Are you in search of a detailed comparison between Redbubble and Society6 to determine which print-on-demand platform suits your artistic needs best? You are in the right place. Redbubble and Society6 are popular platforms that allow artists and designers to display their artwork on a variety of products without the hassle of managing inventory or logistics. With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing and e-commerce, I understand the important factors that artists consider when choosing a platform, such as product variety, artist royalties, and community engagement.
Artists often face challenges in selecting the right platform due to differences in product quality, pricing models, and market reach. This guide aims to alleviate these pain points by providing an in-depth analysis of Redbubble and Society6. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a newcomer, this comparison will help you make an informed decision.
TL;DR π For most independent artists, Redbubble is the better choice due to its larger marketplace, broader product range, and higher traffic, leading to increased exposure and sales. However, if you're seeking higher artist royalties and a curated community, Society6 might be the ideal option.
Quick Comparison Table
| π₯ Redbubble (My Top Pick!) | Society6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Range | Extensive range from clothing to home dΓ©cor, spotlighting independent artists. | Wide product selection, from art prints to furniture, with a focus on unique designs from independent artists. |
| Ease of Use | User-friendly interface, easy for artists to upload and manage their designs. | Simple, clean platform for artists and buyers alike. |
| Print Quality | High-quality prints with designs from independent artists worldwide. | Excellent print quality, especially lauded for their art prints. |
| Shipping | Ships globally with varying rates and times based on location. Reliable delivery. | International shipping available, but costs and delivery times can vary. |
| Pricing and Artist Commission | Reasonable prices for buyers. Artists set their own margins, leading to varying profit. | Pricing can be higher due to the quality and uniqueness of products. Artists earn 10% on each sale, higher on some items. |
| My View | Ideal for artists seeking wide exposure and the ability to set their own prices. | Best for artists wanting to sell high-quality prints and unique home dΓ©cor items. |
| Try Redbubble For Free | Try Society6 For Free |
Overview Redbubble vs Society6
Redbubble:
- Key Features:
- Product Variety: Offers a wide range of products, including apparel, home decor, accessories, and stationery.
- Customization: Artists can easily upload designs and customize how they appear on various products.
- Global Marketplace: Redbubble is one of the largest POD platforms, connecting over 700,000 artists with millions of customers worldwide.
- Fulfillment: Handles all aspects of production, shipping, and customer service.
- Artist Dashboard: Tools for tracking sales, managing designs, and optimizing product listings.
- Pricing:
- Royalties: Artists set their own profit margins above the base price, giving them control over their earnings.
- Strengths:
- Extensive Product Range: Offers a broad selection of customizable products.
- Control Over Pricing: Artists can set their own prices, allowing flexibility in profit margins.
- Active Community: Large community and frequent engagement opportunities.
- Weaknesses:
- Variable Product Quality: Quality can vary based on the product and manufacturer.
- Higher Base Prices: Higher base costs can limit profit margins.
- High Competition: Large number of artists makes it challenging to stand out.
Society6:
- Key Features:
- Artist-Centric Platform: Society6 focuses on supporting artists by handling production, shipping, and customer service, so you can concentrate on creating.
- Product Focus: Specializes in high-quality art prints, wall art, home decor, and lifestyle products.
- Curation and Branding: Strong emphasis on curating artist works, with an editorial approach to featured designs.
- Flat Royalty Structure: Offers a fixed royalty rate for most products, except for art prints where artists can set their own prices.
- Artist Promotion: Includes artist profiles and promotional tools to help artists gain exposure.
- E-commerce Integration: Provides a seamless shopping experience with professional product presentations.
- Pricing:
- Royalties: Fixed artist royalties, except for art prints where artists can determine their profit margins.
- Strengths:
- High-Quality Product Focus: Known for its premium quality products, especially in home decor.
- Curated Experience: Features a more curated marketplace, potentially increasing visibility for featured artists.
- Consistent Product Presentation: Professional and cohesive presentation of products.
- Weaknesses:
- Limited Pricing Control: Fixed royalties limit artists' ability to set their own prices, affecting potential earnings.
- Smaller Product Range: Less diverse product offering compared to Redbubble.
- Higher Price Points: Generally higher retail prices, which may limit customer base.
Ease of Use:
So which is better Society6 vs Redbubble for artists?
Redbubble:
This unique online marketplace makes things so much easier for creatives and their customers. All you 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 afterwards, you can go into your profile page, click the Add New Work button, and start the upload process of your designs.
Keep in mind, though, that you will need to upload your design 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 and it is also recommended that your backgrounds be transparent.
Society6:
What we said about Redbubble also goes for Society6: create an account, log in, and start uploading your work. In terms of Society6 vs Redbubble quality, they're both great platforms.
What we like about Society6, though, is that it has its own webinar which walks potential users through the entire process from sign up to production. Also, we appreciate that it also includes PayPal verification in its sign-up process as it is a way to prevent fraud and ensure that artists get properly compensated for their work.
Graphics quality and format are, however, where it really differs from Redbubble. Society6 allows users to upload both JPG and PNG files with the following minimum specifications:
- Dimensions between 6500 x 6500 to 16000 x 16000;
- Resolution of 150 pixels per inch to 330 pixels per inch;
- File size no greater than 150MB; and
- RGB colour format
That said, when you talk about Redbubble vs Society6 quality, the latter has an edge.
Winner -Redbubble! This one was pretty close to call, but we are giving the round to Society6 in this Redbubble or Society6 comparison.
Features and Flexibility:
Product Range:
Redbubble:
Redbubble offers a vast and extensive product range. As an online marketplace, Redbubble provides a platform for independent artists to sell their artwork. They can place their designs on a wide variety of products including clothing (t-shirts, hoodies, etc.), stickers, phone cases, wall art, home & living products (mugs, pillows, clocks, etc.), and more. This allows artists to reach a broad market with diverse product preferences.
Society6:
Society6 also presents a wide product range. What sets Society6 apart is its focus on unique designs and artistry. Artists can sell their designs not just on clothing and small items but also on large home dΓ©cor products, such as furniture, curtains, beddings, and rugs. This makes Society6 an attractive platform for artists specializing in interior design elements.
Out of the box:
Redbubble:
Simple Three-step Workflow
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 Redbubble;
Open-ended Call for Creatives
The beauty of Redbubble is that it does not discriminate when it comes to the art it accepts in its UI for production. Indeed, everyone from graphic designers to fan-artists can contribute and produce items within a wide range of categories; specifically: apparel, tote bags, shower curtains, art prints metal prints, stickers and stationery, phone cases and accessories, wall art, home accessories and lifestyle products, kid-friendly items, and personal accessories. Having said this, many artists find that it's much easier to work with Redbubble than it is with other print on demand hubs. All they really need is to set a price and they're good to go;
Society6:
The Artistβs Studio Creation Platform This is literally a one-stop shop which lets users do all their work from uploading and creating online samples to marketing and accepting orders. Key subfeatures include the following:
- My Artwork Page in grid or list view;
- Pricing dashboard with which to set product prices and dictate shop markup;
- My Products Page; and
- Artwork detail section to allow customers to take a closer look at designs before making a purchase;
Themes & Template Design:
Redbubble:
Redbubble offers a variety of templates and does not discriminate when it comes to the art it accepts in its UI for production. As a result, everyone from graphic designers to fan artists can contribute and produce items within a wide range of categories; specifically: apparel, stickers and stationery, phone cases and accessories, wall art, home accessories and lifestyle products, kid-friendly items, and personal accessories.
Society6:
Now, to ensure that what youβre posting is something youβve created and not a pastiche or copy of someone elseβs, Society6 has an Artist Agreement that users need to sign off on before they can upload their work. In doing so, the platform prevents copyright infringement or creative piracy within its community to ensure that everyone gets a slice of the proverbial pie;
Moreover, Society6 is big on specialty items. Its offerings run the gamut from art prints to apparel. However, what really sets it apart from the competition is the fact that you can actually put your artwork on really big pieces of furniture like credence tables/credenzas, coffee tables, and even benches.
Print Quality:
Redbubble:
Print quality is a strong selling point for Redbubble. They have established a reputation for delivering high-quality prints. Their printing process ensures vibrant colors and clear details. Customers have expressed satisfaction with the print quality, stating that it's excellent and the printed products are true to the online previews.
Society6:
Society6 prides itself on delivering excellent print quality, particularly when it comes to art prints. They use high-quality materials to ensure that the prints are not just beautiful, but also durable. Reviews from customers frequently highlight the exceptional print quality, citing the vibrancy of colors and the sharpness of details.
Shipping:
Redbubble:
Redbubble ships products worldwide. Shipping rates and times vary based on the customer's location and the nature of the product ordered. They use different shipping methods (standard or express) depending on the delivery location. Generally, Redbubble has a reliable and timely delivery system that meets customer expectations.
Society6:
Society6 offers international shipping, but shipping costs and delivery times can vary depending on the destination. They do not offer express shipping, and some customers have noted longer delivery times. However, they are generally reliable and aim to ensure that their products reach their customers in good condition.
3rd party apps market:
Redbubble:
The platform has no third-party integrations.
Society6:
Similar to Redubble, Society doesn't offer integrations.
Security:
Redbubble:
Redbubble lets you know if there are threats and vulnerabilities to your site. You may encounter several 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.
Society6:
You can consider Society6 as a safe space for buyers and sellers.
POS:
Both Redbubble and Society6 do not offer POS features.
Abandoned cart saver:
The platforms under review don't offer this feature.
Payment Gateways:
Redbubble:
You can use either a business or personal PayPal account to be able to sell on Redbubble.
Society6:
Buyers can purchase from Society6 through major debit and credit cards, and artists get paid through PayPal.
SEO:
Both Redbubble and Society6 don't come with SEO features, but they do offer tutorials on how to optimize your pages for search engines.
Mobile First:
The Redbubble app is available for both iOS and Android devices while Society6 app is available only on iOS for now.
Marketing:
Redbubble:
Metrics and Analytics
This is a feature that we found a pleasant surprise; it's not often that you have an integrated ecommerce platform and print on demand service that has the ability to tell a user how well their shop is doing online. 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 makes this possible by allowing 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.
Society6:
The platform offers traffic analytics and lets you promote your products to sell on Pinterest and other platforms.
Winner – Redbubble! All things considered, we are giving the win on features to Redbubble in this Redbubble vs Society6 comparison.
Support and Resources:
Redbubble:
Even if youβre 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.
However, online customer service is limited to direct messaging on-site or through Twitter and Facebook Messenger.
Society6:
One of the things we like about Society6 is its Help Centre. More than just another knowledge base, it actually walks users through each of the steps involved in the creative production process.
However, we take issue with the Support widget on the Society6 website: all it really does is send you to the relevant page in the Help Centre as opposed to keeping you online as they sort your issues out. The only alternative to this is to send the support team an email – and this bites as they do take a while before replying.
Winner -Draw! Both platforms could improve on support, so we're calling a tie in this Redbubble and Society6 support comparison.
Redbubble vs Society6 Pricing
Pricing Comparison Table
| Plan / Feature | Redbubble | Society6 |
|---|---|---|
| Base Cost for T-shirts | Varies based on the design and region, generally starting around $15-$20 USD | Typically starts around $18-$25 USD, depending on the product and artist's set pricing |
| Artist Commission | Artists set their own markup, usually ranging between 20-30% | Artists receive 10% commission for most products (excluding items like framed prints and furniture) |
| Setup and Monthly Fees | No setup or monthly fees | No setup or monthly fees |
| Product Range | Over 70 products including apparel, home decor, stationery, and wall art | 50+ products, mainly focused on home decor, wall art, and accessories |
| Shipping Costs | Varies by product and shipping destination | Calculated at checkout, varies depending on product type and shipping destination |
| Payout Methods | PayPal or bank transfer (depending on region) | PayPal only |
| Pricing Transparency | Artists set their margins and can adjust prices | Prices set by Society6, artists receive a fixed commission percentage |
| My View | Best for artists seeking flexibility in setting their own margins and product pricing. | Ideal for artists focusing on home decor and art prints, with a more controlled pricing model. |
Pricing options:
Redbubble:
Pricing system is where Redbubble differs from the competition. Everything that can be bought on site has a specific price and markup is determined by individual creators.
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. You can browse over the service's user agreement for more details.
Check the latest Redbubble pricing
Society6:
Prices on Society6 are determined by the base price set by the platform for different products and the markup which you need to set yourself. Iour earnings are calculated based on the price sold after any discounts are applied to purchase during checkout.
The default markup for pricing on Society6 is pegged at 10% and all prices are rounded off to the nearest dollar on site. Note, however, that the rule does not apply to art prints, canvas prints, and framed prints.
All earnings are reflected in the Earnings Dashboard located on oneβs account page. Read their community guidelines page before committing to anything.
Check the latest Society6 pricing
Free trial, refund policy, and money-back guarantee:
Users may create accounts on Redbubble for free. The same goes for Society6.
Winner – Redbubble! While both offer free accounts, Redbubble offers better value for money in this Society6 or Redbubble pricing comparison.
Conclusion
Choosing between Redbubble and Society6 depends on your priorities as an artist. Redbubble is an excellent choice if you're looking for maximum exposure through a larger marketplace and wish to have your designs available on a wider variety of products. It's ideal for artists who want to reach a broad audience and prefer a platform with a high volume of organic traffic.
On the other hand, Society6 is perfect for artists seeking a more curated platform with a focus on art and design quality. If you value higher base royalties on art prints and being part of a community that emphasizes artistic integrity, Society6 might be the better option.
Who Is It Best For?
- Redbubble: Best for independent artists and designers aiming for maximum exposure and a diverse product range to showcase their work.
- Society6: Best for artists who prefer a curated community, focus on high-quality art products, and desire higher royalties on art prints.
Who Is It Not Best For?
- Society6: Not ideal for artists wanting to set their own profit margins on all products or those looking for a broader range of merchandise options.
- Redbubble: May not suit those seeking a more exclusive or curated platform with a focus on premium art products.
Alternatives:
Some of the best Redbubble or Society6 alternatives include;
Compare print-on-demand services for selling custom products without holding inventory. This table helps you assess product range, fulfilment options, integrations, branding control, and which POD platform best fits your store or creator business.
| Platform | Price / Basic Plan + CTA | Best For | Key Features | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| π₯ Printful | Free / Growth from $24.99/mo; free for eligible high-volume sellers | Check Pricing | Best overall print-on-demand service | Large product catalog, global fulfilment, strong integrations, branding options, mockup tools, reliable quality control | Printful Review |
| 2. Printify | Free / Premium from $39/mo or $299/year | Check Pricing | Best for low product costs | Large supplier network, broad catalog, multiple print providers, product discounts, Etsy and Shopify integrations | Printify Review |
| 3. Gelato | Free / Gelato+ from $19.99/mo annually or $23.99/mo monthly | Check Pricing | Best for global local fulfilment | Local production network, international shipping, sustainable fulfilment focus, design tools, ecommerce integrations | Review Coming Soon |
| 4. Gooten | Free / pay per order | Check Pricing | Best for scaling ecommerce brands | Global fulfilment network, automated order routing, 300+ products, Shopify/Etsy integrations, API-friendly operations | Review Coming Soon |
| 5. CustomCat | Free / Pro from $30/mo or $300/year | Check Pricing | Best for high-volume apparel sellers | Fast US fulfilment, apparel-heavy catalog, discounted Pro pricing, Shopify integration, bulk-friendly operations | Review Coming Soon |
| 6. Apliiq | Free to install / optional VIP plan available | Check Pricing | Best for custom branded apparel | Private label apparel, embroidery, woven labels, patches, streetwear-style products, Shopify and WooCommerce integrations | Review Coming Soon |
| 7. Spreadconnect | Free / pay per product | Check Pricing | Best for fast direct fulfilment | Formerly SPOD, 48-hour production focus, 350+ products, Shopify integration, Spread Group fulfilment network | Review Coming Soon |
| 8. Spring | Free / pay per product | Check Pricing | Best for creators and influencers | Free storefront, social selling, YouTube and creator integrations, physical and digital products, fan merch tools | Spring / Teespring Review |
| 9. Amazon Merch on Demand | Free application / royalty-based | Check Pricing | Best Amazon marketplace POD | Amazon product pages, Prime-style marketplace exposure, no upfront inventory, royalties on each sale | Review Coming Soon |
| 10. Redbubble | Free account / marketplace fees may apply by tier | Check Pricing | Best artist marketplace exposure | Artist marketplace, passive product listings, wide product range, marketplace traffic, no separate store setup needed | Redbubble Review |
| 11. Zazzle | Free / marketplace commission model | Check Pricing | Best for custom product variety | Marketplace selling, many customizable products, design tools, invitations, gifts, apparel and home products | Review Coming Soon |
| 12. Society6 | Artist approval process / marketplace earnings model | Check Pricing | Best for art and home decor | Artist marketplace, wall art, home decor, lifestyle products, production and customer support handled by Society6 | Review Coming Soon |
| 13. Teemill | Free / pay per product | Check Pricing | Best sustainable apparel platform | Organic cotton apparel, circular fashion positioning, storefront tools, fulfilment, sustainability-focused branding | Review Coming Soon |
| 14. T-Pop | Free / paid plans available | Check Pricing | Best eco-friendly EU POD | Eco-conscious fulfilment, plastic-free packaging focus, Shopify/WooCommerce style integrations, European fulfilment angle | Review Coming Soon |
| 15. AOP+ | Free / paid plans available | Check Pricing | Best for all-over-print products | All-over-print apparel, sublimation products, branding options, Shopify and Etsy integrations | Review Coming Soon |
| 16. Prodigi | Free / pay per order | Check Pricing | Best for art prints and global fulfilment | Fine art prints, photo products, global fulfilment, API access, ecommerce integrations | Review Coming Soon |
| 17. Lulu Direct / Lulu xPress | Free / pay per book order | Check Pricing | Best for books and publishing | Print-on-demand books, global book fulfilment, ecommerce integrations, author and publisher tools | Review Coming Soon |
| 18. JetPrint | Free / pay per product | Check Pricing | Best for niche products | Watches, shoes, accessories, homeware, mockup generator, Shopify integration | Review Coming Soon |
| 19. Spreadshirt | Free / marketplace and shop model | Check Pricing | Best for simple apparel shops | T-shirt and apparel marketplace, custom shop tools, global selling, Spread Group fulfilment | Review Coming Soon |
| 20. Fine Art America | Free / paid premium membership available | Check Pricing | Best for photographers and fine artists | Wall art, prints, framed products, home decor, artist marketplace, fulfilment and customer service handled | Review Coming Soon |
Final Word:
For most independent artists, Redbubble is the recommended choice due to its larger marketplace, diverse product range, and higher traffic, which can lead to increased exposure and sales. However, if you're seeking a curated platform with a focus on art quality and higher royalties on prints, Society6 is a strong contender.
Ready to start selling your designs?
Get started with Redbubble today!
That's all for now:
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