If a client supplies a CMYK colour breakdown, but requires that it match a Pantone colour this is not always possible as there are a limited number of Pantone colours that exist, but innumerable CMYK colours. We try to match the colours as closely as possible.

Vector artwork is required for the below processes: Screen Printing (spot colours) Pad Printing Laser Engraving Debossing Non-vector artwork can be used for the below (please note that it must be high quality): Screen Printing (CMYK process only) Embroidery Sublimation Stickers Dome Stickers Heat Press Digital Transfer Printing Direct to Product Printing Please remember: vector artwork can be used for all of our branding processes. When using non-vector artwork and a change to the artwork is requested, it cannot be actioned and vector artwork will need to be supplied.

Screen printing: the print preparation requires that the artwork be separated into its individual colours. Each element or set of elements that is a different colour gets printed on a different screen, e.g. a 2-colour logo requires 2 different screens. Embroidery: artwork is digitised as a whole and the colours are specified when digitising. As the logo does not have to be separated into various elements, we do not have to have vector artwork unless changes need to be made to the artwork.

When artwork contains wording in a certain font and the font is not converted to curves or paths it remains in a text format. This means that when the artwork is imported into a design programme the programme reads it as text that can be edited. If we do not have the font that the wording was created in, the design programme will automatically convert it to a font that we do have, compromising the original artwork. Converting to curves or paths results in the design programme reading the font as a drawing instead of text and, as such, the programme does not require the font. Alternatively you can send us the font file to install. We cannot redraw the artwork if it is not converted to curves because as soon as we put the artwork into a design programme to start redrawing it will substitute the font with a different font.

There is a tool in Corel Draw that allows you to automatically convert a non-vector logo into vector. This tool does not always work well, the reason is because it simply traces the edges of the artwork and where colours start and end. The result is a vector image but it will be broken and the edges will not be smooth. For this reason Amrod does not use quick traced artwork because it compromises the quality of the branding.

If you send us non-vector artwork for a process that requires vector artwork, our redraw artists will have to re-create the artwork in vector. In order for the artist to do this s/he needs to import the non-vector into Corel Draw and trace the artwork. Not all images can be redrawn, if there is any shading or gradients in the artwork it is impossible to achieve. We are also unable to redraw photographs.

We have a variety of programmes in the layouts department: Adobe Illustrator Photoshop Corel Draw The main programme that we use is Corel Draw.

This is a method employed in Screen Printing to print a full-colour image that has shading and gradients. This is perfect for printing photographs and detailed images. This process uses 4 colours, namely: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. It works similarly to digital printing in that it uses a combination of the 4 colours mentioned to print almost every available colour. Like a digital printer, white and metallic cannot be created from these 4 colours and if there is white in the artwork, that must be printed first. The screens for this process are made such a way that they allow a certain percentage of each ink colour to flow through individual screens. When branding via CMYK on a white item we charge for a 4-colour print, however if we are branding CMYK on a coloured item we will need to charge for a 5-colour print because we need to print white as a base owing to CMYK inks being semi-transparent.

This is a time consuming process, which requires a lot of attention so that there are no errors in the redrawn artwork. If the artwork is simple and will take an artist less than 10 minutes to redraw, we redraw the artwork at no charge. If the logo is more complicated, it will be charged for. Please remember that the lead time for redrawing artwork is 24 hours as the demand is quite high.

If you send through a mock-up it is very useful as it gives the layout artist an idea of what your client wants. When the layout artist is doing the layout they have to take the branding guideline into consideration. If the mock-up shows branding that is outside of the parameters indicated on the guideline the layout artist will create a layout that is as close to what your client requires, but falls within our guidelines.

The times will vary from layout to layout dependent on the complexity of the layout or the quality of the artwork that has been provided. Simple layouts with good quality artwork take a maximum of 10 minutes. If the artwork has many elements and colours and you want us to brand in 1 colour it can take up to 20 minutes to convert it to a 1-colour artwork. If there is personalisation with a large number of names that are going on, e.g. clothing items, the layout can take up to 2 hours to do. Generally layouts follow a 2 hour lead-time because there are numerous layouts in the queuing system with varying degrees of complexity. When a layout is required, the request gets added to the system at the end of the queue and the layout artists work through each in turn.

All our specials have an expiration date. If no expiration date is stated then the offer will continue indefinitely. If at any point we decide to discontinue the offer, this will be clearly communicated in advance.

Yes, Izipho does brand on offer branding on selected items. However we prefer that you order directly from us. The reason for this is due to the fact that every item we have in our range has been extensively tested in each branding department to determine the best branding method and size for the item as well as the item’s tolerance for heat. We offer our clients a one-stop-shop where they can purchase products and get the best possible branding done for that item, all under one roof.

There are a couple reasons for this. Each item has its own jig: a place holder for the item that is mounted onto the machine. Every time we change the item, we have to change the jig and reset the machine so that the logo is printed in the correct position. Another reason is that not all the items have the same branding space so on some items we can brand a larger logo than on others which means that the artwork will be different. For instance, if we are screen printing two items with the same logo but the logo is a different size on each item, we need two different screens.

We offer personalisation in: Embroidery Laser Engraving Digital processes (sublimation, heat press, domed and vinyl stickers, digital transfer) The reason for this is every other department needs a screen, plate or die to be made. This means that we will have to setup for each individual personalisation, which is not cost effective and very labour intensive.

There is no minimum order quantity but setup charges associated with each branding process still apply. When the setup charge is amortised over smaller quantities, the cost per unit is higher ie. branding 50 units versus 10 units always works out cheaper per unit. Should you need a pre-production sample, we offer sample branding at reduced rates.

The majority of print processes require vector artwork so it is likely that the printer redrew the artwork. Izipho does offer redraws and has a designer dedicated to recreating artwork but we have a huge number of requests for them. We offer free redraws if it can be done in 10 minutes or less. Unfortunately, anything over 10 minutes has to be charged for. In some instances artwork cannot be redrawn for example photographs and low resolution images where the details are not distinct..

We have a production planner based in each branding department. The planner’s responsibility is to schedule all branding jobs for that particular department. They look at the queue of jobs and determine which order they need to be run in for us to meet the given lead-times. As the day’s schedule has to be created in advance, we need to give the planner time to work out the schedule. When a job is approved, it is added to the production queue but because the jobs for that particular day have already been planned and ordered, it cannot be included in the same day’s schedule as it will affect the jobs already in the production queue.

Once an order is invoiced, a picking slip automatically sent to our external warehouse and work starts on the order, regardless of whether we have received payment or not. The order is pulled, checked, packed and shelved. Stock is allocated to your order and thus unavailable for other clients to order. Once an order is canceled, there is a significant amount of work involved in returning these canceled goods to our shelves in order to make them available to other clients. Therefore we encourage our clients to only place orders with Izipho once they sure that they want the requested item.

Izipho does not use quick traced artwork because it is not a true reflection of the original artwork. Quick traced artwork often has uneven edges and detail from the original logo is lost. This leads to the print quality being compromised. See our Artwork FAQ’s available on our website which explains this process in detail.

Even though we may have the artwork on file, all of our machines need to be setup for individual orders. The machine settings are different for each item and must be adjusted with each order. The greater part of the setup fee is charged for the amount of time and the labour involved in setting up a machine. A setup takes approximately 45-60 minutes in all branding departments, except for screen and pad printing where it can take 45-60 minutes for each colour being branded. In embroidery, because the artwork has already been digitised from the first order, we do not charge a full set up fee. We only charge for the labour involved in setting up the machine.

If a logo is the same colour but going on different colour items, then only one setup is charged. When we change print colour we have to set up the machine again. For instance, when screen printing, once we print the logo in the first colour, we have to take the screen off the machine, clean off all the ink and then set the machine up again before we print the logo in another colour.

Normal branding prices plus an additional personalisation fee per item apply. The additional charge is necessary because extra time needs to be taken when personalising items to ensure that all the items have the correct names and that there are no duplicates. If you are doing personalisation in embroidery, each name needs to be digitised. The fee covers the extra labour.

When an order is collected and taken off Izipho’s premises, we no longer have control over the stock and therefore cannot confidently put the stock back for resale without carefully inspecting it first. This is a very time consuming process and involves a lot of labour as the order needs to be unpacked, thoroughly checked and then put back into stock. The return of goods, once collected from Izipho, is only permitted at Management’s discretion. For full information, please see our terms and conditions on our website.