CafePress vs Zazzle: Which is better print on demand supplier in 2023
Print on demand is an increasingly popular service that allows you to create and sell custom products online. Print-on-demand platforms provide a unique opportunity to market and sell your custom designs on products without ever having to manage inventory. Through this dropshipping model, manufacturers print the items for you and ship them directly to customers – all with little effort from you!
Two of the most popular print on demand companies are CafePress vs Zazzle. Both have a variety of features that make them attractive options for entrepreneurs, but they also have some key differences when it comes to pricing, customization options, and quality of product.
They both allow users to create professional-looking merchandise with their own designs, but they have some important differences that should be considered when deciding which service to use. We will provide you with all the knowledge required to make a clear-cut decision between CafePress vs Zazzle, so that your journey in this industry can start off on the right foot.
Contents
- 1 CafePress vs Zazzle: CafePress Overview
- 2 CafePress vs Zazzle: Zazzle Overview
- 3 Cafepress vs Zazzle: Ease of Use
- 4 Cafepress vs Zazzle: Shipping and Fulfillment
- 5 Cafepress vs Zazzle: print quality
- 6 Cafepress vs Zazzle: profit margins
- 7 Cafepress vs Zazzle: Packaging & Branding:
- 8 Cafepress vs Zazzle: Payment Options:
- 9 Cafepress vs Zazzle: Customer support
- 10 Cafepress vs Zazzle: pricing plan
- 11 Cafepress vs Zazzle: Conclusion
CafePress vs Zazzle: CafePress Overview
CafePress is a print-on-demand company that allows users to create their own designs and put them on products like t-shirts, mugs, bags, and more. The company offers competitive prices for bulk orders, and discounts are available for larger quantities. Additionally, CafePress has no minimum order requirement, so you can get started with as little as one item.
CafePress was founded by Fred Durham and Maheesh Jain in 1999 and is one of the oldest POD companies in operation. It has a large selection of products to choose from, including apparel, mugs, bags, and more. The website also offers customization options like printing on both sides of items or adding text to products.
Some features of CafePress are as follows:
- Wide selection of products – CafePress has a wide selection of products and allows customers to create their own unique designs.
- No minimum order – CafePress does not require any minimum orders, so you can purchase as few or as many items as required.
- Bulk discounts – CafePress offers discounts for bulk orders, making it an attractive option for those who require larger quantities.
- Simple and fast setup – CafePress’s setup process is simple and straightforward, allowing users to start selling their products quickly.
- Easy website management – CafePress’s website management system is easy to use and allows users to customize the look of their store.
CafePress vs Zazzle: Zazzle Overview
Zazzle is another popular print-on-demand platform that allows users to customize products with their own designs. One of the key advantages of Zazzle is the high quality materials they use, which makes their products look more professional and attractive. Additionally, they offer more customization options than CafePress, giving users the ability to create truly unique products.
Zazzle was founded in 2005 by Robert, Bobby, and Jeffrey Beaver and has since become one of the most popular POD companies. They offer a wide selection of products, from apparel to home decor, and also have an extensive library of pre-made designs that customers can customize with their own text or images.
Some features and benefits of Zazzle are as follows:
- High quality materials – Zazzle’s products are made from higher quality materials that make them look more professional and attractive.
- More customization options – Zazzle offers a greater variety of customization options, allowing users to create truly unique products.
- No minimum order – Zazzle does not have any minimum orders, so you can purchase as few or as many items as required.
- Robust website management system – Zazzle’s website management system is robust and allows users to customize the look of their store in great detail.
- Competitive pricing – Zazzle’s base price is higher than CafePress’, but it offers competitive pricing for bulk orders.
Cafepress vs Zazzle: Ease of Use
Cafepress is simpler to use, with a user-friendly online design tool that allows you to easily add text and artwork. They also provide helpful tips for making the most out of your designs. On the other hand, Zazzle has an advanced customization software which makes it easier to create unique products with multiple layers and color combinations. However, their interface is slightly harder to use, and their tips may not be as helpful.
When comparing cafepress vs zazzle, cafepress offers a more straightforward user experience that is better suited for beginners or those who are short on time. On the other hand, Zazzle’s advanced customization tools give more experienced users the freedom to create unique and complex designs. Ultimately, it all depends on your level of skill and what you’re looking for in terms of product customization.
At the end of the day, cafepress vs zazzle both have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to customizing products. Cafepress offers a simpler user experience that is better suited for beginners, while Zazzle has more advanced customization options. Ultimately, you’ll need to decide which features and services are most important to you when selecting your preferred custom product provider.
Cafepress vs Zazzle: Shipping and Fulfillment
Cafepress offers flat rate shipping prices, starting at just $6.25 for apparel and accessories. They offer free standard shipping on orders over $45 and same day printing options when ordering before 8pm EST. Zazzle has a minimum purchase of $50 to qualify for free shipping, but they also have several expedited options available to choose from. Additionally, they offer international shipping and the option to pick up orders in store.
US customers can expect their CafePress orders in as little as two business days if utilizing the Premium delivery service, or only one day with Express. For those ordering from overseas, deliveries will arrive within 14-28 business days – unless you take advantage of the speedy Premium and Express options!
Zazzle’s regular shipping time is between 4-7 business days, while expedited delivery can arrive as quickly as within 2-3 business days. To determine the exact date, your product will get to you, browse through their shipping time page. There you’ll find an estimate based on what type of product it is that you’ve ordered.
Overall, cafepress has the advantage when it comes to shipping costs and fast fulfillment times, while Zazzle offers more customization options and better print quality. Depending on your individual needs, either cafepress or zazzle could be the better choice for you.
Cafepress vs Zazzle: print quality
When it comes to print quality, Zazzle has the advantage. Zazzle uses higher quality materials than CafePress, making their products look more professional and attractive. Additionally, they offer more customization options than CafePress, allowing users to create more unique items. Of course, this comes with a price – Zazzle’s base prices are higher than CafePress, but their customization options make up for it if you require a specific look.
To maintain quick delivery times, CafePress utilizes a global network of manufacturers. Their goal is to offer you different products at a fair cost; however, the quality may be comprised off as a result.
With Zazzle, you receive an alert if the design doesn’t fit correctly or has a low resolution on a product. This ensures that all orders are printed accurately, reducing any potential errors. Though they outsource their printing work, the quality of your order is still guaranteed as each company employed by Zazzle meets high standards for print production and materials.
Cafepress vs Zazzle: profit margins
When it comes to profit margins, CafePress generally has the edge. With no minimum order requirements and discounts for bulk orders, CafePress can offer lower per-item prices, which leads to higher profits. On the other hand, while Zazzle’s customization options make up for their higher base prices in some cases, they also require a higher initial investment.
CafePress offers a wide selection of apparel with iconic Snoopy designs, including men’s tees for just $24.99 (excluding shipping). Plus, enjoy even better savings when you buy in bulk – six or more t-shirts will get you the discounted price of only $11.50 each! 2XL sizes cost slightly more at just $14.50 per shirt, while shipping costs are fixed at an affordable rate of only $6.25 across all orders.
A man’s t-shirt with the famous Sesame Street Cookie Monster image can be yours from Zazzle for just $16.96, but if you’re looking for something a bit bigger, CafePress offers XL and 2XL sizes at a discounted rate of up to 3 dollars cheaper than on Zazzle! Plus, please note that when you buy 11 or more items from Zazzle in one go, you’ll get an extra 10% off your order too!
Overall, CafePress is the better option for those looking to make a profit from their print-on-demand business. It’s cheaper, has no minimum order requirement, and offers discounts for larger orders. However, if you need higher quality materials or more customization options, Zazzle may be a better choice.
Cafepress vs Zazzle: Packaging & Branding:
Cafepress offers basic packaging options, including bubble mailers and box mailers. They also provide custom branded boxes with your logo or artwork for an additional fee. Zazzle has a variety of packaging options suitable for both small and large orders, which can be tailored to fit any budget or requirement. Their packaging includes craft paper bags, custom boxes and mailers with your logo.
When it comes to branding, both cafepress and zazzle offer various options for personalizing products. With CafePress, you can create or upload a logo or artwork to add to any product, while Zazzle also offers the option of adding customized text such as quotes or slogans. Both cafepress and zazzle also offer the option to add product tags or labels with your brand logo.
Cafepress vs Zazzle: Payment Options:
Cafepress accepts payments from Visa, MasterCard, American Express and PayPal. They also offer a membership program with discounts on orders over $50. Zazzle accepts all major credit cards, debit cards and Apple Pay. They have their rewards program which offers points for every purchase, as well as special discounts and promotional offers regularly.
Overall, cafepress and zazzle both offer plenty of payment options, with cafepress having the advantage of a membership program and discounts for bigger orders. Zazzle’s rewards program is an added bonus for frequent shoppers.
Cafepress vs Zazzle: Customer support
Cafepress has a knowledge base, email support and phone lines that are open 8am-8pm EST. They also offer live chat for customers in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Zazzle offers similar customer support options, with a 24/7 toll-free line for US customers, as well as an extensive FAQ page.
Overall, cafepress and zazzle both offer great customer support options, but cafepress has the advantage of its live chat feature.
Cafepress vs Zazzle: pricing plan
Cafepress pricing varies depending on the product, with no minimum order requirements. Zazzle has a base price and then adds individual fees for customization, shipping, and taxes.
CafePress offers two distinct pricing structures that meet different needs.
- Option A has no starting cost – as long as you make a sale, CafePress will take 10% out of the profits each month, with no more than $10 deducted.
- Option B by pre-paying your subscription – you’ll receive a 10% fee waiver. They offer four payment plans that range from one month to an entire year: $6.95 per month, $18.45 every three months, $34.95 bimonthly or the yearly choice of only $59.95 – perfect for high volume stores looking to maximize their savings!
With Zazzle, you get to use their services free of charge – no weekly, monthly, or yearly fees whatsoever. And the best part? Every time a customer purchases one of your products, you can raise the base prices and keep all additional profits after Zazzle deducts its cost-price!
The other option is the Zazzle black tier. It’s economical, with a Standard plan of only $9.95 per month or an even more cost-effective Premium plan at just $39.95 annually:
- Zazzle Black Standard offers free, unlimited standard shipping for applicable items!
- Zazzle Black Premium offers unlimited 2–3 days shipping on eligible products and make online shopping easier than ever before!
Cafepress vs Zazzle: Conclusion
In conclusion, cafepress offers low-cost options for print-on-demand businesses, while Zazzle provides higher quality materials and customization options. Depending on your specific needs, one company may be more suitable than the other. Cafepress has lower fees, but Zazzle offers more customization options, while their Black membership tier provides added convenience and savings.
Ultimately, cafepress and zazzle are both great options for custom merchandise. Both companies provide a variety of payment methods, customer support, and pricing plans to meet different needs and budgets. It’s worth researching both cafepress and zazzle to make an informed decision about which company to use for your custom merchandise needs. With cafepress and zazzle at your disposal, you can find the perfect fit.
When choosing between Cafepress and Zazzle, the decision ultimately comes down to what’s most important to you. If you’re looking for lower prices and bulk discounts, then CafePress may be your best bet. However, if you require higher quality materials and more customization options, then Zazzle may be worth the extra cost.