Zazzle Print-on-Demand Gets Organic

Since time immemorial, both amateur and professional doodlers have been looking to make their mark on T-shirts without having to deal with inventory, overhead, and upfront costs. Then came CafePress and there was much rejoicing.

But what if you were also an avid tree-hugger who knew that it takes a third of a pound of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to create just one conventional-cotton tee? CafePress has started testing the waters with its men's organic-cotton T-shirt. Its rival company Zazzle, however, has plunged in with organic styles from American Apparel that will clothe men, women, kids, and babies alike.

The catch? Like CafePress, Zazzle uses conventional inks that are far less eco-friendly than the low-impact, water-based dyes used by sustainable screenprinters such as T.S. Designs. Still, if you're looking for a cheap and easy way of throwing some of your merch online, without compromising too many of your earth-loving principles, Zazzle provides options that aren't half bad.