Gooten Print on Demand Review (2024): Should You Use It?

Print on Demand (POD) is a great way to begin an online store without needing to keep inventory. If you’re looking for a reliable POD provider, this Gooten review will cover everything you need to know about this company, the brand is one of the giants in the POD industry.

Gooten provides a lot of services, including product creation, shipping, and logistics. They’re also known for offering excellent customer support and easy integrations with your eCommerce store.

Now, let’s take a closer look at what Gooten can offer and whether or not you should use it in this review!

Overview about Gooten Print on Demand

If you've never heard of Gooten before, it's a worldwide distribution, production, and logistics company that offers a print-on-demand drop shipping service for online merchants.

Gooten is a Print on Demand platform based in the U.S., founded in 2015 by Johannes Gutenberg. The company chose the name Gooten that begins from the need to show off its founder’s values and knowledge in the growing POD market. The mission of this brand is to help eCommerce sellers grow through simplifying product production and offering useful tools.

Gooten offers high-quality services on par with other top companies in the industry and has a 95% success rate for meeting delivery times. Additionally, it has proven itself as a reliable POD provider because it has produced and shipped up to more than 4 million items so far.

With Gooten, you can feel confident that your business is in good hands.

How Does Gooten Print on Demand Work?

Print On Demand companies like Gooten make it easier for entrepreneurs to start their businesses. They handle everything from receiving orders to manufacturing, packaging, and shipping. This is a great option for small businesses and entrepreneurs who want to start without worrying about stock or warehouses.

To start working with Gooten, you need to fill out a contact form in the Contact sales section, where you’ll explain your project and whether it's already up and running. Gooten focuses on working with serious projects, so they use this form as an initial filter.

(Image Source: Gooten Contact form)

Here’s a basic rundown of how Gooten works:

• Step 1: Opt for the items you want to sell.
• Step 2: Add your custom designs.
• Step 3: List the products for sale in your store. That’s it!

However, you still need to market your store and attract customers. It’s your job to bring traffic to your store and turn that traffic into sales. Gooten makes it easier to source and list custom products, but you’ll still need to handle the marketing.

You can also integrate Gooten into your online store. Most of the time, this is a simple and quick process using an app, but in some cases, you may need to use their API. After completing this step, Gooten Print On Demand will be ready to use in your store.

As for pricing, you only pay Gooten when a product sells. There are no transaction fees,  cost on months, or subscription costs. You keep the profits for each product and only pay Gooten the base price when a sale is made.

This way, you don’t pay for products that aren’t selling, and you have better control over your cash flow since there are no recurring fees.

Gooten Features Review

Product Catalog and Printing Quality

(Image Source: Gooten Product Catalogue)

One of Gooten’s standout features is its unique product range. While it may not offer as many options as Printify or Printful, it’s still a supplier worth considering. Wondering what Gooten has to offer?

Here’s a glimpse at their product lineup:

• Accessories: Phone cases, mats, bags, sports luggage, car seat covers, fanny packs, scrunchies, and more.
• Clothing: T-shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts (hooded and non-hooded), jackets, socks, pajamas, and more.
• Stationery: Notebooks, diaries, notepads, stickers, holiday cards, and calendars.
• Souvenirs: Posters, canvases, mugs, ornaments, puzzles, and similar items.
• Baby Items: Baby clothes, bibs, blankets, crib sheets, headbands, hats, and towels.
• Pet Supplies: Bowls, ID badges, leashes, collars, beds, and bandanas.

Gooten ensures good quality across all its products using various printing methods like direct-to-garment printing, sublimation, digital printing, and embroidery. Their factories also work efficiently to fulfill orders quickly.

Gooten’s advanced printing technology ensures high-quality, durable prints with vibrant colors, rivaling the quality offered by leading competitors like Printful.

Gooten doesn’t offer free samples, but ordering them is a smart investment. It helps you ensure product quality, confirm it suits your brand, and provides items to photograph for your store. High-quality photos from samples make your listings more appealing and professional, enhancing your online shop's overall presentation.

*Tip: Select Print on demand products that align with your niche and audience. Consider placing a sample order to check the print quality, colors, and materials firsthand to ensure they meet your standards.

Merchant Dashboard and Selling Tools

Gooten’s merchant dashboard is packed with features to help online store owners maximize their business. Its user-friendly interface is especially helpful for those with some experience.

Here’s what you can do:

• Manage multiple stores with just one Gooten account.
• Sync products for smooth, automated order fulfillment.
• Place single orders, samples, or bulk orders using CSV files.
• Create and publish products across multiple stores or sales channels at the same time.

Gooten also provides essential tools to help you manage your print-on-demand business efficiently. Here's what they have:

• Web-based dashboard: Easily handle orders, inventory, and customer details.
• Mockup generators: Create realistic product images to showcase your designs, helping attract more customers to your store.

• Artwork Uploads: Upload your designs smoothly, ensuring they work well across different products.
• Design Placement Tools: Use features like "Image Transparency," "Safe Zone," and "Bleed Area" to position your designs perfectly.
• Product Hub: Manage products for Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce with a dedicated dashboard featuring five organized tabs for easy control.

💡 Pro tip: Try EComposer to build stunning store with these POD Products and share the heartwarming story of your business, along with adorable photos and behind-the-scenes moments online. Make them engaging to create a connection with you.

Fulfillment and Shipping

Gooten typically fulfills orders within 5 business days, excluding weekends, which is slightly longer than the average 3-day turnaround with other POD providers. 

Here’s how shipping works:

Tracking: Once a vendor prints the shipping label, tracking details are added to the order.

Delivery Times:

• Standard US shipping: Up to 5 days.
• Expedited shipping: 2–4 days.
• Overnight shipping: Arrives the next business day.
• International shipping: Up to 21 days, depending on location and method.

Shipping Costs:

• Costs depend on the product, location, and shipping method.
• Some items, like accessories, apparel, and wall art, have flat shipping rates.
• Rates may vary due to box size limits and carrier options.

Shipping costs are automatically included in the product price when a customer adds an item to their cart. Gooten's Shipping Calculator provides an estimate of the costs to ship products worldwide.

By default, all orders use Gooten's standard shipping unless you enable Advanced Shipping Rules. This means Gooten charges standard rates regardless of whether you pass those costs to your customers.

*Tip: Gooten recommends using Advanced Shipping Rules to customize and manage your shipping prices more effectively.

Integrations with eCommerce Platforms

Gooten has limited built-in plugins, currently supporting WooCommerce, Etsy, and Shopify. However, if you're a developer who enjoys coding, you can use Gooten's JSON-friendly and well-documented API to create custom integrations. This allows you to connect Gooten with platforms like Squarespace or BigCommerce based on your specific needs.

Connecting Gooten to Your Online Store

Gooten simplifies the process of linking your ecommerce store, allowing you to focus on building up your business. Once connected, the integration offers:

• Speed: Orders are processed, produced, and shipped automatically without manual effort.
• Simplicity: Connect multiple platforms and stores, all managed from one dashboard.
• Accuracy: Automated fulfillment reduces errors, helping protect your brand's reputation.

Gooten API for Advanced Users

(Image Source: Gooten API)

For tech-savvy merchants, the Gooten API opens the door to creating unique eCommerce solutions, like mobile apps and advanced customizations. With the API, you can access services such as:

• Image editing
• Address validation
• Product listing management
• Order status tracking
• Webhooks for real-time updates
• Print-ready product setup

Why Developers Love the Gooten API

• User-Friendly: Clear documentation and a JSON-friendly design make it easy to use.
• Scalable: Handles thousands of daily orders, perfect for growing businesses.
• Secure: Prioritizes safe transactions to protect your business and customers.

Customer Service and Loyalty Program

1. Customer Service

(Image Source: Gooten Help Center)

Customer service is important to Gooten, and they focus on adapting their support to fit partners' needs. 

• Live Chat: You can reach their customer support team through live webchat, available Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm EST. 
• Email Support: Prefer email? Send your query, and they will respond within 72 hours.
• Self-Help Resources: If you prefer self-help, Gooten offers a detailed online blog and knowledge base, which are excellent resources for finding answers and solutions to common questions. These tools are comprehensive, making it easier for you to address issues independently.

2. Loyalty Program

(Image Source: Gooten VIM program)

In September 2020, Gooten introduced a unique loyalty program for the print-on-demand industry called VIM Program (Very Important Merchant). This program is designed to help merchants grow their online businesses through support, education, and special benefits.

The program offers four status levels, determined by the merchant’s transaction volume with Gooten. Each level focuses on customer service, business insights, and operational transparency.

Here are the key benefits of the VIM program:

• The status reports and updates on production and delivery times are personalized.
• Dedicated partnership managers to assist with business growth.
• Exclusive discounts on events, services, and products from Gooten’s partners like Shirt Lab, Wevo, Hawke Media, Avalara, and Privy.
• Access to office hours with Gooten executives for guidance on shipping, marketing, manufacturing, and operations.
• Early access to new Gooten features.
• Business intelligence tools, including webinars with industry experts, campaign planning support, and sample credits.
• Enhanced customer support with improved communication channels.

This program offers merchants valuable resources to expand and streamline their businesses.

Gooten Pricing Plan

1. Costs

With Gooten, there are no subscription fees, transaction fees, or any other recurring costs. You only pay for the products that are actually ordered and printed. This is one of the advantages of the Print on Demand (POD) business model—you only pay for what’s sold.

Here’s how Gooten charges you:

• Your customer pays you using your preferred payment method (PayPal, Debit, Bitcoin, etc.).
• Then Gooten will charge your credit card for the products your customer purchased.

The advantage of this system is that your products are completely white label, so customers won’t see "Gooten" on their bank statements. You can run your business without your customers knowing you’re using a POD model.

If you prefer, you can set up the Gooten Widget on your store, so customers pay directly through Gooten’s secure checkout. In this case, your credit card won’t be charged, and your profits will be paid to you every two weeks via ACH or PayPal.

2. Product Pricing

You can find the cost of Gooten products in the Product Catalogue. The listed prices include the cost of the item and adding your custom design.

For example, if a phone case costs $4.95, that price includes both the case and your design printed on it. However, shipping costs are not included in this price.

You have full control over how much you want to charge for your products. For instance, if a phone case costs $4.95, you can set your profit margin as a fixed amount or a percentage.

Examples:

• Product cost ($4.95) + Fixed profit margin ($5) = Sale price ($9.95)
• Product cost ($4.95) + Percentage profit margin (50%) = Sale price ($7.42)

3. Cost to Integrate with eCommerce platforms

As mentioned above, Gooten can be integrated with Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce, and it also offers a Gooten API. 

• A basic Shopify store costs from $5 as Starter plan ($1/month for first 3 months). 
• Etsy doesn’t have a monthly fee, but it charges $0.20 per listing, a 5% transaction fee, a 3% + $0.25 payment processing fee, and a 15% offsite ads fee.
• WooCommerce is a free plugin, but you need a web host to set up your eCommerce site. Recommended web hosts for WooCommerce and WordPress include Siteground, Bluehost, Pressable, and WordPress. Hosting plans usually start at $3.95 per month.

Pros and Cons of Gooten

1. Pros

Each Print On Demand provider has its own special features that set it apart from others. It's important to understand the benefits of Gooten so you can make the best choice for your needs.

• Pricing: Gooten is free to use, with no hidden fees or payment plans. You can access all features without extra charges.
• Delivery Times: Gooten is quick when it comes to fulfilling orders. The average production time is 2 to 5 business days, though they estimate it to be about 1.7 days.
• Production: In 2019, Gooten processed over a million orders. It operates in several countries, including Australia, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Italy, and the Czech Republic, with orders shipped to over 160 countries.
• Ease of Use: The platform is also user-friendly, featuring a well-organized and easy-to-navigate control panel.
• Quality: Gooten focuses on providing high-quality products by working with top manufacturers to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Unique Items: Gooten offers some unique products that you won’t find everywhere, like clocks, puzzles, pet supplies, and wall calendars.

2. Cons

Like any company, Gooten has some drawbacks you should consider before choosing them as your provider. Here are the main disadvantages:

• Registration: You can't start using the platform immediately; you need to request access through their website, which may take some time.
• Variety: Compared to other providers, Gooten has a smaller product catalog with around 150 customizable items.
• Branding: Gooten doesn't allow you to customize packaging or add custom labels to your products.
• Integrations: Gooten offers limited integrations, so you might need to use their API for some tasks.

Others also read

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Real reviews from Customers

(Image Source: Gooten app on Shopify)

Gooten has an overall rating of 4.4/5.0 on Shopify and 4.3/5.0 on Trustpilot. Here's a simplified summary of the feedback:

Positive Feedback:

• Easy Setup & Fast Shipping: Many users praised Gooten for its smooth integration with Shopify and fast shipping. One user even chose Gooten exclusively for their new store, noting consistent quality and reliability.
• Great User Experience: The platform's user interface (UI) and setup process were highlighted as easy to navigate. Integrations with third-party platforms like Etsy were also appreciated.
• Helpful Support & Affordable Products: Users were impressed with the catalog and customer support, with quick responses to questions. Gooten's affordable, high-quality apparel, especially premium brands like Shakawear, also received positive reviews.

Negative Feedback:

• Poor Customer Service: Many users reported slow customer support, with long response times and unresolved issues. One reviewer shared that it took weeks to resolve an open issue.
• Fragmented Experience: A few users found Gooten’s platform fragmented and difficult to use, feeling that processes were not seamless and online support was lacking.
• Product Mix-ups: Some users complained about receiving incorrect products, particularly wrong materials, despite clear communication.

Overall Impression:

Gooten is generally praised for its user-friendly platform, fast shipping, and high-quality products, especially in apparel. However, customer service is a major area of concern, with many users citing slow response times and difficulty in getting support.

Gooten Alternatives

1. Printify

Printify is one of biggest competitors and a popular print-on-demand (POD) solution that works with your existing website. Here’s why many sellers might choose Printify over Printful:

Why Choose Printify?

• Huge Product Catalog: Printify offers over 800 products—more than twice as many as Printful. Their catalog includes niche items, giving you plenty of options to match your store's needs.
• Competitive Pricing: Printify often has lower prices than Printful, leading to better profit margins. This is because Printify works with a large global network of printing partners that compete for your business.
• Global Fulfillment Network: With hundreds of print providers worldwide, including many in the US, Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia, Printify ensures wide-reaching fulfillment options.

Key Features: 

• 800+ products
• Global fulfillment
• Geo routing
• Ecommerce integrations
• Mockup generator
• Merchant protection

Pros and Cons

2. Sellfy

Sellfy is a great alternative to Printful, especially if you don’t already have a website. It’s an all-in-one ecommerce platform with built-in print-on-demand (POD) features.

Why Choose Sellfy?

Unlike traditional POD services, Sellfy is an ecommerce platform similar to Shopify or BigCommerce. It includes everything you need to build and manage your online store, like:

• A drag-and-drop website builder
• Pre-designed templates
• Inventory management tools
• Shopping cart and checkout features
• Marketing tools like email campaigns and discounts

Sellfy also works as a POD provider. You can easily add custom merch to your store from its built-in catalog and personalize it with your designs. Sellfy handles order fulfillment, so you only pay for the product and shipping after making a sale. You control pricing to set your profit margins.

In addition to POD, Sellfy allows you to sell physical inventory, digital products, and subscription memberships.

Key Features: 

• Store customizer
• Integrated POD
• Digital product sales
• PayPal & Stripe support
• Marketing tools

Pros and Cons

3. SPOD

SPOD is a well-known print-on-demand (POD) service with over 20 years of experience and a strong reputation. It operates its own production centers in the US (Las Vegas) and Europe (Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic).

Why Choose SPOD?

• Easy Integration & Customization: Connect SPOD seamlessly with Shopify, Amazon, eBay, or WooCommerce. Choose from 200+ products and use your designs or SPOD’s 50,000+ pre-made options.
• Fast Fulfillment: SPOD automates production and ships directly to customers within 48 hours, ensuring quick delivery.
• Quality Assurance: Known for reliable product quality, SPOD offers discounted sample orders so you can check before selling.

Key Features: 

• In-house production facilities
• Worldwide shipping
• 200+ customizable products
• Discounted sample orders
• Easy integration with popular platforms

Pros and Cons

Read our full reviews on SPOD to see if it's the right alternative for you.

4. Amazon Merch On Demand

Amazon Merch On Demand is a print-on-demand service run by Amazon, making it a great choice for faster shipping and wide reach.

Why Choose Amazon Merch On Demand?

• Faster Shipping: Unlike many POD services with long delivery times, Amazon Merch On Demand offers Prime Shipping, delivering products within 2 days—a big advantage for customers who don’t like waiting.
• Massive Audience: Selling through Amazon gives you access to millions of shoppers on the world’s largest ecommerce platform, significantly increasing your potential customer base.
• Simple Process: After signing up and getting approved, you can upload designs, set prices, and add product descriptions. Amazon takes care of production, shipping, and customer service, paying you royalties for each sale.

Key Features: 

• Access to the Amazon marketplace
• Prime Shipping (2-day deliveries)
• Global fulfillment
• Design uploads and customization
• Flexible pricing
• Analytics

Pros and Cons

Figure out our blog on Amazon Print on Demand to discover information about this alternative.

5. Gelato

Gelato Print on Demand is another worth-to-try choice for a Gooten alternative and one of the best print-on-demand (POD) companies available. It offers competitive pricing, excellent print quality, and fast, reliable shipping—all key features that make it stand out.

Why Choose Gelato?

• Easy Integration with Popular Platforms: Gelato connects effortlessly with big eCommerce players like Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, and Etsy. Its user-friendly API makes it simple to customize and import your designs directly into your store.
• Global Fulfillment for Faster Delivery: With 130+ production facilities in 32 countries, Gelato fulfills orders locally to the customer, ensuring faster shipping times and a better shopping experience.
• No Upfront Costs with Flexible Plans: You only pay when customers place orders, making it budget-friendly for new sellers. For even better margins and shipping discounts of up to 50%, you can opt for affordable subscription plans starting at $14.99/month.

Key Features: 

• Global fulfillment network
• eCommerce integrations
• Local tax handling
• Multi-currency wallet
• Bulk discounts
• Mockup tools
• Custom packaging

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict – Should You Use Gooten?

Overall, Gooten print on demand is a great choice for anyone wanting to create and sell custom products without much hassle.

Their print-on-demand service takes care of the logistics, so you can put more effort on marketing and sales. Gooten also helps you stay on top of sales trends by sharing reports on popular products, guiding you on the best promotions, marketing strategies, and how to handle any challenges that come up. Since they only earn when you do, they’re invested in your success.

Their easy-to-use blog is packed with helpful and inspiring content to support your business. Gooten also makes it simple for beginners, handling most of the hard work, while you set up your store, design your products, and start selling.

With competitive pricing, approachable customer service, and no membership fees, Gooten could be the perfect fit for your business.

FAQs

1. Does Gooten cost money?

Gooten doesn’t have any setup fees or monthly charges. You only pay when a customer makes a purchase, covering the cost of the product and shipping. There are no upfront costs involved.

2. Can I connect Gooten to Etsy?

Yes, Gooten can be easily connected to your Etsy store. Once integrated, you can sell custom products directly on Etsy, and Gooten will handle production and shipping for you.

3. Where does Gooten operate?

Gooten has production facilities in over 160 countries worldwide. Its main manufacturing locations are in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Italy, Korea, Mexico, and Brazil. This global network helps ensure faster shipping to customers worldwide.

4. Is There a Minimum Order for Gooten?

No, there is no minimum order requirement with Gooten. You can fulfill even a single product order without any hassle or extra costs.

5. Which platforms do Gooten connect with?

Gooten integrates with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, BigCommerce, Wix, and Squarespace, making it easy to sell your products across different online stores.