Can I use my own local printer instead of a print-on-demand service?

Yes, you have complete flexibility. You can work with any printer you choose - local, national, or a combination. Set up an email automation so when an order comes in through your website, it automatically forwards to your chosen printer who handles fulfillment. You can decide on an item-by-item basis who prints what. However, consider the time investment: anything that removes administrative burden from your plate gives you more time for activities that actually grow your business. Driving to printers, managing shipping, quality checks, and back-and-forth communication can become a burden, especially as order volume increases. If you’re processing 20-30 orders monthly, the clerical work can become overwhelming. The advantage of automated fulfillment is the order comes in, you get paid, the printer gets paid, they print, package with your branding, and ship - all without you lifting a finger. But if you value the local relationship and can streamline the workflow, supporting a local printer is completely workable.

---

Asked by an artist exploring printing options · Answered by Patrick · Art Business Webinar · 2026-07-22