Promo 101

What you need to know when ordering promotional products

• Most items quoted include a one color, one location imprint. There is almost always a run charge per item and or per location when a second color or imprint location is desired.


• The majority of items have a setup charge for imprinting. Setup charges are used to cover the costs of creating a die of your logo so that it can be inserted into printing machines to imprint your logo on a particular item.  The die is different for each item you order to be imprinted and cannot be used on other items. (with the exception of some debossed items ordered from the same vendor)


Note: When a second color or location is requested, there is almost always a second setup charge. Each color needs to have its own die made; the printers run the first color, change dies and then run the second color.

• Keep in mind that what looks good on paper, might not always look good embroidered. While your computer has unlimited color options, embroiderers only have selected thread colors, and will match your printed color as closely as possible.

• It is very important to submit your art in the correct format. Printers only accept Vector files such as.eps,.ai (Illustrator) and.tiff files. Printers cannot embroider, silkscreen, etch, or laser engrave with.jpg,.gif or.bmp files, so make sure that you get the correct format to avoid any additional art charges.


• Often times a vendor will have an in-house or contract artist available that can redraw your art for a fee. Do note that this will delay your order, so allow plenty of time to meet your in hands date.


• At times printers might recommend changes to art when there are objects that are too close together, or colored in, due to chances that colors might blend and ruin the details of your art.


• PMS (Pantone Matching System) is an established standard of colors used by printers and publishers. Printers can match your company colors based on this system, or use whichever color is closest to the art provided. Printers may charge a fee to match specific PMS colors.


• Occasionally there might be an overage or shortage on your order. Vendors in the promotional products industry reserve the right to a 5% overage or underage on all orders. More often than not, this only applies to the less expensive items sold.


• The average production time for most products in the industry is 2 weeks after vendor proof approval. This means that correct art has been submitted, the vendor sent a proof of what your art will look like on the product and you approved the layout.


• There are many vendors in the industry that will do rush orders, some as quickly as with a 24 hour turn around. Some will even do this free of charge. The requirements include proper art delivered with the order and no proof before production.