Redbubble vs Etsy Test 2023: An Honest Comparison

Do you want to skip the read and get right to my pick? Between Redbubble vs Etsy, the better print on demand platform is Redbubble.

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Introduction to our Redbubble vs Etsy Comparison:

You're reading our comparison of Redbubble vs Etsy!

We've often been told that we cannot live on what we love to do. Some say that our hobbies are not profitable. Moreover, people say that no one is into handcrafted stuff these days when fast fashion appears to be the norm.

Fortunately, the naysayers have been proven wrong. Over the past decade with the rise of platforms that allow avid crafters to sell their art online. Thousands in the United States, the UK, and around the world now make a decent living out of what was previously perceived as a mere hobby.

But not all crafters’ marketplaces are made alike. Indeed, some have pulled away from the competition to become nearly as big as sites like DeviantArt. This applies to today’s Redbubble vs Etsy review. We’re pitting two of the biggest online marketplaces against each other to see which one works best for the global creative community.

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Overview of Redbubble and Etsy:

Redbubble:

Australian crafting/creative platform Redbubble has been around since 2006. It boasts at least 700,000 creatives who display their work and sell print on demand products on their websites. It also has several million site customers and social media followers.

It’s a platform that prides itself on sustainability and social relevance. Redbubble’s production process involves safe working conditions for those to whom the work is outsourced, as well as reducing its overall carbon footprint by outsourcing projects to locations closest to buyers.

Etsy:

If you want to talk about the craftsman’s platform, that would have to be Etsy. Since 2005, the company has served as a way for many crafters and creatives to find creative validation and a market for their products, from apparel and accessories to home decor and furniture.

The platform currently boasts nearly 7.5 million creatives selling their work online, as well as a 40-million-strong customer base.

Likewise, Etsy is the platform of choice for crafters for valid reasons. Aside from vintage items and certified antiques, it only allows users to sell handmade or crafted items to customers.

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Quick Comparison Table for Redbubble vs Etsy

	Redbubble (My Choice!)	Etsy
Product Range	Redbubble offers a wide array of products designed by independent artists, including clothing (t-shirts, hoodies, leggings, etc.), stickers, masks, home & living items (posters, wall art, pillows, etc.), phone cases, and accessories.	Etsy is a marketplace for unique and creative goods. It includes a vast range of products from handmade items, vintage goods, and craft supplies, to jewelry, clothing, home & living items, and much more.
Ease of Use	Redbubble provides a straightforward platform for artists to upload their designs and apply them to a variety of products. Customers find it easy to navigate and order products.	Etsy offers an easy-to-use platform for both sellers and buyers. Sellers can list their products with ease and buyers find the platform user-friendly for shopping.
Print Quality	Redbubble is known for its high-quality prints. It uses a direct-to-garment (DTG) printing technique for clothing items, and high-quality printing technology for art prints and decor items.	As Etsy is a marketplace for individual sellers, print quality can vary greatly depending on the seller. However, Etsy's review system allows buyers to rate sellers on the quality of their products, helping future buyers make informed decisions.
Shipping	Redbubble ships worldwide from manufacturing locations in the US, Australia, and Europe. Shipping costs and delivery times depend on the product type, quantity, and destination.	Shipping on Etsy varies as it depends on individual sellers. Some sellers offer worldwide shipping, while others may have more limited options. Shipping costs and times are determined by the sellers and the product's location.
Pricing and Artist Commission	Artists set their own markup on Redbubble, which can vary greatly.	Etsy allows sellers to set their own prices. They charge a listing fee and take a small percentage of each sale.
My View	Best for artists looking to sell prints of their work on a variety of products.	Best for artists and craftspeople selling handmade or vintage items.
	Try For Free	Try For Free

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Ease of Use:

Redbubble:

Redbubble is a print on demand hub makes things so much easier for both creatives and their customers. I mean, all you really need to do is create an account on the platform.

Thanks to its easy sign-on process, creating a Redbubble account is easy as pie. Almost immediately afterward, you can go to your profile page, click the Add New Work button, and start uploading your designs.

Keep in mind, though, that you will need to upload your graphics in PNG format for the best possible printing quality in the finished product. Plus, all designs need to support a CMYK profile for faster, stress-free printing. It is also recommended that your background be transparent.

Etsy:

Just how easy is it to get started on Etsy shop? It’s just a matter of creating an account – and it’s all systems go.

It’s literally a matter of making your account, choosing a store name, adding a selection of items to your stock, and putting in your billing details. All in all, you could be running your store in less than an hour. This is regardless of whether you have any prior experience creating web pages or selling online.

Winner – Redbubble! We find in favour of Redbubble in this Redbubble vs Etsy ease of use comparison. We like its ‘set it and forget it' approach from selling to shipping.

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Features and Flexibility:

Product Range:

Redbubble:

Redbubble allows independent artists to sell their artwork on a variety of products. The product range is extensive, including apparel like t-shirts, hoodies, dresses, and leggings, home decor items like posters, duvet covers, and wall tapestries, and accessories like tote bags, scarves, and phone cases. Additionally, they offer stationery items, stickers, and a unique range of products such as jigsaw puzzles and masks. The broad range of products means that artists have a wide canvas for their creativity, and buyers have a multitude of options to choose from.

Etsy:

Etsy's product range is vast and diverse, as it's a platform where individual sellers can offer their unique and creative goods. This includes handmade items, vintage goods, and craft supplies. Categories range from jewelry, clothing, shoes, home decor, wedding items, toys, art, and collectibles, to craft supplies and tools. You can find everything from antique furniture to handmade soap, bespoke clothing, personalized gifts, and much more. The vast product range makes Etsy a go-to platform for unique, one-of-a-kind items.

Out of the box:

Redbubble:

Using Redbubble only has three key steps for users. Initially, the user must create their designs and familiarise themselves with the Redbubble UI. Second, one selects the product on which they want to have their design printed, looking over more than 70 available options at their fingertips. Finally, once the choice has been made, they need to determine how much they want to charge for the finished item. Everything else that follows afterwards is taken care of by the platform.

Etsy:

For those who want to create a truly unique online shop for their work, Etsy provides its own site building platform with which to create a gorgeous and engaging online store. It may come off as somewhat amateurish compared to the more sophisticated tools offered by other platforms, but if it works, there’s no need to fix it.

Themes & Template Design:

Redbubble:

Here’s the thing: because Redbubble is more of a print on demand facility for creatives, it does not offer site themes and templates. Instead, it offers a sizable number of templates to use for individual products on Redbubble.

Etsy:

At last count, Etsy had over 5,000 working themes and related templates ready to be selected and implemented by users. Likewise, these themes are categorised based on product type and market niche, so it’s quite easy to select a template that is appropriate for one’s Etsy site.

Print Quality:

Redbubble:

Redbubble is renowned for its high-quality prints, which are vibrant, sharp, and durable. They use direct-to-garment (DTG) printing for apparel, which results in a soft feel where the print becomes part of the fabric. For art prints, they use gallery-standard inks that are resistant to fading. The print quality is consistently high across the range of products, ensuring that the artist's work is reproduced faithfully and the buyer receives a product they can enjoy for a long time.

Etsy:

As Etsy is a marketplace for individual sellers, print quality can vary significantly. It entirely depends on the individual sellers, their chosen materials, and printing methods. That being said, many sellers on Etsy offer high-quality prints, whether that's for art prints, printed clothing, or other items. Because Etsy's review system allows buyers to rate and review sellers, future buyers can gauge the print quality based on past customer experiences.

Shipping:

Redbubble:

Redbubble ships products worldwide. They have third-party fulfillers located in various locations around the globe, including the US, UK, Australia, Germany, and more. This allows them to print the products closer to where the buyer is, reducing shipping times and costs. However, shipping cost and delivery times can still vary depending on the product type, the quantity, and the destination. Redbubble provides a shipping guide on their website to help customers understand shipping times and costs.

Etsy:

Shipping policies on Etsy are set by individual sellers and can, therefore, vary significantly. Some sellers offer worldwide shipping, while others may only ship locally. The shipping cost and delivery time depend on the seller's location, the buyer's location, and the type and weight of the item. However, Etsy provides tools for sellers to set competitive and accurate shipping prices, and buyers can filter search results based on shipping costs and locations.

Etsy vs Redbubble 3rd party apps market:

Redbubble:

Redbubble offers no third-party integrations.

Etsy:

Along with the usual payment gateways, Etsy also interfaces with a number of third party applications for marketing, SEO, editing, and store management. The current roster includes ReferralCandy, Putler, Mad Mimi for email marketing as an alternative to the more ubiquitous MailChimp, and Marmalead for SEO.

Hosting:

Redbubble:

As a print on demand site, Redbubble does not have any site hosting options.

Etsy:

Since 2018, Etsy has relied on cloud-based hosting for user sites via Google Cloud.

Etsy vs Redbubble Security:

Redbubble:

Redbubble makes it a point to advise its users to monitor their accounts for any online vulnerabilities. These issues include vulnerabilities listed under the OWASP Top 10, remote code execution, and vulnerabilities related to authentication and authorization. Once these issues are reported, the tech team steps in to resolve the issue.

Etsy:

Etsy has a feature called Pattern which has made the creation of more secure custom sites easier for its users. Pattern already manages each site’s SSL certificates and also ensures that sites are secured under HTTPS protocol.

Backups:

Redbubble:

Redbubble does not offer site backups.

Etsy:

The platform’s automated shop backup feature is part of its Seller Toolsuite and, much like Big Cartel’s, can be programmed to back files up within a set schedule – and that can be done by simply linking one’s file storage account with the feature.

Etsy vs Redbubble Migration:

Redbubble:

Redbubble does not offer site migration.

Etsy:

You may not necessarily be able to migrate your site to Etsy, but those who own Etsy sites can actually migrate these to other platforms like Shopify and Cart2Cart. However, the methods and tools used will differ from one platform to another.

POS:

Redbubble:

Unfortunately, Redbubble does not offer point of sale measures for its users.

Etsy:

Etsy doesn’t have its own native POS feature. Instead, it offers several third-party options for its users to consider. In which case, any related POS hardware will be dependent on which options they go for.

Abandoned cart saver:

Redbubble:

Alas, this platform does not offer cart recovery solutions.

Etsy:

Users have the option of sending customers one-time discount coupons as Etsy’s means of cart recovery.

Redbubble vs Etsy Payment Gateways:

Redbubble:

You can use either a business or personal PayPal account to be able to sell on Redbubble.

Etsy:

Etsy’s native payment feature Etsy Payments not only allows users to opt for the usual suspects in terms of gateways, but also localised options which accept credit and debit cards or virtual accounts in the countries they’re in.

SEO:

Redbubble:

The thing about Redbubble SEO is that it involves a manual process. While not officially mandated by the platform, they offer a step-by-step guide.

Etsy:

Here’s our problem with Etsy: much like the crafted items its users sell, SEO here is pretty much a DIY thing. Nevertheless, the platform offers an online guide on how users can improve their site’s rankings on both Etsy SEO and Google SEO.

Mobile:

Redbubble:

The Redbubble app is available for both iOS and Android devices.

Etsy:

Installing Sell on Etsy, the platform’s mobile application is an excellent way to improve an online store’s efficiency and impact. Much like the one deployed by Big Cartel, Etsy’s app allows users to keep tabs on their orders, payments, and reviews. While it is rather basic compared to the more elaborate online sales applications deployed by competing platforms, it is a great way to help store owners get things done without needing to lug along a laptop wherever they go.

Marketing:

How is it selling on Redbubble vs Etsy? What are their marketing features?

Redbubble:

Metrics and Analytics

Redbubble gives its users regular updates on how much traffic they're getting within a given time period, along with how many products have been sold within the same amount of time. Demographics as to the age and location of customers is also given, enabling users to calibrate their product offerings for emergent markets.

Social Media Integration

Today's social media-linked world means that creatives need to have an active presence on leading networks like Facebook and Instagram. Redbubble allows users to connect their shops to their social media accounts on different platforms to gain both a loyal following and sell their work to the audiences that matter the most to them.
Etsy:

Now, this is Etsy’s ace in the hole: a whole plethora of tools with which to promote your work through numerous channels. The marketing suite allows users to cross-post to their social media platforms, boost the visibility of your store, and even offer discounts for loyal customers;

Pagespeed:

Redbubble:

Not that fast, unfortunately. Our speed test showed that Redbubble loads in 3.98 seconds – well below the average – with a performance grade of 61 out of 100.

Etsy:

Etsy fares a little better in this category. Based on our last test, its average loading speed is a much slower 1.59 seconds. Its overall performance grade is 86 out of 100.

Winner – Draw! If you compare Redbubble vs Etsy on features, we say they're levelled.

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Redbubble vs Etsy Support and Resources:

Redbubble:

Even if you’re just learning how to use Redbubble, the platform makes it a great deal easier to navigate through it via its video-centric knowledge base RBTV. This unique YouTube channel offers numerous tips and tricks that users can implement, making their creative and mercantile experience more meaningful over time.

Likewise, Redbubble also has a text-centric knowledge base which covers everything from shopping, buying, designing, selling, and even offers guidelines for fan art that protect both artists and the original creators.

However, online customer support is limited to direct messaging on-site or through Twitter and Facebook Messenger.

Etsy:

Etsy has a regularly updated Help Centre that has relevant information on most of the likely issues one may encounter as either a buyer or seller.

It also has an order-specific support platform that allows sellers to take action regarding individual orders, along with a more general technical support platform.

Keep in mind, however, that while you can sign onto the support platform using your Google, Apple, or Facebook credentials, Etsy does not offer cross-platform support.

Winner – Redbubble! Betweeb Redbubble vs Etsy's customer service, Redbubble has a slight edge.

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Redbubble vs Etsy Pricing:

Pricing Options:

Redbubble:

Pricing is where Redbubble differs from the competition. Everything that can be bought on site has a Redbubble base price and markup is determined by individual creators. Therefore, you have autonomy on deciding retail price.

Likewise, getting paid for one's work is also easy, but you will need to hit a threshold before you can start collecting your payments.

Click for the latest Redbubble pricing

Etsy:

Keep in mind that you really need to read the fine print before you set up shop on Etsy as there are a number of fees you need to take into consideration.

First, the platform charges a flat listing fee of around $0.20 per product you choose to put online, regardless of whether it's a physical or digital item. Note that product listings expire after four months, so you'll need to pay the fee again for any products that haven't sold but you want to keep in your inventory. This may be done manually or you could set it up so that it renews automatically.

Second, there is the matter of transaction fees. As of April of this year, Etsy now charges a 6.5% transaction fee on top of the final price for all items sold through the platform. This includes shipping fees, product customisations, and even gift wrapping.

Then, while you can technically use Etsy for free, those who want to avail of the additional perks offered under the Etsy Plus feature can subscribe to the service at an additional $10.00 a month. You can use their pricing tool to have an idea about costing.

Etsy also charges a number of transactional fees, including additional charges for purchases made during in-person trade shows, currency conversion, and even regulatory fees. That said, you may need substantial capitalisation if your business is to survive and thrive through this particular platform.

Click for the latest Etsy pricing

Redbubble vs Etsy Free trial, refund policy, and money-back guarantee:

Users may create accounts on Redbubble for free. You may also create a free account on Etsy, but we strongly advise you to reread the previous section on the different fees charged per transaction. Based on Etsy's terms and conditions, there are specific rules for refunds and deliveries – so better read it. Meanwhile, Redbubble's user terms provides for returns within 90 days of delivery receipt.

Winner – Redbubble! Comparing Redbubble vs Etsy, we prefer how the former lets individual creators have the say on prices. However, Etsy offers better commissions.

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Comparison Winner: Redbubble vs Etsy?

Redbubble is the winner in our Redbubble vs Etsy comparison test!

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Conclusion to our Redbubble vs Etsy Comparison:

What is Redbubble best for?

Best for speedy transactions and easy profits.

What is Etsy best for?

Gives you more creativity and allows you to profit more with better commissions.

Etsy vs Redbubble Alternatives:

Some of the best Redbubble vs Etsy alternatives include;

Redbubble vs Etsy Comparison Final Word:

We find for Redbubble.  We like that it’s transparent or aboveboard with any additional costs for transactions on the part of both sellers and their customers. Etsy does offer better commissions. However, it has a few too many extra costs that won’t fly given the current state of the economy. Therefore, we urge you to try our recommended print in demand platform to maximise your artist margins!

Click for the best Redbubble pricing

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That's all for now:

If you've read all the way through this Redbubble vs Etsy comparison, we are thankful. We hope you can now answer the question of what are the pros and cons of these platforms! We have a large collection of articles, guides, and comparison reviews of eCommerce solutions, web hosting providers, website builders, and more! Feel free to check them out;

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