Gelato Print On Demand Review – The Best POD Global Sellers?
Gelato is a print-on-demand platform known for its fast shipping capabilities, primarily due to its extensive global network of partner fulfillment centers. Gelato helps you be more environmentally friendly.
But is Gelato a good Printful or Printify alternative? Yes, it is!
So much so, that I have replaced Printful with Gelato in my main Etsy e-commerce store.
Gelato claims to be smarter, faster, and greener so let’s see if that’s true.
Gelato
Our favorite POD supplier bar none.
Pros:Cons:
How Does Gelato Print On Demand Work?
Gelato is a print on demand company with a global footprint.
They do not own any printers (think Uber for POD). Instead, they built a software platform and partner with print-on-demand companies around the world, and offer a seamless experience for the customer.
Did You Know: Gelato has the largest (their claim) printing and logistics network in the world, with over 100 print partners spanning 33 countries enabling local production and delivery to millions of customers across the world.
The Gelato print network helps reduce carbon emissions with its efficient delivery model. And their advanced technology and 24/7 customer support, anyone can start creating custom products with Gelato’s print on demand service.
It operates a print network in 33 countries, that you get access to.
Simply sign up to Gelato, and connect it to your chosen e-commerce platform or marketplace.
Choose the product you want to sell, upload your design, enter a few pieces of information and publish it to your store.
When you receive an order, Gelato will print and ship the item to your end customer. Its as simple as that.
Gelato Platform & Software
Gelato’s software is some of the best out there. Simple to use and feature-rich.
How you interact with Gelato will depend on which ecommerce platform or online marketplace you are using. Most tasks can be accessed from the Gelato dashboard.
If you are using Shopify you can install the Gelato App on Shopify which enables your products, orders, and order status to be synced automatically from your store and Gelato.
If you are using Etsy you will need to connect your store to the POD supplier to achieve the same result.
You can connect numerous stores across the numerous integrations that they offer.
They also enable you to complete manual orders for those selling on a platform that isn’t supported or selling without an online store.
The platform is simple to use and is similar to many other print providers. You choose your product, upload your design, adjust it and enter a few details. Then simply publish it to your platform of choice.
One feature I find very helpful is the ability to import orders for products that weren’t created on their dashboard.
So if you use one of the many other POD suppliers, as your main supplier and an item goes out of stock you can simply import the order, upload the design, and have Gelato fulfill it instead.
I find the syncing of orders from Etsy to Gelato to be quicker than any other platform.
Gelato POD Mobile App
Gelato offers a free mobile app that provides a good level of functionality so you can manage your orders on the go.
It provides notifications of receiving and shipping of orders and if there are any problems with your orders.
Its easy to see the status of orders as well. Whilst the app isn’t crucial to running a store, its definitely nice to have.
AI-Driven Etsy Personalization
Gelato provide product personalization that uses AI to reduce the manual effort involved.
Gelato has offered personalization for Shopify and Etsy for long time, however, they’ve upgraded their software for Etsy sellers.
Using Gelato’s new Personalization Studio feature for Etsy sellers, you can enable your Etsy buyers to personalize their items, and the Gelato Personalization Studio will automatically update your artwork and progress the order.
Apparel Print Area
Gelato enables you to print in a number of different areas on your apparel products.
You can print your design on the front & back (like everyone else does) but also inner neck and outer neck (great for branding) and on either or both sleeves. This is great if you want your products to stand out in a crowded market.
Making Designs
Unlike many other software provided by POD suppliers, Gelato enables you to actually create designs within the platform. They provide graphics, text, and shapes to use to create designs, removing the need for additional software.
Product Personalization Tool
Gelato offs a market leading product personalization tool. If you run a e-Commerce shop, your customers will be able to make use of the Personalize Design button to launch an in-store editor to personalize their product directly during the purchase process.
Those selling on WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, and BigCommerce can also create their very own personalized items. They will be able to access the editor for personalization via a link in an email after their order is submitted. Kindly note that the design editor might look slightly different when you are configuring your product in Gelato. You can read more about this workflow here.
Overall the platform is easy to use and offers more functionality than a large number of POD suppliers.
Gelato Product Catalog
The Gelato product catalog has seemed a little limited but they continue to add new product lines. They have all the main categories that will meet most sellers’ needs.
Phone cases
5 Different phone case types are offered by Gelato all 5 are only offered for Samsung devices and iPhones
The Slim Case and Tough Case are fulfilled in Australia, Canada, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Whilst the Bio, Flexi, and Clear cases are fulfilled in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, Singapore, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
I love the Tough Case, it feels premium and therefore can sell for higher margins.
Mugs & Bottles
The product catalog includes the standard white mug and color-changing mug similar to other large print fulfillment companies.
Gelato also offers a white porcelain slim mug and a 17oz Latte Mug which are not offered by many mainstream suppliers. The products are offered across 5 to 18 fulfillment centers globally.
Paper Based Products
Did You Know: Gelato owns Optimalprint, a photo-product business operating in 23 countries. Its orders are fulfilled by the same network Gelato gives you access to, so they really do eat their own dog food (use their own software and services).
Given the above, it is no surprise to see that Gelato offers a good range of paper-based & stationery products.
Products include:
- Calendars – fulfilled in 22 countries
- Photo books – Soft Cover and Hard Cover
- Cards (packs of 10)
Wall Art
One area in which Gelato excels is in its Wall Art category. They offer posters, canvas prints, and wood prints which is a product where your design is printed onto wood so the grain shows through
Wall Paper
Yes, that’s right, print on demand wallpaper. I havent not seen this offered by any other mainstream POD company and selling this would definitely help your store stand out from the crown.
Stationery & Business
The stationary category includes the following, which is mainly aimed at businesses but could be an interesting addition to your print on demand store.
- Flyers
- Single fold brochures
- Multi-page brochures
- Roll fold brochures
- Accordion fold brochures
- Folders
- Letterheads
- Roll-ups
Apparel
Many sellers sell clothing in their online stores and therefore the quality and range of a supplier’s apparel products are key.
Gelato offer men’s, women and children’s clothing categories. The men’s and women’s range includes the following which should meet most people’s needs:
- T-shirts
- Tank Tops
- ¾ Sleeve shirts
- Long sleeve
- Hoodies
- Sweatshirts
- Organic
- Premium
- Sportswear
In the t-shirt, the category Gelato includes the Gildan 5000, Gildan 64000 (my fav), and the Bella & Canvas 3001. All three shirts come in enough colors (10,11,9 respectively) to suit most sellers’ needs, but fewer colors than those offered by Printify.
The Gildan 64000 for example can be printed in 11 countries meaning quicker delivery times, cheaper shipping, and lower carbon emissions helping with your sustainability.
Gelato Pricing
Example Pricing
To give an insight into Gelato pricing here are a couple of examples:
Gelato: A medium black Gildan 64000 delivered to a USA-based customer costs $6.96 (ex vat) plus $4.54 shipping.
For comparison, Printful charges $8.95 and $4.59 shipping & Printify charges around $8 and $6 shipping
Gelato: A medium black Gildan 18500 hoodie to a USA-based customer costs $16.75 plus $7.24 shipping
For comparison, Printful charges $20.75 and $6.99 shipping & Printify charges $18 and $7.99 shipping
The above examples show that Gelato pricing is competitive.
Gelato Subscription Plans
Gelato offers Subscription Plans that reduce the cost of products and offer members a number of other benefits.
Gelato is free to use and they also offer subscription business model which provides discounts and additional features.
Gelato+
Gelato+ costs $24 per month and provides the following benefits:
- Up to 20% off product prices
- Premium Mockups
- Millions of stock images that can be used in designs
- Access to the product personalization tool
- And more
Gelato Gold
Gelato Gold costs $119 per month and provides the following benefits:
- Upto 25% off product pricing
- Product migration assistance
- Automatically fulfill custom orders
- Dedicated custom success manager
- And more
Gelato Software Integrations
The Gelato can integrate with Gelato has a limited number of integrations. Still, they integrate with the main platforms and offer both manual ordering and an API to link to your own site.
Gelato integrates with the following:
- Shopify
- Etsy
- Amazon
- TikTok Shop
- Wix
- WooCommerce
- Squarespace
- API
Gelato Print Quality
Gelato printing quality is very high.
I have purchased many sample orders and seen for myself that the gelato print quality is brilliant.
I’ve sold many products using Gelato and I haven’t had to get Gelato to reprint an order due to poor quality or print issues.
Gelato Embroidery Service
Gelato Print On Demand now provides an embroidery service. The Gelato embroidery service allows you to offer embroidered designs using up to 6 colors.
Embroidery has a higher perceived value than normal printing so it can help you increase your profit margins.
Check out this page on how to design for embroidery.
Support & Customer Service
The support and customer service provided by Gelato is quick and helpful. On the Gelato site, there is a live chat feature to get swift support. There is also a help center that offers a large number of articles on the topics shown in the graphic below.
On the rare occasions I have had to contact them, they have responded quickly with answers to my queries.
Gelato Print On Demand Reviews
Gelato Print On Demand scores a 4.7 on TrustPilot.
Here are a summary of the points other customers made:
- Exceptional Customer Support:
- Many customers praised Gelato’s customer service agents, noting their helpfulness and quick responses. Agents like Charlo, Igon, and Giselle were specifically mentioned for their dedication to resolving issues promptly.
- User-Friendly Platform:
- Users frequently commended the Gelato platform for its ease of use. The design tools and ordering process are described as straightforward, making it accessible for creators of all skill levels.
- High Quality and Variety of Products:
- Reviews often highlight the impressive quality of prints and a diverse range of products offered. This variety allows creators to provide unique options to their customers.
- Efficiency and Speed:
- Many customers experienced fast shipping and effective order processing, which helps businesses meet tight deadlines and satisfy client expectations.
- Sustainable Practices:
- Gelato’s model of local production helps reduce carbon emissions and eliminates the need for inventory management. This appeals to environmentally conscious creators looking to minimize their impact.
- Technical Issues:
- A few users experienced technical difficulties, such as problems with saving designs. These issues caused stress, especially for those with looming deadlines.
- Communication Challenges:
- Some customers expressed dissatisfaction with the clarity of communication from the support team, feeling that their concerns were not adequately understood or addressed.
Gelato continues to be a popular choice among print-on-demand creators, balancing impressive service with areas for improvement. As they refine their operations, many remain optimistic about the potential for growth and enhanced customer experiences.
Best Gelato Alternatives in 2025
The obvious Gelato alternatives are Printful and Printify, but you need to consider your requirements carefully.
Check that the alternative sells the products and the variations you are looking for. Do they ship to your target market?
There is no point using a US-focused supplier when you are planning to only sell in the UK.
Gelato Review Conclusion
Gelato is a very professional POD supplier with market leading software and the best Etsy integration I’ve used.
Gelato’s products together with printing technologies mean you get high-quality print at a good price point. The global reach ensures cheaper and faster shipping times which is also greener as the products don’t need to be transported as far.
I strongly recommend you consider using Gelato if they sell the products you sell in your eCommerce store even if you only use them as a back-up to other suppliers.
Learn how to use Gelato with Etsy in our step by step guide.
Global print network, market-leading software, AI-driven Etsy Personalization, and competitive pricing.
Gelato is our top choice for POD sellers.
Gelato Review FAQ
Is Gelato compatible with Etsy?
Yes. You can integrate your Etsy store with Gelato so that they can fulfill your print on demand orders.
How do I integrate Gelato with Etsy?
Create a Gelato account on Gelato.com then from your dashboard click stores. Under Connect a New Store click Etsy and follow the simple instructions.
How Do I Use Gelato on Shopify?
Once you have a Shopify account and store created, click on Apps and search for Gelato. Once you have found the app, click install and follow the instructions to log in to your Gelato account.
Does Gelato Work In The UK?
Yes, Gelato works in the UK. Gelato offers UK based printing services so you can get your print on demand items printed and shipped to your UK customers quicker.
