6 tips on how to order promotional products online like a pro

Picture this – a marketing manager is in charge of ordering the next round of promotional products for a campaign but is unsure how to go about it. In order to ensure the smoothest ordering process, this inclusive marketing guide has been developed. After reading, customers can expect to easily navigate through the website. The guide also makes the ordering process as painless as possible. The guide will describe what is needed to find a top promotional product and how to order it. Plus, learn about special tips and tricks specifically for ordering online with allbranded.

Tip #1 - How to save money

Budgets matter. With a limited amount to spend on impressive company merchandise for the next event, it is important to ensure the best product is secured for the price. allbranded works closely with customers to ensure satisfaction not only with the product, but with the overall experience. The promo experts compiled some insider tips and tricks to look out for to make sure the right product is chosen in order to stay within budget.

1. Coupons – Promo codes are one of the most common ways to save money. Before checking out, customers should look to see if there are any special sales or deals currently running. These codes are often on the homepage or as a banner on top of the page. Be sure to check the minimum order value to ensure the code works.
2. Newsletter – On that same note, signing up for the newsletter provides access to exclusive coupons and discounts. Subscribers are the first to know about upcoming sales and campaigns. Registering an email ensures none of the fun is missed.
3. Scale of quantities – When ordering a product, the unit price can be seen on the right-hand side of the product page. The unit price varies depending on how many units are ordered. A bulk order discount is applied. Meaning, as more units are purchased at once, the cheaper the unit price per product becomes. Look out for the pop-up showing how many more products need to be ordered to save even more money on the unit price.
4. Sales & clearance – Many popular products will be discounted throughout the year during special sales. Some products might even go on clearance due being out of season or low on inventory. Make sure to check the sale category to get a great price on a great product.
5. Price match guarantee – Found the exact product on another website but at a lower price? Send a copy of a recent competitor quote to not only get the product at the same price, but often even lower! See the exact requirements of the allbranded price match guarantee here.
6. Free shipping – Spend more than £300 netto to receive free UK shipping. 

With these tips, there is no need to sacrifice quality for price, both can be achieved. There are many upcoming campaigns and coupons, so it is worth signing up for the newsletter to stay informed. As for the unit price, reviewing it carefully can reveal just how much can be saved per product when ordering in larger quantities.

Tip #2 - Choose the right branding option

Once the perfect product is chosen, the next step is deciding how to best apply the company logo on the item. Below are some of the most popular branding options available. It all depends on the product and material, as some options are material-specific. Here are some of the most common choices:

Digital print – The print image is directly transferred from the computer to the printer. It is an electrographic printing system.

🏆 Best for colour printing, intricate designs, multiple colours

Screen print – The logo colours are printed onto the product using a rubber squeegee to press the colours through a sieve.

🏆 Best for cotton or organic materials and vibrant colours

Laser engraving – Lasers etch the design into the product. It is not possible to laser engrave specific colours into the product. The laser design appears in the natural colour of the material.

🏆 Best for metal, wood, or other flat surfaces to give a long-lasting professional appearance

Emboss or deboss – The logo leaves an impression on the product. A dye is heat-pressed into the item.

🏆 Best for creating a 3D brand or logo design

Embroidery – The logo is created using a needle and thread to sew the design into the product.

🏆 Best for a durable and professional look that is long lasting

Sublimation – Heat is used to infuse the ink into the product rather than printing the image directly on top. This allows the design to last longer as it is less prone to fading.

🏆 Best for large printing areas (often the whole product) and vivid colours

Pad print – A stamp is used to print the design onto the product. This method works well for rounded or non-flat products, as the stamp is flexible and adapts to the shape.

🏆 Best for products with a round surface for an even print

Label – The logo appears as a full label on the product, similar to how products are typically labelled.

🏆 Best for a larger printing area and round products

For further exploration of the full list of printing details and options can be found on the Printing Techniques Tips page. For a more in-depth understanding of each printing method, how it works and which materials are most suitable, the full Glossary of important terms is also available.

For brands looking to specifically brand a logo on apparel, read more about the best t-shirt printing methods.

Tip #3 - Production time vs. delivery time

Ordering promotional products can be confusing, especially with unfamiliar terminology. To avoid mistakes, complications and confusion, it helps to understand the difference between production and delivery.

Production time – Some products are considered “priority.” A 48-hour priority production product means it will be produced within 48 hours of artwork approval and payment confirmation. Production refers to the actual printing or branding process, where the logo is applied to the chosen product. Many items offer a 48-hour production option, but not all. The priority option can be selected on the product page when configuring the item before adding it to the basket.

 

Delivery time – Delivery time comes after the full production and packaging of the products. Unlike production, delivery time is selected during checkout after payment details have been entered. Delivery time refers to shipping the products, after the items leave the warehouse or factory to be shipped to the final destination.

Tip #4 - Special production

When choosing the right promotional product, customers may find something that is almost perfect but not quite. Perhaps the mug handle shape is slightly different than desired (round versus more square-like), or the material is not exactly right (polyester versus 100% cotton). For very large orders, special production is also the perfect option. Want to brand in more than one location or on multiple sides? This is where special production comes in.

Customers can contact the sales team via the contact form to coordinate a special production and create the perfect promotional product. The team can also be reached by phone at 020 4586 8900 or by email at contact@allbranded.co.uk.

Tip #5 - PDF quotations

For those conducting research or planning in advance, the PDF quotation feature is ideal. This can be found on the right-hand side of the product page, directly below the “Add to basket” button.

After clicking “Get quote now,” users are prompted with a few questions, including branding option, position, printing area and quantity. Once completed, clicking “Get quote now” again will automatically download a PDF of the order. An email with the same PDF offer will also be sent immediately if the user is signed into their allbranded account.

The PDF provides a full breakdown of total costs, estimated shipping, and more. It resembles an invoice, making it easy to forward to a supervisor or manager for budget approval. Any requested PDF offer is saved in the allbranded account, allowing quick login and direct ordering of the product. It could not be easier.

Tip #6 - Order a sample product

One of the best ways to avoid wasted time and money is to order a sample product in advance. This provides the opportunity to see and feel the product. Ordering a sample before placing a large order is an excellent way to ensure the desired quality before fully committing. In many cases, it can save significant time and money, as well as the hassle of an incorrect order or poor printing. Here are some of the benefits of ordering a sample:

1. £4.08 shipping – No matter what is ordered, shipping costs just £4.08. This ensures budgets are not exhausted when sampling a product first.
2. Refundable – One of the advantages of allbranded is that the sample product cost is refunded when the full order is placed. Place a bulk order of £150 or more to be refunded the price of the sample in full.
3. Test ride – Since products are ordered online without the chance to physically inspect them beforehand, sampling is an important step. Even for something as simple as a pen, it can be helpful to check how it feels in the hand, how smoothly it writes, the actual pen colour, the ink colour, and more.

This guide has been created to share knowledge and expertise. The allbranded team cares deeply about promotional products, but even more importantly, about customers. The goal is to make the online ordering experience as smooth as possible. If there are any questions, the team is happy to help. Alternatively, customers can explore the full list of the most popular FAQs that others have asked.