Launch Glossary
The Launch Glossary is a quick reference guide to common terms used throughout Launch by Lead Apparel and company merchandise programs.
Whether you're setting up your first employee store or managing an ongoing merchandise program, these definitions can help explain common platform features, shipping methods, branding terminology, and fulfillment concepts used throughout Launch.
Always Open Store
A store that remains open year-round, allowing employees to place orders at any time instead of during a scheduled launch window.
Always Open stores are commonly used for onboarding programs, uniforms, and ongoing employee merchandise programs.
Brand Guide
A document or set of standards that defines how a company’s logo, colors, fonts, and branding should appear across merchandise and marketing materials.
Uploading a brand guide helps maintain more consistent decoration and product presentation.
Bulk Shipment
A shipping method where all employee orders are combined and shipped together to a single office or location.
Bulk shipments are commonly used for internal distribution at offices or events.
Decoration Method
The process used to apply a logo or design to merchandise.
Common decoration methods include embroidery, screen printing, heat transfer, and patch applications depending on the product type.
Direct-to-Employee Shipping
A fulfillment method where individual employee orders are shipped directly to each employee instead of a central office location.
This is one of the most commonly used shipping options for remote and distributed teams.
Embroidery
A decoration method where logos are stitched directly into apparel using thread.
Embroidery is commonly used on polos, jackets, hats, backpacks, and other premium apparel items.
Fulfillment
The process of producing, packing, and shipping merchandise orders after they are placed.
This includes decoration, quality control, packaging, and shipment tracking.
Launch Code
A company-funded allowance or discount code used by employees during checkout.
Launch Codes can be configured as:
- Fixed Amount allowances
- Percentage discounts
- Department-specific programs
- Employee-specific promotions
Companies can also control who is eligible to use each code.
Launch Messenger
An automated communication tool within Launch that sends employee emails related to store launches, reminders, and ordering deadlines.
Launch Messenger helps reduce manual follow-up during employee store campaigns.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
The minimum number of units required to produce certain products or custom manufacturing programs.
MOQ requirements are most common with fully custom or overseas-manufactured merchandise.
Multiple Office Shipments
A shipping option that groups employee orders by office location instead of shipping all orders individually.
This helps companies distribute merchandise across multiple offices more efficiently.
On-Demand Plan
A Launch plan designed for companies running occasional merchandise stores without maintaining an ongoing subscription.
On-Demand plans are commonly used for one-time launches, events, or seasonal merchandise programs.
Open and Close Store
A store format where employees can place orders during a scheduled ordering window.
Once the store closes, production begins and orders move into fulfillment.
This is one of the most common formats for employee merchandise launches.
Pantone Matching
A process used to match thread, ink, or print colors as closely as possible to official brand colors using the Pantone Matching System (PMS).
Pantone matching helps maintain brand consistency across decorated merchandise.
Pre-Pack
A fulfillment option where employee apparel orders are individually grouped, labeled, and packaged before being shipped together to a single office or event location.
Pre-Pack services help simplify on-site merchandise distribution.
Proof Approval
The review and approval process that confirms logo placement, sizing, colors, and decoration details before production begins.
Carefully reviewing proofs helps reduce production issues and branding inconsistencies.
Screen Printing
A decoration method where ink is applied directly onto apparel using mesh screens.
Screen printing is commonly used for t-shirts, hoodies, and high-volume apparel orders.
Store Admin
The primary user responsible for managing a company’s Launch store.
Store admins typically manage products, launch dates, employee access, shipping methods, and Launch Codes.
Store Launch
The process of opening a Launch store for employee ordering.
Store launches may include:
- Scheduled launch dates
- Employee email announcements
- Launch Codes
- Product releases
- Event-based merchandise programs