Gelato vs Printful: The Ultimate Comparison Guide

Choosing between Gelato vs Printful isn’t just about who has the bigger name — it’s about which print-on-demand partner actually fits your store, margins, and shipping needs. Both platforms help you sell custom products without holding inventory, but they differ in pricing, product range, fulfillment locations, branding options, and how smoothly they integrate with platforms like Shopify and Etsy. In this guide, we’ll compare Printful vs Gelato side by side using practical ecommerce criteria: real-world costs, delivery speed, print quality expectations, and support reliability. You’ll also see which option works better for global selling, which is stronger for branding, and when it makes sense to consider Printful alternatives. By the end, you’ll know exactly which platform matches your business goals.

What is Gelato Print on Demand?

Gelato is a print-on-demand platform that connects online sellers to a distributed network of local production partners, so items can be produced closer to the customer instead of shipping internationally. Gelato’s founder/CEO bio notes the company was launched in August 2012, building on earlier learnings from the founder’s print-business background.

Business model

Rather than owning all manufacturing sites, Gelato focuses on software + routing: when an order comes in, it’s matched to a suitable nearby production partner to print and ship the product efficiently. This “produce locally, deliver locally” approach is designed to reduce delivery distance, speed up shipping, and cut waste.

Localized production network (and why it matters)

Gelato states its network includes 140+ production partners in 32 countries, and it processes “millions of print jobs each year.”
Key differentiator: the strength of Gelato is its local printing model—especially useful if you sell internationally and want faster delivery with fewer cross-border shipping headaches.

How Gelato Printing Works

1. You connect your store (e.g., Shopify/Etsy), create products, and publish listings.
2. A customer places an order in your store.
3. Gelato routes the order to a suitable production partner (often closer to the buyer) based on location and product capability.
4. The partner prints + fulfills, and tracking is provided back to you and your customer.

Gelato Print on Demand Pricing Explained

Gelato positions its pricing as transparent with no upfront costs, and encourages sellers to choose a subscription plan based on how much they want to optimize margins and access premium features. It also offers a premium subscription (“Gelato+”) with benefits such as exclusive discounts (Gelato notes up to 35% off), AI-powered tools, premium mockups, and branded packaging options.

Reality check: your total cost per order will still depend on the product base cost + shipping + any add-ons, so the “cheapest” option varies by what you sell and where your customers are located.

Pros and Cons of Gelato

Pros

• Strong global reach via a local production network (140+ partners, 32 countries).
• Local production model can improve delivery speed and reduce cross-border complexity.
• Subscription perks can improve margins and workflow for scaling brands.

Cons

• Since production is partner-based, the experience can vary by product category and location (you’ll want to test samples for your best-sellers).
• Subscription value depends on volume—if you’re selling very little, discounts/features may not outweigh the plan cost.

What is Printful?

Printful is a well-known print-on-demand and fulfillment provider that combines POD with broader fulfillment capabilities, including warehousing and branding add-ons. Printful’s official company timeline states it was founded in 2013 and has grown into a global company.

Global POD company

Printful operates as an end-to-end provider: you design products, publish them to your store, and Printful handles printing and shipping once orders come in. Its scale and maturity are part of why it’s often considered a “safe” option for established ecommerce workflows.

Warehousing (for more than just POD)

A key differentiator is Printful’s ability to store items (including branding materials like pack-ins) in fulfillment centers, then include them with orders fulfilled from that facility. Printful explains that sellers can mail pack-ins to its fulfillment centers and it will insert them into shipments (with storage and pick fees depending on location).

Custom branding

Printful offers several branding options that sellers use to create a more “real brand” unboxing experience, such as:

• Packaging inserts (pack-ins) like postcards, stickers, flyers, etc.
• Custom inside labels for certain apparel, which Printful lists with pricing and label requirements.

How Printful Works

1. Connect your store, choose products, and create designs.
2. Orders sync automatically from your ecommerce platform to Printful.
3. Printful produces and ships the order, providing tracking.
4. Optional: you can enhance the experience with branding (inside labels, pack-ins) and use warehousing for inserts or inventory-based workflows.

Printful Pricing Structure

Printful emphasizes that you can start free and pay per order (product + shipping), while offering optional paid plans for extra benefits. Printful also promotes its Printful Growth subscription as a paid plan with a free trial and a monthly cost (listed as $24.99/month on the plans page), plus the possibility of getting the subscription covered after hitting a sales threshold.

Note: The best way to evaluate “Printful pricing” is to price out your exact catalog (top 5 SKUs) and your main customer countries, since shipping + product mix is where most margin differences show up.

Pros and Cons of Printful

Pros

• Strong brand-building options (inside labels, pack-ins) to improve repeat purchases and perceived value.
• Warehousing + fulfillment add flexibility beyond basic POD workflows.
• Clear path to scaling with optional paid plans/discount programs.

Cons

• Branding and warehousing introduce additional fees and operational steps (storage, pick fees, shipping inserts to centers).
• Like any POD provider, profitability depends heavily on product category, shipping zones, and whether you price strategically.

Gelato vs Printful Pricing Comparison

Pricing is the make-or-break factor in Gelato vs Printful—but the “cheaper” option depends on what you sell and where your customers are. Both use a pay-per-order model (no inventory), then offer optional subscriptions for discounts.

Base product pricing

• Both list base costs per item (your cost before shipping). Expect your price to vary by garment brand, print area (front vs front+back), and fulfillment region.

Shipping costs

• Gelato leans on local production (printed closer to the buyer), which can reduce cross-border shipping friction for international sales.
• Printful shipping can be very competitive in core regions, but final cost still depends on routing and product availability.

Subscription plans

• Printful Growth is listed at $24.99/month, with perks and the note that it can become free once annual sales hit $12K.
• Gelato+ advertises up to 35% off (discounts) plus premium tools and branding options.

Profit margin potential

• POD margins usually swing most on shipping + base cost. A $1–$2 difference per order matters a lot once you scale.

Sample order costs

• Both platforms promote sample ordering/discounts so you can test before going all-in.

Example scenario: selling a $25 t-shirt on Shopify

• If your base + shipping lands around $17–$20, your gross profit is roughly $5–$8 before Shopify fees and ads.
• Subscriptions can improve this if you’re consistently selling enough to benefit from discounts.

Gelato vs Printful Product Catalog Comparison

Both offer strong catalogs, but they’re optimized a bit differently.

Apparel

• Both carry staples like tees and hoodies; Printful’s “all products” catalog is broad and built for multi-category stores.
• Gelato also supports core apparel and positions it as a key POD category.

Home decor

• Both cover print-led decor (think wall pieces and basics). Gelato highlights home-friendly printed products like drinkware and totes alongside decor.

Stationery

• Gelato clearly emphasizes stationery-style products like greeting cards and calendars.

Wall art

• Gelato strongly markets wall-art style products as part of its main lineup.
• Printful’s catalog also includes wall art categories inside its full product list.

Custom packaging

• Printful is very explicit about branded pack-ins (stickers, postcards, flyers, etc.) that you can stock and insert into orders (with storage/handling fees).
• Gelato mentions branded packaging options tied to Gelato+ features.

Who offers more SKU diversity?

In general, Printful tends to feel broader for “build-a-brand store” variety, while Gelato is especially strong for print-centric goods like paper items and wall art.

Print Quality — Which One Delivers Better Results?

There isn’t a universal winner—quality depends on product type, print method, and region, so sampling is the most honest test.

DTG printing (most common for tees)

• Both support DTG workflows for apparel; results depend heavily on garment choice and how designs are prepared (colors, transparency, DPI).

Screen printing

• POD platforms are typically DTG-first for one-off orders; screen printing is more relevant for bulk runs (not the everyday POD flow).

Print consistency

• Gelato uses a wide partner network (local production), which is great for delivery efficiency—but consistency can vary slightly by region, so it’s smart to test from your main customer countries.
• Printful positions itself around standardized operations and broad catalog reliability at scale.

Customer feedback + sample testing insights

• The most reliable approach: order 1–2 samples from each, then compare color vibrancy, alignment, feel after one wash, and packaging. Both platforms encourage sample ordering for exactly this reason. 

Shipping & Fulfillment Speed

Shipping speed is a big deal in Gelato vs Printful because it directly impacts customer satisfaction, reviews, and repeat purchases.

Production time

• Printful states its average fulfillment time is 2–5 business days (printing + quality checks + packing).
• Gelato explains delivery is enabled through local production in 32 countries with 140+ production partners, which helps reduce shipping distance and improve delivery timelines.

Domestic vs international orders

• If most of your customers are in one country (like the US), both can be fast—because orders can often be produced and shipped within the same region.
• For international customers, Gelato’s “print closer to the customer” model can reduce cross-border shipping delays and costs.

Local fulfillment advantage (Gelato)

• Gelato’s shipping page highlights that products are “printed close to your customers” to reduce costs and speed up delivery, supported by its multi-country partner network.

US-based fulfillment strength (Printful)

• Printful provides region-based shipping speeds and pricing and clearly explains delivery time as fulfillment (2–5 days) + shipping time (varies by destination).

Integrations & Ecommerce Platform Compatibility

For ecommerce sellers, the best POD tool is the one that connects cleanly to your store and keeps orders flowing automatically.

Gelato integrations

Gelato lists direct connections for Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Amazon, BigCommerce, plus “custom store via API.”

Printful integrations

Printful supports major platforms including Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Amazon, and also offers manual/API store options through its integration ecosystem.

What this means in practice

• If you’re on Shopify/Etsy/WooCommerce, both are strong.
• If you want deeper custom workflows, both support API-style setups—but your dev effort and order routing logic will matter more than the platform name.

Printful vs Gelato Branding & White Label Capabilities

Branding is where Printful vs Gelato can feel noticeably different—especially if you’re trying to build a “real brand” experience vs a basic POD store.

Custom packing slips

• Printful offers personalized packing slips (logo + custom message) and positions them as a free branding upgrade.

Branded packaging + inserts

• Printful supports pack-ins (flyers, coupons, business cards, stickers, postcards, thank-you cards) that you stock in their centers, with storage/fulfillment fees.
• Gelato offers packaging inserts and branded labels as part of its branded packaging feature set (with on-demand creation via production partners).

Inside labels

• Printful provides custom inside labels for supported apparel products.

White-label positioning

• Gelato’s help docs note white-label packaging inserts and branded labels for Gelato+ customers (no Gelato branding on what customers receive).

Sustainability & Environmental Impact

Both platforms pitch sustainability, but they approach it differently.

Gelato sustainability positioning

• Gelato’s sustainability messaging centers on local, on-demand production to reduce waste and shipping distance-related emissions.
  

Printful eco-initiatives

• Printful publishes sustainability metrics and initiatives, including shifting North America mailers to 90–100% PCR plastic and improving global minimum PCR content.
• Printful also states a large share of orders are fulfilled within the same region (presented as reducing CO₂ emissions and shipping distances).

How to interpret this as a seller

• If your customers are international, Gelato’s local routing can naturally support lower shipping distances.
• If you want documented initiatives and published sustainability updates/metrics, Printful provides a more formal sustainability hub and reporting. 

Ease of Use & Dashboard Experience

For ecommerce sellers, a clean, intuitive dashboard can make daily workflows easier and reduce operational friction.

UI comparison

• Printful’s dashboard is polished and structured around order status, product creation, insights, and integrations. Many sellers note the UI feels “complete” out of the box with clear navigation.
• Gelato’s dashboard focuses on simplicity, product publishing, and order routing to production partners. Some users appreciate its clean layout, especially for international product management.

Mockup generator

• Printful includes an easy-to-use mockup generator with multiple angles and contextual scenes. You can download print files or marketing mockups in one click.
• Gelato offers a mockup generator that leverages its localized printing previews and product previews. Both tools are beginner-friendly; Printful’s tool is often considered more extensive for apparel-specific styling.

Design tools

• Printful’s design suite includes drag-and-drop controls, text tools, and localization presets.
• Gelato’s design tools are lightweight but functional, especially for basic text + graphic layouts.

Order management

• Both dashboards sync automatically with connected stores.
• Printful’s order detail screens include return/reship workflows and fulfillment insights.
• Gelato’s order view emphasizes routing and tracking across its partner network.

Overall, both dashboards are user-friendly, with Printful offering slightly more built-in design depth and Gelato favoring straightforward product + order flows.

Customer Support & Reliability

Reliable support is important when orders spike or shipping issues arise.

Support channels

• Printful: Email, live chat (in select time zones), help center, and extensive FAQ/guide library.
• Gelato: Email support and a growing help center; some plans include prioritized assistance.

Response time

• Printful’s live chat and structured ticketing system generally result in faster acknowledgment, especially for urgent fulfillment issues.
• Gelato response times can vary with volume and subscription level, but email support is consistent.

Knowledge base

• Both platforms maintain searchable help centers with setup guides, platform walkthroughs, and best practices documentation. Printful’s library tends to be broader due to its larger feature set.
• Gelato’s knowledge base is clearly organized around integrations, production partners, and local fulfillment.

Community reputation

• Printful is widely reviewed on ecommerce forums and communities for its reliability, branding options, and extensive integrations.
• Gelato’s reputation is strong among global sellers who value local production efficiency and international shipping speed.

Overall, Printful’s bigger knowledge base and multiple support avenues can feel more robust for high-volume sellers, while Gelato’s support is solid and accessible for standard POD workflows.

Gelato vs Printful — Who Should Choose Which?

Choosing the right print-on-demand partner depends on your store goals, audience, and fulfillment priorities. Here’s a decision-oriented breakdown:

Choose Gelato If:

• You sell globally — Gelato’s distributed partner network means orders can be printed closer to buyers in multiple countries, reducing cross-border shipments.
• You prioritize local fulfillment — Local production can lead to faster deliveries and potentially lower shipping costs for international customers.
• You want reduced shipping distances — Shorter delivery routes can help customer satisfaction, reviews, and trust—especially for art, stationery, and decor.

Choose Printful If:

• You want advanced branding — Printful offers a deeper suite of branding tools, including custom inside labels, packing slips, and pack-ins that help build a cohesive brand experience.
• You sell mainly in the US — With fulfillment centers across North America, the US remains a strong base for Printful’s POD and warehousing service.
• You want warehousing — Printful’s warehousing + fulfillment options let you store inserts or inventory near customers while still using POD for other items.

In summary:

• Gelato shines for international sellers prioritizing localized fulfillment and global reach.
• Printful appeals to sellers pursuing branding depth, warehousing options, and robust design workflows.

Both platforms are capable; choosing the right one will depend on your store’s strategic needs, audience locations, and branding priorities.

Are There Better Printful Alternatives?

Sometimes, neither Printful nor Gelato is the ideal fit—especially if you’re optimizing for a specific mix of cost, speed, product variety, branding, or supplier location. The good news: the POD ecosystem is big, and choosing the right Printful alternatives often comes down to your fulfillment strategy and target market.

When neither is ideal

• You need lower base costs to protect margins on competitive products (like $20–$30 tees).
• You want more supplier choice (multiple printers for the same SKU) to balance cost vs quality.
• You need faster US/EU shipping on a wider variety of items beyond classic POD basics.
• You want POD + dropshipping products together under one workflow (for broader store expansion).

Other print-on-demand platforms to consider

Spocket

If you want POD products with a strong US/EU supplier focus, Spocket positions itself around fast shipping (it notes 80% of suppliers are in the US & EU) and offers 50+ categories and 1,000+ POD products you can customize. This can be useful if you’re building a store that blends custom items with broader dropshipping expansion later.

Printify

Printify is known for its “print network” model—connecting sellers to multiple print providers rather than a single production system. That usually means more SKU variety and the ability to choose providers based on price, location, and ratings.

What to look for in Printful alternatives

To choose the right option, evaluate these quickly (it’ll save you weeks later):

• Total landed cost (base + shipping) for your top 5 SKUs in your top 2 countries
• Fulfillment coverage (US-only vs global/local production)
• Branding depth (packing slips, inserts, labels, custom packaging)
• Consistency controls (samples, provider ratings, reprint policies)
• Integrations (Shopify/Etsy/WooCommerce) + API if you need custom workflows
• Support + issue resolution (how fast they handle misprints, lost shipments)

Final Verdict — Gelato vs Printful

So, which is better: Gelato vs Printful?

There isn’t a universal winner—it depends on your business model. Gelato is often the stronger choice for global sellers who prioritize local fulfillment and reduced international shipping distances. Printful stands out for branding depth, warehousing options, and a mature ecosystem that supports US-focused ecommerce brands.

If your goal is scaling with strong US/EU supplier networks while combining print-on-demand with broader dropshipping flexibility, exploring platforms like Spocket can give you added sourcing advantages. The best platform is the one that protects your margins, matches your audience location, and supports long-term brand growth.