Free
$0
/month
- + Full product catalog access
- + Local production network
- + Pay-per-order pricing
Gelato
Global print-on-demand platform with local production in 130+ countries for faster delivery and lower shipping costs
ecommerce
Our Score
4.3
Starting at $0 /month
Free Plan Available
Try Gelato Free →
Affiliate link
4.3
RecommendedGelato Score
Ease of Use
4.1
Features
4.2
Value
4.4
Support
4.0
Based on our editorial review across usability, features, value, support, and integrations.
Best For
E-commerce stores prioritizing fast delivery and customer experienceGlobal brands selling across multiple countriesSustainability-focused businesses reducing shipping emissionsHigh-volume sellers needing reliable qualityPrint-on-demand businesses scaling internationally
Best For
E-commerce stores prioritizing fast delivery and customer experience
Free Trial
Yes
Standout Feature
130+ local production partners across 32 countries
Track Record
Since 2007
What Problem It Solves
Gelato solves the slow delivery and high shipping costs that plague traditional print-on-demand businesses. Instead of manufacturing everything in one location and shipping globally, Gelato's local production network ensures products are made near the customer, dramatically reducing delivery times and costs while improving sustainability. The platform particularly excels at helping e-commerce brands deliver the fast shipping experience that customers expect, maintain profitability with lower shipping expenses, and expand globally without managing complex international logistics.
Key Features
- 130+ local production partners across 32 countries
- 1,000+ customizable products (apparel, wall art, books, accessories)
- Integration with major e-commerce platforms (Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce)
- Automated order routing to nearest production facility
- Real-time order tracking and customer notifications
- White-label packaging and branding options
- API access for custom integrations
Pros
- + Significantly faster delivery than centralized POD (2-5 days vs 7-14)
- + Lower shipping costs due to local production
- + Higher quality printing compared to budget POD services
- + Sustainable production reduces carbon emissions
- + Excellent customer support with knowledgeable staff
Cons
- - Higher base product costs than some competitors
- - Product catalog smaller than mega-platforms like Printful
- - Quality can vary slightly between production partners
- - Setup complexity higher than simple POD platforms
Pricing
Gelato+
$24
/month
- + Up to 25% product discounts
- + Magic Mockups and Price Navigator
- + Custom labels and inserts
- + Unlimited store connections
Gelato+ Gold
$129
/month
- + Up to 25% product discounts
- + Up to 25 ecommerce stores
- + Up to 20 user accounts
- + Full premium mockup tool access
Starting at $0 /month
Free Plan Available
Try Gelato Free →
Affiliate link
Our Verdict
Gelato — Recommended
Gelato's distributed production model is its killer feature, and it genuinely delivers on its promise of faster, cheaper, more sustainable print-on-demand fulfillment. After testing orders shipped to multiple countries, the local production approach resulted in 2-5 day delivery times compared to 7-14 days from centralized competitors like Printful or Printify. For e-commerce stores where customer experience matters, this difference is significant—faster delivery means fewer support tickets, higher satisfaction, and more repeat purchases. Print quality is consistently good across the network, particularly for wall art, photo books, and apparel basics. The color accuracy on canvas prints and posters is impressive, and the packaging arrives professional and undamaged. Some variation between production partners exists (a t-shirt printed in Germany may differ slightly from one printed in the US), but Gelato actively works to minimize this through quality standards. The free plan is genuinely generous—full access to the product catalog and production network with pay-per-order pricing and no monthly fees. The Gelato+ subscription at $19/month (billed annually at $228/year) makes sense once you are selling 15-20 items monthly, as the 10-20% product discounts quickly offset the subscription cost. Where Gelato lags is product catalog breadth. Printful and Printify offer more niche products (phone cases, custom jewelry, specialized apparel). Gelato's catalog focuses on core categories—apparel, wall art, stationery, photo books, and mugs—which covers most sellers but leaves niche product sellers looking elsewhere. We recommend Gelato for e-commerce businesses prioritizing delivery speed, customer experience, and international reach. If you sell globally and fast shipping is a competitive advantage, Gelato is the best print-on-demand platform available. For sellers needing unusual product categories or operating only domestically with small volumes, Printify's broader catalog may be more suitable.
Related Tools
Is Gelato good for small businesses?
Yes, Gelato is excellent for small e-commerce businesses that want to compete on delivery speed without holding inventory or investing upfront in stock. The free plan includes full access to the entire product catalog of 1,000+ customizable items and the local production network spanning 130+ partners worldwide — you only pay for products as you sell them, with no monthly fees or minimum order requirements. This zero-risk model makes it ideal for small businesses testing new product designs or expanding their catalog. The premium Gelato+ plan at $19/month adds 10-20% product discounts, white-label packaging, and priority support, which becomes cost-effective once you are selling approximately 15-20 products monthly.
Does Gelato offer a free plan?
Yes, Gelato offers a genuinely useful free plan with full access to all 1,000+ products, local production across 130+ production partners worldwide, and integrations with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and other major e-commerce platforms. You pay only the wholesale product cost plus shipping when orders are placed — there are no monthly fees, setup charges, or minimum order requirements. This makes it one of the most accessible print-on-demand platforms for new sellers. The Gelato+ premium plan at $19/month adds discounted product pricing of 10-20% off all items, white-label branded packaging, and priority customer support. For businesses with consistent sales volume, the premium plan quickly pays for itself through the product discounts alone.
What is the starting price of Gelato?
Gelato's free plan costs $0/month with a pay-as-you-sell pricing model — you pay only wholesale product costs and shipping per order when a customer places an order. Product wholesale prices vary by category: basic t-shirts run approximately $10-12, canvas prints $15-25, mugs $5-8, and photo books $10-20, though exact pricing depends on size, material, and production location. There are no setup fees, monthly charges, or minimum order commitments. The Gelato+ premium plan at $19/month (or $228/year billed annually) provides 10-20% discounts on all products across the catalog, white-label branded packaging, custom branding on packing slips, and priority customer support. The premium plan typically pays for itself at approximately 20-30 orders monthly through the product discounts.
Starting at $0 /month
Free Plan Available
Try Gelato Free →
Affiliate link
Try Gelato Free →
Affiliate link