Meet Sarah, a talented graphic designer with a passion for creating unique and personalized products. She recently started her own online store, eager to turn her creativity into a thriving business.
However, Sarah quickly realized that producing and shipping her products herself was time-consuming and costly.
That’s when she discovered the concept of print-on-demand services, which allowed her to focus on designing while leaving the production and shipping to professionals.
Excited about the possibilities, Sarah began researching different print-on-demand providers. She came across Printful and Gelato, two companies that stood out from the rest. Intrigued, she decided to dig deeper and compare the two platforms to find the perfect fit for her business.
As Sarah delved into her research, she realized that both Printful and Gelato offered a wide range of customizable products, efficient platforms, and reliable shipping.
However, she knew that the devil was in the details, and she needed to consider various factors to make an informed choice.
In the following sections, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of Printful and Gelato, their pricing structures, e-commerce integrations, and more, helping you understand the nuances and ultimately select the best print-on-demand partner for your business.
Let’s begin.
Printful
Printful has established itself as a leading print-on-demand service since its founding in 2013.
The company offers a wide variety of high-quality print-on-demand products, allowing you to expand your brand by applying your designs to numerous items.
Printful’s design and mockup tools are user-friendly, making it easy for beginners to create and customize their products. With fulfillment centers strategically located worldwide, Printful ensures faster shipping by delivering orders from the nearest center.
However, Printful does have some drawbacks. One disadvantage is its limited focus on sustainability compared to other providers in the print-on-demand industry.
If environmental consciousness is a priority for your business, you may consider exploring alternative options.
Additionally, Printful’s pricing structure may be higher compared to some other print-on-demand providers, which could impact your profit margins.
Shipping costs, though expedited through their global fulfillment network, should also be taken into consideration.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Wide variety of high-quality print-on-demand products | Limited sustainability focus |
| User-friendly design and mockup tools | Higher pricing compared to some competitors |
| Fast shipping through strategically located fulfillment centers | Potential impact on profit margins due to shipping costs |
Gelato
Gelato is a print-on-demand platform that places a strong emphasis on sustainability, offering several benefits and considerations for businesses looking to expand their print-on-demand operations.
Gelato boasts an extensive production network that spans 32 countries, allowing for cheaper and faster shipping worldwide. With over 100 print providers as partners, Gelato ensures that your orders can be fulfilled efficiently and delivered promptly.
This global reach opens up new opportunities for businesses seeking international markets and customers.
Gelato also offers a diverse catalog of customizable products, giving you the freedom to create and sell unique items that may not be available from competitors.
Whether it’s customized apparel, home decor, or promotional merchandise, Gelato enables you to cater to the specific preferences of your target audience.
Moreover, Gelato’s focus on sustainability sets it apart from other print-on-demand platforms. By leveraging local production and minimizing transportation distances, Gelato reduces its carbon footprint.
This commitment to sustainable practices aligns with the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions and resonates with environmentally conscious consumers.
While Gelato offers numerous benefits, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when choosing this platform for your print-on-demand needs.
Firstly, Gelato is not as well-established as some of its competitors, such as Printful. Although Gelato continues to expand its network and improve its services, its relative newcomer status may mean that there could be some limitations or areas for improvement.
Secondly, while Gelato offers integrations with popular e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, and BigCommerce, the number of integrations is smaller compared to other print-on-demand providers.
This may require you to assess whether Gelato can seamlessly integrate with your existing e-commerce infrastructure.
Furthermore, Gelato’s branding options may not be as extensive as those offered by certain competitors, potentially limiting your ability to create a fully branded customer experience.
It’s essential to evaluate your branding requirements and determine if Gelato can meet them effectively.
Also Read: Gelato vs HugePod
| Benefits and Considerations | Gelato |
|---|---|
| Production Network | Global production network of over 100 print providers, spanning 32 countries |
| Shipping | Cheaper and faster shipping worldwide |
| Customizable Products | Diverse catalog of customizable products |
| Sustainability | Strong focus on sustainability and reduced carbon footprint |
| Establishment in the Market | Relatively new platform compared to more established competitors |
| Integrations | Offers integrations with popular e-commerce platforms, but with a smaller selection compared to some competitors |
| Branding Options | Branding options may be more limited compared to certain competitors |
E-commerce Integrations: Printful vs Gelato
When it comes to integrating print-on-demand services with popular e-commerce platforms, both Printful and Gelato offer seamless solutions to help you create, sell, and manage your products.
Let’s take a closer look at the e-commerce integrations provided by these two platforms.
Printful offers a robust selection of 23 e-commerce integrations, ensuring compatibility and convenience for users of different platforms.
Some of the major integrations supported by Printful include Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, eBay, Etsy among others.
Gelato also offers a range of e-commerce integrations to cater to the needs of many businesses. The platform seamlessly integrates with various popular platforms.
Some of the notable platforms include Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce etc.
While Printful supports more e-commerce integrations overall, Gelato ensures compatibility with major platforms, making it suitable for a wide range of businesses.
Also Read: Threadless vs Printful
Pricing and Plans: Printful vs Gelato
Understanding the pricing structures and plan options of each platform will help you make an informed decision based on your business needs and budget.
Printful
Printful’s pricing structure allows businesses to start with a free plan, ideal for those testing the waters or just starting out.
As your business grows, you can upgrade to Printful Premium, unlocking various benefits such as discounted product prices, faster order processing, priority support, and additional fulfillment options like warehousing.
| Plan | Price | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | Free | – Access to all basic features – Sync with unlimited stores – Order fulfillment |
| Printful Premium | Paid | – Discounted product prices – Faster order processing – Priority support – Warehousing and fulfillment solutions |
Note: Printful offers additional pricing and plan options based on your specific needs. Be sure to explore their website for a comprehensive overview.
Explore: Creator Studio vs Printful
Gelato
Gelato has a flexible pricing structure.
It offers discounts on shipping costs, helping small entrepreneurs to take advantage on profits.
In addition to the free plan, they offer the following paid plans.
| Subscription Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gelato+ | $24 | $239 | Shipping discount |
| Gold | $119 | $1195 | Increased shipping discount |
The platinum plan is tailor-made to your business requirements.
Check Out: Printful vs Prodigi
Conclusion
Printful sets itself apart with its extensive range of high-quality products and broad e-commerce integrations, making it a suitable choice for businesses seeking diverse options and seamless platform connectivity.
On the other hand, Gelato focuses on sustainable printing practices and boasts a global production network, providing environmentally conscious businesses with an appealing solution.
The decision between Printful and Gelato ultimately depends on various factors such as your specific design requirements, target audience, budget, and environmental priorities.
Printful’s diverse product offerings and comprehensive e-commerce integrations make it an attractive option for businesses looking to expand their brand and reach a wider customer base.
Gelato’s commitment to environmentally friendly printing practices and global production capabilities appeals to businesses that prioritize sustainability and want to cater to a global market.
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each platform in the Printful vs Gelato comparison to make an informed decision that aligns with your unique business goals.
Daniel is an ecommerce expert specializing in the print-on-demand and dropshipping industry. With a background in software development, he has successfully turned his tech-savvy insights into a thriving 6-figure dropshipping business. He is a contributing writer for numerous top-tier tech & ecommerce blogs.