Trade Policy
Overview
We value you as a contract printing customer and always strive to provide quality printing, at a fair price, with a fast turnaround. To do this, we need some information to begin work. We require the following be submitted with every order; details for submission standards can be found within these guidelines.
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Purchase Order
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Vectored Art
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Digital Proof approved by your customer
Purchase Orders
To ensure all PO information is complete and to avoid potential errors, please submit your PO information and supporting files (artwork, digital, mock-ups, etc.) utilizing our form. If you want to send your own Po that is ok as well HOWEVER ALL INFO MUST BE INCLUDED.
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Please let us know if you need a copy of this form, and we will be happy to provide one for you.
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POs and artwork must be entirely received before we begin processing. Production will not start until all the required information is submitted. Completed submissions must include all the following information:
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PO #
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Required In-Hands Date (otherwise, standard ten (10) business days from submission/garment arrival will apply). If the in-hand date is sooner than the usual ten (10) business day turnaround time, Rush Fees will apply.
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Itemized List of Merchandise [item #, brand, description, quantity, color, size]
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Customization Specifications [type, location, size, colors, fonts, etc.]
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Additional Fees (Art Time, Specialty Items, Rush Charges, etc.)
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Shipping/Pick-Up Information
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Print-ready artwork. All artwork must be in a clean vector format. Our Art Department must approve all art files as “print-ready” before production, or additional art fees will apply. Reorders must be submitted with the previous approved Proof; please include the last order number.
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Standard Production
Standard production turnaround is 7-14 business days after artwork is approved . POs received after 1 pm (EST) will be entered on the following business day.
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Standard production times are subject to variability based on order volumes. Please email orders@thetradedecorators.com for an estimated timeline for orders over 500 units. All blank merchandise must be received 5 (business) days before the completion date to avoid delay.
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If the completion date is a “firm” date and goods are not received, rush charges will incur. All digital art proofs must be approved 4 (business) days before the completion date to avoid delay. If the completion date is a “firm” date and approval is delayed, rush charges will incur.
Garment Guidelines and Recommendations
Garments being received must have the PO number on the outside of the box and be easily identifiable. The PO number must match the PO submitted to The Trade Decorators for that specific order.
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Any merchandise unclaimed after three (3) months will be donated to a local non-profit of our choosing.
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The Trade Decorators retains the right to deny or cancel orders with unapproved garments, garments that we consider unfit to embellish, or garments that we consider too difficult to decorate.
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For artwork containing small detail, please be aware that results will vary based on the garment and ink color. Lighter garments with dark ink will hold finite details better than dark-colored garments with light ink.
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Ensure all artwork has at least one stroke thickness and a minimum of 12 pt. font. Additional Art Fees will apply if we need to change your artwork to accomplish the expected results.
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WE WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR DYE MIGRATION. ALL PRECAUTIONS ARE TAKEN TO MINIMIZE/AVOID DYE MIGRATION INCLUDING – LOW CURE INK ON ALL GARMENTS, POLY INK WILL BE USED/ DYE BLOCKER WILL BE USED. IF THE GARMENT STILL DYE MIGRATES IT IS AT NO FAULT OF THE TRADE DECORATORS AND NO REFUNDS OR REPLACEMENTS WILL BE GIVEN.
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Pre-Production Sample
(all methods of deco) - this is for an order IN HOUSE already that the customer wants to see the first piece prior to running the full job.
SCREEN PRINT – We will do 1 pc and have the photo sent through printavo to the customer. This will follow the approval process.
PRICING: $50 per color.
EMBROIDERY – We will do 1 pc and have the photo sent through printavo to the customer. This will follow the approval process.
PRICING: $7 per location of embroidery (even if we create the DST).
DTF –We will do 1 pc and have the photo sent through printavo to the customer. This will follow the approval process.
PRICING: Set Up ($25) PLUS EQP (end quantity pricing).
All prepros default to PICTURE approval unless a ship to address is provided in Printavo. Standard production times for prepros (5-14 days) and full order production (10-14 days) apply
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Shipping
The Trade Decorators uses UPS/Purolator/CANPAR or Local Couriers our standard shipping method. Depending on your ship-to address, shipping could take one (1) to four (7) days. Please ensure to plan your in-hands date based on your proximity to our location). Shipping fees are based on the receiving party's weight, dimensions, and postal code.
Split shipments will be charged:
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1 to 100pcs - $10 per address.
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100-500pcs - $15 per address
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500+pcs - $25 per address
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Custom name sticker - $1/pc
Shipping Insurance requests must be specified on your PO- Default is No Shipping Insurance.
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Customer or third-party shipping information may be used for billing; clearly state this on your PO at the time of submission.
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Your order may be delayed if complete and accurate shipping information is not received at least 48 business hours before the completion date.
General Information
Please utilize and submit the personalization form with your PO.
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Cancellations will not be accepted after embellishment is complete.
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Cancellations before production will be billed for all charges incurred up to the point of cancellation (i.e., art time, film/screens, preparation, digitizing, etc.).
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Orders on hold for 30 days without progress will be closed and invoiced for any art time, digital proofs, film printed ($5.00 per color/location), and screens burned ($15.00 per color/location).
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Appropriate use of copyright marks and payment of licensed property royalties are the customer’s responsibility.
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The Trade Decorators is not responsible for wrong styles, defective or damaged merchandise, missed shipments, or late arrivals from your vendors.
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All received merchandise, regardless of source, must include your company name and PO on the packing slip. A delay in production due to the lack of this information may occur. If it is a “firm” in-hands date, Rush Charges will apply.
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The Trade Decorators takes excellent care to count all received garments at least two (2) times during the order process to ensure accuracy. Our count is considered final.
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The Trade Decorators will not be responsible for 2% of errors that occur during a single order. (See our spoilage policy below) All pricing and policies are subject to change without prior notice.
Acceptable Artwork
If changes to your artwork are required to accomplish the below request, additional Art Fees will apply.
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Text: Please convert all fonts to outlines to avoid any font issues. Please provide the font file and name if the font is not outlined. Note that script fonts need to be outlined to avoid any issues with printing. Recommend all text be at least 10pt font to ensure readability.
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Strokes: Please convert all strokes to outlines to avoid any issues.
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Fine Details: Minimum line thickness in artwork needs to be at least 1 pt. Any narrow negative spaces should be at least 2 pt; otherwise, that space may fill in.
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Spot Colors: All colors in the file should be set to spot colors and assigned a Standard Imprint Color or Pantone color.
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Print Size: All Artwork should be set in the file to the actual print size and noted on your PO.
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HOW DO I KNOW IF MY FILE IS A VECTOR FILE? Just because a file is saved as an eps, ai, or pdf doesn’t mean it is a vector file.
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Vector art is created using vector software programs, such as Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.
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So how can you tell? Enlarge your graphic on your screen (200% or larger). It is a raster image if your edges are blurry and appear to have various “shades” of color. It is a vector graphic if the edges are crisp and the color appears solid.
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MY ART ISN’T VECTOR. WHAT CAN I DO?
If you can’t find a vector file you will need one created or art fees will apply. You can contact your Graphic Artist to create this using our art guidelines, or The Trade Decorators can happily assist. Simply reach out to inquire about pricing.
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RASTER Additional Art Fees will apply if art is submitted in raster format for Screen Print.
Spoilage Policy
The Trade Decorators spoilage policy follows the industry standard 2% spoilage rate.
SPOILAGE RATE: While every attempt is made to produce perfect orders every time, screen printing and embroidery is an industrial process and hence is prone to some level of error. In accordance with industry standards, The Trade Decorators is not responsible for loss of product within this 2% deviation per production event (Min 2pcs).
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It should be noted that the actual spoilage rate of garments at The Trade Decorators is considerably lower than 2%.
Spoilage Communication
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As long as damaged pieces are within the spoilage allowance, no specific communication is triggered. Your account will be credited the print cost for any missing items.
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You will only be charged for the quantity delivered. You will not be charged for the decoration of spoiled garments.
When To Order Exact Quantities:
If your job requires a precise quantity/size breakdown, we recommend padding your order to ensure that you end up with the correct amount - with a few extras at the very least.
MANUFACTURER SPOILAGE:
Spoilage rate is based on production events only.
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Manufacturers defects on customer supplied goods should be addressed with the manufacturer. Manufacturer defects that are noticed prior to printing will not be printed. It is entirely possible due to the method that garments are loaded on decoration equipment that manufacturer defects will not be noticed before printing, or at all.
Quality Returns
The Trade Decorators does not accept returned goods without prior approval.
Because quality printing and embroidery is considered to be subjective, it will be necessary that any returns be inspected prior to any financial decisions are made.
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Returns or Discounts may be offered after evaluating the quality of our embellishments.
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The Trade Decorators management team has sole authority and discretion about quality in these matters.
REIMBURSEMENT or REPLACEMENTS:
Reimbursements or replacements may be issued up to the amount of the original invoice for the same order.
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Replacements above and beyond the original invoice may be approved by management, and will be applied as a credit towards your account.
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Considerations will be given to the amount of time our team had to prepare the order (turn time) and to the accuracy of the information provided by the customer.
Accurate and legible purchase orders must have been originally supplied for most returns.
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