This guide focuses on Shopify sellers specifically and uses the PrintOnDemandBusiness.com vendor dataset plus current Shopify App Store data.
Running a Shopify store with print-on-demand is a trade-off game:
- Speed vs. margins
- Global coverage vs. local reliability
- Catalog size vs. quality control
There is no single “best” POD app for every Shopify brand. Instead, a few vendors stand out for specific use cases. This guide maps those use cases to concrete providers you can actually connect in a few clicks.
If you’re still at the “how do I even set up a Shopify POD store?” stage, start with our step-by-step guide on how to start a POD store with Shopify and then come back here to choose your providers. If you’re still at the “how do I even set up a Shopify POD store?” stage, start with our step-by-step guide on how to start a POD store with Shopify and then come back here to choose your providers.
Quick picks by use case
If you want…
- Maximum choice and aggressive pricing: Printify
- Brand-first quality, stable tooling, and extras (warehousing, branding): Printful
- Fast, eco-ish local routing (EU/US heavy) and wall-art/poster focus: Gelato
- API-friendly, operations-focused POD with global network: Gooten
- US-centric apparel with sharp base prices at volume: CustomCat
- Unique product catalog and solid Shopify app experience: Teelaunch
- EU-first, low-waste, climate-conscious apparel: T-Pop or Shirtee
- UK/EU apparel with short delivery paths: Inkthreadable or Two Fifteen
- Jewelry and high-margin gift products: ShineOn
- All-over and cut-and-sew fashion: Merchize or Subliminator
- LatAm & US apparel with influencer-friendly vibe: Awkward Styles
Most serious Shopify brands end up using 2–4 providers in parallel: one generalist (Printful/Printify/Gelato) + one or two specialists (e.g. ShineOn for jewelry, Merchize for all-over prints, a local EU/UK vendor for fast delivery).
How we picked these Shopify POD apps
This guide is based on two inputs:
- PODB vendor dataset We pulled all providers in the PrintOnDemandBusiness.com directory that list Shopify in their integrations. That already narrows it down to 100+ companies with a real, documented Shopify app or integration.
- Current Shopify ecosystem signals For those vendors, we then looked at:Shopify App Store presence, ratings and long-term review patterns (high-volume, long-lived apps carry more weight than new or barely-reviewed ones)Focus by region (factory locations) and shipping coverageProduct depth (categories and niches) from the PODB datasetSigns of active development (new features, updated docs, recent articles)
From that longlist we selected vendors that:
- Have a maintained Shopify app or integration
- Are actively used by Shopify sellers across multiple regions
- Cover distinct use cases so this guide doesn’t just say “use Printful or Printify” in ten different ways
Below are the providers that made the cut and how they actually behave when used specifically with Shopify.
1. Printify – Best for catalog breadth and price flexibility
Printify is a network-of-networks: instead of one in-house factory network, they connect you to dozens of print providers worldwide. Inside Shopify, that translates into:
- Huge catalog: t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, canvas, pet products, accessories, shoes, etc.
- Multiple producers per product, often in different regions and price tiers
- Ability to switch providers later if quality, stock, or pricing changes
Why Shopify sellers like it
- Scale and testing: Easy to test multiple product types and providers without changing apps.
- Margins: You can pick cheaper providers for some SKUs and premium ones for hero products.
- Geo-routing: You can route EU orders to EU printers, US orders to US printers, etc.
Trade-offs
- Quality is not consistent across all print partners. For each SKU you need to: - Choose a provider carefully (read reviews, test samples)- Lock that choice per listing inside Shopify.
- Support and packaging are more fragmented compared to single-network players.
Good fit if…
- You want maximum flexibility and wide catalog coverage.
- You don’t mind doing extra QA (samples from different partners, trimming the list down).
Also look at:
- Merchize and Subliminator if you specifically care about cut-and-sew/all-over products.
2. Printful – Best for brand-first quality and all-in-one tooling
Printful runs its own global network of facilities in the US, EU and beyond. With Shopify, it behaves more like a premium operations layer than just a basic print provider.
Shopify-specific strengths
- Stable integration: Mature app with years of real-world usage.
- Brand features: Custom packaging inserts, inside labels on some garments, pack-ins.
- Extras: Warehousing and fulfillment for non-POD inventory, promotional items, and bulk orders.
Why choose Printful over Printify
- More consistent quality control because production is mostly in-house.
- Better for brands that want to keep support tickets low, even at slightly higher base prices.
- Stronger documentation and onboarding for beginners.
Trade-offs
- Base prices are often higher than the cheapest Printify providers.
- Catalog is broad but doesn’t include every niche/experimental product type.
Good fit if…
- You care about brand perception and low chaos more than squeezing every last cent of margin.
- You want one provider to handle most of your Shopify operation (POD + warehousing + bulk).
Also look at:
- Gooten if you want a more API/ops-driven alternative.
3. Gelato – Best for Shopify sellers with global audiences (especially EU)
Gelato is built around local production for global sellers. They route orders to production partners close to the buyer, reducing shipping times and, usually, emissions.
What stands out for Shopify
- Strong poster, canvas, and wall art offering, but also apparel and accessories.
- Production network across Europe, North America and other regions.
- Features aimed at brands, like faster local fulfillment, some sustainability positioning, and tooling that speaks directly to Shopify merchants.
Trade-offs
- Apparel depth is decent but not as exhaustive as Printify.
- Pricing is competitive, but cheap “race-to-the-bottom” options are not the primary focus.
Good fit if…
- Your Shopify store sells to multiple regions, especially EU + US.
- You care about local production and wall art / posters / home decor as core SKUs.
Also look at:
4. Gooten – Best for API-friendly, ops-focused Shopify brands
Gooten positions itself as an operations partner more than a simple POD app.
Why it’s interesting on Shopify
- Solid catalog and global network similar in spirit to Printify.
- Stronger focus on B2B brands, apps, and marketplaces that want API-driven flows.
- Suitable for merchants that think of Shopify as just one of several channels.
Trade-offs
- Less beginner-friendly than Printful/Printify.
- You’ll get the most out of it if you treat it as part of a larger system (custom apps, multi-channel).
Good fit if…
- You’re technical or have developers on hand.
- You want to run multiple stores/channels and treat POD as an infrastructure layer, not a “one app and done” solution.
5. CustomCat – Best for US-centric apparel at scale
CustomCat is a long-running US POD provider with a strong focus on apparel.
On Shopify, it makes sense when:
- Your customer base is mostly in the US.
- You intend to scale volume on a relatively narrow catalog (e.g. core t-shirt + hoodie styles).
Strengths
- Competitive pricing, especially at volume.
- Large apparel catalog and experience with bulk-oriented merchants.
Trade-offs
- Not as global as Printful/Printify/Gelato.
- App and UX feel more utilitarian than shiny.
Good fit for US brands that want straightforward apparel POD without over-optimizing for EU/APAC shipping.
6. Teelaunch – Best for unique product ideas and US/EU coverage
Teelaunch has been a stable Shopify POD player for years.
What’s notable for Shopify sellers
- Broad apparel catalog plus more unusual items (home goods, accessories, gifts).
- Production mainly in the US plus partners in other regions.
It’s a useful secondary provider when you:
- Start with Printful/Printify/Gelato for core SKUs.
- Add Teelaunch for specific items you can’t find elsewhere (or where their pricing is better).
7. T-Pop & Shirtee – Best for EU-first, eco-branded apparel
T-Pop and Shirtee are European POD providers with a strong focus on eco positioning.
Why they matter for Shopify
- Production and shipping centered around Europe.
- Eco messaging you can reuse in your own product pages (organic fabrics, plastic-free packaging, etc., depending on the product).
They make sense as a regional layer on top of a global provider:
- Use Printful/Printify/Gelato for global reach.
- Use T-Pop or Shirtee for EU customers and eco-branded product lines.
8. Inkthreadable & Two Fifteen – Best for UK-based Shopify brands
Inkthreadable and Two Fifteen both operate from the UK with additional fulfillment options.
For Shopify stores selling mainly to UK customers, using at least one UK-first vendor often:
- Reduces delivery times and customs friction.
- Makes returns and exchanges simpler.
Both are good secondary providers to plug into a multi-POD setup.
9. ShineOn – Best for jewelry and high-margin gift products
ShineOn focuses almost entirely on personalized jewelry and gifts.
On Shopify, ShineOn is rarely your only POD provider. Instead, it’s typically used to:
- Add high-margin upsells (e.g. name necklaces, message cards) to apparel or poster stores.
- Create small, tightly branded stores around specific gift niches.
If you’re planning emotional, giftable products (Mother’s Day, anniversaries, family niches), ShineOn is worth testing alongside a generalist POD app.
10. Merchize & Subliminator – Best for all-over prints and cut-and-sew
Merchize and Subliminator are popular among Shopify sellers who want:
- All-over print hoodies, leggings, bomber jackets
- More experimental fashion and cut-and-sew products
They often come into play once you’ve validated a niche with simpler SKUs and want to differentiate with more complex garments.
On Shopify, Subliminator is available as a public app, while Merchize typically connects via a custom or private app and API rather than a one-click Shopify App Store install. That makes Merchize better suited to more advanced or developer-supported setups.
11. Awkward Styles – Interesting for US/LatAm and influencer angles
Awkward Styles is a POD provider with production in the US, Mexico, and beyond.
It’s interesting on Shopify when:
- You have an audience in North America / LatAm.
- You care about apparel and accessories aligned with influencer-style merch.
Consider it a niche supplement to the big three (Printful/Printify/Gelato) rather than a universal default. As of 2025, the Awkward Styles Shopify app has at times been marked as unavailable or region-restricted in the Shopify App Store, so treat it as an option to test rather than core infrastructure. As of 2025, the Awkward Styles Shopify app has at times been marked as unavailable or region-restricted in the Shopify App Store, so treat it as an option to test rather than core infrastructure.
Other Shopify-compatible POD partners worth checking
Depending on your niche and region, it’s also worth looking at:
These can be good fits for specific product types, regions, or existing workflows. Most of them are best treated as niche or emerging options: many have fewer Shopify reviews than the major players, so test them on a small product line before committing. Most of them are best treated as niche or emerging options: many have fewer Shopify reviews than the major players, so test them on a small product line before committing.
How to choose the right POD app for your Shopify store
For a Shopify store, picking providers is less about “who has the longest features list” and more about matching your funnel and audience.
Work through these steps:
- Define where your customers actually live.Mostly US? You can lean on Printful, Printify (US providers), CustomCat, Teelaunch.Mostly EU/UK? Layer in Gelato, T-Pop, Shirtee, Inkthreadable, Two Fifteen.Truly global? Combine one global player (Printful/Printify/Gelato/Gooten) with at least one regional specialist.
- Pick 1–2 generalist providers to start. For most new Shopify stores, an initial stack like Printful + Gelato or Printify + Gelato is more than enough to validate demand.
- Add specialists only after you see traction.ShineOn for jewelry/giftsMerchize/Subliminator for all-over fashionA regional provider for local shipping gains
- Order samples early, not after launch. Use samples to decide:Which blanks and print methods you’ll standardize onWhich providers are “brand-safe” enough to use across your whole catalog
- Keep your stack lean. The goal is not to connect to ten apps and manage chaos. The goal is:1–2 providers handling 80–90% of orders1–2 extras for specific, high-ROI product lines
Next steps
- Browse all Shopify-compatible vendors in the PrintOnDemandBusiness.com directory and shortlist 3–5 that match your region and product focus.
- Connect 1–2 of them to a test Shopify store, create a tiny but focused catalog, and order samples.
- After a month of real orders, review:Fulfillment speed and reliabilityCustomer complaints and returnsMargins by SKU and provider
Then trim your stack to the providers that actually earn their place.