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Cafe Press Review

Tuesday, March 19th

2024 Custom T-Shirt Store Reviews

Cafe Press Review 2 Star Rating

Cafe Press

2 Star Rating
  • Pricing from $19.99 to $49.99 per shirt
  • Men's, women's, and children's designs
  • Image upload included in price
  • 30-day returns
  • "A+" rating from the BBB

CafePress is a site that offers a unique way to create and sell original designs. With its online marketplace featuring an extensive range of designs suitable for numerous products, including soft T-shirts and contemporary home decor, CafePress provides a platform for pro artists, fans, and major companies to create custom items. The company opened in 1999 and includes pre-made designs as well as the flexibility to create your own tees.

Good for text, but images are limited

The T-shirt customization process is straightforward. Customers begin by selecting their desired T-shirt style, color, and size before embarking on personalization. While it's fairly easy to upload custom images and use the text editor on the site, the placement of images is restricted to the front and center of the shirt or solely to the pocket area. For the text, you can place that anywhere around the image with a range of fonts, colors, and text sizes to choose from. You also get access to a quick preview before you finalize the purchase, so you can make updates if the text is cut off or the colors don't look right on the shirt you choose.

Competitive variety of custom items

CafePress offers a range of T-shirt options tailored to different demographics, including men's, women's, kids', and babies' T-shirts. The assortment encompasses various styles such as v-neck, scoop neck, long or short sleeves, and even specialized styles like maternity shirts and long nightshirts. Although some T-shirt styles initially seem to have a limited color palette, the actual selection often comprises around seven colors. On top of shirts, CafePress offers a competitive variety of other items as well including home decor, drinkware, bags and accessories, stationery, stickers, and phone cases.

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Good prices for single-purchase tees

To compare prices for CafePress against other custom T-shirt services, we researched two items that we compared across all companies: women's and men's tees. The base price range for tees at CafePress for women goes from $19.99 to $49.99. While there doesn't appear to be any upcharge for adding images or text, there is a price increase if you choose the 2XL size which increases the cost by around $3. For the men's range, the prices are exactly the same and also include the upcharge for 2XL+ sizes. The only difference between the two is that men's sizing offers sizing up to 3XL and includes "Tall" sizes. Plus, with no minimums, you can buy a single shirt easily from CafePress. However, if you want to buy in bulk it could quickly get expensive.

30-day returns and exchanges

CafePress extends a 30-day satisfaction guarantee for its products where you can return or exchange your items within a 30-day window. We love that they have a "no-questions-asked" policy. However, it doesn't say in the return policy if CafePress covers return shipping, or if there are extra costs involved in getting your return processed.

Shipping costs vary

Speaking of shipping, you can expect to receive your custom T-shirt within 3-12 days. Manufacturing spans 1-2 days and shipping times range from 1-9 days within the US based on chosen options. Shipping costs approximately $6 for a single item, increasing with the cost of the item you choose and the total number of items in a single shipment.

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Mixed reviews, but positive reputation overall

There are a few more reviews out there for CafePress than there used to be, with some reviews as recent as 2023. However, the reviews are somewhat polarized on different verified third-party review sites. For example, at Sitejabber, CafePress only has a 2.7-star average out of 5, with a lot of reviewers leaving a 1-star score. On the other hand, CafePress has an average of 4 stars out of 5 from Trustpilot. According to the lower-rated reviews, the quality of the prints leaves something to be desired. Customers complained that the placement of the images and text was correct on the preview, but not correct when the item arrived home. The reviewers who loved the site noted that the T-shirts were soft and that customer service was very responsible at CafePress. To support the positive reviews, it's important to note CafePress holds an "A+" rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Best for customers looking to sell designs

While CafePress boasts an extensive product inventory, its design features fall short of delivering a fully customizable experience. This could disappoint individuals seeking a more versatile design process with different image placement and more reliable final products. For a wider array of apparel styles, colors, and design options, opting for one of our higher-rated T-shirt customization platforms may be in your best interest. But if you're looking to create designs and sell them to others from the CafePress marketplace, this service may still be worth checking out.

Where is the Best Place to Buy Custom T-shirts Online?

The fashion landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, with personal expression and individuality taking center stage. Among the myriad forms of self-expression, custom T-shirts have emerged as a canvas for showcasing creativity, passions, and affiliations. From witty slogans that spark laughter to designs that resonate deeply with personal interests, custom T-shirts have become more than just clothing; they are a means of sharing one's identity with the world.

In a digital era characterized by limitless possibilities, the popularity of personalized T-shirts has surged. According to market trends, online retailers specializing in custom apparel have witnessed substantial growth, offering a wide array of options to cater to diverse tastes and preferences. The convenience of digital platforms not only allows for effortless browsing and selection but also enables users to bring their unique designs to life.

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Custom T-Shirt Store FAQ

As they say at Disney World, "If you can dream it, you can do it" ! Whether you want matchy-matchy shirts for your next family reunion, a funny over-the-hill quote and image for someone's 50th birthday, or literally any other theme and idea, you should have no problem finding a t-shirt printing company that can get it done.
Most custom t-shirt retailers have options for one-off orders, with no minimum required. However, you'll usually get a discount when you order more, and some shirt designs might have a minimum order amount. Just shop it around until you find the store that can meet your needs.
No! You can find retailers offering shirts starting at just $9. You can add extras like a name on the front or a jersey number on the back that might come with additional fees. Shipping costs vary by retailer as well: a few stores offer free shipping on all orders, while others have a minimum purchase amount to qualify for no-cost delivery.
Most of the time, yes. You should be able to spot that option quickly as you choose the t-shirt style that interests you.
Of course: isn't that usually the point of a custom t-shirt? From team logos to silly candid photos, you can add whatever you like. The only limitation is if you're trying to use an image that's copyrighted (e.g. your favorite anime character or an album cover): some print shops will reject your t-shirt design if you're using a legally-protected image.
It takes time to produce a custom t-shirt. If you go with the free shipping option, the average turnaround time is 7-10 days from order to delivery. If you're willing to pay to expedite your order, you could get your shirt(s) in just a few days.
Some print shops offer embroidery as an add-on service. Expect the price of each shirt to go up, and for your order's production time to be significantly longer than a simple screen print job.
That depends on the store you select. Most have a satisfaction guarantee within the first 10-30 days of receiving your order, but some retailers will only give you a reprint or a store credit instead of a refund.
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Continued from above...

With a few clicks, one can choose fabric, colors, graphics, and text to craft a T-shirt that is truly one-of-a-kind. Furthermore, the ability to personalize T-shirts for special events, promotional campaigns, or group activities has made online customization services a go-to choice for those seeking a tangible representation of their vision.

With sites out there that cater to artists trying to make it big with original designs or amateur creatives just looking to make something more personal, there are unlimited possibilities for making prints. Whether you want something steamed onto the fabric, printed in ink, or embroidered onto your new tee, there's a style out there for everyone and marketplaces for every creative purpose. In a world where self-expression knows no bounds, the best online retailers for custom T-shirts understand the power of wearing your uniqueness on your sleeve - literally.

Since there are so many places to create custom t-shirts, it can be a little overwhelming to try and pick just one. To get you started on crafting the best wearable art out there, we've put together a list of things you can consider to help you decide where to start shopping:

  • Cost. There are lots of ways to buy custom tees. Knowing whether you want one custom shirt or a bulk order of tees can completely change your costs. So, knowing how much you want to spend on one (or 12) is a great way to start narrowing down your options.
  • Styles. Not all t-shirts are the same. Maybe you're looking for a casual vacay tee or perhaps you'd prefer a custom golf shirt for your buddies at the office. Either way, you'll want to make sure that your chosen retailer has the styles that you need. From hoodies to sleeveless tees, there's plenty to choose from, but some companies have more options than others.
  • Design interface. Some of you might be pro artists and designers, but others might just want to create a fun gift for a family member or friend. Finding a site with a user-friendly design editor could make or break your custom t-shirt experience. Keep an eye out for the services that don't have a huge learning curve to get your dream tee put together.

To make sure your next custom tee is a huge success, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best custom t-shirt companies on the market today. This way you can focus on the fun creative side without the stress of sifting through tons of online print shops. Hopefully, this helps you get one step closer to wearing your dream design!

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