GotPrint FAQ: What 7 Years of Ordering (and Screwing Up) Taught Me About Coupons, Envelope Weight, and More

After ordering from GotPrint for seven years (since 2018), I’ve made almost every mistake you can imagine: wrong bleeds, crappy resolution, and coupon codes that didn’t work. Below are the questions I wish I had answered before my first order. No fluff – just what I’ve learned the hard way.

GotPrint Burbank – is it a physical location or just an online hub?

Honestly, I assumed the Burbank address meant I could walk in and pick up my order. Made that mistake in 2022 – drove 20 minutes to “their location” and found a warehouse with a receptionist who couldn’t process walk-ins. (Felt pretty stupid.) GotPrint is primarily an online printer; the Burbank facility is a production center, not a retail store. If you need same-day in-hand delivery, you’re better off using a local shop. But for standard orders shipped to your door, it’s fine. They do offer a local pickup option, but you have to select it during checkout and wait for notification. So plan ahead.

What’s the best GotPrint coupon code 2025 (or discount code) that actually works?

I’ve probably tested 30+ coupon codes over the years. The trick is that most active codes are percentage off (like 20% off) rather than free shipping. In early 2025, the code “PRINT25” was working for 15% off – but it expired in March. For current GotPrint discount codes, I always check their homepage banner or use browser extensions. The one mistake I made? Using a “new customer” code when I already had an account – the order went through but then got cancelled. So verify the terms (especially if you’re a returning customer). Also, remember that the discount applies to product cost only, not shipping or tax. That caught me off guard once, and I ended up paying more than expected.

Can you print a clash poster (like a boxing or event poster) at GotPrint?

Sure can. I’ve printed about 50 event posters over the years, and GotPrint offers standard poster sizes (18×24, 24×36, 36×48) and larger custom sizes. The key lesson I learned: resolution matters a ton. My first clash poster – a boxing tournament promo – looked fine on screen at 150 DPI, but the printed result was pixelated and blurry. (Wasted $180 and two weeks of lead time.) Now I always export at 300 DPI and add 0.125″ bleed. GotPrint’s templates do have guides, but I prefer to use Canva and export a PDF/X-1a file. Also, if you need a non-standard size, their custom quoting tool is decent – but expect a longer turnaround.

What’s the best simple food flyer design template on GotPrint?

GotPrint has a template library with hundreds of options. For a simple food flyer design, I’d recommend starting with their “Food & Restaurant” category. But be aware: the templates are pretty basic. I once used one for a pizza promotion and forgot to check the font – it came out as a generic Arial that looked cheap. (Actually, the flyer was nice, but not what I wanted.) My advice: use their template as a layout base, then customize text and images with high-res photos. If you’re not a designer, keep it simple – one main image, a headline, a call-to-action. Don’t cram 15 menu items on a single flyer. I learned that less is more after printing 1,000 flyers that looked like a messy coupon sheet. Also, make sure your file is CMYK (not RGB) – that’s a mistake I made in 2019 that dulled all the colors.

How many ounces is an envelope, and why does it matter for printing?

This is a classic tripwire for people ordering custom envelopes. USPS says a standard #10 envelope (4⅛″×9½″) weighs about 0.24 ounces when empty with 24 lb bond paper. But how many ounces is an envelope after you add a card and insert? Typically a business letter with a single sheet and a business card pushes it to about 1.2 ounces – which costs $0.73 for the first ounce (as of January 2025, per USPS.gov). If your envelope uses heavier paper (like 70 lb), the empty envelope alone can be 0.4 oz, and with two inserts you might hit 2 oz, doubling postage. I once ordered 500 custom envelopes at 28 lb weight for a luxury wedding invitation – the postage ended up being $0.99 each instead of $0.73. (Cost me an extra $130 because I didn’t account for weight.) So before you choose envelope paper thickness, verify your intended mailing weight on a kitchen scale. GotPrint offers several envelope weights (24 lb, 28 lb, 70 lb textured). Pick 24 lb if you’re mailing standard letters; use heavier only for special occasions.

What’s the most common mistake people make when ordering business cards from GotPrint?

Easy: forgetting the bleed zone. I’ve made that error four times. (Yes, four.) Business cards are typically printed on sheets and then cut. If your design doesn’t have a 1/8″ bleed on each side, you risk white margins or cut-off text. My checklist now: 1) Use their template (seriously – it’s the safest way), 2) Keep all important text at least 1/8″ from the trim line, 3) Export as PDF with marks on. Another mistake: choosing a spot UV gloss without telling them exactly where you want it. I had a card where the gloss covered half my logo – looked like a smudge. So if you use spot UV, upload a separate black-and-white layer showing the area. Also, don’t assume 14pt cardstock is always enough – for a premium feel, go 18pt. Just my two cents.

When should you NOT use GotPrint?

Look, I’m a fan overall, but honesty matters. GotPrint is great for standard products in medium-to-large quantities. For tiny orders (under 25 business cards) or jobs that require extreme match-printing, you might be better off at a local shop. Also, if you need same-day turnaround (like tomorrow morning), online printing won’t cut it – you need a Burbank walk-in place. I once needed 100 raffle tickets printed urgently and tried GotPrint – they couldn’t do same-day. Ended up at a nearby copy center. So know your limits. For 80% of my jobs (flyers, posters, business cards, envelopes), GotPrint works fine. Just plan ahead, use the right coupon code, and double-check your files. That’s the voice of experience – over $1,200 in reprint costs I could have saved.