I've placed about 70 orders with GotPrint over the last four years, mostly through their Burbank location for pickups. In that time, I've made a collection of avoidable mistakes—wrong file specs, missed promo codes, incorrect shipping addresses—that cumulatively cost me around $850 in wasted prints and rush fees.
This checklist is what I now run through before every single order. It's not comprehensive for every print job on earth, but it covers the gaps I kept falling into with GotPrint specifically. If you're using their Burbank pickup or ordering online for standard business materials (flyers, business cards, posters), this will prevent 90% of the common headaches.
The checklist has five checks. Do them in order. Skip one at your own risk (ask me how I know).
Check 1: Verify the Promo Code (Especially Free Shipping) Before You Build Your Cart
This sounds basic, but I've lost count of how many times I found a "GotPrint promo code free shipping" code on a coupon site, applied it, and assumed it worked. GotPrint's system applies promo codes, but sometimes it applies a code that looks like it's working but actually isn't giving you the best deal.
Specific issue: Their promo codes are often tiered. A code might say "free shipping on orders over $50" but it only applies to standard shipping, not to expedited. Or it might be a percentage off, but the free shipping code overrides it. I learned this the hard way when a "25% off" code would have saved me $18, but instead I used a "free shipping" code that saved me $8 and cost me the discount.
My check now: Before I add anything to my cart, I open the promo codes page on GotPrint's site (they usually list current offers there). I take a screenshot of the terms. Then I apply one code at a time and verify the line item shows the discount. If I'm using a code from RetailMeNot or a similar site, I check the date—old codes sometimes still apply but give 0% off (note to self: always check the terms on their site, not just the coupon aggregator).
If you're ordering for a rush job and the promo code is for standard shipping only, it might not apply at all. I've had that happen twice.
Check 2: Confirm Your File Meets GotPrint's Burbank Drop-Off Specs (Not Just Online Specs)
This is the one that cost me the most. GotPrint's online specs (bleed, resolution, color mode) are the same for every location, but the Burbank location has a specific process for walk-in orders that caught me off guard.
I once brought in a batch of 500 flyers I designed for a local event. I had the PDF ready with 0.125" bleed, 300 DPI, CMYK. I dropped it off at the Burbank counter, they said it would be ready in 48 hours. Picked them up—the flyers were cut incorrectly, shifting the design about 1/8" to the left. It was technically within their tolerance, but it looked off. $120 order, not worth a redo, but the mistake taught me a lesson.
What I do now: For Burbank walk-in orders, I ask the counter person if there are any specific file requirements for their equipment. Turns out, the Burbank location's cutter alignment can be slightly different. So now I bring a proof copy printed on their paper (they sometimes let you check a sample) or I ask if they can run a single test print before the full batch. About half the time they'll do it for free, especially if you're in person.
If you're ordering online for pickup, the file specs are the same as everywhere else—but I still double-check the bleed area. I once designed a poster with a gradient that I assumed would extend to the edge, but my file had the gradient stopping at the trim line instead of extending into the bleed. Looked fine on screen. In print, there was a thin white border on two sides. (Honestly, I'm not sure why that happened—my best guess is the gradient rendering in the PDF didn't match the print engine's interpretation.)
Check 3: Verify Your Shipping Address (Even for Pickup, Double Check the Location)
This sounds like the most basic thing, but I've messed it up twice. GotPrint's Burbank location has a specific address for pickup—it's not the same as their main office. I once input the main office address for a "ship to store" order and it got delayed by two days because it went to the wrong warehouse.
The bigger mistake: I once used a GotPrint coupon code for free shipping to a residential address but selected commercial delivery as the shipping method. The code didn't apply because it was for standard residential shipping only. The bill ended up $25 higher than I expected. That $25 + the hassle cost me more than just paying for shipping would have.
My check now: Before I hit the final payment button, I scroll to the shipping section and read it out loud. The address. The shipping speed. The shipping method (residential vs. commercial). I also check that the promo code is applied to the shipping line, not just the subtotal. If the order is for pickup, I confirm the location name matches "GotPrint Burbank" (they have multiple locations and it's easy to mix up).
Also worth noting: if you're using a "gotprint promo code free shipping" and your order is under the minimum threshold, the code might apply but the shipping line will still show a charge. Check the total.
Check 4: Set Your Expectations for Turnaround (Not All Rush Orders Are Equal)
GotPrint offers standard and expedited turnaround. Their Burbank location is usually faster than the advertised times. But I've learned not to rely on that when a deadline is tight.
In March 2024, I needed 100 posters for a conference booth. The conference was in 5 days. GotPrint's standard turnaround said 3-5 business days. I figured with the Burbank location being faster, I'd be fine. I submitted the order on a Tuesday. The posters were ready on Friday—but the conference setup was Thursday evening. Missed it by a day.
Could I have paid for rush shipping? Yes. Would it have cost extra? Yes. But the cost of missing the deadline was a $15,00 booth setup fee (the conference) plus the unquantifiable loss of not having materials. I paid $200 extra for rush shipping on a reorder to a different printer (they had same-day turnaround). $200 to avoid a $15,000+ loss. Worth it.
My rule now: If the deadline is anywhere close to the standard turnaround window, I assume I'll miss it. I either pay for rush or I find a different vendor. The uncertainty of "probably on time" is not worth the risk. I've calculated the worst case: missing the deadline costs $15,000. The rush fee costs $200. The expected value says pay the $200.
If you're ordering non-urgent stuff (like your standard business card refill), standard turnaround is fine. But if you have an event or a client deadline, pay the rush fee. It's insurance, not an expense.
Check 5: Look for a Coupon Code After You Check Out (Check Your Spam Folder)
This is a weird one, but I've found that GotPrint sometimes sends coupon codes after you complete an order. I'm not sure why—maybe it's a triggered email for new customers or abandoned carts. I once placed an order, didn't use a promo code (I couldn't find one that applied), and a few hours later I got an email with a 15% off coupon for my next order.
What I do now: Before I check out, I search my email for "GotPrint promo code" or "GotPrint coupon." I check my spam folder, too. I've found valid codes there that were old but still active. If I'm ordering for the first time or after a long gap, I also check GotPrint's homepage for a pop-up offer—they sometimes have a "sign up for email and get 10% off" or similar.
The key here is: don't assume the coupon code you found on a third-party site is the best one. GotPrint's own site might have a better offer, especially during sales events (they run promos around holidays).
If you're ordering multiple items (like business cards and flyers), sometimes the promo code only applies to one category. A "coupon code for gotprint" might give you 20% off business cards but nothing on posters. I've made the mistake of applying a code that gave me 10% off my total but the code for free shipping would have saved me more. Compare the two before you check out.
Final Thoughts: The $850 I Wasted (and How This Checklist Works)
I kept a rough log of my mistakes: $350 on a poster redo due to file specs, $120 on a flyer that was cut wrong, $200 in rush fees I shouldn't have needed, $180 in missed promo code discounts. Total: roughly $850 over 18 months. That's not counting the time wasted on reorders and delays.
This checklist isn't perfect. It's based on my experience with about 70 mid-range orders for standard print materials. If you're ordering custom die-cut items or specialty materials, you'll need different checks. And I've only worked with GotPrint's Burbank location for pickups—if you're shipping to another state or using their online-only service, some details might differ.
But for the typical business owner or marketing person ordering flyers, business cards, posters, or envelopes—these five checks will save you from the most common pitfalls. I've been using this checklist for the last 8 months and haven't had a single redo.
One more thing: if you're ordering something like a "goblin kdrama poster" (a custom poster from a fan design) or a "24 ounce owala pink water bottle" with a custom print, the file specs are going to be different—for one-off items, I usually call GotPrint's customer service to confirm the template dimensions before I design. It takes 5 minutes and saves headaches.
And if you're wondering "how much is a bottle of water in Colombia?" that's a different kind of research. Just check the exchange rate when you're there. (I can't help on that one.)
Hope the checklist helps. If you catch something I missed, I'd love to hear it—I'm still learning, and one check away from another $200 mistake.
