Author: Trini

Order Finalization Guide (Order Summary Approval & Payment)

Posted on by Trini

Welcome to the Order Approval Guide!

Table of Contents

✍️ Step 1: Review & Sign Your Order Summary (Adobe Sign)

💳 Step 2: Submitting Your Invoice Payment

🎉 Completion & Record-keeping

When your order is ready for review, you will receive an email outlining your next steps and any applicable deadlines. 

To move a custom project into production on schedule, two quick steps are required:

  1. Review & Sign: Approve the Order Summary electronically via Adobe Acrobat Sign.
  2. Submit Payment: Securely pay the invoice online.

Note on Email Providers: The screenshot guide illustrates the interface for Gmail; other email providers (such as Outlook or Yahoo) may display threads and layouts slightly differently.

✍️ Step 1: Review & Sign Your Order Summary (Adobe Sign)

1.1 Open & Review the Order Summary

  • Open the signature request email from Adobe Acrobat Sign and click the blue “Review and sign” button; this will open the Order Summary in your web browser.
  • Review the entire multi-page Order Summary carefully!
    Read through all details including turn time/deadlines/in-hands dates, terms of service, shipping information, and project details.

1.2 Changes and Revisions

  • Do NOT sign the document if you notice any errors, or anything is not as you expected.
    Reply directly to Kwindie via email with the exact changes requested.
  • Kwindie will cancel the current contract; you will receive an email stating “Agreement Exchange Canceled” with the reason noted (i.e. “Changes requested; revised order summary will be coming shortly”).
  • Kwindie will revise the order summary and send an updated contract with all requested changes.

Finding Revised Sign Requests in Email Threads [N]

  • Many email clients group contract updates into a single email thread.
  • Scroll down to the most recent message to click the “Review and sign” button.

⚠️ Important: Always click the signature link in the newest message. Signature buttons in older, canceled messages will no longer work.

1.3 Fill & Sign

  • If all details on the order summary are correct, scroll to the formal authorization block. The page this is on will vary depending on your project type. Fill out all required details: 
    1. Full Name: Type your full name.
    2. Signature: Click the “Click to Sign” box to create or insert your electronic signature.
    3. Date: Confirm or select today’s date.
    4. Shipping & Contact Details: If applicable to your order and not previously provided, use the designated fields to enter your shipping address and phone number.

Important! Name Matching: The name signed on the order summary must match the name on the payment card. If the person paying is separate from the person approving the order details, please let us know so both names can be added to the order summary. The rest of the process remains identical, and Adobe Sign will automatically forward the document to the payer once the approver signs.

  • Submit Your Signature

    1. Once all required fields are filled, a white “Submit” button will appear in the bottom blue toolbar reading “Click submit to sign…”.
    2. Click “Submit” to finalize your signature.
    3. A confirmation screen will appear displaying: “You’re all set! You finished signing [Order Summary]”.

💳 Step 2: Submitting Your Invoice Payment

2.1 Access the Payment Screen

  • Click the invoice link from either:
    • The “next steps” email from Kwindie.
    • The green highlighted link below the signature line on your Order Summary.

2.2 Pay your invoice

  • Payment Amount: Choose “Pay in full” unless we have discussed otherwise.
  • Select Payment Method:
    • Bank Transfer (ACH/EFT): Preferred payment method for lower processing fees. Help keep prices low for everyone! 
    • Credit Card: Enter your card details manually.
    • Apple Pay: Fast one-touch checkout on supported devices.
  • Click the blue “Pay $_____” (total amount) button.

🎉 Completion & Recordkeeping

Once both your signature and payment are received, your project immediately moves into production! You may save copies for your records as follows:

Invoice & Receipt: Download your itemized invoice and receipt directly from the payment screen, or from the post-payment confirmation email sent to your inbox.

Order Summary: Download your fully executed order summary directly from the confirmation email sent to you immediately after signing.

A Guide to Custom Patches: Choosing the Right Style for Your Project

Posted on by Trini

When you’re designing custom patches for your business, team, or brand, choosing the right patch style is just as important as the artwork itself.

We’re always happy to offer professional recommendations based on your unique design and application. However, many customers ask for more details on each patch type. Understanding the strengths of each patch type is incredibly helpful during the creative process. When designers start with the final patch style in mind, they can tailor their artwork from the beginning to ensure a flawless final product.

Patch Types:

Embroidered Patches

Embroidered patches are the “original” or “classic” patch. Embroidery uses thick rayon or polyester threads and a specialized machine to sew your design onto a fabric background, creating a slightly raised, high-texture look and feel. (We avoid cotton threads because they break easily during production and break down much quicker over time).

Because of the thickness of the thread and the physical needlework required, certain design limitations apply. Lines should be thick and bold, and text should be a block font (or a font with very thick serifs) at a minimum height of 0.2” tall. Small details may lose a bit of sharpness or end up with slightly fuzzy edges.

Additionally, while color gradients are technically possible with embroidery, we generally advise against them. Blending thread colors to create a smooth fade is incredibly difficult, and the final result rarely matches the clean look customers expect.

Durability: Embroidery thread dye is naturally highly resistant to UV rays, so it strongly resists fading in direct sunlight. (Note: While highly UV-resistant, any textile will eventually show subtle fading if left in harsh, outdoor elements for years). Because it is our thickest option, it is also highly resistant to tearing and abrasion.

Best For:

  • Bold lines and solid colors
  • Block fonts
  • Designs requiring up to 15 solid colors
  • Workwear, heavy uniforms, and hats

Do Not Use For:

  • Gradients (fades from one color to another)
  • Small, intricate details and thin lines
  • Delicate script or fancy fonts
  • Outlined text (unless both the lettering and the outline are exceptionally large and bold)

Woven Patches

Woven patches were the next development in patch history. Instead of stitching a design on top of a heavy background fabric, woven patches are created by weaving thin, fine threads together to form both the background and the design simultaneously.

Because the threads are much thinner, woven patches excel at keeping small details and thin outlines looking incredibly sharp. However, because the threads run in a precise weave, exceptionally fine curves might reveal the subtle “grid” of the fabric up close, giving them a slightly digitized or pixelated appearance rather than a perfectly smooth line.

From a distance, a woven patch delivers the clean visual impact of embroidery, but up close, it offers a distinctively smooth, flat, low-profile feel. They are also lighter and more flexible, making them suitable to attach to performance apparel.

Durability: Woven patches use similar high-quality, fade-resistant threads as embroidery. However, because the threads are much thinner and more delicate, they stand up just a little bit less to rugged, high-friction use and heavy washing compared to their thick, embroidered counterparts.

Best For:

  • Small, intricate details and fine lines
  • Solid colors 
  • Fancy, seriffed, and detailed fonts
  • Designs requiring up to 15 colors
  • Lightweight apparel  and sportswear

Do Not Use For:

  • A classic, textured look and feel
  • Gradients

Sublimated Patches

Sublimated patches are the most recent innovation in patch technology. Instead of constructing an image out of thread, sublimation uses heat and pressure to bond digital ink directly to the molecules of a smooth, synthetic (usually polyester) fabric.

Printing the design allows for total artistic freedom and absolute control over your graphics. You can use smooth gradients, tiny details, and thin, decorative fonts. Sublimation can replicate hand drawings, watercolor illustrations, and photographs. 

Durability: Because the ink is infused into the top layer of the fabric rather than built from thick structural threads, sublimated patches are best suited for casual wear rather than heavy-duty work uniforms. Rest assured, your design won’t wash out in the laundry, but over extended periods of heavy use or exposure to direct sunlight, a printed patch will naturally show its age sooner than a stitched one.

Best For:

  • Small, intricate details and razor-thin lines
  • Fancy, complex, or heavily outlined fonts
  • Smooth gradients and color transitions
  • Replicating photos and detailed illustrations
  • Unlimited colors

Do Not Use For:

  • A classic, textured “raised” feel
  • Heavy-duty workwear or high-exposure outdoor gear

So which patch type do I choose?

Every patch style comes with unique artistic trade-offs. Because we are working with physical threads and textiles, some designs naturally translate better to one style over another. If you love the rich, tactile look of traditional embroidery, accepting a slightly softer edge on tiny details is part of that classic charm. If your application requires long periods of outdoor exposure, you may need to sacrifice some gradient or detailed elements of your design. 

Unsure which patch type suits your design and application best? Please send your artwork and any project details over to trini@kwindie.com, and we will give our professional recommendation.

The “Revision Round” Decoded: How We Perfect Your Design (Together)

Posted on by Trini

When you hire a professional designer, you aren’t just paying for a final file—you’re paying for a collaborative process. A huge part of that process is the Revision Round.

However, “revision” can be a vague term. To keep your project on track and your budget predictable, it helps to understand exactly what a revision round is, what it covers, and how to make the most of them.

What Exactly is a Revision Round?

Think of a revision round as a single cycle of feedback and refinement. It isn’t a single email; it’s a consolidated chapter of the project.

  1. The Hand-off: I deliver a draft of your design or website. 
  2. The Review: You and your team gather all your thoughts, critiques, and “can we try this?” ideas.
  3. The Implementation: I take that entire list and apply the changes in one focused work session.

By working in rounds, we ensure the design moves forward with purpose, rather than spinning in circles with “one more thing” emails.

What’s Included?

Standard revisions are all about refining the agreed-upon direction. Common adjustments include:

  • Typography: Swapping fonts or adjusting sizes and spacing.
  • Color Palette: Tweaking shades or applying your brand colors differently.
  • Copy Updates: Correcting typos or updating text blocks.
  • Asset Swaps: Changing out a photo or graphic for a similar, existing, alternative.
  • Element Adjustments: Moving a button, resizing a logo, or shifting a design element.

When Does a Revision Become an “Additional Charge”?

Revisions are for polishing the current idea. If we move away from the original plan, it falls under a New Creative Direction, and requires an additional custom quote.

Examples of new creative direction: 

  • You Pivot Strategy: Deciding a “vintage” design should now be “minimalist.”
  • We Re-design from Scratch: A complete restructuring of an asset or design element that requires building it again from the ground up.
  • The Scope Grows: Adding new pages or design elements that weren’t in the original agreement.

FAQ: Your Revision Questions Answered

Q: Can I purchase additional revision rounds? A: I typically include two rounds of revisions in my project quotes. Additional rounds of revisions can be purchased for 20% of the total project cost, as of the request date. 

Q: What if I need a complete redesign because I don’t like my original idea? A: This is completely fine and a normal part of the creative journey! However, it won’t fall within a standard revision round. It will require additional charges and adjustments to our completion dates so I can give the new direction the time it deserves.

Q: How can I make sure my team gets all their feedback consolidated? A: Communication is key! I recommend:

  • Set a Deadline: Give your team a specific date to submit all thoughts to you.
  • A “Single Source of Truth”: Use a live meeting to discuss everyone’s thoughts at once, or use a shared Google Drive version of the design where everyone can leave comments.
  • One Voice: Assign one person to consolidate and send the final list to me. This prevents conflicting requests and keeps the project organized. 

The Goal: A Result You Love

The revision round system is designed to give you plenty of space to find the perfect look while protecting your launch date. By being intentional with feedback, we can move through the design phase efficiently and get your new assets out into the world!

Year-End Sale — Save 15% on Merch, Websites & Graphic Design Black Friday Through New Year’s Eve! 🎉

Posted on by Trini

As we wind down 2025, I’m excited to bring back one of my most-loved annual traditions:
✨ A year-end holiday sale on custom merch and creative services!

From Black Friday through New Year’s Eve, enjoy 15% off products and services, including:

  • Custom merch & promotional products (like stickers, patches, banners, signage, pens, keychains…)
  • Apparel & apparel decoration (screen printing, embroidery, vinyl, DTF, sublimation)
  • Graphic design services (including logo design, brand refreshes, brand guideline docs)
  • Website design or update packages
  • And yes — new full websites!

Whether you’re ordering appreciation gifts for your customers or employees, planning ahead for 2026 or using up the last of your 2025 budget, this sale is meant to make your life easier, your funds stretch further, and your ideas come alive. 

“Save Now, Start Later” on Websites & Graphic Design

If you’re not ready to start your website or design project yet, you can still take advantage of the sale, and 2025 pricing!

Here’s how it works:

  • Reach out ASAP!
  • Give some basic details about your project 
  • Pay your discounted invoice by December 31st, 11:59pm Pacific Time
  • We start our collab anytime in January, February, or March 2026
  • No concepts needed today — just reserve your spot

📩 Ready to Start?

Send your project idea to trini@kwindie.com.

I can’t wait to help you wrap 2025 with something fun, smart, and uniquely yours.

FAQ

Your invoice must be paid by 11:59pm Pacific Time on 12/31/25. In order to receive your invoice in time, please reach out ASAP!

  • What types of projects are eligible for the discount? 
  • A new website for your 2026 relaunch
  • Updated product catalog or menu
  • Stickers, labels, or patches for your event
  • Team hoodies or shirts
  • New merch for festivals or club nights
  • A new logo or brand refresh
  • Website tune-up or SEO improvements
  • Reprints for your best-selling merch
  • If you’re not sure whether your idea qualifies… it probably does. Just ask 🙂

Ongoing website hosting and maintenance packages are not eligible for the discount.

“Save now, start later” for all website, online store, and graphic design projects. See more details here!

⚠️ Fine Print & Terms

Please read these Terms & Conditions carefully! Click to expand.

To receive the sale price, invoices must be fully paid by 11:59pm Pacific Time on December 31, 2025. Timely invoice creation depends on receiving your project details — please contact me early, as all inquiries are answered in the order received. Additional response time may apply around major holidays (check here for holiday closures). Refunds are not provided for client delays, non-communication, or failure to participate in the project.

Merch Projects

Once payment is received, merch orders move immediately into production. Your invoice and attached order summary serve as final approval. Refunds, reprints, and replacements are not available for any errors approved in that summary or for any reason after production has begun.

Website & Graphic Design Projects

Payment secures your discounted rate and 2025 pricing for the scope of work documented on your invoice. If additional complexity is discovered later, added work will be priced according to the most up-to-date rates at the time of billing.

A paid invoice does not reserve a project slot or completion date. Scheduling occurs after your initial consultation and once full project scope is confirmed. Projects are booked on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Save Now, Start Later” projects must begin in Q1 (January–March) 2026. Projects not started by April 1, 2026 will require updated pricing.

If a design or website project is canceled (by either party), refunds are issued only for work not yet completed. Credit card processing fees are non-refundable. Refunds are not provided for client delays, non-communication, or failure to participate in the project.

Exclusions

The sale does not apply to:
• Website hosting & maintenance plans
• Rush fees/expedited shipping
• 3rd-party costs

2025 Holiday Shipping Deadlines — Plan Ahead for On-Time Delivery

Posted on by Trini

Keep your holiday season joyful by ordering early! From now through the new year, shipping companies stop guaranteeing delivery times, factories extend production times, and products run low on inventory. The more you can plan ahead, the better. 

Below are the safe 2025 holiday order deadlines. These will get your orders to you before Christmas or New Year’s with standard ground shipping (included in your quote). 

If you’d like your order sooner, expedited shipping and production are available for an additional fee and can shave one to two weeks off production and delivery time.

⚠️ We are not responsible for carrier-related shipping delays.

🎁  Holiday Deadlines (Christmas & New Year’s 2025)

  • Screen Printing & Paper Products: Order by December 2, 2025
    This includes vinyl transfers, sublimation, DTF, and digital printing.
  • Embroidery: Order by November 25, 2025
  • Non-Apparel Promotional Products: Order by November 13, 2025
    I.e. pens, keychains, lanyards, patches, stickers.
  • Print-on-Demand: Order by November 20th, 2025
GET IN TOUCH

to place your order!

🕐 Last-Minute Orders?

These are conservative “safe” cutoffs for guaranteed delivery before the holidays.
If you’re running behind, contact us — we’ll do our best to make it happen!
Rush fees or expedited shipping charges may apply.

→ GET IN TOUCH to request a rush quote.

When is Kwindie open?

Posted on by Trini

Typical Business Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (closed on Wednesdays)
11am – 8pm (flexible)

Additional closures, holiday deadlines, and other important updates can be found on the 👉 Updates & Alerts page.

Response Time

All communications will be answered in the order they are received within 1-2 business days.

In order to focus fully on each project I’m currently working on, I often miss phone calls unless scheduled in advance. Please feel free to request an appointment if you would like to talk in real time! Once requested, I will quickly confirm the appointment or suggest a better time (this avoids double booking).

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

Appointments can sometimes be scheduled outside regular business hours; please email with your availability.

Understanding Tariffs: How Global Trade Changes May Affect Your Kwindie Orders

Posted on by Trini

With shifting global trade policies and the implementation of tariffs between the U.S. and foreign countries, uncertainty has grown. At Kwindie, we believe in transparency and keeping our customers informed about how these changes might impact their orders. This post will provide an overview of tariffs, their potential effects on our process, and what you can expect moving forward.

What is a Tariff and Who Pays for It?

A tariff is a tax imposed by a government on imported goods. It is designed to either generate revenue or protect domestic industries by making foreign goods more expensive. Tariffs are applied to imports, which may affect directly imported products, as well as products made primarily in the U.S. with some imported components. 

When an international order is shipped, tariffs must be paid before the goods are delivered. The responsibility for paying these tariffs depends on the shipping agreement:

  • Delivered Duty Paid (DDP): The supplier pays all tariff costs before shipping, preventing additional charges upon delivery.
  • Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) or Delivered at Place (DAP): The recipient (you, the customer) is responsible for paying tariffs upon delivery.

How Will Tariffs Influence Pricing?

We have coordinated with all suppliers to ship orders with tariffs pre-paid (DDP) whenever possible. This means that, in most cases, there will be no unexpected fees upon delivery. However, due to the fluid nature of tariff regulations and enforcement, there may be instances where additional charges arise after your order is placed.

  • If customs imposes an unexpected charge upon delivery, please pay the charge first to avoid shipping delays.
  • Then, contact Kwindie so we can address the issue with our suppliers and make any necessary adjustments moving forward.

At Kwindie, we prioritize simplicity for our customers. Our pricing model consolidates setup fees, shipping, artwork, and other costs into a straightforward per-item price. Our goal is to absorb increased tariff costs within this model, but some additional charges may be unavoidable as policies evolve.

How U.S.-Made Goods May Be Affected

U.S.-made goods are generally less impacted by tariffs—but only if they are 100% domestically sourced, including materials grown and processed within the United States. Many products labeled “Made in the USA” still rely on imported raw materials or components, which could be subject to tariffs.

Additionally, tariffs on general-use materials (such as oil and other raw materials) can indirectly impact U.S. manufacturing costs as factories pay for things not directly related to the manufacture of goods, such as electricity.

How Will Tariffs Influence Kwindie Operations?

The only operational change at Kwindie due to tariff fluctuations is our quote validity period. Previously, quotes were locked in for 30 days; now, they will be valid for 7 days to ensure pricing remains accurate in a rapidly changing environment.

How Will Tariffs Influence Turn Time?

Production and shipping times are not expected to change. However, it is advisable to allow for potential delays at customs or border clearance. While we are working with our suppliers to minimize these issues, unforeseen slowdowns could occur.

Conclusion

We appreciate your patience as we navigate these changes. Our commitment to transparency means we will update our customers on any significant developments. For ongoing updates, please subscribe to our blog and stay informed about how these policies may impact your orders. Thank you for your continued support!

New Year’s Sale!

Posted on by Trini

Get 10% off orders placed before January 1st!

Take advantage of this discount for holiday gifts or to get any last-minute expenses purchased before the end of the fiscal year. 

Discount applies to all products offered by Kwindie; merch, graphic design, websites, and online stores. If you’ve been sitting on an idea, now might be the time to make it happen! 

Be sure to check out the Holiday Deadlines post if you have an event. Early ordering reduces holiday stress. 

Excludes projects priced by price match and items already on sale. Independent Kwindie subdomain stores may or may not participate in the sale. 

2024 Holiday Deadlines – Christmas and New Years

Posted on by Trini

Plan ahead to ensure your orders arrive on time for Christmas and New Year’s! 

Below are the safe deadlines for guaranteed delivery using our local courier shipping service (available for an additional charge). The usual included standard shipping is still an option, but you’ll need to add 1-2 weeks to account for holiday shipping delays. 

⚠️ Note: We are not responsible for any shipping delays caused by carriers.

Christmas Deadlines:

  • Screen Printing & Vinyl: Order by December 9th
  • Embroidery: Order by December 2nd
  • Miscellaneous Merch Items (pens, keychains, etc.): Order by November 20th
  • Paper Products (cards, posters, etc.): Order by December 11th
  • Print-on-Demand: Add 1 extra week to the time listed on the product page.

New Year’s Deadlines:

  • Screen Printing & Vinyl Printing: Order by December 11th
  • Embroidery: Order by December 4th
  • Miscellaneous Merch Items: Order by November 24th
  • Paper Products: Order by December 18th
  • Print-on-Demand: Add 1 extra week to the time listed on the product page for production delays.

Last-Minute Orders?

The deadlines listed are “safe” deadlines to guarantee timely delivery, but if you’d like to place an order closer to the holiday, please reach out! Rush fees may apply, but we’ll do our best to make it happen.

GET IN TOUCH

to place your order!