Voices | Solutions Where To Begin Industry pros are quick to share expertise, insights and opinions on all things promo. Amid this batch of answered questions, one distributor explains how those new to the industry should think about their work. compiled by Kristina Valdez Q A Distributor Asks: We all know how much our clients spend to put their brand out there. How many of you wear other brands for free? Do you wear top brand names to just wear it? I will wear a blank product if I can sell it, but I will not wear a logo from a client. It’s too likely to be offputting to another client or prospect, especially if they are in the same industry. Years ago, I sold a large order of Ashworth Vests that way. The one I was wearing was blank. In addition, I will never go to a client using a bag or purse that I cannot sell to them. It does not have to be branded, but when they complement the item and ask where to get it, I want to be able to tell them from me, not send them to a local retail store. Even when specifically going to see a client, I wear what I like and of high quality, and that is not logo T-shirts, quarter zips, etc. I am still old-fashioned and dress like I am going to see a client – professionally, no sneakers, jeans or polo shirts, and certainly not T-shirts, etc. ANNE KLEINMAN President Ad Infinitum Lawrence, New York PPAI 139347, D2 Q A Distributor Asks: When a client pays for a file to be digitized for embroidery, should that client have access to that file since they paid for it? I am a freelance graphic designer, but I’ve never digitized anything personally. We have vendors do that for us. We have files created and the cost figured into the first order they place with the logo. (File creation is free, but there is a small markup on the sell per item to compensate for a slightly higher setup charge.) We keep files locally and in cloud storage for future use. I have many times asked decorators if they can send us the files they’ve created for our clients so we can hang onto them locally before the standard two-year art reorder time limit is up, and I’ve never had one refuse. In six years of working in the industry, I’ve had a client ask for their embroidery files maybe twice or three times. It seems courteous to provide the files, as it’s their logo and they pay for the service. SARAH PALUMBO Sales Assistant HALO Clyde, Ohio PPAI 786073, D3 In six years of working in the industry, I’ve had a client ask for their embroidery files maybe twice or three times. —Sarah Palumbo MJgraphics / Shutterstock.com 30 • JANUARY 2023 • PPAI
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