Exploring Society6: A Comprehensive Review of Print-on-Demand
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Print-on-Demand
Recently, I embarked on a journey to set up a print-on-demand sticker shop, a project I had been contemplating for quite some time. After designing some artwork, I ordered samples from four different services: RedBubble, Society6, Printful, and Zazzle. This review focuses specifically on Society6, with more context about my goals available in the first installment of this series. In short, I aim to create lightweight stickers ideal for decorating planners and journals, preferably with thin kiss-cut outlines presented on sheets alongside other themed designs.
The first video in this series, "Society6 Will Be The Best Print On Demand Opportunity In 2024," discusses why Society6 might be the top choice for print-on-demand in the coming year.
Chapter 2: Analyzing Sticker Quality
When testing Society6's stickers, I was pleased to see that I could create smaller designs effectively. However, the cut lines were inconsistent and poorly documented. This resulted in several stickers merging together when they were meant to be distinct, which wasn't what I had anticipated from the previews.
After reaching out to customer support, they informed me that the variation in cut lines was due to their use of multiple vendors, which can lead to discrepancies in the final product. Fortunately, they later assured me that the issue had been rectified, and a new batch of stickers was on its way. While I await their arrival, I'm curious to see if the issues with kiss-cut precision have been resolved.
The transparent stickers I received had a somewhat foggy appearance, reminiscent of the washed-out look seen in RedBubble's offerings. Despite this, I found the design clarity to be superior to that of Zazzle and RedBubble, though it did not quite match the quality of Printful.
Section 2.1: Sticker Material Evaluation
The material used for Society6 stickers is satisfactory. I appreciate the thinner consistency compared to the thicker, more elastic RedBubble stickers. However, it's worth noting that Society6 lacks a matte finish option, meaning that all white-background stickers come with a glossy surface.
Subsection 2.1.1: Kiss-Cut Concerns
As previously mentioned, I have serious reservations about the kiss-cut quality at Society6. The help resources provided no guidance on the dimensions of the sticker outlines. Consequently, I relied solely on the previews, which proved unreliable.
Interestingly, I noticed that the outline on larger stickers was more expansive than on the smaller ones. For instance, while RedBubble maintains a consistent 4mm edge for all their stickers, Zazzle offers a smaller, roughly 2mm edge. My measurements indicated that the large sticker had an outline exceeding 5mm, while the smaller ones were closer to 3mm, creating a notable inconsistency that complicates the design process.
Chapter 3: Costs and Shop Management
For my Society6 order, I purchased three sticker sheets: two 2-inch by 2-inch white-background stickers, one 2-inch by 2-inch transparent sticker, and one 6-inch by 6-inch transparent sticker. I did not receive any wholesale discounts, suggesting I paid retail prices. I chose not to alter the markup settings upon uploading the designs, which may reflect default pricing.
The smaller stickers cost $4 each, while the larger one was priced at $10. Shipping was a reasonable $3.50, and the packaging was robust, preventing damage during transit.
Artists receive a 10% royalty on the sale price of products, making it easy to compute potential earnings. You can adjust markups globally or for individual items. However, I found the Society6 editing interface to be quite basic, requiring external software for effective image editing, as they mandate high-resolution files and lack built-in resizing or pattern tiling tools. Managing a full Society6 store could be somewhat labor-intensive, but perhaps a streamlined workflow can develop with experience.
A positive aspect of Society6 is their requirement for sellers to verify payments through a nominal one-dollar transaction. This practice likely deters spam sellers and helps maintain a more artist-centric marketplace, unlike some platforms known for "get-rich-quick" schemes.
Closing Thoughts
Overall, Society6 presents a solid option for many sticker shops. The sticker quality was noticeably superior to that of RedBubble and consistent across the three sheets I ordered. However, the inconsistency in kiss-cuts poses a significant drawback, especially for my goal of crafting small decorative stickers for journals. I'm looking forward to receiving the replacement order to determine if the initial issues were isolated incidents.
It's essential to highlight the stringent requirements Society6 imposes on image uploads. Operating a shop with various product types necessitates meticulous image preparation and the maintenance of multiple design versions for different items. Nonetheless, the improved quality might justify the effort, particularly if you rely on this platform as a primary source of income.
This review serves as the second installment in my exploration of four print-on-demand services; you can find my review of RedBubble here.
The second video titled "Society6 Full Tutorial - Print on Demand for Artists in 2022" provides a comprehensive guide for artists looking to utilize Society6 effectively.