Frequently asked questions: corporate gifts

.   What technique is used to print on chocolate?

Your logo is reproduced on chocolate in our workshop, using a unique colored cocoa butter transfer process.+

.   What product/substance is used to print the logo? Is it edible?

The cocoa butter that we have developed is edible, of course. It is made using 100% natural colorants.

.   Can my chocolate be personalized with several colors?

- Yes, it can. But for the sake of simplicity and legibility, we recommend choosing a beige print color, because it contrasts with the chocolate and provides an excellent rendering of your logo on the chocolate.

- Other colors can be used, such as yellow, red, green, orange, etc. Give us a call at 1-800-RICHART (742-4278) to tell us more about your idea.

.   What is the "proof"?

- It’s a document (a PDF file) that we send you for approval before the customized printing tool is created. It’s the equivalent of the final proof used in publishing before going to press, but for your personalized chocolate.

- It usually takes about 2 business days to get the proof.

.   Am I limited in the text size? Can I choose the typeface?

You’re not really limited in the text size, and you can choose the typeface. We reproduce the content of the vectorized file you send us, taking into account our technical constraints. The proof that we make precisely simulates the final result that we will obtain on the chocolate.

.   Can you print the logo in specific positions, for example, centering it on the chocolate?

Thanks to our expertise, we can center your logo well on the chocolates that we personalize.

- Solid chocolates, such as Ultra-Fines and chocolate message cards, provide perfect centering.

- For filled chocolates, we work within a margin of +/- 0.2" (vertical and/or horizontal offsetting) from the center of the chocolate. For this type of format, we offer the default option of printing your logo continuously across all of the chocolates, where possible.

.   What file format should I use to send you my logo?

For a good reproduction of your logo, please send us your file in Adobe Illustrator (.ai or .eps or .pdf, high definition) with vector fonts. If you don’t have a vectorized version of your logo, we can perform the work of vectorizing it. This service is billed at $300 per hour, plus tax.

.   What are the minimum order amounts for personalized chocolates?

The minimum order amounts depend on the type of product. They are indicated on the information page for each product on our website. If no minimum order amount is indicated, it means that there isn’t one.

.   How much is the fee for the customized tool?

The customized tool fee is included in the prices of the products you’ll find on our website.

.   What types of chocolates can be personalized?

We offer six types of chocolates for personalization:

1. personalization of filled chocolates

2. personalization of gourmet solid chocolate squares

3. personalization of chocolate message cards

4. personalization of chocolate lollipops

5. personalization of individually wrapped bite-sized fillet chocolates: our personalizable bite-sized filled chocolates are round. They weigh 1.4 oz. each and have a 2″ diameter. The standard filling is a golden caramel coulis made with Guérande salted butter. We can also offer an ultra-bitter dark chocolate ganache filling (additional charge of 10%) or a hazelnut or almond praline filling (additional charge of 15%).

6. personalization of our “Chocolate Delights”: our Chocolate Delights are square-shaped solid or filled chocolates (golden caramel coulis made with Guérande salted butter), with 1.4″ sides and a thickness of 0.3″. They weigh 0.46 oz. each. Our Chocolate Delights are individually packaged in a clear wrapper, to show your logo printed on the chocolate. This product is a great option for clients looking for a personalized, cost-effective solution in large quantities.

.   How much production time is needed for personalized chocolates?

The standard production time is 3 weeks, from the date of approval of the proof to the shipping date.

.   What kind of chocolate coating do you use for your personalized chocolates?

All of our filled chocolates are coated with 74% dark chocolate made with single-origin Venezuela cocoa. Unless otherwise requested, our solid chocolates are also made with 74% dark chocolate made with single-origin Venezuela cocoa.

.   What fillings are available for your personalized chocolates?

The standard filling for our personalized chocolates is golden caramel coulis made with Guérande salted butter. We can also offer an ultra-bitter dark chocolate ganache filling (additional charge of 10%) or a hazelnut or almond praline filling (additional charge of 15%). On request, we can also develop a custom filling for you.

.   What’s the shelf life of personalized chocolate?

Our filled chocolates have a shelf life of 5 weeks, if stored at 57°F, at a relative air humidity of 75%. Our solid chocolates (Ultra-Fines and message cards) have a shelf life of 12 weeks, if stored at 57°F, at a relative air humidity of 50%. Our macarons have a shelf life of 5 days, if stored at 45°F, at a relative air humidity of 70%. Our corporate gift advisors will direct you towards the best choice based on how your gifts will be distributed and the associated logistical constraints.

.   What types of packaging can be personalized?

We offer five types of personalizable packaging:

1. An outer sleeve, which completely covers the exterior surface of the gift box. All of our boxes show our brand. The sleeves come in a light version (5.3 oz. unscored satin paper) or in a heavy version (8.8 oz. scored satin paper). The production time is 5 business days after approval of the proof. The minimum order amount is 100 pieces.

2. The color-printed message card is secured to the top of your gift boxes. It is made of 8.8 oz. white satin paper, with a format of 3.5" x 3.5". The production time is 10 business days after approval of the proof. The minimum order amount is 100 pieces. The message card may be perforated if you wish (additional charge).

3. The message card for Chocolates to Nibble. Whether classic or original, Chocolates to Nibble by RICHART can be decorated in your colours, with a perforated card placed on top of the packaging. The card is white satin 8.8 oz. paper, and it measures 1.8" x 3.5". The production time is 2 weeks after approval of the proof. The minimum order amount is 100 pieces.

4. Personalizable chocolate bar packaging. The production time is 3 weeks after approval of the proof. The minimum order amount is 100 pieces.

5. Personalizable micro-bar packaging. A personalized sticker can be added to a silver wrapper containing 2 micro-bars of 74% dark single-origin Venezuela chocolate. Together, the 2 bars weigh about 1.7 oz. The production time is 3 weeks after approval of the proof. The minimum order amount is 100 pieces.

.   How do I place an order?

You can:

- fill in the online quote request form. We'll either send you our quote within 24 hours or contact you if we need more information.

- send an email to contact@richart.com, and we'll respond within 24 hours.
- call us at 1-800-RICHART (742-4278)

.   Who is my contact person at Maison RICHART?

The first person you reach, whether by phone, online quote request or email, will be your dedicated contact, from start to finish. Thanks to our versatile, highly experienced sales team, the process will be smooth and efficient for you.

.   Can I add a personalized note on the packaging, or inside of it?

Yes, certainly! You can ask us to write a message on a card to be slipped into each gift box. You can also send us your own cards that we'll include in the gift boxes.

.   What is the minimum lead time for an order?

An order for personalized chocolates can be processed within 3 weeks at the earliest. Depending on the season and the size of your order, we may be able to process it faster (please consult with your advisor). Standard products are available immediately.

On our website, you'll find "last minute" boxes that can be personalized with an outer sleeve covering the box. For these options, depending on the quantity, the lead time is shorter (under five business days).

.   Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we ship anywhere in the world where our products are authorized. We ship with DHL Worldwide.

.   Can you make individual shipments?

Yes, we can make individual shipments in the U.S. and/or internationally. On request, we'll email you the file listing your recipients with the corresponding tracking numbers.

All our chocolates are shipped directly from France to your recipient's doorstep through DHL Worldwide (delivery time of 1-3 days).

To help you manage your individual shipments, we'll send you an Excel file to be filled in carefully, stated within the correct format.

Our international shipments are with DHL Worldwide.

.   Can you make grouped shipments to several sites?

Yes, we can pack your order into several packages or pallets and ship to several sites.

.   Where are the packages shipped from?

All of our packages are shipped from our headquarters, located near Lyons, France.