We are excited to announce that Spreadshop and Spreadconnect are going to be working together under one roof! This will allow us to offer you even better tools and opportunities to grow your business. Spreadconnect is already part of the Spread Group family, and now we're moving even closer together to combine their strengths. In this blog post, we'll introduce you to both brands and show you how you can benefit from the many advantages and find the perfect solution for your business.

What is Spreadshop?

Spreadshop is a versatile e-commerce platform that allows individuals and businesses to create, manage, and sell custom merchandise online. It offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of customisable products, from apparel to accessories, enabling users to design unique items for their brand or personal projects. We handle all aspects of production, fulfilment, and shipping, making it an ideal solution for artists, creators, and companies looking to expand their merchandise offerings without the overhead of managing inventory and logistics.

Key benefits of Spreadshop: 

• No upfront costs: Spreadshop eliminates the need for upfront investments in inventory and equipment. Users can design and sell products without any initial financial burden.
• Hassle-free logistics: Spreadshop handles all the logistics, including production, shipping, and customer service. This allows creators to focus on design and marketing without worrying about the operational complexities of e-commerce.
• Customisation and variety: Users have access to a wide range of products that can be customised with their designs. This variety enables them to cater to different tastes and expand their product offerings easily.
• Brand building: Spreadshop provides tools that help users create a professional online store that aligns with their branding. This includes customisable storefronts and the option to use a domain name, enhancing brand identity and customer trust.
• Revenue opportunities: With no minimum order requirements and the ability to set their own profit margins, users can optimise their earnings based on their pricing strategy and sales volume.

Integration possibilities with Spreadshop

• Instagram & Facebook: With Meta Business Suite you can sell your products directly through Instagram and Facebook for enhanced customer reach. Adding a Meta pixel to your Spreadshop enhances your ability to track user interactions on your website.
• YouTube Merch Shelf: The YouTube integration with Spreadshop allows you to seamlessly sell merchandise directly under your YouTube videos. Key features include customising products to match your channel's style, selling globally in multiple languages and currencies, and full control over product selection and pricing.
• Google Analytics: Integrating Google Analytics 4 with Spreadshop allows for detailed tracking and analysis of your shop's performance. This setup provides insights into customer behaviours, traffic sources, and product interactions, which are essential for optimizing marketing strategies and enhancing user experience.

What is Spreadconnect?

Spreadconnect is a service that enables you to create and sell custom products online. It offers a rapid turnaround time for printing—most orders are printed within 48 hours (Please note: Some products may require longer production times. Expected timelines are indicated accordingly.). Spreadconnect focuses on high-quality printing and a wide product range, including apparel, accessories, and home goods. This service is integrated with many popular e-commerce platforms, allowing seamless product creation and sales directly from your own online shop.

Key benefits of Spreadconnect:

• Easy integration: Spreadconnect seamlessly integrates with major e-commerce platforms, facilitating easy management of product listings and sales.
• Rapid production: Most orders are printed and produced within 48 hours, significantly reducing wait times for customers.
• High-quality printing: Spreadconnect uses advanced printing technology to ensure high-quality product finishes.
• Extensive product range: Customers can choose from a wide variety of products to customize, including clothing, accessories, and home goods.
• No minimum order: There is no minimum order quantity, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes.

Integration possibilities with Spreadconnect

• API: With Spreadconnect’s customisable API you can offer a personalized shopping experience and have everything you need to create and manage products. Seamlessly connect your shop with Spreadconnect’s system.
• E-commerce platforms and others: Spreadconnect also seamlessly integrates with the following platforms, allowing you to create and sell customised merch through your existing or new online shops:
  • Shopify
  • WooCommerce
  • Squarespace
  • Shopware
  • Magento
  • Order Desk
  • TikTok Shop US

An overview

Q: What do I need to know about the SPOD rebranding?

SPOD is rebranding to Spreadconnect. This new name reflects our closer alignment with the Spread Group family and emphasises our mission to connect creators with platforms to sell their merchandise.

Q: Will there be any changes to the software, functionality, or processes?
A: No, our software, functionality, and processes will remain unchanged. Our focus on quality and consistency stays the same, with opportunities to improve our services further.

Q: What is the new legal entity behind Spreadconnect?
A: The legal entity remains Spreadshirt Print On Demand GmbH. There are no changes in this regard.

Q: Do merchants need to make any changes to their integration or technical setup?
A: No changes are required from the merchants on the integration or technical side. Everything will continue to work as it currently does.

Q: Will the email sender address change?
A: Yes, the email sender address will change to spreadconnect.app. Please ensure you can receive emails from this new address.

Q: Can we still send emails to the old SPOD addresses?
A: Yes, sending emails to our existing spod.com addresses will still work.

Q: Will the login process change?
A: You will still be able to log in at login.spod.com. However, this will soon be redirected to login.spreadconnect.app.

Q: Do I need to update my bookmarks or saved login links?
A: While your current bookmarks and links will still work initially, we recommend updating them to login.spreadconnect.app once the redirect is in place to ensure a smooth transition.

Q: How will this rebranding impact merchants?
A: The rebranding should have minimal impact on merchants. There are no changes required on your end, and all services, processes, and functionalities remain the same.

Q: What should merchants keep in mind during this transition?
A: Merchants should be aware of the new email sender address and ensure they can receive emails from spreadconnect.app. Additionally, while the login process will redirect automatically, updating bookmarks to the new login URL is recommended.

For further assistance or any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help ensure a smooth transition to Spreadconnect.

This guide will help you set up your account and get your store running smoothly. The first step is to create your Spreadconnect account and configure your Account Settings (address management, language, and tax information) to ensure everything is ready for launch.

Once your account is set up, follow the 5-Step Welcome Tour in the dashboard to familiarize yourself with Spreadconnect App!

Which Integration Should I Choose?

Find more information about each integration on our website. Spreadconnect supports multiple platforms to suit different business needs. Here's a quick overview to help you decide:

Once you've chosen your integration, follow our How to Get Started guide for each integration:

• How do I get started with Shopify
• How do I get started with TikTok Shop
• How can I get started with Etsy on Spreadconnect?
• How do I get started with WooCommerce?
• How do I get started with Squarespace?
• How do I get started with Shopware
• How do I get started with Magento?

Print-on-demand (POD) dropshipping is a business model where merchants sell customized products without holding inventory. Products are created and shipped only after an order is placed, allowing merchants to focus on marketing and sales while suppliers handle production and shipping.

Spreadconnect’s role for POD dropshipping

Spreadconnect streamlines this process by handling key tasks:

• Order Automation: Automatically forwards orders from your store to Spreadconnect App through the Integration you set up. 

• Payment Management: Manages secure payment authorization.

• Production Coordination: Ensures timely, high-quality product manufacturing.

• Shipping Support: Handles shipping logistics and provides tracking updates, which can be shared directly with customers depending on your settings with the integration.

• Insights Dashboard: Offers real-time order tracking and sales performance data via the Dashboard Overview.

When registering with Spreadconnect, you must choose one production location: the United States (NA) or Europe (EU). This determines where your products are produced and shipped from.

How to Choose

The reason for this requirement lies in differences in production techniques and product assortments.

• Customer Location: Select the region where most of your customers are based for faster shipping.

• Product Availability: Some items are exclusive to specific regions. Check availability before deciding.

Selling in Both Regions

To sell in both North America and Europe, create two separate accounts:

• One account for North America: Products will be produced and shipped from our production facility in Las Vegas, United States.

• One account for Europe: Products will be produced and shipped from one of our production facilities in Leipzig, Germany; Legnica, Poland; or Krupka, Czech Republic in the EU.

Quite simply, there is no recurring cost when using Spreadconnect. When an order is placed, only the order value and shipping costs of the items are charged by Spreadconnect. The shipping costs depend on the order value, shipping type, and country.

For more information on how costs are calculated, consult the article How are the product costs calculated? and our Shipping Calculator.

However, it is very likely that the shop system or marketplace you are integrating Spreadconnect with will have fees. These costs will have to be verified with them.

Spreadconnect calculates your order price based on the following formula:

Order Price = Base Product Price + Print Cost + Shipping Cost + Tax

It’s important to note that your payment to Spreadconnect is independent of the price you charge your customers. For example:

• If you sell a T-shirt for $40, we will use the base product price shown on your Product Detail Page, regardless of your retail price.

• Similarly, if you price your product lower than Spreadconnect's order price, you will still be charged based on the components of the formula above.

Key Components of Your Order Price

1. Base Product Price

Each product has a unique base price. Find detailed base prices here:

• EU - Base Price Products
• NA - Base Price Products

2. Print Cost

The print cost is influenced by:

• Number of Print Areas:
  A print area is any location on the product where a design is added (e.g., front, back).

  • The first print area is free.

  • Additional print areas cost $5 / 5€ per area.

• Print Method Used:

  • DTG (Digital Direct): No additional cost.

  • DTF (Direct-to-Film): No additional cost.

  • Flex, Special Flex, or Flock: A one-time fee of $2.50 / 2.50€ per order. This fee applies even if multiple print areas use Flex printing.

3. Shipping Cost

Shipping costs depend on the location the order will be shipped to and the product.
Learn more about shipping prices here: What are Spreadconnect's shipping times & prices?

4. Taxes

Taxes are calculated based on your location and whether you’ve applied for a tax exemption.
More information on taxes:

• How is Sales Tax calculated? (U.S.)

• How is VAT calculated? (E.U.)

If you encounter a technical issue while using Spreadconnect, follow these steps to ensure our team can assist you promptly:

How to Contact Us

• In-App Contact: Use the Contact Us feature within the Spreadconnect app for the fastest response.

• Email or Website Contact: You can also email us or use the contact form directly on our Help Center.

Gather General Information

1. Spreadconnect Business ID

   • You can find this in your Account Settings.

2. Registered Email Address

   • If you’re contacting us from a different email, include the one associated with your Spreadconnect account.

   • Note: If you use the Contact Us option within the Spreadconnect app, this information is automatically included.

3. Store URL

   • Provide your store URL so we can verify how the issue appears on your live site.

4. Browser Details

   • Specify the browser you’re using to access your store (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari).

5. Visual Evidence

   • Include screenshots or a screen recording clearly showing the problem.

   • You can use free tools like Loom, CamStudio, or Free Screen Video Recorder to create recordings easily.

Special Case - Product Publishing Issues

If your issue involves publishing products, include these additional details:

1. Provide Error Code
   • If syncing your product to your store fails, an error notification with a code will appear. Please include this code in your inquiry to customer service, as it will help us identify the issue quickly.
     
     
2. Affected Products

   • Indicate whether the issue is affecting specific products or all products.

3. Design Files

• • Share the original design files you’re trying to publish.

  • Ensure the files meet our print file requirements , as issues often arise from unsupported formats, such as designs with transparencies.

Get started by clicking All Your Products. Here you will see all your live items or will be able to access the correct location to begin creating.

On the upper right corner of the 'All Your Products' page you have the option to Add Product. If you did not select an integration before, the system will ask which integration (meaning on which point of sales) the product should be added to.

If you do not want to publish a product to a specific integration select 'Do not assign to an integrtaion'.

Design the product as you like. Either use your own designs or pick one of Spreadconnect's free-to-use options. Once you're happy with the appearance, select Next on the right bottom.

In the next step, the Spreadconnect App asks for Product Details and Pricing.

After these steps, Spreadconnect will store the item in your product list and will publish it to the integration you selected (Shopify or WooCommerce, for example). This also works the same way for the Spreadconnect API. 

It is important to check product creation and integration specifics before creating items.

Spreadconnect’s design tool simplifies the process of creating custom apparel and accessories to sell in your store. You can upload your own designs, add text, or choose from our library of over 50,000 free designs. The tool is fast, user-friendly, and perfect for making unique products for your business.

Key Features

Upload Design

Add a photo or high-quality graphic to any customizable product.

• Click Upload in the design tool to add your image.

• Ensure your image fits the product’s print area and meets resolution requirements.

• Learn more about design requirements here.

Add Text

Include custom text to enhance your product’s design.

• Click Text to add a text box.

• Adjust font, size, color, and other formatting options.

Choose a Design

Access our library of 50,000+ free designs to complement your creations.

• Click Designs on the left side of the screen.

• Use the search box to browse themes or explore designs.

Create a Product

Easily add your finished product to your store.

• In the Spreadconnect App, click Next.

• Add a product name, description, tags, and pricing.

• Choose if the product listing will include details like size charts.

For more information about the print area itself, please have a look to our article about: What should I need to know about print areas?

All Your Products - Overview

The All Your Products page in the Spreadconnect App is accessible from the left-hand menu. The list includes details such as name, brand, colors, sizes, and active integrations, making it your central hub for product management. Clicking on the three dots in the action column provides access to key activities.

Edit Product Design

• Clicking on Edit Product Design opens the design tool for the selected product.

• Make your changes and sync the updated product to your store.

• Note: The original product is replaced after syncing.

Duplicate and Edit Products

• After syncing the product to your chosen point of sale, you can close the product creation process. The product, with its chosen design, will remain in the design tool and ready for further editing. From there, you can select your next preferred product to customize.

• Go to the All Your Products list, click on the three dots in the action column, and select Duplicate and Edit. Modify the duplicate while keeping the original unchanged

• Limitation: Spreadconnect does not currently support bulk editing or creating multiple products with the same design in one step.

Click on the order section of your Spreadconnect account or Spreadconnect app. Here you will find lists of all orders within your account and gain access to the order details. The list can be filtered by integration from the left-hand side in navigation, by state or date. 

It can be very helpful to understand the different order states. They are all explained right here: Information on production statuses

If you did not select any options to review manually your orders in your settings, the payment method is working and orders come in without errors, the process runs automatically. 

Currently, merchants using our EU platform can choose to use the Spreadconnect App in English, German, or French. For merchants using the NA platform, the Spreadconnect App is available in English and French. 

Step-by-step guide to change language settings:

1. Open the Spreadconnect App. In the bottom-left corner, click on Account & Menu. This button will display your merchant name.

2. Select Account Settings.

3. Scroll down to the Language section. Under App Language, select your preferred language from the available options.

Return to your dashboard to get started.