Wilmington, North Carolina Dec 22, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - For many established ecommerce merchants, switching print-on-demand (POD) providers has traditionally felt risky and disruptive. However, as online retail continues to mature in the US, more sellers are rethinking that assumption. Changing POD partners is increasingly viewed as a proactive growth decision—one that can improve customer experience, streamline operations, and unlock new revenue opportunities.
According to the US Census Bureau, ecommerce sales surpassed $1 trillion in 2024, while Deloitte reports that 67% of US consumers now expect delivery within three days. These rising expectations are pushing merchants to evaluate whether their current POD providers can deliver at scale without compromising quality.
“Merchants often wait too long to reassess their print-on-demand setup,” said Dāvis Sārmiņš, Director of Growth Marketing at Printful. “The right partner can remove operational friction early and help brands grow with confidence.”
What merchants should evaluate before switching POD providers
When considering a new POD supplier, merchants typically focus on pricing. But price alone rarely determines long-term success. Factors such as print consistency, product variety, shipping speed, customer support, and platform integrations all play a critical role in maintaining a strong customer experience during and after the transition.
Printful helps mitigate these risks by offering a clear switching process, transparent pricing, and tools that allow merchants to test products, create mockups, and gradually migrate catalogs without interrupting live storefronts.
“Switching doesn’t have to mean starting over,” said Sārmiņš. “It should feel like an upgrade, not a setback.”
Fulfillment speed and US-based production drive customer satisfaction
Shipping speed has become a baseline expectation rather than a competitive advantage. Printful operates multiple fulfillment centers across North America, allowing orders to be fulfilled closer to end customers and reducing transit times.
Internal Printful data shows that US orders fulfilled domestically are delivered up to 40% faster on average compared to international fulfillment. Faster delivery directly impacts customer satisfaction, repeat purchases, and brand loyalty.
“Speed builds trust,” said Sārmiņš. “When customers receive their orders quickly and in perfect condition, they’re far more likely to come back.”
Quality and product expansion without added complexity
Consistency in print quality is one of the biggest challenges merchants face when scaling POD operations. Printful’s direct-to-garment products are produced using industry-leading Kornit printers, ensuring reliable results even at higher volumes.
At the same time, Printful continues to expand its product catalog across apparel, accessories, and home & living categories. This allows merchants to experiment with new products—such as posters, mugs, hats, and hoodies, without adding inventory or managing multiple suppliers.
“Product expansion should be an opportunity, not an operational burden,” said Sārmiņš.
US merchant success stories highlight the impact of switching
A US-based premium streetwear brand reduced average delivery times from five days to three after switching to Printful. Within three months, the brand saw a 22% increase in customer satisfaction, driven by faster fulfillment and consistent print quality.
Another US merchant operating a niche home décor store used the transition to Printful to diversify its catalog. By adding posters and mugs alongside apparel, the store increased average order value by 35% in a single quarter, without investing in inventory upfront.
“These merchants didn’t switch because something failed,” said Sārmiņš. “They switched because they were ready to grow.”
Technology and support designed for scaling brands
Printful integrates seamlessly with leading ecommerce platforms and marketplaces, allowing merchants to sync products, automate order fulfillment, and manage multiple sales channels from one dashboard. For businesses requiring advanced customization, Printful’s API enables deeper control and automation. Merchants processing over 1,000 orders per month can receive free API setup to simplify the transition.
Beyond technology, Printful supports merchants with educational content, marketing resources, and optional creative services, including graphic design, photography, and video editing. For sellers offering non-POD products, Printful’s warehousing and fulfillment services help centralize logistics under one partner.
Switching POD providers as a growth strategy
As ecommerce competition increases and customer expectations continue to rise, switching print-on-demand providers is becoming less about solving problems and more about preparing for the next stage of growth.
“The most resilient brands build their operations around partners they trust,” said Sārmiņš. “When fulfillment is reliable, merchants can focus on what really matters—building their brand, reaching new customers, and scaling sustainably.”
For US-based ecommerce merchants evaluating their next move, Printful offers a low-risk, scalable path to faster fulfillment, consistent quality, and long-term success.
About Printful
Printful is a global print-on-demand company that helps brands and creators turn ideas into products without inventory risk. With fulfillment centers in the U.S. and worldwide, Printful powers custom apparel and lifestyle goods for businesses of all sizes, combining reliable production, competitive shipping, and seamless integrations that enable online stores to scale efficiently.
Media Contact
Printful Latvia AS support@printful.com Raiņa bulvāris 25, Rīga, LV-1050,Latvija http://printful.com
