Art of Where vs Printify: The Full Breakdown from a 10-Year POD Veteran

Quick Answer:

If you’re chasing higher profit margins, faster shipping, and easy integrations — Printify is the clear winner.

But if your brand leans on artisan quality, custom packaging, and niche appeal, Art of Where might be a better fit.

I’ve used both, built stores with both, and tested them across markets. Here’s the no-fluff breakdown.

What Are Art of Where and Printify?

Let’s start with the basics.

Art of Where is a Canada-based print-on-demand company that handles everything in-house. Their entire operation is under one roof — printing, sewing, packing, and shipping.

Think of it as the craft brewery of POD: slower, more curated, more handmade.

Printify, on the other hand, is a POD aggregator. They don’t make anything themselves. Instead, they connect you to hundreds of print providers around the world — all competing on price, location, and turnaround times.

This lets you scale like crazy but gives up some control.

Business Models at a Glance:

Platform	Fulfillment Model	Country	Ideal For
Art of Where	In-house (everything made in Montreal)	Canada	Artists, premium brands
Printify	Outsourced network (300+ print partners)	Global	High-volume sellers, dropshippers

Art of Where Pros and Cons

Printify Pros and Cons

Features Comparison

When you’re choosing a POD platform, features make or break your workflow. Whether it’s the mockup tools, branding flexibility, or how smooth the product creation process feels — these little things matter when you’re running a real business.

Here’s the expanded side-by-side based on my hands-on experience using both for client stores and my own.

Mockup Generator Tools

Art of Where:

• One of the best in the game visually.
• Live 3D previews — you can spin the product around and check details from every angle.
• Custom pattern placement for cut-and-sew garments (e.g., leggings, pencil skirts).
• Uploads are instant, high-res, and accurate.

Printify:

• Functional and fast, but not as advanced.
• Static mockups only, no 3D views.
• You can swap product colors and upload front/back designs easily.
• Great for speed — not as visually fancy, but gets the job done.

Verdict: Art of Where wins on mockup quality, especially if you care about brand presentation. Printify wins on speed and simplicity.

Branding Options

Art of Where:

• Offers custom printed clothing labels, artist cards, stickers, and packaging upgrades.
• White-label by default — your branding shows up on the product.
• Looks boutique, premium, and tailored to handmade brands.
• Ideal if you’re building an artist-first brand identity.

Printify:

• Depends on the print provider. Some offer inside labels, some don’t.
• Limited packaging customisation — most items ship in generic mailers.
• You can upload a custom logo for the packing slip with some partners.
• Consistency is harder because providers vary.

Verdict: Art of Where is the clear winner here. Their branding is built-in and designed for artists. Printify is fine for general POD, but branding isn’t its strength.

Product Setup Workflow

Art of Where:

• More steps involved (because of customization options).
• You’ll need to manually size artwork for each product panel (especially for apparel).
• Longer learning curve if you’re new to POD.
• Once set up, it looks fantastic.

Printify:

• Fast drag-and-drop editor.
• Works well even if you’ve never used POD before.
• You can duplicate listings easily and edit in bulk.
• Add variants quickly — colours, sizes, etc.

Verdict: Printify is smoother for beginners and high-volume sellers. Art of Where has a steep curve, but gives you more control over the final design.

Dashboard & User Interface

Art of Where:

• Clean interface but not as intuitive.
• Less automation — everything is manual unless you use a third-party tool like Order Desk.
• Product listings need to be exported and uploaded to your store yourself.

Printify:

• Dashboard is clean, mobile-responsive, and built for ecommerce.
• Everything is synced to your store — products, orders, tracking.
• Built-in analytics (profit margin, sales, bestsellers).
• One-click product publishing.

Verdict: Printify takes this one by a mile. Their interface was built for volume sellers, and it shows.

Automation and Tools

Art of Where:

• No built-in automation tools.
• No direct integrations.
• Requires manual order handling unless you invest in third-party tools (Zapier, Order Desk).

Printify:

• Fully automated workflow once connected to your store.
• Orders flow directly from Shopify/Etsy/WooCommerce.
• Automatic fulfillment, shipping updates, and customer notifications.
• Printify Premium unlocks extra cost-saving logic per order.

Verdict: If you want to scale without stress, Printify is the better tool. Art of Where is more boutique and manual.

Summary Table – Features Side-by-Side

Feature	Art of Where	Printify
Mockup Generator	3D mockups, high-end visuals	Fast, basic mockups
Branding	Custom labels, cards, packaging	Limited, varies by provider
Setup Workflow	Manual, detailed	Quick, drag-and-drop
Dashboard Interface	Clean but manual	Intuitive and automated
Automation	Requires 3rd-party tools	Fully automated
Integration Capabilities	None	Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, more

Product Catalog and Quality

Product range and quality are what shape your brand. Whether you’re launching an apparel brand, selling custom journals, or going all in on pet accessories — the right product selection can make or break your niche.

I’ve personally ordered from both Art of Where and Printify multiple times — both as a seller and as a test buyer — and here’s what actually matters.

Product Range & Selection

Art of Where:

This is where they shine if your vibe is premium and niche.

• Apparel: Leggings, skirts, beanies, kimonos, tank tops — all custom cut-and-sew
• Accessories: Pencil cases, tote bags, device sleeves, headbands
• Wall Art: Canvas prints, art prints, posters
• Stationery: Handmade notebooks, sketchbooks, journals
• Face masks, stickers, and zipper bags

They don’t have hundreds of SKUs — but what they do offer is crafted, not mass-produced.

What makes them unique:

• Every apparel item is made from scratch (printed, cut, and sewn to order)
• Textile patterns can wrap around seams — looks high-end
• Handmade books and sketchpads — rare in POD

Perfect for:

• Artists
• Etsy sellers
• Brands with a handmade or slow-fashion feel

Printify:

Printify plays a different game — mass variety at scale.

• Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, sweatpants, jackets
• Home decor: Blankets, pillows, wall art, shower curtains
• Drinkware: Mugs, tumblers, water bottles
• Accessories: Tote bags, backpacks, shoes, hats
• Pet products: Bowls, beds, bandanas
• Stationery: Notebooks, mousepads, calendars
• Phone cases, jewellery, yard signs, car accessories, and more

Total product count: 800+ SKUs (and growing monthly)

What makes them unique:

• Huge product range with multiple print providers per item
• Niche categories like pet products, eco-friendly items, and metal wall signs
• Easy to test new categories without investing upfront

Perfect for:

• Niche store owners
• General POD brands
• Facebook ad testing and seasonal stores

Product Quality

Here’s where we get brutally honest. I’ve run test orders and have also received customer feedback from over 200+ store orders across both platforms.

Art of Where Quality:

• Print quality: Rich, saturated colors with deep contrast — even on darker fabrics
• Fabric: Durable, soft polyester blends — leggings and apparel don’t pill or fade easily
• Handmade detail: Stitched well, seams line up nicely, especially on wraparound designs
• Packaging: Protective, branded, and well-presented

Weak spots:

• Some materials are synthetic-heavy (not for everyone)
• Not eco-certified, but better than most in quality control
• Slower delivery means prints can get bent (e.g., art prints if mishandled)

Overall: Feels like something you’d find in a boutique or gallery store. This is branding through product quality.

Printify Quality:

This depends entirely on which provider you choose.

For example:

• Monster Digital (USA): Great DTG prints, consistent quality
• Drive Fulfillment (USA): Fast shipping, decent embroidery
• SPOKE (UK): Solid for EU orders, especially mugs and posters

What to expect:

• Most tees use standard blanks (Gildan, Bella+Canvas, Next Level)
• Color saturation is good — but varies printer to printer
• Quality is fine for ecommerce brands, especially when you choose top-rated providers

Weak spots:

• Some lower-rated providers ship in flimsy packaging
• Print misalignment and low ink density can happen
• Support often needs photos to resolve issues — can delay replacements

Tip: Use Printify’s provider rating system — only pick those above 9.0 with solid delivery speed.

Niche Standouts

Category	Art of Where	Printify
Leggings	Fully handmade, high-end	Mass-produced, basic DTG or sublimated
Notebooks	Sewn, stitched, hand-bound	Standard spiral or hardcover
Wall Art	Gallery-wrapped, premium	Affordable posters & canvas prints
Pet Products	Not available	Huge range (beds, tags, mats, bowls)
Accessories	Fashion-focused, custom sewn	Promotional (e.g. mugs, bags, socks)

Final Verdict: Catalog + Quality

• Art of Where: Best for creators who care about detail, packaging, and artist-level quality. Their product line is curated, not cluttered. But you’re sacrificing speed and variety.
• Printify: The clear winner for sellers who want to test many product types fast, scale through multiple niches, and ship globally — as long as you choose the right print partners.

Pricing and Profitability

Let’s cut through the noise.

Pricing matters. You’re not running a hobby — you’re running a business. The platform you pick will directly impact your margins, growth, and whether you can actually make this thing profitable.

I’ve worked with dozens of POD stores. Some made a killing, others barely broke even — and 90% of the time, it came down to base costs and hidden fees.

Base Product Pricing

Here’s how their core product prices compare — as of 2025:

Product Type	Art of Where (USD)	Printify (USD – Free Plan)	Printify (USD – Premium)
T-Shirt (basic)	$18.00	$9.25 (Gildan 5000)	$7.50
Hoodie	$35.00+	$22.00 (AWD)	$18.50
Leggings	$38.00	$24.00 (MWW)	$20.00
Mug	$14.00	$7.00 (11oz ceramic)	$5.50
Notebook	$16.00	$9.00 (spiral-bound)	$7.50

Key Takeaways:

• Art of Where products are premium — because they’re handmade, cut-and-sewn, or locally produced.
• Printify undercuts hard on price — especially when you upgrade to Printify Premium.

Shipping Costs

Shipping is where many sellers lose money. Printify wins big here thanks to its global print network.

Region	Art of Where Shipping (USD)	Printify Shipping (USD)
USA	$7.00–$9.00	$3.99–$5.99
Canada	$6.50–$10.00	$4.00–$6.00
Europe	$10.00–$15.00	$4.99–$9.00
Rest of World	$14.00+	$6.00–$12.00

Art of Where offers tracked shipping on all orders, but you pay for that. 📦 Printify’s cost depends on the provider, but often cheaper and faster.

Subscription & Platform Fees

Art of Where:

• $0/month — no subscription
• You only pay when an order is placed

Printify:

• Free Plan = $0/month (basic access, no discounts)
• Premium Plan = $29/month (gets you up to 20% off every product)
• Enterprise = Custom pricing (for high-volume stores)

Tip: If you sell more than 15–20 items per month, Printify Premium pays for itself in discounts.

Profit Margin Example

Let’s do the math on a $29.99 t-shirt (your store’s retail price):

Art of Where:

• Base cost: $18.00
• Shipping (US): $8.00
• Total cost: $26.00
• Your margin: $3.99

Printify Free:

• Base cost: $9.25
• Shipping: $4.00
• Total cost: $13.25
• Your margin: $16.74

Printify Premium:

• Base cost: $7.50
• Shipping: $4.00
• Total cost: $11.50
• Your margin: $18.49

So yeah — Printify Premium more than triples your profit per sale vs Art of Where.

Bulk Pricing & Volume Flexibility

Art of Where:

• No bulk discounts — each product is made individually
• No dynamic pricing tiers

Printify:

• Bulk pricing through Premium
• Some providers offer extra discounts for 100+ units/month
• Ideal for scaling or B2B white-label deals

Final Verdict on Pricing:

Category	Winner
Base Product Pricing	Printify
Shipping Rates	Printify
Branding Value for Cost	Art of Where
Subscription ROI	Printify
Profit Margins	Printify

If you’re going for brand luxury and want to impress with artisan feel, Art of Where justifies the cost.

But if you’re aiming for a sustainable, scalable ecommerce business with high margins, then Printify dominates on pricing and long-term profitability.

Fulfillment & Shipping Speed

This isn’t just about how fast a product ships — it’s about the entire process, from order to delivery.

If you’re running a high-volume store or selling time-sensitive products (like holiday items), fulfillment speed is everything.

If you’re selling premium handmade products, it’s more about managing expectations and making quality worth the wait.

Fulfillment Process

Art of Where:

• All products are made in-house at their Montreal facility.
• No outsourcing. Every order is made from scratch — printed, cut, sewn, packaged.
• Typical production time:
  • Standard products: 5–7 business days
  • Cut-and-sew apparel: 7–10+ business days
• No rush or express options — it’s all made-to-order and moves at a slower, handmade pace.

Important: During peak seasons (Q4), turnaround can hit 12–14 business days.

Printify:

• Printify doesn’t fulfill anything directly. Instead, it connects you to 300+ print providers.
• Each provider has its own production time, which you can see before choosing.
• Typical production time:
  • Fastest providers: 1–3 business days
  • Average: 2–5 business days
  • Slow providers: 5–7 business days

Many top providers (like Monster Digital, Printy6, and SPOKE) ship within 72 hours consistently — even during peak season.

Tip: Choose providers with high reliability ratings and USA/EU production to cut down delivery times.

Shipping Timeframes

Region	Art of Where Avg. Delivery	Printify Avg. Delivery
USA	5–8 business days	2–5 business days
Canada	3–7 business days	2–6 business days
UK/EU	7–12 business days	3–7 business days
Australia	10–15 business days	5–10 business days
Worldwide	Up to 21 business days	5–15 business days

Total turnaround (from order to doorstep):

• Art of Where: 10–20 business days
• Printify: 5–10 business days (if you choose local production)

Shipping Carriers & Tracking

Art of Where:

• Ships with Canada Post, USPS, and Asendia (for international orders)
• Tracking is always included, but updates can be slow or limited internationally
• Orders are well-packed, especially for art prints and apparel
• No live shipping rates at checkout (flat or fixed pricing)

Printify:

• Depends on the print provider. Most use:
  • USPS, UPS, DHL, FedEx, Royal Mail, Hermes, Australia Post
• Most providers include tracking automatically
• You can show live shipping rates at checkout on Shopify/Etsy
• Delivery reliability improves when printing in the same region as your customer

Packaging Experience

Art of Where:

• Beautiful packaging with branding options
• Great for unboxing experience — feels like a boutique product
• Stickers, labels, and cards available as upgrades

Printify:

• Basic white-label packaging
• Branded packing slips (logo) with some providers
• Inconsistent presentation — varies provider to provider

Real-World Feedback from My Stores

I’ve shipped over 2,000 orders combined using both platforms.

• Art of Where: I had fewer returns, but more “Where is my order?” messages. Customers loved the product quality once it arrived, but some got impatient.
• Printify: Faster shipping = fewer complaints. But I had to deal with 5–10 quality-related support issues per 100 orders — mostly from providers with lower print ratings.

Final Verdict: Fulfillment + Shipping

Factor	Art of Where	Printify
Production Time	5–10+ business days	1–5 business days
Shipping Speed	Medium to slow	Fast (if using local printer)
Packaging Experience	Premium, artist-grade	Standard, varies
Reliability	High consistency	Depends on provider
Best Use Case	Premium brands	Speed-focused ecommerce

If you’re building a premium Etsy brand or selling on Faire and want that high-end handmade feel, Art of Where is worth the wait — as long as your audience values craftsmanship.

But if you’re building a scalable Shopify store, running ads, or offering time-sensitive products, Printify is the better fit for fast fulfillment, especially in the US and EU.

Ecommerce Integrations

If you can’t connect your POD supplier to your store, you’re stuck in manual mode. That means missed orders, late shipments, and way more customer service chaos than you want.

This is where Printify destroys Art of Where, unless you’re willing to bring in third-party tools or run your store with old-school workflows.

Let’s look at what they support, what they don’t, and how it all works in practice.

Native Integrations (No-Code Setup)

Printify:

Direct, one-click integrations with:

• Shopify
• Etsy
• WooCommerce
• BigCommerce
• Wix
• Squarespace
• eBay
• Walmart Marketplace
• PrestaShop (Beta)

You just connect your store, and Printify handles:

• Publishing products directly to your storefront
• Auto-fulfilling orders
• Syncing tracking numbers
• Sending status updates to customers

This is a huge win if you’re scaling — no copy-pasting or manual uploads. It’s basically plug-and-play once set up.

Art of Where:

• No native integrations at all.
• That means:
  ❌ No direct Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce support
  ❌ No auto-order sync
  ❌ No live inventory updates or automated tracking

You’re doing everything manually — or you’re forced to use:

• Order Desk (paid automation tool)
• Zapier (can get complex and expensive)
• Manual CSV upload/download workflows

This might be fine if you’re only doing 10–20 orders a month. But once you scale? Manual work turns into a time-wasting nightmare.

API Access for Developers

If you’re building a custom solution or want to connect a non-mainstream platform…

• Printify: Offers a well-documented API
  • You can build custom workflows, bulk upload, and integrate with ERPs
  • Used by high-volume Shopify Plus and Amazon sellers
• Art of Where: No public API as of 2025
  • Everything must go through third-party middleware (Order Desk, etc.)

Order Management & Tracking Sync

Feature	Art of Where	Printify
Orders auto-pulled from store	❌ Manual only	✅ Yes (via integrations)
Auto tracking sync to customer	❌ No	✅ Yes
Partial order handling	❌ Manual	✅ Supported
Variant syncing	❌ No	✅ Yes

If you’re serious about automation, this stuff saves you hours every week. Especially during Q4 or when running ads at scale.

Product Publishing Process

Art of Where:

• You design your product on their site
• Export mockups and descriptions manually
• Upload them to your store
• Manually input prices and SKUs
• When orders come in, re-enter them into Art of Where

This process is tedious, especially if you’re adding 20+ products.

Printify:

• Design on the platform
• One-click publish to Shopify, Etsy, etc.
• SKUs, mockups, prices, descriptions — all sync automatically
• Orders flow straight in, fulfilled automatically

This is why most serious POD sellers use Printify or similar platforms — because the workflow is built for scale, not for hobby-level shops.

Final Verdict: Ecommerce Integrations

Feature	Art of Where	Printify
Shopify Integration	❌ No	✅ Yes
Etsy Integration	❌ No	✅ Yes
WooCommerce Integration	❌ No	✅ Yes
Other Platforms	❌ Limited via tools	✅ Many (eBay, Walmart)
API Support	❌ None	✅ Full developer API
Automation Capabilities	❌ Manual or via tools	✅ Full automation
Ideal For	Low-volume sellers	Scale-ready ecommerce

So here’s the simple truth:

• If you’re building a serious ecommerce business, and want automation, order syncing, and multi-platform support, then Printify is the only viable option.
• If you’re an artist managing a handful of boutique orders and don’t mind doing things manually — Art of Where still works, but it’s more old-school.

Ease of Use

When you’re running a POD business, speed and simplicity matter. You need to get products created, pushed to your store, and fulfilled — fast. And when things go wrong, the platform needs to help you, not block you.

Let’s compare Printify vs Art of Where on user-friendliness across the full experience.

Platform UI & Dashboard

Printify:

• Clean, modern, and made for ecommerce workflows
• Easy to navigate dashboard with tabs for products, orders, integrations, and settings
• Everything is logically placed — you don’t need to hunt for key features
• Works well on desktop and mobile, so you can manage orders on the go

Art of Where:

• Sleek design, but not as intuitive
• Navigation isn’t as streamlined — it takes a few clicks to find key sections like mockup editing or order history
• Best used on desktop (not mobile-optimised)
• Some tools (like product builder) have a learning curve if you’re not used to design-heavy interfaces

Verdict: Printify wins on dashboard usability, especially for people who need to manage products quickly and in bulk.

Product Creation Workflow

Printify:

• Upload your design, choose placement, preview it instantly
• Add product variants (sizes, colours, styles) in one click
• Simple controls for resizing and positioning
• No design background needed — just drag, drop, and publish

Art of Where:

• Powerful design tools — ideal for artists and designers
• You can edit every product panel (especially for cut-and-sew apparel)
• More creative control, but also more complexity
• It can take 2–3x longer to create a single product vs Printify

Verdict: Art of Where offers more flexibility, but Printify is faster and more beginner-friendly.

Publishing & Store Connection

Printify:

• One-click publish to Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and more
• Edit product titles, descriptions, prices, and mockups during publishing
• Syncs inventory and SKUs automatically
• Bulk actions make managing large catalogs easy

Art of Where:

• No native store connection — everything must be exported manually
• You’ll need to copy-paste descriptions and upload images to your store
• Pricing, variants, and product details must be entered manually
• No real bulk publishing options

Verdict: If you value speed and automation, Printify is the clear winner.

Learning Curve

Area	Art of Where	Printify
Setup Time	2–3 hours (manual + complex)	30 mins – 1 hour
Design Complexity	High (lots of options)	Low (easy interface)
Publishing Products	Manual	Automatic
Managing Orders	Manual or via Order Desk	Fully automated

Art of Where is ideal if you’re an artist, designer, or control freak who wants every seam and detail perfect.
Printify is ideal if you want to launch fast, scale fast, and automate everything.

Final Verdict: Ease of Use

• Printify is built for speed, scale, and simplicity.
  Whether you’re new to POD or launching hundreds of SKUs, it just works out of the box.
• Art of Where has a steeper learning curve, but gives you more design freedom — if you’re willing to do the work manually.

Choose Printify if you’re focused on ecommerce performance.
Choose Art of Where if your brand is an extension of your art and you don’t mind taking your time.

Customer Support & Resources

Support Channels

Printify:

• Live Chat Support (for paying users, during business hours)
• Email Support (usually responds within 24–48 hours)
• Help Center with hundreds of how-to articles
• Priority support available for Enterprise clients

Bonus: If you’re a Premium subscriber, your support tickets get handled faster — and in my experience, more thoroughly.

Art of Where:

• Email Only — no live chat
• Response time: anywhere from 2–5 business days
• No support on weekends or holidays
• No phone support or ticket dashboard — all communication happens through email

Their support team is small but detailed. They’ll answer thoroughly when they get back to you — but don’t expect speed.

Real-World Support Experience

I’ve contacted both companies many times across client stores. Here’s what actually happened:

Printify:

• When a mug arrived broken, support responded in 16 hours, offered a free reprint without asking for return, and marked the issue closed the same day.
• When a DTG print came out misaligned, they requested a photo, verified it, and issued a reprint within 48 hours.
• Had a minor delay during Black Friday, but they notified sellers with banners and suggested alternate providers.

Art of Where:

• During Q4 2023, I had an order that hadn’t shipped after 12 days. I emailed them, got a reply on day 4, and the package shipped the next day.
• They’re polite, know their products well, but clearly understaffed.
• You’ll get a real human reply — just not quickly.

Self-Help Resources

Printify:

• Huge knowledge base with:
  • Setup guides (Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce)
  • Design requirements by product
  • Shipping times by provider
  • Troubleshooting articles
• Blog with updates, product launches, marketing tips
• Print Provider Ratings: public quality scores for each fulfillment partner

This means you can usually solve most issues without contacting support.

Art of Where:

• Smaller help section, mainly covers:
  • Order turnaround time
  • Shipping zones
  • Design file requirements
• No interactive setup tools
• Blog focuses more on artist showcases and product inspiration, less on ecommerce strategy

Support Summary Table

Feature	Art of Where	Printify
Live Chat	❌ No	✅ Yes (Premium & Enterprise)
Email Support	✅ Yes (slow)	✅ Yes (fast)
Phone Support	❌ No	❌ No
Knowledge Base	✅ Basic	✅ Extensive
Ticket Turnaround Time	2–5 business days	1–2 business days
Help with Order Issues	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Reprint Policy	Case-by-case	Fast & flexible (with proof)
Proactive Updates (Q4 etc)	❌ Minimal	✅ Yes (banners, alerts)

Final Verdict: Support & Resources

• If you value fast responses, clear policies, and reliable documentation, Printify is the stronger platform — especially if you’re a Premium subscriber.
• If you’re okay waiting a few days for a thoughtful, personalised reply and you’re not handling high volumes, Art of Where is passable, but limited.

Final Verdict

After running dozens of print-on-demand stores and testing both platforms across different business models, here’s the bottom line:

• Printify is the clear winner if you’re focused on profit, speed, automation, and scalability.
• Art of Where is the right call if your brand is built around artisan-level product quality, premium packaging, and a handcrafted aesthetic — and you’re okay trading off speed and integrations.

That said, you don’t always have to pick just one. Many experienced sellers use both platforms strategically in the same store.

Let me break it down:

Who Should Use Printify

Use Printify if:

• You want to scale fast with low startup costs
• You’re focused on profit margins and automation
• Your store runs on Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, or Walmart
• You sell common POD products: t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, etc.
• You need fast shipping and local fulfillment for the US, EU, or international markets
• You care more about workflow efficiency than artisan-quality packaging

Ideal for:

• Dropshippers
• High-volume ecommerce sellers
• Facebook/Google ad marketers
• Amazon/Walmart/Etsy multi-channel brands
• Anyone needing a wide catalog of 800+ products

Who Should Use Art of Where

Use Art of Where if:

• You’re an artist, designer, or brand building a premium, handcrafted vibe
• You value quality over speed
• You’re creating one-of-a-kind fashion, stationery, or art print items
• Your audience expects something boutique, artistic, and unique
• You want full design control over every inch of your product (especially for apparel)

Ideal for:

• Artists and illustrators
• Etsy or Faire sellers
• Slow-fashion or premium lifestyle brands
• Creators who sell at craft fairs or galleries
• Brands that want to sell fewer products at a higher price

When It Makes Sense to Use Both

Some of the best-performing stores I’ve worked with combine both platforms like this:

Core Catalog = Printify

Use Printify for your mainline products: t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, totes. These are your bestsellers — priced to move fast, with fast delivery and decent margins.

Premium Collection = Art of Where

Use Art of Where for limited-edition items: leggings, notebooks, art prints, kimonos. These products build your brand identity, even if they take longer to ship.

This hybrid model lets you:

• Capture volume and profit from Printify
• Build brand equity and uniqueness with Art of Where

It’s a strategy I’ve used personally and for clients — and it works.

Full Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Category	Art of Where	Printify
Fulfillment Model	In-house, made in Canada	Third-party print providers
Product Quality	Handmade, premium materials	Varies by provider (mostly good)
Product Catalog	Curated, niche items	800+ SKUs, mass appeal
Profit Margins	Low to moderate	High (especially with Premium)
Branding Options	Strong: labels, cards, stickers	Medium: varies by provider
Packaging	Premium, artist-grade	Basic white-label
Shipping Speed	Slower (10–20 biz days total)	Fast (5–10 biz days total)
Integrations	None (manual or Order Desk only)	Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, etc.
Automation	❌ Manual or 3rd party tools	✅ Fully automated
Setup & Ease of Use	Moderate to difficult	Beginner-friendly
Support	Email only, 2–5 day response	Live chat, email, fast turnaround
Best For	Artists, premium brands	Ecommerce sellers, dropshippers
API Access	❌ No	✅ Yes
Subscription Plan	Free only	Free + Premium ($29/mo)
International Reach	Decent (Canada-based)	Excellent (global providers)
Suitable for Scaling	Not ideal	✅ Built to scale

Final Thoughts

If I had to sum it up:

• Printify = scale, speed, and profit
• Art of Where = quality, craft, and creativity

You don’t need to pick one. Use both. Let your business strategy guide the platform — not the other way around.

Frequently Asked Questions (Extended)

Is Printify or Art of Where better for beginners?

Printify is better for beginners — no question. You get plug-and-play integrations, one-click product publishing, and automated order handling. Art of Where requires manual order entry and has a steeper learning curve.

Does Art of Where integrate with Shopify or Etsy?

No, not directly. Art of Where does not offer native integrations with Shopify, Etsy, or any ecommerce platform. You can connect it using third-party tools like Order Desk or Zapier, but that adds complexity and cost.

Is Printify Premium worth it?

Yes. If you’re selling more than 15–20 items per month, Printify Premium ($29/month) pays for itself in discounts. Most products are 15–20% cheaper, which boosts your profit margin significantly.

How long does it take for Art of Where to ship orders?

Expect 10–20 business days total from order to delivery. Production takes 5–10 days, then shipping adds another 5–8 days depending on location. It’s a handmade operation — not built for speed.

Can I sell both Art of Where and Printify products in one store?

Yes, and many experienced sellers do. Use Printify for your fast-moving, high-margin items and Art of Where for premium, slow fashion or art-centric collections. Just make sure to clearly communicate shipping times on your product pages.

Does Printify offer better shipping options?

Yes. Because Printify connects to hundreds of global print providers, you can pick vendors with local production. That means faster, cheaper shipping to customers in the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia.

Is Art of Where good for selling premium products on Etsy?

Yes. Art of Where’s branding, packaging, and handmade feel work great for Etsy’s artisan-focused audience. Just be transparent about shipping times and prepare for longer fulfillment windows.

Which platform is better for international orders?

Printify is better internationally because you can choose providers in the same country or continent as your customers. That means faster delivery and lower shipping costs. Art of Where ships everything from Canada, which slows things down and adds cost for international buyers.