Frequently Asked Questions
D and S Designs
1. How do I know which promotional products are right for my audience?
This is the most important question you can ask — and most buyers skip it. The right product depends on who's receiving it, where they'll be when they use it, and what action you want them to take. A pen that works perfectly for a trade show crowd may be completely wrong for a donor appreciation gift. Before you choose an item, know your audience first. We can help you get there. Just email or call us. We’re happy to help!
2. What's the minimum order quantity for promotional products?
It depends on the item. Most standard products have minimums because they're custom-produced for your order. As a rule of thumb, the less expensive the item is, the higher the minimum order quantity. Expensive items, some specialty items, and awards can be ordered in much smaller quantities. And thanks to on-demand printing options today, single-unit ordering is possible for an increasing number of products, typically at a higher price point. If you only need a few of something, tell me that upfront. There's almost always a solution.
3. How long does it take to get promotional products?
Plan on five to ten business days for standard in-stock items after your artwork is approved. Add two to four weeks if you need personalization like individual names. Plus there are seasonal times when production times double or triple, like during the holidays. Custom or overseas items can take six to twelve weeks or more. Rush production is available, but it costs extra and increases the chance of errors. The best gift you can give yourself is time. Sandee has pulled off many miracles for my clients, but miracles should be your last resort.
4. In what file format do I need to submit my logo?
Vector artwork is required for almost all promotional product orders, preferably an .ai, .eps, or .pdf file created in Adobe Illustrator. If you only have a .jpg or .png, we can work with it in some cases (like embroidery), but the result may not be as sharp. Or our art team can recreate it for you (there will be an additional fee for this). If you're not sure what you have, send it and we'll take a look. Getting your artwork right before production saves time, money, and frustration.
5. Why do promotional products cost more than what I see online?
A few reasons. What you see online is often a "catalog price" that doesn't include setup fees, imprint charges, shipping, or artwork prep, costs that typically add 30 to 50 percent to the final price. A professional distributor quotes you the full picture upfront. You also get supplier vetting, quality checks, and someone who catches problems before they become yours. The cheapest option online is rarely the cheapest outcome.
6. Do promotional products actually work? What's the ROI?
According to PPAI consumer research, 94% of people say they enjoy receiving promotional products, and half of respondents reported keeping company swag for more than five years. The ROI is real, but it depends entirely on what you choose and how you use it. A well-chosen item that people keep and use daily delivers brand impressions for years at a fraction of the cost of digital advertising. A cheap item that gets thrown away the same night? That's brandfill, and it costs you more than money. It negatively reflects on your brand’s reputation.
7. What's a setup charge, and why am I paying it?
A setup charge covers the cost of preparing your artwork for production — creating the screen, engraving plate, embroidery file, or other format needed to imprint your logo on a specific product. It's ranges from $35 to $150 and up depending on the decoration method, charged once per design per order. We include setup charges in our pricing as much as possible. It's a legitimate cost of custom manufacturing, but a good distributor will always tell you about it upfront rather than surprise you at checkout.
8. Can I get a sample before I place a full order?
Yes, and for significant orders, you should always request one. Samples let you verify color, quality, size, and how your logo looks before committing to a full production run. Be aware that samples take one to two weeks and usually come with a faux logo. Suppliers use stand-in logos to keep sample costs manageable. Build sample time into your project timeline. It's the single best way to avoid expensive surprises. Or do like our smartest clients do – pay for a spec sample instead and see what YOUR logo looks like before you order. We require this on all orders over $5000 for your sake and ours to be sure the end product is exactly what you want.
9. What's the difference between screen printing, embroidery, and other decoration methods?
The decoration method depends on the product, your artwork, and the look you want. Screen printing works well for flat surfaces like t-shirts and bags and is great for bold, simple logos. Embroidery adds a premium, textured look to apparel and caps. Laser engraving is clean and permanent on metal and drinkware. Full-color digital printing handles complex, multi-color artwork. Each method has tradeoffs in cost, durability, and appearance. Sandee will help you choose the right one for your specific situation. Just email or call.
10. What should I do if my promotional products arrive with an error?
Whether you order from us or someone else, we always recommend that you open your order immediately upon receipt — don't wait until the event. If there's a production error where the supplier didn't follow your approved proof, most will correct the order at no cost. If you approved a proof with an error (a typo, wrong color), that's typically your responsibility (we will still work with you to get what you need in time for your event). This is why proof approval is so serious. Read every proof carefully. And work with a distributor who monitors your order, so problems get caught before production, not after delivery.
Have a question that isn't listed here?
Reach out directly — no bots, no runaround. You'll talk to Sandee.
Sales@DandSdesigns.com | 856.451.0954 | dandsdesigns.promo