What is In-House Decoration?
In-house decoration is defined as the process in which products are decorated by a distributor rather than by an outside partner, often referred to as a contract decorator. While many promotional product distributors rely on contract decorators for embroidery and screen printing, some companies operating on-demand company stores choose to bring decoration in-house to maintain full control.
This approach can include embroidery, screen printing, DTF, laser etching, UV printing, and paper printing. The advantages of this model are outlined below.
Advantages of In-House Decoration
- Control Over Timing – When decoration is managed in-house, greater control over production timelines is achieved. Orders can be prioritized as needed, and rush requests can be accommodated more easily. In contrast, contract decorators often manage multiple clients, which can result in delays that are outside your control.
- Flexibility for Small Runs – Greater flexibility is enabled with in-house decoration. Both single-piece orders and large production runs can be handled efficiently. This flexibility supports on-demand company store models and allows for more personalized service.
- Consistent Logo Quality – Higher consistency in logo application is typically maintained. Logos are set within the system to ensure accurate placement and appearance across approved products and colors. Multiple production checkpoints are often used to ensure quality standards are met. With contract decorators, speed is often prioritized due to volume-based compensation, which can impact quality.
- Improved Service – Service levels are often enhanced when decoration is handled internally. Samples and special requests can be processed more quickly. Quality issues can be identified and corrected before shipment, reducing the need for replacements and improving the overall customer experience.
- Cost Efficiency Over Time – Although a significant upfront investment is required, lower operational costs are often realized over time. This can support stronger service delivery and long-term customer relationships.
Why On-Demand Decoration Is Not Widely Adopted
- Not Always Necessary – For many companies, becoming a decorator is seen as complex and unnecessary. Strong partnerships with contract decorators allow distributors to focus on large orders while smaller orders are fulfilled through existing systems.
- High Complexity – On-demand company store platforms with integrated in-house production are not widely available as off-the-shelf solutions. Significant investment in technology, infrastructure, and equipment is typically required.
- High Initial Cost – The development of these systems and the purchase of equipment often require substantial financial investment. Many companies choose not to take on this level of commitment.
- Traditional Models Remain Effective – Traditional store models using pre-decorated inventory continue to perform well for many organizations. These models offer lower startup costs and simpler operational processes.
- Not a Core Focus – For many distributors, company stores are not the primary business focus. Instead, emphasis is placed on sourcing and fulfilling special orders, often supported by contract decorators.
Final Consideration
When evaluating an online company store provider, it is important to understand how decoration is handled. Whether products are pre-decorated and stored in inventory or produced on demand will impact cost, speed, and consistency.
Each approach has its advantages, and the right choice depends on your organization’s priorities and operational needs.
