Glossary

Promotional products glossary

44 quick definitions, plus deeper articles on the print, promo and decoration terms that affect pricing and production.

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Knowledge base

Knowledge base articles

Each article explains what the term means, why it matters, and how TaggIQ handles it.

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A

Artwork
The design or logo to be printed, embroidered, or otherwise applied to a promotional product. Usually supplied as a vector file (AI, EPS, or SVG) for best results.
ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute)
One of the two major trade associations in the promotional products industry. Provides supplier directories, product databases, and distributor ratings.

B

Blank
An undecorated product before any printing, embroidery, or other imprint method is applied. Pricing for blanks is separate from decoration costs.
Bleed
When a printed design extends beyond the trim edge of a product, ensuring full coverage with no unprinted borders.

C

CMYK
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). The four-color process used in full-color digital printing. Each color is applied as a separate layer to create the final image.
Color Separation
The process of breaking a multi-color design into individual color layers for screen printing. Each color requires its own screen, which affects setup cost.
Cost Price
The price a distributor pays the supplier for a product before any markup. Also called net cost or dealer price.

D

DTG (Direct to Garment)
A digital printing method that sprays ink directly onto fabric. Best for complex, full-color designs on small quantities. Higher per-unit cost than screen printing at volume.
DTF (Direct to Film)
A printing method where designs are printed onto a special film, then heat-transferred to the garment. Works on a wider range of fabrics than DTG and requires no pretreatment.
Digitizing
Converting artwork into a stitch file that an embroidery machine can read. Digitizing is a one-time setup cost charged per design, not per item.
Die Charge
A one-time fee for creating a custom-shaped cutting die, used for products like custom stickers, patches, or uniquely shaped promotional items.

E

EQP (End Quantity Pricing)
The lowest price tier offered by a supplier, typically for the highest quantity bracket. Often used as a promotional pricing level for special deals.
Embroidery
A decoration method where thread is stitched into fabric to create a design. Pricing is based on stitch count, number of colors, and quantity. Perceived as more premium than printing.

F

Flash Cure
A quick burst of heat applied between screen printing colors to partially dry the ink before the next color is applied. Necessary for multi-color prints on dark garments.
Full Color
A print that uses the CMYK process to reproduce photographic or complex multi-color designs. Also called four-color process or digital printing.

G

Garment Dye
A process where garments are dyed after being sewn, creating a softer, vintage look. Garment-dyed items may have slight color variations between pieces.

H

Heat Transfer
A decoration method where a design is printed on transfer paper or vinyl, then applied to the product using heat and pressure. Includes vinyl transfers, digital transfers, and sublimation transfers.

I

Imprint
The logo, text, or design applied to a promotional product through any decoration method. A single product can have multiple imprint locations.
Imprint Area
The designated space on a product where decoration can be applied. Defined by the supplier with specific dimensions for each product and location.

L

Left Chest
The most common imprint location on apparel, positioned on the upper left side of the chest. Standard sizing is typically around 3.5 to 4 inches wide.
List Price
The suggested retail price set by the supplier before any distributor discounts are applied. Distributors buy at net price and sell at or below list price.

M

Markup
The percentage added to cost price to determine the selling price. A 100% markup on a $5 item means selling at $10. Not the same as margin.
Minimum Order Quantity
The smallest number of units a supplier or decorator will accept for a single order. Varies by product and decoration method. Screen printing minimums are typically 24 to 48 pieces.

N

Net Price
The actual price a distributor pays after all discounts are applied. This is the true cost used to calculate margins and markup.
Nylon
A synthetic fabric commonly used in bags, jackets, and outdoor promotional products. Durable and water-resistant, but requires specific decoration methods.

P

PMS (Pantone Matching System)
A standardized color matching system used across the printing industry. PMS colors ensure consistent color reproduction across different products and decoration methods.
Pad Print
A printing method that transfers ink from a silicone pad onto a product surface. Ideal for small, curved, or irregular surfaces like pens, golf balls, and keychains.
PPAI (Promotional Products Association International)
The other major trade association alongside ASI. Provides industry research, compliance standards, education, and the annual PPAI Expo trade show.
Proof
A visual mockup showing how the finished decorated product will look. Virtual proofs are digital renderings; physical proofs are actual samples. Client approval is required before production.

Q

Quantity Break
A pricing tier where the per-unit cost decreases as the order quantity increases. Standard in the promo industry. Most suppliers offer 4 to 6 quantity break levels.

R

Run Charge
A per-unit fee for the actual decoration process, separate from setup fees. Applies to each piece being decorated. May vary by number of colors or imprint locations.
Registration
The precise alignment of multiple colors or design elements during printing. Poor registration results in colors that appear shifted or misaligned.

S

Screen Charge
A one-time setup fee for creating each screen used in screen printing. One screen per color, so a 3-color design requires 3 screens.
Screen Print
The most common and cost-effective decoration method for apparel at volume. Ink is pushed through a mesh screen onto the product. Pricing decreases significantly at higher quantities.
Setup Fee
A one-time charge per order for preparing the decoration equipment. Includes screen creation, digitizing, or plate making. Applied once regardless of order quantity.
SanMar
One of the largest apparel suppliers in the promotional products industry. Known for fast shipping, broad inventory, and wide product selection across major apparel brands.
Sublimation
A printing method that uses heat to transfer dye into polyester or polymer-coated surfaces. Produces vibrant, full-color, all-over prints that will not crack, peel, or fade.

T

Tier Pricing
A pricing structure where the unit price varies based on the quantity ordered. Higher quantities unlock lower per-unit prices. Standard across the promotional products industry.
Transfer
A pre-printed design on a carrier sheet that is applied to a product using heat and pressure. Types include plastisol, digital, and vinyl transfers.

U

Unit Cost
The total cost per unit including the blank product cost, decoration cost, and any applicable per-unit fees. Used to calculate the final selling price and profit margin.
Underbase
A layer of white ink printed first on dark-colored garments before applying colored inks. Ensures colors appear vibrant and true on dark backgrounds. Adds an additional screen to the print setup.

V

Vector Art
Artwork created using mathematical paths rather than pixels, allowing it to be scaled to any size without losing quality. Required for screen printing and embroidery. Common formats: AI, EPS, SVG.
Vinyl
A decoration material cut into shapes and heat-pressed onto products. Used for names, numbers, and simple designs. Available in a wide range of colors and finishes including metallic and reflective.

W

Wearables
The category of promotional products that includes all apparel items: t-shirts, polos, jackets, hats, and other clothing. Wearables represent the largest segment of the promotional products industry.

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