This article explains how to design print products using Gelato's design editor. The editor is user-friendly and offers a range of tools and features to help you create professional-looking prints.

You can access the design editor directly from the product page. Simply click on the "Start designing" button, and then upload your designs or images. For a detailed guide on adding products to your store, please refer to this link.

Once you have uploaded your design, the design editor will open.

You'll find a handy control panel on the left side of the editor, equipped with various tools to customize your product. Remember, at any time during editing, you can save your design as a template and continue editing it later.

Let's explore how to use some of the essential design tools.

The Layers section is where you can add images or text to your design. You can do this by clicking "Add new" on the left-hand side menu or in the top right corner of the editor. Then, select either "Add image" or "Add text".

You'll discover various options in the top bar depending on whether you're working with an image or a text box. Don't hesitate to explore and experiment with these tools to achieve the desired look for your design.

The Files section keeps all the images you've added to the editor organized and easily accessible.

Use the Text menu to seamlessly add text boxes to your design. Keep in mind that while all our fonts support Latin characters, only a few support Cyrillic script. If your text appears as squares or disappears, the font likely doesn't support the characters you're using. In such cases, we recommend opting for these free fonts: Arial, Didact Gothic, Fira Sans font family, Montserrat, Noto font family, Open Sans, Oswald, PlayFair font family, and Pacifico.

To incorporate text with other characters or alphabets like Arabic, Japanese, or Greek, create an image containing the text and upload it to an empty photo box in the editor. You can use file formats like PDF, JPEG, or PNG. Please note that there's a limit of 2000 characters per text box. If you need to add more text, consider incorporating separate text boxes or layers.

Our integration with Shutterstock gives you access to millions of high-quality photographs and images for your designs at no upfront cost! For more details about using Shutterstock, please refer to this link.

Additionally, as a Gelato+ subscriber, you unlock free access to Shutterstock Essential Elements, expanding your design possibilities even further.

When you upload an image, our system automatically checks its resolution. You'll receive a warning message if the resolution needs adjustments. This ensures your final print turns out as crisp and clear as possible. If an image is overly enlarged or of low quality, the end product might appear blurry or pixelated.

The warning pertains to the DPI (Dots per Inch) of the image. For a deeper understanding of image resolution and its impact on print quality, we recommend reading more about this topic here.

The Layouts section provides a variety of pre-designed layouts to kickstart your design process. Select and apply the layout that best complements your vision.

The Settings section allows you to fine-tune the editor's settings, giving you more control over your design environment.

Once your design is ready, click "Preview" in the top right corner to visualize how your product will look in real life using our realistic mockups.

For products like mugs, you'll even get to see a 3D render, providing a comprehensive view of your design.