Gelato
ActiveGelato is a print-on-demand platform with a strong focus on local production and global distribution.
Gelato Website

Supplier Overview
Regions Served
Reliable fulfillment and shipping available in these regions.
Primary Markets
Best suited for these seller types and business models.
Fulfillment Locations
Print centres close to your customers for faster delivery.
Gelato AS
Gelato operates the world's largest print-on-demand network by connecting sellers to 140+ local production partners across 32 countries. Instead of shipping products from a central warehouse, Gelato routes each order to the nearest production facility — meaning 90% of orders are produced locally and arrive within five days. This distributed model also reduces carbon emissions significantly compared to centralised fulfilment.
Product Types 5 categories
Visit Gelato's website for full catalog specs, pricing, and customisation options.
Product Catalogue Details
Apparel
Wall Art
Mugs & Drinkware
Stationery & Cards
Accessories
Gelato's catalogue includes around 250 customisable products. Product availability may vary slightly by production region, but the distributed network ensures broad coverage. The company regularly adds new SKUs — over 3,000 new items were introduced in 2023 alone.
E-commerce Platforms
Gelato offers native integrations with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Amazon, Wix, Squarespace, BigCommerce, and TikTok Shop. A RESTful API is available for custom storefronts and enterprise-level automation, complete with comprehensive documentation.
Shipping & Fulfillment
Production Time
Typically 1–3 business days; 90% of orders are produced locally and arrive within 5 days of ordering.
Shipping Speed
Standard: 4–6 business days (domestic US). Economy shipping to most destinations averages 4–5 days total including production. International delivery times vary by destination.
Gelato's core advantage is local production: 87% of packages are fulfilled in the same country as the end customer, and 99% within the same region. Orders are automatically routed to the nearest production partner from a network of 140+ facilities across 32 countries, dramatically reducing shipping distances, delivery times, and costs.
Print Quality
Gelato partners with industry-leading brands and uses sustainably sourced materials. All production partners are vetted for quality standards, technology capabilities, and sustainable practices.
Colour consistency is maintained across the distributed network through standardised production processes. Sellers are encouraged to order samples to verify output from regional partners.
DTG prints on quality blanks (e.g. Gildan) are durable through regular washing. Paper products use premium, sustainably sourced stock. Gelato emphasises long-lasting quality to reduce waste.
Pricing Model
How It Works
Base product cost + print cost per item; sellers set their own retail prices. No commission fees — you only pay for products and shipping.
Example Base Prices
- Basic T-shirt (Gildan): from around $8.68 base cost.
- Mug: from around $6–$8 base cost.
- Poster: from around $5–$15 base cost depending on size.
- Hoodie: from around $16–$20 base cost.
Gelato+ ($23.99/month or $19.99/month billed annually) offers up to 25% off product pricing year-round. Gelato+ Gold ($129/month) offers up to 25% off with additional features. First-year Gelato+ subscribers may receive up to 35% off select products.
Tools & Features
Gelato includes a free design tool and mockup generator for all users. Gelato+ subscribers also get access to AI-powered tools including Magic Mockups, Velocity Switch (automatic production partner selection), and Price Navigator for optimising margins.
- Custom neck labels (tag-less logo printing)
- Branded packaging inserts
- Custom-branded packaging (printed on demand, no upfront cost)
- Branded packing labels
Gelato offers comprehensive white-label fulfilment — no Gelato branding appears on products or packaging. Sellers can add custom neck labels, branded inserts, and personalised packaging. The Personalization Studio (Gelato+ feature) allows end customers to personalise products before purchase.
Key Features & Benefits
Gelato uses a globally distributed network of local printers to reduce shipping times and environmental impact.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fastest delivery times in the POD industry — 90% of orders arrive within 5 days thanks to local production across 32 countries.
- Strong sustainability credentials — local production reduces carbon emissions by up to 67% per order compared to centralised fulfilment.
- Competitive base pricing with no commission fees and generous Gelato+ discounts (up to 25–35% off).
- Wide platform support including Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, WooCommerce, TikTok Shop, and a RESTful API.
- Excellent for EU/UK sellers with strong European production coverage and regional optimisation.
- White-label branding with custom packaging, neck labels, and inserts — all printed on demand with no upfront costs.
Cons
- Smaller product catalogue (~250 products) compared to Printify (1,000+) or Printful (400+).
- No all-over-print options currently available for apparel.
- Price increases reported by some users — 15–16% rises on select materials like premium paper and frames.
- Personalisation tools paywalled behind Gelato+ subscription, which disrupted some existing workflows.
- API reliability has been flagged by some users as occasionally buggy.
Our Ratings
Ratings are indicative and meant as a comparative guide within the Printsgram directory. Gelato scores particularly well on shipping speed due to its local production model but has a smaller product catalogue than some competitors. Merchants should always test samples and check the latest user feedback.
Get Started with Gelato
Create a free account on Gelato and start selling your designs. No upfront cost — pay only when you make a sale.
Sign Up on GelatoHow to sell products with Gelato
Create Account
Sign up for free on Gelato's platform. No credit card required to get started.
Connect Your Store
Link your Shopify or other store with a one-click integration. Setup takes minutes.
Start Selling
Upload your designs, publish products, and Gelato handles printing and fulfillment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Gelato's local production model work?
How long does Gelato take to produce and deliver orders?
What is Gelato+ and is it worth upgrading?
Which ecommerce platforms does Gelato integrate with?
Is Gelato really more sustainable than other POD platforms?
How does Gelato compare to Printify and Printful?
What branding options does Gelato offer?
Does Gelato charge any commission on sales?
What is GelatoConnect?
Can I use Gelato with TikTok Shop?
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