Frequently Asked Questions

Q1) What is your lead time?

Q2) What is a screen and why is there a screen charge?

Q3) What artwork formats do you accept?

Q4) Can you use the same screen for two different products?

Q5) Do you charge for artwork?

Q6) What colours can be printed on a pen?

Q7) What does POA stand for?

Q8) What are your payment terms?

Q9) What methods of payments do you accept?

Q10) Where can I obtain a Essex Pen order form?

Q11) What is a pantone colour?

Q12) What processes are involved when printing pens?

Answers

A1) What is your lead time?

The standard lead time is two to three weeks from receipt of payment and artwork. Longer lead times may apply to laser engraved items.

If an order is urgent we offer an Express Service on many of our products subject to availability of stock and at additional cost. Please contact sales for details.

Please note that for Express Delivery the time period quoted (i.e. 24 hours) is from the time the artwork for your order is signed off.

A2) What is a screen and why is there a screen charge?

The screen is a stencil which is made to your exact design, the ink is transferred through the stencil directly onto the product to be printed. As everyone's design is unique a new screen must be made for each new order. This is what you are paying for in the screen charge.

A3) What artwork formats do you accept?

For questions regarding artwork formats please see our Artwork Guidelines.

A4) Can you use the same screen for two different products?

No unfortunately each screen is tailored to an individual pen and the machine it is printed on.

A5) Do you charge for artwork?

Basic text and placing of logo's is free of charge. Artwork requiring complex or time consuming changes to images will incur a small charge at the discretion of our artwork team.

All quotes are subject to sight of artwork.

A6) What colours can be printed on a pen?

We can print any colour of your choice including gold and silver. All colours are precisely matched using the pantone matching system at no extra cost.

A7) What does POA stand for?

POA stands for price on application. You should contact our Sales department for products with this abbreviation.

A8) What are your payment terms?

Essex Pens is a mail order company, we take payment with order.

We accept cheques (Made payable to AK Printing Ltd), postal orders or the following cards:

A10) Where can I obtain an Essex Pens order form?

Our order form can be obtained in the How To Order section or you can download it here.

A11) What is a pantone colour?

Pantones are the most accurate method for measuring colour when printing on a white surface. We have produced a more detailed guide to Pantone Colours here.

A12) What processes are involved when printing pens?

The Essex Pens manufacturing and printing process involves a number of complex printing techniques. For more information about our printing equipment and methods you should review our pen manufacturing overview.