I've had many customers request their promotional imprinted products the day after they've ordered them. "What's the delay......how long does it actually take to put my logo on a pen?" they ask.
And my customers aren't the only ones to pose that question--I used to ask the same to my vendors when something was needed right away. It all seemed so easy......make a screen & then let the machines run by computers carry on. Hah!-not so, read on.
Yes, of course, in most cases promotional items can be done within 24 - 48 hours but there's usually a rush charge added & sometimes, though not all the time, it can be quite hefty. That brings on another onslaught of questions with a few expletives thrown in.
So let me explain the steps it takes to imprint on promotional custom products--in this case, pens, the most used of all advertising specialties.
1. Once an order is received, it goes to the art department. The art may have to be recreated or converted to a correct format. It is then scanned & sent out digitally as a proof.
2. The next step depends on you, the customer......how long it takes for you to approve it & get back to me with your approval or changes.
3. When the art department receives the approval, the artwork & copy are printed on a special paper which is used to make the screen.
4. A screen is burned. This is a timely process because they have to make sure there are no holes or fills. Then it's washed down. By the way, this explains the screen or set-up charge that is often questioned.
5. Next, the machine has to be set up for the screen & the pen to be imprinted. Since all screens are different & most pen styles are varied, this is done with each order.
6. A few test pens are printed & if it goes smoothly, the order is run. This includes printing, heating & a curing process which gives the imprint longevity.
7. The pens are scanned & the ones with flaws are weeded out.
8. It's then packed, shipped & on it's way to you.
So there you have it......next time you're told it could it could be 5 - 10 working days, you'll have a better understanding. One thing to keep in mind with all of this, your order is not the only one in-house, so how long each step takes also depends on how many are ahead of you.
Remember, pens travel......they go from hand-to-hand just like a dollar bill does. This is one of the best ways to let your company name be seen, so it's definitely worth the wait!
IT'S YOUR COMPANY......SHOW IT OFF!
Ronni Sherman
And my customers aren't the only ones to pose that question--I used to ask the same to my vendors when something was needed right away. It all seemed so easy......make a screen & then let the machines run by computers carry on. Hah!-not so, read on.
Yes, of course, in most cases promotional items can be done within 24 - 48 hours but there's usually a rush charge added & sometimes, though not all the time, it can be quite hefty. That brings on another onslaught of questions with a few expletives thrown in.
So let me explain the steps it takes to imprint on promotional custom products--in this case, pens, the most used of all advertising specialties.
1. Once an order is received, it goes to the art department. The art may have to be recreated or converted to a correct format. It is then scanned & sent out digitally as a proof.
2. The next step depends on you, the customer......how long it takes for you to approve it & get back to me with your approval or changes.
3. When the art department receives the approval, the artwork & copy are printed on a special paper which is used to make the screen.
4. A screen is burned. This is a timely process because they have to make sure there are no holes or fills. Then it's washed down. By the way, this explains the screen or set-up charge that is often questioned.
5. Next, the machine has to be set up for the screen & the pen to be imprinted. Since all screens are different & most pen styles are varied, this is done with each order.
6. A few test pens are printed & if it goes smoothly, the order is run. This includes printing, heating & a curing process which gives the imprint longevity.
7. The pens are scanned & the ones with flaws are weeded out.
8. It's then packed, shipped & on it's way to you.
So there you have it......next time you're told it could it could be 5 - 10 working days, you'll have a better understanding. One thing to keep in mind with all of this, your order is not the only one in-house, so how long each step takes also depends on how many are ahead of you.
Remember, pens travel......they go from hand-to-hand just like a dollar bill does. This is one of the best ways to let your company name be seen, so it's definitely worth the wait!
IT'S YOUR COMPANY......SHOW IT OFF!
Ronni Sherman
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