Short answer: This corporate gifting glossary defines 60 terms buyers hit while ordering — MOQ, mock-up, co-branding, HSN code, GeM, hamper tiering and more — grouped into ordering, branding, packaging and compliance. Meru Gifting uses these terms daily across 250+ institutions we've supplied since 2012.
Updated September 2026.
Why does corporate gifting have its own vocabulary?
Corporate gifting has its own vocabulary because buyers sit at the intersection of procurement, branding and tax — three worlds that don't normally overlap. An HR manager ordering Diwali hampers needs to understand MOQ the same afternoon they need to understand Section 17(5)(h) of the CGST Act. This glossary groups the 60 terms Meru Gifting buyers ask about most, from first order to reorder.
What do MOQ, mock-up and turnaround mean?
Minimum order quantity; 50 pieces for branded items at Meru Gifting.
A free digital preview of your logo on the actual product before bulk printing.
Production time after approval, typically 7–15 working days.
Your company's formal order document; we handle PO-based procurement.
Total time from brief to delivery, including approvals and shipping.
A repeat order using the same artwork and specs as a prior batch.
A physical unit sent or shown before committing to bulk quantity.
Any order at or above MOQ, priced per unit rather than retail.
A print-ready artwork file confirmed for accuracy before production starts.
Your logo, ideally as a vector (AI, EPS or high-res PNG).
The paperwork step — GST details, bank info — before a company can bill you as a registered vendor.
A smaller trial order used to test a new gift category before scaling up.
What do co-branding, engraving and UV printing mean?
Your logo alongside a second logo, such as an event or partner brand.
A single logo, usually your company's, placed once on the product.
Where the branding sits — cap, base, front panel — agreed at mock-up stage.
Laser-etched branding, permanent, single-colour, best on steel and wood.
Full-colour ink cured under UV light; works on curved and flat surfaces.
Ink pressed through a mesh stencil; economical for one or two flat colours.
Metallic foil pressed onto leather or paper for a premium finish.
A logo pressed into leather or card without ink, for a subtle finish.
Stitched branding on bags, pouches and fabric items.
Individual names or details added per recipient, as with story books.
Matching print ink to your exact brand colour code (Pantone or hex).
Your company's logo and colour rules, shared with us before a mock-up.
See the full gift branding techniques glossary for a deeper comparison of these methods.
What packaging and hamper terms should I know?
A curated set of items in one box, usually for festivals or milestones.
Offering 2–3 hamper price levels for different recipient groups.
A sturdy, structured box, often magnetic-close, for premium hampers.
An outer printed cover that slides over a plain box.
A shaped tray inside a box that holds each item in place.
Shredded paper, straw or foam used to cushion items in a hamper.
Finishing touches — a tied ribbon and a branded gift tag.
How the hamper looks and feels the moment it's opened.
Recycled brown-paper packaging, common for eco-led briefs.
A printed or handwritten card included with the hamper.
Two or more items bundled and priced together, like a diary-and-bottle set.
Boxes, sleeves or ribbon printed in your company's colours.
What compliance terms come up in corporate gifting?
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| GST invoice | Tax invoice issued for every order, needed for accounting. |
| ITC (Input Tax Credit) | Tax credit a business claims on purchases; blocked for gifts under Section 17(5)(h). |
| HSN code | The product classification code used on GST invoices. |
| GeM | Government e-Marketplace; Meru Gifting is a registered GeM vendor. |
| E-way bill | A document required for transporting goods above a value threshold. |
| Perquisite | A non-cash benefit to an employee, like a gift, taxable above ₹5,000/year. |
The full list, with figures and rule references, is in our compliance glossary.
PU Diary, Gold Trim₹450 · MOQ 50 branded
Steel Bottle, Gift Box₹850 · MOQ 50 branded
Deepam Brass Oil Lamp Set₹1,999 · Artisanal
Steel Bottle, Cork Notebook & Coaster Set₹1,000 · MOQ 50 branded
What craft and material terms come up in artisanal gifting?
Meru Gifting's artisanal initiative with 4,000+ artisan families across 25+ states.
A craft household we work with directly for handmade mementos.
Lost-wax cast metal craft from Chhattisgarh, used in wall art and figurines.
Devotional painted-cloth art tradition from Nathdwara, Rajasthan.
Blackened metal inlaid with silver, from Bidar, Karnataka.
Engraved and cast brasswork from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Coloured enamel work on metal or marble, often from Jaipur.
Paper-thin carved pottery craft associated with Rajasthan.
Lacquered wooden toys from Channapatna, Karnataka.
Tribal line-art painting style from Maharashtra.
Intricate folk painting style from Bihar.
Textured wild silk from Bhagalpur, used to frame artisanal pieces.
Read the full Indian handicraft glossary for more on each craft and where it suits a corporate gift.
Still stuck on a term?
Send us your brief in plain language and we'll translate it into a gift plan.
Frequently asked questions
What does MOQ mean in corporate gifting?
Minimum order quantity — the smallest batch a supplier will produce, 50 pieces at Meru Gifting for branded items.
What's the difference between co-branding and mono-branding?
Mono-branding is a single logo; co-branding places two logos, such as yours and an event partner's.
What does GeM mean for corporate gifting?
Government e-Marketplace, a procurement portal for government and PSU buyers; Meru Gifting is a registered vendor.
What is hamper tiering?
Offering 2–3 price levels of the same hamper concept for different recipient groups, like employees vs clients.
