Society6 is worth it if you prioritize unique, artist-driven design and affordability over long-term durability. As a print-on-demand marketplace, it offers an almost endless variety of art and decor items - but this model leads to inconsistent quality that varies from one product to the next.
You're paying for access to independent artists' work on everything from wall art to throw pillows, not for heirloom-quality craftsmanship. For trendy decor or art to fill a temporary space, it’s a great resource. For items you expect to last a decade, look elsewhere.
How Is Society6's Quality?
Society6's quality lands in the mid-range category, defined by its print-on-demand business model. Some items are vibrant and well-made, while others feel cheap and don't hold up. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
- Print Quality: This is Society6's strongest suit. Art prints generally feature high-resolution images with vibrant colors. However, consistency is an issue, and longevity can be a concern, without UV-resistant inks or coatings, some customers report noticeable fading within 1-2 years, especially in direct sunlight.
- Materials: Materials are standard for the price point. Wall art is printed on canvas, fine art paper, or poster paper, often stretched on basic MDF frames. Soft goods like bedding and pillows are typically polyester or cotton blends, which are prone to pilling and wear over time.
- Construction & Durability: This is the brand's biggest weakness. Framed prints last about 2-3 years before showing age. Soft goods like throw pillows and shower curtains may look worn after just 1-2 years of normal use. Since production is outsourced to various third-party vendors, there is no single standard for construction quality.
- Common Complaints: Customer reviews often cite inconsistent quality - one order might be perfect, while the next has printing errors or feels flimsy. Other common issues include items arriving damaged due to inadequate packaging and variability in color accuracy between the online image and the physical product.
Is Society6 Good Value for the Price?
Society6 offers good aesthetic value for a low price, but its long-term value is limited by durability issues. You get unique designs without breaking the bank, as long as you have realistic expectations.
Price Positioning
Society6 is priced competitively within the print-on-demand market, comparable to Redbubble. Wall art prints range from $30 to $150 depending on size and framing. Rugs and other soft furnishings are priced between $50 and $300, and throw pillows cost $40 - $80. These prices are low because the products aren't made with premium, long-lasting materials.
What You're Paying For
You are paying primarily for the artist's design, not the physical product's quality. Society6's value comes from its vast selection of original artwork that allows you to easily customize your space with unique pieces. You're buying trendy, accessible art and decor that supports independent creators.
Where You Get Good Value
- Art Prints & Posters: For the price, unframed art prints and posters are a fantastic way to decorate walls with unique, non-generic art.
- Throw Pillows: At $40-$80, these are an affordable way to add a pop of personality to a sofa, especially for seasonal or decorative use.
- Mugs & Phone Cases: Smaller, low-cost accessories with artist designs offer good value and are among Society6's more consistently produced items.
Where You Don't Get Good Value
- Rugs & Bedding: These high-contact items often use thinner polyester fabrics that don't stand up well to daily foot traffic or frequent washing. You can find more durable options for a similar price at Target or HomeGoods.
- Furniture: The limited selection of furniture, like credenzas, is often made from MDF with a printed finish and does not offer the durability needed for an investment piece over time, which better reflects the price point.
- Framed Artwork: While convenient, the frames are basic quality. You often get better value by buying an unframed print and purchasing a higher-quality frame separately.
Society6 Quality by Category
Quality can differ dramatically depending on what you buy. Here’s what to look for in their most popular categories.
Wall Art & Prints
Featuring an array of prints on canvas, paper, or wood, this category offers the best of what Society6 does - vibrant, high-resolution imagery. Unframed prints provide the best value ($30-$80). Framed options are convenient but use basic MDF or plastic frames. Expect colors to fade in 2-3 years if exposed to consistent sunlight. Verdict: Worth it for trendy or decorative purposes.
Rugs & Bedding
Items like rugs, comforters, and shower curtains are typically printed on 100% polyester. While the designs are stunning, the material feels thin and machine-made. Expect some pilling and wear within 1-2 years of use, especially for high-traffic items like rugs. Verdict: Better for low-traffic, decorative use rather than for primary, everyday function.
Throw Pillows & Blankets
These soft goods are an accessible way to feature an artist's stunning work. Pillows and blankets usually use soft polyester fleece or woven fabrics. Print quality is generally very good. They are perfect for adding a decorative touch but may not feel as plush or durable as offerings from West Elm or Pottery Barn. Verdict: Worth it for a pop of non-generic color.
Decor & Accessories
This category is a mixed bag and includes items like cutting boards, clocks, and mugs. Coffee mugs are generally sturdy and among the most highly-rated products on the site. However, items made of MDF or with printed wood finishes can look cheap and may be prone to chipping or peeling. Verdict: Stick to simple ceramic items and avoid complex products made from engineered wood.
Our Verdict: Is Society6 Worth It?
Society6 is worth it for shoppers on a budget who value artistic variety over BIFL quality. It's an excellent source for affordable posters, decorative pillows, and unique accessories. However, it's not the place to buy investment pieces or home goods that need to withstand heavy daily use.
Quality Grade: B-
Society6 earns a B- for its quality. The platform excels at translating digital art onto physical goods with impressive vibrancy and detail, which is its core promise. However, this is significantly undermined by inconsistent manufacturing standards, a reliance on budget materials like polyester and MDF, and documented durability issues like print fading and fabric pilling within a short 1-3 year timeframe.
Value Grade: B
The value here is a solid B. For a very reasonable price, customers get access to millions of unique designs by independent artists - a proposition almost impossible to find elsewhere. While the products may not last for a long time, the aesthetic value delivered per dollar spent is quite high, particularly for decorative items and art prints where longevity is less critical.
Better Alternatives to Society6
If you're looking for art and decor with more reliable quality and longevity, consider these alternatives that offer better construction and more durable materials.
Minted
Minted provides art prints from a curated community of independent artists but uses higher-quality materials, such as museum-quality papers and archival inks, ensuring prints last much longer. While it comes at a higher price, you're paying for guaranteed longevity and superior quality control.
Shop now at minted.com
Saatchi Art
For those looking to invest in art, Saatchi Art is an online gallery of original works from professional artists around the world. It’s significantly more expensive, but you're buying authentic, one-of-a-kind art, not a mass-produced print.
Shop now at saatchiart.com
Desenio
Desenio offers stylish and affordable posters and prints with a Scandinavian design focus. Their quality control is generally more consistent than Society6, and they use durable, acid-free paper to prevent yellowing over time, making them a more reliable choice for art you want to keep for several years.
Shop now at desenio.com
Art.com
As one of the largest online retailers of art, Art.com offers a massive selection of prints ranging from posters to museum-grade giclée reproductions. It provides better archival-quality options and professional framing services, delivering a more durable and finished product than most print-on-demand sites.
Shop now at art.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Society6 art prints last?
With proper care and kept out of direct sunlight, a Society6 art print will typically look good for 2-3 years. After that, some fading of the colors may become noticeable, especially if hung in a brightly lit room. Using a UV-protective frame can help extend its lifespan.
Is Society6 better than Redbubble?
Society6 and Redbubble are very similar print-on-demand marketplaces. Neither is definitively better, both offer a wide variety of artist-designed products with comparable, often inconsistent, quality. Some shoppers prefer Society6's more curated feel and focus on home decor, while others like Redbubble's vast selection of apparel and stickers.
What is Society6's return policy?
Society6 offers a 30-day return window for items that are damaged, defective, or not what you ordered. Because each item is custom-printed, they typically do not accept returns for buyer's remorse, so it's important to be sure of your design and size choices before purchasing.
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