AK Athletic Equipment Company Policies

Before using or installing an item: Inspect it carefully. If you believe it is incorrect, damaged, or defective, contact AK Athletics before use or installation.

Return Policy

All returns must be in new, unused condition. Used items will not be accepted for return.

Not eligible for return: Wall padding, pole and column pads, outdoor padding, balance beams, goal post pads, incline mats, skill shape mats, soft play, landing mats, graphics and logos, and clearance items.

Eligible with conditions: Wrestling mats, gymnastics mats, Ultra Shock mats, and martial arts mats.

Why many custom products cannot be returned

Many AK Athletics products are made to exact order specifications, including size, color, and custom features. Because another customer is unlikely to require the same configuration, and because large custom products require significant storage space, these items are generally not eligible for return.

In certain cases, AK Athletics may choose to allow a return for an item in a common size or color. Any approved exception remains subject to the conditions for returnable items below.

Conditions for eligible returns

An eligible return must meet every requirement below.

Request the return within 30 days.The return request must be submitted within 30 days of delivery.
Cover the return shipping cost.The customer is responsible for 100% of return shipping costs.
Account for the restocking fee.A 25% cleaning and restocking fee will be deducted from the refund.
Return the item in unused condition.The product must be new, unused, undamaged, and free from dirt, odors, pet hair, stains, or other signs of use.
Understand that original shipping is non-refundable.For orders that received free shipping, the actual outbound shipping cost will be deducted from the refund.
Confirm that the product is not customized.Personalization, custom logos, custom lettering, custom sizes, and other custom features are not eligible for return or refund.
Package the product securely.Use the original packaging or comparable protective packaging suitable for return transit.

Final sale: Clearance items cannot be returned.

Defective, incorrect, or incorrectly manufactured items

Contact AK Athletics within 30 days of delivery if an item was made incorrectly, arrived defective, did not follow custom instructions, or does not match the order specifications.

Reports must include the order number and clear photos showing the issue. Claims submitted after 30 days are not eligible for replacement, repair, or refund.

Important: If the issue is visible or known before use, do not use, install, or alter the item. A manufacturing defect that appears only after normal use may still be reviewed through the warranty process.

Email Customer Support Review Shipping Damage Rules

Cancellation Policy

Because many AK Athletics products are made to order, cancellation eligibility depends on how quickly the request is submitted and whether production has started.

Orders canceled within 24 hours of placement are eligible for a full refund. After 24 hours, a full refund may still be available when production has not started. Once work begins, cancellation may be limited or subject to charges based on the work already completed.

Orders with personalized logos, custom sizing, special colors, or other custom requests cannot be canceled after the first 24 hours once customization or production has begun.

Once an order has shipped, it can no longer be canceled. Any request to return the order will be reviewed under the applicable Return Policy.

Shipping & Production Policy

Production time and shipping transit time are separate. Estimated production lead times are listed on each product page and begin before the carrier transit period.

Production lead times and delays

Production schedules vary by product. Review the estimated lead time shown on the product page before placing your order.

Estimated Lead Times

Lead times are estimates and may change because of material availability, production volume, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Delays

Production or carrier delays do not qualify for discounts or refunds.

Before Production

An order may be canceled for a full refund only when production has not started.

After Production Begins

Cancellation is no longer available once production begins. Most completed orders are scheduled to ship within 1 to 2 business days.

Shipping methods, transit times, and tracking

All orders ship from Columbus, Ohio. The shipping method is selected based on the size, weight, and quantity of the order.

Parcel Shipping

FedEx Ground or USPS is used for orders that qualify for standard parcel delivery.

Freight Shipping

A freight carrier is used for large, heavy, or oversized orders that cannot ship by standard parcel service.

Transit Time

Shipping within the continental United States typically takes 1 to 7 business days after production is complete.

Tracking

Tracking information is sent by email when the order leaves our facility.

Delivery dates are estimates. Carrier delays, weather, holidays, and other circumstances outside AK Athletics' control may affect transit time.

Delivery liability and shipping protection

Review the available delivery options before checkout, especially when an order will be delivered to an unattended or unsecured location.

Packages Marked Delivered

AK Athletic Equipment Inc. is not responsible for packages that are lost or stolen after the carrier has marked the shipment as delivered.

Route Shipping Protection

Optional Route Shipping Protection may be added at checkout for additional protection after the shipment leaves our facility.

Signature Required

Signature-required delivery is available by request and must be arranged at the time of purchase.

Damage and defect reporting deadlines

Inspect before use. Check every product before using, installing, or altering it. A claim may not be eligible when the issue was visible or known before use.

Within 3 daysConcealed freight damage must be reported within 3 days of receipt.

Within 14 daysFedEx Ground or USPS shipping damage must be reported within 14 days of receipt. Customers must include the order number and clear photos of both the product and packaging.Claims for shipping damage made after 14 days will not be eligible for replacement, repair, or refund.

Within 30 daysDefective or incorrect products must be reported within 30 days of receipt. Reports must include the order number and clear photos showing the issue.

Freight delivery responsibilities

Freight tracking and carrier details will be emailed from akathletics.shipping@gmail.com. The carrier will call at least 24 hours before delivery to confirm that someone is available to receive and sign for the shipment.

Before signing for freight

Inspect every box and item before signing the delivery receipt.
If visible damage is present, write “damaged” and your name on the receipt.
Take clear photos of the packaging and products while the shipment is being delivered.
Compare the shipment with the packaged-shipment photo included in the freight confirmation email.

Do not sign before inspecting. The signer acts as the customer’s representative. Recovery for damaged or missing items may be limited when problems are not documented at delivery.

Additional freight requirements

Do Not Request Extra Services from the Carrier: Extra services, such as inside delivery or special equipment, cost $150 per service and must be requested and approved by AK Athletics in advance. Do not request or arrange additional services directly with the carrier, as the carrier’s charges are often significantly higher.
Unloading time: Drivers allow 15 minutes for unloading. Additional time may result in detention fees of $25 to $150 per hour. Note the driver’s arrival and departure times on your copy of the paperwork.
Delivery location: Freight delivery is curbside only. Customers are responsible for moving products from the delivery point to their final location.
Liftgate Service and Oversized Pallets: Liftgate service will be scheduled whenever possible. However, oversized pallets may exceed the liftgate’s weight or size capacity. When a pallet cannot be unloaded using the liftgate, the customer is responsible for arranging sufficient manpower or appropriate unloading equipment. This may require opening the boxes on the truck and removing the items individually. The carrier will call at least 24 hours before delivery to confirm that someone will be available to receive and sign for the shipment.
Storage Fees for Delayed Delivery: Once a shipment reaches the local terminal, delivery must be scheduled within 3 business days. If delivery is delayed beyond this period, the carrier may charge storage fees ranging from $63 to $210 per day, depending on the carrier and shipment size. These fees are the customer’s responsibility and must be paid before the shipment is released. To avoid storage charges, schedule delivery promptly when the carrier contacts you. Contact AK Athletics immediately if you expect any delay.

Shipment holds and warehouse storage fees

Completed orders ship promptly unless a specific ship or delivery date was provided in writing when the order was placed.

$125 per dayThis fee applies when a completed shipment is held beyond its scheduled shipping date or when delivery is declined. All accrued fees must be paid before the shipment is released.

To avoid storage fees, provide the desired delivery date when placing the order so production and shipping can be scheduled accordingly.

Shipping area and support

AK Athletics currently ships within the 48 continental United States. International shipping is not available at this time.

Emailsales@akathletics.com Phone800-431-4372

Pickup Orders

To keep our production and storage areas operating efficiently, AK Athletics has established the following policy for all pickup orders.

1. Ready-for-Pickup Notice

When your order is complete, AK Athletics will send a “Ready for Pickup” email. The date of this email marks the beginning of the pickup window.

2. Pickup Window

Orders must be collected within 7 calendar days of the “Ready for Pickup” email. Pickups are available during posted business hours. Customers are responsible for scheduling pickup and arriving with a suitable vehicle and any straps, tie-downs, or other equipment needed to transport the order safely.

3. Storage Fees

If an order is not collected within 7 calendar days, a storage fee of $25 per day will begin on the 8th day. Storage fees accrue daily, including weekends, until the order is collected. All outstanding balances and storage fees must be paid before the order can be released.

4. Loading and Transportation

Please bring your order number and a vehicle suitable for transporting the order. AK Athletics can assist with loading. However, the customer is responsible for properly securing the order and transporting it safely.

5. Abandoned Orders

Orders not collected within 21 calendar days of the “Ready for Pickup” email will be considered abandoned. Abandoned orders may be relisted for sale. Any refund issued will be reduced by all applicable storage fees. Customers who abandon an order may also lose the option to place future pickup orders with AK Athletics.

6. Payment Requirements

All outstanding balances and applicable storage fees must be paid in full before the order is released. Payments may be made in advance by credit card or at the time of pickup by cash.

7. Requesting a Later Pickup Date If the standard 7-day pickup window does not work for your schedule, provide an exact pickup date when placing your order. The requested pickup date must be beyond the current production lead time. AK Athletics will schedule production so the order is completed close to the requested date, helping you avoid unnecessary storage fees.

Artwork & Print File Policy

The quality of the finished print depends on the artwork provided. For the best result, submit a print-ready vector file or a high-resolution raster file whenever possible.

Preferred Vector Files

.AI, .EPS, .PDF, .SVG

Best for logos, lettering, and artwork that must be enlarged without losing clarity.

High-Resolution Raster Files

.PNG, .TIFF, .PSD

Use the highest-resolution original file available at the intended print size.

Artwork quality requirements

Low-resolution files, heavily compressed images, screenshots, website images, social media images, and photographs of printed materials may lose clarity when enlarged for production.

A digital proof cannot improve the original file.

Pixelation, blurriness, distortion, or compression visible in the approved proof may also appear in the finished print.

Complimentary minor adjustments

When practical, our design team may make limited adjustments at no additional charge to help prepare supplied artwork for production.

Color Updates

Simple color changes may be made when the supplied artwork allows for an efficient adjustment.

Background Removal

Basic backgrounds may be removed when the artwork has sufficient clarity and separation.

Resizing and Scaling

Artwork may be resized or scaled to fit the approved product layout.

Minor Quality Improvements

Small practical improvements may be made when they do not require the artwork to be recreated.

Layout Adjustments

Simple placement or spacing changes may be made to better fit the printable area.

Basic Text Updates

Minor text corrections or updates may be completed when the original artwork remains editable.

What qualifies as a complimentary adjustment

Adjustments must be limited in scope, quick to complete, and cannot require significant artwork recreation, logo rebuilding, or custom graphic design.

Artwork services not included

AK Athletics can make limited production-ready adjustments, but does not provide extensive artwork recreation or custom graphic design services.

Low-Resolution Logo Recreation

We do not rebuild or recreate logos from screenshots, web images, or other low-resolution source files.

Artwork Redrawing

Illustrations, logos, mascots, and other graphics cannot be manually redrawn as part of a product order.

Raster-to-Vector Conversion

We do not convert flattened raster files into fully editable vector artwork.

Detailed Emblems and Insignias

Badges, seals, mascots, military insignias, and similarly detailed graphics cannot be reconstructed from inadequate files.

Combining Low-Quality Images

Multiple low-resolution images cannot be combined and rebuilt into a new print-ready design.

Major Logo Modifications

Significant changes to a logo's structure, shape, typography, or overall design are not included.

Custom Graphic Design

Original branding, logo development, illustration, and full custom design services are not provided.

When additional design work is needed

Please provide a higher-quality replacement file or work with a third-party graphic designer or artwork recreation service before production can begin.

Artwork review and proof approval

Our design team reviews submitted artwork before production. Minor improvements may be made when practical. If the file cannot be prepared to an acceptable print quality, we will request a better version.

Before approving your proof, open the PDF in a PDF viewer, zoom in, and review each item below.

Artwork and Logo QualityConfirm that logos, images, and fine details appear clear and free from unwanted pixelation or distortion.
ColorsReview all colors and confirm that they are appropriate for the final printed product.
Size, Scale, and OrientationVerify the overall size, proportions, orientation, and scale of every design element.
Layout and PlacementConfirm that logos, lettering, and graphics are positioned correctly within the product layout.
Text and Order DetailsCheck spelling, grammar, names, numbers, and any other details specific to your order.

Your approved proof controls production.

It replaces earlier estimates, invoices, purchase orders, emails, conversations, sketches, and instructions. Once production begins, no further changes can be made.

Custom Printed Padding Reprints

Exact color matching can be difficult when reprinting individual custom-printed panels, especially when time has passed since the original order.

Reprints caused by customer error

Complete reprint: Reprinting the entire job is recommended for consistent color and design. The customer is responsible for the full reprint cost.
Partial reprint for wood-backed wall padding: Color matching and alignment across sections cannot be guaranteed. Only the vinyl will be replaced, and the customer is responsible for restapling and alignment.
Costs: Reprint, shipping, and handling costs are the customer’s responsibility unless the reprint is required because of an AK Athletics error.

Color-match limitation: AK Athletics will not provide a third reprint or refund solely because a customer-error partial reprint does not match the original color.

Warranty Information

Products manufactured by AK Athletic Equipment include a one-year limited warranty against defective materials when properly installed and used for their intended purpose.

Coverage, exclusions, and claim submission

Coverage PeriodThe limited warranty begins on the product's delivery date and continues for one year.

Return AuthorizationProducts may not be returned without prior written permission from AK Athletic Equipment.

The warranty does not cover

Normal wear and tear
Scuffs, dents, compression, discoloration, or marring caused by handling or storage
Vandalism, misuse, neglect, or accidents
Damage caused by extended or improper storage
Alterations or modifications made to the product

How approved claims are handledAK Athletic Equipment reviews each warranty claim individually and may repair or replace a qualifying product.

Submitting a Warranty Claim

Email a written description of the issue, a copy of the original invoice, and supporting photographs to sales@akathletics.com.

Manufacturing Tolerance Policy

Foam, vinyl, adhesives, cutting, shaping, printing, and welding can create small variations in finished products.

Dimension and logo-placement tolerance

AK Athletic Equipment allows up to a 1% margin of error in finished dimensions and logo placement across products and customizations, including mats, wall padding, pole pads, and printed artwork. Slight variations within this tolerance are not treated as defects.

Wrestling mats may appear slightly shorter immediately after being rolled and unrolled because each crease creates a small temporary reduction in length. These creases can relax over time when the mat remains unrolled.

Projects requiring exact measurements: Consider ordering slightly larger and trimming the product on site.

Right to Refuse Service

AK Athletic Equipment Inc. reserves the right to refuse service to customers who harass employees through any form of communication.

Customer conduct: Disrespectful or unprofessional behavior may result in cancellation of open orders and refusal of future orders.

Policy FAQ

Quick answers to common questions about returns, cancellations, shipping, freight delivery, artwork, and warranty claims.

Can I return a custom or personalized product?

Most products made with custom sizing, colors, logos, lettering, or other personalized features are not eligible for return. Review the Return Policy or contact AK Athletics before placing the order if you are unsure.

Can I cancel an order after it is placed?

Orders canceled within 24 hours are eligible for a full refund. After 24 hours, cancellation depends on whether production or customization has started. Shipped orders cannot be canceled.

Are production and shipping times the same?

No. Production time occurs before carrier transit time. Estimated production lead times are listed on product pages, and shipping transit typically begins after production is complete.

What should I do if my shipment arrives damaged?

Inspect the shipment before use or installation, document the issue with clear photos, and contact AK Athletics promptly. Reporting deadlines vary by shipping method, including 3 days for concealed freight damage and 14 days for FedEx Ground or USPS shipping damage.

What should I review before approving an artwork proof?

Open the PDF proof in a PDF viewer and verify artwork clarity, colors, sizing, orientation, layout, spelling, and all order-specific details. The approved proof controls production, and changes cannot be made after production begins.

Who should I contact with a policy question?

Email sales@akathletics.com or call 800-431-4372. Contact the team before using, installing, altering, or returning a product when an issue is visible.

Company Policies

Order & Product Policies

What to Know Before You Order