Custom Printing Policy

This policy covers Hot Sauce Pod boxes printed with a customer's logo or artwork ("custom printed boxes"). Custom printing is a made-to-order manufacturing process with characteristics and tolerances that differ from our blank stock boxes. Please read this policy carefully — placing a custom-print order, and approving a proof, means you accept these terms.

Artwork Requirements

• Artwork must be supplied in a vector file format — .SVG, .AI, .EPS, or .PDF. Raster images (JPG, PNG, screenshots, etc.) cannot be used for printing.
• Artwork must fit within the designated print area for the box. Print-area dimensions vary by box size — see the product page for the 5oz 2-Pod, 3-Pod, 4-Pod, and 5-Pod Kraft boxes.
• Up to 4 print colors are supported. The standard single-color print is black.
• High-contrast, clean line art reproduces best. Very fine lines, small text, gradients, and intricate detail may not hold on a corrugated kraft surface.
• No vector art? We offer a logo vectorization service — contact us for a quote. Vectorization adds to the timeline.
• You are responsible for ensuring you have the legal right to reproduce any artwork you submit.

Digital Proof & Approval

• After your order is placed, we prepare a digital proof showing logo placement, size, and color on the box.
• Production does not begin until you approve the proof in writing.
• It is your responsibility to review the proof carefully — spelling, layout, sizing, placement, and color. Approving the proof is final acceptance.
• We are not responsible for errors (typos, layout, or color expectations) contained in artwork or proofs that you have approved.
• Artwork revisions after submission may extend turnaround and can require an additional proof cycle.

One-Time Setup Fee

• Custom printing requires a one-time $300 setup fee per design — this covers the custom print plate produced for your artwork.
• On orders of 2,000 boxes or more, the one-time setup fee is waived.
• The $300 setup fee and the per-box prices shown apply to a single-color (black) print. Printing in 2–4 colors carries a different setup fee and a different per-box price — contact us for a multi-color quote.
• Your print plate is kept on file, so reorders of the same unchanged artwork do not incur another setup fee.
• A new or modified design requires a new plate and a new setup fee.
• The setup fee is non-refundable once the plate has been produced.

Minimum Order & Volume Pricing

• Custom printing has a 500-box minimum per order.
• Per-box pricing decreases at higher volumes; current tier pricing is shown on the product page. Runs larger than the highest published tier are quoted individually — contact us.
• Written quotes are valid for 30 days from the date issued. After that, pricing is subject to re-quote — corrugated board and freight pricing move with our supplier's costs, and we can't hold a quote against an increase indefinitely.

Over/Under Runs

• Flexographic printing is a manufacturing process and an exact quantity cannot be guaranteed. As is standard in the print industry, your delivered quantity may vary by up to ±10% of the quantity ordered.
• You may receive up to 10% more or up to 10% fewer boxes than ordered. The order is reconciled to the actual quantity produced and shipped — you are billed or credited for the actual count within that tolerance.
• An order is considered complete and correctly filled when the delivered quantity falls within the ±10% tolerance.

Print Registration & Placement Tolerance

• Flexographic printing has inherent mechanical tolerances. Print placement may shift up to 1/16 inch (about 1.6 mm) in any direction relative to the proof.
• Design with adequate clear space — avoid placing critical elements such as text or borders near the edge of the print area.
• Slight variation in print position from box to box within the same run is normal and is not considered a defect.

Color, Ink & Substrate

• Boxes are printed on natural, uncoated kraft corrugated material. The brown kraft substrate shows through the ink and affects how colors appear — printed color will not match how it looks on white paper or on a screen.
• Inks are not fully opaque; lighter colors in particular are influenced by the kraft background.
• We cannot guarantee an exact Pantone/PMS color match on kraft. Color is matched as closely as the process and substrate allow.
• Minor variation in color, density, and ink coverage — between boxes and between separate production runs or reorders — is normal and inherent to flexographic printing.
• Dot gain, slight feathering, and hairline registration variances are normal characteristics of flexo printing on corrugate and are not defects.
• Heavy solid ink coverage on corrugate can look mottled or show a faint "washboard" texture from the board flutes. Bold line art and logos are recommended over large solid fills.

Finish & Colors

• The standard finish is matte.
• A gloss varnish finish is available on request.
• Single-color black is the standard print. Up to 4 colors are available; multi-color printing is quoted separately — the setup fee and per-box price differ from single-color.
• Custom printed boxes are structurally identical to the blank version — same precision-cut inserts and dimensions.

Production & Turnaround

• Custom printed boxes are made to order. The typical process is: order placed → digital proof prepared → your approval → production scheduled → print plate produced → production run → QC inspection → ship.
• Typical turnaround is 6–8 weeks from order to delivery, assuming print-ready artwork and prompt proof approval.
• The timeline effectively begins once artwork is approved — delays in submitting or approving artwork extend it accordingly.
• Turnaround can run longer due to artwork revisions, file-format issues, the production schedule of other custom orders, material availability, carrier delays, or other factors outside our control. All timelines are estimates, not guarantees.

Shipping of Custom Orders

• Depending on quantity, custom printed orders ship by parcel carrier or by freight (LTL / palletized).
• Freight shipments may require a delivery appointment, liftgate service, and a suitable receiving location. Receiving the shipment is the customer's responsibility.
• Inspect your shipment on delivery. Note any visible damage with the carrier at the time of delivery and contact us promptly so we can help with a claim.
• Once an order leaves our facility, transit and delivery are the responsibility of the carrier; the terms in our Shipping Policy also apply.

Changes, Cancellations & Returns

• Custom printed boxes are produced specifically for you and are non-returnable and non-refundable, except for verified manufacturing defects outside the tolerances described above.
• Once a proof is approved and/or the plate is in production, the order cannot be cancelled or modified.
• An order cancelled before plate production may be subject to a fee covering work already performed (artwork handling, proofing, and plate setup as applicable).
• Claims for defects must be made promptly after delivery and include photos so we can review.

Limitation of Liability

• Our maximum liability for any custom print order is limited to the amount paid for the affected printed goods. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including lost sales or missed deadlines.
• We are not responsible for delays or issues caused by incorrect, incomplete, or low-quality artwork; by delayed proof approval; or by events outside our reasonable control.

Questions

Custom printing involves choices specific to your brand. If anything here is unclear, or you'd like a quote for a larger run or a custom configuration, email us at support@hotsaucepod.com before ordering.