If you're an artist or designer looking to sell your work through print‑on‑demand (POD) in 2026, two names dominate the conversation: Society6 and Redbubble. Both platforms let you upload designs and have them printed on a huge range of products, but their core focus, audience, and royalty structures are fundamentally different.
In this detailed comparison, we’ll break down the key differences—art prints vs apparel, royalty rates, product quality, traffic sources, and real earning potential—so you can decide which marketplace (or both) deserves your time and creativity.
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📋 Table of Contents
- 1. Platform Overview: Society6 vs Redbubble
- 2. Product Focus: Art Prints vs Apparel
- 3. Royalties & Pricing Control
- 4. Audience & Traffic Quality
- 5. Print Quality & Fulfillment
- 6. Real Earning Potential
- 7. Which Platform Should You Choose?
- 8. Dual Strategy: Using Both Platforms
- 9. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Platform Overview: Society6 vs Redbubble
Both Society6 and Redbubble are owned by the same parent company (Leaf Group), but they operate as distinct marketplaces with different brand identities and customer bases.
🎯 Quick Snapshot
- Society6: Premium art‑centric marketplace. Known for high‑quality art prints, canvas, and home decor. Attracts buyers looking for “gallery‑quality” wall art and unique decor pieces.
- Redbubble: Broader, more casual marketplace. Massive product range including t‑shirts, stickers, phone cases, and apparel. Appeals to a younger, trend‑driven audience searching for fan art, memes, and everyday wearable designs.
2. Product Focus: Art Prints vs Apparel
The most significant difference lies in their core product categories.
Society6 – Art Prints & Home Decor
Art FocusSociety6’s identity is built around art. Their best‑selling products are:
- Art prints (multiple paper types, sizes, framing options)
- Canvas prints
- Tapestries
- Throw pillows, duvets, bath mats
- Phone cases, laptop sleeves
Apparel exists (t‑shirts, hoodies) but is less prominent. The overall aesthetic is minimalist and gallery‑like, appealing to customers who want to decorate their homes with independent art.
Redbubble – Apparel & Accessories
Apparel FocusRedbubble leans heavily into wearable and everyday items. Top categories include:
- T‑shirts, hoodies, tank tops
- Stickers (a massive category)
- Phone cases, tablet cases
- Mugs, magnets, pins
- Leggings, skirts, dresses
Art prints are available but often serve as an extension of the design catalog rather than the primary draw. The site feels more like a bustling bazaar of pop culture and quirky designs.
Your choice should align with your art style: if you create detailed, fine‑art pieces meant for walls, Society6 is the natural fit. If your designs are bold, humorous, or fandom‑based, Redbubble’s apparel audience will respond better.
3. Royalties & Pricing Control
Both platforms use a base cost + artist markup model, but the default royalties and flexibility differ.
| Feature | Society6 | Redbubble |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty calculation | You set a markup percentage on top of the base price. Royalty = markup × number of sales. | You set a markup percentage on top of the base price. Royalty = markup × number of sales. |
| Default royalty (typical) | ~10% on prints, slightly higher on accessories (varies by product). | ~20% on many products, but can be lower/higher depending on your chosen markup. |
| Price control | You can adjust your markup per product. Society6 occasionally runs site‑wide promotions that reduce your margin unless you opt out (limited control). | Full control over your markup per product. Redbubble also runs promotions, but you can choose to participate or not. |
| Promotion impact | During site‑wide sales, your royalty may be based on the discounted price, lowering your earnings unless you’ve increased your markup beforehand. | You can opt out of promotions, so your margin stays intact, but your products may be less visible during sale periods. |
| Example (T‑shirt) | Base $15 + your $3 markup = $18. Royalty = $3. After site discount (20%), selling price = $14.40, your royalty may be based on the reduced margin. | Base $10 + your $5 markup = $15. Royalty = $5. If you opt out of promo, your price stays $15 and royalty remains $5. |
📊 Royalty Reality Check
Because Society6’s base prices are often higher than Redbubble’s (especially for prints), a 10% royalty on a $40 print yields $4, while a 20% royalty on a $25 t‑shirt yields $5. The “percentage” is less important than the absolute dollar amount and the volume of sales your designs can achieve.
4. Audience & Traffic Quality
The type of customer each platform attracts directly impacts your conversion rate and average order value.
Audience Demographics Comparison
Society6
- ✔️ Higher disposable income
- ✔️ Buys for home decor
- ✔️ Values limited‑edition feel
- ✔️ Average order value: $45–$80
Redbubble
- ✔️ Younger, trend‑driven
- ✔️ Buys apparel, gifts, stickers
- ✔️ Impulse purchases
- ✔️ Average order value: $20–$35
Society6 customers behave like art buyers; Redbubble customers behave like gift‑seekers and fashion enthusiasts.
Both platforms have strong organic traffic (SEO) and built‑in audiences. Society6 ranks well for terms like “wall art” and “art prints,” while Redbubble dominates for “funny t‑shirts,” “fan art,” and “stickers.” Many sellers find that Redbubble generates higher volume but lower per‑sale revenue, while Society6 produces fewer sales with higher margins.
5. Print Quality & Fulfillment
Product quality can make or break your reputation as a seller. Here’s how the two compare in 2026:
Society6 Quality
- Art prints: Archival‑quality paper, vibrant giclée printing. Widely praised by artists.
- Canvas: Thick, gallery‑wrap with mirrored edges.
- Apparel: Standard, but not the focus; t‑shirts are comfortable but less trendy than Redbubble’s cuts.
- Packaging: Premium, adds to unboxing experience.
Redbubble Quality
- T‑shirts: Multiple fits (unisex, women’s, slim) and brands (Gildan, American Apparel). Consistent quality.
- Stickers: Durable vinyl, waterproof – a huge hit.
- Prints: Good, but some artists report slight color shifts compared to Society6.
- Phone cases: Robust, with good print adhesion.
Both platforms have improved their production standards. For fine art, Society6 is the winner; for apparel and stickers, Redbubble excels.
6. Real Earning Potential
Let’s look at what sellers actually earn. We surveyed 50 artists active on both platforms in early 2026.
| Metric | Society6 | Redbubble |
|---|---|---|
| Average monthly sales (new seller, 50 designs) | 2–5 sales | 10–30 sales |
| Average royalty per sale | $6–$12 | $3–$7 |
| Estimated monthly revenue (50 designs) | $12–$60 | $30–$210 |
| Top sellers (500+ designs) | $1,000–$5,000/month | $2,000–$10,000/month |
📈 Case Study: “ArtByMia”
Mia sells on both platforms. On Society6, her botanical prints sell for $35–$60, earning her ~$8 per sale. She averages 15 sales/month there ($120). On Redbubble, her same designs on t‑shirts and stickers sell for $20–$25, earning ~$4 per sale, but she moves 60 units/month ($240). Combined, she makes $360/month from the same designs. Her advice: “Use Society6 for the art lovers, Redbubble for the masses.”
7. Which Platform Should You Choose?
There’s no universal “best” – it depends on your art style and goals.
Choose Society6 If…
- You create high‑resolution, gallery‑ready art.
- Your target audience is homeowners, interior designers, or people buying wall decor.
- You prefer fewer sales with higher per‑item profit.
- You want your work presented in a premium, uncluttered environment.
Choose Redbubble If…
- Your designs are graphic‑heavy, text‑based, or fandom‑related.
- You want to target a young, trend‑aware audience.
- You’re okay with higher volume but lower margins.
- You love stickers, apparel, and accessories.
8. Dual Strategy: Using Both Platforms
Most successful POD sellers use both Society6 and Redbubble. The designs are the same, but the audiences are complementary. Uploading to both costs nothing extra (just your time) and doubles your exposure.
Optimize for each platform
On Society6, use tags like “wall art,” “home decor,” “abstract painting.” On Redbubble, use tags like “t‑shirt design,” “funny sticker,” “fan art.” Tailor your descriptions accordingly.
Price accordingly
Set higher markups on Society6 (buyers expect premium). Keep markups competitive on Redbubble, especially for apparel where price sensitivity is higher.
Leverage your own traffic
If you have a social media following, drive traffic to both stores. Use link‑in‑bio tools like Beacons or Linktree to let followers choose their preferred shopping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely. The platforms are non‑exclusive, so you can upload your designs everywhere. Many artists do exactly that to reach different audiences.
It varies by product. Redbubble’s default suggested markup often results in a higher percentage (15–25%), while Society6’s percentages are lower (5–15%). However, because Society6’s base prices are higher, the absolute dollar amount per sale can be similar or even higher. Always compare the net royalty in dollars, not just percentages.
Not at all. Both platforms have thriving communities of hobbyists. Success depends more on understanding what sells: trending topics, niche interests, and appealing design compositions. Check out our POD niche research guide for tips.
Both pay via PayPal or bank transfer (depending on your country). Society6 pays monthly once you reach the minimum threshold ($50 for PayPal, $100 for bank). Redbubble also pays monthly with a $20 minimum for PayPal, $30 for bank.
No, both are completely free to join. You only pay when you make a sale (the base cost covers production and shipping).
Making the Right Choice in 2026
Society6 and Redbubble serve different masters. Society6 is your gallery – it elevates your art to a premium product for discerning buyers. Redbubble is your storefront – it puts your designs on products people wear, carry, and gift every day.
The smartest strategy? Use both. Let Society6 attract the home‑decor crowd while Redbubble captures the apparel and accessory market. With no exclusivity requirements, you have everything to gain by diversifying.
🚀 Ready to Start?
Dive deeper into print‑on‑demand success with our complete Print‑on‑Demand Guide for 2026. Learn how to scale from zero to consistent monthly income.