How to place a large merchandise order

For an order of several thousand pieces, send the item, quantity, decoration, in-hands date and delivery locations in one brief. Plan more production time than a small order: about 10 business days after proof approval as a base, plus 5 business days for 5,000 to 9,999 pieces and 10 for 10,000 or more, then shipping. Confirm stock before you approve, and decide early whether everything ships to one place or is packed by location.

Timeline by quantity

Rush is available on select items. Overseas custom production takes about 8 to 12 weeks door to door.

Order deadline planner

Step 1: one complete brief

• Item and preferred style, or the use and budget if you want options
• Quantity, and sizes if it is apparel
• Logo files and placement
• In-hands date, and whether the date is fixed (an event) or flexible
• Delivery: one address, a list of locations, or individual addresses

Start a large program

Step 2: confirm stock

At several thousand pieces, a popular color in one style can run short. We check supplier inventory before quoting and suggest an equal alternate color or style, so a stock problem does not delay production.

Step 3: pricing at volume

Price per piece drops as quantity rises, because setup is spread over more pieces. On large orders the item itself is most of the cost, so the blank you choose matters most. Fewer ink colors and print locations also lower the price.

Decoration methods

Step 4: proof and sample

Every order gets a digital proof. On a large order, ask for a pre-production sample of the finished item before the full run, so color, size and placement are approved on the real thing.

Step 5: production and quality checks

Large runs can be split across production partners to meet a date. Each partner works from the same approved proof and specs, and items are checked before packing.

Step 6: packing

Choose bulk packing to one address, or packing by location with a count and size breakdown on each carton. For gifts to individuals, each item is packed and labeled for its recipient.

Kits and fulfillment

Step 7: shipping

Large orders to one address usually ship by freight on pallets. Tell us about delivery limits: loading dock or liftgate, receiving hours and whether the site needs an appointment. Orders to many locations ship by parcel or freight to each site, often in waves.

Payment and paperwork

Orders are paid in full before production begins. Net 30 terms are available for established repeat clients, and your purchase order number can appear on every quote and invoice.

For procurement teams