Category: About Kwindie

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!

Why USA-Made Products Matter: A Sustainability and Economic Perspective

Posted on by Trini

The more we can buy and make locally, the better it is for both the planet and our economy. Here’s why local and USA-made products are so important for sustainability and economic growth.

Keeping Money in Our Economy

When we buy products made in the USA, we are directly contributing to our own economy. Money spent on local products stays within the community, circulating through local businesses, and creating jobs. This helps boost our workforce and strengthens our economic foundation. By choosing USA-made items, consumers encourage businesses to continue producing locally, which ultimately leads to more employment opportunities and better wages.

Supporting Local Jobs

Every product made in the USA means someone’s job—whether it’s in manufacturing, design, distribution, or logistics. By supporting local production, we create more jobs for our workforce, offering economic security and improving overall living standards.

Reducing Fossil Fuel Consumption

When products are made overseas, they often need to be shipped across vast distances to reach consumers, resulting in large carbon footprints. Air and sea freight require significant amounts of fossil fuels, contributing to climate change. By producing locally, we reduce the distance that products need to travel, which cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions and helps protect the planet. At Kwindie, we always consider transportation distances and their environmental impact when making sourcing decisions.

A Cyclical Relationship Between Sustainability and the Economy

One of the most exciting aspects of supporting USA-made and locally produced products is the way it creates a positive feedback loop between the economy and sustainability. As our economy grows and thrives, there is more money available to invest in sustainable initiatives—such as green energy, eco-friendly technologies, and more efficient manufacturing processes. This investment helps us transition toward a more sustainable future.

At the same time, as sustainable practices increase, they create more job opportunities in green technologies, renewable energy, and eco-conscious industries. This shift not only contributes to environmental health but also stimulates the economy by creating new sectors of work and reducing dependency on non-renewable resources. It’s a cycle where a stronger economy leads to more investments in sustainability, and more sustainable practices, in turn, boost the economy through job creation and technological advancements.

A Bonus: More Control Over Quality and Sustainability Standards

When products are made in the USA, we have more direct control over their sustainability and quality. As U.S. environmental standards continue to improve, manufacturing in the USA is increasingly held to higher sustainability standards, often surpassing those of overseas production. This also means that consumers can trust the quality and ethical practices behind the products they buy, knowing that the manufacturers must comply with U.S. environmental laws and regulations. As our economy strengthens, these standards will only get better, creating a positive cycle where economic growth drives greater environmental responsibility.

Striking a Balance Between Local and Global Manufacturing

At Kwindie, we believe that buying locally and supporting USA-made products are steps toward a more sustainable and economically prosperous future. While we understand that there are times when overseas production is necessary due to local limitations or customer budget constraints, we are committed to finding the best balance between local and global manufacturing to keep our economy strong and our planet safe. By making mindful choices and supporting USA-made products, we can all play a role in building a brighter future for our economy and the environment.

Get in touch to see how your next merch or website project can more positively impact the world around you!

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The Importance of Greener Websites: Building a more Sustainable Internet

Posted on by Trini

The internet may feel like an intangible space, but it has a very real environmental impact. Every website we visit, every file we upload, and every video we stream adds to the energy demand of data centers, networking infrastructure, and our devices. These processes generate a surprising amount of carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change. With the growth of the internet, it’s more important than ever to consider the environmental footprint of our online presence and explore ways to make our websites greener.

Why Are Websites Environmentally Unfriendly?

Every website relies on data centers to stay online and accessible 24/7. These data centers require large amounts of electricity to power servers and cooling systems to prevent overheating. Most data centers are still powered by non-renewable energy sources, meaning every click and download contributes to carbon emissions. Additionally, complex, media-heavy websites demand even more resources, from larger storage to increased data transfer, which further intensifies their environmental impact.

Developers often prioritize efficiency and performance, which means sustainability may not always be the primary focus. However, what makes your website run more efficiently and perform better often makes it greener as well.

How to Make Your Website Greener

Choose Green Web Hosting, but Don’t Stop There

Green hosting is a great start—by choosing a host that matches or offsets energy consumption with renewable sources, you’re making a positive impact. Providers like GreenGeeks, for example, purchase renewable energy credits that go beyond merely offsetting their data center’s energy use.

However, green hosting alone can’t address all the environmental impacts of a website. Websites are accessed on various devices with differing energy efficiencies, meaning you can’t fully control the “greenness” of the user’s situation. To make a website truly green, it’s important to focus on the elements you can control, like resource efficiency.

Optimize for Efficiency and Simplicity

Reducing your website’s energy demand starts with simplifying its design and content. Lightweight, efficient websites reduce data transfer and server load, requiring less energy to load and maintain. Here are a few strategies to consider:

  • Reduce Image Sizes and Compress Media: Optimized images and media files not only improve load times but also reduce the amount of data a user has to download. Tools like TinyPNG or online video compressors can help.
  • Limit Third-Party Scripts and Plugins: Third-party tools like analytics trackers or social media embeds increase page size and load time. Only use essential plugins and scripts, as each one requires additional resources to run.
  • Implement Lazy Loading: By loading images and content only as they appear on screen, you can save bandwidth and prevent unnecessary resource use, making the site faster and greener.

Choose Lightweight Themes

Themes and templates that are optimized for speed often have fewer lines of code, which reduces the resources needed to render a page. Lightweight themes with clean, optimized code and minimal bloat can significantly decrease server load and improve performance. Avoid overloading your site with features you don’t need; simpler code is usually greener code.

Use Caching to Reduce Server Requests

Caching stores static versions of your web pages, so the server doesn’t have to regenerate content for each visitor. This reduces server load and speeds up the user experience while saving energy by limiting the number of data requests. Enabling caching is a simple step toward a greener site.

Encourage Sustainable User Behavior

While you can’t control users’ device efficiency or browsing habits, you can guide them toward more sustainable use of your site. For example, offer downloadable documents as compressed files and avoid auto-playing media. Every little bit helps in reducing energy usage.

Every Website Has an Environmental Impact

Even with the greenest hosting and the most optimized website, your site will still create some environmental impact. This is because data transfer relies on a network infrastructure of servers, routers, devices, and cables around the world, most of which are out of your control.

However, by making your website as efficient and lightweight as possible, you can help minimize this impact. Think of green web practices as a way to reduce waste and save energy at every possible step.

Building a Greener Internet Together

Green websites are a growing movement in response to the environmental demands of our digital age. While we can’t fully eliminate the impact of our websites, we can certainly reduce it. By combining green hosting with efficient design practices, we’re moving toward a more sustainable internet—one that benefits not just our businesses, but the planet as well.

Kwindie builds websites with an ever-increasing mindfulness of their environmental impact. Every project is an opportunity to implement more efficient, greener practices, helping us all contribute to a more sustainable future for the web. If you’re ready to start your website project, click here!

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Kwindie now uses 300% green hosting for all websites through GreenGeeks

Posted on by Trini

Kwindie has officially moved to eco-friendly hosting with GreenGeeks! By switching, we’re taking an important step toward sustainability and supporting renewable energy initiatives in the web hosting industry. 

Why Green Hosting?

The internet’s demand for energy is massive, with traditional hosting companies relying heavily on fossil fuels to power and cool their data centers. This results in significant carbon emissions and a substantial environmental impact. GreenGeeks, however, takes a different approach to hosting by focusing on sustainability at every step.

How GreenGeeks Reduces Environmental Impact

  1. Efficient Data Centers: GreenGeeks uses state-of-the-art, energy-efficient hardware and infrastructure to reduce overall power consumption. Their data centers operate with lower energy demand compared to conventional setups with processes in place such as low-energy lighting, efficient cooling methods, and recycling of electronic waste. 

  2. 300% Renewable Energy Matching: For every unit of power consumed by their already efficient servers, GreenGeeks purchases three times that amount in renewable energy credits (RECs). This offsets the carbon footprint of their data centers, helping to put clean energy back into the grid and reducing reliance on non-renewable sources.

  3. Carbon Reduction through Tree Planting Programs: GreenGeeks participates in reforestation and carbon offset initiatives; for every hosting plan purchased, GreenGeeks plants one tree to help reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

How Will This Change Affect You?

All websites hosted with Kwindie have already been transferred to their new host. In terms of service, nothing will change for you—your website’s performance, speed, and reliability will remain top-notch (and may even improve). However, you now have the option to add a Green Hosting Badge to your website if you choose. This badge links directly to a GreenGeeks verification page, confirming that the website is hosted on a green server and explaining a bit about the environmental commitment behind this choice.

Here’s an example of what the badge can look like:

More options are available to match the look and feel of your specific website; choose yours here!

Thank you for your participation in a greener web!

By switching to GreenGeeks, all Kwindie customers are now contributing to a cleaner future. We’re excited about this change and are here to answer any questions you may have about what green hosting means for your website.

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Transparency from Sustainable Businesses (Kwindie’s Sustainability Policies and Goals)

Posted on by Trini

Sustainability is defined as “the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level”, and in the case of environmentalism, “conserving an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources”.

With this in mind, most would agree that a sustainable product is:

  1. Not made of, packed in, or transported by non-renewable resources.
  2. Not use an excessive amount of water to manufacture.
  3. Not use toxic or destructive farming processes in its manufacture.

A fully sustainable business would only produce and sell products which meet these standards, and all of its practices and processes would have no environmental impact. While businesses can work toward this standard, the reality is that currently even the most sustainable businesses are unable to remove all environmental impact from their operations.

This is why it is so important for businesses to be transparent around their efforts toward sustainability, their current ability, and their goals for future development.

Kwindie’s Sustainability Policies and Goals

Current Processes and Policies

Low-carbon website hosting

Kwindie currently uses InMotion Hosting for all Kwindie and customer websites. Find more information about their green data servers here and here.

“Reduce first” policy

“Reduce, reuse, recycle” is in that order for a reason. The most important thing businesses can do to mitigate our impact on the environment is to reduce our consumption of physical materials. Kwindie reduces waste by keeping business virtual, only using physical office supplies when absolutely necessary. Features like paperless billing and online payments reduce paper usage and have allowed Kwindie to be in operation its entire existence so far without purchasing a printer.

Recycling policy

Any recyclable waste generated is recycled appropriately, and compost is utilized to reduce methane emissions from landfills.

Solar powered operations

Installed and portable solar panels allow Kwindie operations to be run almost entirely on solar power.

Remote operations

As a home based business, Kwindie has no transportation associated with daily operations.

Local manufacturing

Using manufacturers and suppliers located close to the end customer’s location reduces greenhouse gasses used in transportation (shipping).

Eco-conscious offerings

Kwindie offers eco-friendly product options to customers (in addition to the conventional products requested) where such options exist. While many customers still choose the conventional option (primarily due to price), offering alternatives increases the chances of a customer choosing a more sustainable option, even when they may not have considered requesting this.

Goals

Short term:

  • Website hosting run entirely off of alternative energy sources
  • Plastic-free packaging
  • Work primarily with brands, manufacturers, suppliers, and decorators which have sustainability information available to customers (and which appear to be genuine)
  • Applying for the Certified Leaders in Sustainability certification from Clackamas County

Long term:

  • Work only with brands, manufacturers, suppliers, and decorators which have been thoroughly verified as genuinely sustainable (according to current technological advances).
  • Offer only eco-friendly product options to customers.
  • Ultimately have full control over the supply chain in order to make every step of the process as sustainable as possible, including fully electric trucking transportation (charged with renewable energy), working with farmers to establish more soil friendly farming practices for raw materials, and being at the forefront of work toward less harmful decoration options.

Ever Evolving Information

We learn more every year about our environmental impact on the planet, and steps we can take toward mitigating that impact. Currently, there is not infrastructure and technology in place to allow for any business or individual to be 100% sustainable. This may not always be the case! Research is ongoing, and what we know now as the most sustainable practices may not be in the future. Kwindie strives to be flexible, and will update these guidelines and goals as available information changes.

Every Little Bit Helps

Kwindie is a small company that believes that small steps are important on the path to overall lowered environmental impact. See https://kwindie.com/values/ for up-to-date information, and subscribe to the email list for update notifications.

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Exploring the Power of Print on Demand: Choosing the right fulfillment partner for your online store (Printful vs. TPOP)

Posted on by Trini

Print on demand (POD) has transformed the way businesses approach product creation and sales. Unlike the traditional bulk order model, where you invest upfront in large quantities of inventory, POD allows you to print items only as customers order them. While POD tends to be more expensive per-item and have less product variety than bulk runs, this strategy offers several key advantages:

      • Cost-Efficiency: POD eliminates the need for large upfront investments, allowing business to begin without initial capital, and reducing the financial risk associated with unsold inventory. 

      • Inventory Management: Products are produced and shipped automatically by the fulfillment partner, freeing you from the logistical challenges (and storage cost) of managing stock. 

      • Product Testing: POD provides an excellent platform for testing new designs and products before committing to bulk orders. This way, you can gauge customer interest and fine-tune your offerings based on real-time sales data.

      • Fully Automated Process: Seamless integration between your online store and fulfillment partners ensures that orders are automatically processed, leaving you with more time to focus on customer engagement and marketing.

      • Sustainable by Default: because it limits overproduction, POD is naturally less wasteful than bulk runs in general. 

    So! You’ve decided to add Print on Demand items to your store. Which POD fulfillment company should you choose? Let’s discuss the benefits and drawbacks of two of my personal favorites; Printful and TPOP. 

     

    Use: heading "PRINTFUL". Printful logo (3 triangles overlayed like mountains, in beige, red, and blue, to the left of the word "PRINTFUL" in all black capital letters).

    Pros:

        1. Wide Distribution Network: With production locations globally, Printful ensures that orders are produced and shipped from the nearest facility to the buyer, reducing shipping time and environmental impact.

        1. Extensive Product Catalog: Printful boasts a diverse range of products, including apparel, accessories, and home goods, offering various decoration methods for each. 

        1. Seamless Extensive Integration: Printful integrates seamlessly with many ecommerce platforms, managing real-time inventory updates and out-of-stock notifications effortlessly.

        1. Flexible Branding Options: Printful is a white label company, using shipping labels and other packaging customized with your store logo. The ability to include “pack-ins” like business cards or thank you notes enhances the unboxing experience for customers, and some products are available with tags customized with your logo. 

      Cons:

          1. Varied Fulfillment Times: Not all products are available at every location, leading to longer wait times for certain items.

          1. Sustainability: Printful offers some products made of sustainable materials, however this is not the main focus of the company, and research into each product is required if sustainability is important to you. Printful is making strides toward using less plastic in their packaging, however as of this posting they have not completely removed it. 

         

        Use: heading "TPOP". TPOP logo (black lowercase letters "tpop" with teal leaves coming off the top left of the "o").

        Pros:

            1. Sustainability Pioneers: TPOP’s commitment to sustainable practices and anti-plastic stance sets them apart, making them an ideal choice for eco-conscious businesses.

                 

                  1. Their product offerings are entirely made from organic cotton, post-consumer recycled polyester, and transitional “cotton in conversion” (helping farmers transition fields from conventional to organic). 

                  1. They use only water-based inks, which are “100% eco-certified by OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT and by the very serious GOTS 5.0 label, and are vegan”.

                  1. Their packaging is 100% plastic free!

                  1. For more details on TPOP’s sustainability, check out their environmental commitments page: LINK

              1. Dedicated White Labeling: With no manufacturer labels in any of their products, all tags are fully customized with your brand. All packaging is also customized with your logo, and some pack-in options are available. 

            Cons:

                1. Single Warehouse Location: All TPOP products ship from France, which can result in longer shipping times to the US, and slightly higher shipping costs. 

                1. Limited Catalog: Because TPOP’s catalog is intentionally curated for quality and sustainability, it doesn’t offer as many options as other POD companies. For stores which want a lot of variety of products, this may be a drawback for you. 

               

              The choice is yours!

              The world of print on demand offers an innovative and flexible approach to e-commerce, empowering businesses to adapt, experiment, and thrive in the digital age. Whether you opt for the extensive catalog and global reach of Printful or the sustainability-focused offerings of TPOP, your choice of fulfillment partner should align with your brand’s values, target audience, and product line.

              Remember, the decision doesn’t have to be binary – a strategic blend of both Printful and TPOP could provide a comprehensive range of products that cater to diverse customer preferences. As you embark on your print on demand journey, make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and ethos, and watch as your online store flourishes in the dynamic world of e-commerce.

              Interested in an online store?​

              Kwindie can set up and manage
              your store quickly and easily.

              LEARN MORE

              Want to set up a store yourself? Click this affiliate link to sign up with Printful (thank you for your support), and this link to sign up for TPOP (not an affiliate link).

              The Impact of Revenue Outflow on Local Economies and Beyond

              Posted on by Trini

              In an increasingly interconnected global economy, the flow of revenue across borders has become an integral part of trade and commerce. While this cross-border exchange brings numerous benefits, it’s essential to consider the potential ripple effects that can result from revenue being redirected outside neighborhood and national boundaries.

              A Tenuous Supply Chain Web

              One of the consequences of revenue redirection is the vulnerability it can create within supply chains. When businesses heavily depend on imports from other countries, disruptions in the global flow of goods can lead to supply chain bottlenecks. International turmoil, such as geopolitical conflicts or natural disasters, can disrupt the seamless movement of products, causing delays, shortages, and financial losses.

              For instance, imagine a business heavily reliant on a foreign supplier for a critical component of its product. If that supplier faces sudden challenges due to unforeseen events, the domino effect could quickly disrupt the entire production process, impacting not only that business but potentially others down the line.

              Environmental Costs on a Global Scale

              Revenue redirection can also have significant environmental implications. When products are manufactured overseas and transported across continents, the carbon footprint of these processes increases substantially. Long shipping routes, fueled by fossil fuels, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change and environmental degradation.

              Furthermore, lax environmental regulations in some countries might result in practices that harm the environment, but due to the geographical separation, consumers in the importing country may remain unaware of the environmental toll of their purchases.

              Job Losses Close to Home

              The redirection of revenue beyond borders can have far-reaching consequences for local economies and job markets. When consumers consistently choose foreign-made products over locally-produced ones, it can lead to decreased demand for domestic goods and services. Consequently, domestic businesses may struggle to maintain a competitive edge, potentially leading to job cuts or even business closures.

              Moreover, as revenue flows out of a country, the potential for job creation within the local economy diminishes. Economic activity and job opportunities are closely intertwined; when funds are consistently funneled elsewhere, local communities lose the chance to flourish and thrive.

              The Call for Hyperlocal Spending

              Amidst these challenges, the concept of hyperlocal spending emerges as a compelling solution. By consciously directing a portion of our consumer spending towards local businesses, we can effectively mitigate the adverse effects of revenue redirection. Supporting local businesses not only bolsters regional economies but also fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility.

              Hyperlocal spending also reduces the environmental impact associated with long-distance transportation and encourages the growth of sustainable practices within a community. Additionally, when we choose local products and services, we contribute to the preservation and creation of jobs on a domestic scale.

              A Shift in Mindset and Action

              In a world where economic boundaries are increasingly porous, it’s essential to recognize that our choices as consumers extend far beyond our immediate purchase. Each dollar spent has the potential to shape supply chains, impact the environment, and influence job markets—not just locally, but globally.

              As we consider the interconnectedness of the modern economy, let us embrace a mindset of conscious consumerism. By supporting local businesses and promoting hyperlocal spending, we can collectively address the challenges posed by revenue redirection, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, lessen environmental harm, and contribute to the vitality of our communities.

              Setting up a custom store for ongoing order fulfilment

              Posted on by Trini

              This post is geared toward ordering systems which involve individual orders taken over time and fulfilled on-demand. If your group is placing an order altogether and being shipped to a single location all at the same time, please click here.

              Wouldn’t it be lovely to be able to set up an online store where your group, audience, or customers can select and pay for merch, input their address to ship to, and have their order produced on demand and shipped the them quickly? It is possible! These shops are easy to set up and manage, and can be left open ongoingly to allow for long-term ordering as needed.

              There are several ecommerce platforms to choose from depending on the specifics of your project. Some charge a monthly fee while others charge a commission on each item sold. There is even an option that charges next to nothing in exchange for a banner ad at the top of your store. We will work together to choose the right one for your specific project.

              These print-on-demand shops can be set up only for DTG printing and embroidery.

              The process is simple. Choose the items you want to offer from options I will send to you. Send over or have me create your artwork. Set up your shop (I will do this part) on the platform we select together. Send your store link to your group or audience. Watch the orders come in.

              If you need any help with promotional materials to get the word out about your store, I am happy to create those as well. Please let me know!

              Stress free solutions to taking order details from individuals in a large group

              Posted on by Trini

              Throughout my years project managing large group orders, one of the most frustrating things for my customers can be tracking down the individuals in your group and getting them to choose which size they want to order (and any other relevant details). Fortunately, there are some things we can do to make it much less stressful. I will produce any required order-taking materials at no additional charge unless specified otherwise below.

              First, make sure you have your garments selected and artwork finalized. For more details on that, click here.

              All orders will be shipped to a single shipping address, and that point person will distribute the individual items to the group members. If you would like to set up a fulfilment situation (each person will have their selections shipped to a separate address), please see this post.

              Set a deadline

              Choose a deadline for taking orders, even if you don’t have an event date.
              Some guidelines:

              • Try to allow at least a week for people to place their orders. Two weeks is better.
              • If your group has meetings, try to allow for two meetings before the deadline.
              • If you have an event date, be sure to set the deadline for at least a week before your order needs to be finalized to meet your timeline.

              The above guidelines have been set assuming some people will still miss the deadline, and so allows for a few days or a week for last minute changes or procrastination.

              Select order-taking tools

              There are a lot of different ways to take and organize orders, depending on how technological you want to get, how large your group is, and how complicated your order is. With all of these options, you can select prices that are higher than the cost of your order and any remainder can be kept or refunded as a fundraiser for your group.

              Shopify Store

              Setting up a Shopify store allows each group member to place and pay for their individual order online. The batch of orders will then be accessible so we can see the data and place the order according to the group’s selections.

              Shopify does charge a fee, depending on the complexity of the store. Please enquire for a custom quote.

              Google Forms

              Google Forms allows for a survey page to be sent to each member of your group for free. Each person can send in their responses to questions we set up for them according to your project. The answers are accessible as a Google Sheets spreadsheet we can use to place the order with the decorator.

              Individual payments will need to be taken by one person (you or another volunteer) who will then deposit them into an account, and pay for the cost of the order in a single payment (via check or online invoice).

              Paper Forms

              The paper form method works especially well for groups that have in person meetings regularly. I can create a custom form which can be printed out in your required quantity and filled out quickly during a meeting, or taken home at one meeting, filled out, and returned at the next meeting along with payment.

              Individual payments will need to be taken by one person (you or another volunteer) who will then deposit them into an account, and pay for the cost of the order in a single payment (via check or online invoice).

              Make several loud announcements

              The only step remaining is to make sure everyone in the group knows about the deadline and order process! Write clear emails and send them out. If your group has meetings, combine this with announcements at as many meetings leading up to the deadline as possible. For schools or other groups involving children, send home a printed flyer with any details necessary (even if using a digital method of taking orders).

              That’s it!

              Wait for the orders to come in, and hold true to your deadlines. Check once the order deadline passes to make sure all group members are accounted for and follow up with any stragglers.