Frequently Asked Questions by Gideon Members

Click A Question / Get an Answer

Passwords:

If you are using your Gideons Username and Password it will not work because you are not on Gideons.org's website: https://www.gideons.org
You are at Allen Printing's online print portal for Gideons International (a separate website): https://tgirep.myprintdesk.net

Your user credentials for Gideon's website are not stored or shared with us by The Gideons International (and that's just good security to protect you).

Allen Printing has been a print vendor (for non-stationery products) for The Gideons International for over 25 years. In the fall of 2021, we were asked by The Gideons International to create a way for members to order stationery directly from us.

You are NOT required to create an account with us to place an order. You can check out as a Guest.
So, if a window pops up on our site asking you to log in, select the "Check Out As Guest" tab, fill out the information, and you'll be able to proceed as normal.

The window will look something like this:



If you've set up a user account for our website and you've forgotten your password, you can reset your password by providing your user name and the answer to your security question. Here's how:

  1. On the home page, click Login in the upper right and the Login window will pop up.
    Log In Window
  2. Click Forgot Your password? in the lower right of the pop up window and a new popup window will appear.
    Log In Window
  3. Enter your user name and click Next. The security question window will appear.
    Log In Window
  4. The security question that you created when you registered is displayed. Enter the answer to the security question and click Next.
    NOTE: The answer to the security question is case-sensitive.
    • If your answer is correct the system will email you a link to reset your password.
      The link in your email will work correctly if your browser security is set for our portal.
      Instructions on how to update your settings are answered in the question below this one.
    • If it is not correct email us and we will manually reset it for you.

ALL of the top web browsers inspect the security of websites you visit and block elements from sites that are deemed either insecure or have mixed security.

Our print portal is has been classified as a "Mixed Security" site.
This means some functions or pages have call-backs/links, in the code, to functional elements within our site which may not have security attached to them.
Even though the destination of these links and calls cannot be accessed by a user, web browser algorithms prioritize security over accessability, enforce their security measures, and block some of these elements by default.

To remedy this you have to adjust the "Site Settings" in your browser to gain full functionality of our print portal, including pop-up windows, file uploads, and some design features.
Follow the steps for your browser below to gain full functionality:

  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. Go to a website.
  3. To the left of the web address, an icon showing the security status of the site is displayed. It's one of these 3: Lock View site information Dangerous
    Click the icon and the following window/menu will appear:

    Chrome Site Security Menu

  4. Click Site settings.
  5. Change the following permission settings: 
    • Pop-ups and redirects: ALLOW
    • Insecure content: ALLOW

Tip: Your changes save automatically.

The Firefox Page Info window gives you technical details about the page you're on and also allows you to change various permissions for that website. To open the Page Info window, use one of these methods:

• If the Menu bar is enabled, in the Menu bar, click "Tools" and select "Page Info" from the drop-down menu.
• Use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl + I".

The Page Info window that opens is organized into different panels.

Permissions

The Permissions panel lets you override options for the domain/website address listed after Permissions for:
Uncheck the Use Default box to specify whether the page is allowed or blocked from doing the indicated action.

• Open Pop-up Windows should be ALLOWED


Customize the active website

  1. In the Safari app, choose Safari > Settings for This Website.
  2. It is here you can choose the options you want for a specific website:
    • UNCHECK:Enable Content Blockers
    • ALLOW:Pop-up Windows

How to set permissions per website on Microsoft Edge

  1. Click the Lock icon next to the website link in the address bar.
  2. Click the Site permissions option.
  3. Use the drop-down menus to allow or deny permissions
    • ALLOW: Javascript
    • ALLOW: Images
    • ALLOW: Pop-ups and redirects
    • ALLOW: Automatic downloads
    • ALLOW: Insecure Content

General Topics:

  1. LEFT click LOGIN in the upper right corner of the window and a new window will appear.
  2. LEFT click the word "Register" in the lower left of the pop-up window (this is a link) and the "Create an Account" window will appear.
  3. Fill out all required fields. These are indicated by a red asterisk ∗
  4. Choose Facility (at the bottom) IS required and is not marked with an asterisk.
    It says, “Please click here to choose/change your facility.”Do that and a new window will appear.
    It is labeled "Print Shop in the upper left corner."
  5. Left click the circle to the left of “APC Online”
  6. Click the Submit button and you are done. (You are now registered and automatically logged in).
  1. On the home page, click Login in the upper right and the Login window will pop up.
    Log In Window
  2. Type in your Username and Password
    NOTE: Usernames and passwords are case sensitive.
  3. Click the Login button in the lower left of the window.

This truly depends on if you can see items or product categories.

  • If you CAN see the product you want to order you aren't required to log in and you can check out as a guest.
  • If you CAN NOT then you must log in to view your organization's assets and place orders in the print portal.

Regardless, we encourage ALL users to create an account and log in for a few reasons:

  • You can save your work / designs. Starting over for an item you may order a few times in a year can be both frustrating and time consuming.
  • You will have an order history for your records.
  • Check out is faster as you don't have to enter your shipping information every time.
  • Re-ordering is simplified.
  • Production status of your order will be communicated to you via automated email.

We protect our customers and their information using the most advanced standards for security. We use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology, for establishing an encrypted link between the server hosting this print portal, our file servers, and applications which are supported by modern Internet browsers.

SSL technology represents the highest level of security available on the Internet. It automatically encrypts information traveling over the Internet, verifies the identity of the transacting servers through certificates and digital signatures, and confirms that the integrity of message content is maintained throughout transmission.

ALL of the top web browsers (Google Chrome, Firefox, Apple's Safari, Microsoft Edge) inspect the security of websites you visit and block elements from sites that are deemed either insecure or have mixed security.

Our print portal is considered a "Mixed Security" site by the main internet browsers. This means some pages you access on our site may contain links in the code to the back-end of our site that browsers don't consider "secure".
These links to files, scripts, and calls enable elements of our portal to function; even though they cannot be directly accessed by a user. Because of this, web browser algorithms block certain site settings by default.

To remedy this you have to adjust the "Site Settings" in your browser to gain full functionality of our print portal, including pop-up windows, file uploads, and some design features.
Follow the steps for your browser below to gain full functionality:

Information submitted on our website to process orders, request quotes, or make inquiries is solely viewed by Allen Printing employees.
This information is used to contact the customer when necessary. No information collected is shared with or sold to any other company or website.

  • We do not store your passwords. We can only reset/change your password in the event you forgot it and need it reset.
  • We do not store credit / debit card information.

  1. From the Shopping cart click “PROCEED TO CHECK OUT” in the lower right.

  2. If you've already logged into your account your brower will refresh and you will get the same window shown above.
    If you have NOT logged in you will get the following window.

    If you've already designed your card and have not logged in. You may have to start your design over.

    Once you're logged in (either as a guest or by logging in) you will be brought back to your shopping cart.
    Click "PROCEED TO CHECKOUT" in the lower right.

  3. STEP 1: Shipping


    Note: If you're checking out as a GUEST the order total (on the right) will say "Requires Quote". This is because we don't know where you are.

    • Select your shipping method using the pulldown menu.
    • Fill out the Address Section. If you're already logged into your account this information will auto-populate.
    • LEFT Click the "SAVE" button (in the lower left) and the checkout window will refresh with your order total displayed.

  4. Click "PROCEED TO PAYMENT" and the window will refresh.
  5. The default "PAYMENT METHOD" is Credit Card.
  6. Click "PLACE MY ORDER".
  7. You are now at the credit card processing company.


    Take note of the instructions at the top of the credit card form.

  8. Fill out the information and press "Pay Now" at the bottom of the form.
    The window will refresh and look like this:


    “You MUST click the “Return to APC Online” button to finish processing your order.
    If you do not, the order WILL NOT come through to us.
    This means if you close this window on your browser (thinking you're done) please understand the credit card company has already pinged your bank to reserve funds for your order and checkout was NOT completed; we will have no record of your order at all.
    The reserve on funds will expire (automatically) in 30 days.

    If you've made this mistake, contact us and we can release your funds immediately.
  9. When you return to our site Click PLACE MY ORDER and you will be taken to a new window which will be your order confirmation window.

Congratulations, your order has been placed.
THANK YOU for your business!!

We received your order if you:

  • see an order confirmation on your screen.
  • received and email confirmation (check your spam/junk folders)

If you received an order number on-screen, along with a message indicating that your order has been received, but not immediately processed, please be assured that we have received your order and are working to process it as soon as possible.

Please do not place a duplicate order by pressing submit more than once or by placing a new order. Your order will be processed within 1 business day of placing it online.

Once you've completed ordering online, you will receive a confirmation email with your order number, customer number and order total.

Order Confirmation Example:

A few reasons this may have happened:

  • You may have typed your email address incorrectly. This would make it impossible for us to send you an email.
  • You have a spam blocker that is prohibiting confirmation emails from being received.
  • Your order has not completed processing. Please allow 24 hours to process your order.
  • You did not return to your cart after submitting your credit card info.
    • NOTE:There are instructions at the top of the credit card form which states:
      “After pressing PAY NOW at the bottom, YOU MUST PRESS THE “Return to APC Online” BUTTON TO FINISH PROCESSING YOUR ORDER.
      If you do not, the order WILL NOT come through to us.
      This means funds will be captured for payment, but the order does not come through to us.
      If you do not receive an order confirmation, we did not receive your order.
We are not able to re-send a confirmation email, but you can contact us to inquire about your order if you are in doubt.

If your order delivers or ships to a Tennessee address you will be charged tax unless you provide us with a legal tax exemption letter.

How your parent organization's account is set up with Allen Printing Company determines how we bill or acquire funds.

We have several "Corporate" portals for organizations which use a Purchase Order System.
Likewise, some organizations have their assets available to it's members or franchises to purchase their debit card, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card.

If you would like to set up an account with Allen Printing, for future purchases, contact us and we'll be happy to assist.

The formula to answer this question is: Total Time = Production Time + Shipping Transit Time

Most jobs are shipped out of our facility within 3-10 business days after your order is placed. This is determined by the size of your order and our production schedule.
Shipping transit time is between 1 to 5 business days and depends on where you're shipping to and the shipping method you selected at checkout.

Example:
You live in Los Angeles, CA and ordered business cards to be shipped UPS Ground to your home.
For this example, let's say our production schedule is full and we finish/ship your business card 5 days after placing your order.
Shipping UPS Ground from Nashville to Los Angeles is 4 days.
It'd be reasonable to expect that you would receive your order 9 business days after ordering.

In the event you have a charge on your credit card statement from Allen Printing that you do not recognize, please send a copy of the statement showing the charge to:

pbeyer@allenprinting.com
Attention: Customer Service
Office: 1.615.255.2078 ext. 129

Please include a phone number and time that we may contact you.
Do Not e-mail your debit/credit card account information to us.

Our shipping providers are:

  • UPS (United Parcel Service)
  • FedEx (Federal Express)

Typical default shipping methods for each provider are "Ground". However, overnight, 2nd Day, and 3-Day options can be made available upon request.

We ship to locations in the Continental United States ONLY.
We Do Not use the United States Postal Service (USPS) - No Exceptions

The printing portal is linked directly with UPS and FedEx, using Allen Printing's account information, to fetch shipping rates. The rate you see in the checkout cart is what we're being charged at the time you place your order. It can change from day to day; sometimes in the same day (more details below).

We are aware our rates may not be as competitive as other organizations whose shipping volume is much greater than ours.
That said, there are smaller print shops, all over the country, whose rates are higher than ours.

But to directly address the question "Why is shipping sometimes more than the cost of the product I'm ordering". Here's what we know:

  1. UPS & FedEx have a floor rate built into their charges, this means there's a flat fee no matter what it weighs or where it's going.
    We don't know what their floor rate is and assume it changes periodically.
  2. Typically, when the destination is further from the point of origin the rate goes up. Our UPS Rates as of Feb 2, 2022...
    • Nashville to Georgia (zip code 30292) is $23.65.
    • Nashville, TN to Mt. Juliet, TN (a 25-minute drive) is $16.85.
    • Rates to the state of Washington are in the lower-mid $40s.
    • Juno, Alaska is above $80.
    There are anomalies, too. For example, we've seen an order ship from Nashville to Los Angeles for $21.00 and agree it doesn't make sense.
  3. UPS & FedEx add additional fees when shipping to a residential address or remote areas. These fees are included in the rate you see at checkout.
    We cannot see how each shipping charge is itemized when rate is fetched through the portal.
  4. UPS & FedEx Fuel surcharges change daily.
    There have been instances where a customer was charged $22.00 the day they ordered. When we shipped their order (4 days later) we were charged $24.00.
    This means we paid the additional $2.00 to ship to our customer. Rarely has this scenario worked to our benefit.

This is situational. If you have an account with UPS, FedEx, or a courier service you are responsible to make arrangements with your carrier.
We will notify you when your order is ready to ship so you can schedule them to pick up your order at our facility here in Nashville, TN.

Once your order is picked up by your courier/provider Allen Printing is not responsible for any damage, delays, or non-delivery.

Yes! When your order ships out of our facility, a shipping notification email from our system to the email you provided at checkout.
The notification email will contain your tracking number. Here are links to the tracking pages of our carriers.

Since Transit times are defined by the carrier, here are links directly to their pages to get accurate information directly from them:

Design How To's:

  1. Click the "Buy Now" button on the business card product and the site will automatically connect to “Smart Canvas” (our design-tool/interface to personalize your product).
    Your connection is indicated by a grey screen with white text stating "Connecting to backend..."
    Once you are connected you will see something like this:


  2. In the upper left you will see the *Job Name. Give your job a name. This will be the name of the art file that will be generated, put in your cart, and sent to us for production.
    Example: JSmith Business Card
  3. Under Job Name is *Quantity. Select a quantity. Example: 250



  4. Now let's personalize your card. All required fields will have a *. Data fields are not case restrictive and will display exactly what you've typed exactly as you've typed it.
    To change the data double-click the data in the field, delete any existing data, and begin typing your information.
    For this design I typed the Full Name using all capital letters; but not for the title.

    Full Name: JOHN SMITH
    Title or Camp: Print Portal Administrator



    Fill out the remaining data information to your liking.
    Note: Some fields already have data assigned to them. This is provide a visual reference for layout purposes
    If you don't want data there, simply delete the data in the respective data field.
    Once you're done your card will look something like this....



  5. Making Adjustments:
    Note my email address is floating way above my phone number. I would like to move it down to be closer to my phone number.
    Also, if I do this the address will look a little off center so I need to move that, too. Here is how to do that:

    • Left Click the email address on the card image and a box will appear.



    • There are two ways to move this data-field:
      1. Left click the field and hold the button down on your mouse and drag the address to a more desirable position.
      2. Left click the field and use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move the data-frame around.



    • Repeat the process with the address (if you desire)



    • When finished, my card now looks like this:


      You are not required to make your card look like this. This example follows the standard layout used by The Gideons International.
      This guide only demonstrates how you can adjust the layout to make it more aesthetically pleasing to you.

  6. When you're finished, you have 2 options to proceed with:
    1. Click "Add to Cart". This option puts your artwork straight into your cart.
    2. Click "SAVE". If you are a registered user, you will have access to your files for future use.
    • If you have not registered to the website you can only edit the card when it is in your cart.
      Once you've placed your order and checked-out your data is not saved on the site.
    • If you ARE a registered user you can SAVE your file to your account and reorder your card at anytime.