Gelato.com Review | Podcastbricks

Gelato is a technology-driven print-on-demand platform that connects creators and businesses with a global network of over 100 production partners across 32 countries. Founded in 2012 by Henrik Müller-Hansen, a former CEO of Tele2 Norway, Gelato aims to revolutionize the POD industry by focusing on local production, automation, and sustainability. Unlike traditional POD companies that rely on centralized manufacturing, Gelato’s model emphasizes producing products closer to the end customer, which reduces shipping times, costs, and carbon emissions.

The platform supports a wide range of customizable products, including apparel, wall art, stationery, and home decor, and integrates seamlessly with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and more. Gelato’s mission is to empower entrepreneurs and creators to scale their businesses globally without upfront costs or inventory risks, making it an attractive option for both beginners and established brands.

Key Features of Gelato

Gelato offers a robust set of features designed to streamline the print-on-demand process. Here’s a closer look at what sets it apart:

1. Global Production Network

Gelato’s standout feature is its extensive network of production partners in 32 countries, enabling local production for customers in over 5 billion markets. This localized approach minimizes shipping distances, resulting in faster delivery times (typically 3-5 days) and lower carbon emissions. For example, an order placed in California is produced locally rather than shipped from a distant facility, such as China.

2. Wide Product Catalog

Gelato offers a diverse range of high-quality products, including:

Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, tank tops, and sportswear.
Wall Art: Posters, canvas prints, framed posters, acrylic, and wood prints.
Stationery: Calendars, cards, and notebooks.
Home Decor: Mugs, water bottles, and phone cases.

While Gelato’s product selection is not as extensive as some competitors like Printful or Printify, it focuses on quality and consistency, with products tailored to meet the needs of various businesses.

3. Seamless E-commerce Integrations

Gelato integrates effortlessly with major e-commerce platforms, including:

Shopify
Etsy
WooCommerce
Wix
Squarespace
BigCommerce

These integrations allow users to sync their online stores, upload designs, and automate order fulfillment with ease. The platform also supports manual order creation for businesses without direct integrations.

4. User-Friendly Design Tools

Gelato’s intuitive design platform enables users to upload and preview designs on products before publishing them to their stores. The platform supports various file formats and provides free mock-up tools to help visualize the final product. While it doesn’t offer advanced design features like some competitors, it’s straightforward and accessible for beginners.

5. Sustainability Focus

Gelato is committed to eco-friendly practices, such as using recycled paper, soy-based inks, and local production to reduce carbon emissions. The platform partners with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to promote sustainable forestry, appealing to environmentally conscious businesses and customers.

6. Custom Packaging Options

Unlike some POD providers, Gelato offers custom packaging options, such as branded labels and packing inserts, to enhance the unboxing experience. However, fully branded packaging (e.g., custom boxes) is not currently available, which may be a drawback for some businesses.

7. 24/7 Customer Support

Gelato claims to offer round-the-clock customer support via live chat and email. However, some users report that the live chat is primarily a chatbot redirecting to help center articles, which can be less helpful for complex issues.

8. Flexible Pricing Plans

Gelato offers a free-forever plan with no setup fees or minimum order requirements, making it accessible for beginners. Paid plans, such as Gelato+ ($24/month) and Gelato+ Gold ($99/month), unlock additional features like discounted shipping, access to new products, and automated order fulfillment.

Pricing and Plans

Gelato’s pricing structure is designed to cater to businesses of all sizes. Here’s a breakdown of its plans:

Gelato Free: No monthly fees, unlimited products, and access to the full product catalog. Ideal for beginners or small businesses testing the platform.
Gelato+: $24/month (or $239/year) includes premium mock-up tools, product personalization options, and the ability to connect up to 10 stores.
Gelato+ Gold: $99/month (or $999/year) offers 30% off shipping for the first 49 orders per month, 50% off for additional orders, early access to new products, and automated order fulfillment for up to 25 stores.

Product pricing is competitive but varies by region due to local production costs and currency fluctuations. For example, a Gildan 5000 heavy cotton t-shirt costs approximately $10.41 USD, with shipping to the US at $3.49, totaling $13.90. Users can set their own retail prices, providing flexibility to control profit margins.

Gelato accepts payments via major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, Maestro), invoices, and prepaid account balances, supporting multiple currencies like USD, EUR, and GBP. New users receive a 50% discount on their first order within 72 hours of signing up.

Pros of Gelato

Fast and Local Production: The global network ensures quick turnaround times (1-4 days for production, 3-5 days for delivery) and reduced shipping costs.
Sustainability: Eco-friendly practices and local production appeal to environmentally conscious businesses.
Ease of Use: The intuitive interface and seamless integrations make it beginner-friendly.
Competitive Pricing: The free plan and reasonable product costs are ideal for startups.
Quality Assurance: Gelato works with vetted print partners to ensure consistent, high-quality results.
Custom Packaging: Options for branded labels and inserts enhance the customer experience.

Cons of Gelato

Limited Product Selection: Compared to competitors like Printful or Printify, Gelato’s product catalog is smaller, lacking niche items like puzzles or embroidery services.
Customer Support Issues: While 24/7 support is advertised, some users report unhelpful chatbots and slow email responses.
Regional Pricing Variations: Pricing differences across regions can be confusing and may impact profitability.
Inconsistent Quality Reports: Some users have experienced issues with print quality, such as faded colors or misalignment, particularly in certain regions.
No Fully Branded Packaging: Standardized packaging limits branding opportunities compared to competitors offering custom boxes.
API and Technical Issues: Advanced users have reported bugs and limitations in Gelato’s API, which can hinder automation for larger businesses.

Customer Feedback and Reviews

Gelato has received a mix of positive and negative feedback across platforms like Trustpilot, Shopify App Store, and G2. As of April 2025, it holds a 4-star rating on Trustpilot with over 2,260 reviews and a 4.6-star rating on the Shopify App Store.

Positive Feedback

Ease of Use: Many users praise Gelato’s user-friendly interface and seamless Shopify integration. One Trustpilot reviewer noted, “Gelato is so easy to use for creating products, whether you have a direct connection from your online store or manually create orders.”
Fast Shipping: Customers appreciate the quick production and delivery times, with one user stating, “Easy to use, quick shipping, and good rates for shipping. Recommended!”
Quality Products: Several reviews highlight the high quality of products, particularly wall art and apparel. A Shopify user commented, “Excellent graphic quality and fast shipping for our order.”
Responsive Support: Some users have had positive experiences with support staff, such as a reviewer who praised Paulina for resolving a beginner’s issue with clear guidance.

Negative Feedback

Customer Service Complaints: A common grievance is Gelato’s customer support, with users describing it as “terrible” or “unreliable.” One Shopify reviewer wrote, “Customer service is quite terrible. Our customers wouldn’t receive orders, and Gelato refuses to refund them.”
Quality Issues: Some users report inconsistent print quality, particularly in regions like Canada. An EcommerceCEO reviewer stated, “The printing was washed out, faded, and the colors completely off,” rendering products unsellable.
Order Fulfillment Problems: Negative reviews mention delayed or unfulfilled orders, with one Trustpilot user warning, “Don’t use Gelato as a POD provider. Bad shipping times + sometimes they simply don’t fulfill orders.”
API and Syncing Issues: Advanced users have criticized Gelato’s API for bugs and inventory syncing errors, with one reviewer noting, “The inventory and fulfillment system could use improvement.”

Gelato vs. Competitors

To assess Gelato’s value, let’s compare it to two major competitors: Printful and Printify.

Gelato vs. Printful

Product Catalog: Printful offers a broader range of products, including accessories and embroidered items, while Gelato focuses on core categories like apparel and wall art.
Custom Packaging: Gelato provides custom labels and inserts, while Printful does not. However, Printful offers more direct integrations with marketplaces.
Pricing: Both platforms have free plans, but Gelato’s product pricing is slightly more competitive in some regions.
Customer Support: Printful’s support is generally rated higher, with more responsive live chat and phone options.

Gelato vs. Printify

Production Network: Both platforms use a network of print partners, but Gelato’s focus on local production gives it an edge in sustainability.
Product Range: Printify has a larger catalog, including unique items like pet products and bags.
Ease of Use: Gelato’s interface is often praised as more intuitive, while Printify’s can feel cluttered.
Pricing: Printify’s pricing varies by partner, which can be less predictable than Gelato’s standardized rates.

Who Should Use Gelato?

Gelato is an excellent choice for:

Beginners: The free plan, user-friendly interface, and helpful resources make it ideal for those new to POD.
Eco-Conscious Businesses: Its sustainability focus appeals to brands prioritizing environmental responsibility.
Small to Medium Businesses: The competitive pricing and global reach suit growing stores looking to expand internationally.
Shopify Users: Seamless integration and positive reviews from Shopify users make it a top choice for this platform.

However, Gelato may not be the best fit for:

Businesses Needing Extensive Products: Those requiring niche or specialized items may find Gelato’s catalog limiting.
Large Enterprises: API bugs and support issues could hinder scalability for high-volume businesses.
Brands Requiring Full Branding: The lack of fully branded packaging may disappoint those seeking a premium unboxing experience.

Tips for Using Gelato Effectively

Leverage Local Production: Choose products available in your target markets to maximize speed and cost savings.
Test Print Quality: Order samples to ensure consistency, especially if selling in multiple regions.
Use Custom Packaging: Enhance your brand with custom labels and inserts to create a memorable unboxing experience.
Monitor Inventory Syncing: Regularly check for syncing issues to avoid fulfillment delays.
Engage with Support Early: Reach out to support promptly for technical issues, and consider escalating to email if the chatbot is unhelpful.
Explore Paid Plans: If your business grows, consider Gelato+ or Gelato+ Gold for cost savings and advanced features.

Conclusion

Gelato is a compelling print-on-demand platform that excels in local production, sustainability, and ease of use, making it a strong contender for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Its global network, competitive pricing, and seamless integrations with platforms like Shopify make it an attractive choice for those looking to scale without inventory risks. However, limitations like a smaller product catalog, inconsistent customer support, and occasional quality issues may deter some users, particularly larger enterprises or those needing extensive customization.

Overall, Gelato strikes a balance between affordability, quality, and environmental responsibility, earning its place as one of the top POD platforms in 2025. If you’re a beginner or a growing business prioritizing sustainability and simplicity, Gelato is worth trying—especially with its free plan and first-order discount. However, be sure to test the platform thoroughly and weigh its pros and cons against your specific business needs.