This general information only applies to the items available through "Alfa West" collections.
These terms will govern any orders placed with Alfa Instrument East; therefore we encourage you to read these terms prior to placing your order. By submitting an order to Alfa Instruments Mfg, you (also referred to below as the customer) are hereby agreeing to all the terms and conditions as set forth below. This agreement is in lieu of a written consent, and will be binding by both the customer and/or their representative(s).
Please submit an official Purchase Order with all necessary information for all orders. Once an order is placed, you will receive two faxes: 1) An order confirmation/Sales Invoice 2) Credit Card Authorization/Net Term Agreement For your convenience, an estimated "ship date" will also appear on the order confirmation. All forms must be reviewed and returned to proceed. If you do not receive these faxes within 24 hours, please feel free to contact us.
Guidelines for submitting artwork Requirements:
In order to correctly follow your custom imprint instructions and help prevent errors and omissions, we require that only final artwork and all pertinent information relating to your 'artwork' be sent TOGETHER as 'one' upload or in 'one' email.
Proofing WILL add several days to your production timeline. Production time will commence only after final signed proof approval is received. The first Paper-proof in black and white are available free of charge. Any changes made after the first paper proof will be charged at $10(V) per proof. This paper proof enables you to view the imprint, but it will not depict exact item or imprint colors nor will it illustrate the exact imprint size, as it is merely a computer-generated image. Virtual proofs if provided, are not intended to illustrate the exact color of the product or imprint as photography and computer screen properties will greatly influence the images viewed. See Pre-production sample paragraphs.
Although every effort will be made to prevent errors, (grammar, spelling and layout) we will not be responsible for any errors on an order that was proofed and approved by the customer or customer's representative. These errors will be corrected at the customer's sole expense. Paper proofs will generally not be provided for rush orders or re-orders.
We reserve the right to select an available type font style that closely matches the desired style; unless otherwise specified by the customer. Typesetting service is available at $20(g)
Normal production time is approx. 10 working days for most production processes from receipt of an Order, Artwork and Art approval by Alfa Instruments Mfg, Payment, Paper Proof approval (if provided) and Pre-Production Sample(if requested). Additional time will be required for decal production, more complicated artwork preparation, color matching and high quantity orders. If you have a specific "in-hands" date, please ensure that there is enough time before you opt for a "normal production" timeline.
We offer optional RUSH service at an additional charge (see individual items on the website for charges):
2-Day Rush Production
3-Day Rush Production
No Paper Proofs are offered for Rush Orders. Rush applies to one color/one location orders of normal catalog quantities based on current stock availability. Not all products in our catalog are available for rush service. Must verify stock availability and rush eligibility at time of purchase. Rush Production time begins after all approvals and payments have been received and does not include any shipping time.
2 Day Rush Service and 3 Day Rush Service pricing is indicated in the pricing grid for the items that have available rush service.
Rush applies to one color/one location orders of normal catalog quantities based on current stock availability. Not all products on this website or in our catalog are available for rush service. Distributor must pre-verify stock availability and rush eligibility at time of purchase.
Rush service is not available for certain production methods including: Decal, Debossing and Multi Color imprints.
Please see the below examples of rush order scheduling:
Example #1 : Purchase Order Received Tuesday May 25th at 10:40AM with 2 Day Rush pricing and specifications; All paperwork must be completed same day May 25th and ship date will be Thursday May 27th.
Example #2 : Purchase Order Received Tuesday May 25th at 4:00 PM(after 12 PM cut off) with 2 Day Rush pricing and specifications; All paperwork must be completed next day May 26th and ship date will be Friday May 28th.
See individual catalog pages and website for Set Up Charges, Run Charges and Minimum Imprint Quantities. Imprinted quantities apply per copy/logo/size. Re-Order Set Up Charge $25(g)/color/location as applicable (except sublimation)
Direct Print: standard screen print/pad print method and is preferred for single-color printing jobs on drinkware and most spot printing jobs on other products. Imprint areas provided are generally references for direct print imprint areas.
Decal Printing: enables us to recreate complex, multi-colored permanent images. Decal printing may also enable a larger imprint area. Most glass and ceramic drinkware jobs that require more than a one color imprint will be produced using the decal method. One color decal orders: add decal run charge $0.45(g) per location; Wraparound or second-side decal imprints: add $0.90(g) per item. Multi color decal orders: add $0.45(g) run charge per color and an additional $0.45(g) decal charge for a second side imprint. PMS matches cannot be guaranteed as resulting imprinted color(s) may change after the "firing" process. Please note: the decal application process is "manual" and variations in placements as well as slight irregularities are deemed acceptable and are not to be considered defective or damaged.
Laser Engraving: permanently engraves or etches artwork into the surface of the item and is offered on most metal key chains and optional for several other items.
Sublimation: allows for the transfer of 4 color process art and is offered on a few selected products as indicated. It is recommended that Sublimated Ceramic Mugs be hand washed only with warm soap and water for best results.
Debossing: permanently creates a logo impression into a vinyl or leather product by using a metal die heated to a high temperature and pressed into the item.
Exact PMS color matches are not available. We try to match your color selections as closely as possible using PMS numbers as a reference only, an exact match cannot be guaranteed. We offer a wide selection of Standard PMS colors at no charge that can be viewed on our website. PMS Charge for approx. match for other PMS colors: $25(g)/color.
For multi-color imprints produced with our CMYK 4 color decal process, a PMS match cannot be guaranteed as we do not use the Pantone process colors. We will do our best to approximate the PMS color requested but will not be responsible for variations in the PMS color matches for decal printing. PMS Charge for approx. match: $25(g)/color.
We will not bear any responsibility for any information missing on your PO or on your imprint instructions. In order to correctly follow your custom imprint instructions, we require that all pertinent information relating to your 'artwork' or 'logo' be sent TOGETHER as 'one' upload or in 'one' email. Therefore, if you send your logo in one email, and the text to be 'included' with the logo in another later email, we will NOT be responsible for matching the two together. Do not send multiple logos or artwork as we will not be responsible for picking the 'correct' artwork in this case.
Imprint colors must be carefully chosen. We recommend that you choose light color inks to be printed onto dark color items, as this provides more contrast. For example, we generally do not recommend a black imprint on a medium/dark blue item.
Please see the individual item pages for additional imprint color charges and capabilities. Generally additional colors will have both an additional run charge and additional set up charges. Please note that imprint size may change for a multi color imprint due to change in imprint method.
Due to "finite" imprint areas, we reserve the right to resize your logo in order to fit it into the imprint area of the item ordered. We generally enlarge your logo to fit our standard imprint area. However, if you specify that you want the imprint to be the same size as the submitted artwork/logo, (providing you request this imprint size on the order form as well as on the artwork file itself) we will comply, providing it does not exceed the maximum imprint area.
Preproduction Samples: $125(g) Preproduction sample charge for Sublimation and most Decal production; $50(g)/color for direct print production including pens, bags, etc. Any revisions or changes to the original instructions for any speculative samples will incur additional art, screen and sampling charges. These charges are non refundable. Ship dates will be adjusted based on the date of sample approval. Slight variance should be expected between sample proof and actual production due to the nature of different batching, ink, printing, firing and other conditions. Note that the inclusion of a pre-production sample will add to the turnaround time.
Random/blank samples is charged at EQP plus shipping. Random/blank samples will be shipped UPS Ground within 24-48 hours on most items. Distributors, please see website to order samples.
Samples confirmed before Noon Eastern Time will ship the same day. Samples submitted after 12:00pm will ship the next business day. Alfa Instruments does not guarantee ship dates on samples unless specified on po.
Products may differ in color, size, weight, or height, especially hand-made products such as ceramic, glass and soft good items that come from various overseas factories. The size and liquid capacity noted on each of our products is only an approximation and cannot be construed as the exact size or capacity.
Product colors may also differ from what is viewed on the website. Batches of product received may differ in color and specifications. Also, computer screens and image types will demonstrate a large variance in product color. Website images and virtual images are for demonstration purposes only and should not be considered exact.
Due to the nature of the production process, slight variations and imperfections in ceramic and glass wares are not considered flaws. Variations in raw materials, glazes, production equipment and firing temperatures may also result in variations of size, shape, glaze, color, pock marks, etc. These conditions are within acceptable industry standards and minor visual imperfections should not be considered as defective or flawed items.
If there are more strict color and specification requirements, we strongly recommend that you purchase a pre-production sample prior to your production run (see PRE-PRODUCITON SAMPLE).
Alfa Instruments East imprints their products with materials that comply with current US Food and Drug Administration guidelines for heavy metal standards. California does not recognize the Federal standards, choosing to enforce its own standards as defined in the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, often referred to as Prop 65. This legislation at this time applies only to California and does not ban any product. It simply requires either compliance with the California law or the use of individual product warning labels.
We have many products, primarily in the ceramic and glass category, which may require a warning label under California law. Most of our printing inks are non- toxic, however multi-color ceramic and glass decoration is done with ceramic inks that are fired at approximately 1200 degrees and may contain trace amounts of lead - especially in bright colors such as reds, purple and pink. This applies to multi- color imprints only and mainly in the decal process.
Alfa Instruments Mfg Proposition 65 Legal Notice and Disclaimer:
Proposition 65 requires that businesses notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm in the products they purchase. The warning label below will ensure compliance with California Proposition 65 requirements and can be affixed to the packaging of any item shipping to California at the request of the distributor. It is the distributor's responsibility to alert Alfa Instruments East in the Purchase Order if a label must be affixed to each product. We will do so at no charge. We have no way of knowing the final destination of an item and this responsibility lies solely with the distributor. We may affix the stickers with or without knowledge or consent even though the distributor bears the full responsibility for compliance.
Warning: The materials used as colored decorations on the exterior of this product contain lead and / or cadmium, chemicals known to the state of California to cause birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
Alfa Instrument East cannot use any 3rd party shipping account for the shipment of products. We will pre-pay and bill the shipping charges. Shipping Point: Miami, Florida. Under the terms of "FOB shipping point," title of the goods passes to the buyer at the shipping point. Alfa Instruments will not accept responsibility for any delays caused by the shipping company or consignee. Alfa Instruments will not be held responsible either in the event the customer is not available for delivery or the customer refuses delivery.
All shipments, unless otherwise specified, will be sent freight prepaid which include the cost of certain handling, fragile packaging and palletizing services. We strongly recommend using our carriers and discourage third party billing. If your own shipping carrier is required, fragile packaging charges ($6.25(g)/case for glass and ceramics) and/or pallet charges ($25(g)/pallet) will be added to your order (if applicable) and you will be responsible for filing any claims that may arise with your carrier. Also, for breakable goods and/or larger quantity orders, truck shipping is required to better protect the shipment.
Any fees subsequently charged back by carriers including large order inside deliveries, residential deliveries, redeliveries or other charges will be billable.
Split Shipments: First location is free; each additional location:$10.00(g) charge. Note: Case packs and weights are approximate and subject to change.
Important notice for our International Customers - Including Canada: Your local duties and/or taxes may be assessed upon delivery. These fees are NOT INCLUDED in your shipping estimates by Alfa Instruments Mfg. Therefore please consult your local Customs office to determine these charges. We are not responsible for these duties and/or taxes or any delays in international shipments. For most international shipment we will require that you produce your own labels and email a PDF of the labels to be printed and affixed to your order. Additional charges to process international shipments may apply.
We make every attempt to deliver the exact quantity ordered. However, due to manufacturing issues, "Direct Print" orders 288 pieces or less and all "Decal" orders are subject to 10% over-runs or under-runs. "Direct Print" orders over 288 pieces are subject to 5% over-runs or under-runs. Over/Under runs will be billed on our final invoice.
Travel mugs, sports bottles, as well as some glass products should only be hand washed. These products are not guaranteed to be dishwasher safe.
Once an order is in production, it cannot be cancelled. A cancellation charge of $25 plus all charges incurred prior to change or cancellation of an order will be invoiced accordingly. Changes to orders and cancellations must be in writing by fax and confirmed by Alfa Instruments Mfg. Factory will not be responsible should a duplicate shipment occur due to customer revising a Purchase Order without clearly referencing original P.O.
Note: NO CHANGES will be accepted on any Rush Orders or Re-orders already in production.
Please check your order immediately upon receipt. All claims must be reported via e-mail to the sales department within 15 calendar days upon receipt of goods. To submit a claim, attach a digital image to your email, depicting the problem at hand. If unable to provide a photograph, you may ship us 'in hands' samples of the products. If a reprint is deemed appropriate, the affected portion will be redone and shipped via ground service or a merchandise credit will be issued. If the quantity to be replaced is LESS than 10% of the entire order, we reserve the right to process an in-store credit for that amount rather than redoing that portion. All returns must have an RA# or will not be accepted.
Prices in our catalog are effective as of date of publication, however, any changes, higher or lower, will be shown on our website www.alfaline.com and these prices will prevail. All logos are the property of their respective companies.
We assume no responsibility for determining trademark's ownership; All liability of this nature rests solely with the customer. Logos in our catalog or on our website are for demonstration only. Catalog or web photography may not show true item colors due to lighting and publishing processes. Prices and specifications are subject to change.