Top 10 Best Online Marketplaces for Print-on-Demand Sellers

There are countless ways to make money on the internet. Selling products online through print-on-demand dropshipping is one of them. You must develop design ideas, interact with your audience, and market your products while your on-demand partner takes care of orders.

But where to sell? With so many options, knowing which ones are the best for print-on-demand sellers can be hard.

In this blog post, we’ll look at the top 10 best online marketplaces for print-on-demand sellers. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each one so you can decide which sounds like the best online marketplace for you.

Let’s get into it.

What is an online marketplace?

An online marketplace is a shopping website or app that hosts multiple third-party sellers in one central location. You can imagine it as a digital shopping mall where many vendors set up their shops under one roof. For online sellers, especially in the print-on-demand dropshipping sector, online marketplaces offer a valuable channel to connect with a large number of potential customers and grow their business effectively.

What’s the difference between an ecommerce marketplace and an ecommerce platform?

Online marketplaces are essentially big online shopping malls where different sellers set up their online stores. The ecommerce marketplace brings everyone together and takes care of the online payments.

You can think of an ecommerce platform as a tool kit for building your own standalone online store. It’s an ideal solution for businesses that want an exclusive website to sell their products. A platform helps with everything from creating the website to tracking customer interactions and providing tools for marketing, analyzing, and reporting. Think of Shopify, which provides the tools for a business to create and run its own unique online store, separate from other sellers.

Source: Printful

Now that we’ve got the definitions down, let’s look at the top 10 online selling sites if you want to make money with print-on-demand. We’ll start with the most visited online selling site—Amazon.

The top online marketplaces 

1. Amazon

Source: Amazon

With an average of nearly 5B monthly visits, Amazon is the biggest ecommerce site by a mile, so let’s kick off this list by covering Amazon dropshipping. One of the main advantages of joining a household name like Amazon is that new customers already know and trust the ecommerce site.

With its global reach, Amazon connects marketplace sellers with a massive audience looking for everything from home essentials to the latest tech gadgets. It’s a bustling digital marketplace where you can start selling customized dropshipping products to millions of customers in 180+ countries.

Source: Printful

Pros

• Inherent customer trust

• Enormous customer base across the globe

• User-friendly platform with robust features

• Low marketing costs due to the existing customer base

Cons

• Intense competition

• Hefty fees (either $39.99/mo. or $0.99 per product, depending on which plan you choose)

• Effective SEO strategies are a must to stand out

Choose Amazon if

You want to sell on the world’s largest online marketplace, and you’re willing to dive into a competitive yet rewarding ocean of opportunity, reaching customers far and wide. 

Valuable read: 

How to Find Products to Sell on Amazon: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

20 Best-Selling Items on Amazon

Although Amazon is the biggest, it’s far from the only ecommerce marketplace where you can start selling online. Let’s move on to other online marketplaces.

2. eBay

Source: eBay

eBay sellers get access to the second-largest online marketplace in the world, with roughly 1.2B people visiting the ecommerce site every month.

eBay is the go-to digital bazaar where anything and everything finds its buyer. From collectors hunting down rare finds to fashionistas scouting for the latest trends, eBay’s audience is as eclectic as its product categories. It’s a marketplace that’s less about the conventional and more about the authentic, the vintage, and the one-of-a-kind.

Some important things to note:

• There are no subscription fees, but eBay charges 10% of your final sale price and a $0.35 listing fee

• eBay supports only flat shipping rates (live rates aren’t available)

• Your eBay listings are global, so your products will be synced with eBay’s marketplaces across the world

• Printful services aren’t available for auctions, so you can only offer fixed prices

• New eBay users have a limit of 10 product variants within a listing and a total of $500 in retail value

Source: Printful

Pros

• Diverse market segments

• Detailed analytics to help you strategize

• Customizable storefronts to strengthen brand identity

• Sellers are protected from fraud and unfair buyer practices

Cons

• Dependence on eBay’s algorithm 

• Stringent policies that can be restrictive

• Negative reviews can really hurt your reputation and online sales

Choose eBay if

You want an international stage to cater to a niche market, as eBay’s vast audience includes shoppers seeking specialized items.

Valuable read: 

• A Beginner’s Guide to eBay Dropshipping: How to Get Started in 2024
• Etsy vs. eBay: Which One is Best for Your Online Business?
• How to Sell Print-on-Demand on eBay [2024]

Now, we’ll move on to one of the best ecommerce sites for small businesses to connect with a community that values craftsmanship, creativity, and the story behind each product.

3. Etsy

Source: Etsy

Etsy is one of the biggest online marketplaces for one-of-a-kind items, artisan crafts, and personalized products. It’s the go-to for customers seeking something more personal, more special. Think quirky home décor and artwork. 

Plus, Etsy’s seller account offers extensive customization, allowing users to shape their shop’s appearance to match their brand, with options like personalized banners and logos. You can boost your online business with tools for tracking sales and understanding customer preferences.

Source: Printful

If you want to see how much money you could make on Etsy, check out our Etsy Calculator. It allows you to factor in all your costs and see what prices and discounts will bring you the profit margin you want.

With information like shipping costs, active monthly listings, and the selling plan you’re using, you can calculate:

• How many sales you need to reach profit goals

• What price to set to get your targeted profit margin

Here’s a preview of what you’ll see.

Source: Printful

Pros

• A niche audience that appreciates creativity

• A supportive community

• Simple and fast setup process

Cons

• Building a successful online business takes time

• Non-US sellers may face limitations in customization and payment options

• Etsy’s policies favor handmade items, which can be a challenge for print-on-demand sellers

Choose Etsy if

Your products tell a story, and you want to connect with customers who love a good narrative. Etsy is also suitable for small-scale creators and artists who want to use their own online store to promote their work.

Valuable read: 

The Complete Guide to Etsy Dropshipping: What’s Allowed in 2023? 

How to Sell on Etsy: A Beginner’s Guide

Want more options? Let’s check out some other marketplaces. 

4. Storenvy

Source: Storenvy

Storenvy is the new kid on the block, making waves with its focus on indie brands and rare goods. It’s not just a marketplace; it’s a community where each store tells its story. Similar to Etsy, online shoppers on Storenvy look for products they can’t get elsewhere. 

There are no monthly or listing fees, but you’ll pay a 15% commission on each sale total (including shipping). Plus, you must cover the payment processing fee.

Source: Printful

Pros

• A dedicated community that loves supporting indie brands

• Complete freedom to personalize your storefront

• Highly responsive and helpful customer support

Cons

• Smaller audience

• Limited marketing tools

• Heavy reliance on social media for driving traffic

• Complex navigation and a steep learning curve

Choose Storenvy if

You want to create an authentic brand experience and engage with a community that cherishes the unconventional.

There’s one more ecommerce marketplace that Printful integrates with—the ecommerce giant, Walmart.

5. Walmart

Source: Walmart

The Walmart Marketplace is where you can play in the big leagues. Leveraging the reputation of a retail giant, it offers sellers a trusted and expansive platform.

In 2022, it ranked as the third most visited online retail website worldwide by monthly traffic.

Source: Statista

Printful’s Walmart Marketplace integration is currently only available for businesses registered in the US.

Here are the minimum requirements businesses must meet to sell on Walmart Marketplace:

• Business Tax ID(s) (SSN not accepted) or Business License Number

• Supporting documents that verify your business name and address

• History of marketplace or ecommerce success

• A catalog that complies with Walmart’s Prohibited Products Policy

There are no monthly or setup fees, but Walmart charges a referral fee for each sale you make. The referral fees vary by product category and total sales price, ranging from 6% to 15%.

Source: Printful

Pros

• A massive, diverse customer base

• No monthly fees, just a straightforward pay-per-sale model

• The Walmart name brings trust and reliability

Cons

• Limited control over your branding narrative

• A number of requirements you must comply with to sell products on the Walmart Marketplace

• Only available if you’re registered in the US

• Hefty fees

Choose Walmart if

You want to leverage the trust Walmart has built with its shoppers, and your business meets all the criteria set by the marketplace.

Now, we’ll cover 5 marketplaces that don’t integrate with Printful but are still viable options for you to sell your products. Learn how to connect Printful to Walmart.

6. Facebook Marketplace 

Source: Facebook

Facebook Marketplace is a selling site for individuals and businesses to buy and sell everything from apparel and accessories to home goods and interior design pieces.

This marketplace differs from the others because it mainly focuses on local businesses.

Facebook Marketplace is not for you if you’re just starting to build your store. Facebook’s algorithm has changed, and it’s not favorable to new sellers. In 2012, the organic reach for new business pages was 16%; by now, it’s less than 2%.

Pros

• No fees

• A massive buyer network

• Ideal for local and community-based selling

Cons

• Only useful for already established business Facebook pages

• No seller protection

• Constantly changing algorithms

• Harder to build a reputation because customers can’t leave reviews

Choose Facebook Marketplace if

You already have a popular Facebook page with steady traffic and continuous engagement. 

7. Rakuten

Source: Rakuten

Rakuten is based in Japan and, like any other marketplace, offers a diverse range of products. One thing that sets Rakuten apart is the customer loyalty program that keeps shoppers returning regularly.

Pros

• A loyalty program that encourages repeat business

• Flexibility to create a storefront that mirrors your brand

Cons

• Monthly fees and commissions

• Your competition is an array of established global brands

• Steep learning curve to navigate when setting up your shop

Choose Rakuten if

You’re looking to expand to Japan and are willing to spend some time learning the ins and outs of the platform.

8. Newegg

Source: Newegg

Newegg specializes in electronics and tech-related gear, and it’s the go-to for shoppers looking for anything and everything around tech and tech accessories. From Printful’s catalog, you can design and sell laptop sleeves, custom mouse pads, earphone cases, and phone cases.

Most of Newegg’s market is located in the US and Canada, but it has a presence in different parts of the Middle East, Europe, Asia Pacific, and South America.

Pros

• A niche audience that’s willing to pay for quality tech gear

• A reputation for quality and expertise in the tech world

Cons

• Comparatively small audience

• A lengthy approval process

• Limited international reach (strongest presence in the North American market)

Choose Newegg if

You’re fluent in tech talk and ready to meet the needs of a specialized, knowledgeable customer base.

9. Bonanza

Source: Bonanza

Bonanza is similar to sites like eBay and Amazon, but it’s known for being more small-business-friendly. You can sell all sorts of things on Bonanza, from clothing and fashion accessories to home decor and collectibles. The site is easy to use for both buyers and sellers, and it focuses on providing a simpler and less expensive selling process compared to bigger marketplaces.

Pros

• No listing fees

• User-friendly platform, ideal for newcomers

• A community that appreciates the unusual and authentic

Cons

• Smaller audience reach compared to the giants

• Limited brand visibility and marketing tools

• Requires proactive effort to drive traffic to your listings

Choose Bonanza if

You’re in the game to offer something different and are ready to engage with a community that values authenticity.

10. Poshmark 

Source: Poshmark

Poshmark is a bustling marketplace for those who love to buy and sell fashion with a personal touch. It’s a social marketplace where you can create a virtual closet and start selling custom apparel and accessories.

If you want to start a clothing business, you can start by selling staples like custom t-shirts or custom hoodies.

Pros

• A focused audience that loves fashion and personal style

• Straightforward selling process

Cons

• Focused primarily on fashion, limiting product range

• High sales fees (for sales over $15, Poshmark takes 20%)

• Requires active engagement and social networking

• Primarily intended for secondhand and vintage goods

Choose Poshmark if

You have a flair for fashion and a knack for social selling, and you want to start a clothing brand.

Valuable read: How to Start a Clothing Brand in 2024: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Benefits of selling on ecommerce marketplaces

Selling your print-on-demand products on ecommerce marketplaces can boost your business. Here’s why:

• You get to sell internationally. Online marketplaces provide retailers worldwide with an easy way to reach shoppers from various markets. Global selling means you’re less affected by local economic downturns or seasonal fluctuations.

• The setup is easy. Opening your ecommerce store through established marketplaces is faster and easier than building your own ecommerce website from the ground up. This hassle-free approach lets you focus more on creating beautiful designs and less on the technicalities of running an online store.

• Your brand builds trust faster. Customers are often more comfortable experimenting when buying from a well-known ecommerce marketplace. They’re more likely to trust and buy from you, even if they’ve never heard of your brand.

• Marketplaces offer valuable customer insights. You can get data on what your customers love, so your ecommerce business can really hit the mark. By understanding customer likes and dislikes, you can tweak your products to be exactly what they’re looking for. This boosts your sales and can also turn one-time buyers into loyal fans.

Ready, set, sell

Learning about different sales channels is a key step for small businesses to be successful. As an online seller, you need to know what you’re signing up for and what you must do to achieve your revenue goals.

After reading this article, you should be well-equipped to choose the selling site that aligns best with your business. If you have any questions, leave them in the comment section below. Happy selling!

Read next:

• How to Dropship Personalized Products: The Ultimate Guide
• Marketplace vs. Ecommerce Platform: Which Is the Best?
• Top 7 Platforms Where to Sell Print-on-Demand Products