Twelve questions that separate event crews from equipment owners.

Ask these in order on every vendor call. Good companies enjoy this conversation; weak ones get vague around question four. We have annotated what a strong answer sounds like — hold us to the same standard.

Capacity & crew

1. How many pieces per hour will you produce for my guest count? Strong: a number, with press count and staffing attached. Weak: "depends on a lot of factors."
2. How many operators are on my event, doing what? One person pressing and handling guests stalls at volume.
3. Who is my on-site lead, by name? If the answer is "one of our team," you may be getting a subcontractor they have not met.
4. What is your backup plan if a press fails at hour two? Strong: redundant equipment on the truck. Weak: "that's never happened."

Product & art

5. Which garment brands and models will you quote? You want specifics — Bella+Canvas 3001, Richardson 112 — not "quality blanks."
6. Can I see my art proofed on the actual garment before event day? Non-negotiable for brand-sensitive events.
7. What happens to leftover blanks? Inventoried and returned or credited is the honest answer.
8. Which methods do you run, and which one fits my crowd? A one-machine vendor recommends their machine every time. A multi-method shop should argue for a fit.

Logistics & money

9. Can you send a certificate of insurance to my venue this week? Watch the speed of the yes.
10. What do you need from my venue? Strong answers are specific: a 10×10 footprint, one 20-amp circuit per press, a dock window.
11. What is included in the quoted price, line by line? Compare scope, not totals — staffing hours, setup, art prep, travel.
12. Have you worked this venue or one like it? Convention center? Ask about drayage and union rules and listen for fluency.

Print this list, or start the conversation with us already in progress — send your event details and our first reply will answer most of the twelve unprompted.