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Dropshipping vs Print on Demand – Complete Guide for 2025

Vivan Z.
Created on November 26, 2024 – Last updated on February 6, 20253 min read
Written by: Vivan Z.

In 2025, the e-commerce industry continues to grow rapidly, and Dropshipping and Print on Demand (POD) are two of the most popular business models. Many entrepreneurs often find themselves torn between the two when deciding which type of e-commerce store to start. So, what are the key differences? Which model is better for you? In this article, we will thoroughly compare these two business models, discuss their pros and cons, and help you make a well-informed decision.

What is Dropshipping?

Dropshipping is an e-commerce business model. The retailer doesn’t keep inventory. Instead, they team up with a supplier. When an order comes in, the supplier ships the products straight to the customers. In this model, the retailer focuses on sales and marketing while the supplier takes care of product manufacturing, inventory management, and shipping.

For more details on dropshipping, check out our previous article on What is Dropshipping & How to Start.

how does dropshipping work

What is Print on Demand?

Print on Demand (POD) is a custom e-commerce model where the retailer does not need to purchase large amounts of inventory upfront. Instead, products are printed and produced only when a customer places an order. This model is often used for custom items like T-shirts, mugs, posters, and more. It allows retailers to offer unique and personalized products without the need for upfront inventory investment.

For more detailed information on Print on Demand, refer to our earlier article on What is Print on Demand? A Beginner’s Guide to the Growing?.

Dropshipping vs Print on Demand: A Comparative Analysis

feature Dropshipping

Dropshipping Pros & Cons
Dropshipping Pros&Cons

Print on Demand Pros & Cons

 

Dropshipping vs Print on Demand: A Comparative Analysis

Which One Should I Choose?

Instead of choosing between dropshipping and print on demand, the goal of this article is to help you gain a deeper understanding of both business models. By reading this guide, you should be able to make an informed decision about which industry or service is the best fit for you. Both models have their unique advantages, and your decision should be based on your business goals, target market, and product offerings.

Conclusion

As we discussed in the Dropshipping Pros section, services like DropSure can help streamline and enhance the dropshipping process. We encourage you to explore your options carefully and choose the model that aligns with your business vision and resources.

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“I felt like I was constantly apologizing to customers,” Emma recalls. “Not because our products were bad, but because fulfillment kept failing us.” Background Emma is a Shopify seller from the UK who started her online business selling home and lifestyle products in early 2024. Like many new dropshippers, she was excited about the potential — but quickly discovered how tough it could be to maintain stable fulfillment, manage inventory, and keep customers happy.   “I had great products and a clean website, but my logistics were a mess. Delays, missing packages, and no tracking visibility — I was losing customers fast.” Challenges Before joining DropSure, Emma faced three main problems:   Unstable fulfillment— Her previous suppliers often ran out of stock or shipped late. Manual operations — She had to manage orders and inventory across multiple spreadsheets. Customer complaints — Tracking information was inconsistent, leading to refund requests and poor reviews.   These issues limited her ability to grow — even her best-selling products couldn’t scale without reliable fulfillment support. DropSure’s Solution After connecting her Shopify store to DropSure, Emma immediately noticed a smoother workflow:   Automated Order Sync Every order from her store synced directly to DropSure, eliminating manual errors and saving hours of daily work.   Smart Inventory & Fulfillment System Real-time stock updates and automatic routing to the nearest warehouse improved fulfillment speed by 40%.   Transparent Tracking & Communication Customers could now receive accurate tracking updates, reducing “Where’s my order?” messages by 70%.   “DropSure basically became my backend team. I could focus on marketing and content while they handled the operations seamlessly.” The Results Within three months of using DropSure:   Emma’s average weekly […]

In 2025, dropshipping is a crowded marketplace—everyone wants a slice of the market. The competition is tough, and making a mark could take an Everest-sized effort. But, hey, don’t be intimidated by that. It’s not so much luck in this game, it is working smart. So whether you’re newly carnival qualified in dropshipping, or ready to take your one-woman show to the next level, we’ve got the strategies you need to increase sales, scale like a boss, and remain top of the queue. Let’s dive in! What is Dropshipping?        Alright, let’s break it down. Dropshipping is one of the simplest ways to launch an online store—you don’t have to keep inventory, you don’t need a large warehouse space, and you don’t purchase stock in advance. Here’s how it works: You build an online store, put a few products for sale, and then when a customer makes an order, your supplier ships the products directly to them. That’s right, you don’t ever touch the product. You’re essentially serving as a middleman — you connect the customers to the suppliers, and you get to keep the profit margin. Why is this model so popular? You only pay for the products after you’ve sold them, so it’s low risk. It’s also low risk — no piles of unsold products collecting dust. Plus, its flexible! So long as you have an internet connection, you can run your establishment — anywhere. Sounds dreamy, right? But like any business, it has its headaches — managing suppliers, controlling costs, competing. But don’t worry; we have suggestions to help you shine in 2025. 15 Best Dropshipping Tips to Boost Your Dropshipping Business  Focus on a […]

In June 2025, DropSure was invited to participate in the China-Europe (France) Cross-Border E-Commerce Forum held in Paris, France. This event is a key exchange platform for the cross-border e-commerce ecosystem between China and France, gathering numerous e-commerce platforms, brands, logistics providers, and marketing agencies to jointly explore global e-commerce trends and China-Europe cooperation opportunities. As a leading global fulfillment platform, DropSure attended the forum as an exhibitor, actively showcasing our solutions in automated product selection, brand customization, and intelligent fulfillment. This was also a great opportunity to establish direct connections with more local French sellers and partners. At the Exhibition At the event, DropSure’s booth attracted a lot of attention. We demonstrated how the DropSure platform helps sellers operate efficiently without holding inventory—from one-click product selection to fast shipping, from branded packaging to customer experience. Every step is simplified yet professional, addressing the top concerns of cross-border sellers such as timeliness, cost, and service stability. Many French independent site sellers and market operation teams engaged in deep conversations with us, showing strong interest in DropSure’s efficient, transparent, and automated global fulfillment capabilities. Face-to-Face Communication Beyond the booth display, the DropSure team also participated in offline networking sessions extending from the forum, discussing topics including the development of the European market, consumer preferences, and localized supply chain services. Through these face-to-face interactions, we gained a deeper understanding of the real needs of French local e-commerce sellers and introduced them to DropSure’s customized logistics routes and localized service capabilities tailored for the European market. European Market Layout This trip to France was not only an opportunity to showcase our platform’s strengths but also a significant step in DropSure’s formal launch of […]

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