How to create an adhesives incentive program
Adhesives and waterproofing products are chosen on the job. The tile applicator decides which tile adhesive and grout to use, the carpenter picks the wood adhesive, and the waterproofing contractor decides which coating goes on the terrace or bathroom. The homeowner usually pays without knowing the brand. A program for this category rewards the applicator, supports the crowded counter and keeps dealers stocked across a long range of small SKUs.
An adhesives and waterproofing incentive program rewards tile applicators, carpenters and waterproofing contractors for every genuine pack or bag they use, rewards hardware, paint and tile retailers for range and visibility, and runs range and mix schemes for distributors. It is built by mapping applicators to product lines, coding each pack, setting rewards by weight and product, adding job registration for waterproofing, choosing retailer proof, configuring dealer schemes and testing the cost on past sales.
Step 1: Map applicators to product lines
| Product line | Applicator | Where bought | Reward basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tile adhesives and grouts | Tile applicator (mason) | Tile dealer, hardware counter | Per bag, higher for premium and large-format adhesives |
| Epoxy grouts | Skilled tile applicator | Tile dealer | Per kit, high value band |
| Wood adhesives | Carpenter | Hardware and plywood counters | Per pack by weight |
| Waterproofing coatings and membranes | Waterproofing contractor | Paint and hardware dealers | Per pack by weight, plus job registration bonus |
| Sealants and repair products | Mixed: applicators, plumbers, carpenters | Hardware counter | Per pack, low value |
Each line has a different applicator and a different counter. One program can serve all of them, but rewards, messages and meets should be set per applicator type.
Step 2: Code every pack, including small ones
Adhesives sell in many small packs: wood adhesive tins and pouches, small grout packs, sealant tubes. Small packs mean many codes and many scans, so the code must be cheap to print, quick to scan and impossible to claim twice. A unique QR printed inside the bag flap, under the lid or on an inner label works better than one on the outside, where it can be scanned at the shop. Each code is bound to its first scan, and duplicate attempts are blocked and logged.
Step 3: Set rewards by weight and product
Reward per kg or per pack size so a 20 kg bag earns more than a 1 kg pack, and add a premium band for products you want to grow, such as large-format tile adhesives, epoxy grouts or higher-performance waterproofing.
Illustrative worked example. Suppose a standard tile adhesive bag earns Rs 8, a premium large-format bag Rs 15 and an epoxy grout kit Rs 25. An applicator tiling a flat uses 30 standard bags, 10 premium bags and 4 epoxy kits: 30 x 8 + 10 x 15 + 4 x 25 = Rs 490. A waterproofing contractor using 60 kg of coating at Rs 2 per kg earns Rs 120, plus a job registration bonus. All values are illustrative.
- 1Applicator mapTile applicators, carpenters, waterproofing contractors
- 2Pack codingCode inside the bag or lid, every pack size
- 3RewardsPer kg or pack; premium band for growth lines
- 4Job registrationWaterproofing jobs registered by scan
- 5Retailer schemesRange and visibility on crowded counters
- 6Dealer schemesRange, mix and collection
- 7Cost checkRules run on last year's sales
Illustrative sequence. Job registration applies mainly to waterproofing.
Step 4: Add job registration for waterproofing
Waterproofing is judged months later, after the first heavy rain. A contractor who registers the job by scanning the packs used, with the site address and homeowner's number, gives the brand a record and the homeowner a warranty registration. Reward contractors for registered jobs, not only for packs scanned, and use the record if a complaint arrives.
Step 5: Bring retailers in with range and visibility schemes
Adhesives are a small line on a crowded hardware, paint or tile counter. Retailers respond to range-completion rewards and to visibility schemes that put your products where applicators can see them. Proof can be the distributor's invoice, a bill photo read by OCR, or scans. See retailer scheme types.
Step 6: Configure distributor and dealer schemes
Distributors in this category serve hardware, paint and tile counters with many small SKUs. Range and mix schemes matter more than single-SKU volume. Run a volume backbone, a range condition across product lines, short-window pushes before the waterproofing season, and a collection scheme, calculated daily from ERP invoices.
Step 7: Check cost, tax and timing, then launch
Run the rules on last year's sales to see the cost. Applicator payouts above the threshold may attract TDS under section 194R, and GST treatment depends on the structure; confirm both with your advisor. Time the waterproofing launch before the monsoon, when terrace and bathroom jobs peak, and the tile adhesive launch with your construction season.
Where Unotag fits
For adhesives and waterproofing brands, Unotag provides pack-level QR codes scanned on WhatsApp or app with first-scan binding and duplicate blocking, instant UPI or points, warranty registration by scan, tiers, badges and meets, retailer proof by invoice, bill OCR or scan, and the scheme engine for distributor schemes on Tally, SAP or any ERP data. See the influencer loyalty program.
Key takeaways
- Map each product line to its applicator: tile applicator, carpenter or waterproofing contractor.
- Code every pack size inside the bag or lid, with first-scan binding.
- Reward by weight and product, with a premium band for growth lines.
- Register waterproofing jobs by scan for both the contractor's reward and the homeowner's warranty.
- Time waterproofing pushes before the monsoon and confirm tax treatment before launch.
Frequently asked questions
Who should an adhesives brand reward?
Tile applicators for tile adhesives and grouts, carpenters for wood adhesives, waterproofing contractors for coatings and membranes, retailers for range and visibility, and distributors through trade schemes.
How do you code small adhesive packs?
Print a unique QR inside the bag flap, under the lid or on an inner label, so it is scanned after purchase. Each code is bound to its first scan.
Should rewards be per pack or per kg?
Per kg or per pack size, so larger packs earn proportionally more, with a premium band for products you want to grow.
What is job registration in a waterproofing program?
The contractor scans the packs used on a job and records the site and homeowner, which registers the warranty and earns the contractor a job bonus.
When should a waterproofing program launch?
Before the monsoon, when terrace and bathroom waterproofing jobs are planned, with dealers briefed a few weeks earlier.
Do applicator rewards attract TDS?
Business benefits above the threshold can attract TDS under section 194R. Confirm the treatment with your tax advisor.