How to evaluate a merch supplier

Category overview

We offer a wide range of branded merch in this category:

• references
• certificates
• capacity
• AQL control
• communication
• ISDOC

Česko a EU kontext

Czech and EU context. Standard VAT 21% applies to merch in Česko — 12% for selected services, 0% for exports outside the EU. From January 2025 mandatory e-faktura (ISDOC) for all B2B transactions — full integration with client financial systems (SAP, Pohoda, Money S3, ABRA). Czech remains default on invoices and labels. ÚOOÚ requires GDPR + Personal Data Protection Act 101/2000 Coll. compliance. GOTS, GRS, FSC, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, EU Ecolabel honoured across the EU. references, certificates, capacity categories fall under these regulations.

Cenotvorba a rámce

Pricing and financial framework. We quote in CZK or EUR with 21% VAT. For enterprise clients framework agreements with volume discounts — from 5% at CZK 100,000 annually to 15% at CZK 1,000,000 annually. Proforma invoice 50% deposit + 50% before dispatch for new clients; payment terms 14-30 days for recurring B2B. SEPA bank transfers, payment cards via Stripe. Invoices in ISDOC format from January 2025 mandatory. For references, certificates, capacity categories the standard price tiers apply — 250-1,250 CZK net per piece for basic products, 1,250-5,000 CZK net for premium gifts.

Dodací lhůty

Lead time. Standard cycle for references, certificates, capacity — 5-8 working days. For extensive personalisation — 10-15 working days. For Asia imports — 8-12 weeks. During autumn season and pre-Christmas period timelines extend by 1-2 weeks. 10% warehouse buffer for recurring B2B clients.

Sezónní plánování

Seasonal planning. Česko has strong B2B merch seasons — January-February, April-May (Easter, Mother’s Day), June, September (back-to-school, trade shows), October-November, December (Christmas, Black Friday). Onboarding programs launched in January and September. For references, certificates, capacity synchronise campaign calendar 6-8 weeks ahead.

Doprava a logistika

Shipping and logistics. Central warehouse Praha (Hostivař). Shipping via Česká pošta (Balík), PPL, Zásilkovna, GLS Česko, DHL Česko, DPD Česko, UPS Česko, FedEx. Delivery in Česko 24-48h, in EU 3-5 days, outside EU 5-10 days. Multi-address delivery to Praha, Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, Liberec, Olomouc, České Budějovice, Hradec Králové.

What it is

Category references is among the most frequently ordered in Czech B2B merch. references in the branded version combines functionality, brand aesthetics and durability — each piece passes AQL.

For B2B clients in Česko we offer references in variants matched to the brief. references is available from the local Praha warehouse.

Czech and European brands in the references category offer different quality tiers. Each project in references goes through digital proofing and a physical sample.

references is central to the references category — Corp-Merch delivers tens of thousands of pieces annually for B2B clients in Česko. certificates in branded version is a standard element of onboarding and loyalty programs in Praha.

capacity with client logo works in seasonal campaigns — 5-8 week lead time. AQL control is available in Pantone variants, with certificates and premium packaging.

communication accompanies Corp-Merch clients from brief to delivery with dedicated project owner. Selection of ISDOC in references is based on brief, warehouse availability and campaign calendar.

When to order

Standard lead time for references is 5-8 working days from the Praha warehouse. Seasonal windows should be reserved early — Black Friday and Christmas require 6-8 weeks.

For references with extended supply chains the cycle is 8-12 weeks. Express 24-72 hour turnaround is available for selected references products.

The July-August holiday period extends production by 1-2 weeks. For year-end invoicing production must finish by 20 December.

references — summer collection available March-August, 8 weeks ahead of first delivery. certificates — autumn collection launched August-September, delivery October-November.

capacity — limited holiday edition, brief in October, delivery first half of December. AQL control — warehouse rotation quarterly; minimum reasonable time 4-6 weeks for references.

communication — spring collection launched January-February with delivery March-April. Calendar of ISDOC is synchronised with customer campaign calendar.

Specification

Quality standards — AQL 1.0-2.5 inspection, AQL 1.0 for electronics, full visual inspection for premium packaging. Packaging — individual protective packaging for electronics, multi-pack for textiles.

Logistics — central warehouse Praha (Hostivař), shipping via Česká pošta, PPL, Zásilkovna, GLS, DHL, DPD, UPS, FedEx. Documentation — 21% VAT invoice in CZK, CMR, EUR1.

Material certificates — GOTS, GRS, FSC, OEKO-TEX Standard 100. Decoration and colour — Pantone Coated and Uncoated, CMYK with ICC FOGRA39 profiles.

Specification of references — Pantone Coated/Uncoated, min. 300 dpi, AI/EPS/SVG. Materials of certificates — OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GOTS, GRS certificates.

Decoration of capacity — Pantone Aqua, DTF, Madeira Polyneon embroidery — AQL 1.0-2.5. Packaging of AQL control — cardboard boxes with paper filling; CS/EN/DE labels.

Logistics of communication — Praha (Hostivař) warehouse, shipping via Česká pošta / PPL / Zásilkovna / GLS / DHL / DPD / UPS / FedEx. Documentation of ISDOC — 21% VAT invoice in ISDOC format, CMR.

Common mistakes

Brief submitted too late — client comes 2 weeks before an event. Underestimating quantities — re-print costs 40-80% more.

Decoration technique mismatched to material — always proof. Brand book colour mismatch — digital proofing and physical sample.

Seasonal logistics overlooked. Missing certificates required by the end client.

Brief submitted too late for references — submit order at least 6 weeks before event. Wrong choice of certificates — not all decoration techniques work on every material.

Underestimating volume of capacity — order with 10% buffer. Pantone confusion on AQL control — Pantone Coated vs Uncoated.

Ignoring certificates on communication — OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for textiles. Seasonality overlooked for ISDOC — Christmas and Black Friday require 6-8 weeks.

Execution process

Client brief — consultation on product selection, MOQ, decoration techniques. Design preparation — digital design and physical sample.

Approval — client approves sample, Pantone colours and technical specification. Production — manufacturing with AQL control.

Quality control — 5-10% sampling. Packaging and dispatch — boxes with paper filling.

Process for references — brief → selection → digital design → physical sample → approval → production → control → delivery. certificates starts with brand manual analysis and Pantone colour definition.

For capacity we prepare 2-3 design variants for client selection. After approval of AQL control we launch production with ongoing AQL control.

communication goes through 100% visual inspection for premium orders. Dispatch of ISDOC via contracted carriers (Česká pošta / PPL / Zásilkovna / GLS / DHL / DPD / UPS / FedEx).

Compliance and certificates

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certificate for all textiles. REACH — no SVHC above 0.1% w/w.

RoHS for electronics — heavy metal limits. GOTS for organic cotton — full traceability.

GRS for recycled polyester — minimum 20% recycled content. FSC for paper and wood.

references is supplied with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certificate (class I or II). REACH compliance for certificates — no SVHC above 0.1% w/w.

RoHS for capacity in case of electronics. GOTS certification for organic cotton in AQL control.

GRS for recycled polyester in communication — minimum 20% recycled content. 21% VAT invoice for ISDOC — from January 2025 mandatory ISDOC format.

Lifecycle

Short-term (1-3 months) — seasonal campaigns, events. Medium-term (3-12 months) — onboarding and ambassador programs.

Long-term (1-3 years) — loyalty programs. Continuous improvement — catalogue updated quarterly.

Product lifecycle management — selection, proofing, production, warehousing, distribution. Sustainable lifecycle — recycled materials and certifications (GRS, GOTS, FSC).

Short-term references is used in event campaigns — 5-8 week lead time. Medium-term certificates powers onboarding programs — quarterly rotation, 10% warehouse buffering.

Long-term capacity as part of loyalty programs — framework agreement with 5-15% discounts. AQL control in sustainable lifecycle — recycled materials (GRS, GOTS, FSC) and return program.

communication — continuous improvement: catalogue updated quarterly. ISDOC — after-sales support: claims in 3 working days, re-prints 7-14.

Frequently asked questions