Samples, strike-offs and approval for corporate merch in Cyprus | Merch Cyprus
The difference between a 'sample' and a 'strike-off', when each is enough, and the exact things to check before you sign off.
Sample, mock-up, proof, strike-off
The vocabulary around pre-production samples is loose, and clients often receive different things from different suppliers. This page defines the four common document types (mock-up, digital proof, blank sample, strike-off), explains what each is actually for, and sets out the realistic costs and lead times in a Cyprus programme.
Mock-up: layout and concept approval
A mock-up is a digital composition that shows the proposed product with the brand applied. It is the cheapest and fastest pre-production check, and it answers only one question: does the design look right in this position on this product?
Mock-ups are produced in 1–4 hours per layout. We use Photoshop composites with the actual product photos from the supplier's library, layered with the client's artwork at the agreed print position and size. The output is a PDF or PNG that the client can mark up.
Mock-ups are free or nominal cost (we include up to three mock-ups per brief at no charge). They are not production-accurate — the colour, the print finish and the substrate texture are approximated. The mock-up says 'this is what the finished product could look like'; it does not say 'this is what the finished product will look like'.
Mock-ups are appropriate for design sign-off before sampling, for early client presentations, and for internal alignment within the client's marketing team. They are not appropriate as a substitute for a strike-off on critical colour matches.
Digital proof: print-ready artwork approval
A digital proof is a print-ready file rendered on a calibrated screen or printer. It confirms that the artwork is technically correct (resolution, colour space, bleeds, safe zones) before the file goes to production.
For screen printing, the digital proof includes colour separations, registration marks and the print order. For embroidery, it includes the digitised stitch file with thread colour references. For UV printing and dye sublimation, it includes a colour-managed rendering on the substrate profile.
Digital proofs are produced in 1–3 hours per file. Cost is typically included in our quote; we do not charge separately unless the artwork requires multiple rounds of correction. The proof is approved in writing before tooling is prepared.
Digital proofs do not show how the decoration will actually look on the substrate. A print-ready file that looks perfect on screen can still be a disaster on a textured fabric, a dark garment or a curved surface. A physical strike-off is the only way to be sure.
Blank sample: material and finish approval
A blank sample is an undecorated unit of the proposed product. It confirms the substrate, the colour, the size and the finish — without any branding applied.
Blank samples are useful when the client is choosing between two product grades (180 g/m² vs 220 g/m² cotton, brushed steel vs polished stainless, ceramic mug vs stoneware mug). We send 1–3 pieces from the supplier's stock, undecorated, for the client to handle.
Blank samples are typically €5–€15 per piece plus shipping. They are produced in 1–3 working days for stocked items and 5–10 working days for items that have to be ordered from the mill.
Blank samples do not show the decoration. A polished stainless mug looks identical before and after laser engraving; only the strike-off shows whether the engraving will be visible, in what colour, and at what depth.
Strike-off: full pre-production sample
A strike-off is a pre-production sample produced on the actual substrate, with the actual decoration, on the actual production line. It is the only pre-production check that answers the question 'will the finished product look like this?'
Strike-offs are produced in 3–7 working days for stock products and 7–14 working days for custom products. The cost is the full unit cost (€35–€80 for stock items, €150–€400 for fully custom items) and is credited against the final invoice on orders above 200 pieces.
A strike-off carries the production risks: the colour match, the print registration, the embroidery tension, the engraving depth. The client inspects the strike-off, marks any corrections, and approves in writing. Once approved, serial production starts and changes are expensive.
For multi-position decoration (e.g. chest + back + sleeve) the strike-off should carry all positions. For Pantone-critical colours the strike-off should be compared to the Pantone book under D50 lighting. For embroidery the strike-off should be inspected at the actual stitch density.
How to inspect a strike-off
The five things to check on a strike-off before signing off. Most client complaints about non-reviewed starts here, at the approval stage.
1. Colour match. Compare the decoration colour to the Pantone book under controlled conditions (D50 light, neutral grey background, no glare). A Pantone 286 C should look like Pantone 286 C, not 'close to Pantone 286 C'. If the strike-off is off, reject it now.
2. Print registration. For multi-colour prints, the colour edges should align within the agreed tolerance (typically ±0.2 mm). Misregistration looks amateur and is hard to fix in serial production.
3. Print area and position. The print should be centred, the right size, and not too close to seams or edges. A print that is 5 mm off-centre looks wrong even if the colour is perfect.
4. Substrate behaviour. The decoration should sit cleanly on the fabric without bleeding, pinholes or fabric distortion. Screen printing on dark cotton often needs an underbase; embroidery on a thin polo may pucker.
5. Functionality. For items with moving parts (pens with click mechanisms, mugs with lids, bags with zips), test the function. A pen that click only 50% of the time is not a corporate gift.
Approval, rejections and what happens next
Strike-off approval is the single most important decision in the process. Three patterns cover the realistic outcomes.
Approval first time: rare for fully custom programmes, common for stock products with simple branding. The strike-off is approved in writing and serial production starts.
Approval with minor corrections: the common case. A small colour shift, a position adjustment, a stitch density change. We agree the corrections in writing, the supplier applies them, and serial production starts on the next strike-off or on a written waiver.
Rejection: the strike-off is fundamentally wrong. The blank is the wrong grade, the decoration method is wrong, or the artwork needs to be redrawn. We re-sample at no additional setup cost (the supplier pays for the rework) and the timeline extends by 5–10 working days.
Strike-off approval is the legal trigger for serial production. Once approved in writing, the order cannot be cancelled without paying for the materials already committed and the labour already incurred. The approval email is the contract.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a strike-off cost?
€35–€80 for stock products, €150–€400 for fully custom products. The cost is credited against the final invoice on orders above 200 pieces. Below 200 pieces, the strike-off cost is not refunded because the supplier cannot recover it on a small order.
How long does a strike-off take?
3–7 working days for stock products. 7–14 working days for custom products from a mill. We can expedite to 2–3 working days with a rush surcharge of €50–€150 depending on the supplier.
Can I skip the strike-off and go straight to production?
We do not recommend it, but for established clients with a reliable production history we can sometimes waive the strike-off on repeat orders. The decision is taken on a per-order basis and is documented in the order confirmation. The risk is on the client.
Do you send strike-offs to clients outside Cyprus?
Yes, by courier (DHL, FedEx, ACS Cyprus) to any EU address in 1–3 working days. For non-EU destinations we use air freight via Larnaca International Airport (LCA). The strike-off is insured for its full value during transit.
What if the strike-off colour does not match the Pantone?
We reject the strike-off and request a corrected sample. The supplier pays for the rework. If the second sample is still off, we either change the decoration technique (e.g. switch from screen print to embroidery if Pantone match is critical) or substitute the blank. The decision is taken together.
Can you provide a digital proof only, no physical sample?
Yes, for digital-only decoration (DTG, UV printing on flat surfaces, dye sublimation). For screen printing, embroidery and laser engraving we always recommend a physical strike-off because the digital proof does not show how the decoration will behave on the substrate.
Is Corp-Merch a partner or official sponsor of any events or brands covered on this page?
No. Corp-Merch coordinates merchandise-side work in B2B programmes and is independent of event organisers and brand owners.
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