Helpful Hints

• Plan Ahead. Depending on the type of item and quantities that you're ordering, you may not make your deadline if you leave your order until the last minute. Remember that not only means the item - golf shirt, jacket, cap style, etc. - that you request needs to be ordered and received, but also your silk screened or embroidered artwork must also be prepared. Be sure to allow yourself a 2-week lead-time for production, as well as delivery.
• Remember that Sprague Screen Printers can often order and customize certain types of articles on a rush basis for an extra charge. If you're behind in your schedule, call us and we can help!
• Certain items - T-shirts particularly - can be created and delivered on shorter timelines than specialty items (certain jackets, custom articles, etc.). If you're in need of shirts for a tradeshow or training event at the last minute, keep these styles in mind for possible quick turnarounds.
• If you leave the proper lead-time, you'll eliminate the cost of rush ordering and rush setup and rush shipping charges.
   
• Embroidery Considerations. Embroidered elements on specialty apparel and other items are works of art! Therefore, you'll need to provide a clean, "camera-ready" example of the logo or other artwork that you'd like to include on your items so that we can digitize your logo. Many vendors can work from an example of your company stationary, for example. Remember that the cleaner the supplied artwork the more accurate the digitizing will be. The digitized logo is then used to specify where the stitches will lie, and the colors of thread that will be used for each colored portion of the design.
• A truth about embroidery: the better the digitizing, the more accurate the logo or artwork representation will be. The embroidery will also be more durable, and will withstand daily wear and washing.
• Remember that size does matter. The artwork that you supply for your embroidered element will be sized appropriately for the application that you specify. An embroidered logo on the right front of a shirt will take a different amount of time and stitches to complete than a large version of the same image across the back of a shirt. There will be time and cost variances between both executions.
• Embroidery machines are set up with 9 needles, allowing for 9 different colors of thread to be used in designs. If your artwork in its original form includes more than 9 colors, some minor changes will need to be made. You can do this ahead of time, or the vendor can make recommendations on simplification.
• You are always entitled to proofs of the embroidery after the logo has been digitized. Make sure that you have the opportunity to approve the embroidery before it's placed on thousands of golf caps!
• If you have had your logo digitized with another vendor, remember that it is your property and can be transferred from vendor to vendor thus saving you some setup costs.
• If you're considering embroidery, think of creating your order in dozens, with a minimum order of 12 pieces. It is more cost effective from a production standpoint.
   
• Get creative! Has your event always done a pocket t-shirt with silk screened logos on the back? Maybe silk screening onto the sleeves would provide an updated look. Are your tradeshow shirts always the same color with embroidered logo on the left chest? Some other thoughts:
• Order different colors of items within a style - the costs will be the same, and will provide variety.
• Ask your vendor about options for embroidery or silk screening. Although there are some additional charges, embroidering in more than one spot on an item gives added opportunities for getting your message across.
• Don't forget about sizes. For larger people (and for those of us that like things comfortably loose) many items reach the 4X size. These can also be mixed and matched, depending on your needs
• There's a common myth that an order must consist of dozens and dozens of pieces in order to be cost effective. Although cost effectiveness can be found in as few as 4 dozen items, very small runs - even single items - can often be procured without costing an arm and a leg. Customized items in small batches make terrific awards and retirement gifts, and with a little creativity can become cherished mementos of a special date or exceptional performance.
   
• Call Sprague! If you have any questions, or need some advice don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to share our experience, and take care of your specialty apparel ordering needs.