Frequently Asked Questions
Get to know our products and services better.
Ordering & Quotes
How do I get a quote from Sow Easy?
Every product page has a ‘Request a quote’ button. Use that or email us a brief – product, quantity and any deadline – and we’ll come back with prices, ideas and a free visual, usually within the hour. There’s no obligation.
Browse All Products or Contact Us
What is your minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
Minimum order quantities vary by product. For Seedsticks, Seeded Paper and most Seed Packets they start at 100 units. Specific minimums are shown on each product page, or ask us for the pricing matrix.
Our Essentials Range offers low print runs from just 25 units.
Is there a set-up or origination fee?
Set-up costs depend on the product and order – typically £40, £20, or free of charge. We’ll confirm any set-up cost when we quote.
What are your payment terms?
New clients are set up on proforma. Established accounts are due 30 days from date of order.
Can I get free samples before ordering?
Yes – samples are free. Browse the range in our online Sample Shop.
How do I place an order?
Once the quote and samples are approved, we’ll raise the order and send a digital sign-off sheet. Once that’s signed off, we begin production – with a dedicated account manager guiding each step.
Do your prices include VAT and delivery?
Quotes are tailored to each order – we’ll confirm exactly what’s included, such as delivery, set-up and VAT, when we send the quote.
Where can I view or download the product catalogue?
Browse and download our full digital catalogue, including the complete range. We also offer seasonal editions for Spring, Summer and Christmas.
Delivery & Lead Times
What are your lead times / production turnaround?
On average an order takes 2-3 weeks from artwork approval, and we’ll give a firmer estimate on the quote. Our Essentials/Express range is available in just 3-5 working days.
Do you offer a rush or express service?
Yes. We can offer an express service on all products for an additional charge, and our Essentials range is available in less than 5 working days as standard.
We also offer a Super Express service that delivers in just 24-48 hours. Just let us know the deadline when you order.
How quickly will I get a quote and samples?
We reply to enquiries within the hour, with prices and a free visual if required. Physical samples follow quickly by post.
Do you ship internationally?
We can ship across the UK and the EU. However, we mostly work with customers within the United Kingdom.
Can you deliver directly to my client?
Yes – we can ship finished orders straight to the end customer or event. Just let us know delivery addresses and timings when ordering.
Can seed products be exported from the UK?
Sending seeds abroad involves some plant-health paperwork – for destinations outside the EU a phytosanitary certificate is needed, which adds some cost we’ll include in the quote. Let us know the destination and we’ll advise.
Artwork & Branding
Can you help with our artwork?
Absolutely – and it’s free of charge. Send us a print-ready template for the chosen product, or let our studio create the design.
Where do I find artwork templates and specs?
Each product page includes artwork templates, seed lists and product details to download. We’ll also send the correct template for the chosen product when the order is placed.
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What artwork file formats do you accept?
We work best with print-ready vector files (PDF, AI or EPS) with fonts outlined, but send us what’s available and we’ll advise. If anything needs adjusting, our studio can help.
What is the sign-off / approval process?
When artwork is ready we send a digital sign-off sheet showing the finalised design and order details. Once it’s approved, we go to production – so nothing is printed until it’s signed off.
Can products be fully custom-printed with a logo and branding?
Yes – all our products are custom-printed to order with any business logo and branding, using sustainable printing methods.
Can you make bespoke shapes?
Yes – we regularly produce Seedsticks and seeded products in bespoke shapes, including telephones, houses, buses and bookmarks. Share the idea and we’ll do our best to bring it to life.
Do you print and finish everything in-house?
Yes – we manufacture, print and finish in-house in the UK on our own equipment, including digital press and wide-format printing, laser engraving, a 3D printer and creasing/die-cutting. In-house control means faster turnaround, tighter quality and more flexibility for bespoke work.
Seeds & Products
What is a Seedstick and how does it work?
Seedsticks are our best-known product – a custom-printed matchbook where every ‘matchstick’ holds a seed in its tip. Tear one out, pop it in soil, water it, and watch it grow. We invented the format and remain the market leader.
What types of seeds can you supply?
We can supply a wide range of seed varities including herbs, flowers, vegetables, fruit and tree seeds.
Popular choices include basil, mint, thyme, forget-me-nots, poppies, wildflowers, tomatoes, chillies and alpine strawberries. If there’s something specific in mind, just ask.
Can I choose a specific seed variety?
Yes. Each product page lists the seed varieties available for that product, and we can advise based on season, germination time and the campaign. Restrictions are mainly down to seed size, cost and availability.
Are your seeds safe and good quality?
Yes. We’re Licensed Seed Handlers accredited by FERA and licensed for Seed Marketing Operations across the UK, so we meet strict standards on seed purity and germination rates.
How long do the seeds last and how should I store them?
Most of our seeds have a shelf life of around two years. Keep them somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight and they’ll keep until they’re needed.
Can products be supplied for any season?
Yes. Seeds can be grown year-round indoors, and we can recommend varieties suited to the season the campaign lands in. Just let us know the timing.
Eco & Materials
Are Sow Easy products eco-friendly?
Yes – it’s central to what we do. Our products grow into plants that give back to the environment, we manufacture in-house in the UK, use no plastic packaging, and print with recyclable, non-hazardous materials.
Are your products plastic-free?
Most of our range is plastic-free – our independent ethical audit confirmed no plastic packaging is used in production and that all packaging is recyclable. Seedsticks, seed packets and seeded papers use paper card and biodegradable materials.
What are your products made from?
Our Seedsticks use responsibly sourced paper card, with covers made from recycled paper – all virgin material is replaced by fast-growing trees in managed forests. If 100% recycled materials are required, we can usually provide this, sometimes at a small additional cost.
Is your paper and board responsibly sourced?
Yes. Our timber and paper-based materials are sourced from certified suppliers, and Seedsticks use responsibly sourced and recycled board, with virgin material replaced by fast-growing trees in managed forests.
Are harmful chemicals used to make your products?
No. Our SMETA environmental audit confirmed hazardous chemicals are not used in our production process, COSHH assessments are in place, and we print using safe, fully recyclable dry toners.
Carbon, Waste & Supply Chain
What are you doing about carbon emissions?
We plant trees and fund climate projects through Ecologi – so far over 1,650 trees and 146+ tonnes of CO2e avoided, working towards becoming carbon neutral (live impact at ecologi.com/soweasy). We also print in-house and source paper from responsibly managed, PEFC-certified forests through our suppliers.
How many trees has Sow Easy planted / what's your climate impact?
Through our partnership with Ecologi we’ve funded over 1,650 trees and supported climate projects avoiding 146+ tonnes of CO2e – working towards becoming carbon neutral.
How do you reduce packaging and waste?
We’re increasing our use of sustainably sourced, recyclable and reusable packaging, and shred old cardboard in-house to reuse as protective insert packaging. We segregate and recycle waste via licensed carriers wherever possible – our latest independent audit recorded a 35% reduction in waste year on year.
What are you doing to reduce delivery and supply-chain emissions?
We’ve chosen DHL as our delivery partner (which is targeting net-zero emissions by 2050), aim to minimise airfreight, and prioritise British-made and locally sourced products. We’re also working towards renewable energy tariffs and lower energy use at our premises.
Accreditations & Audits
What environmental and industry accreditations do you hold?
BPMA member for 34 years, and are part of their Step Forward Sustainability Pledge.
FERA-accredited Licensed Seed Handlers.
We’re Made in Britain accredited
We hold EcoVadis Bronze rating.
Sedex members audited to the SMETA 4-Pillar standard
Accredited under the RHS Plants for Pollinators scheme.
Are you an independently audited, accredited sustainable supplier?
Yes. Our credentials are independently verified, not just self-declared: EcoVadis Bronze, Sedex member audited to the SMETA 4-Pillar standard (by BSI), certified Living Wage employer and Made in Britain accredited. We’re happy to share evidence to support due diligence.
Are you on Sedex, and can we see your SMETA audit for supplier onboarding?
Yes. Sow Easy (Grayson Group) is a registered Sedex member and completed a full SMETA 4-Pillar ethical trade audit covering Labour Standards, Health & Safety, Environment and Business Ethics. Buyers can request access via Sedex or by contacting us.
What is EcoVadis and what does your rating cover?
EcoVadis is an independent sustainability ratings provider that assesses companies across four themes: Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. Sow Easy holds an EcoVadis Bronze medal, giving buyers third-party assurance of our sustainability performance.
What environmental policies and management do you have in place?
We have an environmental policy and a biodiversity policy, a nominated person responsible for environmental management, and an aspects/impacts register with control measures. Our environmental policy is shared with suppliers annually.
Is Sow Easy a B Corp?
Not yet – achieving B Corp certification is one of our stated sustainability priorities, and we’re committed to avoiding greenwashing as we work towards it.
CSR & ESG Support
How do seeded promotional products help our CSR or ESG goals?
Seeded giveaways replace throwaway plastic items with something useful that grows, supporting sustainability commitments and giving a positive, on-brand story to share with staff and customers. They’re a simple, visible way to bring environmental values to life.
Can your products support our sustainability or Scope 3 reporting?
We can provide product and material information – what our products are made from and their eco credentials – to help inform sustainability reporting. We don’t currently provide formal carbon or Scope 3 data, so those figures should be verified against the relevant reporting framework.
Can you provide information to back up marketing claims?
Yes. We can share our certifications, independent SMETA audit and product/material details so environmental claims made are accurate and substantiated, in line with the CMA’s Green Claims Code.
Can you provide evidence to support our ESG or responsible-sourcing reporting?
Yes. We can share our accreditations and policies – SMETA audit summary, EcoVadis rating, Living Wage and Made in Britain certificates, plus environmental, biodiversity, modern slavery and supplier codes – to help inform sustainability and responsible-sourcing reporting.
What sustainability commitments has Sow Easy made?
We’ve published a Sustainability Pledge – part of the BPMA StepForward initiative – setting out commitments across products, packaging, people, energy and our supply chain, from introducing more sustainable products to cutting supply-chain emissions and reporting progress transparently. It’s signed by our Managing Director and reviewed regularly.
What is the BPMA StepForward Pledge and have you signed it?
The BPMA StepForward Pledge is the promotional merchandise industry’s sustainability commitment – 13 commitments across Products, People and Planet, backed by a public sustainability statement. Sow Easy has signed the pledge.
Does Sow Easy support charities or the local community?
Yes. We donate overstock products to charities, and our team supports local hospitals by helping to clean and beautify their gardens.
Ethical & Fair Employer
Is Sow Easy an ethical and fair employer?
Yes, and it’s independently verified. We’re a certified Living Wage employer and were audited to the SMETA 4-Pillar standard covering labour standards, health & safety and business ethics. Our team enjoys above-statutory holiday and additional benefits.
Do you have a modern slavery and ethical trading policy?
Yes. We have modern slavery, ethical trading, anti-bribery and equal-opportunities policies, and require our own suppliers to sign a Supplier Code of Conduct. This is independently checked through our SMETA 4-Pillar audit.
How do you develop and support your team?
Our people are central to the business. We invest in staff development through Bright HR and encourage industry qualifications (TPM, CPI and MPM), pay the Real Living Wage, offer flexible working, and support wellbeing with perks like free fruit, drinks and a weekly team lunch, plus regular social events.
Made in the UK
Are your products manufactured in the UK?
Yes – unlike many suppliers, we manufacture and assemble most of our products here in the UK on unique machinery designed and developed in-house. It’s something we’re genuinely proud of.
Are you a Made in Britain member?
Yes – we’re Made in Britain accredited (members since 2020), manufacturing here in the UK.
Why does UK manufacturing matter for my order?
Manufacturing in-house in the UK means faster lead times, tighter quality control, shorter supply chains and a lower transport footprint – plus the flexibility to handle bespoke and last-minute requests.
Where are your seeds sourced?
As FERA-accredited Licensed Seed Handlers we source seed that meets strict UK purity and germination standards.
How does Sow Easy support British manufacturing and industry bodies?
We manufacture in the UK and are Made in Britain accredited. We’ve been a member of the BPMA – the promotional merchandise industry body – for 34 years, and have signed its StepForward sustainability pledge.
Distributors & Resellers
Who does Sow Easy work with?
We work closely with marketing and branding agencies, wholesalers and distributors, with over 35 years’ experience supplying the trade. We can also supply businesses directly where needed.
Do you offer trade pricing for distributors?
Yes – we’re a trade-focused supplier and work with distributors and resellers on pricing that leaves room for your margin. Register for a trade account to see live online pricing and order samples in our distributor portal.
What is the Marketing Hub / distributor dashboard?
Our distributor dashboard includes a Marketing Hub with ready-to-use assets to help you promote and sell our products to your own clients. Register or log in to access it.
Do you provide product images and assets we can use?
Yes – registered distributors can access product imagery and marketing materials through the Marketing Hub to support their own sales and pitches.
Do you offer an API or online integration?
Yes – we offer API access for trade partners to streamline product data and ordering. Register your interest to find out more.
Have you won any industry awards?
Yes – Sow Easy was recognised in the Top 10 Specialist Suppliers of the Year at the 2024 Sourcing City Awards, a peer-voted award decided by distributors and suppliers across the promotional merchandise industry.
Retail & Consumer
Where can I buy Seedsticks as a consumer?
If you’re an individual looking to buy Seedsticks for yourself, our consumer site seedsticks.co.uk is the place to go, with direct links to Amazon and Not on the High Street.
How do I grow my Seedsticks?
Easy – tear out a ‘matchstick’, lay or push it into damp soil with the seeded tip just covered, keep it watered and warm, and your seeds will germinate in a couple of weeks. Full instructions come on every pack.
Do Seedsticks make a good gift?
Yes – they’re a fun, eco-friendly little gift that grows into real flowers, herbs or veg. Popular for stocking fillers, party favours, thank-yous and green-minded gifting.
I'm a retailer - how do I stock Seedsticks wholesale?
We’d love to help. Retailers can buy Seedsticks and retail packs wholesale – get in touch via our Retail page to discuss stocking, quantities and trade terms. Or you can visit https://seedsticks.co.uk/wholesale/