Printify Cost: The Real Numbers You Need to Know

Printify's pricing can be confusing at first because there are multiple cost layers: subscription plans, product base costs, shipping fees, and potential extras. I'll break down each one so you can actually calculate your profit margins before committing.

The short answer: Printify is free to start with, but you'll pay $7-15 per t-shirt (depending on print provider), plus $3-8 for shipping, plus an optional $29/month Premium plan that saves you up to 20% on products.

Printify Subscription Plans

Printify offers three pricing tiers designed for different business stages. Understanding which plan fits your volume is crucial for maximizing profitability.

Free Plan ($0/month)

This is where most people start, and honestly, it's enough for many small sellers. You get:

The catch? You pay full product prices with no discounts. For someone just testing the waters or making fewer than 10 sales per month, this plan works perfectly fine.

Premium Plan ($29/month or $24.99/month billed annually)

This is where Printify starts making sense for anyone doing consistent volume. The Premium plan gives you up to 20% off on most products, which can add up fast.

Here's the math: If you're selling around 15-20 items per month, the discount savings typically offset the $29 subscription fee. For higher volume sellers, it's a no-brainer.

Premium also includes:

The annual billing option ($299/year) saves you about 14% compared to monthly billing, bringing your effective monthly cost down to $24.99.

Break-even calculation: With an average savings of $1.93 per t-shirt, you need to sell just 15 shirts per month to cover the $29 subscription cost. That's one shirt every two days. If you're selling 50+ items monthly, you're looking at $70-100+ in monthly savings.

Enterprise Plan (Custom Pricing)

If you're processing significant daily order volume, you can contact Printify for custom pricing. This tier is designed for businesses generating over 10,000 orders per day and gets you:

Most readers here won't need this, but it's good to know the ceiling exists for rapidly scaling businesses.

Product Base Costs (The Biggest Variable)

Here's where Printify costs get interesting. Unlike Printful, which owns their own facilities, Printify connects you with multiple print providers worldwide. This means prices vary significantly by provider-sometimes by $3-4 for the exact same product.

This competitive marketplace structure is actually an advantage. You can shop around for the best combination of price, location, and quality ratings.

T-Shirts

T-shirts are the bread and butter of print-on-demand, so let's dive deep into the costs:

The popular Bella+Canvas 3001 Unisex Jersey T-Shirt ranges from $7.95 to $10+ depending on which print provider you choose. With Premium, that drops to around $6.36-7.95 from the cheapest providers.

For example, a standard Bella+Canvas 3001 might cost:

The Gildan 5000 (a more budget-friendly option) typically runs $7.66-9.00 without Premium.

Total cost per shirt (including shipping) typically lands between $11-16 before your markup, depending on your plan and chosen print provider.

Hoodies and Sweatshirts

Hoodies represent a higher price point with better profit potential:

With Premium discounts, you can save $3-5 per hoodie, making this category particularly profitable for Premium subscribers.

Mugs and Drinkware

Ceramic mugs start around $7-9 for standard 11oz or 15oz sizes. The challenge with mugs is shipping-they're fragile and require careful packaging:

Consider selling mugs in sets or bundled with other products to improve margins.

Phone Cases

Phone cases vary widely based on model compatibility and case type:

The challenge with phone cases is maintaining inventory for multiple device models, though Printify handles this automatically.

Stickers

Kiss-cut stickers start around $1.39 ($1.07 with Premium). But watch the shipping-it's $3.99 for the first item in the US, which makes stickers only profitable in bundles or when combined with other products.

Sheet stickers and larger formats offer better margins, typically ranging from $3-8 depending on size.

Home Decor

Canvas prints, posters, and throw pillows offer excellent margins but higher base costs:

These items typically have higher shipping costs ($7-12) due to size and weight but can command premium retail prices ($35-65).

Other Products

Printify's catalog includes over 1,300 items across dozens of categories. Always check multiple print providers for the same product-you might find $3-4 differences for identical items. Use the catalog's filter features to sort by lowest price, fastest shipping, or highest performance score.

Understanding Print Providers

One of Printify's unique features is the ability to choose from 85+ print providers globally. Each provider has different strengths, and understanding how to evaluate them is critical for your success.

Print Provider Performance Scores

Printify rates each provider weekly based on three factors:

These scores appear on product listings, with top-performing providers displayed first. Always check these ratings before committing to a provider, especially for your first orders.

Recommended US Providers

Based on seller experiences, some consistently high-performing US providers include:

International Provider Options

For international sellers or faster global shipping:

Choosing a provider closer to your target market can cut shipping times by 3-5 days and reduce costs by $4-8 per order.

Printify Choice: Simplified Provider Selection

Printify Choice automatically routes orders to top-rated providers for popular products. This option:

This is ideal for sellers who don't want to research individual providers but still want quality assurance.

Shipping Costs

Shipping is separate from product costs, and it varies significantly based on multiple factors. Understanding these costs is essential for setting competitive prices while maintaining profitability.

Domestic US Shipping

For US domestic shipping on t-shirts and similar apparel, expect:

Note: From October 15 through January 17, there's a $0.40 surcharge on all US-bound orders due to peak carrier costs during the holiday season.

International Shipping Rates

International shipping costs vary dramatically by destination:

Consider using print providers located in your target market to drastically reduce these costs and delivery times.

Multi-Item Shipping Discounts

Most products qualify for reduced "additional item" shipping rates when multiple items of the same product type are ordered together and fulfilled by the same provider:

This doesn't apply when products differ significantly in type, size, or are fulfilled by different providers-each will incur full shipping rates.

Weight-Based Shipping Factors

Heavier items like hoodies, blankets, and home decor naturally cost more to ship:

Free Shipping Strategy

Many successful POD sellers offer "free" shipping by building costs into product prices. If you're offering free shipping, add $5-8 to retail prices for standard items, and $8-12 for heavier products.

This psychological pricing strategy often increases conversion rates by 15-30%, even though the customer pays the same total amount.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

A few things that catch new sellers off guard:

Shutterstock Images

Printify integrates with Shutterstock for design assets. Images start at $0.99, with premium designs at $1.49 each. You only pay when you actually sell a product using that design-not when you create it.

This can add up if you're using licensed graphics frequently. Consider creating your own designs or using free resources like Canva to avoid these per-sale costs.

Second Print Location

For DTG (direct-to-garment) printing, one print area is included. Additional print locations cost extra:

Always check variant pricing before committing to multi-location designs.

Heather Colors and Large Sizes

Certain colors (like heather shades) and plus sizes (2XL and above) often have higher production costs-typically $1-3 more per item. Review the pricing table for each variant before publishing to avoid surprises.

Platform Fees

Don't forget your sales channel takes a cut too:

Factor these in when calculating margins-they can eat 10-20% of your revenue.

Payment Processing Fees

Beyond platform fees, payment processors charge additional fees:

On a $25 sale, expect to pay $0.73-1.00 in payment processing alone.

Marketing and Advertising Costs

While not directly part of Printify's costs, successful POD businesses typically spend 10-25% of revenue on marketing:

Budget for these ongoing expenses when calculating true profitability.

Calculating Your Actual Profit

Here's a realistic example for a t-shirt sale to understand your true margins:

Cost TypeAmount
Product base cost (Premium)$7.95
Shipping (US Standard)$4.75
Printify Premium (spread across 20 sales)$1.45
Etsy listing fee$0.20
Etsy transaction fee (6.5%)$1.62
Payment processing (3% + $0.30)$1.05
Total Cost$17.02

If you sell that shirt for $24.99 with "free" shipping, your profit is about $7.97 per sale. That's roughly a 32% margin-decent for print-on-demand.

Premium Product Example: Hoodie

Let's look at a higher-ticket item:

Cost TypeAmount
Hoodie base cost (Premium)$19.20
Shipping (US)$7.50
Premium subscription allocation$1.45
Platform fees (8% combined)$3.60
Total Cost$31.75

Selling at $44.99 yields $13.24 profit (29% margin). The higher dollar profit per item makes hoodies attractive despite similar percentage margins.

Optimizing Profit Margins

Here are strategies to improve your margins:

Is Printify Premium Worth It?

Quick math: If you're selling 10+ items per month, Premium pays for itself through product discounts alone. At 20 sales per month with an average $2 savings per item, you're saving $40/month on a $29 subscription-an $11 net benefit.

At 50 sales monthly, you save approximately $100 in product costs, making Premium a $71 monthly profit boost.

When to Upgrade to Premium

Upgrade when:

When to Stick with Free

Stay on the free plan if:

The beauty of Printify is you can start free and upgrade anytime. There's no penalty for switching plans mid-month-you'll immediately start seeing discounted prices.

Printify vs Printful: Cost Comparison

Printify is generally cheaper than Printful for several reasons:

Head-to-Head Pricing Example

For a Bella+Canvas 3001 t-shirt:

Printify Premium beats Printful by $0.49 per shirt, which adds up significantly at volume. Over 100 shirts, that's $49 in savings.

The Quality Trade-Off

The tradeoff? Printful offers more consistent quality since they control their own facilities. Printful reports a 0.24% return rate due to quality issues. Printify's quality varies by provider, but their Performance Score system helps you select reliable printers.

Many sellers report that top-rated Printify providers (Monster Digital, SwiftPOD, T-Shirt and Sons) produce quality comparable to Printful at lower costs.

Which Platform Fits Your Needs?

Choose Printify if:

Choose Printful if:

For a deeper comparison, check out our Printify vs Printful breakdown.

How to Set Your Retail Prices

Printify recommends a 40% profit margin minimum for sustainable growth. Here's how to calculate retail prices:

Simple Cost-Plus Method

Retail Price = (Product Cost + Shipping + Fees) ÷ (1 - Desired Margin)

For a 40% margin on a $12.70 total cost shirt:

$12.70 ÷ 0.60 = $21.17 retail price (round to $21.99 or $24.99)

Competitive Pricing Method

Research similar products in your niche:

Value-Based Pricing

For unique designs or specific niches (pet lovers, specific professions, hobby communities), customers often pay premium prices:

The more specific and targeted your design, the higher prices you can command.

Psychological Pricing Tactics

Reducing Your Printify Costs

Strategic approaches to minimize expenses:

1. Choose Print Providers Strategically

Always compare 3-5 providers for your main products:

2. Optimize Shipping Costs

3. Leverage Annual Premium Billing

Pay annually to save $48.12 per year ($4.01/month) compared to monthly billing. If you know you'll be selling consistently, this is easy money saved.

4. Design In-House

Avoid per-sale Shutterstock fees:

5. Focus on High-Margin Products

Some product categories naturally yield better margins:

While t-shirts are popular, diversifying into higher-margin items improves overall profitability.

6. Monitor and Adjust

Review your costs quarterly:

Common Pricing Mistakes to Avoid

Don't fall into these traps:

Underpricing to Compete

New sellers often set prices too low to attract customers. This creates several problems:

Price based on value, not just costs.

Forgetting Platform Fees

Always calculate total fees (transaction + payment processing + listing) before setting prices. These can total 10-12% of your revenue.

Not Testing Samples

Order samples from your chosen provider before committing. A $20 sample order can save you hundreds in returns and complaints.

Ignoring Seasonal Surcharges

The $0.40 peak season surcharge (October-January) impacts margins. Either:

Not Accounting for Returns

Budget 2-5% of revenue for returns, refunds, and customer service issues. Even with great providers, occasional problems occur.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Printify charge monthly fees?

Printify's Free plan has no monthly fees-you only pay for products and shipping when orders come in. The Premium plan costs $29/month (or $24.99/month annually) and provides up to 20% product discounts.

What is the cheapest product to sell on Printify?

Stickers start around $1.07 with Premium, but shipping costs make them only profitable when sold in bundles. The most cost-effective single items for profit margins are typically t-shirts at $7-10 product cost.

Can I cancel Printify Premium anytime?

Yes, you can cancel anytime. If you cancel mid-month, you keep Premium benefits until the end of your billing period, but you won't be charged again. The subscription is non-refundable for the current period.

Are there any hidden fees with Printify?

The main "hidden" costs are Shutterstock design fees ($0.99-1.49 per design when used), additional print locations ($2-4), and size/color variants ($1-3 extra). All pricing is visible before publishing, but easy to overlook.

How much do I need to invest to start with Printify?

You can start with $0 using the free plan and manual order fulfillment. To test products, budget $50-100 for sample orders. For serious launches with marketing, plan for $200-500 initially.

Does Printify take a percentage of my sales?

No, Printify doesn't take a percentage of sales. You only pay the product and shipping costs. However, your sales platform (Etsy, Shopify, etc.) will charge their own fees.

Bottom Line

Printify's cost structure works well for budget-conscious sellers willing to do some homework on print providers. The free plan is genuinely usable for those starting out or testing designs, and Premium makes compelling financial sense once you're moving consistent volume-typically 15+ items monthly.

Expect to spend $11-16 total cost per t-shirt (including shipping and subscription allocation), leaving room for $8-12 profit at standard retail pricing of $22-28. That's competitive with other POD platforms and often better than alternatives like Printful.

The key to maximizing profitability with Printify is:

Start with the free plan, test your designs and market, then upgrade to Premium once you hit consistent sales. This approach minimizes risk while positioning you for scalable growth.

Try Printify Free →

For more details on specific product pricing, see our full Printify Pricing guide or read our Printify Review for the complete platform breakdown.