Best UK Print On Demand Companies in 2023
The global e-commerce industry is growing rapidly, particularly in places like the UK, the USA, and Canada. As such, there is a need for constantly evolving and more profitable business models. One particular business model growing in popularity is print on demand in the UK.
With print on demand dropshipping in the UK, many small businesses have been able to expand their scopes, making higher profits and experiencing significant business growth.
Read ahead for a quick recap on the print on demand business model and whether print on demand is profitable in the UK. We will also introduce you to 10 of the best print on demand companies in the UK and a list of the trending print on demand products you can dropship to make high profits.
What is Print on Demand?
Any business that sells products with custom designs printed onto different products would usually have to get those products printed and hold an inventory to sell.
For example, if you are an artist and want to sell products like t-shirts or hats with your artwork printed on them, you would need to get these products pre-printed and hold an inventory of those products.
This can often cause problems for people running small businesses. However, because in case the products don’t sell, the business owners suffer a loss and have to deal with the problems associated with keeping an inventory.
This is where print on demand comes in as an alternative way to sell custom-printed products without having to keep an inventory.
If you follow the print on demand business model, you would work with a supplier that holds white-label products – simple products like plain t-shirts, mugs, hats, and tote bags – and can print any custom designs onto those products for you on a pre-order basis.
That way, you would only order custom-printed products from that company when you get an order for the product from a customer.
The biggest advantage gained from the print on demand model is that you do not have to undertake any cost for the product until it has been sold to a customer.
Additionally, the print on demand supplier handles the printing, order fulfillment, and product delivery and shipment. So, there is not only a very low investment required, but also little to no risk involved.
Is Print on Demand Still Profitable in the UK?
The print on demand business model is continuing to grow worldwide.
According to Straits Research, the global market from print on demand was worth US$ 4.91 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to US$39.87 billion by 2030.
This shows incredible growth with a CAGR of over 26%! This global growth for print on demand shows us that the industry is continuing to grow, and one of the biggest reasons for this growth is how profitable the business model is.
The UK is one of the top four regions expected to experience the highest growth in print on demand services.
Many small businesses in the UK can continue to make high profits with the business model due to the little to no start-up investment needed.
Although the profit margins per product are pretty low, the lack of costs in the process means that even small profits can add up in the long run.
The 10 Best Print On Demand Companies in the UK
If you are interested in using print on demand to start selling custom printed products and make big profits, we have put together a list of the 10 best print on demand dropshipping UK companies to work with.
When choosing a company, keep in mind the quality of their white-label products, their printing, and the different kinds of printing methods they offer. You will also want to consider the company’s pricing points and how much profit you would be able to make from their business.
1. Inkedjoy
Inkedjoy is the top company on our list of the best print on demand dropshipping UK companies.
Inkedjoy has a number of product catalogs to choose from, with over 1500 white-label products available, including t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, hats, shoes, hoodies, and more.
The company also offers a branding service that can help small businesses build their brand image and grow their business.
Additionally, Inkedjoy offers warehousing, automated order fulfillment services, fast ship-express lines, as well as various user-friendly functions to make the print on demand process easier and more streamlined.
For example, a one-click bulk design option allows you to input your design and then have that design printed onto various bulk products with just one click. There is also one-piece customization offered.
Inkedjoy is best known for its competitive pricing. The site is completely free to use and has no sign-up costs. There is also no MOQ, and the more products you order, the higher discounts you can avail of.
And finally, Inkedjoy can be integrated with other e-commerce platforms like Etsy, WooCommerce, and Shopify.
This means that if you already have a store on any of these platforms, you can directly integrate them with Inkedjoy and benefit from Inkedjoy’s print on demand services.
2. Printful
Printful is a print on demand dropship UK supplier that is very well known and trusted.
The company has a global presence and sells various kinds of popular products. The company’s services are initially free, and you do not have to pay a monthly fee.
There are a number of other advantages you can gain by working with Printful, including fulfillment centers located in the UK, great customer support services, a mock-up builder, as well as integrations with other e-commerce platforms.
3. Printify
Printify is newly available in the UK and Northern Ireland and provides excellent print on demand services.
Printify has a product catalog with over 600 products, including mugs, posters, hats, shoes, and t-shirts. The basic package on Printify is completely free, and the site can be integrated with e-commerce platforms like Shopify, eBay, Etsy, WooCommerce, and Wix.
Additionally, the site has a free merch maker that allows you to make your custom products without any previous design experience and a mock-up generator to help you see what your custom products would look like.
4. Gelato
Gelato is a reliable print on demand dropshipping company that ships products all across the world, including the UK.
It is free to use with free sign-up and no monthly fee. On top of being completely free, Gelato also makes it very easy for you to calculate all your costs, including taxes and VAT.
The company also offers a wide catalog of high-quality products to choose from and does not have a MOQ.
5. Inkthreadable
Inkthreadable is one of the top print on demand dropshipping UK companies. The company stands out from other similar ones because of its environmentally friendly approach to print on demand.
All printing is done in the UK-based fulfillment center, and shipping usually takes around 7 days.
And finally, Inkthreadable is also completely free to use, and you only have to pay for the products and the shipping.
6. Sellfy
Sellfly is an e-commerce platform based in Europe that provides services like print on demand and order fulfillment.
The platform allows you to make your own store and sell custom-printed products. After a free 14-day trial, Sellfy offers plans that are priced between $19 to $99 per month.
All of the plans include print on demand services with various customization options, including different color variations and branded products.
7. Redbubble
RedBubble is one of the most well-known merchandise and print on demand websites in the UK.
The site has a catalog of around 70 products for you to choose from and handles all order fulfillment, product printing, shipping, and returns for you.
While the website itself is free to use and there is no monthly fee, the actual cost of the products varies depending on which products you choose to sell.
Overall, RedBubble has great community support and customer service and is a great site for print n demand beginners.
8. Spreadshirt
Spreadshirt is a print-on-demand supplier focusing on t-shirt customizations and printing. The company provides personalized products worldwide, including in the UK.
What’s more, the step-by-step guides on print on demand offered by the company make print on demand easy for beginners.
As for pricing, the site itself is free to use, meaning your total costs depend on the products you choose and the shopping costs.
You can also benefit from the variety of secure payment options Spreadshirt offers, including PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and more.
9. Pwinty
Pwinty is a successful API solution that makes print on demand easy for businesses with an app or an existing website.
Unlike other print on demand companies, Pwinty actually offers businesses access to a global network of print on demand partners that can customize and ship products for them.
Pwinty does not have any sign-up fee and has 24/7 operational labs that ensure all products are printed and delivered within 48 hours.
10. Prodigi
Prodigi is a fast-growing print on demand UK company with around 50 labs worldwide and offers a large product catalog with over 500,000 products to choose from.
The Prodigi headquarters are located in the UK, with offices in Cardiff, London, and other UK cities. The site is free to use with no sign-up fee, so your only cost is the cost of the products and shipping fees.
Trending Print on Demand Products You Can Dropship
There are various kinds of products customers are likely to want with custom prints. However, not all products do as well as others when it comes to print on demand.
The products expected to go the best in 2023 include products that can be used and have an aesthetic appeal. Here are the top 5 trending print on demand products you should consider dropshipping:
1. T-shirt
T-shirts are a very versatile product and can be customized for men, women, and children. T-shirts made with different materials and prints relating to different TV shows and characters are particularly popular.
If you want to be successful in dropshipping print on demand t-shirts, be sure to include an accurate size chart on your website.
2. Hoodies
Hoodies are a great option for print on-demand products and are particularly popular during the winter months. Street style is gaining more popularity every year, and hoodies are essential to street style.
3. Bags
There is a wide variety of bags you can sell with print on demand, from tote bags to bag packs and fanny packs.
Tote bags have a lot of demand from environmentally conscious customers, whereas bag packs and fanny packs are coming back into style in recent years, leading to higher demand.
4. Wall art
The demand for home décor items like wall art is going up, and wall art is a trending product that can earn you high profits with print on demand.
Wall art is a particularly good option for your business if you are an artist or make your own custom designs.
5. Shoes
And last on our list of trending print on demand products are shoes. You can sell various different kinds of shoes with custom designs, including flip-flops, sneakers, and more.
You can also specialize in men’s shoes, women’s shoes, or children’s shoes.
Final Thoughts on Print on Demand UK
Print on demand in the UK is gaining popularity every year as an easy-to-use business model that helps small businesses lower their costs and increase their profits.
If you are a small business just starting with print on demand, be sure to consider the top 10 best print on demand dropshipping UK companies we have mentioned. Also, keep in mind what kind of products are the trendiest best sellers when it comes to print on demand.
