Teemill vs Teespring

Spring owes creators $2.3 million in unpaid royalties. Teemill just won another sustainability award. In 2025, choosing the right print-on-demand platform can make a big difference for your business and long-term success.

30-Second Decision Framework

Choose Teemill if: ✓ You can charge premium prices ($25+ per shirt)
✓ Your audience cares about sustainability
✓ You value sleep over product variety

Avoid Spring (Teespring) because: ✗ They're not paying creators (verified: March 2025)
✗ Orders stuck "in production" for 6+ months
✗ Customer service is MIA

The Tale of Two Companies

Imagine launching your dream t-shirt line in December, watching orders pour in, then discovering in March that your platform hasn't paid you a cent. That's the Spring creator nightmare playing out right now.

Teemill started when two brothers on the Isle of Wight decided fast fashion was killing the planet. Rob and Martin Drake-Knight transformed their eco-brand Rapanui into Teemill Tech Ltd in 2014. Today? They serve 10,000+ brands including Greenpeace, WWF, and the BBC. Oh, and they won the Queen's Award for Innovation. Not bad for island boys.

Their mission is simple but revolutionary: redesign the fashion industry to help brands end waste. Every decision, from their circular economy model to their renewable energy factories, reflects this commitment.

Spring (formerly Teespring) began as a feel-good story in 2011—two guys crowdfunding to save a local bar in Rhode Island. Walker Williams and Evan Stites-Clayton raised $60 million from venture giants like Andreessen Horowitz, rebranded to Spring in 2021, then got acquired by Amaze Software in 2022.

Now? They're the Fyre Festival of print-on-demand. Creators report millions in unpaid royalties, orders stuck in limbo for months, and customer service that's gone completely dark.

"Spring's 2.5-star rating from 21,000 reviews tells you everything you need to know."

Here's the billion-dollar difference: Teemill wants to save the planet. Spring just wants your social media followers.

Product Range: Quality vs. Quantity

Teemill focuses on what actually sells with 30+ quality eco-friendly products. Their organic cotton t-shirts feel like butter, their hoodies are the kind people steal from their partners, and even their tote bags have become Instagram-worthy accessories. Everything uses GOTS certified organic cotton and water-based inks.

The magic? Every single item is designed for their circular economy. That torn shirt your customer returns? It becomes tomorrow's fresh tee. Limited selection, unlimited sustainability.

Spring throws everything at the wall with 180+ inconsistent items from random suppliers. Sure, they offer everything from basic tees to custom embroidery, but quality depends entirely on which of their 47 manufacturers happens to fulfill your order. One customer gets a premium shirt, another gets something that falls apart after one wash.

It's boutique restaurant vs. gas station buffet. Sure, the buffet has more options, but do you really want to eat there?

Teespring Pricing vs Teemill Pricing

How much does Teemill cost? Teemill's transparent pricing starts with a free plan perfect for testing the waters. Their Pro plan at £8.25/month ($10.50) unlocks custom domains, advanced analytics, and priority support. Yes, it's a monthly fee, but here's what matters: they actually pay you.

Profit margins range from £2-4.50 per shirt, with white tees yielding higher profits due to lower base costs. UK shipping runs £5, but they sweeten the deal with monthly "Freepost" weekends. International shipping at £15 isn't cheap, but at least your products arrive.

Teespring pricing structure: Spring's "free" platform sounds appealing—no subscription fees, just base product costs of $10-15 per shirt. In theory, you'd pocket $8-13 per sale.

Sustainability:

If you care about the planetthere's only one choice.

Teemill's circular economy isn't just marketing fluff—it's a complete reimagining of fashion. Customers scan QR codes on worn-out shirts and get £5 credit while Teemill transforms the old fabric into new products. To date, they've recycled 25,900 kg of fabric and planted 140,795 trees. That's not a typo—that's a small forest.

Their partnerships read like an environmental who's who: BBC Earth (yes, David Attenborough's crew), WWF, Wildlife Trusts, and the Marine Conservation Society. These aren't just logos on a website—they're active collaborations where portions of sales directly fund conservation efforts.

Every order ships in plastic-free packaging from renewable energy-powered factories. They've earned more certifications than a Swiss bank: GOTS, SA8000, OEKO-TEX, Carbon Trust. This isn't greenwashing—it's the real deal.

Spring's sustainability efforts? They launched a "Conscious Collection" in 2019 (basically organic cotton options) and eliminated double-packaging. That's it. No conservation partnerships. No renewable energy. No circular economy. In 2025, that's not trying—that's embarrassing.

Platform Features: Business Tools vs. Social Media Dreams

The technical capabilities reveal each platform's true priorities.

Teemill built their platform for serious e-commerce entrepreneurs. Their Shopify integration earns a solid 4.2/5 stars because it actually works—syncing inventory, handling orders, and managing fulfillment seamlessly. Beyond Shopify, they integrate with WooCommerce, Etsy, Squarespace, and Wix.

Their built-in store builder requires zero coding knowledge but delivers professional results. The Teemill app lets you manage orders from anywhere, while their REST API opens doors for custom integrations. One dashboard controls everything—no juggling multiple platforms or losing track of orders.

Spring chased the influencer gold rush with social media integrations. Their YouTube merchandise shelf sounds impressive—display up to 12 products directly under your videos. The TikTok and Instagram shopping features promise seamless social selling. Their recent Adobe Express partnership added AI-powered design tools.

Who Should Choose What?

Choose Teemill if:

• You can charge $25+ per shirt
• Your audience values sustainability
• You want reliable payments and support

Avoid Spring because:

• They haven't paid anyone since December 2024
• Orders stuck for 6+ months
• 2.5/5 stars from 21,000+ reviews

Need variety? Go with Printful or Printify instead.

Top 3 Alternatives:

1. Printful - The Professional's Choice With 340+ products and in-house production, Printful delivers consistent quality every time. Yes, base prices run $13-16 per shirt (higher than Spring's theoretical prices), but they ship orders and pay creators. Their 22+ integrations work with every major e-commerce platform. If you need reliability over rock-bottom prices, Printful is your answer.

2. Printify - The Budget Option
Offering 1,000+ products through 90+ global print providers, Printify wins on variety and price ($8-12 per shirt). Quality varies by provider, so do your homework. Perfect for testing what sells before committing to higher-quality options. They actually pay you—novel concept these days.

3. Fourthwall - Built for Creators While Spring promised creator-friendly features, Fourthwall actually delivers. Built specifically for YouTubers and streamers, it offers better social integrations than Spring ever did. Most importantly? They pay on time, every time.

Quick mentions:

• Gelato: Global production network, good for international sellers
• Redbubble: Marketplace model, they handle marketing but take bigger cuts
• Teepublic: Similar to Redbubble, better for artists than entrepreneurs

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Teespring work?

In theory, Teespring (now Spring) works like any print-on-demand service: you upload designs, they handle printing and shipping, you get paid. In reality? You upload designs, customers place orders, and then... nothing. Orders sit in "production" limbo while Spring keeps your money for months on end.

Is Teespring free?

Yes, Spring charges no monthly fees—they make money from the difference between base costs and your selling price. But "free" becomes very expensive when they hold your profits hostage. Teemill's £8.25 monthly fee suddenly looks like a bargain when you're actually getting paid.

Is Teemill available in the USA?

Yes, Teemill ships worldwide including the USA. International shipping costs £15 per order, and since they're UK-based, factor in currency conversion and potential customs fees for larger orders. Despite the extra costs, many US sellers find Teemill's quality and reliability worth the premium.

The Verdict: There's Really No Competition

Teemill isn't just better—it's in a different league. Yes, it costs more. Yes, the product range is smaller. But they ship orders, pay creators, and help save the planet. Revolutionary concepts, apparently.

Spring (formerly Teespring) is experiencing what we in the business call "a complete meltdown." When creators are forming class-action lawsuit groups on Reddit, you know it's bad.

For sustainable brands, eco-conscious creators, or anyone who likes getting paid: Teemill is your only choice.