What are the pros and cons of dropshipping?
What are the pros and cons of the dropshipping business model? Read our guide and learn more about running an eCommerce business.
Dropshipping | UK
Starting your own UK online store? Dropshipping might sound great, but you can level up with Print on Demand. Sell custom products with your own designs – no stock, no shipping hassle.
What is dropshipping?
Dropshipping is an eCommerce business model where store owners sell generic products without managing inventory. When an order comes in, the dropshipping supplier ships directly to the customer.
How does dropshipping work?
Partner with dropshipping suppliers
To start dropshipping, connect with one or multiple suppliers like AliExpress and Spocket to access to thousands of products.
List your dropshipping products online
Create product listings with clear titles, descriptions, and images to attract potential customers and quickly sell items.
Let the supplier send orders on your behalf
When a customer places an order, your UK supplier handles fulfillment. The buyer receives the product directly, while you focus on your sales strategy and attracting new customers.
Dropshipping pros and cons
Here’s what to expect if you want to start a dropshipping business.
Dropshipping drawbacks:
No possibility to sell custom products
Lower profit margins compared to other business types
Limited to no control over shipping, packaging, and product and design quality
Harder to build customer loyalty since suppliers manage the fulfillment process
High competition with many other sellers offering similar products
Dropshipping advantages:
Beginner-friendly business model with low entry costs
Wide range of products and product categories to choose from
No need for storage space or inventory management/p>
Access to global dropshipping services and suppliers
Print on Demand: Your profitable dropshipping UK alternative
Dropshipping works, but Print on Demand takes things up a level. Instead of generic items, sell custom designs on t-shirts, mugs, or accessories.
You still get the benefit of no inventory management – but with creative products, reliable shipping from regional fulfillment centers, and happier customers.
How does Print on Demand work?
Partner with a POD company like Printify instead of traditional dropshipping suppliers.
- Choose from thousands of products. Think t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases, tote bags, pet collars, and even home decor.
- Use free tools to customize the designs. Add your logo, create patterns, drop in witty text, or generate AI images to make your product stand out.
- Integrate your store. Choose aplatform like Etsy, Amazon, or Shopify, then list your products. Titles, descriptions, prices, and mockups will automatically sync.
Here’s what makes POD different –your product is printed on demand. Once a customer orders, our Print Providers will take care of printing, packing, and shipping directly.
Don’t worry about managing stock, juggling many suppliers, or handling returns.
Instead, focus on building your brand, experimenting with new ideas, and growing your business.
Benefits of Print on Demand
No inventory
Unlike dropshipping, we print products only after an order comes in. Online stores don’t need to stock, import products, or worry about wasted inventory.
Full customization
POD isn’t about reselling what’s already out there – it’s about creating something new. Upload artwork, add witty text, design patterns, or generate AI images to make products truly yours.
Higher profit margins
Generic products get lost in the crowd, but POD lets you stand out with custom designs. Unique items mean you can charge more and keep a bigger slice of every sale.
Appeal to wider audiences and niches
POD unlocks endless niches. Cat memes, fitness slogans, retro aesthetics – whatever your vibe, you can create products for specific shoppers who crave something different.
Automated order fulfilment
When someone buys, Printify handles the printing, packing, and shipping. Orders go directly to your customer while you focus on building your brand.
Dropshipping businesses compared to Print on Demand
Inventory
No stock, no waste – products printed only when ordered
Supplier holds stock of all products
No stock, no waste – products printed only when ordered
Supplier holds stock of all products
Startup costs
No upfront investment, no need to buy in bulk
Zero upfront, but very limited control
No upfront investment, no need to buy in bulk
Zero upfront, but very limited control
Risk
Low risk, every sale is made to order
Low risk, but depends on the dropshipping supplier
Low risk, every sale is made to order
Low risk, but depends on the dropshipping supplier
Flexibility
Easy to test and adapt products
No flexibility, designs are generic
Easy to test and adapt products
No flexibility, designs are generic
Control
You control designs and branding
Supplier controls quality and shipping
You control designs and branding
Supplier controls quality and shipping
Scalability
Very scalable with new products, designs, and variants
Scale by adding multiple suppliers and more generic items
Very scalable with new products, designs, and variants
Scale by adding multiple suppliers and more generic items
Profit margins
Higher margins with unique products
Lower margins due to generic products and supplier fees
Higher margins with unique products
Lower margins due to generic products and supplier fees
Customer experience
Branded packaging, custom products, better loyalty
Supplier-driven, weaker customer loyalty
Branded packaging, custom products, better loyalty
Supplier-driven, weaker customer loyalty
Why choose Printify to start a POD business in the UK
UK-based POD suppliers
Local Print Providers mean faster order fulfillment and lower shipping costs.
GBP support
List and sell in GBP on your eCommerce website for a seamless experience. Customers shop in their own currency, while you track profits without conversions.
Best prices on the market
Our network of Print Providers offers the best rates. You keep more from every sale, making it easier to start selling and grow profitably.
Branding options
Add your logo with custom labels and packaging inserts. Strong branding builds loyalty, boosts trust, and makes your store stand out from other alternatives.
Order geo routing
Orders are automatically routed to the nearest Print Provider. Your customer receives products faster, shipping costs stay low, and fulfillment runs smoothly.
Huge range of products
We have over2,000items ready to customize – from apparel and home decor to pet gear and accessories – so your store can offer products for every niche.
Free design tool and resources
Create unique designs with our easy Product Creator – AI tools and free graphics included. Plus, explore our blog guides and YouTube videos to level up your business.
Over 10 million merchants worldwide trust Printify
Liora Goren
Ahavti Lifestyle
I don’t have to invest the money I can’t lose into my business. With Printify, I only pay the fulfillment fees, and the rest is all profit.
April Showers
Afro Unicorn
I really appreciate working with Printify on my brand. Afro Unicorn was only supposed to be my design on a white shirt. It is so much more. Printify allows me the time to run the business and not work in the business.
Rich Khun
Hustle Ninjas
Printify helped me start a completely hands-off revenue stream. When you spot a niche that you want to enter quickly, you don’t have to worry about buying stock or equipment.
Christopher
Dog Ross Pet Painting
Printify Premium has helped my profit margins tremendously, and spending $20 a month has probably saved me over $200 a month.
Aiste & Karolis
MinieArt
Using Printify saved our struggling business of 6 years and gave us more time with our family.
Gary Stokes
OceansAsia
I like Printify products because they tie in with our organisation’s message.
Raihanaty A. Jalil
SHYFT Creations
I love the Printify Product Creator. It keeps everything consistent and allows me to keep my brand looking sharp and professional.
How to design print-on-demand products in 3 easy steps
With Printify, creating and selling custom products is as easy as it gets. Just three steps and you’re ready to hustle like a pro.
Sell products on leading sales channels
Printify connects you with all major eCommerce platforms and marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, Amazon, TikTok Shop, Shopify, WooCommerce, and more.
Seamless integrations help you reach millions of buyers, fulfill orders with ease, and grow without hassle.
See all integrations
POD vs dropshipping FAQ
Resources: How to start dropshipping (UK and worldwide)
Follow expert advice on our blog and start a profitable eCommerce store.
