How to sell plates online
Short answer
To sell plates online: build a simple menu, open a pre-order window with a cutoff, set a batch cap, take payment up front, then cook to the production count of exactly what sold and hand off by pickup or delivery. A cutoff plus a cap is what turns a chaotic plate sale into a predictable one — you make precisely what's paid for, with no leftovers and no early sell-out chaos.
Open a drop with a cutoff
Set when orders open and close before your cook time. Orders close at the cutoff so you get a clean count. This is the key step — see how to set an order cutoff.
Cap the batch and take payment
Set the maximum you'll cook; the drop auto-sells-out at the cap. Collect card payment on order so cash is in before you shop.
Cook to the sheet and hand off
At the cutoff, cook from a production sheet aggregated by dish, label each order, and run pickup or delivery. Great for church and school fundraiser plate sales too.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop over- or under-cooking for a plate sale?
Sell on pre-order with a hard cutoff and a batch cap. Orders close before you cook, so you get an exact count and make precisely that amount. PlateTicket generates the production count from paid orders automatically.
How do I collect payment for online plate sales?
Collect card payment up front when the order is placed, not at pickup. It puts the money in before you buy ingredients and cuts no-shows. PlateTicket supports online payment and cash at pickup.
Can I sell plates online for a fundraiser?
Yes. Plate sales for churches, schools, and clubs work well as pre-order drops: supporters order and pay online, you cook to the count, and pickup is a quick handoff. You keep the money raised — there's no marketplace commission.
Orders in. Plates out.
Open your first drop in minutes, get paid up front, and cook exactly what sold.
Start selling — free Try the live demo