Frequently Asked Questions
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What can Sandpiper Plastics do for you?
With 20 years of experience, Sandpiper Plastics can produce hundreds of products and product variations to suit. We specialise in developing stationery and presentation solutions that are unique to you. Binders, wallets, tax disc holders, document cases and presentation files are just some of our products.
We are a one-stop shop for conference organisers, a blessing in disguise for print and marketing agencies, but most of all, reliable manufactures offering low cost, high quality products to just about anyone and everyone. If you have an unusual request we may be able to help. In the past we have produced products as diverse as horse passport wallets, fluorescent Velcro banners and PVC carpet swatch covers. Our minimum quantities are low and because we are manufactures we can beat many supplier prices.
Can I request a sample of my order?
We have some stock samples of our polypropylene and PVC products that can be sent to you on request. These may differ from your finished product, though are often useful for you to look at the materials used and the quality of our products. We can of course supply you with an exact sample of your product, though due to the set-up time involved in making this, there is a small cost. However, once we have received your order, this cost is usually deducted from your final bill (subject to a minimum order). Please note: We take a great deal of care to agree the design and finish of your product and safeguard you by only processing orders with detailed and confirmed instructions.
For pens, promotional items and workwear, samples are not usually available, though we always email or fax you a proof of your artwork as it will appear on your product. Full colour brochures are available upon request.
What are the benefits of Polypropylene?
Polyprop is extremely hard-wearing and resistant to grease and water. It is a lightweight, durable plastic which is available in a wide variety of patterns, thicknesses, colours and tints. If you’re looking for a vibrant and modern stationery solution, then this is the material for you. We can make your personalised stationery look as trendy or as traditional as you like. The scope is endless using polyprop!
What are the benefits of PVC?
PVC is a more traditional material and is used widely by our customers wishing to present a professional quality image. It’s available in a range of colours and thicknesses and is ideal for screen printing. Alternatively you may wish to consider adding pockets for self-insert printed sheets or encapsulated print (print that is sealed into your binder).
How quickly can you quote me a price?
Normally we will quote you a price within 24 hours. More complicated products may take a little longer.
Why are there no prices displayed on your products?
Our products are custom-made to order. It is very difficult to display prices as these vary according to a number factors including; the number of colours to be printed, the quantity of the order and the options available to customise each product. Please feel free to contact us for a quote.
How do I place an order?
It’s easy. Once you are happy with your quoted price, give us a call, send us a fax or email us and confirm your required quantity. This is the point at which you should provide us with your company logo/artwork. Ideally this should be provided as a vectored EPS file with the text converted to outlines. See question and answer below for more details of our artwork requirements.
How should I send you my logo/company image?
We ask that your artwork is sent to us as an EPS vectored file with all fonts converted to outlines (see end of this question for a summary on outlines and fonts). You may be new to the EPS file type and so we have set out below a brief explanation of what we mean and why it is important that we receive the correct format. If you're in any doubt, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to point you in the right direction. Please note: our lead times are quoted from receipt of artwork. Delays in artwork may compromise the prompt dispatch of your order.
There are two kinds of computer graphics -raster (composed of pixels) and vector (composed of paths). Raster images are more commonly called bitmap images. Bitmaps are composed of pixels, whilst Vector graphics are composed of paths. The image to the left below is representative of a bitmap and the image to the right is representative of a vector graphic. They are shown at four times actual size to exaggerate the fact that the edges of a bitmap become jagged as it is scaled up:
Bitmap Image:
| Vector Graphic: |
The advantage to using a page-description language such as PostScript becomes clear when you scale an image up. The larger you display a bitmap, the more jagged it appears, while a vector image remains smooth at any size. That is why PostScript always appear smooth - they are vector-based. Wherever possible use the vector format for all your type, line art and illustrations and only use bitmaps for photos or images with complex or non-uniform shading.
How to save to the EPS file format: If the graphics application you are using cannot read native vector files, the next best thing would be to save them as EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) files. Even bitmaps can be saved in the EPS file format. EPS files are supported by most graphics applications. It is the most portable format for this reason. Use them wherever native vector files cannot be used. To save as an EPS file, simply choose EPS in the 'save as' drop down menu when saving your file.
Why change my fonts to outlines and what does this mean? Since there are thousands of fonts available, we may not have access to the font your company uses to display the corporate image properly. When digital art is supplied with missing fonts, we are unable to process your print job correctly. The answer to this problem is to either embed your fonts, or convert them to outlines. We prefer that you convert your text to outlines. If you prefer to send us your font, please send it for the PC as opposed to MAC. Please note: our lead times are quoted from receipt of artwork (including fonts). Delays in artwork may compromise the processing of your print job correctly and the prompt dispatch of your order. All our orders are subject to these terms.
How can I pay for my order?
We ask all our customers to pay by cheque payable to Sandpiper Plastics, or via BACs bank transfer. New customers are asked to pay by proforma invoice (payment is thus required prior to the good being dispatched), though an account is offered after the first order. Payment days are 30 days net. For larger orders we may request payment for materials in advance.
Can I open a customer account?
We always welcome new account customers. Accounts are normally offered after the first order which is invoiced prior to the goods being dispatched. After this, we offer payment terms of 30 days net.
How long will my order take?
We normally turn your order around within 3-4 weeks of receiving your artwork/payment. If you require your order sooner, we do our best to re-schedule our workload to keep within your timescale. Sometimes the sheer volume of work means that we cannot offer a quicker lead time (we endeavour never to promise what we cannot deliver).
What are your standard delivery times?
Delivery is normally next day from the date of dispatch to one destination within the UK. Please note that everything is made and/or printed to order and delivery times are based around this. Your delivery time will be agreed with you and confirmed on receipt of your order.
Can you deliver to any address inside/outside of the UK?
Yes. We can deliver your products to any address you choose. In the past we have delivered to Italy, France, Northern & Southern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. We have both local and national customers. Our local customers include local Councils, the public and voluntary sectors and print, promotion and marketing companies from across Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Cornwall, Dorset, Hampshire, East & West Sussex, Southampton and Portsmouth. We also have customers from across the country including London, Lancashire, Sheffield, Liverpool and Ireland.
Are your products environmentally friendly?
To ensure that what we do is environmentally friendly, we keep in contact with Envirowise. This ensures that are working practises are not harmful to the environment and that all our waste is recycled. For example, all our PVC and polyprop waste is ground down and reused to make new plastic products or added to virgin (new) material. Both plastics can be recycled without harm to the environment and meet all of the requirements of the EC commission.
How do I know what size binder to order?
If you are unsure what size you require, simply tell us what you would like to put into the binder and we will advise you accordingly. We will ask what size paper you will be inserting, roughly how many pages and how you intend the binder to be used.
What is encapsulated print?
A binder with encapsulated print is a binder which has a paper printed insert welded into the binder using clear PVC.
What is screen printing? | |
Screen Printing is used to place very accurately measured amounts of inks onto the surface of smooth even objects. The ink is transferred to the printing surface by being squeezed through a fine fabric sheet stretched on a frame (it is often referred to as silkscreen printing although the screens are generally made from artificial fibres). Everywhere you look are examples of the process including; binders, posters, CDs, point of sale displays, mousemats, estate agent boards, labels, nameplates, laptops and many, many more products. Screen printing is an inexpensive way of creating an attractive colourful product and both short product runs and longer runs are easily achieved. Screen printing is not suitable for all print jobs. Photographs for example would not be suitable to reproduce using this process. Screen printing tends to be ideal for more solid areas of colour. If you are unsure, give us a call or send us your print details and we will advise you accordingly. Some examples of screen printing are shown below. |  |
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What is foil blocking? | |
| Foil blocking is the process whereby metallic foil is applied to your product via a heated die. Foil blocking can provide an attractive decorative appeal and you are not limited in you choice of colour. In the image displayed a very small silver foil has been applied to a conference folder. Simple and effective. |  |
What is litho printing? | |
| Litho printing is the most common system for producing full colour print. The vast majority of magazines and colour books are produced using four-colour process. Litho printing produces excellent results, though can be expensive and requires larger print runs to make it a viable option. We can offer litho printing onto both pvc and polypropylene products including ring binders, wallets, files and document holders. Call us for a quote and we will be happy to help. |  |
What is high frequency welding?
The principle of HF welding is based on dielectric heating of the material to be welded. The material to be welded is put between two metal plates (the electrodes), whereupon a high-frequency voltage is connected to the plates. As a result, the molecules in the material start vibrating, which will result in heating up to the melting (fusing) temperature. By bringing two layers of material into the HF field at the same time and pressing them together, the layers will melt together (fuse) and a strong welded joint will be formed. Well-known products whereby HF welding is applied are car mats, baby cushions/pillows, screen canvas, waterbeds, inflatable boats, drip and blood bags, deck canvases, conveyor belts, rain clothing, writing materials, tents, air filters, advertising canvases, etc.
Is there a minimum order for your products?
We can offer short production runs on many of our custom-made stationery items and all of our custom-embroidered workwear. Minimum quantities apply on pens and most promotional products.
Do you have a brochure?
You can download a copy of our brochure covering our custom-made products here, alternatively call us or email us to request your copy. Also available are two separate brochures covering our promotional products and pens.
Product Index
Traditional PVC ring binder, screen printed ring binder, plain ring binders, A4 ring binders, portrait ring binders, landscape ring binders, ,pvc ring binders with pockets, pvc lever arch ring binders, presentation ring binders, 2 ring ring binders, 4 ring ring binders, encapsulated PVC ring binders, A4 encapsulated ring binders,A5 encapsulated ring binders, pvc ring binders with print inserts, pvc ring binders with print to front and spine, PVC ringbinder with slip case, A5 pvc ring binder with slip case, A4 pvc ring binder with slip case, printed pvc ring binder with slip case, PVC easel binders, A4 easel binders,A5 easel binders, easel binder with flaps, screen printed easel binders, plain easel binder, Paper over board ring binders, laminated paper over board ring binders, A4 paper over board ring binders, Presentation paper over board ring binders,paper over board ring binders with flaps, A5 presentation ring binders, Demonstration box with carry handles, screen printed demonstration box, paper over board box, laminated paper over board box,A4 presentation easels,Paper overboard presentation easels, Paper over board slip case and ring binder, laminated paper over board slip case and ring binder, screen printed paper over board and slip case, Clear frosted polyprop ring binders, colour frosted polyprop ring binders, A5 polyprop ring binders,A4 polyprop ring binders, polyprop ring binders, plain screen printed polyprop ring binders, A4 opaque ring binders ,A5 opaque ring binders, screen printed opaque ring binders, Polyprop ring binder and wallet combined, clear frosted polyprop ring binder and wallet combined, screen printed polyprop ring binder, Polyprop ring binder with flaps, colour match ring binder, Polyprop wallets, clear wallets, document wallets, opaque wallets, screen printed wallets, Magazine files, magazine file (box style), pvc presentation file, pvc display file, Portrait A5 polyprop box, landscape A5 polyprop box, polyprop document case, document case with handle, polyprop case file, resource box, screen printed polyprop box files, PVC Horse passport wallets, pvc car service pack wallets, pvc clear MOT wallets, pvc opaque MOT wallets, pvc pockets, pvc credit card wallets, pvc membership card wallets, pvc business card holders, PVC tax disc holders, stickers, self cling stickers, window stickers, tabbed dividers, clipboards, pens, signature guides, notechecks, envelope guides, page guides, hospital/hotel hooks, business cards, warning banners, workwear