11 best print on demand sites for photographers [2024]

Have you ever dreamed of turning your stunning photographs into beautiful photography prints that adorn the walls of homes worldwide? The photography industry is undergoing a fascinating transformation, and print on demand (POD) services are at the forefront of this change. 

This article discusses 11 POD platforms for photographers and how to choose the right one to create your art prints.

• Print on demand (POD) services have transformed the photography industry by handling stock management, order fulfillment, and shipping, allowing photographers to focus more on their art and less on logistics. 

• Selling photo prints increases exposure, enhances brand building, creates a direct connection with the audience, and diversifies income streams, making it an attractive option for photographers.

• The top 11 POD platforms for photographers to create and sell prints are Gelato, Fine Art America, RedBubble, Zazzle, Shutterstock, Prodigi, Society6, SmugMug, Bay Photo, Pixpa, and CanvasPop.

• The best POD platform for a photographer depends on the location of the target audience, print quality, product range, customization options, and profit margins. Factors like global reach and white labeling are also important for branding and profitability.

• Gelato stands out for its ease of use, exceptional print quality, global reach, flexible pricing, and brand consistency, offering photographers a comprehensive solution for selling prints worldwide without the hassle of managing their own website.

In the past, photographers had a hard time selling prints. But now, thanks to print on demand (POD) services, things have changed a lot. These digital platforms take care of everything - managing stock, fulfilling orders, and shipping. This means photographers can save a lot of time and effort. 

With a POD service, the whole process from when a customer orders to when they receive their product is done automatically. This allows photographers to focus more on their art. Print on demand is making it easier and more efficient for photographers to make money from their creativity.

There's a unique satisfaction in seeing your work displayed in physical form. Here's why selling photo prints is still beneficial:

• Expanded reach: POD platforms boast extensive global networks, allowing your photographs to find new audiences worldwide. Imagine collectors in Tokyo or Paris admiring your work!

• Elevated brand identity: Photo prints act as a tangible expression of your artistic vision. By offering unique, high-quality prints, you solidify your brand, establishing yourself as a recognized photographer.

• Deeper connections: There's a special intimacy in owning a physical piece of art. Photo prints allow fans to not just admire your work online but to cherish it in their personal space, fostering a stronger connection between you and your audience.

• Diversified income streams: Selling prints adds another financial pillar to your photography business, reducing dependence on a single income source and providing greater financial stability.

Now, let's delve into the heart of the matter – finding the ideal POD platform for your photographic art. We'll analyze 11 leading contenders, highlighting their unique strengths and suitability for photographers:

1. Gelato

Gelato stands out for its unwavering commitment to exceptional quality, a crucial factor for photographers. The company operates globally through its localized production hubs in 33 countries. Their products range from canvas prints and photo books to clothing and home decor, offering photographers an array of options for making money from their work. 

Gelato empowers photographers with a high degree of creative control. Their user-friendly platform allows for seamless customization, from product selection to branding elements. Imagine offering your work on museum-quality fine art prints or sleek acrylic displays, all meticulously crafted to your specifications.

Gelato understands the importance of getting your work into the hands of your customers quickly and efficiently. Their strategically positioned 130+ printing hubs around the world ensure fast turnaround times and global reach. By prioritizing exceptional quality, creative freedom, and efficient production, Gelato sets itself apart as the ideal POD platform for photographers.

2. Fine Art America

As a well-regarded marketplace, Fine Art America is favored by enthusiasts of fine art prints due to its specificity for artwork, including photography. The platform showcases a wide variety of printed products, from posters and framed canvases to apparel and home decor items, giving photographers ample opportunities to market their work. 

The print quality is generally high-standard, owing to their use of advanced printing processes. They offer a good degree of customization, allowing adjustments on size, material, and finish so your prints reflect your vision. However, production times can vary greatly, potentially affecting customer satisfaction.

3. Redbubble

Redbubble provides an easy-to-use platform for photographers to display their work on a wide array of print products. This assortment includes framed canvases, home décor, and various accessories catering to your audience's diverse preferences. You can rely on Redbubble for excellent print quality due to its advanced printing technology and top-tier production facilities. 

Redbubble lets you offer a mix of standard and exclusive prints. By customizing your shop with an original logo and compelling cover photos, you can create a unique brand identity, thereby enhancing your brand visibility. Moreover, they uphold high standards in print technology while ensuring swift production times.

4. Zazzle

Zazzle is a popular platform for photographers that allows them to turn their beautiful snapshots into a range of unique products. The site is renowned for its vast product portfolio, encompassing not just common items like posters and framed canvases but also offbeat products like phone cases, mouse pads, apparel, and home decor items. This online marketplace ensures high-quality print results, investing heavily in printing technology and facilities to deliver crisp, detailed reproductions of your photography. 

One aspect where Zazzle shines is customization. Artists can submit their prints and modify them to fit perfectly on the chosen product. This freedom lets you tap into your creative side, ensuring your product truly represents your brand. Moreover, with a good track record of production and shipping times, Zazzle is a reliable partner for photographers aiming to venture into the print on demand market.

5. Shutterstock

Shutterstock is a well-known platform that allows photographers to sell high-quality digital images and physical prints. The print quality is exceptional, delivering vivid colors and sharp detail. Alongside prints, Shutterstock also provides the option of having your photos printed on various articles such as canvas, mugs, and clothing. 

Being a globally recognized stock photo site, Shutterstock ensures wide visibility for your images. It also offers numerous customization options for the presentation and pricing of your images. Although, the production and delivery durations may vary based on the print type, size, and shipping region.

6. Prodigi

Prodigi is a unique print on demand platform known for top-notch print quality and a wide range of products. With over 250 items to choose from, it's perfect for photographers looking to sell different kinds of merchandise, from canvas prints to custom clothing. 

Prodigi's standout feature is its cutting-edge print technology. Using some of the best printing facilities worldwide, they produce bright, sharp reproductions of your artwork. They also give you plenty of customization options to ensure each product truly reflects your artistic vision. Plus, they process orders swiftly, providing a quick customer experience.

7. Society6

For photographers seeking an online marketplace to sell their art, Society6 stands out. This popular POD platform provides a broad range of product options. Everything from framed prints and canvas wall art to home decor items and clothing is available. Its diverse offers remain focused on top-notch print quality, ensuring your photography art is well-represented. 

With cutting-edge print technology and efficient service, Society6 delivers excellent prints promptly. It is renowned for its smooth shopping experience, making it an enticing place for photographers to showcase and sell their creations on the internet.

8. SmugMug

SmugMug is a go-to platform for photographers looking for a print on demand service. This site turns your photos into a wide array of products, from standard prints to custom wall art and even unique home decor items. They don’t compromise on quality, ensuring your images are printed with precision.

SmugMug stands out with its user-friendly interface, seamless photo uploading, and speedy production times. You can even customize your online shop with your logo and cover photos to make it uniquely yours. If you're a photographer seeking a mix of personalized branding, diverse product options, and efficient service, SmugMug is worth considering.

9. Bay Photo

Bay Photo is popular among photographers who sell their work because of its high-quality prints. They offer a wide variety of products, from classic photo prints to unique options like metal, acrylic, canvas, and even wood prints. Bay Photo uses advanced printing technology to produce clear images that highlight every detail of your photographs. 

One of their standout features is the wide array of customization choices. This includes different print finishes and frames, which allows your customers to select a product that fits their personal taste. Also noteworthy is Bay Photo's quick delivery time. With production facilities spread throughout the nation, your customers can expect prompt delivery, improving their shopping experience. 

10. Pixpa

Pixpa is an excellent choice for photographers, given its all-in-one services. It allows artists to sell not just prints but also digital downloads and merchandise like mugs, t-shirts, and calendars. And when it comes to print quality, Pixpa doesn't compromise. 

Pixpa's customization features stand out. You can personalize your online store to match your brand, even down to the details of the products. In Pixpa's system, photographers set their own prices and thus determine their profit margins. When it comes to production and shipping, Pixpa relies on a separate print on demand service. This allows for fast production and global distribution, letting photographers focus on their creativity while Pixpa takes care of business logistics.

11. Canvaspop

Pixpa is an excellent choice for photographers, given its all-in-one services. It allows artists to sell not just prints but also digital downloads and merchandise like mugs, t-shirts, and calendars. And when it comes to print quality, Pixpa doesn't compromise. 

Pixpa's customization features stand out. You can personalize your online store to match your brand, even down to the details of the products. In Pixpa's system, photographers set their own prices and thus determine their profit margins. When it comes to production and shipping, Pixpa relies on a separate print on demand service. This allows for fast production and global distribution, letting photographers focus on their creativity while Pixpa takes care of business logistics.

The best print on demand platform will depend on your specific needs and the following key factors:

• Target audience: Think about where your target audience is based. Does the platform deliver worldwide, and is it making sure your work is seen by fans worldwide?

• Print quality: This should be your top priority. Look for platforms renowned for exceptional color accuracy, sharp details, and a variety of high-quality materials.

• Product range: Do you want to offer traditional prints or explore alternative mediums like metal or acrylic prints? Choose a platform that offers a diverse selection of customizable products.

• Customization options: How much control do you desire over the final product presentation? Some platforms offer limited customization, while others, like Gelato, allow customization with product size, finishes, and even white-labeling for a seamless brand experience.

• Profit margins: Compare the profit margins offered by different platforms. Some offer fixed base prices, while others allow you to set your own markups. Aim for platforms that prioritize artist profitability.

Imagine your photographs adorning walls and captivating audiences worldwide. Gelato makes this dream a reality for photographers seeking exceptional quality, a diverse product range, and complete control over their profits.

Gelato empowers photographers with:

• Effortless setup: Our intuitive platform makes uploading your artwork and setting up your shop a breeze. Get started with the Personalization Studio.

• Superior print quality: Experience the difference of Gelato's gallery-quality prints on a range of custom products like canvas, posters, wooden framed posters, mugs, etc.

• Global reach: Sell your work worldwide with Gelato's extensive network of printing partners, ensuring efficient order fulfillment.

• Flexible pricing: Set your own prices and control your profit margins.

• Brand consistency: We allow you to customize packaging to create a seamless brand experience for your customers.

Ready to showcase your photographic talent to the world? Sign up for Gelato today, subscribe to one of our affordable plans, and start your print on demand journey with us.