Bulk Printing vs. On-Demand Printing: Pros, Cons, and Best Uses

Updated April 21, 2025

Whether you're ordering branded swag for employees, client gifts, or promotional items for events, the decision between bulk printing and on-demand printing impacts your budget, sustainability goals, and overall control over the final product.

We’re here to break down the pros, cons, and best use cases for both bulk and on-demand printing, helping you determine the best approach for your business.

What’s the Difference Between Bulk and On-Demand Printing?

When it comes to custom merchandise, there are two main approaches to consider: bulk printing and on-demand printing. Each has its own advantages, limitations, and ideal use cases, depending on your business needs and goals.

• Bulk Printing involves producing a large quantity of items (usually at least 50) in one go. This method is best for businesses that need consistent branding across all units. Bulk printing often allows for greater customization and lower cost per unit, but it may require a higher upfront investment.
  
  
• On-Demand Printing, on the other hand, creates items as they are ordered. This method is ideal for businesses looking to minimize waste, avoid inventory management, and offer more personalized options to recipients. While on-demand printing is more flexible and sustainable, the cost per unit is generally higher, and customization options may be limited compared to bulk orders.

Understanding the difference between these two methods is key to choosing the right approach for your custom merchandise needs. Let’s dive deeper into the pros, cons, and best uses for each.

Bulk Printing: Pros and Cons

Pros of Bulk Printing

• Lower Cost Per Unit
  When you print in bulk, the cost per unit decreases, depending on quantity. This is ideal if you're producing a large number of items and want to maximize your budget.
• More Control Over Design and Quality
  Bulk printing gives you full control over the look and feel of your items. This is essential for companies where branding is a top priority. With bulk orders, you can ensure consistency across every unit, whether it's the exact thread color, print style, or design detail. For example, bulk orders may offer access to over 500 thread colors compared to just 120 in on-demand embroidery.
• Customization Beyond Printing
  Bulk printing allows you to control the entire kitting process, from the box and tape to the personalized note inside. This level of customization can elevate the recipient's unboxing experience.
• Access to Premium Brands
  Some well-known, high-quality brands are not available via the Print On-Demand method.

Cons of Bulk Printing

• Higher Upfront Costs
  Bulk orders require a significant upfront investment, which might not be feasible for every business, especially smaller ones.
• Inventory Management
  You may need to manage storage and inventory, which adds cost. (Note that Goody can handle warehousing and all on-going fulfillment) 
• Potential Waste
  Over-ordering can lead to excess stock that goes unused, making bulk printing less sustainable.
• Items Can Become Outdated
  Trends and branding can change quickly. If you’re left with outdated inventory, you’ll waste both money and space.
• Longer Production Times
  Bulk printing typically takes around four weeks for production, which may not work for tight timelines.

On-Demand Printing: Pros and Cons

Pros of On-Demand Printing

• Buy Only What You Need
  With on-demand printing, you avoid over-ordering. This is particularly helpful for apparel, as you won’t need to guess size distributions or risk running out of popular sizes.
• More Sustainable
  On-demand printing eliminates excess inventory, reducing waste and aligning with sustainability goals.
• Shorter Production Times
  On-demand orders typically require just 10–14 days, making this method ideal for quicker turnarounds.
• Flexible Options for Recipients
  On-demand platforms often allow recipients to choose their preferred product, ensuring everyone gets something they’ll actually use and enjoy.

Cons of On-Demand Printing

• Higher Cost Per Unit
  Since items are produced individually, the cost per unit is higher compared to bulk printing.
• Limited Customization
  On-demand printing offers fewer options for design, materials, and colors. For example, you might only have access to 120 thread colors versus 500+ in bulk orders. 
• Less Control Over Production
  With on-demand printing, you have less control over the printing process, timing, and even the printer itself.
• Varied Results Across Locations
  Orders may be routed to different printing facilities based on geographic proximity, leading to inconsistencies in color or print quality. Brand logo colors are matched to the extent possible, but they will not be able to be matched to an exact Patone color. 
• Not Ideal for Complex Logos
  Intricate designs or logos requiring precise detail are harder to execute with on-demand printing.

Which One Should I Use For My Company’s Swag?

Bulk Printing is Best For:

• Large Events: Trade shows, conferences, or giveaways where high quantities are needed.
• Meticulous Branding: Companies that prioritize consistency and want complete control over their branding.
• Intricate Designs, Especially Embroidered Swag: Logos or items that require complex customization or specialty techniques.
• Planned Campaigns: When you have a clear understanding of your inventory needs and plenty of lead time.

On-Demand Printing is Best For:

• Sustainability-Focused Companies: Companies focused on minimizing waste and overproduction.
• Smaller Budgets: Organizations that need to avoid large upfront costs.
• Last-Minute Needs: Quick-turnaround projects or unexpected campaigns.
• Simpler Swag Products, Like Drinkware or Tech: For these types of projects, print-on-demand can usually do an excellent job. 
• Diverse Recipients: When giving options ensures a better user experience, such as letting employees or clients choose their swag.

How Goody Can Help

Whether you prefer bulk or on-demand printing, Goody makes it easy to create thoughtful, branded merchandise without the usual hassle.

• Bulk Printing with Goody: If you’re looking for complete control over your swag, Goody helps you design and produce custom items with premium options, ensuring consistent quality across all units. From selecting materials to managing packaging and shipping, we handle the details so you get exactly what you need.
  
  
• On-Demand Printing with Goody: For businesses that value flexibility and sustainability, Goody offers on-demand printing solutions. Our platform allows recipients to choose their preferred items from a curated selection, minimizing waste and ensuring satisfaction. With no minimum order requirements and quick production times, Goody’s on-demand options are the go-to for many companies. 

Best of all, you don’t need a paid plan to send swag on Goody. 

Simply sign up for Goody and start designing the custom swag of your dreams. Or book a call with a gifting expert.

About the author

Nicholas Teddy

I lead marketing at Goody, where I help companies and individuals send more delightful, memorable gifts. I'm particularly passionate about using Goody's wealth of data to give insightful, research-backed gifting ideas. Before Goody, I worked in digital marketing at LinkedIn, Yext, ROOM, and Contentsquare. Outside of work, I enjoy art, cooking, writing, and (of course) gifting.