When Printful launched its print-on-demand/drop-shipping business in 2013, most competitors were traditional bulk-printing companies that weren’t built for one-off fulfillment of t-shirts and other products. Today, thanks to the e-commerce explosion and a savvy technology-focused business strategy, Printful is the largest company of its kind with three fulfillment centers in the U.S. and headquarters in Riga, Latvia and Charlotte, NC, a fourth that recently opened in Mexico, 500 employees, dozens of product options, and 800,000+ customers around the globe from artists and cause marketers to Twitter-preneurs like WeRateDogs that use merchandise to monetize their ventures.
- The company was founded by two young Latvians who couldn’t find an acceptable print-on-demand drop-shipping partner for a business they ran selling posters, clothing and other items with motivational quotes for entrepreneurs.
- It has doubled revenues every year since inception, fulfilled more than 10 million orders generating over $540 million for customers, and is still self-funded.
- Features like 14 integrated e-commerce platforms (more than any competitor), API connectivity, and a mockup generator that creates store-ready product images help fuel business.
- One-third of customers surveyed say their e-commerce storefront is a full-time gig, and three-quarters of the rest say they’re aiming to get there.
