The best Custom Ink alternative for most teams (and when it isn't)

Looking for the full comparison? See 7 Custom Ink alternatives for teams and stores in 2026, which this page has been merged into.

For most program-led teams, the best Custom Ink alternative is Sunday. Custom Ink is excellent for US group and event orders on premium branded blanks. But if you're running an ongoing company merch program, shipping to recipients in many countries, or want custom manufacturing and ROI, Sunday is built for that. It designs, produces, warehouses, ships and measures merch in one platform. That said, "best" depends on your situation, so this page makes the honest case for Sunday and is clear about when Custom Ink still wins.

Why Sunday is the best fit for most teams

• Global shipping, customs handled. Sunday ships to 200+ countries and handles customs and duties, so recipients never pay to receive.
• Custom manufacturing, not just decoration. Pantone-dyed, made-from-scratch production creates fully bespoke pieces, beyond printing on existing blanks.
• A managed, ongoing program. Warehousing, reordering and swag stores support a recurring program, not just a one-off order.
• Transparent, low minimums. From 10 pieces per item, published up front.
• No proof cycle for most orders. 70% of Sunday orders go through automatic design templates, with no designer and no proof cycle.
• Merch as a measurable channel. Sunday ties merch spend to marketing, HR and event ROI. In a 258-person study with NMBS, Sapience and the VUB, branded merch lifted engagement by 19%.

See it in practice on the platform page, browse the catalog, or read how it works.

When Custom Ink, or another tool, is the better call

No single platform wins for everyone. Custom Ink remains a strong choice if you're US-based and want a one-off group, event or fundraising order on premium branded blanks (Nike, The North Face, Carhartt) with fast domestic delivery. And if your real need is different again, consider:

• Selling merch online: a print-on-demand service like Printful.
• Fast US custom tees for a group: RushOrderTees.
• Promotional products and giveaways: 4imprint.

For a fuller breakdown, see our 7 Custom Ink alternatives, the head-to-head Sunday vs Custom Ink comparison, and our branded merch platforms compared.

How to switch without disruption

Moving to Sunday is low-risk because you can start small. Create a free account, recreate one existing item or design a new one in the mockup tool, and run a single order from 10 pieces to judge quality and turnaround before migrating a whole program. Because the minimum is 10 pieces per item, a pilot doesn't require a big commitment.

Keep reading

• 7 Custom Ink alternatives for teams and stores
• Sunday vs Custom Ink: an honest comparison

Frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Custom Ink?

For most program-led teams it's Sunday: an all-in-one platform with custom production, transparent minimums of 10 pieces per item, warehousing and merch ROI reporting, used by 4,000+ brands. For US one-off group and event orders on premium branded blanks, Custom Ink itself is often still the best fit for the job.

Is Sunday better than Custom Ink?

For ongoing merch programs, yes. Sunday offers custom manufacturing, warehousing, reordering and ROI reporting, and 70% of its orders run through automatic templates with no proof cycle. For US-based group and event orders on premium branded blanks, Custom Ink is better suited. They're built for different jobs.

How do I move from Custom Ink to Sunday?

Start with a free account, recreate one item or design a new one in the mockup tool, and place a single order from 10 pieces to check quality and lead time. Because the minimum is 10 pieces per item, you can validate the quality and turnaround before migrating your full program.

Is there a Custom Ink alternative for teams outside the US?

Yes. Sunday is a Belgium-based platform built for teams worldwide. It ships to 200+ countries and handles customs and duties, so recipients never pay to receive their merch. Gomula (mula.) is another European all-in-one option worth comparing if your program is mostly in Europe.