Dreamship Poster Showdown: Standard vs. Premium – Which is Right for Your Store?

Choosing the right products for your Print-on-Demand (POD) store is a key strategic decision that impacts your brand and profitability. Wall art, especially posters, remains a popular choice for customers due to its versatility, and it offers great potential for sellers like you.  

At Dreamship, we offer two main poster options: the Standard Poster and the Premium Poster. Each has unique advantages designed to meet different business needs and strategies. Let's explore the differences together so you can confidently choose the best fit for your store!

Product Positioning: Cost-Effective Choice vs. Elevated Experience

These two posters are clearly positioned to suit different POD business strategies:

• Standard Poster: This is your solution for "quality decor on a budget". It's ideal for spaces like dorm rooms, bedrooms, studios, home offices, or as an affordable, unique gift. With an extremely competitive base cost , the Standard Poster is perfect for POD sellers prioritizing profit margins and reaching price-conscious customers.  

• Premium Poster: Described using terms like "luxurious," "sophisticated," and designed to "elevate your space" with "personalized elegance". This poster focuses on "sharp photographic reproduction and color fidelity". The Premium Poster suits sellers who prioritize high perceived quality, artists and designers wanting the best representation of their work , and customers willing to pay more for a truly premium product.  

Detailed Feature Comparison

Let's break down the specific features and how they impact your POD business:

1. Paper Material & Finish:

• Standard Poster: Lustre photo paper offers a great balance between glossy and matte, providing good color saturation and vivid, lifelike images with reduced glare and fewer fingerprints – a practical plus for your customers.

• Premium Poster: Printed on luxurious 260 gsm satin SUV poster paper (8 mil thick) with a sophisticated satin finish. Satin is also a semi-gloss finish, often considered slightly shinier than Lustre, enhancing detail and vibrancy while minimizing glare. 

  
  (Image source: Photo Retouching Services)
  

  Lustre vs. Satin for POD: Both are excellent choices. Lustre might be better for designs needing a professional, low-reflection look suitable for various lighting conditions. Satin can make vibrant, colorful designs pop more. Your choice depends on your design style and the aesthetic you want to offer. 

2. Paper Weight (GSM) - A Key Factor in Perceived Quality:

• Standard Poster: Features a 150-160 GSM paper weight. This is a common mid-range weight, feeling more substantial than standard printer paper while keeping the base cost optimal, aligning with its “quality on a budget" positioning.

• Premium Poster: Boasts a heavy 260 gsm paper weight. This very thick paper provides a premium, durable feel, making a strong impression on customers and potentially justifying a higher retail price.  

3. Print Technology & Ink:

• Standard Poster: Uses the digital printing technology. Ensures lasting color quality of 200 years and up to 400 years with black & white designs.  

• Premium Poster: Uses the state-of-the-art printing technology with GREENGUARD GOLD Certified Ink. This certification signifies low chemical emissions, making it safer for indoor environments – a valuable selling point for eco-conscious brands. This poster is also highly scratch-resistant, adding to its durability.  

4. Available Sizes - Meeting Diverse Needs:

• Standard Poster: Offers an extensive range of 21 sizes , including large formats like 24x36, 27x40, and 40x27 inches. This variety helps you cater to diverse customer needs and display spaces.

• Premium Poster: Available in 17 sizes , with the largest being 24x36 and 36x24 inches. While slightly fewer options than Standard, it still includes popular, best-selling sizes like 12x16 and 16x20 inches.  

5. Base Cost - The Profit Margin Driver:

• Standard Poster: Starts at just $2.29 with Dreamship Plus ($2.89 Basic). This incredibly attractive price allows POD sellers to achieve high profit margins or offer competitive retail pricing.  

• Premium Poster: Starts at $5.44 with Dreamship Plus ($6.44 Basic). This price reflects the premium materials and positioning.  

6. Production Time:

• Both Standard and Premium Posters benefit from production starting from just 1 day, thanks to Dreamship's diverse US network and automated routing system. This ensures fast fulfillment to keep your customers happy. (Standard range: 1-3 days , Premium range: 1-4 days. Always check current estimates in your account).  

• Origin: Both are Printed/Made in the USA , ensuring quick shipping times for the domestic market. If you are selling to EU markets, Dreamship also offers a Standard Poster variant specifically fulfilled within the EU to better serve your European customers. Explore the EU Poster here!

7. Packaging & Shipping:

• Both types are shipped safely in protective cardboard tubes (smaller sizes may ship in envelopes). This is the industry standard for poster protection. Specific tube dimensions aren't listed on product pages , but details are available in the Dreamship Catalog for prepaid label users.  

Quick Comparison Table for POD Sellers:

Your best choice depends on your business goals and target audience:

• You may choose the Standard Poster if:

  • Maximizing profit margin is your top priority: The $2.29+ base cost is unbeatable.  

  • You target budget-conscious customers: Think students, first-time decorators, or price-sensitive markets.  

  • You need a wide variety of sizes: Especially large formats for statement pieces.  

  • Your designs suit a Lustre finish: Good color, low glare, great for many spaces.

• Or you may choose the Premium Poster if:

  • Perceived quality is crucial: The heavy 260 gsm paper and satin finish make a clear difference, enhancing your brand image.

  • You target a higher-end market: Customers willing to pay more for superior quality and durability.

  • Your artwork demands sharp reproduction: Ideal for artists and photographers wanting faithful detail and color.

  • Sustainability is a selling point: GREENGUARD GOLD ink appeals to eco-conscious buyers.

  • You want clear quality specs: The 260 gsm weight is a tangible quality marker for customers.

A Key Tip from Dreamship:

• GSM Matters: Having specific GSM figures (150-160 for Standard, 260 for Premium) helps you communicate product quality effectively to your customers.  

• Always Order Samples: This is essential in the POD business. Experiencing the paper, finish, and print quality firsthand ensures the final product meets your expectations and accurately represents your designs.

Dreamship provides two strong poster options designed for different segments of the POD market. The Standard Poster is a powerful choice for its competitive pricing and extensive size range, perfect for sellers focused on margins and broad market appeal while the Premium Poster delivers superior quality with its heavy paper, sophisticated satin finish, and certified eco-friendly inks, ideal for brands building a high-end image and delivering top perceived value.  

Create products with Poster from Dreamship here!

Carefully consider your business strategy, target audience, and design style to make the best choice for your store. Dreamship is here to support your success in the exciting world of Print-on-Demand!