Meet 400+ Suppliers. Find New Products. Source Inventory. All at ASI Show Chicago, July 23-25.   Register Now.

Product Hub

When to Request a Sample

Every sale is different. How do you know when you should request a sample? We’ve got your back.

Here are four times when it’s a good idea to ask for that spec piece to secure your peace of mind.

Complex Decorations
Whether it’s a multicolor imprint, highly detailed embroidery or just a job where the color match needs to be exact, it’s a good idea to ask for a spec product before the final print run.

Non-Standard Imprint Areas
Flat chest pocket embroidery is easy; curved collar embroidery is not. If your client wants to see their name anywhere other than the usual spots, suggest an embellished sample before moving further.

Difficult Products
If a product has a complicated material to decorate (think leather or canvas) or doesn’t present an obvious smooth and flat surface, you’ll want to make sure the final product meets your expectations. Items that are too big or unwieldy for your standard decoration machinery also fall into this category.

Large Orders
Above all else, for extremely large orders, make sure to see a sample. You don’t want to print 40,000 T-shirts only to find out that they mistakenly flipped the first two initials on Friar Tuck’s Pub.

Product Hub
Find the latest in quality products, must-know trends and fresh ideas for upcoming end-buyer campaigns.