Frequently asked questions

Where are you located?

We’re located at 2010 26th Ave S. in the heart of Minneapolis’ Seward neighborhood. We share a space with our retail sister company, Bench Pressed. If you’d like to meet with someone from our team (in person or internet), please set up an appointment so we can be available and prepared! Drop us a line to request a meeting: hey@goodlookinprint.co

Do you have minimum order quantities?

No minimums here! Whether you need a short run of 50 wedding invites or an epic job with thousands of impressions, we’re all in. Specialty printing like letterpress is an art—it’s hands-on, ink-mixing, paper-feeding magic! That said, setting up our vintage presses takes time, so higher quantities are a bit easier on your budget (for example, printing 20 pieces vs. 200 would be similar in cost due to the amount of setup time required).

How do I get an estimate? How much will it cost?

Start by filling out our Project Inquiry form and share your artwork/design (in progress is better than nothing). The more details you provide, the quicker we can give you an accurate quote! Once we’ve reviewed your request, we’ll follow up with any questions and work on calculating pricing. Due to the cost of materials and the complexity of setups, a minimum budget of $500 should be anticipated, though most project costs require more investment than that.

A few notes:

Preliminary art files are great for rough estimates, but official costs are based on finalized artwork, materials, and quantities.
Estimates are valid for 30 days and depend on material availability.

How long does it take?

Good Lookin’ things take time, about 2-4 weeks on average. Turn time officially starts when you approve your PDF proof and pay your deposit. Our turn speeds depend on your project’s complexity, material availability, and our current production schedule. If you have a firm in-hand date, please let us know upfront so we can see what’s possible. Here’s what you need to know:

Typical turnaround:

Stationery & business cards: 10–15 business days
Packaging projects: 20–25 business days

Complex or high-quantity projects may take longer
Rush orders (<10 business days) are sometimes possible for an additional fee. Let us know ASAP if you’re on a tight timeline, and we’ll see what we can do!

Keep in mind, our timelines don't include shipping time, so plan accordingly.

what is the LARGEST size you can print?

Got a big idea? Let’s make it happen! Here’s how we size up:

Letterpress: Sheets up to 18" x 23" with a max print area of 17" x 22"
Foil stamping: Sheets up to 14" x 22" with a max print area of 12" x 20"

What’s the smallest you can print?

To make sure your design holds up during printing, the smallest line weight we accept is 0.25 pt. Anything thinner may not transfer properly onto the plate, and you risk losing those fine details.

If your artwork includes lines smaller than 0.25 pt, here’s what could happen:

We’ll ask you to adjust and resubmit.
Delicate details might not print consistently or at all.

We review files carefully, but ultimately, it’s up to you to ensure your artwork is print-ready and meets our specs.

what are spot colors? How do I pick an Ink color?

We use spot color printing, meaning each color in your design is custom-mixed by hand for your project. For example, if your artwork has blue, yellow, and black, each of those colors is mixed and printed one at a time with its own plate.

We work with Solid Uncoated Pantone® inks, which can look very different on a screen compared to real life. To ensure color accuracy:

Reference a Pantone® Uncoated guide when selecting your colors. If you don’t have access to one, stop by and peek at ours, or mail us a physical sample (like fabric or paper) in the color you want for us to match on-press.
Screens are unreliable for color accuracy! Providing Hex color codes, CMYK, or RGB values will yield an inaccurate color match to your printed piece.

While we do our best to ensure precise matches, slight variations may occur due to the paper stock or how inks dry, particularly on textured or dark materials.

Can you print color floods?

Solid color areas and letterpress printing can be tricky, but they’re doable if you appreciate the distinct look of letterpress. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Inks aren’t fully opaque. Expect a textured, “salty” appearance in large color areas.
Consistency varies. Ink is applied manually, so some areas may be slightly lighter or darker across the print run.
No deep impressions. Large color blocks don’t achieve the dimensional impression letterpress is known for—this works best with text, fine lines, or patterns.
Paper distortion risk. Heavy impression in large areas can cause the paper to warp, wave, or bubble (aka the “potato-chip effect”).

How should I set up my files?

Check out our File Prep Guide here for all the details to get your files press-ready.

Will I get a proof?

Absolutely! Once we’ve received your deposit and finalized artwork, we’ll send you a PDF proof (typically within 1–3 business days). This proof includes all the important details: your artwork, paper type, Pantone® colors, processes, trim size, and finishing touches.

Review it carefully, and send us your approval by email to kick off production. Any changes made after proof approval will incur additional fees since we immediately order materials like plates, paper, and inks.

How does shipping get handled?

We ship parcels via UPS the vast majority of the time. Unless you’ve arranged for expedited shipping, orders are sent using UPS Ground, with delivery M-F. You can review the UPS Ground Map here to estimate an approximate ground delivery speed. Shipping fees are typically invoiced after shipment. By placing an order with us, you/the client, agree to pay shipping charges upon receipt of the invoice.

We insure every package for its full value to give you peace of mind. While we take great care to pack your order securely, shipping can be unpredictable, and damage or loss may occur during transit. Once your package leaves our shop, it’s out of our control. If issues arise, the recipient is responsible for filing a claim directly with the carrier (see more details below in refunds/reprints)...

Do you offer refunds or reprints?

We take pride in our work and will do everything we can to ensure you’re happy with your prints. However, refunds, reprints, and credits are decided on a case-by-case basis. Before ordering: Make sure you understand our processes and what to expect.

Here’s the scoop:

Cancellations: You may be eligible for a credit or partial refund (up to 75%), minus the cost of materials and time already spent.
Unexpected issues: Our equipment is vintage, and while we work hard to keep things running smoothly, delays can happen. If something breaks or doesn’t go as planned, we’ll notify you immediately and adjust timelines as needed. Rush fees will be refunded if delays occur.
Shipping damage: While we package your items with care, travel can be rough. All shipments are insured, so if there’s damage, you’ll need to file a claim directly with the carrier (they will ask for photos of the box and contents for proof).

If you have concerns about your order, just reach out—we’ll work with you to make things right!