Custom Printed Apparel: Your Guide to Decoration Methods, Locations, and Ordering

Custom Printed Apparel is a fantastic way to bring your designs to life, whether for business branding, team uniforms, or personal expression. Understanding the different decoration methods and ordering processes will ensure your vision becomes a reality. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about creating your perfect custom apparel.

Screen Printing vs. Embroidery: Choosing the Right Decoration Method

When it comes to custom apparel, two popular decoration methods stand out: screen printing and embroidery. Each offers unique advantages depending on your design and apparel type.

What is Screen Printing?

Screen printing is a versatile technique perfect for bold, multi-colored designs on various apparel items like t-shirts, sweatshirts, and promotional wear. The process involves pushing ink through a mesh screen onto the fabric, with a stencil blocking out areas where ink shouldn’t pass. For each color in your design, a separate stencil is meticulously created and applied, layering inks to build up the final image.

Screen printing excels in producing vibrant, crisp colors and sharp images, even for complex designs. It’s also a cost-effective solution, especially for larger orders, making it ideal for businesses, events, and teams needing bulk custom printed apparel. With a minimum order quantity typically around 24 pieces, screen printing allows you to maximize your budget while achieving high-impact visual results.

What is Embroidery?

Embroidery offers a sophisticated and durable decoration method, ideal for adding a touch of class and texture to custom apparel. Unlike printing, embroidery uses threads to stitch your design directly onto the garment, creating a raised, three-dimensional effect. This technique is particularly well-suited for logos and text on items like hats, jackets, polos, and sweatshirts, lending a premium, hand-crafted feel to your custom apparel.

Embroidery’s durability makes it a great choice for workwear and items that need to withstand frequent washing. The stitched design is long-lasting and resistant to fading or peeling, ensuring your custom apparel maintains its professional appearance over time.

Decoration Locations for Your Custom Apparel

The placement of your design is crucial for the overall look of your custom apparel. Decoration locations vary depending on the garment type and the chosen decoration method. Here’s a general guide to common placement areas:

Hats (Embroidery):

• Front: The most prominent and standard location for hat decoration.
• Right Panel & Left Panel: Sides of the hat, offering additional space for smaller logos or text.
• Right Side & Left Side: Similar to panels, providing alternative side placement.
• Back: Ideal for website addresses, social media handles, or smaller design elements.

Sweatshirts & Jackets (Embroidery):

• Left Chest & Right Chest: Classic locations for logos, offering subtle branding.
• Left Sleeve & Right Sleeve: Sleeves provide a unique and modern placement option.
• Back: Large back areas are perfect for impactful designs and team names.

Sweatshirts (Printing):

• Front: Large front prints are great for bold graphics and promotional messages.
• Left Chest & Right Chest: Printed chest designs offer a lighter feel compared to embroidery.
• Vertical Left Sleeve & Vertical Right Sleeve: Trendy vertical sleeve prints for a contemporary look.
• Left Sleeve & Right Sleeve: Standard sleeve print locations.
• Back: Similar to embroidered backs, printed backs allow for large and detailed designs.

Shirts (Embroidery):

• Left Chest & Right Chest: Standard and professional locations for embroidered logos on shirts.
• Left Sleeve & Right Sleeve: Sleeve embroidery adds a subtle yet distinctive touch.
• Back: Back embroidery is less common on shirts but can be used for specific designs.

Always check the specific product page for detailed decoration area guidelines, as these can vary based on the apparel style.

Ordering Your Custom Printed Apparel: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating your custom printed apparel is a straightforward process. Here’s what you can expect when placing your order:

1. Order Placement:

   • Specify Your Apparel: Select your desired apparel type, quantity, sizes, and colors.
   • Upload or Design Artwork: Upload your existing design file or use online design tools to create your artwork directly on the website. Ensure your design is print-ready and meets the artwork guidelines.
   • Secure Payment: Proceed to checkout and complete your payment to finalize your order.

2. File Proofing and Processing:

   • Prepress Review: The printing team will meticulously review your submitted artwork. This includes checking for resolution, color mode, and converting files to vector format if necessary for optimal print quality. They also check for potential copyright issues and embroidery stitch density to ensure the best outcome.
   • Issue Resolution: If any issues are detected with your file, the team will put your order on hold and promptly contact you to discuss necessary adjustments and find a solution.
   • Proof Approval (Optional): If you’ve requested a PDF proof of the corrected file, production will only begin after you have reviewed and approved the proof, ensuring your complete satisfaction.

3. Production:

   • Turnaround Time Begins: Once your artwork is approved and processed, your custom apparel moves into the production phase. This marks the start of the turnaround time, which is the estimated time it takes to complete the printing or embroidery process.

4. Shipping:

   • Transit Time: Shipping time is separate from the production turnaround time. This refers to the duration your completed custom apparel order spends in transit with the shipping carrier before arriving at your designated delivery address. Shipping times vary based on location and shipping method selected.

Preparing Your Artwork for Custom Printing: Key Checks

To ensure the best possible print quality for your custom apparel, it’s essential to properly prepare your artwork file. Here are critical checks to perform before submitting your design:

1. Image Resolution:

   • 300 DPI or Higher: For crisp and clear prints, your design file should have a high resolution of at least 300 DPI (dots per inch). Low-resolution images below 300 DPI can result in blurry or pixelated prints, diminishing the quality of your custom apparel.

2. Color Mode:

   • CMYK Color Mode: All full-color elements and images in your artwork must be saved in CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color mode. This color mode is standard for printing and ensures accurate color reproduction. Avoid using RGB or PANTONE color modes, as they will be automatically converted to CMYK, potentially leading to color variations.
   • Grayscale for Black & White: If your design is solely black and white, save it in grayscale color mode for optimal results.

3. Text and Outlines:

   • Convert Text to Outlines: For files created in vector-based programs like Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, or Freehand, convert all text to outlines or curves. This step prevents font compatibility issues and ensures your text appears exactly as intended, even if the printing service doesn’t have the specific fonts installed.
   • Flatten Images in Photoshop: If using Adobe Photoshop, flatten your image layers to simplify the file and ensure proper processing.
   • Font Size and Line Thickness: Avoid using fonts smaller than 7 points, as they may become illegible when printed. Ensure lines in your design are at least 0.25 points thick; thinner lines may not be visible in the final print.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be well-prepared to create stunning custom printed apparel that meets your exact specifications and vision. Start designing your personalized garments today and make a lasting impression!