Print on Demand Profit Calculator
Compare profit per order across up to three print-on-demand providers, after base price, shipping and your selling fees.
Your numbers
Your result · updates as you type
Best profit per order: Provider B
$17.87
51.1% of the $34.98 the customer pays, after payment fees and Provider B's $15.80 for the product and shipping.
- Provider A
- $16.67 · 47.6%
- Provider B
- $17.87 · 51.1%
- Provider C
- $17.67 · 50.5%
Provider B beats Provider A by $1.20 an order. Before switching, compare print quality, production time and where each one prints: a cheaper provider that ships late costs you reviews.
Breakdown
- Customer pays (price + shipping)
- $34.98
- Payment fee (2.9% + $0.30)
- −$1.31
- Left for the product and shipping
- $33.67
- Provider A: $12.25 base + $4.75 shipping
- $16.67
- Provider B: $10.90 base + $4.90 shipping
- $17.87
- Provider C: $11.60 base + $4.40 shipping
- $17.67
How POD profit is worked out
With print on demand, the provider charges you a base price and shipping for each order. Your store or marketplace takes its fees from what the customer pays. What's left is your profit.
Example: the default numbers
- Customer pays
- $29.99 + $4.99 shipping = $34.98
- Payment fee (2.9% + 30¢)
- −$1.31
- Provider A
- $12.25 + $4.75 = $17.00
- Provider B
- $10.90 + $4.90 = $15.80
- Provider C
- $11.60 + $4.40 = $16.00
Provider A leaves $16.67, Provider B $17.87 and Provider C $17.67. B wins by $1.20 an order over A.
The default base prices are examples. Provider A's $12.25 is Printful's starting price for the Bella+Canvas 3001 tee on 30 Sep 2026. Replace every price with the quote for your exact product, size and destination.
Etsy fees used
| Fee | Amount (US seller) |
|---|---|
| Listing fee | $0.20 (the calculator counts one per order) |
| Transaction fee | 6.5% of the item price plus shipping |
| Payment processing | 3% + $0.25 per order |
The calculator leaves out Offsite Ads and sales tax. Offsite Ads add 12% or 15% on orders they bring in. Processing rates differ outside the US: check Etsy's payments policy for your country.
Choosing a provider beyond price
- Print location. A provider that prints near your customers ships faster and often cheaper.
- Quality. Order samples from each one. A dollar saved isn't worth a wave of returns.
- Integration. Most POD providers connect to Shopify, WooCommerce and Etsy, but check how each one syncs variants and order status.
Questions people ask
How much profit can you make per print on demand item?
It depends on your price. On a $29.99 tee with $4.99 shipping, the default example leaves $16 to $18 an order before ads. Paid ads can take most of that.
Is Etsy or Shopify better for print on demand?
Etsy brings buyers but charges more per order. Shopify costs a monthly plan and you bring your own traffic. Switch the Where you sell option to compare fees on your price.
Why is the base price different for bigger sizes?
Providers charge more for 2XL and up. Price those variants higher, or check your margin on the largest size.
Related tools
Want this builtinto your store?
I'm Emmanuel, a Shopify and WooCommerce developer. If this tool pointed at something you'd rather have fixed for you (a faster store, cleaner product data, a migration, a custom feature), send me a note.
Emmanuel Asika
Shopify & WooCommerce developer, Dublin
I build and fix online stores: new builds, migrations, speed, SEO and the custom bits apps can't do.
Last reviewed 30 September 2026.
Sources: Etsy: Fees & Payments Policy · Etsy: Payments Policy (processing fees by country) · Printful: Unisex Staple T-Shirt (Bella+Canvas 3001) · Printful: Pricing and membership plans · Printify: Pricing (Free and Premium plans)