In the booming world of print-on-demand (POD), creators and entrepreneurs are constantly on the hunt for platforms that provide the best mix of profitability, ease of use, and audience reach. Two names that frequently come up in this conversation are TeePublic and Etsy.
While both platforms allow you to sell custom-designed merchandise without handling inventory or shipping, they cater to different audiences and operate in distinct ways. Choosing the right platform could significantly impact your business’s success.
In this detailed guide, we’ll compare TeePublic vs Etsy across key factors like pricing, audience size, profit margins, product variety, and marketing possibilities — and help you decide which is the better fit for your print-on-demand journey.
1. Understanding the Basics
What is TeePublic?
TeePublic, founded in 2013 and now owned by Redbubble, is a marketplace-style POD platform specializing in apparel, stickers, phone cases, and home goods. It works like a POD marketplace where artists upload designs, and TeePublic handles the rest: printing, shipping, and customer service.
You don’t have to pay upfront fees — instead, you earn a fixed commission on each sale.
Key features:
- No upfront costs
- Marketplace audience built-in
- Mostly apparel-focused products
- Limited customization on store design
What is Etsy?
Etsy is a global e-commerce marketplace that allows creators to sell handmade items, vintage goods, and POD products via integrations with POD services like Printify or Printful.
Unlike TeePublic, Etsy is not a POD-specific site. You’ll need to connect it to a POD provider to fulfill your orders. Etsy gives you more control over branding, pricing, and customer interaction.
Key features:
- Larger product variety (with POD integrations)
- Seller branding and customization options
- Fee-based listing system
- Huge, diverse global audience
2. Getting Started: Setup & Ease of Use
TeePublic
- Ease of Setup: Extremely simple. You create an account, upload your artwork, choose products, and publish.
- Learning Curve: Minimal — everything is automated, and the store design is fixed.
- Time to Launch: You can go live within hours.
✅ Best for beginners who don’t want to handle complex integrations or store customization.
Etsy
- Ease of Setup: More complex. You need to set up an Etsy shop, create listings, and connect a POD provider like Printify or Printful.
- Learning Curve: Moderate to high — you’ll manage pricing, SEO, product mockups, and branding.
- Time to Launch: Could take several days to set up properly.
✅ Best for sellers who want brand control and are comfortable with a more hands-on approach.
3. Product Range and Customization
TeePublic
TeePublic offers a narrower range of products, mainly:
- T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops
- Stickers, mugs, tote bags
- Phone cases, wall art, notebooks
Customization options are minimal — your designs can be placed on available products, but you can’t modify packaging or add personalized branding.
Etsy
With POD integrations, Etsy can sell hundreds of product types:
- Apparel, mugs, posters, phone cases
- Home décor, jewelry, stationery
- Seasonal products and niche items
You can fully customize:
- Product descriptions
- Pricing
- Packaging (through POD partners that offer branding)
4. Audience & Marketing Potential
TeePublic
- Has its own built-in customer base of shoppers looking for unique designs.
- TeePublic promotes your designs in its marketplace and through SEO.
- Limited marketing control — your exposure largely depends on their algorithms.
Pros:
- No need to bring your own traffic.
- Great for artists who want a “hands-off” approach.
Cons:
- You’re competing with thousands of other designers.
- Limited tools for personal brand building.
Etsy
- Massive global audience of 95+ million buyers.
- Strong search engine presence — Etsy listings often rank in Google.
- Requires more self-promotion: Etsy’s algorithm favors listings with traffic, reviews, and engagement.
Pros:
- You can build a brand presence.
- Higher visibility potential if you run your own marketing campaigns.
Cons:
- Requires SEO knowledge and possibly paid ads for faster growth.
5. Profit Margins & Fees
TeePublic
- Earnings are fixed: For example, a standard t-shirt might earn you $4–$6 during regular sales.
- TeePublic runs frequent discounts (up to 35% off), reducing earnings per sale.
- No upfront or listing fees.
Etsy
- You set your own prices, so profit margins are flexible.
- Fees include:
Listing fee: $0.20 per item
Transaction fee: 6.5%
Payment processing fee: varies by country
- POD provider cost: e.g., a Printful t-shirt may cost $12 + shipping, so your profit depends on your selling price.
💡 On Etsy, you can sell the same shirt for $25 and make $8–$10 in profit, but you’ll have to manage pricing strategy yourself.
6. Branding & Store Control
TeePublic
- Storefront customization: Limited.
- No personalized packaging or direct customer contact.
- Your store lives within TeePublic’s ecosystem.
Etsy
- Full control over branding: store banner, logo, product images, descriptions.
- Option for branded packaging (depending on POD partner).
- Direct communication with customers for personalized service.
7. Scalability & Long-Term Potential
TeePublic
- Easy to scale design uploads — the more designs you post, the more chances of sales.
- Limited scalability in terms of building a brand or expanding product offerings.
- Earnings depend on TeePublic’s traffic and algorithms.
Etsy
- Highly scalable if you invest in marketing, SEO, and branding.
- Potential to build a recognizable store and loyal customer base.
- Can expand beyond POD into handmade or drop-shipped products.
8. Pros & Cons Summary
| Feature | TeePublic | Etsy |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Setup | ✅ Very easy | ❌ More complex |
| Upfront Cost | Free | Low listing fees |
| Product Variety | Limited | Extensive |
| Profit Control | Fixed | Flexible |
| Branding | Minimal | Full control |
| Marketing Needs | Low | High |
| Scalability | Moderate | High |
9. Which Should You Choose?
Choose TeePublic if:
- You want a quick, beginner-friendly start.
- You prefer a hands-off approach with no need to drive your own traffic.
- You don’t mind lower profit margins in exchange for simplicity.
Choose Etsy if:
- You want full control over pricing and branding.
- You’re willing to invest time in SEO, marketing, and shop optimization.
- You aim to build a long-term, scalable online store.
Final Verdict
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer in the TeePublic vs Etsy debate. TeePublic is perfect for artists who want to upload designs and let the platform do the rest, while Etsy is ideal for entrepreneurs aiming to create a branded business with greater earning potential.
If you’re starting from scratch and want to test the waters, TeePublic offers a low-risk entry point. But if you’re serious about building a POD brand and maximizing profits, Etsy — paired with a quality POD provider — is the more powerful long-term choice.
FAQs
1. Can I sell on both TeePublic and Etsy?
Yes, many POD sellers use multiple platforms to diversify income and reach different audiences.
2. Does TeePublic own my designs?
No, you retain the rights to your artwork, but TeePublic gets a license to print and sell it.
3. Which platform has higher profit margins?
Etsy generally offers higher profit margins because you set your prices.
4. Can I integrate TeePublic with Etsy?
No, they are separate marketplaces. Etsy integrates with POD providers like Printify or Printful instead.
5. Is Etsy better for marketing my own designs?
Yes, Etsy allows more branding and customer engagement, which is great for marketing.
6. How fast can I start selling?
TeePublic: within hours.
Etsy: within a few days after setup and product listing.
7. Which is better for beginners?
TeePublic is easier for beginners, while Etsy is better for those ready to invest more effort for long-term gains.
