Over 40 per cent of all industrial wood traded globally goes towards making paper, according to WWF. Even in an increasingly digital and “paperless” world, companies print more than they think.

In the case of global companies, marketing materials and other printouts are often shipped between continents by air or sea. In addition to transport emissions, these processes tend to be cumbersome — often resulting in delays, over-ordering and excess printing. Even with a paper recycling rate of 71.5 per cent in Europe (European Paper Recycling Council (EPRC)) and 68.1 per cent in the US (Paper Recycles), this means a lot of unnecessary paper goes to waste every year.

Without owning a single commercial printer, Gelato is able to offer printing services in over 100 countries worldwide, reaching more than 6 billion people within 72 hours. The company’s cloud-based software platform gives companies access to local printers around the globe.

Gelato’s network of high-quality printers nearly eliminates the need for distribution of marketing materials from central facilities. Instead, companies can print on demand with local delivery, dramatically reducing carbon emissions from international transport.

On-demand printing with rapid delivery also helps companies to print the amount they need and avoid excess volumes. This efficient printing process uses less paper and results in less waste.

All paper types used by Gelato are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an organisation that promotes sustainable forestry worldwide.

Beyond cutting roughly 90 per cent of print-related transport, Gelato’s services enable companies to avoid costly storage facilities, delays and customs issues. The ability to customise printouts to the occasion and location can reduce print volumes by up to 50 per cent, minimising excess printing.

Gelato’s platform also supports storage, sharing and editing of a company’s most recent guidelines, brochures, reports, etc. Editable templates ensure consistency and allow for local adaptation directly in a browser or on a mobile device, with no need for additional software.

In 2019, printing is estimated to be a USD 808 billion industry, according to market research firm Smithers Pira. That is twice the size of the roughly USD 400 billion software industry. Digital printing alone is expected to grew from USD 90 billion in 2018 to USD 141 billion in 2019.

Gelato handles all orders, information and billing centrally. It has local offices in 11 countries worldwide, offering printing in 30 countries and shipping to more than 100. Gelato counts large corporations such as Norsk Hydro, Elkem, Jotun, Lufthansa Cargo and Hexagon among its customers.