Pantone Matching System (PMS)

A book of standardized colors in a fan format used to identify, match and communicate colors to produce accurate color matches in printing. Each color has a coded number indicating instructions for mixing inks to achieve that color. Please feel free to use our Color Chart as a guide if you do not have access to a PMS Chart. Note: Computer video displays may not match industry identified color standards exactly. Always use current Industry Color Publications for most accurate color.

Personalization

Imprinting an item with a person's name using one of several methods such as mechanical engraving, laser engraving, hot stamping, debossing, sublimation or screen printing, just to name a few.

Set-up Charge / Screen Fee / Plate Charge

A fee charged by the manufacturer for labor and materials needed to transfer your logo during the printing method. A silk-screen requires a screen fee for every color. Deboss and hot stamps require a metal plate which the machine uses to make your imprint. This is known as a plate or a die charge. Digitizing for embroidery is the most expensive process. A digitized tape is made so the stitching machine can recreate your logo onto fabric. Many of these setups are outsourced to companies who specialize in correctly making the items. The set up charge, screen fee or plate charge are the costs for this service. Often times and depending on the manufacturer, your plate, screen or mold will be kept on hand for a year or so for reorders so you will not have to pay another setup charge in the future.

Exact Rerun

An exact rerun means no change to artwork or color and typically there is no setup charge on exact reruns of an order.

Color Match

Sometimes the factory will have to charge a small fee to custom blend a special color that you have requested. If you select from their normal colors, you will be able to avoid this fee.

Camera-Ready

Artwork that is black and white and has very clean, crisp lines, making it easy to scan and is suitable for photographic reproduction.

Paper Proof

Proofs are re-creations of the item you are ordering with your artwork shown. This re-creation can come in a black and white image on paper or as an electronic image with color sent via e-mail but may not be an available option from all manufacturers. The proof is designed to give you the opportunity to verify the accuracy of the artwork and its size and location on the product. All of our non rush orders receive a paper proof or when available, an electronic proof to make sure your order will be completed as you desire.

Pre-production Proof

An actual physical sample of the product itself produced with your artwork and sent for approval before an order goes into production. This process has high costs ($30.00- $200.00) due to the labor involved and having to slow production at the factory to make the sample.

Production Time

The amount of time needed to produce and ship an order after the Proof has been approved. Stock products with a one-color imprint usually ship within one to two weeks. Custom products and those with multiple color imprints can require a longer production time.

Overruns/Underruns

The quantity printed in excess of the quantity specified is the overrun. The quantity printed under the quantity specified is the underrun. The manufacturer should be contacted regarding their specific overrun/underrun position. The industry standard on most products is plus or minus 2-5% on the low end and a maximum range from +10 to +25% and depends on the product. A Supplier bills based on the actual quantity shipped which is why estimates can and probablly will change. Most suppliers print more than ordered in case there is a problem with some of the items so you do not have to leave someone shorthanded during an event. If exact quantity is requested and available for the item, it usually incurrs a fee from the manufacturer.

Copy Change

A fee charged for changing the imprint copy on a product either at the time of the original proof approval or upon a re-order.

Quantity Pricing

These are the prices for which we discount your items based on the quantity you would like to purchase. They are usually always clearly posted on our website.

Drop Shipment

We ship direct from the factory to your location. An order shipped to more than one location will be charged a fee for the cost of additional packaging and each additional destination. This option is not available on all products.

Halftone

An image produced by breaking the subject into small dots of varying intensities of gray ranging from white to black.

Bleeds:

Printers cannot print right to the edge of a paper sheet. To create that effect, the printer must use a sheet, which is larger than the document size. Then the printer prints beyond the edge of the document size (usually 1/8”). The paper is then cut down to the correct document size