Overview
As a Gelato Network production partner, you are already fulfilling orders for Gelato Create. With the Gelato Create Brand Integration, those orders now flow directly into your GelatoConnect account — giving you full control over production using the same powerful tools you use for your other customers.
This means you can leverage the complete GelatoConnect platform for Gelato Create orders, including:
Workflow Builder — Design and automate production workflows with batching, imposition, and machine routing
Imposition Engine — Generate optimized, print-ready layouts automatically
Print Operator Console — Send production files directly to your digital front ends and track job status in real time
Production Status Tracker — Scan in and out at each production step for full visibility
Packaging App — Configure quality control checks, sorting, shelf allocation, and bundling rules
Procurement — Manage stock consumption and replenishment for stockable components
Logistics — Handle shipping labels, carrier selection, and dispatch
In short: Gelato Create orders are now managed in exactly the same way as orders from your other GelatoConnect customers.
Before You Begin
Before starting the setup, make sure you have:
An active GelatoConnect account with the Workflow module enabled
The Gelato Create Brand Integration is enabled for your account (your Implementation Manager will confirm this)
Access to the Brand Integrations section in your GelatoConnect dashboard
If you do not see the Gelato Create brand integration in your account, please contact our support team via Support > Report an issue button in your Gelato Dashboard.
The 6-Step Setup Process
The Gelato Create Brand Integration uses a guided setup wizard with six sequential steps. Each step builds on the previous one — complete them in order. Steps 1–3 are auto-configured with a single click.
Navigate to Brand Integrations in your GelatoConnect dashboard and select Gelato Create to begin.
Step 1: Customer Setup
What it does: Registers "Gelato Create" as a customer in your GelatoConnect account.
Once you click Set up, the system automatically:
Creates a new customer named "Gelato Create" in your account
Links all incoming orders, status updates, and product configurations to this customer
All Gelato Create orders, postbacks, product models, and production rules will be organized under this customer. This keeps Gelato Create production separate from your other customers.
To complete this step: Click Set up — the customer is created automatically. No manual configuration needed.
Step 2: Order Ingestion
What it does: Creates the connection through which Gelato Create submits orders into your account.
When you click Set up, the system automatically:
Creates an API connector named "Gelato Create API connector", linked to the Gelato Create customer
Generates a unique order submit endpoint URL for your account
Enables Gelato Create to send orders directly into your order management system
To complete this step: Click Set up — the connector and endpoint are created automatically.
Step 3: Order Status Updates
What it does: Configures automatic status notifications back to Gelato Create.
Gelato Create needs to know when orders are received, in production, shipped, or cancelled — just like any of your other customers. When you click Set up, the system automatically:
Creates triggers for key order events: received, failed, cancelled, produced, and shipped
Configures a status update template with the correct payload format for Gelato Create
Enables automatic synchronization between your system and Gelato Create
Configures item-level cancellation handling, so partial (per-item) cancellations from Gelato Create are automatically reflected in your account
To complete this step: Click Set up — all triggers and templates are created automatically.
Step 4: Product Setup
What it does: Let's you select and import the Gelato Create product models you will be fulfilling.
This is the step where you choose which product categories to produce for Gelato Create. Click Open product setup to be taken to the product models page with Gelato Create pre-selected as the customer.
🎬 Detailed walkthrough of Product Setup for Gelato Create
How to set up products:
Select product categories — Choose the product categories relevant to your production capabilities (e.g., Posters, Canvas, Photo Books, Apparel). Each category shows the number of available variants.
Choose whether to add standard templates — You have two options: (a) Add Gelato standard workflows and imposition templates (recommended for new products), or (b) Do not add workflows and impositions if you already have a working workflow for this product from another customer in GelatoConnect.
Create or select a product model — If you don't currently have a product model for the selected category, create a new one. If you already produce this product in GelatoConnect, select your existing model.
Select workflow and imposition templates — Review the available Gelato standard workflows and imposition templates. You can preview the workflow to see all production paths, stations, batching logic, and post-press steps.
Map paper types/substrate types — The system automatically maps the substrates in your Connect account to the ones used by Gelato Create. Review the mapping and override if needed.
Review the results — The system creates product models, customer products (under customer = Gelato Create), and product variations with all product UIDs. Confirm everything looks correct.
To complete this step: After the product import is finished, go back to the Brand Integration wizard and click Mark as complete.
💡 Already producing these products? You can duplicate your existing workflow instead of using the Gelato standard template. After importing the products, go to your existing workflow, duplicate it, then update the workflow settings to link the new workflow to the Gelato Create customer products. |
Step 5: Test Orders
What it does: Lets you place test orders so you can validate the full end-to-end flow before going live.
Placing test orders lets you confirm that orders flow correctly through your account and lets you dry-run your workflows to validate imposition and production configuration before going live.
How to place test orders:
Click "Place test orders" — you'll be taken to the Place an order page in a new browser tab, pre-filled with the Gelato Create customer, the order connector, and your facility's address as the shipping address.
Choose products and variations — select the installed Gelato Create products you want to test. Placing orders across different variations (e.g., sizes, orientations, folding types) validates your workflows and impositions.
Verify the order — confirm the test order is received and appears in the Manage Orders interface, and that it processes and sends a status update correctly.
To complete this step: After placing your test orders, return to the Brand Integration wizard and click Mark as complete.
Step 6: Workflow & Imposition Setup
What it does: Let's you review, configure, and validate your production workflows using the test orders.
This is the most important configuration step — it ensures your production workflows are correctly set up before live orders start flowing in.
🎬 Detailed walkthrough of Workflow & Imposition configuration for Gelato Create
Check our full and detailed guide on Workflow Builder for more details.
Check our full and detailed guide on Imposition Engine for more details.
How to configure your workflows:
Open the workflow — Find the product model and open the draft workflow that was created during Product Setup.
Select a test order — The workflow will prompt you to select a test order. Choose one of the test orders you placed in Step 5.
Run a dry run — Click Run test to execute a dry run. The system processes the test order through all workflow steps and flags anything that needs attention (e.g., machine park configuration, imposition adjustments, batching settings).
Configure any flagged steps — For any workflow card that needs configuration, open the card and configure manually, or use the Configure with AI option. You can also use the Connect AI chat inside the Workflow Builder to ask any questions.
Save and publish — After a successful dry run, save the workflow and publish it.
To complete this step: After publishing your workflow, go back to the Brand Integration wizard and click Mark as complete.
🎉 Congratulations! Gelato Create is now officially active in your account. You are ready to start receiving Gelato Create orders.
Tips for a Smooth Go-Live
Separate workflows for Gelato Create — We recommend using a dedicated workflow for Gelato Create orders rather than mixing them with orders from other customers. This reduces risk and gives you full control over batching and production timing.
Batching considerations — Gelato Create orders arrive with specific SLA commitments. Make sure your workflow batching rules release Gelato Create orders promptly after ingestion. Work with your Implementation Manager if you need guidance on batch release timing.
Reusing existing workflows — If you already produce the same product category for other Connect customers, duplicating your existing workflow is often faster and safer than starting from the Gelato standard template.
Packaging checks — If you have packaging checks configured for your existing production, verify they are also enabled for your Gelato Create products. You can do so in the Packaging Checks page.
Stockable products — For products with stockable components (e.g., frames, branded inserts), ensure stock is registered in your Inventory before going live. Stock consumption is handled automatically.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our support team via Support > Report an issue button in your Gelato Dashboard.
