Multiple product variants with the same design but different products in Shopify with Printify

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

A merchant using Printify for print-on-demand wants to consolidate multiple product types (t-shirts, hoodies, mugs) with the same design into a single Shopify listing, rather than maintaining separate listings for each product. They also want customers to choose placement options (front vs. back).

Current Challenge:

  • The same design currently requires 5+ separate listings
  • Variant apps may not support SKU numbers or integrate properly with Printify’s automated ordering

Proposed Solutions:

Standard Approach: Create separate products in Printify and sync each to Shopify as individual listings (maintains proper POD integration)

Consolidation Options:

  • Use third-party apps like “Variant Option Product Options” or “Infinite Options” to combine products on the frontend
  • Try Easify Product Options app, which offers a “Cross-product Link” feature that connects related products while keeping them as separate listings (preserves Printify’s order processing)
  • Use theme customizations or sync apps to present multiple listings as one while managing separate SKUs on the backend

Key Consideration: Merging products into true single listings may break Printify’s automated order fulfillment, so solutions that maintain separate backend products are recommended.

Summarized with AI on October 27. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
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Hi there,

I have a problem: I offer T-Shirts, Sweater, Mugs etc. I put my designs on it and order/ ship via Printify and have variants like color and size. So far so good. That works as designed and perfectly automated, BUT:

I want ONE listing with ONE design and the customer can decide if:

  • He/she wants the design on a option1: shirt option2: sweater option3:hoodie

  • He/ she wants the design on option1: the front of the blank or option2: on the back

So I don’t have a listing for the design on a shirt, a listing for the same design on a hoodie etc. I currently have ONE design on FIVE different listings… that is annoying!

Now: I saw some apps in the store who can fix the variant problem, but in the most of the apps I cannot enter the SKU number AND I am not sure if the system automatically connects with printify and makes the order right.

I feel very sad that this is not a feature in shopify that is automatically included because I think this is something customers want nowadays. Maybe there is a solution! I am curious if someone found the nugget :slightly_smiling_face:

2

To offer multiple product variants with the same design but on different products (like T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, etc.) in Shopify using Printify, follow these steps:

  1. Create Your Design in Printify: Start by uploading your design in Printify. Once uploaded, apply it to the product(s) you want to sell. Printify allows you to choose from various products like T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases, etc.

  2. Duplicate the Design on Different Products: Once you have your design ready, you can apply it to multiple different product types. For example, create one version for a T-shirt, another for a hoodie, and another for a mug.

  3. Sync to Shopify: After setting up the products in Printify, you’ll want to publish each product to your Shopify store. Printify will automatically sync these different products (T-shirts, hoodies, etc.) as separate listings in Shopify.

  4. Organize Product Variants in Shopify: If you’d prefer to group these different products (like T-shirts and mugs) under a single listing with different variants, Shopify natively doesn’t allow you to merge multiple products from Printify into one listing. However, you can use third-party apps like Variant Option Product Options by Best or Infinite Options to combine them, creating one product page where customers can choose between T-shirts, hoodies, or mugs with the same design.

  5. Manage Inventory and Pricing: Shopify will treat each variant as an individual product, so make sure to set the correct inventory and pricing for each product.

By using these steps, you can offer a variety of products with the same design while ensuring a seamless shopping experience for your customers.

1 Like
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Hi @surfersartshop :waving_hand: either replace the service with one that has features that meet expectations if it exists at all , or build custom solutions.

In some cases use a sync app or other automations to sell one listing on the front but affect the inventory sku of other listings on the backend.

Otherwise use advanced theme customizations to present a multiple listings as a single listing, or like a quiz to redirect them to the individual listings; dependant on/if/how the third party dropshipping service integrates with the theme if at all.

I feel very sad that this is not a feature in shopify that is automatically included because ..

That’s a cliche trap and excuse for new merchants,

If you rented physical retail space would you expect your landlord to fulfill every single little internal business process need.

Shopify is a platform for MILLIONS with general purpose ecommerce solutions.

Shopify cannot do everything for everyone, no platform can.

So same goes for third parties like dropshipping apps/services.

For specific needs successful merchants do the work and investment in building for their specific use case.

Merchants that need advanced customizations can contact me for services.
Contact info in forum signature.
ALWAYS please provide context, examples: store url, theme name, post url(s) , or any further detail in ALL correspondence.

4

Hi @surfersartshop ,

It looks like your store is experiencing a common challenge faced by many POD stores - having different products with the same design listed separately, without a way to link them.

You might find the Easify Product Options app helpful, as it offers a Cross-product Link feature. This allows you to connect products that share the same design while keeping them as separate listings. This way, your POD app can still recognize each product individually for order handling (as combining them into a new product in Shopify can disrupt the POD app’s order processing).

Here’s a quick demo for your reference:

hoo.png
hoo.png2378×1262 165 KB

EasifyMark_0-1730963404335.png
EasifyMark_0-1730963404335.png2378×1262 137 KB

If you’d like to try out the app, feel free to reach out to the Easify team for a detailed setup guide.

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That’s a cliche trap and excuse for new merchants,

If you rented physical retail space would you expect your landlord to fulfill every single little internal business process need.

I definitively wouldnt expect the landlord or lease agent to charge more for carrying more than one type of product.

1 Like