CustomCat vs Teelaunch

The print-on-demand industry hit $7.24 billion in 2024, yet most sellers still choose their fulfillment partner based on whoever offers "free" accounts. That's like choosing a business partner based on who buys the first coffee. After testing both CustomCat and Teelaunch extensively, analyzing customer reviews, and comparing real fulfillment data, one thing becomes crystal clear: the platform you choose today determines whether you'll still be in business tomorrow.

CustomCat print on demand excels with proprietary DIGISOFT® printing technology delivering 1200 DPI resolution and 2-3 day fulfillment, while Teelaunch print on demand offers a global network with unique products like metal signs and jewelry but struggles with quality control and customer service issues.

🏆 THE 30-SECOND VERDICT

Winner: CustomCat (unless you need metal signs)
Best for: US-based sellers wanting quality + speed
Avoid if: You're selling internationally or need jewelry
Price difference: $0.30 per shirt (worth it)
Game changer: 99% on-time shipping vs 2.6-star reviews

New to Print-on-Demand? Start Here

Think of POD like this: You design it, they print and ship it, you never touch inventory. Customer orders a shirt with your design → POD company prints it → ships directly to customer → you keep the profit. No garage full of boxes, no upfront costs.

What is CustomCat? A Detroit-based fulfillment powerhouse using proprietary printing technology
What is Teelaunch? A global network offering unique products through multiple printing partners

Now let's dig into why this matters for your business...

Company Backgrounds: Two Different Philosophies

Picture this: It's Black Friday. Your store gets hit with 500 orders. With CustomCat, they're printed and shipped by Monday. With Teelaunch? You're still waiting for customer service to answer your panicked email.

CustomCat operates from a single seven-acre facility in Detroit, Michigan, where they control every aspect of production. This isn't just another warehouse—they process over 40,000 items daily using their proprietary DIGISOFT® technology, a printing method they developed in-house that combines the best of DTG (direct-to-garment) and DTF (direct-to-film) printing. With 280-600 employees depending on season and 99% on-time shipping, CustomCat fulfillment runs like a Swiss watch.

Founded in 2015 as a spin-off from MyLocker.com, CustomCat generates $35-37 million annually. Their tagline "Earn Your Stripes" reflects their focus on helping entrepreneurs build real businesses, not just side hustles. The CustomCat address in Detroit has become something of a pilgrimage site for successful POD sellers who credit the company with their growth.

Teelaunch takes an entirely different approach. Started in 2013 when founder Christopher Hamze invested $200,000 in printing equipment, they've evolved from a single Sioux Falls location to leveraging six global factories through their acquisition by District Photo. While they only employ 27 direct staff, they tap into District Photo's massive network that prints over 1 billion items annually.

The "merch by Teelaunch" platform targets content creators and influencers, positioning itself as the easy entry point into merchandising. However, this distributed model creates consistency challenges—your order might be printed in any of six facilities, each with different equipment, staff training, and quality standards. It's the classic trade-off: global reach versus quality control.

"The only POD provider in US with this capability" - CustomCat user on their DIGISOFT® technology

Product Catalogs: Depth vs Diversity

CustomCat's product catalog spans 500+ items, but they're not trying to be everything to everyone. The CustomCat product list focuses on what sells best in POD: premium apparel, drinkware, and home goods. Their partnerships with brands like Bella+Canvas, Next Level, and Adidas Golf mean you're getting retail-quality blanks, not the scratchy shirts from discount stores.

CustomCat Products Breakdown:

• Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, athletic wear (CustomCat shirt quality rivals retail stores)
• Drinkware: Ceramic mugs from $3.75, travel mugs, camping mugs (CustomCat mugs are dishwasher safe)
• Home Goods: CustomCat blankets in 14 styles ($11.13-$44.40), CustomCat canvas prints with upgraded frames
• Accessories: CustomCat masks, CustomCat face mask options, CustomCat ornaments for seasonal sales
• Specialty: CustomCat embroidery on polos and hats

The real differentiator? CustomCat's DIGISOFT® technology delivers 1200 DPI resolution with a soft-hand feel that doesn't crack or peel. CustomCat sublimation on polyester products creates all-over prints that look like they came from high-end retailers.

Teelaunch products aim for variety over specialization. Their Teelaunch product list includes items you won't find elsewhere:

Unique Teelaunch Offerings:

• Teelaunch metal signs: 18-gauge steel in six sizes ($17.25-$105)
• Teelaunch jewelry: Including Teelaunch necklace and coin necklace options ($8-$45)
• Home & Lifestyle: Teelaunch canvas prints, Teelaunch tote bag, cutting boards
• Pet Products: Teelaunch dog bowl (ceramic and stainless options)
• Tech: Bluetooth speakers, phone cases
• Apparel: Basic tees, Teelaunch hoodies, Teelaunch masks

However, Teelaunch's standard DTG printing at 300 DPI often results in prints that look slightly grainy up close. Their Teelaunch canvas pricing might seem attractive, but multiple Teelaunch reviews Reddit threads mention quality inconsistencies between batches.

Platform Integration: Flexibility vs Limitations

This is where the rubber meets the road for your business growth.

CustomCat Integrations: CustomCat Shopify integration works seamlessly with their CustomCat Shopify app (rated 4.2 stars). The setup process takes about 15 minutes, and CustomCat login gives you access to real-time inventory tracking. But they don't stop there—CustomCat Etsy integration syncs automatically, updating inventory across platforms. For WordPress users, WooCommerce and CustomCat work together through REST API, and CustomCat's BigCommerce support handles enterprise-level operations.

Notably absent? Direct CustomCat Amazon integration, though sellers work around this using third-party tools. The CustomCat API print on demand capabilities let developers create custom solutions, and their CustomCat CSV upload system handles bulk orders efficiently. CustomCat templates and the CustomCat mockup generator make design creation straightforward.

Teelaunch Integrations: Teelaunch Shopify dominates their integration strategy—the Teelaunch Shopify app is clearly their priority. While Teelaunch Etsy integration exists, users on Teelaunch Etsy Reddit report constant disconnections and sync failures. The Teelaunch login portal lacks the robust features of CustomCat's dashboard.

More concerning: no Teelaunch WooCommerce integration, limited Teelaunch API documentation, and zero support for platforms beyond Shopify and (barely) Etsy. The question "is Teelaunch for Shopify only?" gets asked frequently—and the answer is essentially yes. Teelaunch and Amazon don't play together at all, forcing sellers into complex workarounds.

Integration Comparison Table

Feature	CustomCat	Teelaunch
Shopify Support	✅ Full integration	✅ Primary focus
Etsy Support	✅ Automatic sync	⚠️ Frequent issues
WooCommerce	✅ REST API	❌ Not supported
Amazon	⚠️ Third-party only	❌ No support
API Access	✅ Documented	⚠️ Limited
Bulk Upload	✅ CSV system	❌ Manual only

Pricing Analysis: Is Teelaunch Free? The Real Cost Breakdown

Let's address the elephant in the room: Is Teelaunch free? Technically yes, but that's like saying a car is free if you only pay for gas, insurance, and maintenance.

CustomCat Pricing Structure: CustomCat offers two tiers. The free Lite plan provides access to all products at standard wholesale rates. CustomCat Pro costs $30/month but includes 20-40% discounts across the catalog. Here's how CustomCat pricing breaks down on a typical $25 t-shirt sale:

• CustomCat Lite: Product ~$12.50 + CustomCat shipping costs $3.99 (first) + $1.50 (additional) = ~$8.50 profit
• CustomCat Pro: Product ~$10.00 + shipping = ~$11 profit

CustomCat shipping prices remain consistent year-round, though holiday surcharges ($0.40-$2.00) apply October through January. International CustomCat shipping rates run $7.95 first item plus $5.95 additional.

Teelaunch Pricing Reality: Teelaunch pricing appears simple—no monthly fees, just product costs. But Teelaunch cost analysis reveals hidden expenses:

• Base pricing: Often $1-2 lower than CustomCat
• Teelaunch shipping rates: $5+ per item (higher than CustomCat)
• No volume discounts: Pay the same whether you sell 10 or 1,000
• Teelaunch taxes: Some users report unexpected tax charges

A Teelaunch promo code might save 10-15% on your first order, but long-term sellers find CustomCat Pro delivers better margins. At 73+ monthly orders, CustomCat Pro essentially pays for itself through discounts.

The Hidden Cost Factor: Return rates tell the real story. CustomCat maintains a 3% return rate due to consistent quality. Teelaunch? Users report 8-12% returns, particularly on Teelaunch prints and metal products. Those returns don't just cost money—they cost customers.

What Users Really Think

Customer feedback reveals two vastly different experiences between these platforms.

CustomCat Reviews Overview:

• Trustpilot: 3.6/5 stars (CustomCat reviews Trustpilot show consistent satisfaction)
• Shopify: 4.2/5 stars from 553+ reviews
• Reddit: CustomCat Reddit discussions praise quality but note size availability issues
• Sitejabber: 4.9/5 from verified purchasers

Common CustomCat review themes:

• "Literally the fastest printers out there"
• "CustomCat quality beats retail stores"
• "Customer service feels personal"
• "Why is Large always out of stock?!"

Teelaunch Reviews Analysis:

• Trustpilot: 2.6/5 stars (concerning downward trend)
• Shopify: 4.2/5 (inflated by old reviews)
• Reddit: Teelaunch reviews Reddit threads are filled with warnings

Recent Teelaunch print on demand review comments paint a troubling picture:

• "Teelaunch support is virtually nonexistent"
• "Quality declined drastically in 2024"
• "Metal signs arrived bent and scratched"
• "Three weeks, still no response to emails"

The contrast becomes stark when comparing customer service experiences. CustomCat contact options include phone support (844-874-8623) during business hours, while Teelaunch contact number searches lead nowhere—they're email-only with automated responses.

Technical Capabilities: Tools for Growth

CustomCat's Technical Arsenal: The CustomCat API documentation spans 50+ pages, enabling developers to build custom integrations. CustomCat's CSV upload system supports bulk product creation, order management, and inventory updates. Their CustomCat mockup generator produces retail-quality product images, while CustomCat templates ensure design consistency across products.

Advanced features include:

• CustomCat personalization options for customer names/text
• CustomCat branding removal for white-label fulfillment
• CustomCat tags for organized product management
• Volume discounts up to 50% for enterprise clients
• CustomCat affiliate program for marketing partnerships

Teelaunch Technical Limitations: Teelaunch's technical infrastructure feels dated. The Teelaunch API exists but lacks comprehensive documentation. No bulk upload system means adding products one by one. Teelaunch image size requirements aren't clearly stated, leading to print quality issues. Their Teelaunch resolution standards vary by facility.

Business tools? Minimal:

• No volume pricing tiers
• Basic white-label options
• Limited Teelaunch personalization features
• No affiliate or referral programs

Sample Orders: Testing Before Selling

CustomCat Sample Order Policy: Order unlimited samples at standard prices. The CustomCat sample order process mirrors regular orders, ensuring what you test matches what customers receive. Many sellers order 5-10 samples monthly to test new designs.

Teelaunch Order Samples Restriction: One discounted sample per 30 days. The Teelaunch sample limitation forces sellers to choose carefully, slowing product development. Worse, samples might come from different facilities than actual orders.

Shipping and Fulfillment Comparison

CustomCat Shipping Excellence:

• CustomCat shipping times: 2-3 business days standard
• Shipping CustomCat orders: 99% on-time rate
• CustomCat shipping address: Single Detroit facility ensures consistency
• CustomCat shipping methods: USPS First Class, Priority Mail options

Teelaunch Shipping Challenges:

• Teelaunch shipping: 3-10 days depending on product/location
• Teelaunch delivery time: Varies by facility
• Teelaunch production time: 2-5 days before shipping
• International advantage: Teelaunch UK and Teelaunch Canada facilities

The Bottom Line: Making Your Choice

Choose CustomCat when:

• Print quality drives your brand reputation
• You need reliable 2-3 day US fulfillment
• You're scaling beyond hobby level (50+ monthly orders)
• Platform flexibility matters (Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce)
• Customer service access is crucial
• You want to build a sustainable business

Consider Teelaunch only when:

• You specifically need metal signs or jewelry
• International shipping is your primary market
• You're locked into Shopify with no plans to expand
• You're testing POD with minimal investment
• You can handle customer service issues independently

The verdict? CustomCat's superior technology, consistent quality, and actual customer support justify the slightly higher cost for anyone serious about POD. Teelaunch's operational issues and declining quality make it a risky choice, despite the "free" pricing model.

Your business. Your reputation. Your choice. What are you waiting for?