Disclosure: We may earn a commission or fee from some of the links in our content. However, this does not affect our recommendations. Learn more.
As a print on demand expert I have worked with both CustomCat and Printful. These two are the giants in the industry, each with their own set of features and benefits for ecommerce entrepreneurs. In this comparison I will give you my in depth analysis to help you decide which one is best for your business.
In short, if profit margins are your top priority then CustomCat’s pricing may be the way to go. They have a wide range of customizable products at very competitive prices so it’s a great option for budget conscious businesses. But if you want high quality products, user friendly interface and global fulfillment then Printful is the better choice.
Printful is known for their quality, they use premium materials and advanced printing techniques to ensure consistent, vibrant and durable products. Plus their platform is intuitive and has robust integrations with major ecommerce platforms so setup and management is a breeze. And with their global network of fulfillment centers shipping is faster and more reliable for international customers.
Ultimately the decision between CustomCat and Printful will depend on your business needs and priorities. If cost is your top priority then CustomCat may be the way to go. But if you’re willing to invest a bit more to give your customers a premium product experience then Printful is the way to go. As a print on demand expert I would recommend you weigh the pros and cons of each platform to decide which one aligns with your long term goals and brand vision.
Quick Summary
- CustomCat and Printful are two major print on demand (POD) platforms, each with their own features, pricing and integrations.
- Knowing the differences between CustomCat and Printful is key to making the right choice for your eCommerce business.
- CustomCat is known for cheap pricing while Printful is known for high quality products and user friendly interface.
- This article will help you choose between CustomCat and Printful based on your business needs.
What is CustomCat?
CustomCat is a print on demand (POD) platform that offers many customizable products. From t-shirts and hoodies to mugs and phone cases, CustomCat has options for entrepreneurs to start or grow their online stores.
CustomCat is known for cheap pricing so it’s a great choice for businesses that want to maximize their profit margins. They have a free plan and a premium plan, the latter gives you lower product costs and more features.
CustomCat Features:
- Wide Product Range: Over 550 products, apparel, accessories and home goods.
- Cheap Pricing: Lower product costs, especially with the premium plan.
- Multiple Printing Methods: DTG, sublimation and embroidery.
- Integrates with eCommerce Platforms: Shopify, WooCommerce and more.
What is Printful?
Printful is another print on demand giant, known for high quality products and great customer service. They offer similar products to CustomCat but with more focus on product quality and branding options.
Printful is popular among entrepreneurs who value quality over cost. The user friendly interface and integrations make it a great choice for both newbies and experienced sellers.
Printful Features:
- High Quality Products: Focus on quality control, top products.
- Branding Options: Custom labels, packaging inserts and more.
- Global Fulfillment Centers: North America, Europe and Asia for faster shipping.
- Many Integrations: Integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy and more.
Best for Pricing: It’s a Tie!
CustomCat is cheaper especially with the premium plan. But Printful justifies the higher cost with better product quality and more features like custom branding.
When comparing CustomCat and Printful in terms of pricing you need to consider the overall cost structure, product prices, shipping fees and any other costs.
CustomCat Pricing:
- Free Plan: No monthly fee but higher product costs.
- Premium Plan: $30/month, lower product costs. For example a basic t-shirt is around $7 on the premium plan.
- Shipping Fees: Competitive rates, domestic and international shipping options.
Printful Pricing
- No Subscription Fee: Pay as you go, product prices are slightly higher than CustomCat’s premium plan.
- Product Costs: A basic t-shirt is around $12 but the quality is generally better.
- Shipping Fees: Higher than CustomCat, especially for international orders.
- Memberships Available: Printful Growth at $24.99 / mo, Printful Business, free once you sell $60k in a year.
Further reading:
Best for Product Quality: Printful
One of the main factors in the CustomCat vs Printful debate is product quality. Your customers satisfaction will depend on the quality of the products you offer so you need to choose a platform that matches your brand standards.
CustomCat Product Quality:
CustomCat has decent products especially for the price. Their printing methods (DTG and sublimation) are reliable but not as consistent or vibrant as Printful’s. The materials are durable but the finishing is not as refined.
Printful Product Quality:
Printful is known for their quality. They use high end materials and advanced printing technologies to ensure every product meets high quality standards. Whether it’s the fabric of a t-shirt or the print on a mug, customers will get excellent durability and premium feel.
In general if quality is your number one priority then Printful is the way to go. But if you’re looking for a balance between cost and quality then CustomCat might be enough.
Best for Ease of Use and Integrations: Printful
In general Printful is better for ease of use and integrations.
Ease of use and integrations are important when choosing a print on demand platform. You want a platform that fits into your existing eCommerce setup and simplifies your store management.
CustomCat Ease of Use:
CustomCat has a simple interface that’s easy to use, but feels a bit outdated compared to Printful. Setting up your store and adding products is easy but the design tool lacks some of the advanced features Printful has.
CustomCat Integrations
- Shopify: CustomCat integrates with Shopify, automatic order processing and fulfillment.
- WooCommerce: Integration with WooCommerce is available but requires manual setup.
- Other Platforms: Limited integrations with Etsy and BigCommerce.
Printful Ease of Use:
Printful is known for their user friendly interface, even beginners can get started. The design tool is intuitive and has a lot of features to create and customize products.
Printful Integrations
- Shopify: Full integration with Shopify, products and orders sync automatically.
- WooCommerce: Easy setup and full integration with WooCommerce.
- Etsy: Direct integration with Etsy, favorite among Etsy sellers.
- Other Platforms: Integrates with Amazon, eBay, BigCommerce and more, more flexibility.
In general Printful is better for ease of use and integrations.
Shipping and Fulfillment
Shipping and fulfillment is a big part of the customer experience especially for eCommerce businesses. In the CustomCat vs Printful comparison understanding how each platform handles these will help you make a decision.
CustomCat Shipping and Fulfillment:
CustomCat has competitive shipping rates, fulfillment centers are based in the U.S. Shipping times are generally fast for domestic orders but international shipping can take longer and be more expensive.
CustomCat Fulfillment:
- Domestic Shipping: 3-7 business days.
- International Shipping: Up to 21 business days depending on the destination.
- Fulfillment Locations: U.S. based which can mean longer shipping times for international customers.
Printful Shipping and Fulfillment:
Printful shines in shipping and fulfillment with their global network of fulfillment centers. They have locations in North America, Europe and Asia which means faster shipping times especially for international orders. However their shipping rates are generally higher than CustomCat’s.
Printful Fulfillment:
- Domestic Shipping: 3-5 business days within the U.S.
- International Shipping: Varies by location but generally faster than CustomCat since they have international fulfillment centers.
- Fulfillment Locations: North America, Europe, Asia which means faster and more reliable shipping worldwide.
If fast and reliable shipping is important for your business Printful is likely the better choice especially if you have a global customer base.
Customer Support: CustomCat vs Printful
Customer support is a big factor to consider when choosing between CustomCat vs Printful. Good support can help you resolve issues fast and minimize disruption to your business.
CustomCat Customer Support:
CustomCat has standard customer support, email and phone support. Their support team is generally responsive but not as fast or helpful as Printful’s.
Printful Customer Support:
Printful is famous for their customer support, 24/7 support through multiple channels, live chat, email and phone. Their support team is super responsive and well trained so they can handle issues fast.
If customer support is a big concern Printful has a more robust and reliable support than CustomCat.
CustomCat vs Printful Pros and Cons
CustomCat Pros:
- Affordable Pricing: Especially with the premium plan, good for budget conscious businesses.
- Wide Product Range: Offers many products.
- Simple Interface: Easy to set up.
CustomCat Cons:
- Lower Product Quality: Not as high as Printful’s.
- Limited Integrations: Fewer integrations than Printful.
- Slower International Shipping: Longer shipping times for international customers.
Printful Pros:
- High Quality Products: Known for high quality and consistency.
- Many Integrations: Works with many eCommerce platforms.
- Global Fulfillment Centers: Faster and more reliable shipping, especially international.
Printful Cons:
- Higher Costs: More expensive, product pricing and shipping fees.
- No Subscription Plans: Pay as you go model not ideal for all businesses.
Which one is for you?
Choosing between CustomCat vs Printful depends on your business. If you’re looking for an affordable solution with many products CustomCat might be the way to go. But if you prioritize product quality, ease of use and global shipping Printful is the better choice.
Use this guide to compare the pros and cons and choose the one that fits your business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the main difference between CustomCat and Printful?
The primary difference lies in pricing and product quality. CustomCat is more affordable but offers lower-quality products, while Printful is pricier but known for its superior product quality.
Can I use both CustomCat and Printful simultaneously?
Yes, you can use both platforms simultaneously. This approach allows you to leverage the strengths of each platform, offering a wider range of products and price points.
Which platform offers better quality for clothing products?
Printful generally offers better quality for clothing products, with more consistent printing and higher-end materials.
How do CustomCat and Printful handle returns and refunds?
Both platforms have their own return and refund policies. Printful typically offers more flexibility and better customer service in handling returns.
Is there a minimum order requirement for CustomCat or Printful?
Neither CustomCat nor Printful have minimum order requirements, making them both suitable for small businesses and large-scale operations.
