Society6 Review 2026: Is This Print-on-Demand Marketplace Worth It?

Society6 is a print-on-demand marketplace that connects independent artists with customers looking for unique, artist-created products. Founded in 2009, the platform allows artists to upload their designs, which are then printed on-demand on various products ranging from art prints to home decor items. For customers, Society6 offers access to thousands of unique designs from independent artists. But is Society6 worth it for artists, and what should buyers know before purchasing?

This comprehensive review examines Society6 from both artist and customer perspectives, covering product quality, commissions, customer service, shipping, and overall experience. We'll dive deep into the platform's strengths and weaknesses, help you understand how it works, and provide practical guidance for both artists considering selling on Society6 and customers thinking about buying. Whether you're an artist looking for a platform to sell your work or a customer seeking unique art and home decor, this review will help you make an informed decision.

Understanding Society6

Society6 operates as a print-on-demand marketplace, meaning products are only manufactured after a customer places an order. This model eliminates the need for artists to hold inventory or manage fulfillment, while allowing customers to access a vast catalog of unique designs. The platform handles printing, packaging, and shipping, taking a significant portion of the retail price as their fee.

How Society6 Works

For artists, Society6 works by allowing them to upload designs that are then made available on various products. Artists set their markup (the amount they earn per sale), though Society6 sets minimum prices. When a customer purchases a product featuring an artist's design, Society6 handles production and shipping, and the artist receives their commission.

For customers, Society6 functions like an online marketplace where you can browse thousands of designs and purchase them on various products. Products are printed on-demand, which means they're manufactured specifically for your order. This allows for a vast catalog but can mean longer production and shipping times compared to items held in stock.

Product Range and Quality

Society6 offers an extensive range of products featuring artist designs, from art prints to home decor items. Understanding the product range and quality helps both artists and customers evaluate the platform.

Product Types

Society6 offers a wide variety of products, including art prints (various sizes and formats), canvas prints, framed prints, phone cases, laptop sleeves, mugs, throw pillows, duvet covers, shower curtains, rugs, tapestries, and various other home decor items. This extensive product range allows artists to monetize their designs across multiple product categories and gives customers many options for how to display or use artwork.

The platform allows artists to upload designs once and make them available on all applicable products, maximizing the potential for sales. However, not all designs work well on all products, and artists may need to create product-specific versions of designs for optimal results.

Print Quality

Print quality on Society6 has received mixed reviews from customers. Some customers report high-quality prints that match their expectations, with accurate colors and good print resolution. However, others have experienced issues including colors not matching product descriptions or previews, sizing discrepancies (with some customers reporting items being smaller than advertised), and lower quality than expected.

Quality can vary by product type, with art prints generally receiving better reviews than some other products. Some customers have reported that prints appear pixelated or lower resolution than expected, while others are satisfied with print quality. It's worth reading product reviews from other customers before purchasing, as experiences can vary significantly.

One customer reported receiving a print that was half an inch smaller than advertised, making it difficult to find a suitable frame. Such sizing discrepancies can be frustrating, especially when frames are purchased separately. It's important to verify product dimensions and check customer reviews for sizing accuracy.

Artist Experience and Commissions

For artists, Society6 offers a way to sell designs without upfront costs or inventory management, but commission rates and visibility can be concerns.

Commission Structure

Society6 artists typically earn 10% of the retail price, which means on a £30 print, an artist would earn £3. This commission rate is relatively low compared to some other print-on-demand platforms. Artists set their markup, but Society6 sets minimum prices, which can limit how much artists can earn per sale.

The low commission rate means artists need significant sales volume to earn meaningful income. For example, an artist would need to sell 100 £30 prints to earn £300. This makes Society6 more suitable as a passive income stream or for artists with established followings who can drive traffic to their Society6 shop, rather than as a primary income source for most artists.

Visibility and Discovery

One of the biggest challenges for artists on Society6 is gaining visibility. The platform has a massive catalog with thousands of artists and millions of designs, making it difficult for new or lesser-known artists to be discovered. Some artists report that despite having over 600 designs, new creations consistently go unnoticed due to the site's interface and discovery mechanisms.

Society6's interface and search functionality have been criticized by some artists, who find it difficult to gain visibility without external promotion. The platform relies heavily on artists driving their own traffic, which means those without established followings or marketing skills may struggle to generate sales.

Artists with established social media followings or websites may have better success, as they can direct their audience to their Society6 shop. However, for artists relying solely on Society6's internal discovery, generating sales can be challenging.

Artist Support and Resources

Society6 provides some resources for artists, including design guidelines, product specifications, and a seller dashboard. However, some artists have expressed frustration with lack of transparency about how the platform works, fee structures, and support for growing their sales. The platform's focus on volume over individual artist success can make it feel impersonal.

Customer Experience

For customers, Society6 offers access to unique designs and products, but experiences can vary significantly.

Shopping Experience

Society6's website allows customers to browse by category, search for specific designs or artists, and filter products. The platform has a clean interface, though some users find the large catalog overwhelming. Product pages show design previews, descriptions, and customer reviews, helping shoppers make informed decisions.

However, some customers have reported issues with product descriptions not matching actual products, misleading previews, or difficulty finding specific items. The platform's size can make it challenging to navigate, and search functionality may not always return the most relevant results.

Shipping and Delivery

Society6 shipping times vary by product type and location. Print-on-demand items typically take 2-5 business days to produce, plus shipping time. International shipping can take significantly longer. The platform provides estimated delivery times during checkout, though some customers report longer than expected shipping times.

Shipping costs vary by product and destination, and can be significant, especially for larger items or international orders. Some customers find shipping costs make purchases less attractive, particularly for lower-priced items where shipping may represent a large percentage of the total cost.

Returns and Customer Service

Society6 has a return policy, typically allowing returns within 30 days for items in original condition. However, customer service experiences have been mixed. Some customers report positive experiences with issue resolution, while others have complained about difficulties obtaining refunds, slow responses, and unhelpful support.

There have been reports of products not matching descriptions, sizing issues, and challenges getting problems resolved. Some customers recommend being persistent when dealing with customer service issues, as initial responses may not always resolve problems. The print-on-demand nature of products can sometimes complicate returns, as items are made specifically for each order.

Pricing and Value

Understanding Society6's pricing helps both artists and customers evaluate whether the platform offers good value.

Customer Pricing

Society6 prices vary by product type, with art prints typically ranging from £15-50 depending on size and format, and home decor items ranging from £20-100+ depending on the product. Prices are generally competitive with similar print-on-demand marketplaces, though they may be higher than mass-produced alternatives.

The platform often runs sales and promotions, offering discounts on various products. These sales can make purchases more attractive, though artists still receive their full commission based on the original price, not the discounted price. This means artists don't lose income when Society6 runs promotions.

Value Proposition

For customers, Society6's value proposition is access to unique, artist-created designs that aren't available elsewhere. The ability to purchase artwork and home decor featuring independent artists' work is appealing to those seeking unique items. However, quality and accuracy issues can impact value, and shipping costs can make purchases less attractive.

For artists, the value proposition is the ability to sell designs without upfront costs or inventory management. However, low commissions and visibility challenges can make it difficult to generate meaningful income. Artists need to weigh the passive income potential against the time investment required to create and upload designs.

Pros and Cons

Evaluating Society6's strengths and weaknesses helps determine whether it's the right platform for artists and customers.

Advantages

• No upfront costs for artists (no inventory or fulfillment)
• Wide range of products available for both artists and customers
• Access to unique, independent artist designs
• Passive income potential for artists
• Global reach for artists without international shipping concerns
• Regular sales and promotions for customers
• Easy to get started as an artist

Disadvantages

• Low artist commissions (typically 10% of retail price)
• Difficulty gaining visibility for new artists
• Mixed product quality reviews from customers
• Customer service issues reported by some users
• Sizing and color accuracy issues reported
• Shipping costs can be significant
• Longer production and shipping times (print-on-demand)
• Interface and discovery mechanisms criticized by artists

Who Is Society6 Best For?

Society6 is well-suited for certain types of artists and customers, but may not be ideal for everyone.

Good For Artists

Society6 is good for artists who want to sell designs without upfront costs or inventory management, those with established followings who can drive traffic to their shop, artists looking for passive income streams, and those who want to test designs across multiple products without commitment. The platform is also suitable for artists who are comfortable with low commission rates in exchange for no upfront costs.

Not Ideal For Artists

Society6 may not be ideal for artists who need significant income from their work, those without established followings or marketing skills, artists who want higher commission rates, or those who prefer more control over pricing and customer relationships. Artists looking for a primary income source may find the low commissions and visibility challenges limiting.

Good For Customers

Society6 is good for customers seeking unique, artist-created designs, those looking for specific art styles or themes, customers who want to support independent artists, and those who value uniqueness over mass-produced items. The platform is also suitable for customers who are patient with print-on-demand production times.

Not Ideal For Customers

Society6 may not be ideal for customers who prioritize fast shipping, those who need exact color or size accuracy, customers who have had negative experiences with product quality, or those who find shipping costs prohibitive. Customers seeking the lowest prices may find better value elsewhere.

Alternatives to Society6

Several platforms compete with Society6 for both artists and customers. Understanding alternatives helps you make an informed choice.

For Artists

Alternatives for artists include Redbubble (similar model with potentially better visibility), TeePublic (focus on apparel with competitive commissions), Printful and Printify (more control but require your own store), and Etsy (higher commissions but more control and better discovery). Each platform has different commission structures, product offerings, and artist experiences.

For Customers

Alternatives for customers include Redbubble (similar product range), TeePublic (strong focus on apparel), Etsy (wider range of handmade and print-on-demand items), and various artist marketplaces. Each platform offers different designs, pricing, and customer experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Society6 offers a platform for artists to sell designs and customers to buy unique, artist-created products. For artists, the platform provides a way to monetize designs without upfront costs, though low commissions and visibility challenges can limit earning potential. For customers, Society6 offers access to unique designs, though quality and customer service experiences can vary. For those interested in exploring alternatives, consider reading our guides on TeePublic reviews, how to make money online, and best cashback sites. Additionally, if you're looking to supplement your income, our guide on best survey sites offers ways to earn extra money.