Promotional Products Industry Terminology

We sourced an ad specialty item for their trade show; That tumbler is an ad specialty best-seller; The client shifted budget from print ads to ad specialties.

What’s the supplier’s ASI number; We found the product specs in ASI’s database; She’s exhibiting at the ASI Show Orlando.

Please approve the proof by noon to keep the schedule; The client requested a revised proof with a larger imprint; We need a signed proof before production.

That color is on backorder until next month; We split the PO due to a backorder; Inform the client of backorder status and alternatives.

This supplier’s catalog program has EQP through year-end; The catalog program restricts custom PMS matches; We placed the order under the 2025 catalog program pricing.

Convert the art to CMYK for digital print; The photo requires CMYK process, not spot; The CMYK proof shows a slight shift from Pantone.

COGS on this kit is $18.40; We lowered COGS by consolidating freight; Higher quantities reduced unit COGS significantly.

We launched a company store for employee swag; The store supports budget codes and approvals; Add on-demand items to the merch store.

Send to the lab for CPSIA testing; We need Prop 65 compliance documentation; This drinkware requires FDA food-contact compliance.

These youth items must be CPSIA compliant; Provide the CPSIA tracking label; The client requested CPSIA certificates of conformity.

Design the art to fit the box dieline; The dieline shows bleeds and fold lines; Request the dieline template from the supplier.

DTG works well for short runs and full color; Use DTG for the photo-heavy tee art; DTG requires 100 percent cotton for best results.

We’re a distributor sourcing from multiple suppliers; The distributor manages the client relationship; Distributors often handle decoration and fulfillment.

We’ll drop ship kits to 800 addresses; There’s a drop ship fee per location; The client spreadsheet lists all drop ship locations.

The client requires EDI invoicing; Set up EDI 850 POs and 856 ASNs; Our ERP now supports EDI with key vendors.

Embroidery requires digitizing and stitch count; Use 3D puff embroidery on caps; Metallic thread increases embroidery cost.

The end-buyer is the pharma client; Keep the end user’s brand guidelines in mind; The agency is not the end-buyer.

FOB CA adds cross-country freight; Price is FOB NJ; We prefer FOB points near the client to cut transit time.

Our 3PL handles pick, pack, and ship; We offer gift wrapping as part of fulfillment; Peak Q4 fulfillment requires extra labor.

Aim for 40 percent gross margin on this project; Freight can erode margin; Margin improved after negotiating COGS down.

Use heat transfer for small runs with multi-color art; We chose DTF transfers for better washability; Heat transfers work well on polyester.

The imprint area is 2 by 2 inches on the tumbler; Move the logo to fit the imprint area; The back imprint area allows personalization.

The in-hands date is the conference start; Rush fees apply to meet the in-hands date; Build the timeline backward from the in-hands date.

The store’s inventory turn is 4x annually; Improve turn by reducing SKUs; High turns reduce carrying costs.

We kitted a notebook, pen, and mug in one box; Kitting includes insert cards and tissue; Barcode each kit for fulfillment.

Standard lead time is 7 to 10 business days after proof approval; Custom molds require longer lead times; Confirm lead time before quoting.

We need a collegiate license for that logo; Licensed art incurs royalties; The supplier is an approved NFL licensee.

MAP for this jacket is 99 dollars; The vendor enforces MAP online; Stay above MAP in the company store.

We used a 50 percent markup on cost; Different markups apply by category; Markup versus margin often gets confused.

The MOQ is 250 pieces for custom color; We negotiated the MOQ down to 100; MOQs vary by imprint method.

The client has Net 30 terms; We require prepay for first orders, then Net; Late payments beyond Net terms incur fees.

This item allows a 5 percent over or under; Invoice will reflect actual shipped quantity; The client requires no overruns.

Match the logo to PMS 186 C; A PMS match charge applies; Use coated PMS swatches for glossy substrates.

We’re attending PPAI Expo in Las Vegas; PPAI offers education and safety resources; Check the PPAI product responsibility guidelines.

The client wants a PPS before mass production; PPS adds a week to the timeline; Approve the PPS for color and placement.

Use POD to avoid carrying inventory; The company store features POD apparel; POD supports personalization at scale.

Add the Prop 65 warning label; Provide the Prop 65 compliance statement; The client’s legal team reviewed Prop 65 concerns.

Issue the PO to lock pricing; The PO must match the quote; Include the PO number on all cartons and invoices.

QC caught misaligned embroidery; Implement AQL sampling; Document QC checks at each station.

Send a quote with freight estimate; The quote expires in 30 days; Update the quote to reflect PMS match charges.

We’re responding to the client’s RFP; The RFP includes service-level KPIs; Build case studies for the RFP submission.

Rush production is 3 days after proof; A rush fee applies to meet the in-hands date; Confirm rush capacity before accepting the order.

Ship a random sample for quality; The client approved a spec sample with their logo; Some items require paid spec samples.

Use screen print for 1 color, 1 location; Screen charges apply per color; Halftones may require higher mesh counts.

There’s a 50 dollars setup per color; Setup is waived at 1,000 units; A new setup applies for art changes.

Create separate SKUs by size and color; The store has 300 active SKUs; Link SKUs to inventory and images.

Sublimate on light polyester for best color; All-over prints use cut-and-sew sublimation; Sublimation isn’t ideal for cotton tees.

The supplier stocks goods and handles decoration; We vetted the supplier’s compliance; The supplier confirmed FOB TX.

We outsourced warehousing to a 3PL; The 3PL integrates with our store; The 3PL scales staffing for Q4 peaks.

Provide vector art in AI or EPS; Vector files scale without loss; We converted the logo from raster to vector for clean edges.