Gelato vs Printify: Which Is Better for Print on Demand?

With so many platforms out there, it's important to compare not just pricing, but also quality, customization, and fulfillment speed. 

In this guide, we take a closer look at Gelato vs Printify—two of the most popular POD platforms today. 

Whether you're just starting out or looking to switch providers, this comparison will help you decide which one best fits your business goals.

Printify Pros and Cons

Printify gives you access to many print providers and products under one platform. This setup gives you more control, but also adds a few challenges you should think about.

Printify Pros:

• Broader product range 
  You can sell more than just t-shirts. There are hoodies, drinkware, home items, and accessories. This helps if you want to build a store with more variety or reach different buyer interests.
• Flexible supplier choice 
  You get to pick from a list of printing partners. Some might offer lower prices, while others are known for faster shipping or better print quality. This allows you to test and choose what works best for each product.
• Simple setup with store platforms 
  Printify connects smoothly with platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and BigCommerce. Once linked, products and orders sync automatically, saving you time and reducing mistakes.

Printify Cons:

• Uneven product quality 
  Since printing is handled by third parties, not every provider delivers the same level of quality. This means you may need to try a few before finding the most reliable one.
• Delivery times can change 
  Shipping speed depends on the print partner's location and how fast they process orders. Some customers might get their orders quickly, while others wait longer.
• Limited branding unless upgraded 
  If you're using the free plan, you won't be able to customize packaging or include branded materials. This can make it harder to stand out if branding is a key part of your business.

Gelato Pros and Cons

Gelato is a print-on-demand platform that focuses on global production and fast delivery. It uses local print partners around the world to reduce shipping time and costs.

However, like any service, Gelato has its strengths and weaknesses you should know before choosing it.

Gelato Pros:

• Global production network 
  Gelato works with printers in many countries. This helps you deliver products faster because items are printed close to your customers. It also lowers shipping costs.
• Strong focus on sustainability 
  Gelato promotes eco-friendly printing processes. If your brand cares about the environment, this can be a big plus when using Gelato.
• Easy integration with popular stores 
  Gelato connects smoothly with platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce, making order management easier.
• Quality control with local partners 
  Since printing happens nearby, it is easier to maintain good product quality and fix issues quickly.

Gelato Cons:

• Smaller product range compared to competitors 
  Gelato offers fewer product options than some other POD platforms, which may limit your store's variety.
• Limited print partner choice 
  You can't pick from multiple suppliers like on some platforms. This means less flexibility in pricing and shipping options.
• Pricing can be higher 
  Because Gelato focuses on local printing and quality, costs may be a bit higher, affecting your profit margins.
• Shipping coverage varies 
  Some regions have fewer print partners, which might result in longer delivery times or higher shipping fees.

Printify vs Gelato: Complete Comparison in 2025

Product Options and Customization

Printify

Printify offers a large variety of products, from clothing to home goods. You can customize many items with different printing methods. 

This flexibility lets you test many product ideas and appeal to different customers. The platform also supports personalized text and design placements.

Gelato

Gelato has a more limited product range compared to Printify. However, it focuses on quality over quantity and offers customization options on popular products like apparel and prints. 

You may find fewer choices but more consistency in how the items can be personalized.

Product Quality and Profitability

Printify

Because Printify works with many print providers, product quality can vary. This means you need to order samples to find reliable suppliers. 

Profit margins depend on the provider you select and shipping costs. Some products can be priced competitively, but quality control requires effort.

Gelato

Gelato partners with fewer, carefully chosen suppliers, which often results in more consistent quality. This can help reduce returns and improve customer satisfaction. 

Pricing tends to be higher, so your profits might be smaller, but many sellers find the trade-off worth it for better quality.

Production and Global Fulfillment (Shipping Speed and Coverage)

Printify

Printify's network covers many countries. Shipping speed depends on the supplier's location. You can choose suppliers near your customers to reduce delivery time. 

However, some regions may experience longer shipping times due to the varied provider base.

Gelato

Gelato focuses heavily on local production worldwide. This means items are often made closer to the buyer, lowering shipping costs and speeding up delivery. It's a strong choice if you want to offer fast and eco-friendly shipping across different countries.

Sales Channel Integration and Platform Support

Printify

Printify integrates easily with many popular platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce. This makes it simple for you to manage orders and products in one place. The platform also offers APIs for custom solutions if you want to expand.

Gelato

Gelato supports major platforms but has fewer integrations overall. This can limit your options if you sell on less common marketplaces. 

Still, it covers the basics well, especially Shopify, making it suitable for many small to mid-size stores.

Customer Support and User Experience

Printify

Printify offers email support and a help center with guides. Some users say support response times vary. The platform's interface is user-friendly, letting you design products and track orders with ease.

Gelato

Gelato's platform is simple and clean. Support is available, but some sellers report slower responses. The focus is on smooth order management, but if you need quick help, you might face delays.

Pricing Plans

Printify

Printify has a free plan with basic features. The premium plan costs $29 per month and gives you discounts on products. 

This can improve your profit margins if you sell regularly. You pay production and shipping costs on top of the plan fee.

Gelato

Gelato offers a free pay-as-you-go plan where you only pay for products and shipping, keeping upfront costs low.

For access to premium features and shipping discounts, paid subscriptions like Gelato+ and Gelato Gold are available.

Customer Reviews and Reputation

Printify

Many users appreciate Printify for its wide product range and integrations. However, complaints about inconsistent quality and shipping delays appear frequently. 

It's important to carefully select suppliers and manage customer expectations.

Gelato

Gelato is praised for its better quality control and local production approach. Some users find pricing high and support slow, but many like the eco-friendly mission. 

Overall, it has a growing positive reputation, especially for international sellers focused on quality.

Printify's Vendor Model vs. Gelato's Integrated Fulfillment

When you compare Printify's vendor model to Gelato's integrated fulfillment, you'll notice some key differences in how your orders are handled. Printify acts as a middleman, connecting you with various print providers. 

This means your order goes through an algorithm that decides which vendor prints your item. Sometimes, this can cause delays or confusion if the order never reaches the printer.

Gelato, on the other hand, uses an integrated system where they control the whole process. They work closely with local print partners, which usually means fewer mistakes and faster shipping. 

If you need a refund, Gelato tends to be easier to deal with. Since they manage fulfillment directly, they can handle issues like color problems or late deliveries faster and more fairly.

Printify is generally cheaper, but you get what you pay for. Some users find the quality inconsistent because it depends on which vendor fulfills your order. 

In summary, Printify offers:

• Lower prices
• Multiple vendor choices
• More risk of order errors and slow refunds

Gelato provides:

• Integrated fulfillment for smoother service
• Better quality control
• Easier refund handling

Your choice depends on whether you want lower prices or a more reliable, hands-on service.

How Sellers Benefit from Using Both Gelato and Printify

Using both Gelato and Printify together can give you more options to grow your print-on-demand business. You can pick the best platform for different product types. 

For example, you might prefer Gelato for your shirts because of their better quality and local printing. At the same time, Printify could be your go-to for stickers or other items that Gelato doesn't offer or has limited choices for.

If you sell on Shopify or WooCommerce, it's usually possible to run both platforms at once. Each platform handles only the products linked to it. 

This means you can have Gelato managing some products and Printify handling others without much trouble. Just be ready to test your setup regularly to avoid conflicts between plugins.

Here are a few benefits of using both:

• More product variety: You're not limited to just one supplier's catalog.
• Better pricing options: You can choose the cheaper option for certain products.
• Higher chances of faster shipping: You can pick print partners closer to your customers.

Using multiple platforms means a bit more work, but it can also help you serve your customers better and grow your sales in different niches.

Read More:

• Gelato Print on Demand Reviews: Features, Pros & Cons
• Printify Vs Printful: Which Is Better for Your POD Business

So, Gelato vs Printify: Which Is Better for Print on Demand?

When deciding between Gelato vs Printify, you need to think about what matters most to you. Both platforms offer good options for print-on-demand, but they work differently. You get more product choices with Printify, while Gelato focuses on quality and local printing.

Take what you've learned here and pick the platform that feels right. You can even use both if you want to cover more ground. Either way, you're set up to grow.

FAQs

Is there a better option than Printify?

It depends on your needs. Some sellers prefer Gelato or Printful for better quality or faster shipping. Each platform has pros and cons, so the best choice varies by what you want most.

Is Gelato better than Printful?

Gelato focuses on local printing and fast delivery, while Printify offers a bigger product range. Gelato can be better for shipping speed, but Printify often leads in product variety.

What are the most profitable items on Printify?

T-shirts and hoodies usually make good profits because they sell well and have reasonable production costs. Customized mugs and phone cases can also bring decent earnings if marketed right.

Why is my shipping so expensive on Printify?

Shipping costs depend on your vendor location and customer address. Sometimes products ship from far away or multiple vendors, which can increase fees. Choosing local suppliers helps lower shipping charges.