Working with a Distributor

There are many thousands of distributors and manufacturers operating within the global promotional product industry and therefore, there is a wealth of information and advice available to ensure you maximise the effectiveness of your marketing budget and choose products that really work for your business.

Typically, you will in most cases buy via a distributor who will in turn work with a number of trade only manufacturers. These distributors are knowledgeable and flexible so they can work with the most suitable suppliers for any given project you have, in terms of price, lead time, product quality, quantity and delivery. You need to work with distributors who will minimise your points of contact and efficiently give you a single source of supply for a very broad range of products.

Good distributors will help you choose your products, plan your promotional campaign and invest the time to understand your business and marketing objectives so they can work proactively with you by suggesting new products that will be of interest to you and your customers and also advise on the best ways to reproduce your corporate branding. When choosing your distributor think of it as though you are choosing a long term business partner as a good distributor will save you time, energy and money by doing the sourcing legwork for you, plus they will liase with all the suppliers, printers and couriers on your behalf and keep you regularly informed on progress via email, phone or fax &ndash whichever is your preference.

Some key points to consider:
Lead Time - The distributor should be responsive at every stage of the sourcing and supply process for your chosen items. You want quick and timely quoting, confirmation of stock availability and confirmation that they can supply the goods required in time for your deadline, delivered to a destination of your choice. The ability to fast track projects where necessary to meet tight deadlines is very important.

Professional Service - Customer service advisers should be knowledgeable about products and printing options, well trained and able to offer guidance and advice as you plan and then organize your promotional campaign or events.

Product quality - While most distributors don&rsquo t actually manufacture the products they supply, they should oversee and monitor the quality of the items and the imprinting from the manufacturers and ensure that manufacturer&rsquo s guarantees are in place. In most cases, samples are available for inspection before you order your products and if required, printed pre-production proofs can also be supplied at a small cost if lead times allow.

With email, internet and overnight shipping so readily accessible now, location is no longer a critical factor when choosing your distributor. Many distributors will now supply nationally and internationally with ease and will happily coordinate multiple drop deliveries on behalf of clients when requested to do so.

Once you choose a distributor
Many clients like to see a sample of the product they are considering before they place their order and distributors will often send smaller sample items free of charge. Larger or more expensive items may still be available as samples although where necessary, a charge may be necessary for supplying them. In the event that a pre-production printed sample is required, this can also be arranged and there will typically be a cost for this although the set up costs may then be incorporated into the overall project if the full order is placed. On higher value and large volume orders it is always best to have a pre-production sample produced for quality assurance and approval before proceeding to final production. Having received your Order, your distributor will work with the manufacturer to manage the artwork, proof approval, printing and delivery on your behalf.

Smaller orders will typically see you receiving a Virtual Sample of your product prior to manufacture &ndash this is a visual representation of your artwork imposed onto a photograph or graphic image of the product you have chosen. This has become a very popular proofing tool as it can be emailed direct your desktop as a PDF file in colour, thus making the whole proofing and approval process much quicker and realistic. For embroidered garments, the normal process is to send you a sample of cloth with your artwork embroidered onto it so you can see an approve the quality before proceeding with your Order.

Shipping and carriage options vary from Same Day, Express Next Day to 2 -3 day depending on your destination. If goods are being manufactured overseas, the further options of sea freight or airfreight will also be available and your distributor will advise on these for you. Costs vary so depending on your available lead time this can be an area where you save money. Always ensure you notify your distributor at the time you are enquiring about and Ordering the goods if you have specific requirements.