Project Guidelines

Last updated: September 4, 2026

Every custom merchandise project is a little different. Products, artwork, decoration, quantities, and production requirements all affect how a project comes together.

You do not need to figure all of that out before contacting DarkPoint. Bring us what you have and tell us what you are trying to create. We'll help determine what the project requires before production begins.

Artwork

If you have artwork, send us the best version available. Vector artwork is preferred when available, but it is not required to start a project.

Logos, illustrations, high-resolution images, reference files, brand assets, and existing designs can all be useful starting points. Final artwork requirements depend on the product and decoration method being used.

Before production, artwork must be suitable for the selected decoration process. If a file needs adjustment, cleanup, conversion, or other preparation, we'll let you know.

Artwork Quality

Low-resolution images, screenshots, compressed graphics, and artwork pulled from websites may not reproduce well at production size. Having a file that looks good on a screen does not necessarily mean it is ready for production.

We review artwork in the context of the product and decoration method. In some cases we can prepare an existing file for production. In others, new or higher-quality artwork may be required.

Artwork Rights

By providing artwork, logos, names, trademarks, photographs, or other content to DarkPoint, you confirm that you have the right or authorization to use that material for the requested merchandise.

DarkPoint may decline to reproduce artwork or other material when ownership, authorization, production suitability, or other circumstances create a concern.

Product Selection

We work with a focused selection of products, brands, suppliers, and manufacturing partners. We do not expect you to search through thousands of catalog items before starting a project.

Tell us who the merchandise is for, how it will be used, what matters about the finished product, and any budget or timing requirements. We'll help identify products that make sense for the project.

Customer-Supplied Merchandise

DarkPoint does not decorate customer-supplied apparel or merchandise.

Products used for DarkPoint projects must be sourced through DarkPoint or an approved production partner. This allows us to verify product specifications, decoration compatibility, availability, and replacement options before production begins.

Decoration involves production risk. An item can occasionally be damaged, misprinted, or otherwise lost during production. When DarkPoint supplies the product, we can manage that risk and source an appropriate replacement. With customer-supplied merchandise, an exact replacement may be unavailable, discontinued, purchased from a retail store, or significantly more expensive to replace.

We also cannot reliably verify how an unknown product will respond to heat, pressure, embroidery, adhesives, transfers, or other decoration processes. Sourcing the merchandise ourselves allows us to stand behind both the product and the finished work.

Minimum Quantities

DarkPoint does not use one minimum quantity for every project. Minimums depend on the product, decoration method, personalization, supplier requirements, and production process.

Some products and decoration methods work well in small quantities. Others require larger production runs or supplier minimums. We will confirm applicable minimum quantities before you commit to production.

Samples

Samples may be available when product selection, sizing, material, color, or construction needs to be evaluated before a larger order.

Sample availability, cost, decoration, and shipping depend on the product and project. A production sample may not always be practical or available before the full order is produced.

Proofs and Approvals

When a project requires artwork or production approval, review the proof carefully before approving it. Check artwork, spelling, names, numbers, colors, placement, quantities, and other project details that are shown for approval.

Production begins based on approved information. Changes requested after approval may affect pricing, production timing, or may no longer be possible once production has started.

Color

Colors can appear differently across monitors, phones, printed materials, fabrics, inks, threads, transfers, and other decoration materials. Digital proofs are intended to show artwork and placement and should not always be treated as exact physical color samples.

When color matching is important, let us know before production. The level of color matching available depends on the product, artwork, material, and decoration method.

Product Variations

Apparel and merchandise are manufactured products and may have normal variations between individual pieces, production runs, colors, materials, and sizes.

Decoration placement and appearance may also vary slightly from piece to piece because of product construction and the production process. We work within appropriate production tolerances for the selected product and decoration method.

Personalization

Names, numbers, locations, departments, titles, and other personalized information should be reviewed carefully before submission or approval.

DarkPoint produces personalization based on the information provided and approved for the order. Changes after personalized merchandise enters production may not be possible.

Quantities and Sizes

Final quantities, sizes, product selections, and personalization information should be confirmed before production begins.

Additional merchandise requested after production has started or after an order has been completed may be treated as a separate production run. Pricing, product availability, and decoration requirements may differ from the original order.

Product Availability

Product availability can change without notice. Apparel styles, colors, sizes, accessories, and specialty merchandise may be temporarily unavailable, discontinued, or replaced by a manufacturer or supplier.

If an approved product becomes unavailable before production, we'll work with you to determine an appropriate alternative or next step.

Production Timing

Production timing depends on the products, decoration methods, quantities, artwork, personalization, supplier availability, and other project requirements.

Any production timeline we provide assumes that required artwork, approvals, product selections, quantities, and other information are received when needed. Changes or delayed approvals may affect the schedule.

Rush Projects

If you have a firm deadline, tell us before the project begins. Rush production may be available for some projects but is not available for every product or decoration method.

We will not promise a production schedule that we do not reasonably believe we can meet.

Shipping

DarkPoint can ship completed merchandise to one destination, multiple locations, or individual recipients depending on the project.

Shipping costs and arrangements depend on the number of shipments, destinations, package requirements, and service selected. Shipping timelines are separate from production timelines and may be affected by the carrier after an order leaves our possession.

Changes After Production Begins

Custom merchandise is produced specifically for an order. Once products have been ordered, decorated, personalized, or otherwise committed to production, changes may result in additional costs or may no longer be possible.

If something changes, contact us as soon as possible and we'll determine what options are still available.

Questions Before You Order

If you are unsure about artwork, products, quantities, decoration, timing, or another part of your project, ask us before approving production. We'd rather answer the question before something is made than after.