Best print-on-demand companies in the UK

Print-on-demand companies in the UK make it easier than ever to start an online business without upfront risk. The model lets you sell custom products without buying stock, renting storage, or committing to large print runs.

In this guide, we review the best print-on-demand companies in the UK, comparing product quality, UK fulfilment, delivery speed, and branding options. Here’s all you need to choose a partner that fits how you want to sell.

What is a print-on-demand company?

A print-on-demand (POD) company produces and fulfils products only after a customer places an order. You upload your design to an item in their catalogue, connect it to your shop, and the supplier prints, packs, and delivers it to your customer.

Products are made one at a time or in small quantities, not in bulk. That means no upfront stock costs, no storage to manage, and no time spent handling orders yourself.

How to choose the best UK print-on-demand supplier

Comparing print-on-demand companies isn’t just about price. The right supplier understands the local market – and supports how you want to run your business.​

• Look for UK fulfilment: A UK-based fulfilment centre means faster delivery for your customers (think days, not weeks), no surprise customs fees, and easier returns.

• Order samples: Get a feel for the product and print quality firsthand. Check the colours are vibrant and the materials feel great. This is your brand’s reputation on the line.

• Check delivery times: How quickly can they get an order to a customer in Manchester or London? See if they partner with reliable local carriers like Royal Mail.

• Understand VAT: Check how the company handles Value Added Tax (VAT). As your business grows, you’ll need to be registered with HMRC, so pick a partner whose invoicing makes this straightforward.
  
  

To make your decision easier, here’s a quick comparison of our top picks:

7 Best print-on-demand sites for UK sellers

Below are the best print-on-demand suppliers for UK sellers, based on quality, delivery speed, product range, and support for growing brands – without upfront stock costs.

1. Printful

Printful is a leader in Print on Demand, celebrated for exceptional quality, responsive support, and a fantastic range of customisable products. For UK sellers, the key advantage is local fulfilment from our UK facility.

We produce your orders locally and ship quickly across the country, reaching your customers without cross-border delays or customs charges. We offer a variety of techniques, including direct-to-garment (DTG), all-over-print, direct-to-film (DTF), and embroidery.

Plus, we empower you to build a proper brand with custom labels, personalised pack-in slips, and bespoke packaging.

Pros:

• UK fulfilment centre for fast, customs-free delivery

• Consistently high product, print, and embroidery quality

• 472 Premium products in our UK catalogue

• Powerful custom branding options, including labels and pack-ins

• User-friendly platform with seamless integrations (Shopify, Etsy, etc.)

• No monthly fees and transparent pricing in GBP (£)
  
  

Cons:

• Pricing can be higher than network-based models, reflecting the premium quality and service
  
  

Available products:​

• Clothing: t-shirts, hoodies, jumpers, joggers, etc.

• Accessories: tote bags, hats, mobile phone cases, etc.

• Homeware: cushions, mugs, posters, blankets, etc.
  
  

Best for: Entrepreneurs and brands who prioritise quality, consistent branding, and fast, reliable fulfilment for their UK customers.

2. Printify

Printify works as a global network of Print Providers, including several based in the UK. This model gives you access to a very large catalogue (over 1,300 products) and more price flexibility than single-provider platforms.

To meet UK customer expectations, you need to manually choose a UK-based Print Provider to ensure fast delivery.​

Pros:​

• Huge product catalogue

• Competitive pricing with margin flexibility

• Choice of print providers by location, price, or rating
  
  

Cons:

• Quality and delivery times can be inconsistent as they vary between Providers

• Platform-level support only, rather than direct support from the printer
  
  

Available products:

• Clothing

• Accessories

• Homeware (wall art, mugs, and decor)

• Unique items depending on the provider
  
  

Best for: Sellers who want the maximum product selection and are willing to manage multiple print providers.

Read more: Printful vs Printify: An honest comparison

3. Inkthreadable

Inkthreadable is fully UK-based and focuses on local, eco-conscious production. The company uses vegan-friendly inks and offers a strong selection of organic cotton apparel.

All production is handled in-house in the UK, which supports consistent fulfilment times for British customers.​

Pros:​

• 100% UK-based production and fulfilment

• Strong focus on sustainability and eco-friendly products

• Clear UK brand positioning
  
  

Cons:

• Smaller product catalogue compared to global players

• Fewer integrations with eCommerce platforms
  
  

Available products:

• Apparel (especially organic t-shirts and hoodies)

• Homeware (mugs, cushions)

• Art prints
  
  

Best for: UK-based brands that prioritise sustainability and local production.

4. Gelato

Source: Gelato

 Like other network-based platforms, Gelato works with a global print partner network. Orders are automatically routed to the nearest available facility, which can improve delivery times – but also means less control over production consistency.

For UK orders, this often results in local production, but availability depends on partner stock levels and capacity, which aren’t always visible before ordering.

Gelato’s designed to support global selling with local production, particularly for paper-based products like posters and calendars. However, quality, pricing, and delivery costs vary depending on the partner fulfilling each order.​

Pros:

• Global production network, including UK-based partners

• Strong catalogue for wall art and paper products

• Competitive pricing for higher-volume or subscription users
  
  

Cons:

• Very limited branding and packaging control

• Inconsistent quality and stock availability, depending on the print partner

• Delivery pricing can change unexpectedly, especially for framed items
  
  

Available products:

• Clothing

• Wall art (posters, canvas prints)

• Stationery (calendars, photo books, cards)
  
  

Best for: Artists and sellers focused on posters and wall art, especially those selling internationally and comfortable with variable production outcomes.

Read more: Gelato vs Printful

5. Prodigi

With its headquarters in the UK, Prodigi is another print-on-demand platform with a strong focus on high-quality print production. Their catalogue is more curated than expansive, with particular strength in fine art and premium print products.

They manage a selected network of manufacturing partners, including UK facilities, to balance print quality and delivery speed.

Pros:​

• UK-headquartered, with a focus on quality

• Excellent for fine art prints and premium products

• Global, localised fulfilment network with UK options
  
  

Cons:

• Limited product range compared to other network-based POD companies

• Higher pricing on some products, especially framed and premium items
  
  

Available products:

• Fine art prints

• Canvas and framed prints

• Limited apparel and accessories

• Device cases
  
  

Best for: Artists and brands prioritising print quality over product variety and competitive pricing.

6. Contrado​

Contrado is a London-based print-on-demand company that specialises in high-end, made-to-order products. All production is handled in-house, with a focus on premium materials, complex construction, and detailed finishing.

They specialise in high-quality fabrics and unique items you won’t find elsewhere, like custom-printed leather bags and silk scarves. This level of premium service comes with significantly higher base costs than standard print-on-demand services.

Pros:​

• All products made in their London facility

• Access to specialist materials and complex product construction

• Fast production turnaround (often 1-3 days)

• Excellent for fashion and designer brands
  
  

Cons:​

• Very high base prices, which limit profit margins

• Not suitable for beginners or price-sensitive markets

• Inconsistent value for basic apparel, where quality may not justify the cost
  
  

Available products:

• Designer clothing

• Leather goods and fabrics

• Bespoke homeware

• Accessories and jewellery
  
  

Best for: Fashion designers and premium brands selling high-margin, design-led products, where uniqueness matters more than unit cost.

7. Amazon Merch on Demand

Source: Amazon Merch on Demand

Amazon Merch on Demand lets you upload designs and sell them directly on Amazon.co.uk, with Amazon handling production, delivery, and customer service. You don’t need your own website or eCommerce setup to get started.​

While the platform offers immediate access to Amazon’s audience, it also has strict limitations around branding and growth.​

Pros:​

• Direct access to Amazon’s massive UK customer base

• No need to manage your own website

• Prime-eligible delivery, which can improve conversion
  
  

Cons:​

• Very limited product catalogue, focused mainly on basic apparel

• No control over branding, packaging, or customer data

• Low royalties (profit margins)

• Strict account rules and slow scaling, especially for beginners
  
  

Available products:​

• T-shirts

• Jumpers and hoodies

• Mobile phone cases

• Cushions
  
  

Best for: Designers and influencers who want a simple way to sell merchandise to a huge audience without the need to build and market their own shop.

Read more: Amazon Merch on Demand vs. Printful: What’s your best fit?​

Time to pick your print-on-demand partner

Launching a brand in the UK has never been easier. With Print on Demand, your brilliant idea for a new clothing line or collection of unique homewares can become a reality without buying any stock.

Think about what matters most for your business. Is it the lowest price, reliable quality, fast UK shipping that will earn you five-star reviews? Do you need extensive branding options or catalogue to build a loyal following?​

Once you know your priorities, the choice becomes clear. If you’re looking for consistent quality, brand control, and fast UK fulfilment, Printful is built to support long-term growth – not just one-off sales.