Gelato is a global print-on-demand platform that operates as a network connecting sellers with local printing partners worldwide. The company positions itself as the world’s largest print-on-demand network, with over 130 production partners across 33 countries, enabling localized production and delivery to customers globally. Unlike traditional print-on-demand companies that own their production facilities, Gelato functions as a middleman platform that routes orders to various third-party printing partners based on proximity to the end customer.
The company offers a comprehensive range of customizable products including apparel, wall art, canvas prints, posters, mugs, cards, stationery, and home decor items. Gelato provides seamless integration with major e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy, along with API access and Order Desk integrations. The platform features design tools, mockup generators powered by Nano Banana, and access to millions of images and graphics for product creation.
Gelato’s business model emphasizes sustainability and efficiency through local production. By manufacturing products close to customers, the company reduces shipping times (typically 3-5 days for standard shipping), lowers carbon emissions, and cuts transportation costs. The platform operates on a free-to-use basis with no minimum orders, monthly fees, or inventory requirements – sellers only pay for products when customers place orders. The company offers a subscription service called Gelato+ at $24/month or $239/year that provides additional features and product discounts.
The company strongly focuses on environmental sustainability, claiming that over 85% of products are fulfilled locally to minimize carbon footprint. They use FSC-certified materials and position themselves as an eco-conscious alternative in the print-on-demand industry. Gelato provides 24/7 customer support and aims to help businesses grow by handling all aspects of production and fulfillment, allowing sellers to focus on design and marketing. The platform particularly appeals to businesses looking to expand internationally without the complexity of managing multiple suppliers or holding inventory.
1 Reviews on “Gelato”
mastixmastix
After working with Gelato for two years, I want to add my review of this POD platform in case anyone is now deciding between different options to sell their products.
I use it to sell basically prints, so I do not know how other products quality or fulfillment work. I have an Etsy and Shopify store (the last in construction)
What I like of this platform:
1- I do not get complaints of the quality of the prints. That mean I guess people are happy with what they get
2- Chat: Once you pass the horrible chatbot that 99% of the time is of no use you get real person to solve your problems
3- Easy design platform. To design my posters in their platform is easy and fast and I can offer multiproduct. There are some caveats that I will mention later.
4: They supply all markets with low shipping fees. This is great, and you will not have to worry about border fees and delays because of crossing them. They usually have labs arrangements in all major countries.
What I do NOT like:
1- Biggest problem and the one would make me now NOT use Gelato if i was starting today is the lack of Bulk option to change your product. This can be a real nightmare once you have hundreds or more than 1000 products. If you have a few dozen, this will not affect you. Unless you pay them a subscription of 1200$ dollars a year you will not be able to change pricing in bulk. So if you want to change the price of some variants, good luck with it. It might take you days or even more than a week of manually clicking one by one every product and update in the Etsy store. (etsy can only bulk in general and not variants)
Only because of this I would not recommend this platform and suggest picking up one where bulk editing of variants is available
2- Postal service: The rate of problem with the postal services is quite high, at least with me. Not entirely their fault but this is a fact that hammers the final delivery and it is Gelato thats should try that their products don’t have such a high failure in deliveries.
3- Lack of more sizes- Print sizes are quite limited, nothing larger than A0 when there are other services that offer much larger sizes. Also they have a lack in sizes in not so common sizes like panoramic aspect ratios.
4- You cannot order in any way your uploaded files. No folders, so you have a large mess if you want to access specific themes to make changes to those. You have to search the files one by one by their titles…very slow.
Would I choose Gelato today. No. The lack of bulk editing is the biggest reason. It will complicate your life in ways you cannot imagine. This would be a priority to pick up a service that has this option.
If they ever give the facility to all the sellers that trust their stores to Gelato as a supplier and not only those that fork out 1200$ a year for their gold subscription the biggest hurdle for me would be solved but right now having control of the pricing is a nightmare if you have many products