Gelato + Shopify for starting a print on demand shop: Step-by-Step Guide for Newbies

So, you’re dreaming of starting your own online business, selling custom products like T-shirts, mugs, or posters but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry. We’re about to make it as easy as ordering your favorite coffee. In this guide, We’ll walk you through setting up a print-on-demand (POD) business using Gelato and Shopify. We’ll dive into what each platform offers, how to seamlessly combine the two, and even how to promote your new online shop like a boss.

Let’s break it all down so you can get your store up and running in no time!

Step 1: Get Started with Shopify

First, let’s talk about Shopify 🛒 — it’s the platform that will host your online store. Think of Shopify as the "home" where all your products will live and where your customers will shop. Shopify is perfect for newbies because it’s super intuitive, and you don’t need to know any coding to get started.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Sign Up on Shopify: Head over to : Shopify's website and create an account. You'll need an email, store name, and a password to get started.

2. Customize Your Store: Shopify makes it easy to pick and customize themes (aka your store’s “vibe”). They have free and paid themes available. Don’t worry if you’re not a designer—just choose a simple, clean theme to get started, and you can adjust it later as you learn more.

3. Add Necessary Pages: You’ll want to set up important pages like your “About Us,” “Contact,” and “Shipping & Returns” to make sure customers have all the info they need.

4. Set Up Payment Methods: Shopify lets you connect different payment options like PayPal, Stripe, and more. You want your customers to have an easy checkout process!

Once your Shopify store is good to go, it’s time to connect it with Gelato.

Step 2: Set Up Gelato for Print-on-Demand

Gelato 🍨 is a global print-on-demand platform that handles the production, packaging, and shipping of your products. Gelato operates with local manufacturers, which means faster shipping for your customers and a more eco-friendly production process.

Here’s how to get started with Gelato:

1. Create a Gelato Account: Go to : Gelato’s website and sign up for free.

2. Choose Your Products: Gelato offers a huge variety of products you can sell:

   • Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, etc.

   • Home Decor: Posters, canvas prints, framed art.

   • Stationery: Greeting cards, notebooks, and planners.

   • Accessories: Mugs, phone cases, and tote bags.

3. Upload Your Designs: Once you’ve picked your products, upload your designs to Gelato. Don’t have designs yet? No worries—there are tons of free design tools like Canva that you can use to create something unique.

4. Integrate Gelato with Shopify: Gelato has a direct integration with Shopify, which makes syncing your products super easy. Just head to your Shopify dashboard, search for the Gelato app in the Shopify App Store, and install it.

Step 3: Sync Your Products

Once Gelato and Shopify are connected, you can easily import your products from Gelato into your Shopify store. Here’s how to do it:

1. Product Customization: Within the Gelato app on Shopify, you can customize product names, descriptions, and pricing. Make sure each product stands out by giving it a catchy title and clear description that speaks to your audience.

2. Product Sync: After customizing, simply sync your products to your Shopify store. They will appear in your Shopify product catalog, ready for customers to browse and purchase.

Step 4: Choose a Niche

Before you start promoting your store, it’s crucial to know who you’re selling to. Choosing a niche is the key to standing out in the crowded world of print-on-demand. You don’t want to be selling everything to everyone. Instead, go specific. Here are some hot categories to consider:

• Pop Culture Fans: Create designs based on trending TV shows, memes, or fandoms.

• Fitness Enthusiasts: Gym gear like tank tops, hoodies, or water bottles with motivational quotes.

• Eco-Friendly Shoppers: Think reusable tote bags and sustainable clothing options with environmental messages.

• Pet Lovers: Custom pet portraits on T-shirts, mugs, or even blankets.

• Artists and Creatives: Sell unique wall art and posters with a personalized touch.

The more specific your niche, the easier it will be to attract dedicated customers!

Step 5: Promote Your Store Like a Pro

Okay, your Shopify store is up, Gelato is handling all the printing and shipping, and your niche is solid—now what? You need to get people to find your store!

Here are some effective ways to promote your store:

1. Social Media Marketing: Use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest to showcase your products. Instagram Reels and TikTok videos are great for demonstrating how your products look in real life.

   Tip: Collaborate with micro-influencers in your niche to boost visibility.

2. Content Creation: Start a blog or vlog attached to your Shopify store. Write articles or create videos that are relevant to your niche. For example, if you're selling pet-related products, make content about pet care tips.

   You can also use tools like : AdCreative.ai to generate eye-catching visuals for your ads and social media posts. AdCreative helps create high-quality banners and graphics quickly, boosting your content’s effectiveness. You can customize images and headlines to suit your target audience, making it easier to attract attention and drive traffic.

3. Email Marketing: Collect emails from customers and visitors (Shopify makes this easy with apps like Mailchimp or Klaviyo). Send out newsletters about new designs, special discounts, and behind-the-scenes looks at how you create your products.

4. SEO Optimization: Make sure your store’s product pages are optimized for search engines. This means using keywords that people would type into Google to find products like yours. Shopify and Gelato both provide tools to help with SEO.

5. Run Ads: Once you’ve got a bit of a budget, try running ads on Facebook, Instagram, or Google Ads. You can target people based on their interests, making it more likely that the right customers find you.

You can also check our previous helpful article about creating blog content. It has many tips and services that you can also use when creating an online store like this.

What Gelato Offers

Gelato makes print-on-demand easy and efficient, especially if you’re looking to ship globally. Here’s why you’ll love using Gelato:

• Global Network: Gelato works with local printers in over 30 countries, which means faster delivery times and reduced shipping costs.

• Eco-Friendly: Gelato’s focus on local production cuts down on carbon emissions.

• Wide Product Range: Whether you’re selling clothing, wall art, or mugs, Gelato has got you covered.

• High-Quality Printing: Gelato prides itself on professional-quality printing that ensures your designs look crisp and clean on every product.

What Shopify Offers

Shopify isn’t just about looking pretty—it’s packed with features to help you grow:

• Easy Setup: As mentioned, Shopify’s drag-and-drop interface makes it perfect for beginners.

• Customizable Store: Tons of themes, both free and paid, so you can match your brand’s vibe.

• Apps & Integrations: Shopify’s App Store offers tons of apps (including Gelato) that can help you automate processes and manage your store efficiently.

• Mobile-Friendly: Your store will be optimized for mobile shopping, which is super important for Gen Z buyers.

• SEO-Friendly: Shopify has built-in SEO features that help your store rank higher on Google.

Final Tips to Crush It in Print on Demand

• Test Products Yourself: Before launching your store to the public, order a sample of your own products. This way, you can check the quality and experience the shipping process firsthand.

• Stay Consistent: Keep updating your store with fresh designs. Stay on top of trends within your niche and release new products regularly.

• Focus on Customer Service: Respond to customer inquiries quickly and politely. Offering great customer service will set you apart from competitors and create repeat customers.

Ready to Roll?

That’s it! Now you’ve got everything you need to start your very own print-on-demand business using Gelato and Shopify. It’s time to get creative, pick a niche, set up your store, and start promoting it like the savvy entrepreneur you are. Who knows, maybe your designs will be the next big thing! Please use our affiliate links from above, it really helps the blog continue doing it's work and bring to you more interesting content ! We really appreciate that !