Gelato Print on Demand: All Features Review

Are you looking for a simple way to sell custom products without worrying about inventory or shipping? Gelato Print on Demand might be just what you need! It’s a platform that helps you turn your designs into products like t-shirts, mugs, posters, and more—all without upfront costs. 

This review will have the answer for you, we will figure out why Gelato POD stands out among merchants, about its features, pricing, pros and cons. If you're searching for a reliable POD solution for your Shopify store, then this guide will surely help you decide and level up your e-commerce business with Gelato POD.

What is Gelato Print on Demand?

Gelato, founded by former Tele2 Norway CEO Henrik Müller-Hansen, identifies itself as a software company rather than a traditional print-on-demand business. It helps merchants easily set up and run their print-on-demand (POD) business online, selling customized products effortlessly.

Gelato is gaining popularity for being one of the top choices for print on demand services. With over 130 production partners in 32 countries and some of the most affordable prices, there is no denying that it’s turning heads in this market. 

The Print on demand company focuses on cutting down on shipping distances and environmental impact, it helps entrepreneurs, creators, and businesses sell custom products locally. Gelato provides a seamless and sustainable solution for global print-on-demand needs since it reduces cross-border challenges like VAT, taxes, and bureaucracy.

How Does Gelato Work?

Gelato acts as a middleman, connecting e-commerce sellers with a global network of printing partners. It doesn’t own any printing facilities but provides the technology to streamline the print-on-demand process. Here’s how it works:

(Image Source: How Gelato works)

• Step 1: Create an Account: Begin with registering for free on Gelato. There are no fees for setup or minimum order requirements.
• Step 2: Upload Your Designs: Upload your custom designs in formats like PDF, JPEG, or PNG.
• Step 3: Choose and Customize Products: Select the products you want to sell, such as apparel, business cards, or flyers. Customize your designs using Gelato’s platform, where you can add text, images, and other elements. Preview your final design before submitting it.
• Step 4: Place an Order: When an order is placed on your online store, Gelato automatically passes the order to the closest printing partner near your customer.
• Step 5: Production and Shipping: The printing partner produces the item based on your specifications, then packages and ships it directly to your customer.

This automated process makes running a print-on-demand business simple and hands-free, letting you focus on growing your store while Gelato handles production and delivery.

Gelato Key Features In-dept Review

Gelato is free to use and provides various integrations that work well for most eCommerce platforms. Let’s explore some key features that make it stand out from the competition.

About Gelato Product 

1. Product Catalog 

Gelato offers a growing selection of print-on-demand products designed to meet various business needs. You can explore their catalog online or through their Android and iOS apps.

Browsing products is simple—just go to Gelato’s homepage and click on "Products" to view their catalog, which is organized into categories such as:

• Men’s clothing (e.g., t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies)
• Women’s clothing (similar options)
• Kids and baby clothing
• Wall art
• Mugs
• Photobooks
• Cards
• Calendars
• Stationery and business items
• Tote bags
• Phone cases
• Wallpaper

Once you choose a product to sell, Gelato provides tutorials to guide you through the customization process. For instance, if you want to sell a men’s t-shirt, you can pick the color, add your design, and choose where to print it (e.g., front, back, or neck). While customization options vary by product, at the moment, Gelato supports front and back printing for garments.

*Tip: Choose Print on demand products that match your niche and target audience. It's a good idea to place a sample order first to check the print quality, colors, and materials to make sure they meet your requirements.

2. High-Quality Printing

Gelato utilizes advanced digital printing technology to produce prints with sharp details and vibrant colors, giving your products a professional and polished look. Their focus on quality ensures every design stands out.

However, as mentioned before, Gelato does not produce its products directly; instead, they work with trusted production partners who handle the printing and manufacturing. Unlike its competitors, Gelato doesn't have its own manufacturing facilities. Instead, Gelato’s goal is to partner with reliable manufacturers who ensure high-quality production and efficient global services.

3. Finishing Options and Custom Packaging

(Image Source: Gelato Custom Packaging)

Gelato provides a variety of paper types and finishes to meet diverse project needs. Options include coated/uncoated, and premium papers with different weights and textures, ensuring versatility for various print styles. Customers can choose from matte, gloss, or museum-quality finishes to give their prints a polished and professional appearance. These choices make it easy to create high-quality products that stand out.

In addition to paper options, Gelato focuses on eco-friendly packaging to align with sustainable practices. They use biodegradable plastic wrap and recyclable cardboard boxes for shipping. 

For those looking to enhance their customer experience, Gelato+ members can opt for custom packaging options like branded labels and inserts. These personalized touches not only create a memorable unboxing experience but also reinforce brand identity.

4. Sustainability Commitment

(Image Source: Gelato Sustainability)

• Gelato uses responsibly sourced materials, such as paper and wood from sustainably managed forests.
• Their local printing network reduces shipping distances, cutting carbon emissions.
• All printing partners adhere to Gelato’s Supplier Code of Conduct, and the company implements energy-efficient practices to minimize its environmental footprint.

Gelato’s combination of quality, customization, and eco-consciousness makes it a reliable option for businesses aiming for sustainable print solutions.

Dashboard and Ease of Use

1. Account Setup

Setting up your Gelato account is free, and there's no minimum order or upfront payment required. You can make your account using your email address, or log in through Google, Facebook, or Apple.

Once your account is set up, you can easily connect Gelato to your online store. Just download the Gelato app and follow the simple steps to link your store.

2. Production and Customization

Gelato offers an easy-to-use design tool and mockup generator allowing you to see how your products look before you order them. 

This tool helps you visualize your designs on different products, and you can use the generated images as product photos in your store to better showcase your items to customers. It’s really simple:

After selecting a product, you can either upload your own design or use Gelato's Design Editor to customize it.

For example, if you're designing a canvas print, you'll first choose the size, thickness, and orientation (vertical or horizontal). Then, you can upload your own pictures or select from Getty and Shutterstock images. 

You can preview your design with mockups before reviewing shipping options and entering the delivery address to calculate shipping costs.

💡 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.

3. Order Management

When you create a Gelato account, you'll find a dropdown menu on the left side of the screen. This is where you can manage all of your orders.

You can easily check your orders, billing details, and even link to other online stores like Amazon or eBay.

The platform also provides analytics, such as the number of orders, sales, printing costs, and orders by country, broken down by day, week, or month. You'll also be able to track the real-time progress of your orders.

4. Payment and Billing

You can pay for Gelato’s products with major credit cards like VISA, Maestro, Mastercard, and others. You can also choose to pay by invoice. The platform supports various currencies, including EUR, British Pounds, and US Dollars.

Additionally, you can add money to your account in advance and use it to pay for your orders. You can even set up automatic top-ups to refill your balance when it gets low, making the payment process faster and easier.

Gelato’s Personalization Studio

(Image Source: Gelato Personalization Studio)

Gelato's Personalization Studio is a user-friendly tool designed to simplify product customization with just a few clicks.

Ease of Use

The studio simplifies creating personalized products for platforms like Shopify and Etsy. With just some steps, you can add your designs to products, making customization fast and easy. 

Moreover, customers can also take part in this process. After purchasing a personalized product, Gelato automatically sends them a user-friendly editor link via email. This allows customers to customize the product themselves, which is especially useful for items with multiple personalization options.

Design Features

• Custom Text: Let customers add names or special messages to make their products more personal.
• Photo Uploads: Enable customers to upload their own photos, giving their products a unique touch.
• Collections: Use Gelato's graphics or upload your own to provide a variety of customization options for customers.

Time-Saving Automation

For Shopify and Etsy sellers, the tool automates the custom order process. Shopify users can offer real-time previews for customers, while Etsy sellers benefit from a streamlined design workflow. This will save time and enhance the customer experience because it reduces unnecessary back-and-forth communication.

For more details, you can explore the full article on Guide to start print on demand business on Etsy. 

Flexible Pricing

The Personalization Studio offers scalable pricing to suit businesses of all sizes. The basic plan starts at €0/month with a €1 transaction fee per order, ideal for those new to personalization. As sales increase, businesses can choose higher tiers with lower transaction fees, such as Tier 5 at €749/month, reducing costs as volume grows.

Delivery and Shipping Times 

For Print-on-Demand (POD) sellers, production speed is crucial. While we can’t always control shipping times, fast production provides a valuable head start. Gelato claims its partners start production the next day after an order is placed.

Shipping times with Gelato depend on several factors. Within the U.S., they offer Standard, Expedited, and Overnight shipping options. Gelato’s global network of over 140 printing partners in 32 countries helps ensure most orders are produced and delivered 

• Within 3-5 days for Standard shipping. 
• Expedited shipping delivers in 2-3 business days, 
• while Overnight shipping takes just 1-2 business days. 

If Gelato consistently meets these timelines, it could gain strong support from POD sellers.

For international shipping, Gelato delivers to over 200 countries. Delivery times are different based on the destination and selected shipping method, ranging from 2-10 business days. With such a wide reach and efficient production, Gelato positions itself as a reliable partner for global POD sellers.

Ecommerce Integrations with Gelato

As businesses seek ways to improve workflows through automation, integrations are becoming more essential. The better your print on demand tools can connect with various eCommerce platforms and apps, the easier it becomes to manage your business efficiently.

Popular platforms like Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, and BigCommerce; Gelato also simplifies the process by offering ready-made integrations with all of them. This ensures you can easily add Gelato’s print-on-demand products to your store, no matter which platform you’re using.

To make things even simpler, Gelato provides step-by-step instructions for setting up these integrations. For example, Shopify users can access detailed guides on how to automatically sync shipping times, product details, and more.

Gelato also offers tutorials for enhancing your store with email marketing and social media integrations. These tools can help you attract more potential customers and improve your online presence, making it easier to stand out in such a crowded market.

*Note: If you have coding skills, you can also integrate Gelato with your store through their API, or use Gelato's integration with OrderDesk to connect to other platforms.

Gelato Mobile App

(Image Source: Gelato app)

One standout feature of Gelato is its mobile app, which lets you manage your business anytime, anywhere.

With the app, you can handle and monitor your print-on-demand operations with ease. It allows you to track orders, check sales analytics, and stay connected with your customers—all from your phone.

This level of mobility and flexibility makes it simple to keep your business running smoothly, even when you’re on the move. The Gelato mobile app is designed with a user-friendly interface, ensuring you can efficiently manage your print-on-demand business right from your fingertips.

Gelato Customer Service

(Image Source: Gelato Help Center)

Gelato is known for offering 24/7 support and a detailed help center filled with articles on various topics to assist users. However, they currently do not offer phone support. Here’s an overview of their service:

1. Support Options

• Gelato provides customer support via email and live chat, though phone support is not available.
• You can reach out to their team for help with orders, design issues, shipping, or other questions.

2. Online Resources

• Gelato also offers an online resource center to assist customers.
• This includes a blog, an academy, and customer success stories, providing tips, tutorials, and best practices for creating and ordering print products.

Gelato Pricing and Plans

1. Pricing Plan

Signing up for Gelato is free, and after creating an account, you’ll get 72 hours to enjoy a 50% discount on your first order. This offer is limited to one use per customer.

Gelato offers four main plans to suit different business needs:

(Image Source: Gelato Subscription Plan)

• Free Plan: Ideal for beginners. Includes production in 32 countries and seamless integration with platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce.
• Gelato+: Great for growing businesses. Provides up to 30% off standard shipping, premium mockups, and options for branded labels and packaging inserts.
• Gold: Designed for fast-growing businesses. Provides up to 50% off standard shipping, 30% off branded labels, and custom pricing for shipping services.
• Platinum: Perfect for enterprise businesses. Includes fixed-rate shipping for locally produced items and access to a customer success manager.

Custom Plans: Gelato also offers tailored plans based on specific needs, such as order quantity or unique requirements.

Personalization Studio Pricing Tiers:

• Starter: Free to use, with a 6% transaction fee per personalized item sold.
• Regular: Costs $19/month, plus a 4% transaction fee for each personalized item sold after the first 20 orders.
• Business: Custom pricing tailored to your needs—contact the Sales Team for details.

*Note: Transaction fees are based on the retail price of the product.

While Gelato’s pricing aligns with industry standards, it is often more affordable compared to some larger competitors. Your actual costs will depend on the type, quality, and quantity of products you choose. Visit their website for more details.

2. Product Pricing & Shipping Cost

Gelato offers competitive prices, though it’s not the cheapest option available. What sets them apart is the high quality of their products, which is important for any store selling print-on-demand items.

Shipping costs for Gelato are determined by the destination, weight of package, and shipping method. For orders within the same country, shipping starts at about $5. For international orders, shipping can range from $10 to $50, depending on where the order is going and the shipping method you pick.

Here’s a table summarizing some of the common Gelato’s product pricing and shipping costs:

3. Integration Cost

As mentioned earlier, Gooten integrates with Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce, and it also provides a Gooten API.

• A basic Shopify store starts at $5 with the Starter plan ($1/month for first 3 months).
• Etsy doesn’t have a monthly fee but charges $0.20 per listing, a 5% transaction fee, 3% + $0.25 payment processing fee, and 15% fee for offsite ads.
• WooCommerce is a free plugin, but you'll need a web host to set up your online store. Recommended hosts for WooCommerce and WordPress include Siteground, Bluehost, Pressable, and WordPress, with hosting plans starting around $3.95 per month.

Pros and Cons of Gelato

1. Pros

• Production: Gelato operates in over 32 countries with a sustainable local production model, allowing you to sell globally by using factories closest to your customers.
• Delivery times: With 130 production partners worldwide, Gelato usually ships products within 2-3 working days, and delivery takes 1-4 days depending on the location.
• Software: The platform is quite easy to navigate and user-friendly.
• Quality: Gelato’s product quality stands out compared to many competitors.
• Integrations: Gelato integrates with popular platforms like Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce, and Etsy. You can also use their API to further custom integrations.
• Pricing: There’s no monthly subscription required, and while there are three premium plans for extra features, Gelato’s product pricing is among the most competitive.
• Custom packaging: Gelato allows you to add branded labels and brochures, and unlike some competitors, it prints them directly when you receive or place an order, so no need to send them to production centers.

2. Cons

• Variety: Gelato offers around 100 customizable products in categories like apparel, home decor, and mugs, but other print on demand suppliers may offer a broader range of products.
• Printing methods: Gelato has a limited selection of printing methods and doesn’t offer sublimation, screen printing, or embroidery.
• Integrations: If your platform isn’t directly supported, you'll need a developer to set up an integration.

Real Reviews from Customers

Gelato has an overall rating of 4.8/5.0 on Shopify and 4.7/5.0 on Trustpilot, the rating is quite high compared to other brands. Here's a simple summary of the feedback:

Positive Feedback:

• Great Product Quality & Fast Customer Service: Many users love the quality of Gelato’s products, like phone cases and posters, and mention how quick and helpful the customer support is. One user said they always get a fast, professional response to any questions, which makes them feel confident about using the service.
• Easy-to-Use App & Creative Tools: People enjoy how simple the Gelato app is to use. It’s designed to be easy for anyone, no matter how tech-savvy you are. One user mentioned they loved how the app lets them quickly apply one design to many products.
• Good Integrations & Features: The app works well with popular e-commerce platforms and connects easily with other services like Google and Pinterest. Users also like having different printing locations to choose from.

Negative Feedback:

• Limited Product Options & Stock Problems: Some users mentioned that you can only have 100 product variants per design and that there aren’t enough higher-end products. One user also had trouble when a product was out of stock without any notice about when it would be available again.
• Slow Customer Service & Unresolved Issues: Some people had bad experiences with customer support, saying it took too long to get help, and problems weren’t fixed. One user said they contacted support multiple times and still didn’t get a solution, so they decided to switch to another supplier.
• Packaging & Quality Issues: A few users were unhappy with the quality of their products, like clothes arriving wrinkled and without proper wrapping. There were also complaints that the embroidery didn’t match what was shown in the preview.

Overall Impression: Gelato is liked for its easy-to-use platform, great product quality, and helpful customer service. But some users faced issues with limited product choices, stock problems, and slow support. While many have had positive experiences, others struggled with packaging and quality concerns.

Alternatives to Gelato Print on Demand

1. Spreadconnect (SPOD)

Spreadconnect, formerly known as SPOD, has over 20 years of experience and is one of the top alternatives to Gelato, offering high-quality printing services. This platform is known for its fast production, promising delivery within 48 hours, making it one of the quickest options available.

SPOD Print on demand connects with marketplaces and eCommerce platforms like Shopify and Squarespace, allowing users to create unlimited custom products without worrying about storing inventory.

Key Features:

• Over 250 products for men, women, kids, and babies
• Easy-to-use tools for customizing products
• A library of over 50,000 design templates
• Eco-friendly product options that support sustainability

Pricing: Spreadconnect offers a free account and only charges for shipping and the order value.

Pros and Cons:

Best For: Spreadconnect is ideal for sellers looking for quick fulfillment, particularly those selling to customers in Canada, Australia, the US, and EU countries.

2. Podbase

Without worrying about managing inventory, Podbase is a great choice for selling custom products. Podbase is also known for its easy integration with popular platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and WooCommerce, so it's a solid alternative to Gelato.

With a strong focus on tech products, Podbase even offers early access to models before they are officially released because it specializes in tech accessories, wall art, and drinkware.

Key Features:

• Automated order management to reduce manual tasks and errors
• Mockup generator to visualize designs before ordering
• In-house production ensuring high-quality products
• Easy-to-use dashboard to track orders, profits, and analytics

Pricing: Podbase is free to sign up, and you can start selling right away. Product prices vary.

Pros and Cons:

Best For: Podbase is perfect for content creators, artists, and designers who want to make money from their designs. It’s also a good fit for online brands and entrepreneurs seeking an easy-to-use POD platform with global shipping options.

3. Redbubble

Redbubble has grown into a space where thousands of artists connect with millions of fans worldwide with a foundation of a platform for independent artists to sell their artwork.

The platform allows artists to focus solely on their designs because it takes care of everything from production to shipping. Redbubble offers more than 70 products, including pillowcases, stickers, mugs, and sweaters, all featuring unique designs.

Key Features:

• Customizable shopfront with a share button and social media links
• Free Google Shopping ads to help increase visibility
• Worldwide shipping with free returns within 90 days of delivery
• Watermark and anti-piracy tools to protect artwork from copyright issues

Pricing: Redbubble offers different seller account tiers based on the quality of your profile and artwork:

Pros and Cons:

Best For: Redbubble is perfect for artists who want to sell their designs on a high-traffic platform without the hassle of managing an online store.

4. Teelaunch

With 75 years of experience, Teelaunch is one of the largest print-on-demand platforms and a great alternative to Gelato. The platform has production facilities in the US, UK, Australia, and the European Union, allowing for faster shipping.

Although its name may suggest it only sells T-shirts, Teelaunch print on demand offers a wide variety of products, including kitchenware, home goods, and jewelry.

Key Features:

• Access to over 300 products, with color options for some items like apparel
• Online design tool and downloadable art templates with print specifications
• Real-time order tracking
• Easy integration with platforms like TikTok, Etsy, Shopify, and WooCommerce

Pricing: Teelaunch doesn’t charge a subscription fee. Sellers set their own retail prices, and Teelaunch deducts the base price and shipping fees after each sale.

Pros and Cons:

Best For: Teelaunch is ideal for small businesses looking for low-cost products and variety. It's also great for selling corporate merchandise like business cards, notebooks, mouse pads, and sweatshirts.

5. Society6 

Society6 is an online marketplace where the artists can display their designs on various products and earn money from each sale. Similar to Redbubble, every purchase made on the platform pays an artist, but Society6 focuses more on home décor.

You don’t need to be an artist to sell on Society6, as it offers wholesale and trade programs that give access to the full collection of designs from independent artists.

Key Features:

• Curated marketplace with high-quality prints on items like clothing, furniture, and tech accessories
• Artist studio for uploading and managing artwork
• Free storefront for artists to showcase their designs
• International shipping options

Pricing: Society6 has a free plan that lets artists earn 10% of their net sales. Paid plans offer more control over pricing:

• Basic: $4.99/month
• Pro: $12.99/month

Pros and Cons:

Best For: Society6 is great for artists, hobbyists, and designers who want exposure. However, be cautious about losing profit margins for the convenience of the free account.

Others also read

How to Start an Amazon Print on Demand Business

Gooten Print on Demand Review: Should You Use It?

Apliiq Print on Demand – All the Key Pros and Cons

Conclusion 

In our opinion, Gelato Print On Demand is one of the top choices in the POD market. The company stands out by offering competitive prices and high-quality products. If you're looking for a company that can produce products almost anywhere in the world to reduce shipping times, Gelato is a great option.

With many customers worldwide, the company is growing and is on track to become one of the top POD providers. The brand is definitely a reliable POD partner for entrepreneurs and designers just starting out. If you're still unsure about which POD provider is right for you, we suggest checking out our related articles for more information.

FAQs

1. Can I sell directly from Gelato?

No, Gelato is a print-on-demand service, but it doesn't handle sales directly. You will need to have your own online store or platform to sell your products. Gelato works with e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and others to fulfill orders.

2. Is Gelato print free?

No, Gelato is a paid service. You pay for the printing and shipping of each product. However, they offer competitive prices and sometimes run discounts and promotions.

3. What payment method does Gelato print-on-demand use?

Gelato typically accepts payments through credit card or PayPal for printing and shipping costs. The available payment methods may be different based on your location and the platform you use.

4. Where is Gelato print on demand located?

Gelato has a global network of printing partners in different countries. This helps them offer fast shipping and localized printing services worldwide. The location where your products are printed depends on your customer's shipping address and Gelato’s network.