Help / Frequently Asked Questions

Overview of the Ordering Process

Once you place your online order, you will immediately receive an email confirmation with your web order number. One of our Customer Service team members will contact you during normal business hours to confirm the order details, discuss any artwork needed, confirm dates, and answer any questions you may have.

Once all of the details are set and if this is a new order, you will receive an email showing your artwork on a mock-up of the items you are purchasing (reorders may not require an artwork mock-up). You will then have the opportunity to approve the mock-up or make any necessary changes. Remember that R&D does not charge extra for set-up, screen, artwork, or bar code/pre-price charges! Once you've approved the art mock-up, the artwork will be submitted for licensing approval (if applicable) to the affiliated licensing agency. Once approved by the licensing agency, the order is ready to go into production. Remember that nothing goes into production without your approval and licensing approval (if applicable).

Now that all of the approvals have been made, you will receive an official order confirmation by email which will include estimated ship date. This confirmation will look different from one your initially received from the website, as it will be generated from our internal order entry system and will have your new order number. Please refer to this new order number moving forward when contacting us with any questions. All order details such as shipping/tracking as well as invoicing and credits will also be processed through our internal order entry system and not through the website.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who do you sell to and how can I place an order?
• I visited my local college bookstore and saw your products. Can I buy a few items directly from you?
• Do you stock inventory?
• Can I see a proof of my product to approve my artwork (imprint) before production begins?
• How does licensing and royalties work?
• How long will it take to get my order?
• I noticed each item has a minimum order requirement but I don't need that many. Can I order less than the quantity listed?
• Can I assort product colors within my order?
• What if I receive more or less than I ordered? What is your Overrun/Underrun policy?
• What are my shipping options? Can I use my own freight collect account?
• Can I request an item that is not on your website?
• What is your return policy? What happens if I receive some broken merchandise?
• What payment options are available? Do you offer net terms?

Who do you sell to and how can I place an order?

Established in 1988, R&D Specialty is a premier supplier of custom imprinted merchandise to on-campus college bookstores as well as off-campus stores. We sell on a wholesale level only with minimum quantity requirements for each item. Unfortunately we do not sell single piece quantities directly to the public.

We also sell promotional items to companies of all sizes, resorts, and other various organizations. All of the items shown on this site with college designs can instead be decorated with your company or organization logo. You can also visit our Corporate Promotional Items Site by clicking here which will give your access to 500,000+ items available with a custom decorated logo. R&D Specialty has vast resources for finding just about any item imaginable. If you still can't find the item you're looking for, please contact us at 800.807.7263 and we’ll find it!

Once your wholesale account is established, orders can be placed with your local sales representative, through the website, or directly with our office by calling 800-807-7263.

I visited my local college bookstore and saw your product. Can I buy a few items directly from you?

We sell on a wholesale level only with minimum quantity requirements for each item. Unfortunately we do not sell single piece quantities directly to the public. We recommend making your purchase through your local college bookstore.

Do you stock inventory?

Unfortunately we do not stock inventory. All of our items are custom decorated to your specifications once we receive your order.

Can I see a proof of my product to approve my artwork (imprint) before production begins?

Once all of the order details are set and if this is a new order, you will receive an email showing your artwork on a mock-up of the items you are purchasing (reorders may not require an artwork mock-up). You will then have the opportunity to approve the mock-up or make any necessary changes. Remember that R&D does not charge extra for set-up, screen, artwork, or bar code/pre-price charges!

How does licensing and royalties work?

R&D Specialty is licensed with hundreds of schools across the country. If you are a licensed school and not sure if we carry your license, please contact R&D to confirm. If we are not licensed with your school, we can work quickly to obtain the license if needed.

Our prices shown here on the website do not include royalty charges by design. R&D does not charge a higher "flat royalty rate" or additional "admin charge" like some of our competitors do. If you are a royalty bearing account/school, we will invoice royalties according to the actual university rate as a separate line item. If you're a 15% royalty school, you'll be charged 15% and if you're an 8% royalty school, you'll be charged 8% - nothing more. Contact R&D Specialty if the royalty must be included in the unit price.

How long will it take to get my order?

Normal production time for most catalog items is 2-3 weeks after credit approval, receipt of acceptable artwork, final customer art approval, and licensing approval (if applicable). However, there are some catalog items that require longer lead times. Rush service may also be available on some items. Contact R&D Specialty for further production time details.

I noticed each item has a minimum order requirement but I don't need that many. Can I order less than the quantity listed?

The minimum order quantities listed for each item are set by our manufacturing partners, so unfortunately you are not able to order less than the minimum listed.

Can I assort product colors within my order?

Product colors can be assorted on most items, however please be aware of your artwork when changing from a light product color to a dark color. Depending on your particular design, artwork may need to be modified or reversed to accurately print from light to dark product colors. As a result, this could also change your minimum order quantity requirement for that particular product color since artwork may need to be modified. Contact R&D Specialty for more details.

What if I receive more or less than I ordered? What is your Overrun/Underrun policy?

Every effort will be made to ship the exact quantity ordered, however that is not always possible due to standard industry imprinting processes. We reserve the right to ship and invoice up to 10% over or under the quantity ordered and will be considered fulfillment of the order. If you have concerns about potential overruns or underruns on your order or if you need an exact quantity shipped, please contact R&D Specialty.

What are my shipping options? Can I use my own freight collect account?

All orders will be shipped via UPS, FedEx, or by truck for large quantity orders or heavyweight items. All freight charges will be billed on invoicing. If you prefer to use your own collect shipping account, please enter it during checkout on the website or contact R&D Specialty.

Can I request an item that is not on your website?

R&D Specialty has vast resources for finding just about any item imaginable. See your sales representative or contact our office at 800-807-7263. We’ll find it!

What is your return policy? What happens if I receive some broken merchandise?

Please contact our Customer Service team if you are unhappy with your order and they can assist you with determining the next course of action. Please note that return merchandise will not be accepted without prior written authorization from R&D Specialty. Returns will not be accepted after 90 days from receipt of shipment.

If you received your order but had some damaged/broken merchandise during transit, please contact our Customer Service team. We may request emailed photos of the damaged product to assist you with processing a credit. Please note breakage claims must be reported within 15 days from receipt of shipment. Please do not accept shipments that arrive from the carrier with obvious damage.

What payment options are available? Do you offer net terms?

For your convenience, we currently accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. Checks are also accepted as advance payment for accounts that have not yet established net terms, however the check must clear before your order is approved for production.

Net 30-day terms will be extended to accounts approved by R&D Specialty. New accounts will require a deposit on the initial order. Please submit credit information with new orders to obtain credit approval. Contact R&D Specialty for more information.