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Print on demand

Print on demand for your ecommerce business

Production in 32 countries

Turn your passion into profit with the world's largest print on demand network.

Gelato offers an extensive catalog of custom products, a zero-inventory business model, and free designing tools—all in one place.

90%

of all orders are produced locally

90%

of orders arrive within 5 days of ordering

140+

print providers across 32 countries

We’re lowering prices by up to 40%

Thanks to our global production network we are lowering prices on dozens of products across select markets

It’s that gift-giving time of year again

Make products your customers will cherish this holiday season

Why choose Gelato

▻ World's largest print-on-demand network

140+ print partners in 32 countries. Gelato is a truly global service.

▻ Sell globally, produce locally

Your products are produced close to your customers, wherever they are.

▻ 100% free editing tools

Create your custom products using our suite of free tools.

▻ 60+logistics partners

Our global network of logistics partners ensures your products are delivered fast.

▻ High-quality products

We partner with the world's leading brands to ensure the best quality products.

▻ Endless creativity with Shutterstock Images

Access millions of images and graphics to create unique products you can sell in your store.

▻ 1-click integration to the leading ecommerce platforms

Connect your store to Gelato using our integrations with Shopify, Etsy and more.

What is print on demand?

Print on demand

Printing on Demand (POD) is a convenient method of creating high-quality products and directly selling them to customers worldwide. This method allows you to manufacture custom merchandise for personal use or online business operations.

By using Gelato’s print on demand service, you can eliminate the need for inventory and reduce production costs, as every item is only created when an order is placed.

Print on demand with Gelato

Gelato's print on demand platform enables local production and shipping with no minimum order.

Gelato automatically sends your order to the nearest printing facility. This means there is no inventory, and the merchandise requires zero management, storage, or security.

We fulfill the orders when they come in. There are no additional fees or commissions.

1-click integration to the leading ecommerce platforms

Connect your store to Gelato using our integrations with Shopify, Etsy and more.

Built for scaling

140+ print partners in 32 countries. Gelato is a truly global service.

24/7 customer support

Reach our customer success team anywhere, anytime. We work relentlessly to help you grow your business

Custom print on demand products you can sell with Gelato

Apparel

Calendars

Drinkware

Wall art

Cards

Accessories

How print on demand works with Gelato

Connect to Gelato

Connect your ecommerce business to link your existing products or create new products.

Start selling

Your customer browses your ecommerce store and places an order.

Take it easy

We take care of the entire fulfilment process and produce your product closer to your customer.

The order is shipped

We deliver your products directly to your customer via our fast and reliable global logistics network.

How Gelato fuels your ecommerce business

Sell globally, produce locally

Gelato powers the world’s largest print on demand network of local print providers for ecommerce sellers. Produce what you need, where and when you need it. Faster, smarter and greener.

Easy to use

Integrate your ecommerce store to Gelato in seconds to start creating, selling, and adding products to your store.

Risk free

Gelato is free to use, no minimum orders or leftover stock. Because the products are made on demand, you only pay for what you sell.

24/7 customer support

We work relentlessly to help you scale your business and get the most out of our print on demand platform. Reach our customer success team anywhere, anytime.

Built for scaling your business

Production in 32 countries ensures reliable, on-time delivery of 10+ million orders across a wide variety of product categories.

Superior quality

Make a lasting impression on your customers with cutting-edge technology and sustainably sourced-materials from industry-leading brands.

Easy store connection

Designed for creators and entrepreneurs, scaled for enterprises. Thousands of businesses use Gelato’s software and APIs to produce and deliver custom printed products anywhere in the world.

Connect your store to Gelato’s API directly or via our easy-to-use integrations with the leading ecommerce platforms.

Advantages of print on demand

Cost saving

There’s no initial inventory needed, so this automatically saves you money upfront and can help increase profit margins. Plus, you can list a product and see if there’s an interest in it first before ordering it.

Low-risk online business

With print on demand, there’s no renting a storefront and having to hire staff.

You are your own boss

You can take chances and call the shots, as you’re able to be your own boss when selling print on demand products and making custom product decisions.

Your business can be global

Reaching a global client base is easy with on demand printing, as your custom products can appeal to your target audience all over the world while still being sold both locally and internationally.

Unique products

With print on demand, you have many product categories and customization options to choose from. You can get creative in your designs and start selling custom merch, t-shirts, hoodies, wall art, and more. Browse our product catalog of hundreds of items.

Print on demand tips for beginners

1. Discover your niche

“If you're selling to everyone, you're selling to no one.” This old adage holds true for print on demand ventures as well. As a beginner, you might want to cater to as many customers as possible, but that will only add to your marketing and infrastructure expenses. On the contrary, narrowing your niche gives you an advantage in today’s highly competitive ecommerce landscape. Having a specific niche allows you to define your target market and focus on your design and marketing endeavors for better conversions. This will also help lower your marketing cost, sell at a higher retail price, and establish your brand as an authority in your chosen niche. By growing your social media following and reaching out to influencers, you can cement your footing in your niche.

2. Request sample orders

It is crucial to conduct proactive quality control measures before launching your product in the ecommerce market. As your manufacturing will be outsourced to a third-party service provider, it is important to ensure that your customers receive the best value for their money and high-quality products. If you plan to sell t-shirts via print on demand, it is recommended that you request multiple samples from your print provider and inquire about the different printing options available. This will help you determine the appropriate print quality and set competitive prices. By requesting samples, you can also explore different material options and make well-informed business decisions based on your selling price and value proposition.

3. Determine the optimal pricing

The majority of print on demand businesses struggle to price their product. When you price your product too high, you might struggle with sales. Price your product too low, and you risk going out of business anyway. Determining the right price is not only important but vital for your business’s survival. Once you have your production and shipping costs figured out, you should price your product with at least a 30% profit margin. You can gradually increase your retail price as your sales go up. But keep in mind that your existing customers may not be willing to buy the same product at a higher price. So, consider customization options or make a few changes to your product to justify the heavier price tag.

4. Strategize shipping methods

Shipping is a crucial aspect of your print on demand business, as it can make or break your profit margins. Although you will not handle shipping operations on your own, it always helps to know your options. Start by researching available shipping options and find the best rates through comparisons. However, cost is not everything you should look for in a local or international shipping method; customer convenience is equally important. So, make sure your shipping arrangement offers order tracking and updates to customers. Also, customer support is necessary for addressing any issues related to delays or missed deliveries, as it plays a significant role in overall customer satisfaction.

5. Promote your merchandise

The success of your print on demand company hinges on your marketing strategies. Since Gelato will take care of manufacturing and order fulfillment, you can focus on promotional activities to generate leads for your business. There are many ways to promote your merchandise on a budget. Social media is the cheapest way to start. By consistently posting on social media, combined with paid advertising, you can spread awareness about your brand while boosting conversions. You can also reach out to niche-specific influencers and have them promote your quality products to their extensive audience base. As more and more people see your product, the chances of your product getting sold increase significantly. Also, if your customers love your product, they will likely recommend it to friends and family.

The Gelato Network

140+ production partners in 32 countries

Gelato makes the production and delivery of custom products simple, borderless, and programmable. Our teams are based in offices around the world and we process millions of print jobs each year for creators, startups, and large enterprises.

For information about which products are produced locally in which countries, please consult our product catalog.

Print on demand for any business

Creators

As a creator, you are looking to sell products in your online store.

Ecommerce store owner

You want to start an ecommerce store online selling custom products across leading ecommerce platforms. You're in luck, Gelato pairs its print on demand services with many ecommerce platforms!

Global enterprise

You have an international print on demand company that needs a variety of printing options at competitive prices and allows for global shipping.

Join Gelato today and let us help you scale your business globally. Faster, smarter, greener

Print on demand FAQs

How do you start selling with print on demand?

Start selling with print on demand by connecting your ecommerce store to Gelato. Next, connect your existing custom products or create new custom products. After that, your customer browses your ecommerce store and places an order. At Gelato, we take care of the entire fulfillment and printing process and produce your product close to where your customer is located. Once the order is shipped to the customer, we’ll deliver your products fast and reliably, with reduced carbon emissions. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Is print on demand still profitable?

Yes! According to a Grand View Search report, the U.S. print on demand market size was valued at USD 1.8 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 24.4% from 2023 to 2030. Since print on demand products are made to order, this model satisfies a demand for custom products while still remaining profitable. As we’ve mentioned before, selling print on demand ecommerce is a low-risk way to start and operate an online business. There is no need to store and protect inventory, and you can check if there’s a demand for a product before investing and producing it, so it’s more environmentally friendly too. Gelato is a free-to-use service, with no minimum orders or leftover stock. Because the products are made on demand with a fast production time, you only pay for what you sell.

How much do you make with print on demand?

That’s entirely up to you! Many factors come into play, for example, are you a new print on demand ecommerce business starting, or do you have an established successful online business with repeat customers? Either way, the sky's the limit with POD, you get out of it what you put into it, from individual artists and creators using it to produce artwork to global enterprise companies using it to mass produce high-quality products quickly.

Which platform is best for print on demand?

Gelato is the best print on demand platform, as we produce your products on demand in 100+ locations worldwide with a fast production time and high print quality. We’re easy to use and work relentlessly to help you scale your business and get the most out of our print on demand platform. You can reach our customer success team anywhere, anytime.

Is Gelato print on demand free?

Yes! Gelato is free to use, with no minimum orders or leftover stock. Because our quality products are made on demand, you only pay for what you sell. Thousands of online stores connect to Gelato for customized print on demand products.

How does Gelato print on demand work?

To start selling print on demand with Gelato, first, you can easily connect your eCommerce store to Gelato. We integrate easily into leading ecommerce platforms such as Shopify and Etsy. Next, connect your existing products or create new custom products. From this point, your customer will browse your eCommerce store as usual and place an order. We take care of the entire fulfillment process and produce your product close to where your customer is located via our network of printing partners Once the order is shipped to the customer, we’ll deliver your products fast and reliably, with reduced carbon emissions. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Where is Gelato located?

Gelato has its headquarters in Oslo, Norway. However, we produce quality products in 100+ locations via our global network of print providers. We reach your customers faster while reducing waste, costs, and carbon emissions. We’re a truly global brand.

Is print on demand worth it?

Yes, at Gelato, we know it is. Print on demand companies and print on demand services are the future, as the demand for custom products isn't going anywhere, and with the ability to easily customize white-label products and provide quick, high-quality digital printing, partnering with a print on demand platform like Gelato has never been easier. Try it for yourself to check our product quality, and we're certain you'll be overjoyed with the final product.