As an aspiring entrepreneur or side hustler, choosing the right print-on-demand (POD) service can make or break your e-commerce venture. Printful and CustomCat are two popular players in the industry, but which one should you go with? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive deep into their offerings, pricing, product quality, and more, to help you make an informed decision.
Key Takeaways
| Criteria | Printful | CustomCat |
|---|---|---|
| Product Catalog | 343 items | 300 items |
| Printing Methods | DTG, embroidery, sublimation, DTF | DIGISOFT®, sublimation, all-over printing |
| Product Quality | 76% positive reviews on Trustpilot | 100% free replacement for manufacturing faults |
| Shipping Times (USA) | 3-7 business days | 1-3 business days |
Winner: Based on the key factors, Printful emerges as the better choice for global reach and branding options, while CustomCat excels in faster domestic shipping and lower costs for US-based businesses.
Printful vs CustomCat: An In-Depth Comparison
1. Product Range and Capabilities
When it comes to product offerings, both Printful and CustomCat have a diverse range, catering to apparel, accessories, household goods, phone cases, face masks, and notebooks.
Printful provides a slightly larger catalog with approximately 343 items, while CustomCat has around 300 products in its range. However, CustomCat specializes in all-over printing techniques, which can be a differentiating factor for certain product types.
In terms of printing methods, both companies offer high-quality options. Printful utilizes DTG (direct-to-garment), embroidery, sublimation, and DTF (direct-to-film) printing techniques, while CustomCat employs DIGISOFT® (their proprietary printing method), sublimation, and all-over printing.
2. Product Quality and Customer Reviews
When it comes to product quality, both Printful and CustomCat have established a solid reputation in the industry.
Printful products receive a 76% positive review rate on Trustpilot for product excellence, and the company adheres to a 3-step process for quality assurance. On the other hand, CustomCat guarantees to deliver superior products, offering a 100% free replacement in case of manufacturing errors.
3. Fulfillment and Shipping
Both Printful and CustomCat handle the entire fulfillment process, from printing to shipping, but their delivery times can vary significantly.
For orders within the USA, CustomCat offers faster shipping times, typically 1-3 business days. In contrast, Printful’s shipping times for domestic orders range from 3-7 business days. However, when it comes to international orders, Printful’s extensive global facilities enable shipment within 1-20 days, while CustomCat’s international shipping can take 1-28 days.
4. Pricing and Cost-Effectiveness
When it comes to pricing, both Printful and CustomCat offer competitive rates, but there are some key differences to consider.
CustomCat generally offers lower base costs and higher profit margins, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to maximize profits, especially in the US domestic market. Printful, on the other hand, tends to have higher product costs, but it offsets this with a wider network of connections with 24 online platforms, enabling greater reach and potential sales.
Additionally, Printful offers a 20% discount for sample orders, while CustomCat does not currently offer this option.
5. Customer Support and Integration
Both Printful and CustomCat understand the importance of stellar customer support and integration options for their users.
CustomCat’s support team tends to be more responsive, offering phone support, while Printful offers 24/7 customer assistance via email or live chat in six languages. Printful also boasts a higher review score of 4.8 on the Shopify App Store, compared to CustomCat’s 4.2.
In terms of integration options, both companies offer connections with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and more. However, Printful has a more extensive list of integrations, including API integrations for advanced customization.
6. Marketing Tools and Branding
While both Printful and CustomCat provide essential tools for running a POD business, Printful offers more advanced marketing and branding features.
With Printful, you can access the Design Maker, Mockup Generator, and Logo Maker tools to create professional designs and mockups for your products. Additionally, Printful offers Custom Packaging, Custom Pack-ins, and white-label packing slips for a more branded experience.
CustomCat, on the other hand, focuses more on streamlining the printing and fulfillment process, with fewer advanced marketing and branding features.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between Printful and CustomCat depends on your specific business needs and goals. CustomCat is well-suited for sellers looking to easily sell POD designs within the US domestic market, with lower base costs and faster domestic shipping times. On the other hand, Printful is an excellent choice for both newbies and experienced sellers catering to a worldwide customer base, offering a larger product catalog, diverse branding options, and a global network of fulfillment centers.
Whether you prioritize cost-effectiveness, global reach, product quality, or advanced marketing tools, this comprehensive comparison should help you make an informed decision between these two POD giants.