Why In-House Decoration is a Game Changer for Online Company Stores

What is In-House Decoration?

In-house decoration is when a distributor decorates products themselves instead of using an outside decorator (contract decorator.) While most promotional products distributors partner with contract decorators to embroider and screen print their apparel, hats, and bags, those focused on running on-demand company stores bring the decoration in-house for full control. This can include embroidery, screen printing, DTF, laser etching, UV printing, and even paper printing. This blog discusses the many advantages of in-house decoration.

What are the Advantages to In-House Decoration?

In-house decoration is less common than you might think among distributors running online company stores. Most distributors pre-decorate all items and stock them in inventory following the traditional model. This method avoids in-house decoration by decorating many products at once. However, progressive distributors leveraging technology have built platforms that support on-demand decoration. For these distributors, controlling decoration in-house is crucial. Here’s why:

1. Control Timing Managing decoration in-house allows you to prioritize orders as needed without relying on a contract decorator’s schedule. This flexibility ensures that rush orders or special requests can be easily accommodated. In contrast, contract decorators serve multiple clients, and your order might be delayed during busy periods, with no control over timing.
2. Small Runs In-house decoration provides the flexibility to run single pieces or large batches. Distributors with in-house capabilities can offer on-demand services for their company stores if they have the right technology, providing more personalized service.
3. Logo Quality In on-demand stores, distributors set logos in the system to ensure they look the same on approved colors. Different embroidery files may be required to sew optimally across various materials. Distributors offering in-house decoration perform quality control at multiple production stages to ensure perfection. Contract decorators often prioritize speed over quality, taking shortcuts that can compromise the final product. They are paid by the number of logos that are produced, so speed it key to profitability.
4. Great Service Controlling decoration in-house makes handling samples or special requests easier. It also allows for immediate quality control and replacement of damaged items before they reach the customer, enhancing the customer experience and saving on shipping replacements. Contract decorators may not always report damaged items, hoping to avoid replacement costs.
5. Cost While the initial investment in decoration setup is significant, operational costs are lower compared to using contract decorators. This cost advantage strengthens customer relationships and service.

In-house decoration offers significant benefits over outsourcing but isn’t suitable for every business model. Over 95% of distributors don’t decorate in-house and still run successful businesses. If your distributor’s business model doesn’t require in-house decoration, there’s no need to adopt it.

Why Don’t All Companies Use On-Demand Decoration?

1. Not Necessary Many companies find being a decorator daunting and unnecessary. Successful distributorships often have strong relationships with contract decorators and don’t need to personally decorate the products they sell, focusing on larger orders while letting stores manage smaller ones. Contact decorators will decorate, package and drop ship orders directly to customers.
2. Complexity Off-the-shelf software for on-demand decoration company stores with in-house production doesn’t exist. Companies running these programs have invested heavily in technology, infrastructure, and decoration equipment, developing unique solutions for scalability and profitability. These are the companies you should consider for your company store needs.
3. Cost Developing the necessary technology and purchasing the right equipment is expensive. Companies running on-demand stores have invested years and millions of dollars in building the required infrastructure.
4. Traditional Stores Are Generally Effective Many companies prefer traditional stores with pre-decorated inventory due to the low cost of entry and manageable operations using rented software and contract decorators.
5. Company Stores Are Not Their Core Business Most distributors don’t focus on running company stores. Their systems are designed for sourcing special orders and outsourcing decoration. Store-specific companies should manage the stores while traditional distributors can focus on creativity and special orders.

When choosing an online store vendor, inquire about their in-house decoration capabilities. This insight helps you understand how they manage your store’s products—whether they’re pre-decorated and inventoried or decorated on-demand. Each method has its pros and cons, and we have several articles detailing the benefits of on-demand versus in-stock programs.