Print-on-Demand Shipping: Complete Fulfillment Guide for POD Sellers

Print-on-demand (POD) businesses have unique shipping considerations since you don't handle fulfillment directly. This guide covers everything POD sellers need to know about managing shipping effectively.

Understanding POD Shipping

How POD Shipping Works

Customer places order on your store

Order routes to POD provider

Provider prints/produces item

Provider ships directly to customer

You receive tracking information

Key Differences from Traditional E-commerce

No inventory to store
No direct control over shipping
Production time before shipping
Provider determines carrier options

Major POD Provider Shipping

Printful

Production time: 2-5 business days
Carriers: USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL
Facilities: US, EU, Mexico, Japan
Tracking: Always included

Printify

Production time: 2-7 business days (varies by provider)
Carriers: Depends on print provider
Facilities: Global network
Tracking: Provider dependent

Gooten

Production time: 2-7 business days
Carriers: Various by partner
Facilities: Global manufacturing
Tracking: Provided for all orders

Gelato

Production time: 1-3 business days
Carriers: Local carriers by region
Facilities: 100+ locations worldwide
Tracking: Full visibility

Managing Production + Shipping Time

Total Delivery Calculation

Total Time = Production Time + Transit Time

Typical Timeline Example

Stage	Time
Production	2-5 days
Shipping (domestic)	3-7 days
Total (domestic)	5-12 days
Shipping (international)	7-21 days
Total (international)	9-26 days

Setting Accurate Expectations

Clearly state total delivery time (not just shipping)
Add buffer for unexpected delays
Separate production from shipping in communication
Update during peak seasons

Choosing the Right POD Provider

Shipping Considerations

Available shipping methods
Carrier options
International capabilities
Tracking quality
Shipping rates

Location Strategy

Choose providers with facilities near customers
Consider multiple providers for different regions
Factor in local production for faster delivery
Balance cost vs. speed

Shipping Rates Strategy

POD Shipping Cost Factors

Product weight and size
Destination zone
Shipping speed selected
Provider markup

Pricing Approaches

Option 1: Pass Through Costs

Charge exact shipping from provider
Transparent for customers
May result in higher rates

Option 2: Flat Rate

Simple customer experience
You absorb cost differences
Requires average cost calculation

Option 3: Free Shipping

Build into product prices
Higher conversion rates
Calculate average shipping cost first

Calculating Your Break-Even

Average shipping cost = Sum of all shipping / Number of orders
Product price adjustment = Average shipping / Target margin

International POD Shipping

Global Fulfillment Benefits

Faster delivery to international customers
Lower shipping costs
Reduced customs complications
Local currency options

Regional Production Strategy

Route EU orders to EU facilities
Route Asia orders to Asian facilities
Route Australia orders to AU/NZ facilities
Maintain consistency in product quality

Customs and Duties

Most POD providers handle customs paperwork
Consider DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) options
Communicate potential duties to customers
Set clear international shipping policies

Customer Communication

Pre-Purchase Information

Display total estimated delivery time
List countries you ship to
Show shipping cost before checkout
Explain production process

Post-Purchase Updates

Order confirmation: Thank you + timeline

Production complete: Item shipped + tracking

In transit: Delivery estimate

Delivered: Request review

Handling "Where Is My Order?"

Provide tracking link in all communications
Set up automated tracking page
Include production time explanation
Respond quickly to inquiries

Handling POD Shipping Problems

Common Issues

Late Production

Monitor order status regularly
Contact provider proactively
Communicate delays to customer
Offer compensation when appropriate

Lost Packages

Check tracking thoroughly
Contact provider for investigation
They handle carrier claims
You manage customer relationship

Quality Issues on Arrival

Most providers offer reprints
File claim with provider
Reship replacement item
Apologize and compensate customer

Building in Protection

Choose providers with good track records
Set realistic delivery expectations
Have refund/replacement policy
Monitor provider performance

Optimizing POD Shipping

Speed Improvements

Choose fastest production providers
Use expedited shipping options
Select strategically located facilities
Offer production upgrades

Cost Reduction

Negotiate rates at volume
Compare provider shipping costs
Optimize product packaging
Use regional fulfillment

Quality Enhancement

Select providers with tracking
Monitor delivery success rates
Review customer feedback
Test shipping yourself

Peak Season Preparation

POD Holiday Challenges

Extended production times
Carrier delays
Higher customer expectations
More order volume

Preparation Strategies

Communicate earlier cutoff dates
Set realistic holiday delivery estimates
Consider backup providers
Extend customer service hours

Scaling Your POD Business

When to Consider Changes

Order volume growing significantly
Shipping costs eating margins
Delivery times frustrating customers
International demand increasing

Scaling Options

Negotiate volume discounts
Add additional POD providers
Consider hybrid (POD + inventory)
Explore private fulfillment

Conclusion

Success in print-on-demand shipping comes from choosing the right providers, setting accurate expectations, and communicating clearly with customers. While you don't control fulfillment directly, you control the customer experience.

AtoShip integrates with major POD providers to give you visibility into shipping status and help manage customer expectations across your print-on-demand business.