Archive for month: April, 2025

Original Source: https://ecommerce-platforms.com/articles/gelato-vs-prodigi

Choosing between Gelato and Prodigi isn’t as simple as picking the cheaper option or the one with more products. Each platform solves different problems, depending on your brand, customer base, and product focus.

I’ve used both extensively, whether for launching scalable POD apparel brands or helping artists sell premium prints globally. Here’s everything you need to know, broken down by the factors that actually matter.

Quick Verdict

Use Gelato if you’re running a general ecommerce brand, need fast global shipping, and want simple integrations with platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce. It’s cost-effective, scalable, and built for volume.

Use Prodigi if you’re an artist, photographer, or selling premium wall art. The quality is unbeatable, the paper options are next-level, and it’s trusted by high-end print sellers worldwide.

If you’re going for speed and scale, Gelato wins.

If you’re selling premium art that needs to impress, Prodigi’s your move.

Product Catalogue and Customisation Options

Both Gelato and Prodigi have wide product ranges, but the types of products and who they’re suited for is where things start to differ.

Gelato focuses heavily on consumer-friendly items. Their catalogue includes over 90 products, most of which are built around volume sales and personalisation.

Think mugs, posters, t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, stationery — the kind of stuff that sells well on Shopify and Etsy for custom gift shops or viral merch brands.

Prodigi, on the other hand, is built more for creators, artists, and photographers. Their catalogue has over 500 products, including fine art prints, framed photos, museum-grade canvases, and premium paper types.

If you’re trying to sell gallery-worthy work, Prodigi offers more depth, especially with third-party labs and a broader range of print sizes and finishes.

Key differences in product catalogues:

FeatureGelatoProdigiTotal products90+500+Apparel focusStrongLightFine art paper optionsLimitedExtensive (20+ paper types)Framing optionsBasicProfessional gradeCustomisation depthStandardHigh (especially for artists)

Bottom line:

If you’re running a general ecommerce store or selling gifts, Gelato gets you moving faster.

If you’re an artist or selling high-end prints, Prodigi gives you more control and quality.

Pricing: Base Costs, Subscriptions, and Shipping

Pricing is where a lot of sellers make poor decisions. They look at base cost and forget shipping, volume discounts, or subscription benefits.

Gelato uses dynamic pricing depending on fulfilment location. The real power comes from their Gelato+ and Gelato+ Gold memberships. For about $14.99/month, you unlock lower product costs and better shipping rates.

It’s great if you’re scaling — the more you sell, the more you save. Plus, because Gelato prints locally in over 30 countries, you’ll often save a lot on shipping without even realising it.

Prodigi keeps it simple — no monthly fee, just fixed product and shipping rates. That sounds nice upfront, but if you’re selling in volume or globally, the lack of dynamic shipping or discounts can add up.

They do offer wholesale tiers, but it’s less transparent and more based on negotiation.

Pricing comparison (as of 2025):

ProductGelato Price (USD)Prodigi Price (USD)A4 Art Print$5.50 + local ship$7.00 + global shipUnisex T-Shirt$9.95$11.50Poster (30×40 cm)$6.20$7.40Framed Print (A3)$24.00$29.00

Takeaway:

Gelato wins on scalable pricing — especially when combined with local fulfilment.

Prodigi is better for premium pricing models, where product quality justifies a higher cost.

Fulfilment Network and Shipping Speed

Speed and reliability make or break your brand reputation. Customers are used to Amazon Prime — waiting 10 days for a t-shirt doesn’t fly anymore.

This is where Gelato has the edge. Their whole model is built around local production. With over 130 production partners across 30+ countries, your customer’s order is routed to the closest facility.

That means faster delivery, less customs hassle, and often cheaper shipping. Most orders ship within 2–5 business days.

Prodigi has a strong fulfilment setup too, but they lean more on third-party labs. That means some products are fulfilled in-house, others are outsourced — and that inconsistency can impact delivery times.

Orders usually ship within 3–7 business days, but the variability is wider.

Shipping speed overview:

Gelato:

Local production in 30+ countries

Most orders ship in 2–5 days

More predictable delivery

Prodigi:

50+ lab partners globally

3–7 day fulfilment windows

Slower for some niche products

My take: If you’re selling globally and want to avoid angry emails about slow shipping, Gelato’s local-first model is safer. Prodigi can work well if your buyers are in one region or if you’re focused on print quality over speed.

Print Quality and Packaging

Let’s talk about the stuff that lands in your customer’s hands.

Gelato does a solid job with consistency. For standard products — mugs, tees, posters — the quality is absolutely good enough. I’ve tested several apparel pieces, and while it’s not luxury cotton, it’s durable and cleanly printed.

Their packaging is plain but efficient, with eco-friendly materials used by default.

Prodigi is where you go when quality is the brand. Their fine art prints, especially Giclée, are some of the best I’ve seen in POD. They work with premium paper brands like Hahnemühle, and their colour calibration is on point.

Framing and packaging are also professional-grade. This matters a lot when you’re selling £100+ wall pieces — buyers notice those details.

What stands out about each:

Gelato:

Consistent quality across locations

Strong for bulk, everyday products

Limited paper and print options

Prodigi:

Premium fine art quality

Multiple paper stocks and framing options

Best for photographers and galleries

If you’re scaling a lifestyle brand, Gelato is more than good enough. But if your buyer expects gallery-level prints, Prodigi is the safer bet.

Platform Integrations and Ease of Use

Integrations matter a lot if you’re running a multi-channel ecommerce setup.

Gelato integrates easily with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, and more. They also have a robust API for custom setups.

The onboarding is smooth, and their interface is built for sellers — clean, quick to navigate, and backed by solid documentation.

Prodigi supports Shopify and Etsy natively, and offers a well-documented API for more advanced setups. But they don’t support WooCommerce or other platforms out of the box. If you’re not technical, the options might feel a bit limited.

Quick integration comparison:

PlatformGelatoProdigiShopifyEtsyWooCommerceBigCommerceSquarespaceAPI Access

If you’re using Shopify or Etsy, both are fine. If you’re running a WooCommerce or multi-store setup, Gelato is easier to scale without a dev team.

Branding Options

Neither platform offers full branded packaging like some niche POD fulfilment services, but they do support white-label deliveries.

Gelato lets you upload logos for packing slips, and they’re continuing to roll out more personalisation features inside their Gelato+ plans. But no branded tape or boxes yet.

Prodigi offers white-label shipments and custom packing slips too. If you’re working with high-end buyers, you might still need to manage branded inserts or packaging yourself.

Summary:

Both offer solid white-labeling

No custom packaging out of the box

Inserts possible but limited without third-party help

It works for most ecommerce brands, but not ideal if you want full branded unboxing.

Support and Documentation

I’ve dealt with both support teams — and there’s a clear winner here.

Gelato has 24/7 live chat and email support. I’ve had issues resolved in under an hour, even on weekends. Their help docs are solid too, and there’s a good onboarding experience when you first link your store.

Prodigi leans more on email, and they’re slower to reply. You’ll get help, but it’s not always quick. This matters if something goes wrong during Q4 or with a big influencer launch.

If you’re scaling and need fast responses, Gelato is more reliable.

Sustainability

Both companies push sustainability hard, and that’s a good thing.

Gelato‘s biggest strength is local production, which cuts down carbon emissions and waste. They also use FSC-certified paper, eco-friendly inks, and reduce overproduction through on-demand workflows.

Prodigi is also a certified carbon neutral company. They offset emissions, use FSC-certified papers, and partner with ethical suppliers. Their messaging is clear and well-documented.

For eco-conscious brands, both platforms tick the right boxes.

Final Verdict: Gelato vs Prodigi

Here’s the straight-up breakdown:

Best ForGelatoProdigiApparel and mugsFine art printsGlobal shipping speedBranding and inserts Limited LimitedShopify + Etsy integrationsWooCommerce supportPremium product quality StandardPrice and shipping savings (with Gelato+)Customer service speed

So who should you go with?

Use Gelato if you’re scaling a general ecommerce store, want faster shipping, or need reliable plug-and-play integrations.

Use Prodigi if you’re a fine artist or photographer selling premium prints and want the highest quality.

FAQs

Is Gelato or Prodigi better for Etsy?

Both work well with Etsy, but Gelato has better speed and broader product support. Prodigi is better if you sell framed or fine art pieces.

Can I brand the packaging with either?

Not fully. Both allow custom packing slips, but branded boxes or tape aren’t available without third-party solutions.

Which one is cheaper Gelato or Prodigi?

Gelato generally comes out cheaper, especially if you’re on a paid plan and using local fulfilment. Prodigi’s pricing is higher, but reflects premium product quality.

Do they handle taxes and customs?

Yes, both platforms handle VAT and international taxes during checkout depending on the integration setup.

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