Placing an order
- Do you have minimum orders?
- What information do you need to complete an order?
- How long does it take to complete an order?
- What if I need a promotional item right away?
- What kind of artwork is acceptable?
- Is the price the same for re-orders?
- Do you charge for shipping?
- Do you guarantee your products?
- What are your payment terms?
- Pre-Production Product Samples
- Artwork Proofs
- Artwork and Design Services
- Over Runs / Under Runs
About the products
Placing an order
Do you have minimum orders?
Promotional product minimums vary by supplier and product — please contact us to determine the minimum orders of a particular product.
What information do you need to complete an order?
We need a signed sales order detailing your deadline, number and type of products, artwork in an appropriate format and 50% deposit.
How long does it take to complete an order?
1 – 3 weeks on most items after receipt of approved artwork. Orders can be faster depending on product availability, please check with us for details.
What if I need a promotional item right away?
Rush jobs are always possible — how fast depends on the time of year and the particular supplier. In most cases, additional charges apply to rush orders.
What kind of artwork is acceptable?
It depends on the type of product you are ordering. Typically we require eps files in vector format with colour separation. Hard copies can be acceptable (hand drawn sketches by high school students have been know to successfully make their way on to t-shirts!) Please contact us — there are many different processes (embroidery, silkscreening, engraving, pad printing etc.) and we will help you determine what you need.
Is the price the same for re-orders?
It depends on the type of product and supplier. There may be a reduction in price if the artwork is exactly the same, however it varies depending on the supplier and type of printing/finishing process.
Do you charge for shipping?
Shipping charges are included in the price for products originating from outside of Vancouver. Special shipping costs will be charged separately (e.g. shipping to multiple locations or expedited shipping). If you prefer to use your own local courier please let us know in advance.
Do you guarantee your products?
We stand behind our merchandise. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase we will replace, credit, or refund your order. Please contact us immediately on any quality or service issues. We do require any replacement or refund issues to be brought to our attention within 10 days of receipt of order.
What are your payment terms?
We require a 50% deposit with the balance due on delivery of goods, payable within 30 days of receipt of goods. We accept cheques made payable to Fairware Promotional Products. Interest of 2% per month will be charged on late accounts.
Pre-Production Product Samples
For large orders, and where approval cycles are required, a pre-production sample can be provided. This sample would show any custom logo or artwork. For smaller runs and standard products we suggest an Artwork Proof. There may be a charge for a Pre-Production Product Sample.
Artwork Proofs
An Artwork Proof can be quickly provided subsequent to placing your order. We need approval or sign off prior to any production run. There are no charges for Artwork Proofs.
Artwork and Design Services
If graphic design work is required, we can provide it at an additional hourly rate. Please contact us for more information. Any changes required to existing artwork may have a charge applied.
Over Runs / Under Runs
In some instances, due to manufacturing and production issues, you may receive an over or under run of your ordered quantity. While we attempt to reduce these occurrences wherever possible, a ± 5% tolerance is the accepted industry standard. Pricing will reflect the actual shipped quantity.
About the products
Are all your products made in Canada?
Supporting the local economy is a goal shared by Fairware and we actively seek out local suppliers. Unfortunately, many of our unique products are not made locally. In addition, ‘Made in Canada’ does not ensure worker rights are respected — there are ‘sweatshop’ conditions in Canada — just as there are well run factories offshore. As a result we carefully select all of our suppliers using the same criteria to ensure that workers are being treated fairly, no matter where they live and work. To learn more about these issues visit our News + Views section.
How do you ensure your suppliers treat their workers fairly?
We have several strategies to identify suppliers ranging from identifying businesses who have an explicit mission to improve working and environmental conditions to using a formal Code of Conduct and chain of custody form that factory managers sign off on. More information on our approach can be found in the About Us section of our site.
Does Fairware help businesses develop or implement ethical sourcing policies?
The News + Views section of our website has information on Ethical Sourcing and we are happy to advise clients on developing ethical sourcing policies and programs. In the case of a major initiative we can help out on a fee for service basis or direct you to one of our partners with experience in the field.