driptionary
Navigating the world of branded products can be tricky. So we created the driptionary—a quick guide to help you understand the terms associated with ordering swag and branded products.
A-C
approval
noun
uh-proo-vul
The official “yep, looks good” step before something hits production.
ASI
noun
A-S-I
The main organization providing industry education, directories, and tools for suppliers + distributors.
backorder
noun
bak-or-der
When an item is temporarily out of stock but expected to return — AKA waiting season.
bleed
noun
bleed
When artwork extends past the edge of a design so there’s no white border after trimming.
brand guidelines
noun
brand guy-d-lines
The do’s/don’ts of a brand — color codes, logo rules, spacing, tone. (We love these.)
charge
noun
charj
Any extra fee added by a supplier — setup charges, run charges, PMS charges, and more.
co-branding
noun
koh-brand-ing
When you pair your logo with a retail brand (like Stanley, Cotopaxi, Carhartt) on a product.
combo print
noun
kom-bo print
When more than one decoration method is used on one item (example: laser + full color).
cut & sew
noun
kut and soh
Fully custom apparel made from scratch — shapes, stitching, panels, and all.
D-F
decoration
noun
dek-uh-ray-shun
The technique used to apply your art — screen print, embroidery, laser, pad print, deboss, etc.
digitizing
noun
dij-ih-tie-zing
Turning your art into stitch paths for embroidery machines.
die-cut
noun
die kut
A custom-shaped cutout — usually for stickers, patches, or packaging.
drop ship
noun
drop ship
Shipping individual products directly to multiple recipients — big in onboarding + client gifting.
eps file
noun
E-S-P-fi-le
A high-quality graphic file that ensures your logo looks sharp, no matter the size.
fulfillment
noun
full-fill-ment
The packing, kitting, and shipping of orders — the behind-the-scenes hustle.
G-I
ghosting
noun
goh-sting
A faint, unwanted print shadow — the enemy of crisp decoration.
imprint area
noun
im-print air-ee-uh
The maximum space allowed for your logo on a product.
in-hands date
noun
in hands dayt
The day your client actually needs the product in hand — more sacred than a birthday.
J-L
kitting
noun
kit-ing
Combining multiple items into one curated package — onboarding kits, gift sets, event boxes.
laser engraving
noun
lay-zer en-grayv-ing
A precise, permanent burn-in decoration for metal, wood, and drinkware.
lead time
noun
leed time
The total period from order to delivery — AKA the patience test.
M-O
manufacturer
noun
man-yuh-fak-chur-er
The company that physically makes the product before it gets decorated with your logo.
MOQ (minimum order quantity)
noun
M-O-Q
The smallest number of items you’re allowed to order — varies by product.
overrun
noun
oh-ver-run
When a supplier produces a few extra items beyond the quantity ordered. Sometimes you get billed for them, sometimes you get lucky.
P-R
pantone match
noun
pan-tone match
The process of matching an ink color to a specific Pantone color so your branding stays consistent.
PMS color
noun
P-M-S kuhl-er
A color from the Pantone Matching System used to keep brand colors accurate across products.
personalization
noun
pur-suh-nl-ih-zay-shun
Adding an individual name, title, number, or unique detail to each item.
production time
noun
pruh-duk-shun time
The amount of time it takes to produce the order after final approval.
proof
noun
proof
A digital preview showing how your logo or artwork will appear on the final product before production starts.
pruchase order (PO)
noun
P-O
The official document that confirms what’s being ordered, how many, and at what price.
quality control (QC)
noun
Q-C
The inspection process used to catch mistakes before products ship.
quote
noun
kwoht
A pricing estimate for a product or project based on quantity, decoration, and specs.
reorder
noun
ree-or-der
A repeat order for a product that has already been purchased before.
retail brand
noun
ree-tayl brand
A well-known consumer brand, like Nike or YETI, that can sometimes be co-branded with your logo.
rush fee
noun
rush fee
A charge added to speed up production — the price of procrastination.
run charge
noun
run charj
An added fee for printing or decorating each piece, often tied to colors or imprint locations.
S
screen print
noun
skreen print
A decoration method where ink is pushed through a screen onto the product, commonly used on apparel.
self-promo
noun
self pro-mo
Promo products ordered with your own company’s branding to market yourself.
set-up charge
noun
set up charj
A one-time fee for preparing screens, plates, files, or machines before production begins.
spec sample
noun
spek sam-pul
A sample made with your actual logo so you can see the real finished look before placing a larger order.
spot color
noun
spot kuhl-er
A solid, specific ink color used in printing instead of a blended full-color process.
sublimation
noun
sub-luh-may-shun
A sample made with your actual logo so you can see the real finished look before placing a larger order.
swatch
noun
swotch
A solid, specific ink color used in printing instead of a blended full-color process.
stock
noun
stok
Available inventory a supplier currently has on hand.
supplier
noun
suh-plier
Available inventory a supplier currently has on hand.
T-Z
transfer
noun
trans-fer
A decoration method where artwork is applied to a product using heat and pressure.
turnaround time
noun
turn-uh-round time
The full amount of time needed to complete and deliver an order.
vector file
noun
vek-tor file
Artwork created with lines and shapes instead of pixels, so it can scale up or down without getting blurry.
woven label
noun
woh-ven lay-bul
A stitched-in label, often used on apparel or bags, for a subtle branded detail.
wrap print
noun
wrap print
A design that extends around the side or full circumference of an item, like a tumbler or bottle.
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MERCH SWAG PRODUCT GOODS PROMO