For many bulk buyers, placing a purchase order for branded merchandise can feel like sending something into a black box.
- You approve the quote…
- You sign off the artwork…
- You pay the money…
- And then what?
At Cubic Promote, we want this part of the process to feel transparent and predictable, not mysterious. So here’s a step-by-step look at what actually happens behind the scenes after you place a wholesale order for promotional products.
Step 1: Your Job Enters Our Production Queue
The moment you approve your artwork and order, your job is:
- Entered into our print production queue
- Scheduled against the correct branding method (screen print, pad print, digital transfer, embroidery, etc.)
- Assigned an internal production timeline to meet your required delivery date
⚠️ Important: Artwork Changes After Approval
Once your order is approved and locked into the production queue, we cannot change the artwork.
That’s because:
- Plates, screens or digital files are already being set up
- Machine time and labour are booked against your job
- Any change can cause delays across multiple orders in the queue
So it’s essential to make sure:
- You’re happy with the spelling, colours, and layout
- You’ve checked any ABNs, phone numbers, URLs, or QR codes
- All internal decision-makers have signed off before you approve
If in doubt, ask us for one more look before you hit “approve”.
Step 2: We Unpack and Inspect Your Products
Once the job is in the queue, we focus on the actual products.
- Items are picked and unpacked from our Australian warehouse
- Our team inspects for visible defects before branding begins:
- Cracked or chipped drinkware
- Mis-sewn seams on bags and apparel
- Scratches or damage on tech items and metal products
Anything that doesn’t meet our standard is removed from the batch and replaced, where possible, before branding begins. Only after this check do your products move into the branding process.
Step 3: Branding & Decoration
Now the fun part: putting your logo on the product.
Depending on the branding method, we:
- Set up screens, plates or embroidery files
- Load machines with the correct inks, threads, or transfers
- Test print/embroider on a sample item or test piece (where applicable)
Because your job is already in the production queue, it moves through branding in a controlled and scheduled manner, rather than being rushed or squeezed in at the last minute.
Step 4: Curing – Making Sure Your Branding Lasts
For many print methods, your logo doesn’t just “sit” on the product and dry in the air — it needs to cure. (ie: allow the print or brand to bond with the surface of the item)
Step 5: Packaging – Balancing Protection and Sustainability
Once your items are branded and cured, they are moved into the packing process.
Here we’re balancing two things:
- Protecting your products so they arrive in good condition
- Reducing unnecessary packaging where we can
How we approach packaging
- We reduce packaging where possible by:
- Avoiding excessive plastic where it isn’t needed
- Using more innovative carton layouts to minimise waste
- We are increasingly using recycled and recyclable materials in our packaging
However, there are important cases where we cannot significantly reduce packaging:
- Delicate prints and finishes that can scratch or rub in transit
- Fragile products (e.g. glassware, ceramic mugs, some tech items) that need padding and protection
- Items that are individually packed to keep them dust-free and presentable
In those cases, packaging isn’t just “extra” — it’s there to protect the quality of the print you’ve paid for.
Step 6: Where Your Order Dispatches From
Depending on the product, your order may dispatch from one of several points in our supply chain:
- Our Sydney facility
- One of our trusted decorators elsewhere in Australia
- In some cases, directly from production warehouses in China (for large indent or custom orders)
No matter where it leaves from, it travels under our management and responsibility. Your experience remains with Cubic Promote — one point of contact, one team owning the outcome.
Step 7: Carton Details & Logistics Planning
To make logistics easier for you, we provide:
- Carton dimensions
- Approximate weight per carton
- Number of units per carton
These details are shown on each product page (we’ll often highlight this visually), and they’re beneficial when:
- You’re arranging internal warehousing
- You need shipping estimates to multiple locations
- You want to understand how much space an order will take on-site
You’ll also see these details used in our own freight planning when we select the best courier option for your job.
Step 8: Courier Selection & Dispatch
We don’t just randomly pick a courier.
Cubic Promote selects freight partners from a panel of providers that we continuously measure against internal KPIs, including:
- On-time performance
- Damage rates
- Tracking reliability
- Service quality in different regions
For each order, we choose the option that provides the most reliable delivery outcome based on:
- Delivery location
- Time frame
- Type and fragility of products
Once dispatched, your order is sent directly to your door, and:
- A signature is required on delivery, wherever possible
- Tracking details are provided so you can see where your goods are
Step 9: If There’s a Delivery Issue – We Help
Sometimes, things happen in transit, such as missed deliveries, address confusion, or delays. Instead of leaving you to sit on hold with a courier for half the day, we encourage you to:
Contact your Cubic Promote account manager first.
Our team will:
- Liaise with the courier on your behalf
- Help clarify addresses, redelivery times, or depot locations
- Keep you updated while we resolve the issue
We see it as our responsibility to help get your goods to you, not your problem to solve alone. In urgent cases, we’ve even had team members personally drive merchandise around town after hours to ensure boxes arrive in time for an event. When deadlines are tight and events are on the line, we do what we can to help.
In Summary: From Approval to Delivery
Once you approve your order, here’s the big-picture flow:
- Job enters production queue – artwork is locked; changes can’t be made.
- Stock is unpacked and inspected – defective items are removed before branding.
- Branding is applied – using the chosen print or embroidery method.
- Curing time – inks and decorations are set to ensure they last.
- Careful packaging – balanced between protection and sustainability.
- Dispatch from the correct location – Sydney, local decorators, or offshore warehouses, depending on the job.
- Courier selection – based on our internal performance data.
- Tracked delivery to your door – with signature where possible.
- Support if something goes wrong – our team helps chase and resolve delivery issues.
What You Can Do to Help Everything Run Smoothly
A few simple things on your side can make the process even smoother:
- Double-check all artwork proofs before approving
- Ensure delivery addresses (and access notes) are clear and correct
- Let us know event dates or critical deadlines upfront
- Tell staff on-site to expect delivery and sign where needed
The more we know, the better we can plan and protect your timeline.
These details are shown on each product page (we’ll often highlight this visually), and they’re beneficial when:
- You’re arranging internal warehousing
- You need shipping estimates to multiple locations
- You want to understand how much space an order will take on-site
You’ll also see these details used in our own freight planning when we select the best courier option for your job.
Ready to place an order with Cubic Promote?
Shop Promotional Mugs here
Shop Promotional Drink Bottles here
Shop Promotional Tote Bags here
Shop Branded Polo Shirts here
Shop Promotional USB Drives here
Shop Custom Power Banks here
Shop Promotional Pens here
Shop Branded Notebooks here
Shop Promotional Hoodies here
