GETTING STARTED GUIDE
You will need to meet some key requirements before creating an account with MWW On Demand.
WELCOME
The MWW On Demand program is set up to accept your incoming orders over the internet, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So, the most important aspect of being able to take advantage of our services is to make sure that you and your business can transmit your customer’s orders to our system properly. Are you and your business ready to take this next step?
We’ve developed the following guide so that you and your team can have a concise overview of the requirements and prerequisites that will need to be completed in order to begin working with MWW On Demand. Let’s take a look at some main topics starting from the very beginning of the process and how it fits together.
E-Commerce Enabled Website or Platform
The main requirement for any business geared towards online sales is that they have an established web site with a functioning shopping cart. Or, like many online retailers today, they will be established with an ecommerce solution like Shopify, Woo Commerce, Magento or Big Commerce, just to name a few. Not all Ecommerce platforms are the same but the one requirement that you will definitely need to consider is: Does this ecommerce shopping cart or ecommerce platform come equipped to handle inbound and outbound API connections? If you are not sure which API compatible ecommerce solution is best for your business please consult with your web developer or IT department who would be best qualified to help you make that decision.
API Connection
In addition to having your own website up and running with full ecommerce capabilities you will now need to have that connected to our ordering system via an API connection. API stands for Application Programming Interface. In web development, a programmer will utilize API protocols in order to communicate between online systems. So, in order to transmit orders from your ecommerce platform to our ordering system you may need to employ a web developer or consult your IT department so that this connection can be programmed properly. Documentation for the MWW On Demand API services can be found here: mwwondemand.github.io
Production Ready Artwork
Since you are connecting directly into a manufacturing facility it is of utmost importance that your artwork can be designed to our specifications for each product. Unlike marketplace websites where you can upload your artwork, make edits, and see preview images, working with MWW On Demand will be a step up for some designers. Although templates are provided we feel that an advanced skill level in Photoshop (or similar graphic design suite) will be necessary in order to make certain that all of the products you wish to design can be returned to us as production ready files.
File Storage
Every time that an order is placed on your web site or ecommerce platform the API connection will need to transmit the location of where your production ready artwork is stored. Unlike marketplace sites and web services that you can upload your own artwork to be produced you will need to have proper online storage. Depending on where your web site is hosted or which ecommerce platform you use, you may have file storage available to you. To be certain that you have the proper online data storage required to transmit production ready artwork files over an API connection please consult with your web developer or IT department. File storage services such as Dropbox, Box, WeTransfer and Google Drive are not good choices for files that need to be transferred over an API connection as these are secure sites designed specifically to keep your files safe and protected – Not shared across the internet.
Shipping
Shipping is another aspect of your business that will need to step up to the next level. It is very important to determine which shipping carrier would be best for you and your business. It’s very likely that you will be shipping within the USA as well as international and you may need multiple carriers depending on where your customer base is ordering from.
Not only will you need to decide which postal carrier will be shipping your packages once MWW On Demand manufactures your products, you will need to make certain that these postal carriers can integrate directly with your website shopping cart or ecommerce platform. Keep in mind that all shipping calculations and charges will need to be automated per each transaction on your site. Also, every order that needs to be sent to MWW On Demand to be manufactured will need to have the proper shipping information transmitted over the API connection.
Drop Shipping and Packaging
One of the unique features of the MWW On Demand program includes white label packaging when your items are ready to be shipped directly to your customers. Since the vast majority of items we manufacture are soft goods most items are shipped in a plain Mylar type shipping bags that are free of markings. In the event that large items or consolidated items reach a point where a box is utilized, these boxes are also plain. Since you will be integrated with one or more shipping carriers the actual shipping label that will go on each package will be the business address that you choose. Each package will appear as if each product is coming directly from you and your business.
With each package that we ship we always include a packing slip that will also have your business address. These packing slips are designed to be very plain and simple which is good for the majority of our customers. If you desire a custom packing slip our API is designed to allow you to send over a packing slip per each order and this is something that you would need to discuss with your web development team or IT department.
Branding
The MWW On Demand program is designed to allow companies to create high quality textile home décor items with a rapid turnaround time and then drop ship directly to your customers. In order to keep thousands of items a day flowing through our system it is of utmost importance that every operation within our facility is streamlined and efficient. Items like sew-in tags, hang tags, and special packaging are not common in on-demand services as they tend to slow down manufacturing for everyone. For these reasons we do not offer branding services in the MWW On Demand program. However, we can recommend working with another division of our company that specializes in custom manufacturing and your account manager can assist you with those requests.
Business Requirements
If you are a business based in the USA you must provide your Federal Tax ID or Resellers License Number. Payment options: Most companies set up a business credit card to pay MWW On Demand. Each time an item is processed and shipped this card is charged. You are also welcome to apply for payment terms – With proper documentation we can evaluate the data you provide and determine if we can offer your business this level of service.
Putting It All Together
For some companies many of these requirements have already been met and we realize that there will be some that will need to start from the very beginning. And, MWW On Demand is a fantastic program that can offer unique advantages such as zero inventory for you to carry, no set up fees, and no minimum order quantities. Taking your business to the next level will require some work but the good news is that when you build the bridge over to the MWW On Demand program we are ready and waiting to manufacture high quality home décor products for you and your customers!