Gift codes: one code per recipient
A gift code is unique to one person. Each recipient gets their own code, and depending on how the program is set up, it works in one of two ways: as a gift balance the recipient can spend in your store, or as a voucher for one free item.
Gift codes can also be limited to specific product categories — valid on apparel, for example, but not on other merchandise. That control makes them a good fit for volunteer appreciation, staff recognition, and donor thank-yous, where you want each person to receive a defined value of their own rather than a blanket price cut.
Discount codes: one code for everyone
A discount code is a single reusable code you share with a group. Anyone who enters it at checkout gets the same deal — a set dollar amount or a percentage off the order subtotal.
The word subtotal matters. The discount applies to item prices before shipping and tax are added, so shoppers still pay for shipping and any applicable sales tax on their order. Discount codes work well for store launches, member pricing, and short promotional windows where everyone should see the same offer.
How to choose
- Use gift codes when each person should receive their own value — a shirt for every volunteer, or a set balance for each staff member. One code, one recipient, used once.
- Use a discount code when everyone should get the same deal — a percentage off during launch week, or a flat amount off for members. One code, shared widely, reusable.
Codes are a normal part of running a store: 25% of selling organizations have used gift or discount codes, and 18% have used gift codes specifically (Print Your Cause order data, Jan 2024-Jul 2026).
Setting up either program
Both gift codes and discount codes are set up with the Print Your Cause team. Tell us what you want to accomplish — who should receive value, how much, and which products it should cover — and we configure the codes for your store. Because a real person builds and maintains your store with you, a code program can be tailored to the store you already run rather than forced into a generic template.
Since your organization sets final sales prices and keeps 100% of the difference between item cost and sales price, it is worth thinking through how a code fits your pricing before you share it. If you have questions about how codes interact with your store's setup, see our FAQs or ask the team when you request the program.
