Gelato

High-Level Overview

Gelato is a technology company founded in 2007 that provides a software platform powering local, on-demand production and distribution of customized products worldwide.[1][3] It connects creators, ecommerce sellers, global brands, and print service providers (PSPs) with a network of 140+ local production partners across 32 countries, enabling scalable business growth without managing inventory, production, or logistics.[1][2][4] Gelato solves inefficiencies in traditional global manufacturing—such as long shipping distances, waste, and overproduction—by routing orders to nearby producers, reducing emissions and supporting local economies while serving the booming demand for personalized ecommerce products like apparel, phone cases, and merchandise.[1][3] With reported revenue of $107M and recognition as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025 in Manufacturing, Gelato demonstrates strong growth momentum through AI-powered tools and integrations with platforms like Shopify and Etsy.[1][2][4]

Origin Story

Gelato was founded in 2007 in Oslo, Norway, at a time when the $800 billion printing industry relied on outdated, centralized mass production models despite rising demand for customized prints.[1][5] The idea emerged from recognizing the inefficiencies of shipping products globally—slow, wasteful, and unsustainable—and pivoting to a digital platform that partners with quality local printers worldwide, connected via cloud infrastructure like AWS, Azure, and Aliyun for market-specific needs.[1][5] Early traction came from empowering businesses to shift from bulk orders to on-demand, personalized runs, with explosive global growth including recent expansion into China; key figures like Chief Communications Officer Lars Torstensson have highlighted its disruption of traditional printing for marketing materials and ecommerce.[5] This evolution humanizes Gelato as a bridge between digital creators and local makers, fostering community empowerment from its Norwegian roots.[1][3]

Core Differentiators

Gelato stands out in the print-on-demand space through these key strengths:

• AI-Powered Platforms: GelatoConnect (for PSPs) offers an operating system with real-time insights, automation, procurement, and logistics in one machine-agnostic system across 30+ countries; GelatoCreate (for creators/ecommerce) enables instant design, sales, and fulfillment of custom products without inventory.[2][3]
• Global Local Network: 140+ vetted print partners in 32 countries ensure 100% local production, with 95% of orders arriving within 5 days, minimizing shipping costs/emissions and enabling seamless international scaling.[1][4]
• Sustainability and Efficiency: Reduces waste from overproduction and long-haul transport; focuses on eco-friendly printing, quality control, and integrations for multi-channel sales like Shopify/Etsy.[1][3][4]
• Developer and User Experience: Free design tools, product catalogs (apparel, calendars, etc.), white-label branding, order tracking, and 24/7 support streamline operations for B2B/B2C users.[1][4]

These features earned Gelato its 2025 Fast Company innovation accolade by pioneering mass customization over mass production.[2]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Gelato rides the wave of the creator economy and ecommerce personalization, where demand for custom, on-demand products surges amid trends like direct-to-consumer sales and AI-driven manufacturing.[2][3] Timing is ideal as global ecommerce grows, but traditional printing lags with decades-old distribution; Gelato's platform disrupts this $800B industry by enabling local production hubs, aligning with sustainability mandates and supply chain resilience post-pandemic.[1][5] Market forces like reduced carbon footprints (via shorter shipping) and cost-effective scaling favor it, while integrations with major platforms amplify its ecosystem influence—empowering PSPs, creators, and brands to thrive in fragmented markets like Asia and South America.[3][5] By fueling local economies and automation, Gelato shapes a decentralized manufacturing future, influencing how tech intersects with physical goods production.[2]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Gelato is poised to dominate on-demand manufacturing as AI and ecommerce converge, potentially expanding its network beyond 32 countries and deepening integrations for emerging markets like AR/VR customization.[2][3][5] Trends like stricter emissions regulations and creator tools will propel growth, evolving its influence from print-on-demand leader to full-spectrum digital production OS. Watch for aggressive expansions (e.g., China) and partnerships amplifying its $107M revenue trajectory—redefining global manufacturing starts local, and Gelato's platform makes it unstoppable.[1][5]