Tribe Custom FAQ
Are you members of PPAI, SAGE, or ASI?
Yes! We are rated 5/5 on ASI and A+ on SAGE. Below are our industry numbers:
Sage #: 51797
ASI #: 92049
PPAI #: 716751
We’re on Commonsku!
How long have you been in business?
Tribe was launched in 2014 when two co-workers at Google HQ decided to start a fun side project. What began as supplying socks for influencer friends looking to monetize their social pages turned into quite a serious sock business!
10 years and thousands of pairs later, we’re still having fun supplying your tribe.
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Where is Tribe located?
Originally founded in San Francisco, CA, Tribe is now a fully remote company. With employees and facilities in over 7 states and 4 countries, our Tribe is worldwide.
Where do you ship from?
Where we ship from depends on the product, lead time, and end destination. We have facilities in Alabama, New Jersey, Texas, New Hampshire, Spain, and China. Contact your sales rep for information regarding specific projects.
Where can you ship to?
Essentially, anywhere! The majority of our products are printed in the USA and can ship domestically and internationally. This includes Canada and Europe.
Are socks all that you supply?
While vibrant custom socks are Tribe’s flagship product, we offer a ton more than simply socks. All the following products are offered at 1 piece minimums: Socks, Full-Color Drinkware, Customized Candles, and Custom Slides. Reach out about kitting opportunities.
Do you have a product catalog?
Why yes, we do 👉 Full Tribe Catalog
Were you feet-ured on Good Morning America?
Such a frequently asked question, how did you know? But yes, we were!
I have a question that’s not on this FAQ page.
Reach out to orders@tribesocks.com and we’ll get back to you within 24 business hours with a response.
Working with Our Tribe
Where do I send artwork or purchase orders?
Purchase Orders can be sent to orders@tribesocks.com
Artwork can be sent to artwork@tribesocks.com
Can I get free virtuals and designs?
Of course! We have a proven and experienced team of ankle artists (that’s what we call graphic designers) ready to assist you with your project’s needs.
If you have a client that knows exactly what they want, that’s great! If your client doesn’t know what they want but just wants to see some virtuals first, that’s okay too! Our team is prepared for the most specific or vague of requests.
How quickly can I expect my designs to be ready?
Simply send over any artwork/logos and optional design direction to artwork@tribesocks.com. We’ll have presentation-worthy custom designs for you ready within 24-48 hours.
Or, use this link to request a free design today and we’ll get designs over to you within a 24-48 hour timeframe.
What is your minimum order size?
Nearly all our products are offered 1 piece minimums. View our catalog.
Why do you offer 1 piece minimum products? Wouldn’t you want the largest order sizes possible?
We supply Tribes of any size.
Whether that’s an employee who needs a personalized pick-me-up, a group of 10 executives who are looking for a premium gift, or 1,000 conference attendees looking to walk away in their brand-new socks, we’ve got your Tribe covered.
More importantly, we offer 1 piece minimums to be feet-ured in company stores. With a 1 piece MOQ, there is no inventory and dropshipping is a breeze.
Do you offer free samples? What about spec samples?
We offer free generic and spec samples of our products (with a small exception of our weighted blankets).Because nearly all our products are offered at 1 piece minimums, we can send generic samples or spec samples out for free.
To request a sample, either fill out this 2-minute form or send an email to orders@tribesocks.com with a shipping address and specific product you’d like to be sampled. If you’d like it to be a spec sample or personalized sample, include any artwork/logos.
Do you charge any fees? Other hidden costs?
Nope! When you work with Tribe all you pay is product + shipping.
There are no credit card fees, artwork fees, storage fees, or even breathing fees).
On rare occasions, we need to charge a nominal rush fee for super quick turn projects (less than 1 week) or to guarantee delivery during peak season.
Can you use my shipping account?
Yes, we can use 3rd party shipping accounts. Although, when we produce orders overseas we are limited to only shipping via DHL.
Can you dropship or split ship?
Because nearly all of our products are produced at 1-piece minimums, this means we can dropship or split ship any order. There are no additional dropship fees, though shipping per package will apply.
I want to offer a self promo through Tribe, is that possible?
Yes it is! We offer EQP on self-promos. Historically, self-promotions have paid for themselves. Client orders roll in shortly after the delivery of a self-promo. It’s a win-win-win for you, your clients, and our Tribe.
I have a problem with my order. Who do I contact?
Offering customization on printed products sometimes comes with unexpected possibilities. We strive to make your custom order correct and on time. There’s a reason we have a 5/5 rating on ESP and A+ rating on SAGE.
If you feel there is an issue with your order, reach out to orders@tribesocks.com with any questions, comments, or concerns with specific orders.
It is helpful to include the Purchase Order number, specific requests or issues, and any well-lit, clear photos of the finished products from different angles.
Socks FAQ
How are your socks decorated?
Tribe Socks was the first in the industry to use a direct to garment (DTG) print method to create socks.
What makes a DTG printed sock different than traditional knit or sublimated styles?
Unlike traditional knit socks, Tribe Socks can create full-color artwork. Because the print process is fully digital, we can even print faces and photographs on our socks!
And unlike traditional sublimated styles, these socks are super comfortable. Request a sample to test the difference for yourself.
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Do your socks have those unattractive white lines when stretched?
Unlike traditional sublimated decoration, there are no white lines when stretched. We print our socks in a stretched state, which means our socks are designed to look their best when worn.
So you print Direct to Garment. Does that have any print restrictions?
When printing ink onto sock fabric, there are some guidelines we follow to ensure for a quality print. You can check out this slide deck of best practices of sock design for more specifics, but the big ones are below:
- Small text & thin lines - The larger this can be in the design, the higher the chances of a quality print
- Heel + toe must be black - we can’t print on the curved areas of the sock, so we make the area black to prevent ink bleeding into those areas and ruining the overall print. Socks without this can be specially ordered with a slightly longer lead time and minimum order size.
- ‘Snow’ white backgrounds - printing ink directly onto the garment means ink bleed is an issue. We solve this by turning white areas into super light grey that some describe as ‘off white’.
- ‘Jet’ black backgrounds - this requires so much ink it doubles the weight (and cost) of the sock and leads to ink bleed issues. We solve this with a super dark grey background instead of a jet black.
What style of socks and lengths do you offer?
We have a core line of socks with deep inventory. This includes our:
- Sustainable Crew Dress Socks
- Signature Combed Cotton Crew Socks
- Sustainable Athletic High-Performance Crew Socks
- Sustainable Athletic Ankle Socks
Our core line of socks we can print at 1 piece minimums with as little as 5 day production times. See our updated Catalog for more.
What about sock styles not in your core line?
For our non-core line, this would include knitted socks, youth socks, knee length socks, and more. Since we need to specially source the blank inventory for these non-core items, the minimums are higher and lead times are longer than our core line. Contact us with any specific project requirements.
Are your socks unisex? Do they have specific sizing?
Our socks are one size fits most. They comfortably fit a women’s 5 - men’s 12 shoe sizes.
All our socks are made with a little bit of elastane, which means they conform to your foot and can stretch to fit even larger shoe sizes.
Do your socks have a sustainability component?
All the socks in our core line are made from recycled plastic bottles. Each pair of socks is created using 2 recycled plastic bottles with yarns sourced from Repreve fabric. Our cotton crew socks are the exception as they are made from fine combed cotton.
How are the socks packaged/labeled?
We have 3 options to label our socks:
1) Standard labels - Included in each order
2) No labels - The socks will arrive tagged in pairs
3) Custom labels - Available for an additional cost per pair.
Refer to our catalog for pricing.
How do you ensure quality for a custom print?
We have a few different quality assurance steps on orders of 25 orders or greater.
We start with approval of a virtual proof. Virtual proofs are designed to be a representation of how the socks will print.
Next, we send a photo of the first sock out of the printer for approval. If you don’t like what you see, we’ll adjust the design and send a new round of photos. We won’t move forward until the design is approved, provided the timeframe works with the project’s in-hands date.
Spec sampling is also available on request, again provided the timeframe works with the project’s in-hands date.
What is the minimum order size (MOQ)?
For all our socks printed in the US, our MOQ is 1 pair! See our catalog for updated minimums, pricing and more.
What is the pricing of your socks?
In promo and in life, you get what you pay for. That is certainly true of the sock category. Our socks are designed to be the first pair you pull our of your sock drawer each time after laundry day. You can view our most up to date pricing in our catalog.
What about inventory? Are you in stock?
Printing socks direct-to-garment has another benefit: We’ve never been out of stock.
We purchase blank inventory in bulk to ensure we can meet demand at even the busiest times of year. Ordering large quantities of blank units means we’re always in stock, we get bulk discounts, and we can pass those savings on to you.
What do you recommend for a retail price?
We find that pricing our socks on a (C) is a great price for end customers, and plenty of profit for our distributor partners.
How long are lead times?
When we print our socks in the US, we average a 5 day production time, 7-12 day total lead time.
Orders printed overseas is typically a 3-4 week lead time.
I need custom socks fast. How quickly can you deliver?
Here’s an example: One customer approached us saying his previous sock supplier would not be able to deliver in time for an event upcoming on Friday. It was Tuesday.
Our Tribe was able to design, print, overnight ship, and deliver 200 pairs of socks halfway across the country for on-time delivery. All within 3 days.
Reach out to your rep to see if we can hit your quick in-hands date project.
Can I get free designs to present to my client?
Of course! Email artwork@tribesocks.com with any artwork/logos to begin. You can also submit artwork to this design request link and our team will get it handled within 24-48 hours.
Can I or my client design my own socks?
Yes, you can! Here is a folder of our publicly available design templates. When designing, reference our best practices slide deck. Not sure which template to use? Reach out to your rep with any questions.
When designs are complete, our team of ankle artists will review them to ensure the design will print as expected.
Do you Pantone match?
Color and brand are super important! Currently, our printers use a CMYK color profile. So while we can’t guarantee an exact PMS match, we usually get super close to the true color.
For orders of 25 units or greater, photos will be provided of your first socks out of the printer to ensure the coloration is up to your and your client’s expectations.
Can I design different socks for the left and right foot?
Yes, you can! We recommend that each design is distinct, either by unique text, different art elements, or by specific colors. This helps our production staff pair the socks correctly.
Can I get a sample? What about a spec sample?
YES to both! We offer free generic samples, free spec samples, and even sample kits of our most popular socks. Request a sample by providing a shipping address to orders@tribesocks.com or filling out this 2-minute form.
Drinkware FAQ
Drinkware? I thought you were a sock company.
We found that distributors loved not only the quality of Tribe Socks, but also the fact that we were able to offer a fast turn, 1 piece minimum, full-color product printed in the USA. This was the criteria we used when deciding on product expansion, and drinkware fits the bill!
What are your minimums?
ALL our drinkware is offered at 1 piece minimums, making Tribe drinkware perfect for programs and company stores.
So it’s 1 piece minimums, but that’s only for laser engraving and one-color imprints, right?
Not only do we offer no minimums for drinkware, it’s also full-wrap and full color.
We decorate our drinkware using a high-quality sublimation process that creates vibrant designs for Tribes of any size.
Do you Pantone match?
Color and brand are super important! Currently, our printers use a CYMK color profile. So while we can’t guarantee an exact Pantone match, we usually get super close to the true color.
On orders of 25 units+, photos will be provided of the first drinkware out of the printer to ensure the coloration is up to your and your client’s expectations.
Can I get free designs to present to my client?
Of course! Email artwork@tribesocks.com with any artwork/logos to begin. You can also submit artwork to this design request link and our team will get it handled within 24-48 hours.
Can my client or my team design this product?
Yes! Reach out to orders@tribesocks.com to request a template for a specific product found in our catalog. After the design is complete, our team will review the design to ensure quality before we print the full order.
What is the lead time of your drinkware?
All our drinkware is printed in the USA for a fast turn time. This means a 7-12 day lead time for orders under 500 units.
Where can I find specific information on your drinkware, like pricing, dimensions, and care instructions?
You can view up-to-date information in the drinkware section of our catalog.
Is the only drinkware you offer listed on your catalog?
The drinkware in our catalog is our core line. This has deep inventory and is available to be printed on demand at 1-piece minimums.
We do have other drinkware available like mugs, blue-tooth speaker tumblers and more. These non-core items may have a longer lead time depending on the product.
Reach out to orders@tribesocks.com with any specifics and we’ll see if we have an item that’s a good fit for your project.
Can I snag a sample of your drinkware?
Of course! Provide a good shipping address & specific product to orders@tribesocks.com and we’ll ship a sample out.
Or fill out this 2-minute form to request a sample.
Spec samples and personalized samples are available upon request.
Footwear & Homegoods
Footwear? Homegoods? I thought you were a sock company
We found that distributors loved not only the quality of Tribe Socks, but also the fact that we were able to offer a fast turn, 1 piece minimum, full-color product printed in the USA. This was the criteria we used when deciding on product expansion, and these products fit the bill!
What are Easy Slides?
Easy slides are sandal-like footwear that can be customized at 1 piece minimums and full color decoration. See the product listing for Easy Slides for more.
iSlides
iSlides are the #1 brand in slides, trusted by NFL, NBA, and MLB locker rooms across the country. See the product listing for iSlides for more.
What are the similarities and differences between Easy Slides and iSlides?
Similarities - Both products are sandal like footwear offered at 1 piece minimums. Only the strap is customizable, and it can be decorated with a full color imprint. Both items are printed here in the USA for a lightning fast turn time. Lastly, both products are offered in full sizes (think size 10 & 11, not 10.5).
Easy Slides - These come only with a white or black base. They have an ergonomically shaped footbed that makes for comfortable walking on the beach and around the house. The strap is not adjustable.
iSlides - There are a number of color options for the base of the slides. The waffle-patterned cushioned footbed is designed for recovery after exercise but is just as comfortable walking around the house. Due to our licensing agreement, these must retail for over $50. The strap is adjustable.
What is a Classic Candle?
Classic candles are scent-sational, sustainable soy based candles hand-poured here in the USA. Perfect for any project, see the product listing for Classic Candles for more.
What is a Premium Candle?
Premium candles are deliciously scented, sustainable soy based candles hand-poured here in the USA. Perfect for high-value projects, see the product listing for Premium Candles for more.
What is the difference between Classic and Premium Candles?
Similarities - Both candles are hand-poured in the USA using sustainable soy wax and offered at 1-piece minimums.
Classic Candles - These come in white or amber cylindrical jars and are decorated by white or kraft paper labels. There are 7 scents available. Lead time is 7 days or less.
Premium Candles - These come in cube-shaped jars and are decorated by high-precision laser engraving. The lid can be personalized as well. There are over 10 scents available. Lead time is 10-14 days.
Can you tell me more about weighted blankets?
Sure! Tribe weighted blankets are designed to feel like a hug. With 14 lbs of weighted pressure, feel your stress melt away as you relax under this blanket made of soft, minky polyester. It prints double-sided and full-color.
Each blanket comes with a removable duvet cover for easy cleaning (your washing machine will thank us). The lead time is 3 weeks as we custom-make each duvet cover with high-quality sublimation.
Check out the product listing for weighted blankets for more information
Ready to start?
I’m ready to start, what are next steps?
Reach out to orders@tribesocks.com to:
- Request custom virtuals
- Request updated pricing/quotes
- Request a sample, spec or generic
- Send Purchase Order
- Ask specific project questions
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