Printful.
Printful is a print-on-demand and dropshipping platform. It lets you:
- Upload your own designs (logos, text, artwork)
- Sell them on t-shirts, mugs, hats, hoodies, posters, and more
- Automatically print, pack, and ship to customers under your brand
📍 UK sellers can connect Printful with stores like Etsy UK, Shopify, or eBay, and ship to customers in the UK, EU, or globally.
How It Works
- Create a Printful account https://www.printful.com
- Connect your online store (e.g., Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce)
- Design custom products using Printful’s Product Mockup Generator
- Publish to your store
- When a customer buys → Printful automatically:
- Receives the order
- Prints your design on the product
- Ships it with your branding
Printful UK Fulfillment Centers
- Printful UK has a fulfillment center in Birmingham
- Offers faster shipping to UK and European customers
- Reduces customs issues and delivery delays after Brexit
Products You Can Sell
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| 👕 Apparel | T-shirts, hoodies, joggers, tank tops |
| 🧢 Accessories | Hats, beanies, backpacks, aprons |
| ☕ Drinkware | Mugs, water bottles, tumblers |
| 🖼️ Home Decor | Posters, canvas prints, pillows |
| 📚 Stationery | Notebooks, stickers, calendars |
| 🧸 Others | Phone cases, pet products, embroidery items |
All items are white-label — no Printful branding appears.
Cost, Profit & Pricing
Printful charges only when you make a sale. You set your retail price and keep the profit.
| Item | Printful Cost | Example Retail | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-shirt (Gildan 64000) | ~£9.50 | £19.99 | £10.49 |
| 11oz Mug | ~£7.00 | £14.99 | £7.99 |
| Hoodie | ~£20.00 | £39.99 | £19.99 |
🧾 You also pay shipping (see next section).
Shipping Costs
| Product Type | Shipping to UK |
|---|---|
| T-shirts | ~£3.99 (first item), ~£1.25 (each extra) |
| Mugs | ~£4.50 |
| Hoodies | ~£5.20 |
| Posters | ~£2.99 |
Delivery time: 2–5 business days in the UK (longer internationally)
Store Integrations
| Platform | Pros | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Etsy | Easy to start, UK/EU/US traffic | 6.5% + £0.20/listing |
| Shopify | Full control, branded store | From ~$29/mo |
| WooCommerce (WordPress) | Free plugin, flexible | Hosting required |
| eBay | Global traffic | 12.8% + £0.30 |
| TikTok Shop / Facebook Shop | Growing fast | Free/low fees |
Most UK beginners start with Etsy + Printful combo.
Creating Your Product
- Use Printful’s Mockup Generator (drag-and-drop design tool)
- Upload PNGs with transparent background (300 DPI)
- Preview your product (T-shirt, mug, hoodie, etc.)
- Add titles, descriptions, and pricing
- Publish directly to Etsy or Shopify
Tips to Succeed in UK Print-on-Demand
✅ Niche down: Pet lovers, dark humor, local UK slang, Gen Z, gamer merch
✅ Offer bundles: Buy 2 mugs, get 1 free
✅ Use seasonal designs: Christmas jumpers, summer tees, UK holidays
✅ Promote on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest
✅ Test multiple pricing tiers
✅ Use UK-based influencers or TikTok Shop for faster reach
Branding Options
With Printful, you can add:
- Branded packing slips
- Inside/Outside clothing labels (extra fee)
- Custom return address with your UK brand name
Helps make your store feel professional.
Pros & Cons for UK Sellers
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No inventory needed | Profit margins can be low on some items |
| UK fulfillment center = fast shipping | Competition on Etsy can be high |
| Works with top UK platforms | You handle customer service |
| Sell worldwide | Shipping costs affect pricing |
