Core formulas
The formulas to keep straight
Landed POD cost = product base cost + shipping + extras + subscription allocationGross profit = retail price - landed POD cost - platform feesSubscription allocation = monthly plan fee / monthly ordersBreak-even orders = monthly plan fee / savings per orderRequired retail price = landed cost / (1 - target margin - fee rate)Is Printful or Printify cheaper?
Printful or Printify can be cheaper depending on the product, provider, destination, plan, and order volume. Do not compare only catalog base prices. Compare product cost, shipping, extras, platform fees, and any subscription allocation.
Printify's marketplace model can produce different costs by print provider. Printful's model is simpler to compare because its product pricing includes blank product, one print or embroidery placement, and fulfillment, while shipping and extras are separate.
A POD product is cheaper only if its landed cost is lower for the exact order.
Printful vs Printify pricing facts, verified July 4, 2026
| Provider | Free plan | Paid plan | Important cost note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printify | $0/month | Premium from $39/month or $24.99/month billed yearly | Fulfillment cost excludes shipping, taxes, and storefront expenses |
| Printful | $0/month to create products or connect a store | Growth costs $24.99/month or becomes free after $12,000/year in sales | Product price includes blank product, one placement, and fulfillment |
| Gelato | Sign up free and pay for what you sell | Gelato+ includes product discounts | No commission listed on pricing page |
When does a paid POD plan pay for itself?
A paid POD plan pays for itself when monthly savings exceed the subscription fee. If a plan saves $3 per order and costs $24.99/month, it needs 9 monthly orders to break even. At $39/month, it needs 13 orders.
This is where many sellers fool themselves. A discount claim is not savings until it applies to the products you sell and the orders actually arrive.
A $24.99/month POD plan with $3 savings per order breaks even at 9 monthly orders.
Paid plan break-even by savings per order
| Savings per order | Orders for $24.99/month | Orders for $39/month | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | 25 | 39 | Needs volume |
| $2 | 13 | 20 | Check SKU mix |
| $3 | 9 | 13 | Often worth testing |
| $5 | 5 | 8 | Strong if sales hold |
| $8 | 4 | 5 | Likely pays back |
How should shipping change the comparison?
Shipping can change the winner. Printify lists shipping rates by print provider, and Printful says shipping, taxes, and extras are calculated separately. A cheaper base product can lose once destination and added-item shipping are counted.
Run one real order path before switching providers. Use the buyer's country, product size, shipping option, and expected bundle size. Then compare net profit after marketplace fees.
A $2 cheaper base cost is not cheaper if shipping is $4 higher.
- Compare the same product type and print placement.
- Use the same destination country.
- Include shipping paid by the seller.
- Include extra print areas, labels, or inserts.
- Include marketplace and payment fees.
Which is better for a small Etsy POD seller?
For a small Etsy POD seller, the better provider is the one that keeps profit after Etsy fees and still delivers quality buyers will review well. Start with landed cost and sample quality, then consider workflow and support.
My bias: choose the provider that keeps the math simple and the product reliable for your first winning SKU. A slightly lower cost is not worth repeated remakes, slow shipping, or confused support.
The best POD provider is the one that protects landed profit and buyer experience on the same SKU.
Small seller decision guide
| Priority | Pick the provider that |
|---|---|
| First test | Has the simpler setup and reliable sample |
| Margin | Wins landed cost after shipping and fees |
| Scaling | Keeps plan savings above subscription cost |
| Brand | Offers the print quality and packaging you can stand behind |
| International buyers | Ships closest to the customer without hurting cost |
Decision table
Printful vs Printify decision rules
| Question | Use this number | Best move |
|---|---|---|
| Which is cheaper? | Landed cost per order | Compare exact SKU and destination |
| Should I pay for a plan? | Savings per order x orders | Upgrade only after break-even |
| Should I switch providers? | Profit after returns and support risk | Sample first |
| Should I offer free shipping? | Shipping cost plus fee impact | Build it into retail price |
| Should I scale ads? | Break-even ROAS | Only after margin works |
Worked examples
Examples you can compare against your own numbers
Example: plan fee break-even
A seller sees a $3 per-order savings on the products they actually sell.
| Monthly plan fee | $24.99 | Paid plan |
|---|---|---|
| Savings per order | $3.00 | Exact SKU difference |
| Break-even orders | 9 | $24.99 / $3 rounded up |
| Decision | Upgrade after volume is real | Do not buy the plan for hope |
Takeaway: The plan should pay for itself from actual order savings, not from the idea of growth.
Action checklist
Before you use this number in the real business
- 1Pick one exact SKU to compare.
- 2Check product base cost.
- 3Check shipping to the same destination.
- 4Add extras like labels or extra print placements.
- 5Allocate subscription cost per order.
- 6Subtract marketplace fees.
- 7Sample before switching a working product.
Common mistakes
Mistakes that make the answer look better than reality
FAQs
Questions people ask before making the decision
Is Printful cheaper than Printify?
Sometimes, but not always. Compare the exact product, shipping destination, extras, plan status, and selling channel fees.
Is Printify Premium worth it?
Printify Premium is worth it when the monthly product savings beat the plan fee. If it saves $3 per order, the $39 monthly plan breaks even at 13 orders.
How much does Printful Growth cost?
Verified July 4, 2026, Printful says Growth costs $24.99/month and becomes free once you reach $12,000/year in sales.
Should Etsy POD sellers use Printful or Printify?
Use the one with better landed profit and quality for the exact SKU. Etsy fees make small cost differences matter, but poor fulfillment can cost more in reviews.
What is landed cost in POD?
Landed cost is product base cost plus shipping, extras, taxes when applicable, and plan allocation. It is the number to use before adding marketplace fees and profit margin.
Sources and notes
Where the assumptions come from
Official Printify plan pricing, Premium discount claims, and production cost notes.
Official Printify page listing shipping rates by print provider.
Official Printful pricing page for Free, Growth, product pricing, samples, and extras.
Official Gelato pricing page used for alternative provider context.