Got a cool design you want to put on a shirt or hat? Maybe you've heard of TeePublic. 

Since 2013, TeePublic has remained one of the largest print-on-demand marketplaces for independent artists looking to turn their designs into sellable merch.

There are no upfront fees, no minimum orders, and no website required. You just pick your products, slap your design on them, and TeePublic handles everything from production to sales for you. 

For anyone looking to test the waters of print-on-demand without the worry of launching an online store, it's the ideal POD platform to get started. 

Below, we'll expand on what makes TeePublic such a great option for independent artists and creators who are just getting starting their merch journey. We'll also break down the best POD alternatives that give artists more creative control over their brand and higher income for their designs. 

What Makes TeePublic Stand Out?

Unlike most traditional eCommerce platforms that focus purely on transactions and storefront management, TeePublic has always leaned into culture.

From day one, its brand has centered around showcasing bold, niche, fandom-driven expression, the kind of designs that feel personal, ironic, or hyper-specific.

And that's to be expected from co-founders Adam Schwartz and Josh Abramson ( the guys behind College Humor), who built the platform on the mission of encouraging designers to embrace their inner weirdo.

The best thing about TeePublic is that it removes a lot of the friction that usually comes with launching merch. You don’t need to build a website, manage plugins, or figure out fulfillment partners, because it’s all baked right into the platform for you. 

It's a lot like Redbubble's infrastructure, which makes sense since the company acquired it back in 2018. 

The main difference is that while Redbubble focuses more on product variety, like accessories, art, stationery, and stickers, TeePublic focuses mainly on apparel with a few accessory options. 

All you have to do is upload your artwork, select any product within TeePublic's catalog to make merch with, sit back, and watch as the platform handles printing, shipping, and sales for you. 

And because it operates as a built-in marketplace, your designs sit alongside millions of others, giving you exposure to shoppers who are already browsing for graphic tees dedicated to movies, sports, animals, or funny jokes. 

For creators who want to reach a massive audience without the technical lift, that’s a serious advantage.

Here are six core features where TeePublic really shines:

Pricing & Commissions

TeePublic doesn’t operate on subscription tiers or paid seller plans, so there are no monthly fees or upfront investment needed to get started.

Instead, every designer starts at the Apprentice level and can progress to Artisan status based on factors such as design quality, originality, storefront completeness, and overall performance. 

Here’s what you need to know before you upload your first design:

• $0 to Join: There are no listing fees, subscription plans, or startup costs. You can upload as many designs as you want without paying to access the platform.
• Set Retail Pricing: TeePublic determines product pricing, which means you can’t adjust margins, but you always know your payout ahead of time.
• Commission Range: 11%–30% – Earnings vary based on account tier (Apprentice, Artisan, or Curator) and whether the item sells at regular or sale pricing.
• Automatic Launch Discounts: New products are automatically discounted for their first three days, which lowers per-sale earnings during that window.
• Monthly Payouts: Payments are processed on the 15th of each month via PayPal or Payoneer. 

Apprentice Tier (Default Level)

• Standard T-Shirt: $3 (regular price), $1 (sale price)
• Hoodie: $3 (regular), $1 (sale)
• Sticker: $0.75 (regular), $0.50 (sale)

Artisan Tier (Higher Earning Level)

• Standard T-Shirt: $4 (regular), $2 (sale)
• Hoodie: $4 (regular), $2 (sale)
• Accessories: Typically earn between $3-$4 per sale at regular pricing

Built-In Storefront Tools

TeePublic doesn’t require you to build a separate website to start selling.

Every artist gets a customizable storefront directly inside the marketplace, which acts as your public-facing shop.

From the dashboard, you can set your store name, choose your URL slug (one-time change), upload a banner and profile image, and write a short bio to give your page personality.

You can then organize your designs into albums, sort them for easier browsing, or label them with the platform's watermarking tools to protect them from theft. 

And for those who already have a Google Analytics account, TeePublic makes it easy to sync your account to its site so you can see how much traffic your store is getting and how much revenue your marketing efforts are driving.

Overall, it may not be the most efficient storefront builder on the market, but what it lacks in setup and features, it makes up for in marketing and traffic. 

Open a Dashery Store (For More Brand Control)

If you qualify for an Artisan account, you unlock the ability to launch a Dashery storefront directly from your TeePublic settings.

Activating Dashery is simple. Just scroll to the “Edit TeePublic Store” section and click “Get Started” under the Dashery option.

Once enabled, your existing designs, albums, banners, and avatar automatically sync, so you don’t have to rebuild your catalog from scratch.

Your original TeePublic marketplace shop remains active, but Dashery gives you a more standalone storefront experience tied to your brand rather than the broader marketplace layout. 

Product Selection & Print Quality

TeePublic keeps its product catalog beginner-friendly, which is exactly why so many new designers choose it right off the bat. 

Instead of overwhelming you with hundreds of obscure items, it focuses on a tight-nit catalog of 75 high-demand staples that consistently sell on its marketplace. 

That simplicity makes it easier to upload a design once and quickly see how it performs across core merchandise categories.

Artists can place their designs on:

• Multiple T-shirt styles (classic tees, v-necks, long sleeves, baseball tees, kids’ sizes, and more)
• Hoodies and crewneck sweatshirts
• Tank tops and baby bodysuits
• Stickers and magnets
• Mugs and travel mugs
• Phone cases and laptop cases
• Posters, canvases, and tapestries
• Totes, pillows, notebooks, and select home décor items

On the production side, TeePublic uses direct-to-garment (DTG) printing for all of its apparel, with Kornit Digital printers that allow detailed artwork and broad color ranges to be printed directly into the fabric rather than sitting on top of it.

For non-apparel items such as home goods and accessories, the platform uses sublimation and digital printing for full-coverage and non-tactile prints that look clean and professional. 

The end result is merch that feels soft, not plasticky.

Integrations & Marketplace Reach

TeePublic isn’t built to plug into your existing eCommerce store. That's because it is the storefront.

There are no direct integrations with Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce, which means you’re not syncing products across multiple platforms or managing external storefronts.

Instead, your designs live inside TeePublic’s marketplace, where shoppers are already browsing specifically for graphic apparel and artist-made merch.

To increase exposure, you can opt into off-site marketing, allowing TeePublic to promote select products for you through paid ads on Google and social media channels.

It also runs a licensed Fan Art Program, giving approved artists the opportunity to legally create and sell designs tied to major entertainment properties (something you can’t easily do in most independent stores) without having to worry about license rights.

Why You Might Want to Consider a TeePublic Alternative

For beginners, there's no doubt that TeePublic is a valuable option. 

But once you start thinking bigger, like building a long-term brand, owning your customer data, or scaling into a full eCommerce store, the platform can start to feel restrictive.

Here are some of the main issues creators run into when running on TeePublic:

• No Custom Pricing Control: You can’t set your own margins, run independent discounts, or position products as premium.
• No Direct eCommerce Integrations: It doesn’t sync with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, or other major selling platforms.
• Limited Branding Flexibility: Your shop exists within TeePublic’s marketplace layout, not on a fully customizable, standalone website.
• No Customer Data Ownership: You can't collect buyer emails or build a marketing list for future launches.
• Minimal Sales & Funnel Tools: TeePublic doesn't offer sales bundles, subscriptions, upsells, or advanced checkout customization.
• Frequent Automatic Discounts: Sitewide sales can reduce your earnings without your having control over timing.
• Limited Customer Support: Support is handled only via email and ticket systems, with no 24/7 coverage or dedicated account managers for sellers.

Overall, TeePublic is great if you're looking for a platform that's easy to use and provides you enough exposure without having to lift a finger. But if you’re serious about scaling and want control over your brand and store, it might be worth considering alternatives.

Top TeePublic Alternatives for Artists & Creators

1. Fourthwall

If you’re an artist who likes the simplicity of TeePublic but wants more control over your brand, Fourthwall is a serious upgrade.

Instead of placing your designs inside a shared marketplace, Fourthwall gives you your own dedicated storefront that's fully branded, customizable, and built around your audience.

You get access to a broad product catalog of 370+ items, including premium apparel, accessories, home goods, and specialty items, with printing options such as DTG, screen printing, and embroidery, depending on the product.

But what makes Fourthwall really stand out compared to most POD platforms is ownership.

You set your own prices, control your margins, and actually collect customer data. Something most marketplace sites don’t offer.

On top of physical merch, you can layer in memberships, digital products, and exclusive drops to diversify revenue.

For artists who want to move from side-hustle uploads to building a long-term creator brand, Fourthwall offers far more flexibility and growth potential.

2. Threadless

Threadless is very similar to TeePublic as it's also a community-driven platform for artists to upload their designs and sell print-on-demand goods within an extensive marketplace. 

Artists can open their own shop for free, set their own pricing, and sell across a wide range of products from T-shirts and hoodies to tote bags, phone cases, and home goods.

What really sets it apart is its built-in audience of over a million monthly visitors and its interactive design challenges, which give creators a chance to gain visibility, win cash prizes, and even land featured prints.

And because it’s community-driven, Threadless rewards originality and experimentation, making it a strong fit for artists who want feedback, exposure, and creative growth alongside sales.

For creators who thrive on collaboration and want marketplace traffic without managing logistics, Threadless offers a balanced mix of independence and built-in reach.

3. Zazzle

Known for its massive product catalog and strong focus on personalization, Zazzle has developed a loyal customer base that's helped it thrive longer than most platforms on this list. 

With Zazzle, you can sell everything from apparel and mugs to wedding invitations, business cards, office supplies, and home décor, making it especially useful for artists making giftable and event-based designs. 

Unlike many POD platforms that thrive on trends, Zazzle attracts buyers actively seeking customizable products, often leading to higher-value purchases.

Sellers can set their own royalty rate (typically between 10% and 15%), giving them more control over profit margins than on fixed-commission marketplaces.

While the interface can feel dated and listing optimization takes effort, those who invest time into SEO, categories, and personalization options can often see steady sales. 

4. Redbubble

Redbubble is one of the longest-running print-on-demand marketplaces for independent artists, offering users a global market without worrying about inventory or upfront costs.

Like TeePublic, artists can upload their designs, choose which products to apply them to, and earn royalties on every sale while Redbubble handles printing, shipping, and customer support.

It even supports a wide range of POD products, including apparel, stickers, posters, framed prints, and home décor, making it a popular option for illustrators and wall art creators.

A big plus for Redbubble is that it allows artists to retain ownership of their work (except for some cases of fan art) and set their own royalty rates, giving them greater pricing flexibility than many fixed-commission marketplaces.

However, even though artists can set their own royalty rates, it is worth noting that Redbubble does take a 20% commission fee from each sale, which is more than most platforms. So if you're just starting out in the merch game, it's probably not the best print-on-demand option for you.  

5. CafePress

If you're a hobbyist, meme creator, or designer looking to test out new ideas, CafePress offers a straightforward way to experiment with merch before committing to a more upscale eCommerce platform.

The setup process is quick and beginner-friendly, with no need for web design skills or technical integrations.

Just simply open a storefront, upload your artwork, and choose from over 250 products to customize and sell while CafePress handles printing, fulfillment, and shipping for you.

Their production is handled primarily in the U.S., which helps keep turnaround times relatively fast for domestic orders.

And because CafePress establishes the base cost for each product upfront, all you have to do is decide how much you want to mark it up, and that becomes your royalty. There’s no complicated fee structure, subscription tier math, or hidden deductions to calculate, which is really helpful for most beginners. 

6. Printful

Looking to build a real eCommerce brand rather than relying on marketplace traffic? Printful offers a more professional setup.

It connects directly to 20+ platforms, including Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, and WooCommerce, so you can sell through your own storefront while Printful handles printing, packing, and shipping behind the scenes.

Their product catalog spans hundreds of items across apparel, accessories, hats, and home décor, with brands like Adidas and Champion available for sellers looking for more premium options. 

Printful is especially known for its consistent print quality, thanks to its in-house production facilities and advanced methods like DTG, embroidery, direct-to-film, sublimation, and all-over printing.

You can also add custom branding elements, such as inside labels, packaging inserts, and personalized order-tracking pages, giving your products a more polished look when delivered. 

With no upfront inventory costs and no minimum order requirements, Printful gives designers the flexibility to scale at their own pace while maintaining full ownership of their brand.

7. Spreadshirt

Spreadshirt is a European-focused print-on-demand platform that gives artists access to both a built-in marketplace and their own customizable Spreadshop.

This dual model lets you benefit from marketplace traffic while also creating a standalone shop where you can drive your own audience.

The platform handles printing, fulfillment, customer support, and returns in multiple languages, which makes selling across Germany, France, the UK, and other EU markets far more manageable.

Uploading designs is fast and beginner-friendly, and you can publish products across multiple countries with localized listings to improve regional SEO and conversions.

While their catalog does lean toward core staples like t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, caps, and tote bags, these everyday items tend to sell consistently, making Spreadshirt's tight-knit catalog ideal for creators who want to focus on proven sellers rather than experiment with dozens of niche products that may never gain traction.

8. TeeFury

TeeFury is a niche print-on-demand platform built around limited-edition, pop culture-inspired apparel.

Founded in 2008, it operates on a daily drop model where new t-shirt designs are featured for 24 hours at a discounted price before moving into a permanent gallery.

Throughout the sale, TeeFurry pays artists $1 for every shirt sold through a commission-based system that rewards savvy self-promotion while allowing artists to retain full rights to their work. 

This has sometimes resulted in artists earning anywhere from $500 to $9,000 on a single sale.

And though it lacks many of the advanced integrations and branding tools compared to other platforms on this list, TeeFury makes up for it with a built-in audience of loyal pop culture fans whose daily engagement can help skyrocket your design’s sales overnight.

9. Bonfire

Bonfire used to be dedicated solely to one-off merch campaigns for charitable organizations. 

Today, it has opened its doors to individuals, creators, and organizations looking to create a merch store dedicated to their cause. 

It may not be the flashiest or most advanced POD provider on this list, but that’s exactly why Bonfire thrives for so many beginners—it's so simple to use. 

Within five minutes, you can easily open an online store and start browsing through Bonfire’s product catalog featuring 230+ premium and eco-friendly brands, including Nike, Stanley/Stella, and Econsious. 

All you have to do is choose your product, upload your design, and Bonfire will handle the printing and shipping so you can focus on raising money for your campaign. 

While it’s not a fully advanced eCommerce builder, it strikes a strong balance between simplicity and customization, which is great for any nonprofit or creator just getting their feet off the ground.

10. Spring

Originally known for selling t-shirts, Spring (aka Teespring) has evolved into a full commerce toolkit that lets you build a branded store, sell physical merch, and offer digital products and memberships to your followers. 

Instead of relying on marketplace traffic, Spring integrates directly with platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch, allowing you to showcase products under videos or share direct checkout links with your followers.

There are no upfront costs, and you set your own pricing, which gives you flexibility over profit margins.

And since Spring handles printing, fulfillment, and payouts for you, you can spend your focus on creating content and promotion for your products rather than worrying about logistics.

That being said, Spring is built for creators who already have somewhat of a following. So if you're an artist just starting out, it's probably not the best solution for you right out of the gate. 

Choosing the Best TeePublic Alternative

TeePublic is a solid starting point.

It’s simple, accessible, and makes it easy to upload a design and start earning without worrying about inventory or fulfillment.

But as your goals shift from “testing a design” to “building a brand,” TeePublic's limitations become harder to ignore.

Things like fixed commissions, lack of customer data ownership, and marketplace saturation can all slow long-term growth, leaving you stuck in a void of unpredictable sales and zero control over how your brand actually scales.

That’s why choosing the right alternative matters.

If your goal is to create a sustainable and profitable merch business (not just upload designs and hope for traffic), you need more than a marketplace. You need ownership.

That's Where Fourthwall Stands Out

Fourthwall gives artists and designers something TeePublic can’t: full control.

It gives you your own fully branded storefront, control over pricing, and access to premium products that make your work look and feel professional.

You’re not boxed into fixed royalties or fighting for visibility in a crowded marketplace.

With high-quality printing options, built-in tools for drops and memberships, and zero upfront inventory costs, Fourthwall makes it easy to launch without limiting your growth. 

If you’re ready to level up from “artist with designs” to “artist with a merch business,” start building on Fourthwall today.

FAQ: TeePublic

How does TeePublic work for artists?

On TeePublic, artists upload their designs and apply them to available products like t-shirts, hoodies, and mugs.

When a customer makes a purchase, TeePublic handles printing, shipping, and customer service. The artist then earns a fixed commission per sale, which is paid out monthly.

How much does TeePublic pay per sale?

Earnings depend on your account tier (Apprentice or Artisan) and whether the product sells at regular price or during a sale.

For example, a standard T-shirt typically earns between $3–$4 at full price for most designers. Sale pricing reduces the commission amount.

Is TeePublic free to use?

Yes, it is completely free to open a store and upload designs. There are no subscription fees, listing fees, or upfront costs. TeePublic only takes its share when a product is sold.

Can you set your own prices on TeePublic?

No, TeePublic sets the retail prices for products. Artists cannot adjust base pricing or run independent discounts. This helps simplify the process but limits users' pricing flexibility.