How to Integrate ChatGPT With Visual Studio Code

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Original Source: https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/chatgpt-vscode-integration-guide/

In the past, if you ran into a coding issue in Visual Studio Code (VS Code) and wanted help from ChatGPT, you’d usually have to copy your code, paste it into ChatGPT, type your question, then copy the answer and paste it back into VS Code.

This back-and-forth could be a bit slow and interrupt your flow.

ChatGPT VS Code integration interface

But now, with the latest version, ChatGPT can work directly with apps on your desktop, including VS Code. This means ChatGPT can “see” the files you have open when you ask for help, so it understands the context without you needing to copy and paste everything.

Let’s see how this works.

See Also: How to Use ChatGPT with macOS Apps

Enabling Integration

First, you need to install the official ChatGPT extension for VS Code.

Next, you will need to make sure that it’s setting in Settings > Works with Apps > Enable Work with Apps is on.

ChatGPT VS Code settings panel

Example: Using ChatGPT With VS Code

First, make sure that ChatGPT is opened and running. Then, type Option + Space. This shortcut will open the ChatGPT “Companion Chat” window on top of VS Code.

Now, we’ll see how to use ChatGPT with VS Code.

Batch Editing

One powerful way to use the ChatGPT integration with VS Code is to make changes to multiple functions, classes, variables, arguments, or just strings all at once. In the example below, we ask ChatGPT to rename the plugin hooks.

ChatGPT batch code editing example

The best part? You don’t need to copy and paste any code. ChatGPT can scan the code directly and suggest edits. It even shows a diff and gives you a button to apply the changes with a single click.

Generating Boilerplate

Besides making changes to existing code, ChatGPT is also smart enough to generate boilerplate code to help you get started quickly.

In this example, I created a new file and asked it to generate the code to add a submenu in the WordPress dashboard.

ChatGPT WordPress submenu code generation

What’s great is that it understands the structure of your codebase and follows the same coding style as the other files.

Generating Tests

Another handy use case is generating tests. In this example, I asked ChatGPT to create tests for all the methods in a class. The prompt I used was: Create tests for all the public methods in this class.

ChatGPT test case generation example

What I like is that the generated tests cover both the “happy” and “unhappy” paths, which makes them quite thorough.

However, ChatGPT doesn’t yet support creating these tests in a separate file. That means you can’t just click the “Apply” button. You’ll need to copy the generated code and paste it into a new file yourself.

Writing Inline Docs

Another common utility is to generate inline documentation. In this example, I asked it to add inline documentation for the class and the method with the following prompt: Generate inline docs for the methods within the class. Describe what each method is used for in as detailed as possible.

ChatGPT inline documentation generation

Improve Code Readability

If you’re not sure whether your code is easy to read, you can ask ChatGPT to help make it clearer. In this example, I asked it to improve the readability of a piece of code. You can simply use a prompt like: Make the code more readable.

ChatGPT code readability improvements

Tip: Select the part of the code you want to improve before pressing Option + Space. This way, ChatGPT will focus only on the selected code instead of trying to update the whole file.

Find Potential Vulnerability

If you’re concerned about the security of your code, you can ask ChatGPT to review it for potential vulnerabilities. While it’s not a replacement for a full security audit, this can be a great first step to spot common issues like hardcoded secrets, unsafe function usage, or missing input validation or sanitization.

Just select the code you want to analyze and use a prompt like: Check this code for security issues..

ChatGPT code security analysis

I find the suggestions are good and valid. Because it does not understand the full picture of the code, it does not offer to apply the code updates immediately as you need to consider if this is something that you really need to apply.

Wrapping Up

ChatGPT and VS Code make a great pair. While it might not be as tightly integrated or as powerful as GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT is still a helpful assistant. It’s a solid alternative, especially if you prefer an AI that’s less intrusive and only steps in when you ask for it.

The post How to Integrate ChatGPT With Visual Studio Code appeared first on Hongkiat.

How to Make Files Immutable in Linux Using chattr Command

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Original Source: https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/linux-chattr-command/

Have you ever accidentally deleted an important configuration file or overwritten changes you needed? Linux offers a powerful but lesser-known feature that can help prevent these situations: file immutability.

Making a file immutable means it cannot be modified, deleted, renamed, or linked to-even by users with root privileges. This provides an extra layer of protection for critical system files or important data.

In this guide, we’ll look at how to use the chattr command to make files immutable in Linux, what happens when you try to modify protected files, and how to remove this protection when needed.

Making Files Immutable in Linux

The chattr (change attribute) command is what we’ll use to make files immutable. Unlike regular file permissions that only restrict access based on user privileges, file attributes can prevent specific operations regardless of who attempts them.

The Command Syntax

To make a file immutable, you use the chattr command with the +i flag:

sudo chattr +i filename.txt

You’ll need root privileges (using sudo) to change file attributes, especially for system files. If you’re not familiar with sudo, check out our guide on how to use the sudo command in Linux.

What Happens When a File is Immutable?

Once a file is marked as immutable, several operations will fail with an “operation not permitted” error:

You can’t modify the file’s contents
You can’t rename the file
You can’t delete the file
You can’t create a hard link to the file
You can’t change permissions or ownership

Let’s look at some examples of what happens when you try to modify an immutable file:

$ sudo chattr +i important.conf
$ rm important.conf
rm: cannot remove ‘important.conf’: Operation not permitted

$ mv important.conf renamed.conf
mv: cannot move ‘important.conf’ to ‘renamed.conf’: Operation not permitted

$ echo “new content” > important.conf
bash: important.conf: Operation not permitted

Notice that even with proper file permissions, these operations fail. That’s the power of the immutable attribute – it overrides normal permission checks.

Remember that while a file is immutable, even root users cannot modify it until the immutable attribute is removed.

Checking if a File is Immutable

Before attempting to modify a file, you might want to check if it has the immutable attribute set. You can use the lsattr (list attributes) command:

$ lsattr filename.txt
—-i——–e—- filename.txt

The presence of the ‘i’ flag indicates the file is immutable.

When to Remove Immutability

You should remove immutability when:

You need to update configuration files
You’re performing system maintenance
You’re upgrading software that will modify protected files
You no longer need the protection for specific files

A good practice is to remove immutability, make your changes, and then set the file as immutable again once you’re done.

Removing Immutability from Files

When you need to update or manage an immutable file, you’ll first need to remove the immutable attribute. This is done with the chattr command again, but using the -i flag:

sudo chattr -i filename.txt

After removing the immutable attribute, you can perform all normal file operations:

$ sudo chattr -i important.conf
$ echo “Updated content” > important.conf # Now works
$ mv important.conf renamed.conf # Now works
$ rm renamed.conf # Now works

Practical Use Cases for File Immutability

Making files immutable isn’t just a cool trick-it has several practical applications for system administrators and security-conscious users:

1. Protecting Critical Configuration Files

System configuration files like /etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, and /etc/hosts contain essential information. Making them immutable prevents accidental or malicious changes that could compromise your system.

sudo chattr +i /etc/passwd /etc/shadow /etc/hosts

Remember to temporarily remove immutability when legitimate updates are needed, then re-apply it afterward.

2. Preventing Accidental File Deletion

We’ve all had that sinking feeling after accidentally deleting an important file. For files you rarely change but always need, immutability provides peace of mind:

sudo chattr +i ~/Documents/important_records.pdf

3. Hardening Against Malware

Some malware attempts to modify system files or configuration files. By making critical system files immutable, you can prevent malware from successfully compromising your system, even if it somehow gains elevated privileges.

4. Managing Production Environments

In production environments where stability is crucial, you can make deployment configurations immutable to prevent accidental changes that might cause outages:

sudo chattr +i /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
sudo chattr +i /etc/apache2/apache2.conf

5. Securing Boot Files

Making boot files immutable helps protect against boot-sector malware and ensures your system boots reliably:

sudo chattr +i /boot/grub/grub.cfg

6. Creating Write-Once Files

For logs or records that should never be altered after creation (for compliance or security reasons), you can create the file, add content, and then make it immutable:

echo “Initial log entry: $(date)” > audit_log.txt
sudo chattr +i audit_log.txt

Remember that immutability doesn’t replace backups! While it prevents modification or deletion, it won’t protect against hardware failures or other issues that might corrupt your storage.

Conclusion

The chattr command with its immutable flag provides a simple but powerful way to protect critical files on your Linux system. With just two commands-chattr +i to make a file immutable and chattr -i to remove immutability-you can add an extra layer of protection to your most important files.

This feature is especially valuable because:

It works regardless of file permissions or user privileges
It provides protection against both accidents and malicious actions
It’s easy to apply and remove as needed
It requires no additional software installation (it’s built into Linux)

While not a replacement for good backup practices or proper system administration, file immutability is a valuable tool in your Linux security toolkit. It creates a simple “lock” that requires deliberate action to remove, preventing many common file disasters.

Other Useful File Attributes

Beyond immutability, the chattr command offers several other useful attributes:

a (append-only): Files can only be opened for appending data, not editing existing content
s (secure deletion): When a file is deleted, blocks are zeroed and written to disk
A (no atime updates): The file’s access time record isn’t modified when the file is accessed
c (compressed): The file is automatically compressed on disk and decompressed when read

Next time you have an important configuration file that needs protection, or just want to ensure you don’t accidentally delete your tax records, remember the simple power of chattr +i. It might just save your day!

The post How to Make Files Immutable in Linux Using chattr Command appeared first on Hongkiat.

Node.js Streams with TypeScript

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Original Source: https://www.sitepoint.com/node-js-streams-with-typescript/?utm_source=rss

Learn how to leverage Node.js streams with TypeScript for efficient data processing. This guide covers all stream types with practical examples for handling large files and real-time data.

Continue reading
Node.js Streams with TypeScript
on SitePoint.

Get Mother's Day sorted early with these 3 digital photo frame deals

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Original Source: https://www.creativebloq.com/tech/get-mothers-day-sorted-early-with-these-3-digital-photo-frame-deals

A must-have for creative mums looking to display their creations.

Art of Where vs Printful: My Verdict for 2025

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Original Source: https://ecommerce-platforms.com/articles/art-of-where-vs-printful

Printful and Art of Where are two well-established names in the print-on-demand world — but which one is right for your online store?

We’ve spent years building, running, and testing ecommerce brands using both platforms, and in this comparison, we’ll give you a clear breakdown of which service offers better tools, faster shipping, higher profit potential, and a smoother seller experience.

Quick Verdict

Printful – Best for scaling fast, selling globally, and automating your business

Art of Where – Best for artists and boutique brands selling premium, creative products

In this head-to-head review, we’ll compare Printful and Art of Where across critical areas like pricing, fulfillment times, product selection, integrations, ease of use, and customer support — so you can confidently decide which platform fits your store’s needs.

My Experience With These Platforms

I’ve been running ecommerce brands and print-on-demand stores for over a decade.

I’ve launched six-figure Shopify stores, tested dozens of POD providers, and gone through all the usual mistakes — slow shipping, poor print quality, missing packages, you name it.

Over the years, I’ve used Printful for multiple Shopify and Etsy stores — mainly for apparel and accessories.

I tried Art of Where while building a niche artist-led brand that needed high-quality sketchbooks, scarves, and art prints that didn’t feel mass-produced.

This review is not theory — it’s what actually works.

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Art of Where vs Printful: Business Model & Company Overview

Art of Where is a Canadian-based POD company. Their vibe is handmade, artistic, and creative.

They produce everything in-house at their Montreal facility. They’re geared toward artists, illustrators, and people who want to sell art-focused products without losing their brand’s feel.

Printful, on the other hand, is a massive global POD provider.

They’ve got fulfillment centers in the US, Europe, and beyond. Their focus is scale. They want to help ecommerce sellers build serious brands — fast. If you need 100+ SKUs shipped worldwide, that’s their lane.

Key Differences:

Art of Where is fully in-house production, handcrafted feel.

Printful uses a mix of in-house and partner facilities to scale globally.

Printful works better if you need speed and global reach.

Art of Where is more boutique, made for artists.

Printful Pros

Fast, reliable global shipping

Massive product catalog

Seamless integrations (Shopify, Etsy, Woo, Amazon, etc.)

Great mockup generator + branding options

Superb quality control

Printful Cons

Higher base prices on some products

Branding extras can get pricey

Printful branding on tracking emails unless removed manually

Art of Where Pros

All products made in-house (Montreal)

High-quality materials (especially notebooks, silk scarves, leggings)

Great for artists who care about print fidelity

White-label shipping

Unique product range

Art of Where Cons

Limited integrations (no direct Amazon, only basic Shopify/Etsy)

Slower shipping outside North America

UI is dated

Smaller catalog overall

Features Breakdown: What Do They Offer?

At first glance, both Art of Where and Printful offer the same core promise: upload a design, sell a product, and let them handle the rest.

But the moment you step inside the dashboard and start managing products, it’s clear they’re built for different kinds of sellers.

Here’s how they actually compare — from automation and product tools to branding and dashboard usability.

Printful Features – Fast, Polished, and Built for Scale

If you’re used to Shopify or Amazon Seller Central, Printful will feel familiar. It’s designed for ecommerce pros and sellers who want to scale fast.

You’ll get:

Clean, intuitive dashboard
All your products, orders, tracking, and design files are easy to find. There’s barely any learning curve.

Automated order handling
Once an order comes in, Printful syncs it, fulfills it, and sends tracking info — no manual work required.

1-click product syncing
Push new products to your Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce store in seconds. All variants and mockups go with it.

Live shipping rates
Show real-time shipping costs at checkout with connected platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce.

Mockup generator
You get high-quality, clean product photos — including lifestyle shots — straight out of the box.

Custom branding tools
You can add:

Inside labels ($2.49 per item)

Branded packing slips (free)

Custom packaging (requires storage + volume)

Design tools
Quickly upload artwork or use their built-in editor to add text, shapes, or effects. Ideal for simple designs.

Embroidery + specialty options
Beyond DTG, Printful supports:

Embroidery

Sublimation (all-over prints)

Cut & sew (leggings, swimsuits)

Reusable templates
Apply the same design to multiple SKUs using templates. Saves hours when building collections.

Verdict:

Printful is made for sellers who want to move fast, launch new products in bulk, and automate 90% of their backend. Great for general stores, niche brands, or multichannel setups.

Art of Where Features – Custom-Focused, Artist-Driven

Art of Where takes a slower, more handcrafted approach. The platform is less automated but gives you more control over your creative output.

Here’s what stands out:

Manual product creation
Every item is built one at a time — you upload your design, adjust placement, select variants, and preview manually.

Unique mockup system
You can preview your design on scarves, sketchbooks, and wall hangings — but the mockups are less polished.

Built-in artist branding
Many products let you add:

Artist credits

Custom tags

Interior labels

These are often included at no extra cost, unlike Printful.

High design control
You can control print placement, fabric type, thread colour, and layout — especially useful for:

Scarves

Notebooks

Apparel with all-over prints

No extra fees for white-label
All packages ship with no Art of Where branding — out of the box.

Decent help guides
They provide basic tutorials for setting up your first products, though they don’t go as deep as Printful’s courses or Academy.

Limited automation
You’ll be doing more manual syncing, especially on Etsy. No bulk push tools or advanced product templates.

Verdict:

Art of Where is ideal for artists and creative brands. It’s less about speed and more about craftsmanship. If you only sell a handful of high-quality products, the lack of automation won’t bother you.

Feature Comparison Table

FeaturePrintfulArt of WhereProduct Syncing✅ Automated, fast❌ ManualMockup Generator✅ High quality + lifestyle✅ BasicBranding Options✅ Add-ons available✅ Included for freeOrder Automation✅ Full auto-fulfillment❌ Semi-manualProduct Creation Speed✅ Templates + cloning❌ Built one by oneLive Shipping Rates✅ Yes (via integrations)❌ Flat estimates onlyDesign Control✅ Good, but basic✅ Deep fabric-level controlPrint Options✅ DTG, embroidery, sublimation✅ Sublimation, hand-cut itemsMobile App✅ iOS + Android available❌ No mobile access

Summary

Printful is the better pick if you value speed, automation, and ecommerce integration.

Art of Where is the right choice if you care more about artistic detail, product uniqueness, and creative freedom — even if it takes more time to set up.

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Product Catalog Comparison: Quantity vs Niche Quality

If you’ve been in ecommerce for a while, you know this: your product catalog can either unlock serious revenue or turn into a logistics mess.

The Print-on-Demand platform you choose shapes what you can offer — and how much time you’ll spend managing it.

Here’s the honest breakdown of what you get with Printful vs Art of Where, based on catalog size, product categories, material quality, and design flexibility.

Printful – Volume, Variety, and Versatility

Printful is like the Costco of POD. Their catalog is deep — over 300+ products — and covers almost every major category.

You’ll find:

Apparel (men’s, women’s, kids)

T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, joggers, leggings, swimwear, jackets, sports bras

Headwear

Caps, beanies, bucket hats, snapbacks, visors

Accessories

Tote bags, drawstring bags, phone cases, laptop sleeves, socks

Wall Art

Canvas prints, posters, framed prints, metal prints

Home Decor

Pillows, blankets, bean bags, candles, wall clocks

Pet Products

Dog bowls, pet hoodies

Stationery & Office

Stickers, mouse pads, notebooks

Jewelry

Necklaces, bracelets, earrings

Drinkware

Mugs, tumblers, water bottles

What’s great here is the sheer breadth of SKUs. This gives you flexibility to:

Run general stores

Launch seasonal products

Test new niches fast

Sell worldwide

Every category is covered, and Printful is constantly adding new products based on demand.

Print Quality:

Solid across the board. DTG printing is clean. Embroidery is tight. And all-over sublimation looks premium on things like leggings and swimwear.

Art of Where – Niche, Boutique, Artist-First

Art of Where isn’t trying to offer everything. They’re not going to flood you with options.

Instead, they offer premium niche products you won’t find on Printful — designed for artists, illustrators, and small-batch brands who care about how a product feels just as much as how it looks.

You’ll find:

Art Prints

Gallery boards, stretched canvas, fine art prints

Stationery

Sketchbooks, notebooks, journals with thick covers and artist-grade paper

Apparel

Leggings, kimonos, tank tops, beanies, dresses (all made in-house)

Accessories

Pencil cases, zip pouches, makeup bags

Scarves & Textiles

Silk scarves, square scarves, cotton bandanas, wraps

Wall Decor

Wall tapestries, art banners, fabric wall hangings

They’re known for their vivid colors, tight fabric print detail, and full in-house production. Their leggings and silk scarves especially feel luxurious compared to generic mass POD alternatives.

This catalog is made for:

Artists selling high-end reproductions

Illustrators turning their work into functional art

Etsy-style stores with a handmade look

Creative brands who sell emotion, not mass-produced goods

Print Quality: Top-tier for what they offer. Colors pop. Fabrics feel premium. Stitching and finishing are solid. Products don’t feel “cheap.”

Side-by-Side Catalog Comparison

CategoryPrintfulArt of WhereT-Shirts & Apparel✅ Full range of styles and brands✅ Small selection, mostly in-houseLeggings✅ Sublimation + embroidery✅ High-end cut-and-sew in-houseStationery❌ Minimal (just stickers/notebooks)✅ Sketchbooks, journals, art-qualityArt Prints✅ Canvas, posters, framed✅ Gallery boards, fine art texturesAccessories✅ Wide range of bags + phone gear✅ Pencil cases, pouchesScarves & Textiles❌ Not offered✅ Silk scarves, wraps, bandanasWall Decor✅ Posters, metal, wood✅ Fabric tapestries, canvas hangingsPet Products✅ Yes (dog gear, bowls, shirts)❌ NoneJewelry✅ Growing category❌ Not offeredDrinkware✅ Mugs, tumblers, water bottles❌ None

Key Differences in Catalog Strategy

Printful:

Designed to let you scale and test quickly

Great for dropshippers, general stores, or brands wanting broad appeal

Fast-moving inventory and category expansion

Art of Where:

Designed for artists who want premium, boutique offerings

Smaller but deeper categories

Focused on visual quality, materials, and craftsmanship

Verdict

If your ecommerce strategy is based on:

Volume

Speed

Catalog diversity

Wide customer targeting

Then Printful is the obvious choice.

But if you’re building:

A premium brand

An artist-first store

Niche products that can’t be found elsewhere

Then Art of Where gives you a catalog that feels custom-built for you.

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Pricing & Profitability: Which Makes You More Money?

Let’s be real — profit is the name of the game.

It doesn’t matter how “cool” the platform is if you can’t make a decent margin.

And here’s the catch: both Printful and Art of Where can be profitable — but only if you price smart, manage shipping properly, and understand where your hidden costs are coming from.

This section is about breaking down real numbers — so you can see what you’re actually working with.

Base Product Costs: Printful vs Art of Where

Here’s a look at some popular POD products with real USD pricing:

ProductPrintful (Base Price)Art of Where (Base Price)Classic Unisex Tee$9.25 – $11.50$12.00 – $13.00All-Over Leggings$22.50$27.00Canvas Print 16×20$25.00$30.00Mug 11oz$7.00N/ANotebook/SketchbookN/A$9.00 – $12.00Silk Scarf (35″×35″)N/A$38.00Tote Bag$15.95$20.00

Key takeaway:

Printful is cheaper on core products like t-shirts, hoodies, and mugs.

Art of Where is more expensive, but the quality and uniqueness justify premium pricing — if your brand can support it.

Shipping Costs

Printful
Shipping is priced per product and region. Here’s a basic example:

ProductUS ShippingInternational ShippingT-Shirt$3.99$6.49Hoodie$6.50$9.99Poster$4.99$8.99

Art of Where
Shipping is more complex — and slower. Rates are also higher:

ProductUS ShippingInternational ShippingSketchbook$7.00$12.00Scarf$9.50$14.00Leggings$8.50$15.00

And keep in mind — Printful’s warehouses are global, which means faster and often cheaper delivery to customers in Europe, Asia, and Australia. Art of Where ships everything from Canada.

Branding Costs

Printful (Optional Add-ons):

Inside neck label: $2.49 per item

Branded packing slip: Free

Custom packaging: Requires storage and monthly fee

Embroidery digitization (one-time): $6.50 – $9.95

Art of Where:

Artist label included in many apparel items

No extra cost for white-label shipping

Some customization options limited or unavailable

Summary:

Printful lets you build a visibly branded product, but you pay for it.

Art of Where includes white-label basics but lacks deep customization options.

Profit Margin Scenarios

Let’s say you’re selling a custom t-shirt for $24.99.

With Printful:

Base cost: $10.25

Shipping (US): $3.99

Total cost: $14.24

Profit: $10.75

Profit Margin: 43%

Add a $2.49 neck label, profit drops to $8.26 — but your product feels more premium.

With Art of Where:

Base cost: $13.00

Shipping (US): $6.50

Total cost: $19.50

Profit: $5.49

Profit Margin: 22%

That might sound low — but if you’re pricing the item at $34.99 or higher (which is doable for premium artist products), your margin jumps to 44%.

Real-World Profit Tips (from Experience)

Art of Where needs premium pricing — you can’t compete at $25 if your base + shipping is already $19.

Printful gives you margin room, but watch out for branding fees stacking up.

Bundle items to increase AOV (average order value) and absorb shipping costs.

Run pre-orders on Art of Where to offset slow fulfillment and limit inventory issues.

Always build your prices based on landed cost (product + shipping + branding).

Verdict

If your focus is margins and scale, Printful gives you more flexibility, better rates, and volume-friendly pricing.

If your brand is positioned around premium, handmade, boutique products, then Art of Where can still be profitable — but only if your pricing reflects the value and quality of what you’re selling.

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Fulfillment & Shipping Speed: Who Delivers Faster and Smarter?

Fast shipping isn’t a “nice-to-have” anymore — it’s a customer expectation. Whether you’re selling tees or premium notebooks, people want quick delivery and reliable tracking.

That’s where the fulfillment model of each platform makes a massive difference. Let’s break it down.

Printful – Global Warehouses = Faster Fulfillment

Printful isn’t just a POD service — it’s a logistics beast. They’ve built a worldwide fulfillment network with facilities in:

United States (multiple locations)

Canada

Mexico

United Kingdom

Latvia

Spain

Australia

Japan

Poland

Brazil (in beta rollout)

This means Printful can route your order to the closest fulfillment center, reducing both production time and shipping delays. In most cases, orders are handled regionally — no customs, no long wait times, no international bottlenecks.

Fulfillment Time (Avg):

2–5 business days for most apparel and accessories

3–7 days for embroidered items or all-over prints

Orders with multiple items may ship separately from different facilities

Shipping Time (After Fulfillment):

RegionAvg Delivery TimeUSA3–5 business daysCanada4–7 business daysEU/UK3–7 business daysAustralia5–10 business daysRest of World7–15 business days

They also offer live tracking updates and branded notifications (if configured). From a customer standpoint, the experience feels Amazon-lite.

Art of Where – In-House, Handcrafted, Slower

Every product from Art of Where is made in-house in Montreal, Canada. They don’t outsource fulfillment or use third-party print labs. This means tighter quality control, but also longer turnaround times.

Their process includes:

Printing

Cutting

Sewing (for apparel and accessories)

Packaging

Manual quality check

Fulfillment Time (Avg):

5–8 business days for most items

Up to 10 business days during high-volume seasons (holidays, Q4)

Products are batched for production — not processed instantly

Shipping Time (After Fulfillment):

RegionAvg Delivery TimeCanada3–7 business daysUSA5–10 business daysInternational10–21 business days

Tracking is provided, but it may take longer to update, especially for international orders. There’s also no multi-warehouse setup, so all orders leave from the same origin — which adds customs delays outside Canada.

Real-World Experience: What I’ve Seen

Printful Orders:

US customers usually receive orders in 5–8 calendar days total

Europe is just as fast thanks to Latvia and Spain facilities

High-volume items like tees and hoodies are fulfilled quickest

Art of Where Orders:

Best suited for North American customers (Canada especially)

International buyers have to wait longer and pay more for shipping

Handcrafted items (like scarves or notebooks) are worth the wait — but communicate the timeline clearly in your store

Fulfillment & Shipping Comparison Table

FactorPrintfulArt of WhereFulfillment Locations10+ global warehousesMontreal, Canada onlyAvg Fulfillment Time2–5 days5–8 daysAvg US Shipping Time3–5 days5–10 daysAvg Intl Shipping Time7–15 days10–21 daysTrackingReal-time + brandedStandard updates, delayed intlSplit Shipments✅ Yes (multi-center orders)❌ NoCustoms/Import DelaysMinimal for most regionsCommon outside North America

Verdict

If speed matters to your customers — and let’s be honest, it does — then Printful is the clear winner. They’ve got the infrastructure to back it up.

Art of Where offers a more artisanal approach, but slower turnaround and longer delivery times mean you have to set the right expectations. Great for boutique brands. Not great for impatient Amazon-era shoppers.

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Ecommerce Integrations: Where Can You Actually Sell With These Platforms?

Let me be blunt — if you’re not using a POD platform with direct integrations, you’re wasting time.

Manual syncing kills your margins. I’ve seen store owners burn out trying to manage orders across Etsy, Shopify, and WooCommerce without the right tools in place.

So the first question I always ask is: How many clicks does it take to get my product live — and my orders fulfilled automatically?

Printful – Deep Integrations With 10+ Platforms

Printful leads the industry when it comes to ecommerce integrations. It’s one of the reasons I’ve used them for years — the tech just works. Whether you’re selling on one store or five, they make order flow seamless.

Native Integrations:

Shopify – Full product sync, live shipping rates, branded packing slips, real-time inventory

Etsy – Product listings, mockups, auto-order sync, built-in SKU mapping

Amazon – Full integration for Seller Central accounts (US, EU)

WooCommerce – WordPress-friendly, live order syncing, easy setup

eBay – Plug and play, automated fulfillment

BigCommerce

Squarespace

Wix

Ecwid

Weebly

TikTok Shop (Beta)

Webflow (via Zapier/API)

They also offer a powerful custom API for advanced users — great if you’re building a custom storefront or want to build your own app layer.

Key Highlights:

Syncs products in one click

Updates inventory and pricing automatically

Sends tracking info back to your store and customers

Allows live shipping rates at checkout (for select platforms)

Supports multiple stores from one Printful account

Art of Where – Limited Integrations, More Manual Work

Art of Where is more basic in this department. Their integrations are limited, and if you sell on multiple platforms, be prepared for some manual upload and sync work.

Current Integrations:

Shopify – Decent sync, but not as seamless as Printful

Etsy – Requires more setup, mockups need manual tweaks

Manual Orders – You can place orders directly through the dashboard

Custom API – Available, but requires a developer to implement properly

What’s Missing:

No native support for Amazon, eBay, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, BigCommerce, etc.

No automatic live shipping rate calculator at checkout

No bulk product push tool — you’ll build each item manually

Key Limitations:

You’ll spend more time managing listings manually

You may need a virtual assistant just to handle Etsy or Shopify updates

Doesn’t scale well if you plan to sell on multiple platforms

Integration Comparison Table

FeaturePrintfulArt of WhereShopify Integration✅ Seamless & automated✅ Available, but less refinedEtsy Integration✅ Product sync + tracking✅ Requires more manual setupAmazon Integration✅ Full Seller Central sync❌ Not availableWooCommerce✅ Easy setup via plugin❌ Not supportedSquarespace/Wix/BigCommerce✅ Native or via plugin/API❌ Not supportedAPI Access✅ Yes – powerful + documented✅ Yes – but limited dev supportMultichannel Selling✅ Supports multiple stores❌ One-at-a-timeProduct Sync Automation✅ One-click with mockups❌ Manual product creationOrder Auto-Fulfillment✅ Fully automated✅ Semi-automated

Real-World Experience

With Printful, I’ve launched and synced entire catalogs across Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon in a single afternoon. Everything flows through automatically, including:

New orders

Tracking info

Stock updates

Cancellations and refunds

With Art of Where, I had to:

Upload products manually

Write product descriptions separately

Re-create mockups for Etsy listings

Monitor fulfillment manually (especially around holidays)

It’s not unmanageable — but it’s a slow grind compared to Printful.

Verdict

If you plan to:

Sell across multiple platforms

Run promotions quickly

Automate order flow

Scale efficiently without hiring help

Then Printful is the clear winner.

If you’re running a single Shopify or Etsy store and your catalog is small, Art of Where can still work — just don’t expect automation to carry your business.

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Ease of Use: Which Platform Is Simpler to Run Your Business On?

You can have the best products, the best ideas, and the best audience — but if your backend sucks, it’s game over.

When you’re juggling multiple SKUs, running ads, answering customer emails, and trying to ship on time… the last thing you need is a complicated, buggy print-on-demand dashboard.

So here’s what the actual experience feels like using Printful and Art of Where after running live stores with both.

Printful – Built for Speed, Scale, and Simplicity

Printful feels like it was designed by ecommerce people who’ve actually run stores. Everything is laid out clean, logical, and fast — from uploading a new design to pushing products live.

Key strengths:

Clean, Modern UI
You’re not guessing where anything is. Menus are intuitive, and the dashboard gives you a full overview of orders, shipments, and products at a glance.

Product Creation is Fast
Use their mockup generator, adjust variants, set retail pricing, and sync directly to your store. You can create a full t-shirt listing in under 10 minutes.

Bulk Product Tools
You can clone designs across multiple products, apply templates, and scale fast without starting from scratch every time.

Live Shipping Calculators
No need to guess shipping costs — you can view them while building a product and show accurate rates to customers at checkout (if your platform supports it).

Dashboard Speed
No lag, no weird bugs. Whether you’re viewing 5 orders or 500, the platform is responsive and smooth.

Integrated Branding Setup
Add custom packing slips, neck labels, and brand logos in one place — and it applies automatically to future orders.

Mobile App Support
Printful has a dedicated mobile app for iOS and Android so you can manage orders on the go.

Art of Where – More Manual, More Time-Consuming

Art of Where doesn’t feel like it was built for high-volume sellers. The platform leans heavily into artistic customisation — but at the cost of speed and ease.

Key drawbacks:

Outdated UI
The dashboard looks and feels dated. Navigation isn’t intuitive, and there’s a lot of clicking around to find the info you need.

Manual Product Creation
You’ll need to upload each design individually, adjust print placements manually, and preview everything from scratch. No bulk templates or multi-product clones.

Limited Syncing Tools
Even with Shopify and Etsy integrations, syncing is slower and doesn’t always carry over variants or product details cleanly. You’ll need to double-check listings often.

Mockup Quality Varies
The mockup generator works, but it doesn’t match the polish you get with Printful. Some lifestyle images feel low-res or outdated.

No Mobile App
Managing your orders on the go is harder. You’re tied to a desktop experience, and there’s no optimized mobile dashboard.

Customization Overload
For some products, there are too many options — placement, lining, thread colour, fabric types — which can slow down decision-making, especially if you’re just trying to launch.

First-Time Seller Experience

If you’re new to print-on-demand:

Printful is easy to pick up in under an hour. You can launch your first product the same day.

Art of Where requires more trial and error. Expect to spend a few days just learning the workflow.

Day-to-Day Workflow Comparison

TaskPrintfulArt of WhereUploading a Design✅ Simple + drag-and-drop❌ Manual + placement requiredCreating a Product✅ Guided, quick❌ Slower + more stepsSyncing to Store✅ One-click sync❌ Limited automationManaging Orders✅ Clean UI, real-time updates❌ More digging to find detailsEditing Products✅ Fast + template reuse❌ Product-by-product editsMobile Access✅ Yes (App)❌ No appSupport Docs✅ Massive help center✅ Good guides, but limited scope

Verdict

If you want a platform that just works, helps you launch fast, and scales with you — Printful is far easier to use.

Art of Where is better for artists who don’t mind taking their time with every listing, focusing on craftsmanship over efficiency. But if you’re running multiple stores or managing a catalog of 20+ SKUs, it’s going to slow you down.

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Customer Support & Resources: Who Actually Has Your Back When Things Go Wrong?

When you’re scaling a POD store — whether it’s 5 orders a day or 500 — you will run into problems.

Late shipments. Misprints. Orders stuck in customs. Packages marked as delivered that never show up. These things happen.

And when they do, the quality of support behind your platform makes or breaks your customer experience. I’ve had both Printful and Art of Where drop the ball — and save the day — at different times. Here’s the honest breakdown.

Printful – Fast, Multi-Channel Support with Deep Resources

Printful has support infrastructure that rivals mid-size SaaS companies. Whether you need help at 2am or while juggling a flash sale, someone’s available.

Support Channels:

Live Chat – 24/7 (most reliable)

Email Support – Usually replies within 12–24 hours

Help Center – Huge library of FAQs, videos, and troubleshooting guides

YouTube Tutorials – Real walkthroughs for beginners and advanced sellers

Printful Blog – Regular updates, tips, product launches

Printful Academy – Free courses on ecommerce, branding, and marketing

My Experience:

I’ve used chat support for last-minute holiday issues — and got answers within minutes.

Their support agents are usually well-trained, not copy-pasting templates.

You can reference order numbers, attach screenshots, and get escalations when needed.

Standout Tools:

Order Problem Tool – You can file a complaint directly from an order page.

Automatic Refunds or Replacements – For most print errors or damaged items, they’ll reprint and reship at no cost.

Status Updates via Dashboard – Easy to track fulfillment stages and get updates on delays or backlogs.

Art of Where – Smaller Team, Slower Replies, Limited Channels

Art of Where’s support model reflects their boutique operation. Everything is handled in-house — which can be great for quality, but slower when volume increases.

Support Channels:

Email Only – No live chat or phone

Help Center – Basic FAQ and step-by-step guides

Limited YouTube Content – A few tutorials on product creation

❌ No Live Chat

❌ No Phone Support

My Experience:

Email replies usually take 1–2 business days

During busy periods (Q4, holidays), support can take up to 3 days

Responses are polite and helpful, but slower to escalate

Order Issues:

You’ll need to email support with photos and details for any damaged or misprinted items

Reprints or refunds are generally handled well — but slower than Printful

No dashboard tool to flag issues — everything’s done by manual contact

Side-by-Side Comparison: Support & Resources

FeaturePrintfulArt of WhereLive Chat Support✅ 24/7 via dashboard❌ Not availableEmail Support✅ <24hr replies✅ 1–3 business daysPhone Support❌ Not offered❌ Not offeredKnowledge Base✅ Deep + searchable✅ Basic guidesOrder Issue Resolution Tools✅ Built into dashboard❌ Must email manuallyAutomatic Refund/Reprint Process✅ Yes, seamless✅ Yes, but slowerVideo Tutorials✅ Dozens of step-by-step videos❌ Minimal YouTube presenceCourses/Training✅ Printful Academy❌ NoneRegular Updates/Blog✅ Weekly product & strategy posts❌ Infrequent updates

Real-World Verdict

Printful gives you speed, structure, and multiple ways to get help fast. Whether you’re fixing a one-off order issue or troubleshooting API errors, support is responsive and consistent.

Art of Where offers solid help — but you’re dealing with a small team. You’ll get thoughtful answers, just not quickly. If you run a store with high daily order volume or time-sensitive launches, that delay can hurt your reputation.

Pro Tip: Test Before Scaling

Before scaling with either platform, submit a test support ticket.

Ask a technical question.

Report a sample issue.

Judge how long they take to respond — and how helpful they are.

If you’re about to launch a 500 SKU Shopify store, you’d better know who picks up the slack when stuff breaks.

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Final Verdict: Which Print-on-Demand Platform Should You Use in 2025?

I’ve used both Printful and Art of Where across multiple stores over the years — from Etsy side hustles to full-blown ecommerce brands pushing hundreds of orders a month.

So if you’re still wondering, “Which one is actually better?”, here’s my take:

If you want speed, automation, integrations, and scalable profit — go with Printful.

Printful is built for ecommerce operators. It’s clean, fast, reliable, and integrates with everything you need.

The catalog is massive, the UI is smooth, and fulfillment is handled like a machine. Yes, some products have thinner margins, but you can offset that with smart pricing, bundling, and branding.

If you’re launching a general store, a niche Shopify brand, or want to sell across Etsy + Amazon — Printful gives you the tech to actually do that without burning hours every day.

If you’re an artist or boutique seller focused on quality and uniqueness — go with Art of Where.

Art of Where is slower and more manual — but the product quality is top-tier, especially for custom stationery, scarves, art prints, and fabric-based goods.

The whole brand feels handcrafted, and if you’re charging premium prices and targeting the right buyer, the margins are still there.

For artists, illustrators, and premium Etsy stores, Art of Where offers products that your competition literally can’t match. Just be ready for longer fulfillment times and more manual management.

Feature / CategoryPrintfulArt of WhereProduct Catalog Size✅ 300+ SKUs, apparel, decor, etc.❌ Smaller, niche items onlyProduct Uniqueness❌ Generic (but wide variety)✅ Highly unique, boutique offeringsFulfillment Speed✅ 2–5 days average❌ 5–8+ days averageGlobal Shipping Infrastructure✅ Warehouses on 5 continents❌ Ships only from CanadaEcommerce Integrations✅ 10+ native integrations❌ Shopify & Etsy onlyEase of Use✅ Modern dashboard, mobile-friendly❌ Outdated UI, manual workflowsSupport Speed & Tools✅ 24/7 live chat, tutorials❌ Email only, 1–3 day repliesBranding Options✅ Deep customization (labels, etc.)✅ Basic white-labeling includedProfit Margins✅ Competitive if scaled smartly❌ Lower unless priced as premiumBest ForBrands scaling quicklyArtists selling premium goods

Who Should Use Printful?

Use Printful if:

You’re building a Shopify, WooCommerce, or Amazon store

You want automation, fast shipping, and multichannel growth

You need 100+ product options and plan to scale SKUs

You care about reliability and global customer reach

You want real support available 24/7

Who Should Use Art of Where?

Use Art of Where if:

You’re an artist, designer, or illustrator

You’re focused on premium, creative product formats

You only sell on Etsy or Shopify

You want complete control over the artwork and presentation

You’re okay with slower delivery in exchange for quality

Final Thoughts

There’s no single winner — it depends on what kind of business you’re running.

If you want hands-off scaling, streamlined logistics, and broad product coverage — Printful is the platform to bet on.

If you’re crafting a premium experience, selling higher-ticket items, and want to stand out in a sea of generic POD products — Art of Where delivers the uniqueness your brand needs.

Both can work. I’ve used both. Just don’t try to use the wrong tool for the wrong type of store — or you’ll waste time, money, and patience fast.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Art of Where good for beginners?

It depends on your goals. If you’re just testing the waters and want fast results, Art of Where might feel slow and clunky. But if you’re an artist looking for high-quality print products and you’re comfortable with a hands-on approach, it’s a solid platform.

Can I use both Printful and Art of Where at the same time?

Yes — and I’ve done this myself. Many sellers use Printful for fast-moving items like t-shirts and mugs, and Art of Where for niche products like sketchbooks or scarves. Just make sure your store is clear about delivery times for each type of product

Which platform offers better print quality?

Both offer great print quality, but in different ways. Printful’s DTG prints are clean and consistent across apparel, while Art of Where shines on art prints, scarves, and premium stationery. If you’re selling to art collectors or creatives, Art of Where feels more premium

Who owns the rights to the designs I upload?

You do. Both platforms make it clear: you retain full ownership of your designs. But you are responsible for ensuring you have the legal rights to sell whatever you upload — so don’t use copyrighted or licensed material unless you’ve secured permission

Can I customise packaging and branding with both platforms?

Yes, but with big differences. Printful offers advanced branding options like inside labels, branded packing slips, and even custom packaging (for high-volume sellers). Art of Where includes basic branding like artist labels but doesn’t offer as many packaging upgrades.

How long does it take to get paid from customer orders?

That depends on your ecommerce platform (Shopify, Etsy, etc.) — not the POD provider. Your payment processor (e.g. Stripe, PayPal, Shopify Payments) handles payouts. Printful and Art of Where charge you per order — they don’t collect customer payments for you

Can I sell internationally with both platforms?

Yes — but Printful is built for it. With global warehouses, your international orders ship faster and more affordably. Art of Where ships everything from Canada, so international shipping is slower, more expensive, and more prone to customs delays

What happens if a customer wants a refund or reprint?

Both platforms will reprint or refund if there’s a clear issue (e.g. misprint, damaged item). Printful makes this process easier — you can submit a claim inside the dashboard. With Art of Where, you’ll need to email support and provide photos and order info manually

Which platform has better support for high-volume sellers?

Printful — no question. They offer dedicated account reps (at scale), bulk order tools, real-time syncing, and 24/7 live chat. Art of Where is better suited for lower volume, artisanal sellers who don’t need deep operational infrastructur

Can I automate everything, or will I still have manual tasks?

With Printful, you can automate almost everything — product syncing, order fulfillment, shipping notifications, and branding. Art of Where still requires manual steps, especially when uploading products, creating mockups, or managing store syncs.

The post Art of Where vs Printful: My Verdict for 2025 appeared first on Ecommerce-Platforms.com.

WCAG 3.0’s Proposed Scoring Model: A Shift In Accessibility Evaluation

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Original Source: https://smashingmagazine.com/2025/05/wcag-3-proposed-scoring-model-shift-accessibility-evaluation/

Since their introduction in 1999, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) have shaped how we design and develop inclusive digital products. The WCAG 2.x series, released in 2008, introduced clear technical criteria judged in a binary way: either a success criterion is met or not. While this model has supported regulatory clarity and auditability, its “all-or-nothing” nature often fails to reflect the nuance of actual user experience (UX).

Over time, that disconnect between technical conformance and lived usability has become harder to ignore. People engage with digital systems in complex, often nonlinear ways: navigating multistep flows, dynamic content, and interactive states. In these scenarios, checking whether an element passes a rule doesn’t always answer the main question: can someone actually use it?

WCAG 3.0 is still in draft, but is evolving — and it represents a fundamental rethinking of how we evaluate accessibility. Rather than asking whether a requirement is technically met, it asks how well users with disabilities can complete meaningful tasks. Its new outcome-based model introduces a flexible scoring system that prioritizes usability over compliance, shifting focus toward the quality of access rather than the mere presence of features.

Draft Status: Ambitious, But Still Evolving

WCAG 3.0 was first introduced as a public working draft by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Accessibility Guidelines Working Group in early 2021. The draft is still under active development and is not expected to reach W3C Recommendation status for several years, if not decades, by some accounts. This extended timeline reflects both the complexity of the task and the ambition behind it:

WCAG 3.0 isn’t just an update — it’s a paradigm shift.

Unlike WCAG 2.x, which focused primarily on web pages, WCAG 3.0 aims to cover a much broader ecosystem, including applications, tools, connected devices, and emerging interfaces like voice interaction and extended reality. It also rebrands itself as the W3C Accessibility Guidelines (while the WCAG acronym remains the same), signaling that accessibility is no longer a niche concern — it’s a baseline expectation across the digital world.

Importantly, WCAG 3.0 will not immediately replace 2.x. Both standards will coexist, and conformance to WCAG 2.2 will continue to be valid and necessary for some time, especially in legal and policy contexts.

This expansion isn’t just technical.

WCAG 3.0 reflects a deeper philosophical shift: accessibility is moving from a model of compliance toward a model of effectiveness.

Rules alone can’t capture whether a system truly works for someone. That’s why WCAG 3.0 leans into flexibility and future-proofing, aiming to support evolving technologies and real-world use over time. It formalizes a principle long understood by practitioners:

Inclusive design isn’t about passing a test; it’s about enabling people.

A New Structure: From Success Criteria To Outcomes And Methods

WCAG 2.x is structured around four foundational principles — Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (aka POUR) — and testable success criteria organized into three conformance levels (A, AA, AAA). While technically precise, these criteria often emphasize implementation over impact.

WCAG 3.0 reorients this structure toward user needs and real outcomes. Its hierarchy is built on:

Guidelines: High-level accessibility goals tied to specific user needs.
Outcomes: Testable, user-centered statements (e.g., “Users have alternatives for time-based media”).
Methods: Technology-specific or agnostic techniques that help achieve the outcomes, including code examples and test instructions.
How-To Guides: Narrative documentation that provides practical advice, user context, and design considerations.

This shift is more than organizational. It reflects a deeper commitment to aligning technical implementation with UX. Outcomes speak the language of capability, which is about what users should be able to do (rather than just technical presence).

Crucially, outcomes are also where conformance scoring begins to take shape. For example, imagine a checkout flow on an e-commerce website. Under WCAG 2.x, if even one field in the checkout form lacks a label, the process may fail AA conformance entirely. However, under WCAG 3.0, that same flow might be evaluated across multiple outcomes (such as keyboard navigation, form labeling, focus management, and error handling), with each outcome receiving a separate score. If most areas score well but the error messaging is poor, the overall rating might be “Good” instead of “Excellent”, prompting targeted improvements without negating the entire flow’s accessibility.

From Binary Checks To Graded Scores

Rather than relying on pass or fail outcomes, WCAG 3.0 introduces a scoring model that reflects how well accessibility is supported. This shift allows teams to recognize partial successes and prioritize real improvements.

How Scoring Works

Each outcome in WCAG 3.0 is evaluated through one or more atomic tests. These can include the following:

Binary tests: “Yes” and “no” outcomes (e.g., does every image have alternative text?)
Percentage-based tests: Coverage-based scoring (e.g., what percentage of form fields have labels?)
Qualitative tests: Rated judgments based on criteria (e.g., how descriptive is the alternative text?)

The result of these tests produces a score for each outcome, often normalized on a 0-4 or 0-5 scale, with labels like Poor, Fair, Good, and Excellent. These scores are then aggregated across functional categories (vision, mobility, cognition, etc.) and user flows.

This allows teams to measure progress, not just compliance. A product that improves from “Fair” to “Good” over time shows real evolution — a concept that doesn’t exist in WCAG 2.x.

Critical Errors: A Balancing Mechanism

To ensure that severity still matters, WCAG 3.0 introduces critical errors, which are high-impact accessibility failures that can override an otherwise positive score.

For example, consider a checkout flow. Under WCAG 2.x, a single missing label might cause the entire flow to fail conformance. WCAG 3.0, however, evaluates multiple outcomes — like form labeling, keyboard access, and error handling — each with its own score. Minor issues, such as unclear error messages or a missing label on an optional field, might lower the rating from “Excellent” to “Good”, without invalidating the entire experience.

But if a user cannot complete a core action, like submitting the form, making a purchase, or logging in, that constitutes a critical error. These failures directly block task completion and significantly reduce the overall score, regardless of how polished the rest of the experience is.

On the other hand, problems with non-essential features — like uploading a profile picture or changing a theme color — are considered lower-impact and won’t weigh as heavily in the evaluation.

Conformance Levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold

In place of categorizing conformance in tiers of Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA, WCAG 3.0 proposes three different conformance tiers:

Bronze: The new minimum. It is comparable to WCAG 2.2 Level AA, but based on scoring and foundational outcomes. The requirements are considered achievable via automated and guided manual testing.
Silver: This is a higher standard, requiring broader coverage, higher scores, and usability validation from people with disabilities.
Gold: The highest tier. Represents exemplary accessibility, likely requiring inclusive design processes, innovation, and extensive user involvement.

Unlike in WCAG 2.2, where Level AAA is often seen as aspirational and inconsistent, these levels are intended to incentivize progression. They can also be scoped in the sense that teams can claim conformance for a checkout flow, mobile app, or specific feature, allowing iterative improvement.

What You Should Do Now

While WCAG 3.0 is still being developed, its direction is clear. That said, it’s important to acknowledge that the guidelines are not expected to be finalized in a few years. Here’s how teams can prepare:

Continue pursuing WCAG 2.2 Level AA. It remains the most robust, recognized standard.
Familiarize yourself with WCAG 3.0 drafts, especially the outcomes and scoring model.
Start thinking in outcomes. Focus on what users need to accomplish, not just what features are present.
Embed accessibility into workflows. Shift left. Don’t test at the end — design and build with access in mind.
Involve users with disabilities early and regularly.

These practices won’t just make your product more inclusive; they’ll position your team to excel under WCAG 3.0.

Potential Downsides

Even though WCAG 3.0 presents a bold step toward more holistic accessibility, several structural risks deserve early attention, especially for organizations navigating regulation, scaling design systems, or building sustainable accessibility practices. Importantly, many of these risks are interconnected: challenges in one area may amplify issues in others.

Subjective Scoring

The move from binary pass or fail criteria to scored evaluations introduces room for subjective interpretation. Without standardized calibration, the same user flow might receive different scores depending on the evaluator. This makes comparability and repeatability harder, particularly in procurement or multi-vendor environments. A simple alternative text might be rated as “adequate” by one team and “unclear” by another.

Reduced Compliance Clarity

That same subjectivity leads to a second concern: the erosion of clear compliance thresholds. Scored evaluations replace the binary clarity of “compliant” or “not” with a more flexible, but less definitive, outcome. This could complicate legal enforcement, contractual definitions, and audit reporting. In practice, a product might earn a “Good” rating while still presenting critical usability gaps for certain users, creating a disconnect between score and actual access.

Legal and Policy Misalignment

As clarity around compliance blurs, so does alignment with existing legal frameworks. Many current laws explicitly reference WCAG 2.x and its A, AA, and AAA levels (e.g. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, European Accessibility Act, The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018).

Until WCAG 3.0 is formally mapped to those standards, its use in regulated contexts may introduce risk. Teams operating in healthcare, finance, or public sectors will likely need to maintain dual conformance strategies in the interim, increasing cost and complexity.

Risk Of Minimum Viable Accessibility

Perhaps most concerning, this ambiguity can set the stage for a “minimum viable accessibility” mindset. Scored models risk encouraging “Bronze is good enough” thinking, particularly in deadline-driven environments. A team might deprioritize improvements once they reach a passing grade, even if essential barriers remain.

For example, a mobile app with strong keyboard support but missing audio transcripts could still achieve a passing tier, leaving some users excluded.

Conclusion

WCAG 3.0 marks a new era in accessibility — one that better reflects the diversity and complexity of real users. By shifting from checklists to scored evaluations and from rigid technical compliance to practical usability, it encourages teams to prioritize real-world impact over theoretical perfection.

As one might say, “It’s not about the score. It’s about who can use the product.” In my own experience, I’ve seen teams pour hours into fixing minor color contrast issues while overlooking broken keyboard navigation, leaving screen reader users unable to complete essential tasks. WCAG 3.0’s focus on outcomes reminds us that accessibility is fundamentally about functionality and inclusion.

At the same time, WCAG 3.0’s proposed scoring models introduce new responsibilities. Without clear calibration, stronger enforcement patterns, and a cultural shift away from “good enough,” we risk losing the very clarity that made WCAG 2.x enforceable and actionable. The promise of flexibility only works if we use it to aim higher, not to settle earlier.

For teams across design, development, and product leadership, this shift is a chance to rethink what success means. Accessibility isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about enabling people.

By preparing now, being mindful of the risks, and focusing on user outcomes, we don’t just get ahead of WCAG 3.0 — we build digital experiences that are truly usable, sustainable, and inclusive.

Further Reading On SmashingMag

“A Roundup Of WCAG 2.2 Explainers,” Geoff Graham
“Getting To The Bottom Of Minimum WCAG-Conformant Interactive Element Size,” Eric Bailey
“How To Make A Strong Case For Accessibility,” Vitaly Friedman
“A Designer’s Accessibility Advocacy Toolkit,” Yichan Wang