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What is a product UID?

Learn how to use Gelato’s product UIDs

Updated over 3 months ago

This article outlines the meaning and importance of a product UID (unique identifier) when using the Gelato API. It breaks down the structure of a product UID, providing clear examples to illustrate each component and its relevance in specifying print order details. Understanding product UIDs is crucial for correctly mapping formats and paper types for print jobs submitted through the Gelato API. You can find a complete list of product UIDs in the Product Catalog of the API Portal.


Understanding Product UIDs

A product UID acts as a comprehensive identifier for each print product, combining various attributes to ensure your print job is executed according to your specifications. Let's take a look at the key components:

All these parts are mandatory for each product (e.g. there is no "binding type" for flat formats).


Product category

The first part of the UID indicates the product category, e.g. "cards", "flyers", "brochures", etc.

Examples:

  • cards_pf_bb_pt_350-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-0_ct_matt-protection_prt_1-1_hor

  • brochures_pf_a4_pt_350-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-4_ft_fold-ver_ct_glossy-protection_prt_1-1_ver


Paper format

pf is the paper format, e.g. “bb” or "A4"

Examples:

  • cards_pf_bb_pt_350-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-0_ct_matt-protection_prt_1-1_hor

  • brochures_pf_a4_pt_350-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-4_ft_fold-ver_ct_glossy-protection_prt_1-1_ver

More information on paper formats and dimensions is available here.


Paper type

pt is the paper type, e.g. “350-gsm-coated-silk” or "130-lb-cover-coated-silk"

Examples:

  • cards_pf_bb_pt_350-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-0_ct_matt-protection_prt_1-1_hor

  • brochures_pf_a4_pt_130-lb-cover-coated-silk_cl_4-4_ft_fold-ver_ct_glossy-protection_prt_1-1_ver

For multipage products, this attribute indicates the paper type for the inner pages. The paper type for cover pages is specified in the attribute cpt. Also, the "lb" standard is used in North America while the rest of the world uses "gsm".


Print sides

cl indicates the colored sides: e.g. “4-4” (printed on both sides) or "4-0" (printed on one side)

Examples:

  • cards_pf_bb_pt_350-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-0_hor

  • brochures_pf_a4_pt_350-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-4_ft_fold-ver_ver


Binding type

bt indicates the binding type: e.g. “glued-left” (glue binding on the left side), "wire-o-left" (wire-o binding on the left side), or "stitched-left" (saddle-stitched on the left side)

Examples:

  • glued-multi-page-brochures_pf_a4_pt_100-lb-text-coated-silk_cl_4-4_bt_glued-left_cpt_100-lb-cover-coated-silk_hor

  • wire-o-multi-page-brochures_pf_a5_pt_100-lb-text-coated-silk_cl_4-4_bt_wire-o-left_cpt_130-lb-cover-coated-silk_ver

  • stitched-multi-page-brochures_pf_a5_pt_170-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-4_bt_stitched-left_ct_glossy-protection_prt_1-1_cpt_250-gsm-coated-silk_ver

This attribute is applicable only to multipage products.


Cover paper type

cpt indicates the cover paper type: e.g. “100-lb-cover-coated-silk” or "250-gsm-coated-silk"

Examples:

  • glued-multi-page-brochures_pf_a4_pt_100-lb-text-coated-silk_cl_4-4_bt_glued-left_cpt_100-lb-cover-coated-silk_hor

  • wire-o-multi-page-brochures_pf_a5_pt_100-lb-text-coated-silk_cl_4-4_bt_wire-o-left_cpt_130-lb-cover-coated-silk_ver

  • stitched-multi-page-brochures_pf_a5_pt_170-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-4_bt_stitched-left_ct_glossy-protection_prt_1-1_cpt_250-gsm-coated-silk_ver

This attribute is applicable only to multipage products. In this case, the attribute pt indicates the paper type for inner pages.


Fold type

ft is the fold type (if any), e.g. “fold-ver” (single-folded vertical), "fold-hor" (single-folded horizontal), "8pp-roll-fold-ver" (8-folded vertical), "three-fold-hor" (three-folded horizontal)

Examples:

  • brochures_pf_a4_pt_350-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-4_ft_fold-ver_ct_glossy-protection_prt_1-1_ver

  • three-fold-brochures_pf_a4_pt_100-lb-cover-coated-silk_cl_4-4_ft_three-fold-ver_ct_glossy-protection_ver

This attribute is applicable only to folded products.


Coating type

ct is the coating type (if any), e.g. “glossy-protection” or "matt-protection"

Examples:

  • cards_pf_bb_pt_350-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-0_ct_matt-protection_prt_1-1_hor

  • brochures_pf_a4_pt_350-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-4_ft_fold-ver_ct_glossy-protection_prt_1-1_ver

More information on coating can be found here.


Protection sides

prt indicates the protection sides, e.g. “1-1” (protection on both sides) or "1-0" (protection on one side only)

Examples:

  • cards_pf_bb_pt_350-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-0_ct_matt-protection_prt_1-1_hor

  • brochures_pf_a4_pt_350-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-4_ft_fold-ver_ct_glossy-protection_prt_1-0_ver

For multipage products, this attribute applies only to the cover pages.


Artwork orientation

hor/ver is the artwork orientation, e.g. vertical or horizontal

Examples:

  • cards_pf_bb_pt_350-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-0_ct_matt-protection_prt_1-1_hor

  • brochures_pf_a4_pt_350-gsm-coated-silk_cl_4-4_ft_fold-ver_ct_glossy-protection_prt_1-1_ver

You can find the product UIDs for all the products we support by accessing the Product Catalogue from the API portal.

For multipage products, the number of pages should not be included in the product UID but sent separately as an attribute. Read more here.


Print area (for apparel products)

4-0 (indicates printing on front) ; 0-4 (indicates printing on back) , 4-4 (indicates printing on front and back)

Examples:

  • apparel_product_gca_t-shirt_gsc_crewneck_gcu_unisex_gqa_heavy-weight_gsi_s_gco_white_gpr_4-0
    Heavyweight Unisex Crewneck T-shirt, Small, White, Print on front (4-0)

  • apparel_product_gca_t-shirt_gsc_crewneck_gcu_unisex_gqa_heavy-weight_gsi_s_gco_white_gpr_0-4
    Heavyweight Unisex Crewneck T-shirt, Small, White, Print on back (0-4)

  • apparel_product_gca_t-shirt_gsc_crewneck_gcu_unisex_gqa_heavy-weight_gsi_s_gco_white_gpr_4-4
    Heavyweight Unisex Crewneck T-shirt, Small, White, Print on front + back (4-4)


Print areas (available for selected apparel products):

Inner label (inLbl)
Outer label (bckLbl)
Short sleeve left (shSlL)
Short sleeve right (shSlR)

Examples:

  • apparel_product_gca_t-shirt_gsc_crewneck_gcu_unisex_gqa_heavy-weight_gsi_s_gco_white_gpr_4-4_inlbl
    Heavyweight Unisex Crewneck T-shirt, Small, White, Print on front + back + inner label

  • apparel_product_gca_t-shirt_gsc_crewneck_gcu_unisex_gqa_heavy-weight_gsi_s_gco_white_gpr_4-4_bcklbl
    Heavyweight Unisex Crewneck T-shirt, Small, White, Print on front + back + back label

  • apparel_product_gca_t-shirt_gsc_crewneck_gcu_unisex_gqa_heavy-weight_gsi_s_gco_white_gpr_4-4_shsll
    Heavyweight Unisex Crewneck T-shirt, Small, White, Print on front + back + short sleeve left

  • apparel_product_gca_t-shirt_gsc_crewneck_gcu_unisex_gqa_heavy-weight_gsi_s_gco_white_gpr_4-4_shslr
    Heavyweight Unisex Crewneck T-shirt, Small, White, Print on front + back + short sleeve right

  • apparel_product_gca_t-shirt_gsc_crewneck_gcu_unisex_gqa_heavy-weight_gsi_s_gco_white_gpr_4-4_shsll_shslr_inlbl
    Heavyweight Unisex Crewneck T-shirt, Small, White, Print on front + back + short sleeve left & right + inner label

  • apparel_product_gca_t-shirt_gsc_crewneck_gcu_unisex_gqa_heavy-weight_gsi_s_gco_white_gpr_4-0_shsll_shslr_bcklbl
    Heavyweight Unisex Crewneck T-shirt, Small, White, Print on front + short sleeve left & right + outer neck label


Embroidery

All embroidery UIDs finish with "emb". Examples:

  • apparel_product_gca_t-shirt_gsc_crewneck_gcu_womens_gqa_classic_gsi_s_gco_white_gpr_chstc-emb

  • apparel_product_gca_hoodie_gsc_pullover_gcu_unisex_gqa_classic_gsi_s_gco_white_gpr_chstc-emb

Similar to DTG apparel UIDs, we have the following embroidery areas:

  • Center chest (chstc)

  • Large chest (chstlg)

  • Left chest (chstl)

  • Right wrist (wrstr)

  • Left wrist (wrstl)

  • Short sleeve right (shslr)

  • Short sleeve left (shsll)

Designing your own inner and outer shirt labels can help you brand your products. You can choose to print either the inner or outer label (not both on the same garment) for selected apparel products. Also printing the outer label is not compatible with printing on the back. Apparel products that support inner and outer labels are listed in this article.

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