In this piece, we’ll highlight 5 of the best print-on-demand (POD) suppliers with eco-friendliness at their core, worth considering for your business.
Incorporating eco-friendly POD suppliers into your store’s offerings provides a double benefit — for both the environment and your customers. It’s a remarkable achievement that yields a win-win scenario!
But what exactly makes this concept work so effectively? Let’s delve deeper into the specifics.
Benefits of Ut ilizing Eco-Friendly Print on Demand Suppliers?
The future of sustainability lies in the realm of organic products, which hold the key to ensuring the longevity and prosperity of our business, the excellence of our offerings, and the contentment of our clients.
Eco-friendly suppliers, champions of recycling, have embraced the practice wholeheartedly, eagerly accepting discarded items and transforming them into valuable resources once again.
The utilization of recycled materials in the manufacture of organic products imparts a distinctive character to these items, differentiating them from their counterparts and elevating their appeal to consumers who prioritize environmental awareness.
What criteria should I consider when choosing an eco-friendly print on demand supplier?
The process of selecting a POD (Print-on-Demand) supplier can be streamlined by simplifying the choices available to you.
Begin by evaluating the proximity of potential suppliers to your target market, as this can impact shipping times and fees. Opt for suppliers located within the country to reap the benefits of reduced shipping times and lower costs.
As you consider your budget, ponder the worthiness of paid suppliers, and if necessary, shift your focus to those that offer their services for free.
Next, carefully contemplate the ecommerce platform you plan to utilize, taking into account the compatibility of the supplier’s systems, as an ecommerce integration can save you a considerable amount of time and effort through automation of orders and products.
Finally, examine the special features that are of utmost importance to you, such as 24/7 customer support, before settling on a supplier that meets your specific requirements.
Our List of the 5 Best Eco-Friendly POD Suppliers
Are you prepared to embark on a journey to discover the optimal eco-friendly print on demand supplier for your store? Exciting!
To ensure that you make the most of this article, we have devised a comprehensive approach to presenting each supplier. We will:
Provide a direct link to their website, accessible by clicking on the title or a visual representation of their homepage, giving you the opportunity to thoroughly examine their offerings.
Furnish you with a succinct yet informative summary, to offer you a glimpse into the supplier and highlight their distinctive attributes.
Present an in-depth examination of the pros and cons, arming you with the information necessary to make a well-informed decision.
Delineate their pricing options, as some suppliers offer their services at no cost, while others necessitate the enrollment in a fee-based monthly membership plan.
1 — TPOP Review
Let’s start this list with TPOP — the largest eco-friendly POD supplier.
The environmentally conscious company TPOP has formed strategic partnerships with textile suppliers that prioritize sustainability through their use of renewable materials and eco-friendly practices. Their commitment to the planet extends to the products they produce, as they utilize exclusively vegan-certified ink.
To further reduce their impact on the environment, TPOP practices eco-friendly shipping methods, carefully packaging each order in biodegradable cardboard envelopes void of plastic materials.
Advantages of TPOP include:
- Swift shipping times to customers located in the EU, with orders delivered within a range of 2 to 3 working days for France, 3 to 10 days for the EU, and 5 to 14 working days for the rest of the world.
- Impressive branding options, including the ability to include marketing materials such as flyers, thank-you cards, and personalized customer gift stickers in each package.
- The potential for substantial discounts, with those who reach certain monthly sales targets eligible for discounts ranging from 5% to 10%.
Cons:
The downside of TPOP is a hindrance for non-European customers. Its shipping times are elongated and may not meet the expectations of customers residing beyond the borders of the European Union.
Thus, for those seeking a more geographically-suitable option, it may be wise to consider alternative clothing suppliers.
Additionally, TPOP’s commitment to eco-friendliness and its location in France contribute to elevated operational costs, resulting in prices that are steeper compared to top-notch clothing providers.
2 — Contrado Review
Contrado is a POD company that prioritizes ethical and environmentally responsible practices, specializing in the use of earth-friendly materials.
Established in 2002 in London, England, the company has a steadfast mission to reduce the environmental impact of products and promote sustainability through conscious manufacturing methods.
To minimize water waste, Contrado takes care to properly dispose of the manufacturing waste from their ink printers, thereby preventing any potential leaks.
Advantages:
- International deliveries typically arrive within 3–15 business days, making it one of the quickest international shipping times in the industry.
- Orders are usually dispatched within 1–3 business days, boasting one of the swiftest fulfillment times in the industry.
- Numerous options for custom branding are available, allowing you to have control over the appearance of your product’s labels, dispatch notes, and thank you messages.
Disadvantages:
- Due to the fast shipping and premium materials, shipping fees and product costs tend to be higher than average.
3 — Shirtigo Review
Shirtigo — Pushing the Boundaries of Sustainable Fashion!
Shirtigo is a game-changer in the world of eco-friendly fashion. With over 50 products and no restrictions on orders, they offer a comprehensive range of clothing for customers who value sustainability and environmental responsibility.
What sets Shirtigo apart from other suppliers is their innovative approach to waste reduction during production. By harnessing the power of 100% renewable energies, they minimize their carbon footprint and ensure that every product is produced in a responsible and eco-friendly manner.
Moreover, the organic textiles from Stanley/Stella, combined with vegan inks from Kornit, ensure that each product is made from the finest materials available. This commitment to quality is reflected in the unique feel of the products and the premium look that is sure to appeal to discerning customers.
Last but not least, Shirtigo ships all orders without the use of plastic, opting instead for cardboard envelopes to minimize their ecological impact. With these unique features, Shirtigo is pushing the boundaries of sustainable fashion and setting a new standard in the industry.
Advantages of Using Shirtigo
- Swift Global Shipping: Receive your orders within a mere five to seven days, no matter your location!
- Tailored Branding Experience: Personalize your packaging to leave a lasting impression on your customers.
- Diverse Platform Integrations: Seamlessly connect with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy.
Cons
- Extended wait times for order completion. It can take up to a full five days for your order to be processed and delivered.
- Narrow product offerings. Although Shirtigo excels in their specialty of shirts, they don’t offer much beyond that.
4 — Printful Review
Printful, a US-based print-on-demand supplier of considerable renown, boasts an impressive array of offerings. From an eclectic range of products to the newest addition of eco-friendly options, they remain at the forefront of their industry. As of 2021, they have taken a conscious step towards sustainability by incorporating recycled plastics in their apparel shipping endeavors, as well as utilizing innovative triangle cardboard boxes to minimize waste.
Printful’s mock-up generator and seamless integrations with the most widely utilized ecommerce platforms make it an ideal choice for POD (print-on-demand) stores seeking a versatile and accommodating supplier.
Advantages:
- In-House Operations: With Printful, you won’t have to worry about outsourcing — all aspects of your experience are managed in-house for optimal efficiency and communication.
- Superior Quality: The in-house production process at Printful ensures a higher standard of product quality, delivering some of the best value for your dollar when compared to their competitors.
Disadvantages:
- Cost: While Printful is known for their consistently high-quality products, they can be pricier compared to other suppliers. However, many customers believe that the cost is worth the investment.
- Overwhelming User Interface: The website of Printful has a lot of information and features, which can make navigation and usage challenging for some users due to its cluttered design.
5 — Printify Review
Printify affords you the opportunity to tap into a vast network of global print-on-demand suppliers, offering a range of sourcing options to suit your budget, desired shipping speed, and quality requirements.
Thanks to its diverse pool of suppliers, Printify boasts a noteworthy collection of eco-friendly products, including recyclable items such as home decor and drinkware, which can often be challenging to find from other POD providers.
Advantages:
- Extensive Product Selection: With Printify, you have access to a wider range of products compared to other print-on-demand suppliers.
- Competitive Pricing: Printify’s pricing strategy is favorable compared to its competitors, offering lower than average costs for products.
Disadvantages:
- Quality Variation: With so many suppliers to choose from, it can be challenging for Printify to ensure consistent product quality. As a result, your experience may be inconsistent.
- Inadequate Customer Service: The sheer number of suppliers and the intermediary role of Printify can result in unreliable customer service, potentially leading to a disappointing experience.
Printify’s pricing structure includes three tiers: a generous free tier, a premium tier, and an enterprise tier.
- Free Tier: The free tier offers unlimited products in up to five active stores, making it a great option for businesses just starting out.
- Premium Tier: The premium tier expands the number of active stores to ten and includes a 20% discount on all products.
- Enterprise Tier: The top-tier enterprise offering includes all the benefits of the previous tiers and permits unlimited active stores. It is recommended for businesses generating over 10,000 orders per day.
Summary
While acquiring knowledge through reading is commendable (especially when it’s free), nothing beats taking tangible action. To help you put into practice what you’ve learned in this article, consider the following key points:
Consider a supplier that integrates with your ecommerce platform to streamline the operation of your print-on-demand store.
Opt for a supplier that both integrates with your platform and is located in your target audience’s country for optimal results.
Use our overview table to find a suitable supplier, and if you find one that interests you, sign up for a free account (if available) and ensure that they offer the products you want to sell.
