Threadless Vs. Teespring: Which T-Shirt Company Is Best For You?

T-shirts are a wardrobe staple for many, allowing you to express yourself through creative designs or show support for a cause. With the rise of print-on-demand companies like Threadless and Teespring, it’s easier than ever for artists and activists to get their designs out into the world. But which t-shirt printing service should you choose?

Threadless and Teespring have some similarities – they both allow users to upload designs which are then printed on shirts and other products once ordered. However, there are also key differences when it comes to their business models, integrations, and features.

This comprehensive guide examines the pros and cons of Threadless and Teespring to help you decide which is the best fit.

A Brief Comparison Table

Particulars	Threadless	Teespring
Business Model	Crowdsourced, community voting to select designs. Not print-on-demand.	Print-on-demand, seller uploads designs and is responsible for all marketing.
Commission Rate	$250 flat + 20% sales for new prints. 15% for reprints.	$2.50+ base, increasing based on seller’s pricing.
Pricing Control	No, Threadless sets product pricing.	Yes, seller sets pricing.
Products	T-shirts, hoodies, phone cases, art prints, home decor, bags.	T-shirts, hoodies, hats, stickers, masks, leggings.
Print Locations	U.S. and internationally, unspecified.	U.S., Mexico, Europe, Brazil, Australia.
Integrations	None.	Shopify, Etsy, Amazon Merch, WooCommerce.
Design Approval	Community voting, subjective curation by Threadless.	No approval, print-on-demand.
Marketing	Handled by Threadless based on voting.	Seller responsible for all marketing.
Seller Support	Community forums primarily.	Email, knowledge base, live chat.

Overview Of Threadless

Threadless began in 2000 as an online t-shirt design community and print-on-demand service. Artists can submit t-shirt graphics which are then voted on by the Threadless community. The most popular designs are printed and sold on the Threadless website, with the artists receiving a commission.

Some key facts about Threadless:

• Business Model: Threadless selects the most popular artist submissions to print and sell. Designs are not printed on-demand.
• Commission Structure: Artists earn a $250 commission the first time a design is printed, plus 20% of sales. For reprints, artists receive 15% of sales.
• Products: T-shirts for men and women, hoodies, phone cases, art prints, home decor, bags, and more.
• Integrations: No integration with third-party platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. Products are sold through the Threadless website.
• Print Locations: Products are printed in the USA and internationally.

Overview Of Teespring

Teespring was founded in 2011 as a print-on-demand service. Users can create campaigns to sell t-shirts and other products with their designs. Items are printed and shipped once the campaign reaches its sales goal.

Key facts about Teespring:

• Business Model: Print-on-demand. Products are printed when ordered by customers.
• Commission Structure: Sellers earn a base commission starting at $2.50 per t-shirt sold. The seller sets the product prices.
• Products: T-shirts, hoodies, hats, stickers, masks, leggings, and more. Both US and international production.
• Integrations: Third-party platform integrations like Shopify and WooCommerce available. Products can be sold through external websites.
• Print Locations: USA, Europe, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia.

Now that we’ve provided an overview of both companies, let’s do a deeper comparison of the key factors you need to consider when choosing between the two platforms.

Business Models: Crowdsourced Vs. Print-On-Demand

The biggest difference between Threadless and Teespring lies in their business models.

With Threadless, artists submit designs but Threadless ultimately curates and decides which designs will be produced and sold on their website. This crowdsourced model means competition is high – only about 1% of submissions are selected. However, artists earn a higher commission rate since Threadless handles marketing and has an established customer base.

With Teespring, it’s a print-on-demand model where the seller handles all the design, marketing, and promotion themselves. The upside is that you don’t have to compete for Threadless’ approval. The downside is that you have to do more work to market and sell your shirts. Teespring’s lower base commission rate also reflects this difference.

Threadless pros:

• Better earn potential through higher commissions
• Built-in audience on Threadless site

Threadless cons:

• Very high competition – only 1% of designs chosen
• No control over when/if design is printed

Teespring pros:

• Print-on-demand allows instant printing when ordered
• Full control over design and marketing process

Teespring cons:

• Lower commission rate so higher effort for same profit
• Need to provide all your own marketing and promotion

When choosing between the two models, think about whether you want to create designs for an established marketplace (Threadless) or run your own print-on-demand t-shirt business (Teespring).

Also Read: Comparison Between Threadless And TeePublic.

Commission And Pricing Structures

The commission structures also significantly differ between the two platforms.

With Threadless, the artist commission is tiered based on whether the design is an initial print or reprint. For initial print runs, the artist earns a $250 flat commission plus 20% of sales. For reprints, it drops to a 15% commission.

Threadless sets the product pricing. T-shirts typically cost $20 for standard prints, $25 for premium, and $75+ for special edition collab tees.

With Teespring, you earn a base commission starting at $2.50 per t-shirt sold. You can increase that commission by setting higher prices. Teespring allows sellers to determine their own pricing.

Common Teespring shirt prices range from $15-$35 for single orders. Buying multiples reduces the per-unit price. For example, a shirt could be $25 for one, or $20 each for two. Selling 50+ unlocks the highest commission rates.

Threadless pros:

• Higher flat commission for initial prints
• Established brand so can support higher pricing

Threadless cons:

• Lower 15% commission rate for reprints
• No control over pricing

Teespring pros:

• Commission based on your pricing so potential for higher profit
• Tools to help determine ideal price points

Teespring cons:

• $2.50 base commission is lower unless selling high volume
• Harder to support higher pricing as an unknown brand

For creators who want design exposure with less effort, Threadless’ higher initial commission and brand support are big pluses. For sellers interested in managing their own print-on-demand business, Teespring offers more pricing control and better volume commissions.

Also watch this video!

Products And Print Locations

The range of available products is fairly similar across both companies. However, print locations vary significantly.

Threadless prints their t-shirts and other products at facilities in the USA and internationally. Specific facilities are not disclosed.

Teespring provides transparency into print facilities, which include:

• USA
• Mexico
• Europe
• Brazil
• Australia

Sellers can choose their print country during campaign creation. This choice affects product costs and shipping times. Teespring also manufactures some products locally to save on shipping.

If print location is a priority, Teespring provides much more control and transparency. Threadless does not disclose printing or sourcing details for their products.

Integrations

Threadless operates as a standalone ecommerce site. They do not offer any integration or syncing with external platforms.

Teespring provides integrations with Shopify, Etsy, Amazon Merch, and WooCommerce. This allows your Teespring campaigns and products to be sold across multiple sales channels, not just the Teespring website.

For creators who only plan to sell shirts through a single branded store, the lack of integrations likely won’t be an issue. But for those who want to maximize exposure across multiple platforms, Teespring’s integrations provide a broader sales reach.

Design Approval Process

Since Threadless handpicks the most popular artist submissions, there is a manual design approval process. Designs must adhere to the Threadless content policy, which prohibits offensive, explicit, or copyright/trademark-infringing content.

The community also plays a role in the review process by voting on designs. This means Threadless approval is partially subjective and community-driven. There is certainly artistry involved, but no guarantee a submission will become a printed product.

With Teespring, since it’s print-on-demand, there is no design selection or approval process – products are printed on-demand when ordered. However, there are still rules around IP rights and appropriate content. Teespring may decline or remove campaigns that violate their acceptable use policy.

For those who want quick and guaranteed printing without hurdles, Teespring is preferable. For artists hoping to build a fan base and reputation on an established platform, Threadless offers more potential reach even with a subjective review process.

Marketing And Discovery

Discovery and marketing are closely related to the core business models.

With Threadless, most product exposure comes organically through the Threadless website and apparel lines. Artists may promote their own designs for community voting, but Threadless ultimately decides marketing and product placement.

With Teespring, the seller is fully responsible for campaign marketing. Teespring provides design tools and analytics to help, but you have to drive your own targeted promotions and sales.

Threadless’ model is lower effort but unpredictable. Teespring takes more work but control lies fully with the seller. If you want to take a hands-on approach and learn marketing in the process, Teespring is likely the better choice.

Seller Support

In line with their hands-off crowdsourced model, Threadless does not provide much direct seller support. The community forums serve as the primary resource, along with the content guidelines.

Teespring offers email support along with an online knowledge base with tutorials, tips, and troubleshooting guides for managing campaigns. Live chat support is available for some account levels.

For those who want to go the learning and growth route, Teespring’s superior support resources are extremely helpful. Threadless is better suited to experienced designers who need less hand-holding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Final Verdict

So, in the battle of Threadless Vs. Teespring, who wins out?

For new designers prioritizing exposure and flexibility, Threadless is likely the better starting point. The commissions are generous, no upfront costs, and if your design resonates with the community you can earn passive income without heavy lifting.

For entrepreneurs interested in running their own print-on-demand business, Teespring offers more control and integration options to sell across multiple platforms. You’ll have to work harder on marketing, but in return keep more of the profit margin.

Ultimately, it comes down to your goals as an artist or merchant. Both platforms allow you to get in front of captive t-shirt buying audiences. As you evaluate the pros and cons, think about whether you want to build a fan base on an established marketplace, or drive sales more independently.

With the insights from this guide, you should feel equipped to choose the best t-shirt printing service for your specific needs.