In the world of eCommerce, print-on-demand services have revolutionized the way businesses design, create, and sell custom products. Gone are the days of managing inventory and investing in expensive printing equipment.
But with so many options available, how do you choose the right one for your brand?
In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the features, benefits, and differences between two popular print-on-demand services: Apliiq and Printful, by comparing them.
By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which service best suits your business needs and can help you reach your goals.
Whether you’re starting a new clothing line, expanding your existing product range, or simply looking for an efficient way to sell custom products, Apliiq and Printful offer unique advantages that cater to different business requirements.
Let’s begin by understanding the basics of these two print-on-demand giants in the context of Apliiq vs Printful.
Short Summary
Comparing Apliiq vs Printful to determine which POD service is right for you?
Apliiq and Printful offer different customization options, product catalogs, printing techniques & shipping services.
Consider pricing, profit margins, mobile app features & support resources when selecting the best option for your business needs.
Apliiq vs Printful: Understanding the Basics
Apliiq and Printful are two popular print-on-demand companies that cater to businesses looking to sell custom apparel without the hassle of managing inventory.
They both provide an array of features and options, such as customization options, a wide selection of products, printing options, bulk discounts, competitive prices, and worldwide shipping.
However, they each have their own unique features that set them apart. Apliiq is an excellent choice for fashion entrepreneurs who want to sell products in bulk offline or those starting their own clothing lines and require premium apparel.
On the other hand, Printful is known for its user-friendly interface, extensive integrations, and a vast product catalog.
When it comes to pricing, Apliiq charges based on quantity ordered, while Printful charges per item with an associated shipping cost.
Both companies accept all major credit cards and PayPal, with shipping rates varying depending on the chosen carrier and destination.
Apliiq Overview
Apliiq, based in downtown LA, specializes in providing high-quality private label apparel products through its print-on-demand service.
The company has carved a niche for itself in the world of streetwear clothing by offering a variety of custom products for businesses to sell. Apliiq’s dedication to quality is evident in its choice of apparel products and standard shipping options.
The company’s Mockup Generator is an intuitive tool that allows users to design and customize product photos, making it an essential feature for a successful print-on-demand business.
Apliiq is also committed to environmental sustainability, utilizing water-based inks for screen printing and embroidery thread crafted from recycled plastic bottles. Their printing services include digital printing, screen printing, embroidery, and applique.
Apliiq offers a more intricate interface with a range of customization options in its mockup generator, making it ideal for experienced users who want to create unique designs for their product catalog on Printful or other platforms.
Additionally, their custom woven labels can help businesses create a strong brand presence, both online and in offline retail channels, at an annual cost of $100. They also provide the option to craft your own product descriptions or let Apliiq generate one for you.
Printful Overview
Printful is a well-established print-on-demand service that has been providing fulfillment and warehousing services to online merchants since 2013.
The company offers a wide range of services, including photography, graphic design, warehousing, and a mockup generator tool for designing and simulating print quality and brand positioning for apparel products.
One of Printful’s key advantages is its user-friendly mockup generator and mobile app, which facilitate store management.
The company’s affiliate program is also one of the most rewarding in the industry, making it an attractive choice for businesses looking to partner with a print-on-demand service.
Printful offers a wide selection of customizable items, including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, phone cases, and tote bags.
In terms of customization options, products on Printful offer various choices, such as print location, print size, and color choices.
The company’s extensive range of products and services, combined with its seamless integration capabilities, makes it a popular choice for businesses looking to sell custom products online.
Apliiq vs Printful – Comparing Custom Branding Options
Custom branding is essential for businesses to create a unique identity and stand out in the competitive eCommerce landscape.
Apliiq and Printful are both perfect for businesses looking to express their own custom branding.
They offer a wide range of different options to help develop tailored products. Apliiq focuses on clothing tags, custom labels, patches, and interior lining design, while Printful provides options for adding logos or brand names to products, scented inserts, branding presets, and custom packaging.
Apliiq’s custom branding options cater to businesses looking for more intricate and specialized designs in their apparel products.
Their offerings can help businesses create a strong brand presence, both online and in offline retail channels. On the other hand, Printful’s branding options are more versatile and cater to a wider range of businesses.
Their branding presets and custom packaging options enable businesses to create a consistent and professional image across their product line.
Ultimately, the choice between Apliiq and Printful for custom branding options will depend on your business’s specific needs and goals. If you’re looking for more specialized and intricate designs, Apliiq might be the better choice.
However, if you want versatility and a broader range of options, Printful could be the ideal solution.
Apliiq vs Printful – Analyzing Product Catalogs
The product catalog is a crucial factor for businesses when choosing a print-on-demand service. Apliiq and Printful both offer unique product catalogs that cater to different business needs.
Apliiq specializes in streetwear clothing and has collections like ‘eco-friendly’, ‘hot-new’, and ‘face scarves’. Their focus on eco-friendly apparel includes recycled t-shirts and bamboo-based products.
Apliiq also offers unique items such as bamboo-based products, recycled t-shirts, and face scarves, providing a niche product range for businesses looking to stand out.
On the other hand, Printful boasts an extensive product catalog, offering items ranging from apparel and home decor to tech gadgets and accessories.
With a diverse range of products available for customization, Printful enables businesses to create their own clothing line or expand their existing product range without investing in inventory or equipment.
When comparing the product catalogs of Apliiq and Printful, businesses should evaluate which items are compatible with their brand and target audience.
While Apliiq offers a more niche product range focused on streetwear and eco-friendly apparel, Printful provides a broader selection, catering to various businesses and industries.
Apliiq vs Printful – Printing Techniques Comparison
When it comes to print-on-demand services, the printing techniques used can significantly impact the quality and appearance of the final product.
Apliiq and Printful both offer a range of printing techniques, including direct to garment printing, sublimation printing, embroidery, and digital printing.
Apliiq provides digital and screenprint (bulk orders), embroidery, applique, and cut and sew services, while Printful’s techniques include direct to garment printing, sublimation printing, embroidery, and digital printing.
Apliiq’s focus on streetwear clothing and customization options means they utilize a variety of printing techniques to cater to different product types and designs.
This versatility allows businesses to create unique, high-quality custom apparel that reflects their brand identity.
Printful’s range of printing techniques ensures that they can accommodate a wide variety of product types and designs, catering to businesses with diverse product offerings.
When comparing the printing techniques of Apliiq and Printful, it’s essential to consider the specific needs of your business and the products you plan to offer
. Both companies provide a range of options, ensuring that businesses can find the right printing technique to suit their needs and create high-quality custom products.
Apliiq vs Printful – Shipping and Fulfillment Services
Shipping and fulfillment services play a critical role in ensuring customer satisfaction and the overall success of your eCommerce business.
Apliiq and Printful offer extensive warehouse and fulfillment services for eCommerce merchants.
Apliiq’s warehouses are located throughout the USA, Canada, and Europe, offering standard shipping options for their customers. On the other hand, Printful operates its centralized warehouse facility and partners with global carriers like FedEx, Pasts, DHL, DPD, and USPS.com.
Apliiq offers domestic orders with delivery times ranging between 1-5 days, while Printful’s average shipping time for products is 2-14 days.
Both companies provide international shipping options, ensuring that businesses can cater to customers worldwide. Printful also offers same-day shipping for added convenience.
The choice between Apliiq and Printful for shipping and fulfillment services will depend on factors such as delivery times, warehouse locations, and shipping costs.
Both companies provide comprehensive services that cater to various business needs, ensuring that your customers receive their orders promptly and efficiently.
Apliiq vs Printful – Integration Capabilities
Integration with eCommerce platforms and marketplaces is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a print-on-demand service.
Apliiq offers two integrations, Shopify and Flamory. Printful on the other hand provides much more options – including Shopify, Etsy, Wix, Webflow, Amazon, Weebly, Launch, Storenvy, BigCartel, Wish, Ecwid, PrestaShop, eBay, ShipStation, and Bonanza, among others.
The difference in integration capabilities between Apliiq and Printful may influence your decision based on the eCommerce platform or marketplace you plan to use. If your business operates on Shopify or Flamory, Apliiq may be suitable for your needs.
However, if you require integration with a broader range of platforms, Printful’s extensive integration capabilities could be the better choice for your business.
Apliiq vs Printful – Pricing and Profit Margins
Pricing and profit margins are essential factors to consider when choosing a print-on-demand service for your business. Both Apliiq and Printful offer free platforms; however, fulfillment, shipping, tax, and other fees will be incurred.
Apliiq’s prices are generally slightly higher than Printful’s, although the difference is not substantial.
However, Apliiq does offer discounts on bulk orders, which may be beneficial for those selling in larger quantities.
When comparing the pricing and profit margins of Apliiq and Printful, it’s crucial to consider the specific needs of your business and the products you plan to sell.
While Apliiq’s prices may be slightly higher, their discounts on bulk orders could make them more cost-efficient for businesses selling in larger quantities.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more affordable option with competitive pricing, Printful might be the better choice.
Mobile App Features
In today’s fast-paced world, having a mobile app to manage your print-on-demand store can be extremely beneficial.
Printful offers a user-friendly mobile app available for both iOS and Android, which enables you to manage your Printful store from any location.
The mobile app offers order creation, order tracking, customer support options, and the ability to place orders on hold or remove holds.
Although Apliiq doesn’t have a dedicated mobile app, their website is accessible on mobile devices, allowing you to manage your store on the go.
When comparing the mobile app features of Apliiq and Printful, it’s essential to consider the convenience and user experience offered by each service.
Printful’s mobile app provides an advantage in terms of store management, order tracking, and overall user experience.
Affiliate Programs and Incentives
Affiliate programs and incentives can be a lucrative way for businesses to generate additional revenue while promoting print-on-demand services.
Apliiq provides referral links and commission-based earning opportunities, while Printful offers a referral program where you can earn $5 in points.
The commission rate for Printful’s affiliate program is 10% flat, and their affiliates have earned a total of $1.3 million to date.
When comparing the affiliate programs and incentives of Apliiq and Printful, it’s important to consider the commission rates, payout structures, and promotional resources offered by each service.
Both companies provide opportunities for businesses to earn additional income while promoting their print-on-demand services, with Printful’s 10% flat commission rate being particularly attractive.
Support and Resources
Customer support and resources are essential aspects of any print-on-demand service. Apliiq provides comprehensive customer support.
The knowledge base consists of help articles and troubleshooting guides to aid customers in different scenarios.
In addition, customers can submit a ticket to contact the customer support team with any questions they may have.
Apliiq also provides resources for designing and producing woven labels, allowing businesses to collaborate with their artists to create custom labels and clothing.
Printful, on the other hand, offers a comprehensive knowledge base and customer support options, ensuring businesses have access to the resources they need to succeed.
When comparing the support and resources provided by Apliiq and Printful, it’s important to consider the level of assistance and resources required by your business to efficiently manage your print-on-demand store.
Alternative Print on Demand Sites
While Apliiq and Printful are popular choices in the print-on-demand industry, there are alternative services available, such as CustomCat and Printify.
When choosing the best POD service for your business, it’s important to assess factors like product quality, printer service, product range, shipping costs, and profit margins.
CustomCat is a comprehensive print-on-demand company offering over 550 products and a paid plan for $30 per month. Printify, another print-on-demand company, provides access to a global network of printing partners.
Printify offers a wide range of products and enables businesses to select their printer based on the country they intend to sell in for fast and economical shipping.
However, it’s important to note that the quality of products and printer’s service may be inconsistent, depending on the vendor.
When exploring alternative print-on-demand sites, it’s crucial to consider the specific needs of your business and the products you plan to offer.
While Apliiq and Printful are popular choices, services like CustomCat and Printify may offer additional options and benefits that could better suit your business needs.
Summary
Throughout this blog post, we’ve explored the features, benefits, and differences between Apliiq and Printful, two popular print-on-demand services.
Apliiq specializes in streetwear clothing and provides customization options, eco-friendly practices, and slightly higher prices with bulk order discounts.
On the other hand, Printful offers a broader range of products, a user-friendly interface, extensive integrations, and competitive pricing.
When choosing the right print-on-demand service for your business, it’s essential to consider factors like product offerings, customization options, integration capabilities, pricing, and support resources.
By carefully evaluating these factors and understanding the unique advantages of Apliiq and Printful, you can make an informed decision and select the best print-on-demand service to help your business thrive in the competitive eCommerce landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Apliiq have mockups?
Apliiq does not offer mockups, and you will need to use external tools to create your own.
Where is Apliiq based?
Apliiq is based in downtown Los Angeles, California, where it was incorporated in 2009.
How do I use Apliiq on Shopify?
Installing the Apliiq Dropshipping app to your Shopify store is all you need to get started. Once the app has been installed successfully, you can then add a payment method, and upgrade to brands (optional).
What are the main differences between Apliiq and Printful?
Apliiq offers custom streetwear clothing with detailed customization options, while Printful offers a wide range of products and easy integration with eCommerce sites.
Do Apliiq and Printful offer eco-friendly products?
Yes, both Apliiq and Printful offer eco-friendly products. Apliiq specializes in recycled t-shirts and bamboo-based apparel, while Printful offers a wide range of items that may be environmentally friendly.
Daniel is an ecommerce expert specializing in the print-on-demand and dropshipping industry. With a background in software development, he has successfully turned his tech-savvy insights into a thriving 6-figure dropshipping business. He is a contributing writer for numerous top-tier tech & ecommerce blogs.