Zazzle vs Redbubble: An Honest Comparison for Print on Demand Creators
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Print on demand has become one of the most popular ways for artists and designers to earn money from their creativity. Two platforms that consistently appear in recommendations are Redbubble and Zazzle. Both platforms allow creators to upload designs and earn commissions on product sales, but they operate with different approaches to product variety, pricing, and creator experience. When I first started exploring print on demand, I was curious about how these platforms compared. This article is the result of my hands-on testing of both platforms over a three-month period.
This article is based entirely on my personal experience using both platforms. I did not receive any payment or incentive from either company, and I have no affiliation with them. My approach on fortgreba has always been to test things myself and report the details, even when those details challenge popular assumptions. I have written extensively about print on demand, including my article about print on demand stickers, and this article builds on that foundation with a focused comparison of Zazzle and Redbubble.
My Honest Take: Both Zazzle and Redbubble are reliable print on demand platforms that pay real commissions. Redbubble offers a simpler, more streamlined experience with a focus on apparel and accessories. Zazzle offers large product variety with extensive customization options. The best choice depends on your design style and the types of products you want to create. Redbubble is better for simple design uploads, while Zazzle offers more product diversity.
Quick Overview: What Each Platform Offers
Redbubble is a print on demand marketplace focused on apparel, stickers, and accessories. The platform is known for its simple upload process and artist-friendly interface. Creators upload designs, choose which products to place them on, and set their markup. Redbubble handles printing, shipping, and customer service. The platform works well for creators who want a straightforward print on demand experience.
Zazzle is a print on demand marketplace with large product variety, including apparel, home decor, stationery, and custom products. The platform offers extensive customization options, allowing creators to create highly personalized products. Creators set their royalty rates on each product. Zazzle works well for creators who want product diversity and customization flexibility.
The fundamental difference between the two platforms is their approach to product variety and customization. Redbubble focuses on a curated set of products with a simple upload process. Zazzle offers hundreds of products with extensive customization. Understanding this difference is essential for choosing the right platform for your creative goals.
The most important difference between Zazzle and Redbubble is not the commission rates. It is the product variety and customization options. Redbubble offers a curated set of products with simple design placement. Zazzle offers hundreds of products with extensive customization. Understanding which approach works better for your designs determines which platform is right for you.
My Setup Experience
Setting up on Redbubble was straightforward. I created an account, set up my artist profile, and uploaded my designs. The platform automatically generated product mockups for each design. I could choose which products to enable for each design and set my markup percentage. The entire setup took about around an hour, and my products were live for sale immediately.
Setting up on Zazzle was more involved. The platform offered hundreds of product options, and I needed to customize each product individually. The customization options were extensive, allowing me to adjust design placement, add text, and modify colors. The setup took longer, about around three hours for the initial product creation. The learning curve was steeper but offered more creative control.
The difference in setup reflected the platforms' different approaches. Redbubble prioritized simplicity and speed, while Zazzle prioritized customization and control. Both approaches have merit, but they appeal to different types of creators. My article about print on demand stickers discusses similar setup differences in print on demand platforms.
Understanding Print on Demand Business Models
Print on demand operates on a fundamentally different business model than traditional retail. Instead of creating inventory upfront and hoping products sell, you upload designs and the platform produces products only when a customer places an order. This eliminates the financial risk of unsold inventory and makes it possible for creators to offer products without any upfront investment. The platform handles all the logistics: printing, packaging, shipping, and customer service. Your only responsibility is creating designs that people want to buy.
The commission structure on both platforms works similarly. You set your markup or royalty rate, which is added to the base price of the product. When a customer buys the product, you receive your markup as commission. The base price covers the platform's costs for production and fulfillment. This means you have control over your earnings per sale, but you need to balance your markup against market competitiveness. Setting your markup too high makes your products expensive and reduces sales. Setting it too low reduces your earnings per sale.
The key to success on either platform is not the platform itself but the quality and relevance of your designs. Both platforms have millions of products, and standing out requires creating designs that resonate with specific audiences. Niche designs that appeal to passionate communities often perform better than generic designs that try to appeal to everyone. Understanding this principle is essential for building sustainable print on demand income on either platform.
Product Variety and Commission Rates
Product variety is a key difference between the platforms. Redbubble offers a curated selection of products including t-shirts, hoodies, stickers, phone cases, and wall art. The product range is focused and well-organized. Creators set their markup percentage, typically around fifteen to twenty-five percent, which determines their commission.
Zazzle offers hundreds of products including apparel, home decor, stationery, drinkware, and custom items. The extensive product range allows for creative product development. Creators set their royalty rate, typically around five to twenty percent, on each product. The customization options allow for unique product creation beyond simple design placement.
My Earnings Comparison: Honest Numbers
Three-Month Earnings Comparison:
Redbubble:
- Designs uploaded: around 18
- Total sales: around 14
- Total earnings: around $98
- Average per sale: approximately $7.00
Zazzle:
- Products created: around 25
- Total sales: around 9
- Total earnings: around $72
- Average per sale: approximately $8.00
These numbers reveal that both platforms produced modest but similar earnings. Redbubble produced higher total sales and earnings, with more orders at a slightly lower average. Zazzle produced fewer sales but at a higher average per sale. The total earnings difference was modest, suggesting that both platforms are viable for print on demand.
What the numbers do not show is the time investment. Redbubble required less time for setup and product creation due to its simpler process. Zazzle required more time for customization and product development. When factoring in time investment, Redbubble may be more efficient for simple designs, while Zazzle offers more potential for custom products.
The key insight is that both platforms can generate income, but the approach matters. Redbubble is better for volume with simple designs. Zazzle is better for premium custom products with higher margins. The best approach depends on your design style and product strategy.
Strategies for Print on Demand Success
After three months of testing both platforms, I have identified several strategies that improve print on demand results. The first strategy is focusing on niche audiences. Designs that appeal to specific communities, hobbies, professions, or interests tend to perform better than generic designs. When someone searches for a design related to their specific interest and finds your product, they are more likely to purchase because it feels personal. Generic designs compete with millions of similar products and struggle to stand out.
The second strategy is optimizing your product titles and tags. Both platforms use search algorithms to surface products to potential buyers. Well-written titles that include relevant keywords help your products appear in search results. Tags provide additional context that helps the platform understand what your product is about and who might be interested in it. Investing time in keyword research and optimization is essential for getting your products discovered.
The third strategy is creating cohesive design collections. Instead of uploading individual designs in isolation, create collections of related designs that appeal to the same audience. This approach encourages multiple purchases because customers who like one design are likely to appreciate related designs. Collections also signal to the platform that you are a serious creator, which may improve your visibility in search results.
The creators who succeed in print on demand are not necessarily the most talented designers. They are the ones who understand their audience, create designs that resonate with specific communities, and optimize their product listings for search. Talent provides the foundation. Strategy provides the sales.
Side-by-Side Platform Comparison
This comparison makes the differences between the two platforms clear. Redbubble offers a simpler, streamlined experience with curated products. Zazzle offers large product variety and customization options. The right choice depends on your design style and product strategy.
Pros and Cons Summary
Redbubble Pros
- Simple and fast setup
- Automatic product mockups
- Clean, user-friendly interface
- Good for apparel and stickers
- Easy design placement
- Consistent sales volume
- Minimal time investment
Redbubble Cons
- Limited product variety
- Limited customization
- Lower margins on some products
- Competitive marketplace
- Monthly payment processing
Zazzle Pros
- Large product variety
- Extensive customization
- Higher margins on custom products
- Unique product creation
- Premium product options
- Creative freedom
Zazzle Cons
- More time-intensive setup
- Steeper learning curve
- Lower sales volume
- Complex product creation
- Monthly payment processing
- Overwhelming product options
Who Should Choose Which Platform?
Choose Redbubble if you want a simple, streamlined print on demand experience with minimal time investment. The platform is better for creators who want to upload designs quickly and start selling without extensive product customization. If your designs work well on apparel, stickers, and phone cases, Redbubble is the better choice. The automatic mockup generation means you can have products live within around an hour of uploading your first design. For creators who value efficiency and simplicity, Redbubble is the clear winner.
Choose Zazzle if you want extensive product variety and customization options. The platform is better for creators who enjoy developing custom products and are willing to invest time in setup. If your designs work well on home decor, stationery, or custom products, Zazzle offers more opportunities. The higher margins on custom products make Zazzle attractive for premium designs. The platform is also better for creators who want to offer personalized products with text or names, which is a significant market segment on Zazzle.
The practical recommendation: Use both platforms strategically. Start with Redbubble to get your designs live quickly and begin earning. As you develop your design skills and understand what sells, expand to Zazzle to offer custom products and reach a different audience. Using both platforms maximizes your product variety and increases your chances of finding success in the print on demand marketplace.
Final Verdict: Which Platform Is Better?
Final Verdict
Redbubble is the better platform for most creators due to its simplicity and consistent sales volume. The streamlined setup and automatic mockups make it easy to start selling quickly. Zazzle offers more product variety and customization but requires more time investment. My recommendation is to start with Redbubble for simplicity and add Zazzle if you want product diversity. Both platforms can generate income, and using them together maximizes your opportunities. For more ideas on building additional income streams, check out my guide to print on demand stickers.
Individual Results Note: Every print on demand creator's experience is different. The numbers, timelines, and outcomes mentioned in this article reflect my own personal experience and should not be taken as a promise of similar results. Your experience will depend on your designs, your product strategy, the platforms you choose, and how consistently you work. Treat the figures here as one data point, not a guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform pays more: Zazzle or Redbubble?
In my testing, Redbubble produced higher total earnings at around ninety-eight dollars compared to Zazzle's around seventy-two dollars. However, Zazzle had a higher average per sale at around eight dollars compared to Redbubble's around seven dollars. The difference in total earnings came from Redbubble's higher sales volume.
Which platform is easier to set up on?
Can I use both Zazzle and Redbubble at the same time?
How do Zazzle and Redbubble pay creators?
Both platforms pay through PayPal or bank transfer on a monthly basis. Payments are processed after the end of each month for sales made during that period. Both platforms are reliable in their payment processing.
Which platform has better product variety?
Which platform is better for beginners?
What types of products can I sell on each platform?
Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for general informational and educational purposes only. All content, including text, graphics, images, and other material, is not intended as professional financial, tax, or business advice. Individual results may vary based on design quality, product selection, platform choice, and personal performance. Print on demand income is subject to taxation. Commission rates and platform policies may change over time. Always conduct your own research and verify current platform terms and conditions before investing significant time or resources. We do not promise the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. To learn more about who we are, please visit our About Us page. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to Contact Us. We encourage you to review our Disclaimer and Privacy Policy for more details. For answers to common questions, check out our FAQ page.
