Your First Order
Learn how to place your first print order step by step. This guide covers the entire process from design to delivery.
Prepare the job requirements, compare a quote and follow the current order's requested actions. Creating an order, approving a file and releasing production are separate events.
Order Process
Step 1: Create Your Design
Option A: Use a Template
If you use a template in your own design application, replace sample text/images and verify the finished size before exporting a PDF. Current legacy template routes can redirect to the quote flow; they are not a promise of an available embedded artwork editor or an Add to order button.
Option B: Upload a PDF
Prepare a PDF from the source application and retain the source file. Inspect it in PDF Tools and use the attachment step offered in your quote/order flow. Acceptable attachments and limits belong to that specific surface; PNG, SVG or TIFF support elsewhere is not universal order-file acceptance.
Check the PDF requirements. A PDF/X-4 export can preserve modern color intent and transparency, but its name or metadata alone does not prove conformance.
Step 2: Product and Options
Open the quote flow and describe the requirement accurately. Review any generated summary before submission. Compare offers that are actually available; eligible producers may respond, without a guaranteed quote or fixed response time.
Paper Options
State the required stock, weight, finish and any material constraints. Coated matt/gloss, board and kraft are examples to discuss with a producer, not a promise that every weight or stock is in the live catalog. Confirm availability in the actual quote.
Print Options
Specify quantity, finished size, page count, printing sides and required color/spot channels. List lamination, varnish or other finishing when needed. Do not force every job to CMYK: the source color intent, OutputIntent and the producer's supported process must agree.
Cutting & Binding
Describe trim shape, folding and binding requirements. Saddle stitch, perfect binding or spiral are example production requirements, not necessarily choices in every tool. Confirm the quoted scope, delivery address, dates, tax and any excluded services before accepting.
Step 3: Preview and Check
Review both content and job requirements:
- Correct text, artwork version, size, orientation and page count.
- Effective image PPI at final size, embedded fonts and required bleed artwork.
- Important content inside the product's safe area.
- Color intent and special separations supported by the agreed production route.
- Any current request for a revised file or customer approval.
There is no universal 300 DPI/3 mm requirement or guaranteed 3D product preview. Read what the selected check measured and what it could not establish. A screen preview is not a certified color proof or production release.
If a correction is needed, follow the order's file-reupload request. A new file needs its current evidence and any renewed approval; an older approval is not permission to print a different file. Do not assume a paid order can never have a controlled revision, or that an arbitrary attachment changes the approved production file.
Step 4: Payment Confirmation
Payment Methods
| Method | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Bank transfer / manual EFT | The agreed amount, reference and verified payment entry |
| Open account | Agreed credit terms and platform finance approval after order creation |
Choose only an offered method; readiness must match the method stored on the accepted order. Card checkout is closed under the current manual-first policy. A payment-readiness result is not payment approval, a captured charge or a production-hold release.
Payment release can depend on the required upfront amount or approved credit terms. Open-account orders do not require every amount to arrive before production, but platform finance approval is still required. Payment alone does not waive current file/preflight, proof or production handoff checks. Automatic card refunds and payouts are not current live capabilities.
Invoice
NowToPrint is the platform counterparty in the marketplace business model. Check the invoice issuer, billing details, tax and payment terms actually recorded for the order. Do not assume an invoice is automatically issued, paid or downloaded merely because a quote was accepted. For corrections, contact support with the order reference.
Step 5: Delivery Tracking
Use My Orders and open the relevant order. The buyer view summarizes Order received, Completed or Cancelled; it can additionally show Waiting for files, Waiting for approval, Preparation pending or Cancellation requested. These labels summarize the current record and do not prove a particular machine or courier event.
Order Statuses
Follow the detail page's requested action rather than an invented fixed series of printing/packaging stages. Reply to a proof or replacement-file request only when it is offered for that order. Read available shipment or delivery evidence; a courier tracking link or email is not guaranteed for every fulfillment method.
Delivery Times
Use the delivery dates and service agreed in the actual quote/order. Product, quantity, material, approvals, production capacity and fulfillment affect timing. This guide promises no standard 3–10 day or express 1–5 day schedule. If timing changes, contact support with the order number and the agreed date.
Support
Use Contact with the order number, visible status, relevant file/version and requested action. Keep payment references and proof decisions available. Do not share passwords or authentication tokens.
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