From Startup to Global Powerhouse: The Strategic Evolution of Printify

Printify is a rare beast in today’s highly competitive POD (Print-on-Demand) business- fast, reliable, and affordable. The company provides a convenient and cost-effective POD solution for anyone looking to enter the booming POD business.

Printify provides a B2B marketplace that connects dropshippers and entrepreneurs to a very large network of print providers located across the globe, providing entrepreneurs and businesses the ability to choose the best POD services for their business needs. The company currently serves more than 2 million ecommerce businesses with more than 500 customizable products such as face masks, home decor, water bottles, laptop sleeves, mousepads, wallets, stickers, notepads, rugs, candles, ornaments, puzzles, and more. 

Printify Launch and Funding 

James Berdigans founded Printify in 2015. At that time, Berdigans and his tech team sought a platform that simplified building a custom product business. Printify is currently based in Riga, Latvia, with additional offices in the United States. 

Printify is backed and funded by big tech companies and investment groups. The most recent funding round was led by Index Ventures, with participation from Virgin Group, H&M Group, Wise, Dreamers VC, RedHat, Squarespace, and Wise. This round puts Printify's valuation at a whopping $300 million. 

Printify's Rapid Growth and Recent Updates 

Over the years, Printify has experienced rapid growth, attracting a large community of internet entrepreneurs and online sellers. The company has also secured investments from several prominent Silicon Valley investors, enabling it to expand its print-on-demand (POD) services and scale globally.

The POD market is getting overcrowded, and competition is coming strong. Sensing danger, Printify responded quickly and overhauled its product offerings significantly. The company expanded its product catalog and introduced eco-friendly products, premium apparel, and custom packaging options to meet the evolving demands of its growing customer base.

But it's not just about the product catalog—Printify also announced an improvement in its integration capabilities with major ecommerce platforms. Recent updates to its Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce integrations enable smoother store management, easier product syncing, automated order processing, and more.

In addition, Printify has maintained competitive pricing and introduced a new subscription service called Printify Premium. This service offers users discounts on base product prices and has proven valuable for high-volume POD sellers looking to scale their operations. 

In 2023, Printify announced another major addition and introduced Printify Choice, a feature that highlights top-performing print providers based on key performance metrics such as quality, fulfillment speed, and reliability. Printify describes its latest feature as a hassle-free fulfillment option that allows POD sellers to identify and select the best print providers for their products based on key performance metrics such as product quality, production speed, and reliability. 

The Printify and Printful Merger: The Marriage of the Titans 

In 2024, Printify and Printful, two leading POD technology platforms, announced their merger plans- a merger about sheer size and market reach. The newly formed company will offer more POD products and solutions for customers worldwide. This is a merger about sheer size and market reach. 

The news of the merger was first announced on November 5, and the integration process started on November 20 with a focus on combining technology capabilities and resources. The merger aligns with Printify’s broader goal to enhance its product offerings and strengthen its market presence, securing its status as a global POD player. It represents a significant step forward in the two companies' ongoing commitment to providing the highest level of service to their customers. 

The combined strengths and resources of the two leading POD companies will create synergies in key operational areas such as production and shipping, leading to cost savings and improved service levels. Printful's strength in global fulfillment can help businesses offer faster shipping and potentially lower shipping costs for international orders. On the other hand, Printify’s business model, which connects businesses with its vast network of global print providers, allows for a wider range of product offerings and flexibility in pricing. Overall, the merger is a smart move for both companies. 

What's Next at Printify

Printify plans more updates in the upcoming years. The company is gearing up for a transformative year as it continues to innovate in the highly competitive space. Following the recent merger with Printful, the company is expected to roll out several strategic updates aimed at enhancing the POD seller and customer experience. 

Let’s find out what might be next for Printify. Here are possible developments and upcoming changes, based on the company's recent moves and industry trends.

1. First, let's talk about the recent merger with another POD powerhouse, Printful. Again, as mentioned earlier, this is a merger about sheer size and global reach. And if the merger goes smoothly, we could expect a new "look and feel", a unified platform experience for users. This means a streamlined interface integrating product catalogs, supplier options, fulfillment tracking, and product design under one roof. 

 

2.  Just like many high-flying tech companies out there, Printify is expected to invest more in AI-powered technologies. Advanced design generators, predictive analytics, smart product mockups, and automated product recommendations are on the company's drawing table. The main goal is to empower and help creators launch faster and smarter.

3. Printify is looking for expansion into new markets. The company may target the Latin American region. Southeast Asia and even Africa are also on the target list. Another one is support for new currencies and a multi-language dashboard.

4. Printify will continue to focus on eco-friendly products and sustainability.  

5. Finally, the company may start working on creator monetization tools, so expect deeper partnerships with social media platforms like TikTok Shop, YouTube, and Instagram to empower influencers and content creators to sell branded products effortlessly. In addition to creator monetization tools, Printify may also start working on affiliate or referral programs to incentivize social media influencers. The company may try a Shopify-like model where product designers and creators can white-label stores directly inside Printify. 

In summary, Printify’s upcoming developments and big updates signal a bold shift toward a smarter and creator-focused technology platform. The company is positioning itself not just as a leading POD technology solutions provider but as a full-scale commerce engine for the global creator economy.