Printful / Print-on-Demand Profit Calculator
Profit per print-on-demand order — product base cost, printing, fulfilment shipping, marketplace fees on the retail price and what margin you really keep.
How it works
profit = (retail + shipping charged) − (base cost + fulfilment shipping) − fees on the order − ad cost
Print-on-demand has no inventory risk but thin margins: the base cost of a printed shirt is typically $12–15 before shipping, and the marketplace takes its percentage of the full order including the shipping you charged. Charging less for shipping than fulfilment costs is a hidden discount. Many sellers price at 2–2.5× the base cost; anything under 30% margin leaves nothing once ads are counted.
Worked example
A $27.99 tee with $4.99 shipping: $32.98 in. Base $12.95 + $4.69 shipping, Etsy 6.5% + 3% payments + $0.25 + $0.20 listing = $3.58 fees, $2 ads → $9.76 profit, 30%.
Frequently asked questions
Should I offer free shipping?
Fold the fulfilment cost into the retail price; “free” shipping raises conversion but the marketplace fee is charged on the higher price.
Does Printful charge a fee?
No platform fee — you pay the product, printing and shipping; premium subscriptions give discounts on base costs.
Related calculators
Platform fees change — every rate here is editable; confirm the current schedule on the platform’s fee page before relying on the result.