Anime Group Order (GO) Guide: How to Buy Custom Dakimakura Together

What is a Group Order (GO)?

If you are active in anime Discord servers, Reddit communities, or local university anime clubs, you have probably seen someone acting as a GOM (Group Order Manager).

A Group Order is a collaborative purchasing method where multiple fans combine their individual custom dakimakura and merch requests into one massive order. Instead of 20 people paying for international shipping to 20 different addresses, the manufacturer ships one large, consolidated box to the GOM, who then distributes the items locally or brings them to a meetup.

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Why Group Orders are the Secret to Cheaper Shipping

While folded 2WAY Tricot covers are lightweight and cheap to ship, the inner pillows are a different story.

Our premium PP Cotton inserts are large and highly elastic. Airlines and logistics carriers charge for these based on Volumetric Weight (how much space the box takes up, not just how heavy it is). If you order a single pillow insert, a large portion of the cost goes straight to the airline. However, when a GOM orders 10 or 20 inserts together, they can be vacuum-sealed in bulk and shipped via freight or consolidated air cargo, slashing the shipping cost per unit by up to 50%.

Step-by-Step: How to Run a Successful GO

Running a GO can be stressful if you aren't organized. As a print shop that handles dozens of community bulk orders, here is our recommended workflow for GOMs:

1. Gauge Interest (IC - Interest Check): Post a Google Form in your community to see how many people want a custom pillow cover, an insert, or acrylic keychains.
2. Collect Artwork (The Strict Rule): This is where most GOs fail. You must enforce strict file guidelines for your joiners. Tell them: "Your file must be a lossless PNG, in RGB color mode, with a minimum resolution of 6000x2000px, and respect a 2cm bleed margin." If they send you CMYK files or low-res JPEGs, reject them before submitting them to us.
3. Organize Google Drive: Create a Google Drive folder. Have each participant name their files clearly (e.g., User1_Front.png and User1_Back.png).
4. Get a Quote: Email our support team with your final item count. We will provide a custom bulk invoice and the most efficient shipping options.
5. Local Distribution: Once the giant box arrives at your house, sort the merch, pack it into domestic mailers, and ship it out to your members (or hand it out at your next local convention).

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Checklist for the GOM (Group Order Manager)

Before you finalize your order with DakiCustomize, make sure you have verified the following:

• ✅ Are all files 100% RGB? (No CMYK!)
• ✅ Are all images scaled correctly for their requested sizes (150cm vs 160cm standard)?
• ✅ Do you have the correct ratio of printed covers to PP Cotton inserts?
• ✅ Have you calculated the domestic shipping costs from your house to your group members?

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