CustomCat vs Printful: The Best POD for Profitable Growth
When it comes to reliable print-on-demand (POD) companies, CustomCat and Printful consistently rank among the best. CustomCat has been in the game for over 20 years, bringing a wealth of experience to the table, while Printful has quickly become a personal favorite for its exceptional product quality and seamless integration options.
In this detailed comparison, I’ll break down the key features of both platforms, including product offerings, integrations, pricing, and customer support. My goal is to help you decide which platform is the best fit for your needs.
Quick Verdict: CustomCat vs. Printful
Both CustomCat and Printful have earned their reputations as trusted names in the POD industry. They deliver high-quality printing options like direct-to-garment (DTG) and embroidery, with the ability to fulfill orders globally.
That said, Printful edges ahead, in my opinion, if you're seeking a larger product catalog, more integration options, and premium product lines. On the other hand, if you're more price-conscious and need quicker order fulfillment, CustomCat might be the better option for you.
CustomCat vs. Printful: The Pros and Cons
When deciding between CustomCat and Printful, understanding the pros and cons of each platform is key. Let's break down what makes each stand out and where they fall short.
CustomCat: Pros and Cons
Pros 👍
- Simple and beginner-friendly platform for new sellers.
- Excellent customer support, including a dedicated hotline.
- Budget-friendly pricing across a wide range of products.
- Slightly faster order fulfillment in some cases, a plus for sellers with tight deadlines.
- Great customization options like embroidery and vegan leather patches.
Cons 👎
- Smaller product range compared to competitors.
- Fewer sales channel integrations.
- Longer shipping times, especially for orders outside the US.
Printful: Pros and Cons
Pros 👍
- Consistently high-quality products, setting it apart from competitors.
- Extensive range of sales channel integrations, giving you flexibility in where you sell.
- A more comprehensive product catalog with over 340 customizable items.
- Excellent add-on services like design support and powerful design tools.
- Features like AI-powered image upscaling and access to a vast stock graphics library.
Cons 👎
- Longer fulfillment and delivery times, especially for international orders.
- Higher base product costs compared to budget-friendly alternatives.
- Customer support can have longer wait times.
Which Platform Has the Best Features?
Winner: Printful
When it comes to features, Printful takes the lead. While CustomCat does offer some fantastic tools, like marketing features and unique product options (think vegan leather patch hats and enamel camping mugs), Printful simply has more to offer.
With a wider range of customization options, superior design tools, and an impressive library of stock graphics, Printful shines. Their ‘Quick Store' feature, though limited to US merchants, is perfect for beginners. Add in the global warehousing and AI-powered image upscaling, and it's clear why Printful stands out as the top choice for most users.
That said, if production speed is your top priority, CustomCat has the edge. Its fast turnaround times, especially within the US, make it a strong contender, but for most sellers, Printful's versatile feature set wins out.
Product Options and Customization
When it comes to variety, Printful offers a slightly wider range, with over 340 customizable items. CustomCat isn’t far behind with just over 300 products, but they’re constantly adding new options. Both platforms provide profitable choices like custom apparel, accessories, and home décor, making them both strong contenders in the POD space.
Ultimately, Printful’s added services and design tools make it the go-to platform for those looking for more flexibility and higher-quality products. However, if speed and budget are more important to you, CustomCat could be the better fit.
CustomCat vs. Printful: Pros and Cons Breakdown
Both CustomCat and Printful offer a range of eco-friendly and sustainable products, but where Printful really shines, in my opinion, is in customization. CustomCat provides Digisoft, embroidery, and dye sublimation, while Printful goes a step further with DTF and all-over printing options.
I have to give props to CustomCat for its Digisoft feature, which combines the best of DTF and DTG. However, Printful's design tools are a bit more advanced. While CustomCat’s design interface is user-friendly, Printful offers AI-powered image upscaling and a vast library of stock images and graphics, giving you more customization flexibility.
It’s a close call, but when it comes to product options and customization, Printful has the edge.
Product Quality and Production Time
When it comes to product quality, Printful takes the lead. CustomCat is no slouch—it has a solid reputation for great printing—but Printful goes above and beyond with premium materials, inks, and machinery, earning a 99% customer satisfaction rate worldwide.
That said, CustomCat offers a 100% free replacement for any product with manufacturing faults, which is a nice touch. However, Printful’s use of more luxurious materials also means higher base costs, making it a bit tougher to maintain high margins.
In terms of production time, CustomCat outperforms Printful. CustomCat can process orders in 3 days or less, while Printful typically takes between 2 to 5 business days. So if speed is your priority, CustomCat might be the better choice.
Fulfillment and Sales Channels
Both platforms offer global fulfillment, but CustomCat has a slight advantage with faster shipping times in the US. Domestic orders can be delivered in as little as 3 days, while Printful’s range is more like 5 to 10 days. However, international orders are where things diverge: CustomCat may take up to 28 days for delivery, whereas Printful averages 20 days globally.
In terms of sales channels, Printful wins hands down. With over 20 ecommerce partners like Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon, Printful gives you a lot more integration flexibility. CustomCat, on the other hand, integrates with just four main platforms: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Etsy.
Both companies offer APIs for custom integration, but Printful also offers a ‘Quick Store’ feature. Although this is limited to US sellers with US-based customers, it’s a nice entry point for beginners looking for an easy way to start selling.
Best for Ease of Use and Customer Support: Printful
Printful takes the crown for customer support. While CustomCat provides phone support during business hours (which is great for sellers in the US and Vietnam), Printful offers 24/7 assistance, which is crucial for global operations.
Both platforms are easy to use, but Printful’s design tools and overall dashboard are more intuitive. CustomCat does offer more robust marketing and reporting tools, which may appeal to more experienced sellers, but for beginners, Printful’s clean interface and streamlined design make it the better choice.
Best for Pricing: Printful
Though Printful’s base prices are higher, I find their Growth membership to be a game-changer for businesses looking to scale. You get access to discounts and features like 20% off sample orders, which is perfect for testing new products affordably.
For businesses generating over $12k annually, the membership’s value really shines. Even though Printful's pricing might seem steep at first glance, it offers more long-term value for those balancing high-quality products with business growth.
Like many other POD platforms I’ve tested, both CustomCat and Printful offer free plans that give you everything you need to launch your online store. However, if you’re looking to scale your business, both platforms also offer paid options that might be worth the upgrade.
CustomCat Pro is available for $25 annually or $30 per month. With this plan, you get 20-40% off the company’s standard wholesale prices, which is perfect for high-volume sellers looking to maximize profits.
Printful’s Growth membership, available for free if you’re making more than $12k a year or for $24.99 per month, also offers some valuable perks. With this plan, you can get up to 30% off certain products and 7% off branding, plus other useful discounts. For companies earning over $60k a year, Printful even offers a Business plan, which comes with even more discounts, making it an attractive option for larger businesses.
That said, Printful's products are generally priced higher than CustomCat’s. For example, a men’s t-shirt from Printful could cost you anywhere from $6.95 to $29.95, depending on the features. Meanwhile, CustomCat offers similar t-shirts at prices ranging from $5.50 to $29.95. So while Printful may have some enticing discounts, you could find it harder to achieve the same profit margins.
One area where Printful stands out is sample orders. Printful offers a 20% discount on sample products, which is a great way to test items before adding them to your store. Unfortunately, CustomCat doesn’t have a similar offer.
CustomCat vs. Printful: The Verdict
In the end, Printful stands out as my top choice for businesses aiming to sell a wide variety of highly customizable products on a global scale. With its superior product quality, excellent design tools, and broader integration options, it’s hard to beat.
That said, CustomCat can be the more cost-effective option, particularly when looking at core product prices. It also delivers faster turnaround times for US-based customers, making it a strong contender if speed and budget are your top priorities.
Ultimately, the right choice depends on your business goals and what matters most to you—whether that’s product range, pricing, or fulfillment speed. But rest assured, both platforms are exceptional options for any POD seller.