How to order corporate merch in Türkiye — the full process
A practical, step-by-step walkthrough of the corporate merch ordering process in Türkiye — from initial brief and artwork lock to strike-off, production, delivery, and e-Fatura invoicing with KDV 20%.
Why the process matters for Turkish buyers
The corporate merch ordering process in Türkiye is well-trodden, but the steps are not always obvious to first-time buyers. A typical brief goes through eight distinct stages: initial inquiry, brief lock, itemised quote, artwork preparation, strike-off sample, deposit and PO, serial production, and delivery with e-Fatura invoice. The timeline runs 14–30 iş günü for most programmes; rush programmes can compress to 7–10 days at a 35% premium. Understanding each stage — what to provide, what to expect, and what to approve in writing — is the difference between a smooth programme and one that slips the in-hands date.
Türkiye's merch finishing belt sits in Istanbul (İkitelli OSB, Merter, Yenibosna), Bursa, İzmir, Kayseri, and Gaziantep. The bulk of high-volume production runs in Bursa and Kayseri; Istanbul handles premium and fast-turnaround runs; İzmir and Gaziantep cover regional demand. The ordering process is the same regardless of which finishing hub produces the order; only the freight routing and the lead time differ.
Step 1 — Initial brief and inquiry
Send the brief by email, by phone, or via the contact form on this page. The brief covers: product mix (specific items, materials, colours, sizes), quantities per SKU, decoration method (silkscreen, DTF, embroidery, laser engraving, sublimation, UV print, foil stamping, debossing), in-hands date, budget in TRY, and any specific brand-book constraints (Pantone references, logo lockups, minimum clear space, do-not-use colours). The more specific the brief, the more accurate the first quote. Vague briefs ("we need merch for a conference") get generic responses; specific briefs ("300 navy 230 gsm cotton-poly pique polos, 3-colour embroidered left-chest, 2-week in-hands") get actionable quotes within 24 hours.
Step 2 — Itemised quote and product recommendations
Within one Istanbul business day, we send an itemised quote in TRY, breaking down unit cost per SKU, decoration cost per SKU, setup cost per SKU, freight cost, KDV 20% (or 10% on textiles), and total. The quote also includes product recommendations: alternative items at different price points, suggestions for substituting materials (e.g., rPET instead of virgin polyester for an ESG-aligned programme), and tradeoffs between decoration methods. If the budget is constrained, we suggest tiered options (entry / mid / premium) so the buyer can pick the right balance of cost and quality.
For EU export orders, the quote notes EUR.1 / EUR-MED certificate of origin availability, EUR pricing on request, and the estimated 24–48 hour customs clearance window at port of exit. For Turkish institutional buyers (public sector, EKAP tender, university), the quote notes the e-ihale or doğrudan temin procurement route, the e-Fatura framework, and the KDV rate applicable to the specific item (10% on textiles, 1% on basic food items, 0% on export).
Step 3 — Artwork preparation
Artwork is the make-or-break of any corporate merch programme. The buyer provides the logo in vector format (AI, EPS, SVG, or PDF) with all fonts converted to outlines. For multi-colour logos, the buyer provides Pantone PMS references; for full-colour photographs, the buyer provides a high-resolution raster (300 DPI minimum at print size). Our in-house artwork team cleans the file, lays it out on the product, and sends a digital mockup for approval. Approval is in writing — email reply is the standard, signed mockup PDFs are the premium tier. The artwork lock step is the contractually-binding handoff; changes after lock cost setup rework fees.
Common artwork issues: low-resolution logos (under 300 DPI), fonts not converted to outlines, missing Pantone references, unseparated colour channels, or RGB colour values. Our artwork team flags all of these before sign-off. The cleaner the artwork at handoff, the faster the production timeline.
Step 4 — Strike-off sample and approval
Strike-off (numune / prova) is the physical sample produced on the actual finishing line before serial production. For apparel, strike-off is a single garment with the logo applied. For hard goods (mugs, pens, USB drives, power banks), strike-off is a single finished unit. Strike-off turnaround is 2–7 iş günü depending on the item and the decoration method. Strike-off cost is roughly the unit price plus one setup, credited against the final invoice on orders of 200+ units.
Strike-off approval is in writing, by email reply or by signed PDF. Production does not start until the strike-off is approved. For rush programmes, digital mockups can substitute for physical strike-off in the first 48 hours; physical strike-off follows before serial production.
Step 5 — Deposit and purchase order
The standard payment structure is 50% deposit on PO confirmation and 50% on delivery. For recurring clients, 30/45-day net terms are available. The deposit secures the production slot in the finishing house and the raw material allocation. Once the deposit clears (typically 1–2 iş günü for bank transfer), the order enters the production queue. The full PO includes the itemised quote, the artwork approval, the strike-off approval, the delivery address, and the in-hands date.
For institutional buyers (public sector, university, EKAP), the PO flows through the institutional procurement system — e-ihale, doğrudan temin, or framework agreement. Invoices issue through e-Fatura with the institution's tax ID and the KDV rate applicable to the item. For EU export, the invoice issues VAT-free with the buyer's VAT ID and the EUR.1 / EUR-MED certificate of origin.
Step 6 — Serial production
Serial production runs 5–14 iş günü for most categories; rush 3–5 iş günü at +35% premium. Apparel runs in Bursa, Kayseri, Gaziantep, or Istanbul; hard goods (mugs, pens, USB drives, power banks) run in Istanbul, İzmir, or Bursa. The finishing house sends a production schedule at order entry; a mid-production photo update is sent at the 50% mark. Quality control runs throughout: fabric inspection, in-line checks, and pre-shipment audit. The 12-month branding replacement warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship for one year from delivery.
Step 7 — Delivery and acceptance
Delivery runs through Istanbul express courier for metropolitan addresses (Levent, Maslak, Şişli, Mecidiyeköy, Beşiktaş on the European side; Kadıköy, Ataşehir, Ümraniye, Maltepe on the Asian side). Next-day courier covers the Marmara region via the O-31 / O-32 motorway network. For regional buyers (Ankara, İzmir, Antalya, Adana, Bursa, Kayseri), overnight road freight runs 12–24 hours. For EU export, air cargo from IST or SAW clears within 24–48 hours; sea freight from Ambarlı, Kocaeli, or Mersin clears within 2–3 days.
Acceptance happens at the receiving dock. Count the cartons, check for damage, and open a representative sample. If anything is off — wrong quantity, wrong decoration, transit damage — flag it within 5 iş günü of receipt. The 12-month branding replacement warranty covers the claim; resolution is replacement, discount, or refund at the client's choice.
Step 8 — Invoicing and e-Fatura
Every invoice issues through e-Fatura (e-invoice), the Turkish Revenue Administration's mandatory electronic invoicing system. The e-Fatura includes the buyer's tax ID, the buyer's address, the itemised line items, the unit price per SKU, the KDV rate (20% standard, 10% on textiles under the textile-apparel reduced rate, 1% on basic food items, 0% on export), and the total. Paper invoices are not issued. The e-Fatura arrives in the buyer's e-Fatura portal within 1–3 iş günü of shipment. The deposit and balance are reconciled on the e-Fatura.
For EU export, the e-Fatura issues VAT-free with the buyer's EU VAT ID. The EUR.1 / EUR-MED certificate of origin is issued by the relevant regional exporters' union (İstanbul İhracatçı Birlikleri, Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri, Akdeniz İhracatçı Birlikleri, etc.) within 1–2 iş günü of declaration. For UK (post-Brexit) shipments, we apply CMR plus EUR.1, HS tariff codes, and the UK VAT registration.
Frequently asked questions
What information do I need to provide in the brief?
Product mix (specific items, materials, colours, sizes), quantities per SKU, decoration method, in-hands date, budget in TRY, and any brand-book constraints (Pantone references, logo lockups, do-not-use colours). The more specific the brief, the more accurate the first quote.
How long does the full process take?
14–30 iş günü for most programmes. Rush programmes can compress to 7–10 days at +35% premium. Pre-Christmas planner and calendar runs need 30+ days because of the dated interior print run.
What is the payment structure?
50% deposit on PO confirmation, 50% on delivery. Recurring clients can request 30/45-day net terms. For institutional buyers (public sector, university, EKAP), the PO flows through the institutional procurement system.
Can I get a strike-off sample before ordering?
Yes. Strike-off (numune) is a single physical sample produced on the actual finishing line. Turnaround is 2–7 iş günü. Cost is roughly the unit price plus one setup, credited against the final invoice on 200+ unit orders.
How is artwork approved?
Artwork approval is in writing — email reply is the standard, signed mockup PDFs are the premium tier. The artwork lock step is the contractually-binding handoff; changes after lock cost setup rework fees.
What is the warranty?
12-month branding replacement warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship for one year from delivery. Claims resolved in 5 iş günü — replacement, discount, or refund at the client's choice.
Start a brief
Tell us the product mix, quantities, decoration method, in-hands date and budget in TRY. We come back with an itemised quote and a strike-off schedule within one Istanbul business day.