Hey, what’s up?
Today, I wanted to share my thoughts on why we need a free and open source alternative to Flying Research.
This is actually something that I’ve been thinking for a few weeks or even months now, and I haven’t found what I need yet, so I figured that I would talk about it.
So if you’re into Print-on-Demand and free and open source softwares, then this could be for you.
So let’s go right in!
1- WHAT IS FLYING RESEARCH?
Flying research is a bundle of different tools and softwares that help print-on-demand seller to automate their online business. I personally used it more many years in the past and a few months, I decided to stop paying for it because the price is becoming absurd. As of right now, I think that Flying Research dominates the Print-on-Demand market and that’s not a good thing because now they can abuse their customers.
2- UPLOAD
One of the most important aspect of having a print-on-demand business is uploading your designs to websites and marketplaces. I think automating this upload operation to be pretty important because it is the most time-consuming and repetitive aspect of running a print-on-demand business.
Coming from Flying Research, it would be the equivalent of the “Upload” module because it is quite unique.
From my experience, the most important websites marketplaces are:
- Merch by Amazon
- Redbubble
- Teepublic
- Printful
- Printify
- Displate
- Zazzle
- Spreadshirt.com
- Spreadshirt.co.uk
There are obviously many more, but I think these would be the most interesting.
3- LACK OF COMPETITION
There are other companies that also does upload automation such as
- Merch Informer
- Merch Titans
I haven’t really tried them, but they all follow a subscription based model, which I am trying to avoid. As of right now, I try to prioritize free and open source softwares as much as possible.
But I think these competitors don’t necessarily have the resources in order to compete with Flying Research.
4- PRICE
Because there is a serious lack of competition, Flying Research is able to ask for absolutely insane prices. To be honest, I would love to have and own such a tool, but I refuse to pay for Flying Research any more because of the monthly subscription and lack of ownership.
5- FREE & OPEN SOURCE
I think that we reached a point where Flying Research has the monopoly in the Print-on-Demand market and because of that they are asking insane amount of money. I think free and open source software is the perfect competitor because it is not limited by the proprietary aspect of business That way, it will force the market to lower their prices and stimulate innovation.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I think that we need a free and open source alternative to Flying Upload and Flying Research. I don’t think I will be the one coding it but such a project takes place, I will definitely contribute as much as possible to it because that would be a tool that I’d use very much.
If you know such a project or if you’d be willing to be part of such a project, please let me know so that we can figure out how to make it work.
So that’s pretty much it, I hope this was helpful to you. If this blog was valuable to you, you could consider following me on social media and if you have any thoughts or comments, you can leave them below.
I hope this helps, peace!
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