Gelato has launched the GelatoConnect AI Estimator, describing it as the print industry’s first artificial intelligence-powered quoting engine. The new tool aims to speed up and simplify what has traditionally been one of the most time-consuming and inconsistent aspects of print production: estimating and quoting.
According to the company, the AI Estimator enables print service providers (PSPs) to generate estimates in just 15 seconds and deliver customer-ready, branded quotes in under five minutes. Gelato says this reduces manual quoting work by more than half, while ensuring accuracy and consistency that helps protect margins.
For many PSPs, quoting has long relied on a small number of specialists and has been prone to delays, lost deals, and errors. By automating the process, Gelato believes its tool gives businesses a competitive advantage by allowing them to respond first and with confidence.
Simon Smogur, CEO of ESP Colour, commented: “The AI Estimator that Gelato has created is going to be a game changer. We can now generate quotes in one minute, simply by copying and pasting an email or typing into an AI prompt box. Speed, being able to margin correctly, and our estimators being confident it’s right the first time – that’s what we’re seeing so far, and we’re on a nine-week up-streak in margin vs. last year.”
The system can also be embedded directly into PSP websites, allowing customers to obtain accurate, margin-protected quotes instantly. Paul Hudson, CEO of Hudson Printing, said: “Buying print has always been too hard. With GelatoConnect’s AI Estimator, that barrier disappears. Print buyers can go to our website, describe what they want, and get an instant quote. That simplicity drives growth for us and transforms the buying experience.”
Henrik Müller-Hansen, founder and CEO of Gelato, added: “Quoting is one of the most critical moments in any business relationship – but across industries, it’s often slow, manual, and inconsistent. By embracing AI in this process, printers are showing what leadership looks like: transforming a universal challenge into a competitive advantage. With AI Estimator, print is not following the future – it’s helping define it.”
The launch follows findings in Gelato’s 2025 State of Print Production Report, which highlighted that while 80% of print professionals see AI and automation as essential, uptake across the sector remains limited.
