Ordering Custom Merch & POSM Checklist

At MVIA, we help brands come up with perfect merch & POSM. It doesn’t matter where they stand in their creative process:
 

• Some have a rough idea of what items they want.
• Some pass the torch to us and want us to surprise them with our creativity.
• Others prefer to talk things through and shape their portfolio with us.

 

All of these approaches are perfectly fine. Our role isn't just to "take an order" — it’s to guide you, consult with you, offer options and turn a very loose brief into perfectly tailored merch and POSM for you. Even if you don’t know basic details yet (like quantity). That’s exactly what we’re here for. 

 

That’s why this checklist isn’t a list of rigid requirements. Think of it as a roadmap of the conversations we’ll have together so you know exactly what to expect.

1. Brand Guidelines

Your brand manual is the one thing that helps us create merch and POSM that truly matches your brand. It tells us all we need to know about your visual DNA, for example:

 

• logo usage & variations
• colours (Pantone or other brand palettes)
• typography
• visual style
• dos & don’ts
• tone & personality

 

Usually, brand guidelines answer 90% of our questions before we even ask them.

 

But what if you don’t have a brand manual? Don’t worry, we can work with that, too. If your brand is still evolving, don't sweat it. A link to your website, a look at your latest ad campaign, or just a vector file of your logo (.ai or .pdf) is enough for us to start building a concept.
 

2. Quantity

Most of our clients don’t have a number in mind when they first reach out. That’s because quantity is often tied to price. We can help you determine the right volume – based on your budget, goals, and production options.

 

Instead of demanding a fixed number of items, we work with estimates. Once we get the initial pricing estimates from our manufacturers, we’ll present you with quantity tiers. These tiers show you exactly where the price breaks happen, helping you reach the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) more efficiently.

 

In Short: You don’t need an exact number to start. We’ll guide you toward the most cost-effective volume for your budget.

3. Deadlines

Deadlines in procurement can be tricky and we know how hard it is to work along something that’s constantly changing or is unclear. That’s why we believe in radical transparency.

 

Tell us when you need the goods, and we’ll do our best to make it happen.

 

If a deadline isn’t realistic, we’ll always let you know openly and suggest suitable alternatives — like simplified design, faster production method, or a different material.

 

A lot of our clients (mostly the global ones) work with ordering/buying windows – having a defined period when all their locations place orders at once. This tells us exactly when we need to design the items, approve them and prepare for production.

 

But we also handle ad-hoc projects. It could be specific merch and/or POSM for:

 

• one brand,
• one product,
• one country or region,
• or a small campaign you want to test.

 

In Short: When handling deadlines, transparency is the key to the kingdom. Aligning your needs with manufacturing possibilities is the ultimate goal.
 

4. Target Price

You don’t need to be a merch pricing expert — that’s what we’re here for. Having a target price helps us narrow down material choices, but it’s absolutely okay if you’re not sure what a custom-branded eco-hoodie should cost.

 

Our process is collaborative:

 

1. You share the general direction.
2. We get production quotes and present you with options.
3. If the first quote is too high, we suggest smart alternatives (different materials or simplified designs) to bring the cost down without sacrificing the vibe.

 

Our goal is always the same – to stay as close as possible to your vision while keeping the product affordable and realistic.
 

5. Materials & Packaging

Most of what we need to know about design direction is set in stone your brand manual. If you have specific material preferences that aren’t in your brandbook, feel free to mention them. In regard to materials, clients often have specific needs related to sustainability, labeling and/or production location.
 

The sustainability factor: At MVIA, we proactively offer recycled or recyclable options whenever it makes sense for the project. If ESG is a pillar of your brand, we’ll help you translate that into the product. And we suggest alternatives in case your project or budget doesn’t allow the greenest possible option. We’ll walk you through the possibilities so you can make an informed choice that feels right for your brand.
 

A common question we get is whether to produce locally or overseas (e.g., Europe vs. Asia). While you might prefer a specific region, the reality is usually determined by three things: the material, the required technology, and your timeline.

Turning Ideas into Products

The more information you give us, the better we tailor your merch and POSM to your brand. That said, you absolutely don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out.

Whether you have a 50-page strategy or just a rough feeling of what you want to create, we’re here to guide you through every step. Send us whatever you have and we’ll take it from there.