The Ultimate Guide to Print-on-Demand Companies in the UK (2023)

Are you looking to start a print-on-demand business in the UK? With print-on-demand, you can sell customized products like t-shirts, phone cases, and more without worrying about manufacturing, inventory, or shipping.

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In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about launching a successful UK-based print-on-demand business, including:

  • What is print-on-demand and how does it work?
  • Benefits of print-on-demand businesses
  • How to choose the best print-on-demand companies for selling in the UK
  • In-depth reviews of the top 10 print-on-demand services with UK fulfillment
  • Tips for marketing and selling your print-on-demand products
  • Frequently asked questions

Let‘s get started!

What is Print-on-Demand?

Print-on-demand, or POD, is a printing and order fulfillment method that allows you to sell customized products without needing to keep inventory or handle logistics.

With POD, you upload your designs to an online platform. When a customer places an order, the print-on-demand company prints the product on-demand and ships it directly to the customer.

This saves you from having to invest in a large inventory upfront. You don‘t pay anything until an order comes through, and you also avoid the risk of being stuck with unsold merchandise.

Some popular print-on-demand product types include:

  • T-shirts and apparel
  • Phone cases
  • Wall art and posters
  • Mugs, water bottles, and other drinkware
  • Tote bags, backpacks, and accessories
  • Stationery and paper products
  • And much more!

Now that you understand the basics of how print-on-demand works, let‘s look at some of the key benefits of starting a POD business.

Benefits of Print-on-Demand Businesses

There are many advantages to selling customized products through print-on-demand:

1. Low Startup Costs

With a traditional manufacturing business, you would need to invest thousands upfront in inventory, not to mention storage space, equipment, and materials.

Print-on-demand has very low startup costs in comparison. In most cases, you can get started for less than $100—just the cost of a basic Shopify store and some marketing spend.

2. Easy Scalability

Scaling a traditional production business is challenging. You need to accurately project demand, contract manufacturers, store extra inventory, and arrange additional shipping capacity.

With print-on-demand, you can scale to thousands of orders per day without logistical headaches. The print provider handles production and shipping for you on-demand.

3. No Inventory or Shipping Costs

You never have to pay for products that don‘t sell with print-on-demand. And you don‘t have to deal with storing, packing, and shipping orders yourself. This saves a tremendous amount of money and headaches.

4. Global Distribution Capabilities

The best print-on-demand companies have production facilities all over the world, allowing you to efficiently ship products to customers globally. You couldn‘t achieve the same global reach with your own manufacturing and fulfillment operation.

5. Design Flexibility and Personalization

Since each product is made to order, you can offer customers complete design flexibility and personalization options. Want to add names, customize colors and sizes, or tweak a design to order? No problem!

How to Choose the Best UK Print-on-Demand Companies

If you want to maximize sales and growth in the UK market, it‘s important to choose print-on-demand providers with domestic production and shipping capabilities.

When assessing the top print-on-demand companies for selling to UK customers, here are the most important factors to evaluate:

UK Production Facilities

Look for companies that own print facilities within the UK or partner with UK-based suppliers. If orders are printed and shipped locally, you‘ll have much faster fulfillment times and cheaper UK shipping rates.

Range of Product Options

Make sure the print provider offers all the products you want to sell—for example t-shirts, phone cases, wall art, drinkware, etc. More products equal more sales opportunities.

Integrations and Platform Compatibility

Your preferred print-on-demand company should integrate easily with ecommerce platforms like Shopify and Etsy. This allows you to add POD products to your store with minimal hassle.

Print Quality and Materials

Pay attention to product and print quality when assessing different print-on-demand suppliers. Read customer reviews to get an idea of real-world quality before you commit.

Order Turnaround Time

How quickly can the print provider print and ship an order? The fastest turnaround times are 1-3 business days from order to door.

Customer Service and Support

Make sure any potential print-on-demand partner has knowledgeable customer service reps to help with issues like print quality, shipping delays, placement errors, and more.

Pricing and Fees

Print-on-demand pricing varies widely, from 15% to over 40% markup on base costs. Make sure you understand all fees—monthly subscription costs, retail margins, shipping rates, etc.—when comparing services.

Now that you know what to look for in a UK print-on-demand provider, let‘s dive into the top companies and break down their strengths and weaknesses.

Reviews of the Top 10 Print-on-Demand Companies in the UK

Based on the criteria above and intensive first-hand testing, we‘ve selected the 10 best print-on-demand platforms for selling to a UK consumer market:

1. Printify

Printify is one of the most popular print-on-demand dropshipping platforms. Here are the key benefits of Printify for UK sellers:

  • UK Production: Printify partners with several UK print facilities for fast domestic fulfillment. Shipping times average 2-4 days.
  • Huge Product Selection: Tons of products including posters, clothing, phone cases, home décor, accessories, and more.
  • High Print Quality: Positive reviews of print quality across Printify‘s print partners.
  • Low Cost: Base prices + Printify‘s margins are very competitive, keeping your costs down.
  • Top Platform Integrations: Fully integrates with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and more. Easy POD setup.

The only downside of Printify is variability in product quality between print facilities. But overall, the platform enables selling at scale in the UK market very affordably.

2. Printful

Printful is another very popular print-on-demand dropshipping service suitable for UK sellers:

  • Local UK Facility: Printful owns its UK production facility, ensuring quick shipping times and full quality control.
  • White Label Options: Add your own branding to packaging for a branded customer experience.
  • High Print Quality: Positive reviews back up Printful‘s reputation for exceptional print quality.
  • Fewer Products Than Printify: Printful focuses on core products like apparel, phone cases, wall art, and mugs.
  • Higher Base Prices: Printful‘s base costs tend to be more expensive than Printify on common products.

With its UK-based facility giving full control over print quality and faster domestic shipping, Printful is an excellent choice if you want peace of mind. But the smaller product catalog and higher prices are limitations to consider.

3. Teespring

Teespring is a print-on-demand platform targeted specifically at apparel and accessories, making it ideal for launching a UK t-shirt brand:

  • Local UK Printing: Teespring uses domestic UK print facilities for faster fulfillment to British customers.
  • Made-to-Order Model: Only print exactly what has already been ordered, with no upfront costs or minimal orders.
  • Creative Launch Features:Specialized tools for launching and promoting apparel campaigns, including the ability to gather pre-orders before printing.
  • Very Competitive Pricing: Teespring routinely offers promotional discounts and incentives to keep base costs low.
  • Apparel Only: No phone cases, wall art, or other products typically offered by general print-on-demand platforms.

For UK sellers specifically interested in customized t-shirts, hats, and other apparel, Teespring is tough to beat. But the singular product focus limits other merchandising opportunities.

4. GearBubble

GearBubble is very similar to Teespring as an apparel-focused print-on-demand platform:

  • UK Shipping: Local UK print facilities used for quick domestic shipping.
  • Creative Campaign Tools: Great merchandising tools for launching viral t-shirt designs, including pre-order capability.
  • Apparel + Accessories: Sell shirts, hoodies, hats, bags, masks, leggings, and more.
  • High Print Quality: Positive reviews of print vibrancy and durability.
  • Steep Pricing: High base costs on GearBubble‘s custom apparel compared to competitors.

GearBubble enables creators to easily merchandise designs on viral apparel and accessories. But beware the high base production costs.

5. Printy6

Printy6 is a UK-based print-on-demand company focusing on apparel and home goods:

  • UK Print Specialist: All production handled domestically within the UK for affordable UK shipping rates.
  • Flexibility: No minimum orders or setup fees to get started. Order exactly what you need.
  • Home Goods Too: Beyond apparel, Printy6 also prints custom pillows, duvets, blankets, and face masks.
  • Support Local Creatives: Printy6 aims to empower independent UK artists and makers.
  • Limited Products: Selection not as broad as multinational print-on-demand providers.

For British artists and designers seeking local print-on-demand production, Printy6 hits a patriotic high note. Just be aware of the smaller product catalog compared to global platforms.

6. Scale Print

Scale Print is an emerging UK print-on-demand provider offering affordable fulfillment services:

  • UK-Based: Domestic production facilities for quick UK shipping at low rates.
  • Branded Packaging: Add your logo and branding to all packaging and mailers.
  • Minimal Fees: No monthly subscriptions or hidden charges—just pay production costs per order.
  • New Company: Scale Print launched in 2021, so they are still building out their platform, product range, and production partnerships.
  • Limited Products For Now: Currently focused mainly on apparel with some phone cases and wall art.

For new UK sellers looking to test print-on-demand with minimal upfront investment, Scale Print is worth checking out. But the platform has limited product selection in its current state.

7. Printed.com

Printed.com is a US print provider with UK distribution capabilities:

  • UK Shipping: Printed.com handles affordable UK order fulfillment.
  • Huge Product Catalog: One of the most extensive print-on-demand product selections available.
  • Premium Materials: High-quality fabrics, papers, finishes, and manufacturing methods.
  • US Production: No local UK print facilities, so transatlantic shipping times are slower.
  • Steep Pricing: Above-average base production costs on most products.

Printed.com becomes cost-prohibitive for high-volume POD, but provides outstanding quality on unique, premium-priced products.

8. Printful Alternatives

In addition to Printful itself (covered earlier), here are two comparable print-on-demand services if you want alternate options:

A) Scalable Press

Scalable Press

  • UK facility for domestic print fulfillment
  • Focused on apparel and phone cases
  • Integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.
  • Competitive pricing

B) T-Pop

T-Pop

  • Local UK production centers
  • Specializes in customized apparel
  • Campaign creation toolkit
  • Affordable prices on apparel

Both Scalable Press and T-Pop offer strengths like UK printing, top platform support, and great costs—making them viable Printful alternatives.

9. Gooten

Gooten provides print-on-demand dropshipping services with global order fulfillment:

  • Cost-Effective UK Shipping: Gooten leverages a worldwide network of partner facilities to provide affordable rates.
  • Print Marketplace Model: Instead of owning production, Gooten fulfills orders through independent print shops competing for your business.
  • Automated Printer Assignment: AI automatically assigns your orders to print partners based on product type, location, quality ratings, etc.
  • Limited Quality Control: You have to trust Gooten‘s algorithm and monitoring to maintain print quality.
  • Smaller Product Selection: Gooten‘s print marketplace model limits uncommon product availability.

By tapping a global print shop marketplace, Gooten offers very attractive pricing. But the decentralized model surrenders control and product breadth.

10. Printed Mint

Printed Mint is one of the newest UK print-on-demand players:

  • UK-Based Print Specialists: Local British print production facilities for affordable domestic fulfillment.
  • Just Pay Per Order: No monthly subscription fees or volume requirements.
  • Designer-Friendly Margins: High royalties on each sale compared to other platforms.
  • New Small Business: Printed Mint is still maturing its product selection, print partnerships, and order automation.
  • Limited Products Now: Currently focused on a smaller collection of apparel and popular products.

Printed Mint deserves watching as an emerging domestic print provider tailored for UK designers. But the platform‘s still finding its footing.

Tips for Marketing UK Print-on-Demand Products

Now that you‘ve selected the best print-on-demand supplier for your UK store, let‘s discuss some proven marketing strategies for driving sales of customized and personalized products in Britain:

Optimize for UK Search Intent

Optimizing product copy, ads, and landing pages for British search intent helps you rank higher in UK Google and Bing results. For example, refer to "colour" instead of "color" and use the £ pound symbol.

Spotlight Localization in Listings

Explicitly call out that an item ships quickly from domestic UK facilities or arrives within x business days. Fast estimated delivery reassures buyers.

Highlight Multiple Customization Options

Buyers want unique purchasing experiences that let them put a personal touch on a product. Showcase personalization and design features like adding names, changing colours, or selecting size/fit.

Promote Gifting Opportunities

Many print-on-demand purchases are intended as gifts for birthdays, holidays, graduations, etc. Create gift-centric landing pages and ad campaigns that play up customization and domestic delivery speeds.

Leverage Influencers and UGC Content

Work with UK social media influencers and enthusiasts to create authentic user-generated content that shows off your products "in the wild" with British customers.

Start a Podcast or Youtube Channel

Creating a "behind the scenes" streaming show about your print-on-demand brand story and product offerings lets UK personality lovers get to know you on a deeper level.

Print-on-Demand FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about running a print-on-demand business:

Do I need to register a business to start print-on-demand?

  • You don‘t necessarily need an official registered business to begin, but you should report print-on-demand income on your personal taxes. Registering an LLC or similar gives you additional credibility with partners and customers.

How much money can I make selling print-on-demand?

  • Income potential varies hugely based on factors like products sold, order volume, margins, and more. Many print-on-demand sellers earn a few hundred to several thousand pounds per month. Top performers can make £50k or much more annually.

Is print-on-demand ethical? What about sustainability?

  • The environmental impact of print-on-demand does require consideration regarding materials sourcing, production processes, packaging, and shipping choices. Seek out providers focused on sustainability. When managed responsibly, print-on-demand can empower small business owners while still being eco-friendly.

Is print-on-demand legal in the UK?

  • Yes, print-on-demand is entirely legal in the Britain. You do have to ensure design assets are original content that don‘t infringe on trademarks or copyrights. Avoid copying branded material or using photos without permission.

How much does print-on-demand cost?

  • Specific print-on-demand costs vary across products and platforms. But in general you‘ll pay roughly:

  • £10-25 base price per t-shirt

  • £15-30 per hoodie

  • £5-15 per phone case

  • £10-20+ for framed wall art

  • Plus the provider‘s revenue margin percentage

Compare all pricing elements like production costs, fulfillment fees, and margins across print services.

Can anyone start their own print-on-demand business?

  • Absolutely! The barrier to entry for print-on-demand is very low. As long as you have creative ideas for customized product designs and some skill with basic software tools for creating artwork, you can launch your own POD brand. Young entrepreneurs and creators are finding incredible success.