Spocket vs Gelato : Combining Dropshipping and POD

If you’ve been building an ecommerce store lately, you’ve probably noticed something. The stores that scale smoothly rarely rely on just one fulfillment model. They mix what works. That’s why the conversation around Spocket vs Gelato keeps coming up, especially for founders who want to combine classic dropshipping with print on demand (POD).

Here’s the practical reason this combo is attractive:
Dropshipping lets you sell proven products without holding inventory, while POD lets you build a brand through custom designs, personalization, and higher perceived value. When you combine both, you can diversify your catalog, test faster, and reduce the risk of depending on a single product type.

This guide compares Spocket and Gelato with a clear goal: help you choose the right platform (or the right mix) for your store, your audience, and your margins.

What combining dropshipping and POD actually looks like

Most stores don’t combine models “just because.” They do it to solve specific business problems like low repeat purchases, lack of differentiation, or unstable ad performance.

A blended store usually looks like this:

• Dropshipping products for breadth, trending categories, and fast testing
• POD products for brand-building, personalization, and higher-margin hero items
• A single storefront where customers can buy both without feeling like it’s two different brands

The most common winning setup is using dropshipping to fill out the catalog and POD to create “signature items” that make the store feel unique.

Quick positioning overview of Spocket vs Gelato

Before we dive into details, it helps to understand what each platform is best known for.

Spocket 

Spocket is primarily a dropshipping platform focused on sourcing products from suppliers, with a strong emphasis on US/EU supplier access and fast shipping, and it also supports POD so sellers can offer custom products.

Gelato 

Gelato is a print on demand platform built around a global network model that enables local production in multiple countries, designed to help creators sell custom products worldwide.

Why people compare them

Because many store owners are deciding whether to:

• Run POD inside a broader dropshipping strategy
• Add POD to an existing dropshipping store
• Choose one platform that can cover most needs

And that’s why the keyword Spocket vs Gelato matters: it’s less about “which is better overall,” and more about “which is better for my store model.”

Spocket vs Gelato: Let’s compare

At the heart of this comparison is one simple distinction:

• Spocket is built to help you source and sell dropshipping products (and supports POD as an expansion path).
• Gelato is built to help you create and sell print on demand products (and integrates with major selling channels).

So the decision becomes clearer when you ask: Are you primarily building a dropshipping store that wants POD as a layer, or a POD store that wants a broader catalog?

1. Products and catalog strategy

This section matters because the “right” platform depends heavily on what you want to sell.

Spocket product strategy

With Spocket, the value is breadth and sourcing options. You can build a general store, a niche store, or a curated catalog with suppliers that support faster delivery (especially in US/EU-focused markets).

If you’re combining dropshipping and POD, Spocket helps you do the “classic ecommerce thing” well:

• add complementary products
• build bundles
• test new categories quickly
• expand into POD categories without redesigning your entire store approach

Gelato product strategy

Gelato is about custom product creation and fulfillment at scale. The platform is positioned around local production across multiple countries and broad delivery reach, which can be useful for brands selling globally.

If your store is design-led (apparel, wall art, stationery, gifting), Gelato is naturally aligned because everything starts with the design workflow.

2. Shipping and fulfillment expectations

Shipping is where blended stores win or lose customer trust. This is also where Spocket vs Gelato becomes a practical decision, not a features debate.

Spocket fulfillment

Spocket emphasizes fast shipping through its supplier network and highlights that a large portion of suppliers are located in the US and EU, which supports shorter delivery windows for many customers.  It also describes typical POD production time and notes that delivery varies by destination, with faster turnaround supported by US/EU supplier concentration.

This can be a strong advantage if your audience is concentrated in North America or Europe and shipping speed is a conversion lever.

Gelato fulfillment

Gelato’s model centers on local production in many countries, supported by a network of print partners, and it states it can deliver to a very large number of countries and regions.

If you’re selling internationally and you care about reducing cross-border friction, local production can help, especially for POD items where shipping costs and delivery times can otherwise spike.

3. Integrations and store setup

This section is important because your operational workload goes up quickly when you’re running two fulfillment models.

Spocket integrations

Spocket positions itself around ecommerce integrations and centralized management so you can source products and manage orders without juggling multiple dashboards.

If your main store is dropshipping-driven, Spocket typically feels like the hub.

Gelato integrations

Gelato emphasizes integrations with ecommerce platforms and marketplaces, and it also documents alternative options when a native integration isn’t available.

If you’re running a POD-first operation, the Gelato workflow can be your starting point.

4. Branding and customer experience

This is where POD can dramatically improve a dropshipping store. Dropshipping stores often struggle with differentiation. POD solves that by letting you create:

• brand-specific designs
• personalized products
• giftable items with emotional appeal

So the smarter question isn’t “Spocket or Gelato?” It’s:  “How do I use POD to make my dropshipping store feel like a brand?”

A strong blended brand approach

• Use dropshipping items as functional complements
• Use POD items as your signature products
• Build a collection around a theme instead of random SKUs

This helps your store feel curated, which improves conversion rates and repeat purchase behavior.

5. Pricing model mindset for both platforms

Even without diving into exact plan pricing, the way you should think about costs is different.

Dropshipping cost structure

With dropshipping, your main cost pressures are:

• supplier base cost
• shipping cost
• refunds/returns
• ad spend

Your advantage is fast product testing without holding inventory.

POD cost structure

With POD, your main cost pressures are:

• base cost of printing
• shipping cost (varies by region)
• design workload and iteration
• customer expectations around “made to order”

Your advantage is higher perceived value and better differentiation.

Blending both lets you balance:

• dropshipping breadth + POD uniqueness
• faster testing + stronger brand identity
• multiple price points across the store

When to Choose Spocket vs Gelato for Your Store Model

Choosing between Spocket vs Gelato isn’t about which platform is “better” overall—it’s about which one aligns with your primary business model. Your decision should reflect how your store is structured, where your customers are located, and whether your revenue is driven mainly by curated dropshipping products or custom print-on-demand items. The right platform is the one that supports your core strategy without forcing you to rebuild your workflow as you scale.

When Spocket is the better choice

Use Spocket if your store is dropshipping-led and you want POD as a strategic add-on.

Spocket tends to be the better fit when:

• You want a broader product catalog beyond POD
• You’re focused on US/EU customers and shipping speed matters
• You want to test products quickly and expand into POD without rebuilding your workflow

If your store already runs on dropshipping, Spocket is often the simplest way to add POD while keeping your operations cohesive.

When Gelato is the better choice

Choose Gelato if your store is POD-first and you want strong international reach through a local production model.

Gelato tends to be the better fit when:

• Your catalog is primarily custom products
• You expect international orders and want local production advantages
• Your brand is design-led, personalization-led, or creator-led

If POD is your main revenue engine, Gelato may feel like the more natural foundation.

The best approach for combining dropshipping and POD

If your goal is explicitly combining both models, here’s the cleanest strategy most stores can execute without chaos.

Step 1 - Choose your hero category

Pick one main category that defines your store. Examples:

• Home decor
• Pet accessories
• Fitness lifestyle
• Office essentials
• Gifting

Step 2 - Assign roles to each fulfillment model

• Use POD for hero products and brand identity pieces
• Use dropshipping for complementary items, bundles, and upsells

This avoids the common mistake of mixing products randomly.

Step 3 - Build a cohesive merchandising flow

Your product pages should make the mix feel intentional:

• “Complete the set” sections
• Bundles that pair POD + dropship items
• A consistent visual style and brand voice

Step 4 - Set expectations clearly

For POD items, customers need clarity on production time and personalization rules. For dropshipping items, customers need clarity on delivery windows and return conditions.

This reduces refund risk and increases trust.

Decision checklist for Spocket vs Gelato

If you’re still deciding, use this logic:

Choose Spocket if:

• You’re dropshipping-first and want POD as an add-on
• You care more about product sourcing breadth and fast delivery lanes

Choose Gelato if:

• You’re POD-first and want global production advantages
• Your store is design-led and international fulfillment matters

Use both intentionally if:

• You want a broader catalog plus unique signature products
• You want to reduce dependency on a single business model
• You’re building a brand that needs both variety and differentiation

Conclusion

The real takeaway from Spocket vs Gelato is that they’re built for slightly different starting points. Spocket is the stronger foundation for dropshipping-led stores that want to add POD, while Gelato is built for POD-led stores that want global fulfillment efficiency through local production.

If your goal is combining dropshipping and POD, you don’t need to choose a side blindly. Choose a primary model, assign clear roles to each product type, and build a catalog that feels like one brand. That’s how you get variety without chaos, and differentiation without operational overload.