This article explains how Gelato optimizes order fulfillment using a split order process. It covers the advantages, shipping price calculations, and what to expect when an order is split into multiple shipments.

Gelato's extensive network of over 140 print partners in 32 countries allows us to offer printing and delivery services to over 200 countries. This means we can produce and ship your orders from the location closest to your customer, reducing shipping times and costs.

If an order contains products best produced at different locations, Gelato intelligently splits the order into multiple shipments. Each shipment is treated as an individual order but linked to the original order number for easy tracking.

Let's say a customer in Paris orders three mugs, two framed posters, and a photo book. Gelato might split this order as follows:

Each order segment receives a unique tracking number, and customers are informed about both shipments.

Split orders are easily identifiable in your Gelato Dashboard by the order number format, e.g., (1/2), (2/2). Each part of a split order can be managed independently – you can reorder, update shipping addresses, or even cancel them individually.

When an order with Packaging Inserts and Branded Labels is split, one Packaging Insert and one Branded Label are assigned per shipment. For example, if only one shipment contains a poster product, only that shipment will include the Packaging Insert and Branded Label.

Shipping costs for split orders are calculated separately for each shipment based on the products included and their destination. This ensures you only pay for the actual shipping costs incurred.

For instance, in the example above, the shipping cost for each order would be:

When placing an order through the Gelato Dashboard, a single shipping option, “Economy delivery (Multiple print locations),” indicates a split order. We automatically choose the most cost-effective shipping method for each shipment, and the total shipping price reflects the sum of these individual costs.

The displayed delivery time represents the longest estimated delivery time among all shipments, ensuring you know when the customer should receive their complete order.

For orders placed through your online store, Gelato automatically handles order splitting and shipping cost calculations. Each shipment is treated as a separate parcel in your store's system, with its own fulfillment status and tracking information.

Customers receive individual shipping confirmation emails for each parcel as they are dispatched. However, if you cancel an order from your store before production begins, you must cancel each order segment individually in your Gelato Dashboard.