I've been advising, sourcing and ordering promotional products and custom printed apparel for several years, and it's a big world with a wide range of items, qualities and prices. I'm going to break it down into the three most important things you need to know to get the best promo products at the right price for you.
Not All Products Are Created Equal
Let's take a t-shirt for an example. You may get three quotes from three different vendors and you get $3, $6 and $9 quotes. Don't automatically jump on the lowest-priced shirt unless you really don't care about that t-shirt. T-shirts that cheap typically fit like crap, feel like crap and are sewn like crap. If what you are purchasing are for your clients or your employees, you may want to present something of a higher quality. Or if employees are going to be wearing them outdoors in summer, they may appreciate something that breathes and is moisture wicking. When I provide options to my clients, I also give them the features of the items, so they understand exactly what they are getting, and why they may want to pay more for something that is a better quality. Now, if you are truly comparing apples to apples and one vendor is way marking up that item, then by all means, go with the lower-priced vendor.
Good Art Is Essential
If you don't have a high-resolution logo in the correct format needed by the vendor, whether the logo is being embroidered, screen printed, heat transferred, etched, etc., you aren't going to have a good end product. Please see my post: Why Do You Need a Vector File for Your Logo?
Watch Out for Added Costs
There are four things that will drive up the cost of your promotional products: setup fees, low volume, fast turnaround and shipping. Most vendors are around the same price for setup fees, but you can ask your rep if the fee seems in line, and ask for it as a separate line item on your invoice. The rep should shop around to get the best price with low volume, but unfortunately, you will end up paying more per unit. If you don't want quick turnaround fees, plan on placing your order at least a few weeks before your due date. And shipping can be all over the place. I ask my vendors for a shipiping cost before I move forward with them. I want it in writing. For the drawstring backpack you see in the pic for this post, the first vendor I was going to work with wanted $245 and the second was $65!
That's it! I hope this helps demystify the promotional products world. Let me know if I can answer any questions for you, or provide you with a quote! Reach out to me at karen@kbpromoproducts.com.