The complete guide to selling apparel

Where your apparel products are produced

At Gelato, local production is a top priority. With production facilities in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, the UK, and the US, we strive to keep your clothing closer to your end customer. We do this to reduce transportation distances and carbon emissions.

Thanks to our network of over 100 print partners, we are able to deliver to more than 170 countries worldwide. However, please note that not all print partners have the same production capabilities. In cases where our local production partner does not support the desired print area, we may fulfil the order in a different country.

It's important to keep in mind that just because a product has production capabilities in a specific country doesn't necessarily mean that it will be printed in that country. Technical or logistical limitations may come into play. Still, our system is fully automated and considers multiple factors to ensure the optimal print location and shipping route for your order.

Brand offering and local production

At Gelato, we understand that unparalleled quality is a top priority for both you and your customers. That's why we carefully choose to partner with some of the world's leading clothing brands, who share our commitment to superior quality and consistency.

Our clothing suppliers include well-known names such as AS Colour, Bella+canvas, B&C, Delta, Gildan, Fruit of the Loom, and more. These brands are known for their exceptional quality and craftsmanship, ensuring that your customers receive only the best.

We are unable to provide the ability to choose specific clothing brands. However, our wide range of high-quality products and customizable printing options will help you create a standout brand your customers will love.

At Gelato, we understand that quality is a top priority for our customers. That's why our product catalog includes detailed descriptions of each item, as well as information about the possible brands and models that might be used for each product.

Avoiding out-of-stock with supply chain resilience

We understand that having your listed products in stock is non-negotiable. That's why we take multiple approaches to ensure that we always have the products you need available. However, if a blank garment is out of stock and there's no clear estimated replenishment date available. In that case, our partners may fulfill the order using a substitute garment pre-approved by Gelato to avoid any delays.

Rest assured that the substitution process is strictly based on our guidelines. The substitute garment is carefully chosen to ensure it's equivalent to the primary garment in terms of style, size, material composition, and color. Additionally, it's only used when the primary garment is out of stock and is always of equivalent or superior quality to the primary garment.

For example, a Premium Unisex Crewneck T-shirt might be sourced from either Bella+Canvas 3001/3001CVC or B&C BCTU004. We refer to our suppliers' websites for more detailed product information, ensuring you have all the information you need to make informed decisions

The apparel starter kit

To set you up for success, it's important to choose the right products to offer to your customers. Our catalog is designed to help you find the best products that will appeal to your target audience. To help you make an informed decision, we have marked some of our products with badges that indicate their popularity and quality.

Our "bestseller" badge identifies the top-selling products, which can give you an idea of what's popular with customers. On the other hand, our "Gelato’s pick" badge identifies the products that we believe are of the highest quality and will give your customers the best possible experience. By using these badges and our catalog, you can choose the products that will appeal to your customers and help your business thrive.

Product creation guide

Here are some tips and guidelines to help you get the best results when working with apparel on Gelato:

Must-follow guidelines:

• Submit files in PNG or JPEG format with at least 150 DPI: This ensures your design looks crisp and clear when printed.

• Create files in sRGB color profile: To ensure that your design looks the same when printed as it does on screen, make sure you create your print file in sRGB color profile. 

• We recommend using PNG for designs with a transparent background.

Tips for best results:

• Avoid semi-transparent designs: Semi-transparent graphics or elements with lowered opacity don't print well with direct-to-garment printing. We recommend using solid colors or simulating semi-transparency by halftoning.

• Create designs with the necessary resolution (DPI): 

  • Ensure that your print files have a high enough resolution. 

  • Increasing the pixels/resolution won't result in a better print. 

  • The best approach is to recreate the design with the necessary resolution. 

  • The ideal resolution is 300dpi.

• Use transparency for better-looking designs: 

  • Black ink will appear gray on black garments because of the white under base used during printing.

  •  Leave these areas fully transparent when designing for black garments.

Direct-to-garment considerations:

• We don't print white ink on white garments. Any designs containing white color will have areas with no print on them.

• White ink elements on bright-coloured garments might look tinted. This is most evident in red, maroon, and other similarly colored garments.

• There might be slight discrepancies in print placement. However, our team does everything possible to ensure the best quality and consistency in print placement.

Direct-to-garment and colour deep dive

When using the Direct to Garment (DTG) printing method, between 5 and 7 colors of ink are utilized (depending on the equipment used). For the brightest possible results in production, it is recommended to use RGB files.

However, it is important to note that some colors (such as neon colors) in an RGB file may be too bright to achieve when printed on fabric. These colors are referred to as 'out of gamut' colors.

To illustrate this, the images below show an example of how an RGB file that contains very bright colors appears on screen (color wheels on the bottom row) compared with printed results (color wheels on the top row). You should also note that ink on white fabric appears brighter and more vibrant compared to images printed on colored garments.

Pricing Strategies

When it comes to pricing your apparel products, there are several strategies you can consider. Ultimately, you want to set a price that covers your costs and provides a reasonable profit margin, while also remaining competitive in the market. Here are some pricing strategies to keep in mind:

1. Cost-plus pricing: This involves adding a markup to your cost to determine the final price. Calculate all of your costs, including materials, production, and any additional fees, and then add a percentage markup to determine the price.

2. Competition-based pricing: Look at what other companies are charging for similar products, and use that as a starting point for your own pricing. If you're offering a unique product or high-quality materials, you may be able to charge a premium above your competitors.

3. Value-based pricing: Consider what your customers are willing to pay for your products based on the perceived value. For example, if your designs are highly sought after, you may be able to charge a higher price.

4. Dynamic pricing: Adjust your prices based on market demand and other factors, such as seasonality or promotional events.

Sales Strategies

As a business owner, you want to develop sales strategies that can help you reach your target market and increase your revenue. Here are some sales strategies you can consider:

1. Targeted marketing: Identify your ideal customer and tailor your marketing efforts to appeal to them. Use social media, email marketing, and paid advertising to reach your target audience.

2. Bundle and upsell: Offer bundles of related products, or suggest additional products at checkout that complement what the customer is already purchasing. This can increase the total order value and boost your revenue.

3. Discounts and promotions: Use discounts and promotions to incentivize purchases and encourage repeat business. Consider offering discounts for new customers or running a limited-time promotion on a popular product.

4. Collaborations and partnerships: Partner with influencers, bloggers, or other businesses to reach a wider audience. Offer custom designs or exclusive products for these collaborations to create a sense of exclusivity and encourage sales.

5. Customer service: Provide exceptional customer service to encourage repeat business and positive reviews. Respond to customer inquiries promptly and handle any issues or complaints quickly and professionally.

6. Diversify your product offerings: Expand your product line to include new designs, different styles or colors, and even non-apparel items that complement your existing products. This can help attract new customers and keep existing customers interested.

Remember, the key to successful sales strategies is to review and adjust them as needed regularly.

Keep track of your metrics, such as conversion rates and average order value, to see what's working and what's not and make adjustments accordingly. By taking a proactive approach to sales, you can maximize your revenue and grow your print-on-demand apparel business.

Product Listing Best Practice

When creating a product listing for your store, it's important to pay attention to the details in our product catalog to ensure accuracy and consistency. Start by using the product title and description provided in our catalog, and make sure to include any relevant information, such as fabric type, sizing, and color options.

In addition, it's important to include care instructions in your product listing to help customers maintain the quality of their apparel. For example, you can include the following care instructions:

"Sometimes the printing process can leave stains or smells. If noticeable, please wash garments with similar colors on a cold or cool gentle wash cycle before use. To prevent damage to the print, avoid using detergents containing bleach. Hang dry the garment or tumble on a cool setting. Iron inside out and use a cool iron to avoid damaging the print."

By including these care instructions, you can help your customers understand how to properly care for their apparel, which can increase customer satisfaction and reduce the likelihood of returns or complaints. Remember to be clear and concise in your instructions, and use bullet points or numbered lists to make them easy to read and follow.

As a business owner, it's important to have high-quality product images for your online store. Good product photos can increase sales, capture attention, elevate your brand, help you stand out from the competition, and educate your customers.

To create good product photos, ensure they are high-resolution, feature a simple background, and provide multiple images. You can also use studio-quality mockups to achieve professional-looking photos without expensive equipment or models.

With access to Gelato, you can use hundreds of premium apparel and wall art mockups, including more than 750 studio-quality mockup photographs and more than 20 different models for all apparel products.