Gelato is useful to consider when you want production near customers in several countries. Printful is useful to consider when its garments, design tools, or branding options fit your collection. Start with the products you want to sell, then compare their total cost and samples.
I built ArtDrop to create products across print providers. This guide compares Gelato and Printful so you can choose the products and production setup that fit your work.
Compare the details your customers will notice
For prints, check the paper finish, border, frame, and color in a physical sample. For clothing, compare the garment itself as well as the printing: fit, fabric, available colors, and placement. These details give you a more useful answer than a general quality rating for either company.
Gelato: A production network close to your customers
Gelato chooses a production partner for each order and aims to print close to the delivery address. Stock, capacity, and the product you choose determine where it is made. Its catalog shows typical production locations, which are useful when comparing delivery to different countries. Gelato production locations.
Printful: Design tools and a managed production network
Printful uses its own production centers and partner facilities. It selects the facility for each order based on the product, stock, and printing method. You design the product in Printful and manage it through one account. Printful production locations.
Compare the total cost
Use the same artwork, product size, material, and delivery address in each account. Add production and shipping, plus taxes and any extras you choose. A low starting price is useful only if the complete order fits your selling price.
In ArtDrop, Provider Cost Comparison gives you a starting estimate. Check the final price in the provider account before setting your retail price.
Free accounts and optional plans
Gelato and Printful offer free accounts. A paid plan can make sense when its discounts save more than the subscription costs at your expected order volume.
Scroll sideways to compare all providers.
| Factor | Gelato | Printful |
|---|---|---|
| Wall art and prints | Yes | Yes |
| Apparel | Yes | Yes |
| Embroidery | Yes | Yes |
| Shopify integration | Yes | Yes |
| Paid subscription required | No. Gelato+ is optional. | No. Growth is optional. |
Production, shipping, taxes, and optional services are billed separately. See Gelato pricing, Printful pricing.
Order a sample of your artwork
Use an image with the colors and detail you regularly sell. Compare the finished print, material, placement, and packaging. Check the delivery time as well. Keep a sample of the product you choose so you have something to compare with later orders.
Using more than one provider
You can use different providers for different products in the same Shopify store. For example, choose one for the framed print you prefer and another for a shirt that fits your collection. Keep each product connected to the provider that will print it, and make shipping charges and delivery estimates clear.
A second provider also gives you another option if a product becomes unavailable. Prepare and sample the replacement product before switching the listing. The Shopify publishing guide explains how the store and provider connections fit together.
ArtDrop writes product titles and descriptions in your brand voice and applies your saved product templates to each new artwork. Drop several files together to create a collection without re-entering the same settings.
Publish to Shopify or Etsy through your connected Gelato store. ArtDrop’s Printful workflow follows the store you connect: a standalone store keeps the product in Printful, and a Shopify-connected store finishes with a live Shopify listing. See Printful setup for that workflow.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gelato or Printful cheaper?
Compare the same product size, material, delivery address, and shipping speed in both accounts. Production prices, shipping, and plan discounts can make a different option cheaper for each product.
Does Gelato always print in the customer’s country?
Gelato aims to produce locally. The product, stock, and available production capacity determine the actual location. Check the product’s available destinations and delivery estimate.
Can I use Gelato and Printful on one Shopify store?
Yes. Shopify can sell products from both providers. Connect each product to the provider that will fulfill it. ArtDrop’s Gelato publishing and its Printful workflow are separate: a standalone Printful store keeps the product in Printful, and a Shopify-connected Printful store finishes with a live Shopify listing. See the connection guides below.