers seeking affordable and versatile choices.

Things to Think About Before Picking a POD Service

Several things should be considered while choosing a POD business to make sure you get the one that suits your requirements the best:

Products Chosen

A wide variety of items are offered by each POD provider. There are some that sell mostly clothing and others that sell a wide range of household goods, stationery, and accessories. Make sure the organisation offers the things you wish to sell by thinking about them.

Time and Money Spent on Shipping

It is crucial for UK authors to choose a firm that has fulfilment hubs located in the UK or Europe. Customers’ happiness may be greatly affected by the shorter shipment times and reduced costs made possible by this.

Printing Accuracy

The reputation of your brand is directly related to the quality of the final printed product. Find a POD provider that provides high-quality printing, and if you’re not sure about the quality, get samples before you put the items on sale.

Making a Profit

Your profit margins will be impacted by the base prices established by each POD business. When determining product prices, it is critical to account for these expenses. Find a happy medium; some platforms may have cheaper starting rates, but they may skimp on quality.

Getting Your Print-on-Demand Company Off the Ground

For those new to e-commerce or want to increase their product offering without substantial initial expenditure, starting a POD company in the UK is a great option because to its simplicity and minimal risk.

To Begin, Select Your Speciality

Picking a speciality is the first step before opening your shop. This may be eco-friendly clothing or whimsical prints of art. You may reach a more targeted demographic and differentiate yourself from the competition by specialising in a certain area.

Stage 2: Create Your Goods

To make your items stand out, use design programs such as Canva or Adobe Illustrator. Verify that the items you want to offer are a good match for your designs and that they appeal to your target demographic.

Third, get your shopfront ready.

Connect your chosen POD service to your chosen e-commerce platform (like Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce) once you’ve made your selection. The majority of POD systems provide for easy connections that will sync your items and orders automatically.

Stage 4: Market Your Shop

Promoting your shop is crucial to your success in the POD industry. Advertise your wares on social media, use search engine optimisation, and run sponsored advertising to reach a wider audience. Another strategy to increase sales is to work with influential people or to offer promotions.

What You Need to Know About UK Print-on-Demand Firms

What is the going rate for launching a POD company in the UK?

With POD, there is no need to invest in inventory, making it a low-cost company startup. Marketing, e-commerce platform fees, and design software will make up the bulk of the budget.

Who is the top print-on-demand service for artists in the UK?

Because of their variety, quality, and local fulfilment options, Printful and TeeMill are popular choices among UK producers. Nevertheless, your unique requirements and speciality will determine the optimal choice.

When will I get my POD product in the UK?

Within the UK, shipping dates usually fall between three and ten business days, however this might vary from one POD firm and product to another.

Can I sell my POD items on more than one platform?

Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon are just a few of the numerous platforms that many POD firms let you connect with. This opens up a whole new world of potential customers.

Can POD businesses take care of customer support?

Customer support (returns, enquiries, etc.) will fall on you, the seller, as most POD businesses primarily deal with manufacturing and delivery.

How lucrative is POD?

A number of variables, including product price, marketing, and niche, determine whether or not POD is lucrative. The emphasis should be on quantity and efficient advertising since the profit margins are lower than in conventional retail.