Contrary to the beliefs of some, ordering custom apparel is not like buying clothes at Walmart. When you order t-shirts with your artwork on them, you want your finished products to look like everything you’ve ever dreamed of—not like you took a $4 t-shirt and slapped a logo on it. As you’ve seen, there are a lot of t-shirt printing companies on the interwebs. Each one offers different services, benefits, and levels of quality. That being said, you don’t want to go with the first custom apparel company you see, and you definitely don’t want to go with the cheapest either. Finding a t-shirt printing company that consistently produces high-quality garments can be harder than it seems. With all of the t-shirt printers out there, how can you safeguard your order and make sure you’re getting exactly what you want?

You can lower your risk of disappointment by educating yourself on what to look for in a custom apparel partner.

After all, knowledge is power. Once you can identify the green flags, choosing a t-shirt printing company will be a breeze—we promise.

Here are 8 factors you should consider when choosing a t-shirt printing company:

1. The pricing structure

Once again, going with the cheapest option is a bad idea. You might think that saving a few bucks is worth the risk, but if it comes at the expense of the t-shirt quality, you will regret it.

Listen, if you’re balling on a budget, we get it. In that case, it’s definitely worth your while to understand more about the pricing structures of the custom apparel companies you’re considering.

For example, factors like:

Cost per shirt

This is the benchmark you’ll use to determine whether a company’s t-shirt prices are fair. When evaluating the cost per shirt, you should also consider how many t-shirts you’re ordering. The cost per shirt is especially important to keep in mind if you are ordering in bulk.

Price breaks

Many custom apparel companies (including us) will offer price breaks when you order a higher quantity of shirts.

Minimum order requirements

Some t-shirt printing companies have a minimum order requirement, while others don’t. This is something you’ll want to be aware of before you place your order.

Printing method

As a rule of thumb, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is cheaper for low quantities of shirts. For bulk orders, screen printing is the more economical option.

The bottom line is that you should have a clear understanding of the t-shirt printing company’s pricing structure before you place your order. This will help ensure that there are no surprises when it’s time to pay the bill.

2. The printing methods offered

Not all t-shirt printing companies are created equal. In fact, some t-shirt printers only offer one printing method, while others offer a variety of options.

Screen printing and DTG are the two most popular t-shirt printing methods. DTG is best for photorealistic prints, while screen printing is better for more simplistic designs.

Here at Scrappy Apparel, we offer screen printing because it produces vibrant, durable prints and it is extremely cost-effective for bulk orders like we mentioned earlier.

You can read more about the pros and cons of each printing method in our recent blog, 5 Industry Secrets Other Apparel Printing Companies Won’t Tell You.

3. The quality of the finished products

This is probably the most important factor to consider when choosing a t-shirt printing company. After all, you want your t-shirts to look amazing, right?

There are many factors that determine the quality of a t-shirt printing company’s finished product, but here are a few prime examples:

The garment quality

Did you know that 95% of custom apparel horror stories begin with poorly made garments? (JK, we just made that statistic up—but in all seriousness, low-quality garments are bad news.)

The point is that you should always check the quality of the t-shirts before you place your order. A good t-shirt should be made of high-quality fabric that feels soft to the touch. It should also have a comfortable fit and be true to size.

Here’s a tip: Order samples from the t-shirt printing company you’re considering so you can check out the quality of the products before you place a bulk order.

The printing quality

In addition to the garment quality, you should also make sure that the custom apparel partner you choose can produce incredible prints. The ink should be applied evenly and there should be no gaps in the design. T-shirt printing is an art form, so make sure you choose a company that has a positive track record of producing WOW-worthy work.

The level of experience and expertise of the team

This is another important factor to consider when choosing a t-shirt printing company. You want to partner with a company that has a team of experts who are passionate about their craft. The last thing you want is to hire a team that doesn’t put any love into their work. After all, you believe your designs deserve all the love in the world, right?

4. The garment patterns, fabrics, and inks you’ll have access to

T-shirts are not one-size-fits-all. (And we’re not talking about shirt sizes, either.) Garment patterns are the shapes that t-shirts are cut into. They often vary by brand and t-shirt style.

For example, a men’s t-shirt pattern will be different than a women’s t-shirt pattern. And a long-sleeve t-shirt pattern will be different than a short-sleeve pattern.

The t-shirt printing company you choose should offer a variety of garment patterns so you can find the perfect fit for your needs.

In addition to garment patterns, t-shirt fabrics and inks also play a crucial role in the quality of the final product.

Scratchy, rough fabric is no bueno. And lackluster inks will make your t-shirt design look, well, flat.

The t-shirt printing company you choose should only use the highest quality fabrics and inks. This will ensure that your t-shirts are comfortable to wear and look great wash after wash.

Additionally, your custom apparel partner should share their expertise to help you make the right fabric and ink decisions for your project.

For example, discharge inks are a good option if you’re looking for a vintage t-shirt look. And water-based inks are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a soft, natural feel.

5. The vibe you get from the customer service team

We’ve said this before, and we’ll say it again:

Vibes don’t lie.

The team you work with should make you feel good.

Email responses should be prompt, clear, and helpful.

You should never feel like you’re being brushed off or that your questions are being dismissed.

You can tell a lot about a company by the professionalism of its customer service team. So if the vibes aren’t good, it’s time to look for love (meaning t-shirt printing services) somewhere else.

Our expert customer service team is friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. (Talk about a triple threat!)

With us on your side, you won’t have to worry about anything. We’ll answer your questions about every stage of the process—everything from pre-production to delivery.

Get in touch with us.

6. Turnaround time

Have a tight deadline? Then make sure to ask about turnaround time. T-shirt printing companies often have different turnaround times for different t-shirt styles.

Ask the t-shirt printing company how long it will take them to produce your order. And be sure to ask about their rush options if you need your t-shirts in a pinch.

At Scrappy Apparel, our turnaround times vary by service. However, we will say that if we had to face The Flash in a production race, we’d bet on our team.

7. Shipping logistics

Mama always said, “It’s not just about the destination, it’s about the journey.”

When it comes to t-shirt printing companies, this couldn’t be more true.

You want to partner with a company that will make the shipping process as smooth as possible. Let’s take a look at some important shipping factors to keep in mind:

Costs

Some t-shirt printing companies charge extra for shipping. We get it, but personally, we wouldn’t do it.

Moral of the story: don’t get nickeled and dimed by your t-shirt printing company. Choose a partner that offers free shipping.

(P.S. We offer free shipping to the USA for all custom apparel orders. You’re welcome.)

Tracking

When your t-shirts are shipped, you should receive a tracking number so you can keep an eye on their whereabouts. This will give you peace of mind and help you plan accordingly.

Packaging

Don’t let your order get ruined by a packaging disaster. Your shirts deserve to arrive safe and sound.

Choose a custom apparel partner that will take the time to package your t-shirts with care.

At Scrappy Apparel, we fold and polybag all orders so they are retail-ready and protected from the elements.

8. An ordering process that prioritizes your satisfaction and peace of mind

Disorganization is the enemy of success.

That’s why we have developed a proprietary system that streamlines the ordering process and guarantees your satisfaction.

Our Brand Building Process (BBP) is designed to bring your custom apparel vision to life. We eliminate the margin of error through an extensive pre-production review, so you know exactly what you’re getting before your order is fulfilled.

And it gets even better—you know exactly when you’ll get your order, too. You can say goodbye to delays, backorders, and broken promises. Your shirts will arrive at your doorstep on time, every single time.

You could say our BBP is your new BFF.

Should you choose Scrappy Apparel as your t-shirt printing company?

We think so. But if you still aren’t sure, let’s take a closer look at what our custom apparel services can do for you.

Here’s an evaluation of our services based on all the criteria we just went over:

1. Pricing structure

All our services have different minimum order quantities (MOQs), so the number of shirts you want will help determine which service is best for you. For example, sublimation has a much lower MOQ than screen printing.

Additionally, we offer price breaks on higher quantities of shirts. As the quantity goes up, the cost per shirt goes down. It’s pretty cool how that works, huh?

2. The printing methods offered

We currently offer screen printing, but not DTG printing. Therefore, our services are ideal if you are ordering in bulk and your design doesn’t have a million colors in it.

In case your design does have a million colors in it, we also offer sublimation printing. Oh, and BTW, that service has a much lower MOQ than screen printing. It’s the way to go if you have a lower quantity order.

3. The quality of the finished products

Quality is our middle name. When you work with us, you get the best of the best—no IFs, ANDs, or BUTs.

4. The garment patterns, fabrics, and inks you’ll have access to

We source garment patterns that you can private label, which is perfect if you have a clothing brand that you want to look super legit.

Our Peruvian Pima Cotton is the softest cotton in the world. If you don’t believe us, try it for yourself.

The inks we use are vibrant and soft to the touch. They’re luxurious without the luxury price tag.

5. The vibe you get from the customer service team

It doesn’t matter if you’re a new prospective customer or a loyal Scrappy Apparel fan. You’ll get the same 5-star service from our team.

So, don’t be shy. If you have a question for us, ask away!

6. Turnaround time

We are proud to say that our turnaround times are fully transparent and accurate. You can count on our deliveries to be on time or early—every single time.

7. Shipping logistics

We offer free shipping to the USA, and we fold and polybag all orders.

8. An ordering process that prioritizes your satisfaction and peace of mind

Our Brand Building Process (BBP) will save you time and energy. Instead of chasing around unresponsive customer service teams or worrying about where your order is, you can place full trust in our proven custom apparel process.

Just submit your project details, receive your quote, approve your pre-production layouts, and crack open a cold one while we handle the rest.

Our custom apparel experts are eager to begin working on your project.

If you’re ready to work with a company that is just as enthusiastic about your custom apparel order as you are, we’re the team for you.

Let’s get your project rocking and rolling.

Grab Your Free Quote

We can read your mind. If you’re researching your options for t-shirt screen printing, we already know you’re thinking of ways you can save money on your order.

We love saving money too. (Who doesn’t?) But we also know that not all bargains are good. You don’t want to sacrifice quality just to save a few bucks.

So how do you find a happy medium? Whether you’re ordering shirts for your clothing brand or your team members, there are ways to impress your people without breaking the bank.

Today, we’re excited to share 12 ways you can save money on screen printing without ending up in a custom apparel fiasco.

1. Choose a trustworthy manufacturer and communicate openly with them.

You might be thinking, “DUH!”

But you shouldn’t overlook this tip. The custom apparel partner you work with will determine the quality of your finished products and the fees you pay to produce the apparel.

That’s why it’s important to choose a screen printing partner you can rely on. A trustworthy manufacturer will be transparent about their prices and any potential hidden costs.

Three words: vibes don’t lie.

In an initial meeting with a potential custom apparel partner, take note of their levels of professionalism and customer service. A manufacturer that communicates well and cares about your brand will likely become a valuable partner in the long run.

If they’re not responsive to your questions or seem more interested in making a quick sale than providing quality service, they might not be the right partner for you.

Remember, if you feel like they’re trying to take advantage of you, run the other way… FAST!

Take time to read your manufacturer’s policies and disclaimers.

It’s crucial to understand what you’re agreeing to when you sign a contract with your manufacturer.

Be sure to ask about minimum order requirements, turnaround times, and any additional fees that may apply to your order.

Share all the details of your project with your manufacturer so they can give you an accurate quote.

The more information you can give them, the better. Make sure you understand each step in the production process and the costs associated with each.

Be sure to ask about any other fees that may apply to your order, such as artwork setup fees or shipping charges.

FYI: We offer free shipping to the USA for all our orders.

Get a price quote upfront and avoid hidden costs.

When you’re trying to save money on screen printing, the last thing you want is to be surprised by hidden fees.

Be sure to ask your potential custom apparel partner for a price quote upfront. This way, you’ll know exactly how much your order will cost and you can avoid any unwanted surprises.

At Scrappy Apparel, we believe in 100% transparency. We never charge hidden fees. When it comes to estimates, what you see is what you get!

And did we mention our quotes are free? Grab your free quote.

Order samples to test a manufacturer’s product quality before placing your custom apparel order.

Samples will give you a good idea of the quality of a manufacturer’s products.

If you’re not happy with the quality of the samples, it’s probably not worth placing an order with that company.

But if you fall in love with your samples, you can be confident that you’re ordering from a reputable manufacturer that will make your custom apparel dreams come true.

Order samples of our screen printed products.

Get quotes from multiple manufacturers.

When you’re trying to save money, it’s important to compare prices.

Get quotes from multiple screen printing manufacturers and review them.

Be sure to compare apples to apples, though. Confirm that each quote is for the same type of shirt, number of colors, print size, etc.

And remember… cheaper is not always better!

2. Make choices that will save you time and energy.

After all, time is money.

You might be wondering what this has to do with custom apparel.

Well, when you’re trying to save money on screen printing, it’s important to make choices that will protect your time and energy.

Have you ever waited on hold with a customer service rep. for hours only to be told that your products are on backorder?

Yeah, we’ve been there too.

That’s why we’ve made it our mission to be different.

At Scrappy Apparel, we pride ourselves on our customer service and quick turnaround times.

We know that your time is valuable, so we make it our priority to get your order right the first time and deliver it to you fast.

Additionally, if you choose a custom apparel partner that has its processes down pat, you’ll be able to place your orders quickly and easily.

At Scrappy Apparel, our Brand Building Process (BBP) makes ordering screen printed shirts a piece of cake. All you have to do is submit your project details, approve your pre-production layouts, and chill. We’ll deliver your order to your doorstep with speed and accuracy like you’ve never seen before.

Our seamless processes and stellar customer service will save you time that you can use to grow your brand, and that will do more than just save you money—it will actually make you money!

3. Do not make decisions based on price alone.

We know this sounds counterintuitive. After all, you are reading this article to learn how to save money on your screen printing order, right?

Here’s the thing. If you go for the cheapest option in every decision you make for your custom apparel order, chances are you’ll end up with a product that isn’t exactly what you want.

If you don’t get what you want, you may end up spending more money later on re-orders.

While price is important, it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when making choices for your screen printing project. Your mindset should be to get the greatest value from your order, not necessarily the lowest price.

4. Invest in top-quality products.

This tip may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to remember that when you’re trying to save money, you shouldn’t skimp on quality.

Investing in high-quality products may cost you a bit more upfront, but in the long run, it will save you money because you won’t have to replace your products as often.

And if you have your own custom apparel brand, product quality should be your top priority. Your customers will be wearing your shirts, so it’s your responsibility to ensure the products are made with care and attention to detail. You want your customers to recommend your brand to their friends, right?

Sacrificing quality will hurt your bottom line, not help it.

5. Focus on one or two unique designs at a time.

If you have a custom apparel brand, stocking an extensive inventory of designs can cost a lot of money upfront. Want to save some $$$? Focus on creating one or two apparel designs that you can sell repeatedly.

Sell limited edition items to make more sales with fewer designs.

Consider selling new designs as limited editions to create a sense of urgency and encourage people to buy your products before they’re gone forever!

Plus, selling limited edition items is a great way to boost sales without having to invest in new designs all the time.

Keep your corporate apparel simple.

If you are ordering custom t-shirts for your employees, give everyone the same exact shirt instead of creating unique designs for each department.

Not only will this save you money on the screen printing process, but it will also make ordering shirts simpler and less time-consuming.

6. Order in bulk, and check to see if your custom apparel partner offers price breaks for larger orders.

Usually, the more you order, the lower the price per shirt. (At least that’s how it works here at Scrappy Apparel.)

Be sure to ask about minimum order quantities (MOQs) before you commit to an order. Our MOQ for Retail Ready Screen Printing is only 50 shirts.

It’s better to order more shirts than you think you need the first time to avoid re-orders and additional fees.

7. Use fewer colors in your custom apparel.

The more colors you add to a design, the higher the price.

Don’t get us wrong—we love bright, vibrant designs. But if you want to add a pop of color while keeping costs low, choose a colorful shirt instead of adding multiple hues to the design itself.

If you want to keep your design simple, choose a one-color print.

A one-color print is a design that uses only one color of ink.

One-color prints are less expensive to produce than multi-color designs because they require fewer screens and less ink. This can actually make quite a statement, and it’s much more affordable than using all the colors in the rainbow.

Avoid designs with tiny, intricate details.

This tip goes hand-in-hand with the previous one.

The more details you have in your design, the more expensive it will be to produce.

To save money on screen printing, avoid designs that are too complex.

The minimalistic vibe is in right now, anyway.

Use negative space strategically as part of your design.

This is a great way to add interest to a design without adding unnecessary elements (and inflated screen printing costs).

Negative space is the empty space around and between the subjects of an image.

In the world of t-shirt design, using negative space can create some seriously cool effects—and it’s usually less expensive than adding more colors or details to a design.

Opt for a light-colored shirt.

Did you know that light-colored shirts are generally less expensive to produce than dark ones?

That’s because darker colors require more ink, which can end up costing you more money.

So if you’re looking to save money on your next order of custom t-shirts, consider choosing a light-colored shirt instead of a dark one.

8. Reduce the number of print locations.

If you want to add your custom design to the front AND back of a shirt, we can totally do that.

However, it will cost you more than printing your design in one location. The same goes for sleeve printing.

If you’re looking to reduce the cost of your screen printing order, consider limiting your design to one or two locations on the shirt instead of printing it all over.

9. Ask about the screen printing process and what type of inks will be used on your shirts.

Some inks are more expensive than others, so this is a good way to get an idea of what will affect the cost of your order.

At Scrappy Apparel, we use vibrant inks that produce long-lasting results, so you can be sure your custom t-shirts will look great wash after wash.

Our water-based inks are a great option if you’re looking for an eco-friendly printing method. They are less expensive than plastisol inks and produce a soft, comfortable print.

Alternatively, our plastisol inks are perfect for designs that require vibrant colors or need to withstand harsh conditions, like extreme heat or cold. Like we said, they do cost more than water-based inks, but they produce a durable print that will last for years.

If you’re not sure which type of ink is right for your custom t-shirt design, just ask! We would be more than happy to help you choose the best option for your needs.

10. Give your manufacturer plenty of time to turn around your order so you can avoid rush fees.

To avoid paying extra for your custom t-shirts, be sure to give your manufacturer plenty of time to produce your order.

They will likely charge a rush fee if you need your order fulfilled faster than their normal delivery times.

Our turnaround time for Retail Ready Screen Printing is 15 to 20 business days.

11. Ask if your manufacturer offers any special discounts.

At Scrappy Apparel, we offer discounts for active-duty military personnel, veterans, and nonprofits. Make sure to tell us if you qualify for one of those deals!

12. Sell your custom apparel.

This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s worth mentioning. If you sell your custom t-shirts, you can offset the cost of your order and maybe even make a profit.

You don’t even need to have a clothing brand to sell custom apparel. If you order screen printed t-shirts for your employees, you can buy extras and sell them at events or in your store.

If people love your brand, they’ll want to show their support by wearing your shirts!

Ready to get your screen printing estimate?

We’ll help you choose the best products and inks for your design and budget. Grab Your Free Quote

Don’t you hate it when you find out a secret and realize you’re the last one to know?

Like when your favorite artist announces a surprise concert in your city and the tickets sell out in under 2 minutes? Talk about FOMO.

It sucks to be left out, but don’t stress. When it comes to custom apparel, our mission is to keep everyone in the know. That’s the Scrappy way.

There are industry secrets that other apparel printing companies don’t want you to know, and today we’re going to share five of them.

Ready to take notes? Let’s dive in:

1. Quality matters more than price.

With screen printing, sublimation, cut and sew, or any custom apparel technique for that matter, quality should always be your top priority.

We know you want to save money whenever you can, but skimping on quality will only cost you more in the long run.

If you have a custom apparel brand, you should aim to create products that your customers will love and want to wear over and over again.

If you cut corners to save a few bucks, it’s only going to hurt your business in the long run.

Or let’s say you don’t have an apparel brand, but you need to order work shirts for 500 employees at your company. Guess what? Quality matters for you, too.

If you choose the lowest-priced products on the market, don’t be surprised when your team members complain about holes in their shirts, faded artwork, and unraveled embroidery.

Low-quality custom apparel will burn a hole in your pocket when you have to reorder shirts for your team multiple times per year. Don’t do that to yourself.

So, can you promise us you won’t order the cheapest products just because they’re the cheapest? Great, now we can move on to the next industry secret.

2. Choosing the right custom apparel partner is crucial.

When it comes to apparel printing companies, not all manufacturers are created equal.

In order to get the best possible product, you need to take the time to find a manufacturer that you can trust.

What should you look for in a custom apparel partner? Here are a few key qualities:

The ability to produce top-quality apparel

This one is pretty self-explanatory. You want a manufacturer that is capable of creating products that meet your high standards.

The apparel printing industry is constantly evolving, and the best manufacturers are always ahead of the curve. They invest in the latest technology and have a team of experts on staff who are ready to take on any challenge.

A strong understanding of your brand

If your manufacturer views your brand as a dollar sign and that’s it, you won’t get the same level of support and insight as you would from a manufacturer that’s truly invested in your project.

Genuine partnerships with apparel printing companies should feel like a two-way street. You should be able to rely on them for thoughtful feedback and strategic insights that can help you scale your brand.

A commitment to customer service

When you’re working with a custom apparel partner, you should feel like you’re their only client. They should be responsive to your needs and always available to answer your questions.

You should never feel like you’re being brushed off or that your concerns are falling on deaf ears.

With the right custom apparel experts, your project will be in good hands from start to finish.

3. You should choose a printing method based on your custom apparel goals.

Screen printing and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing are the two most popular printing methods for custom apparel. Although they are very different, both printing methods have their own distinct advantages.

Pros of screen printing

Screen printing is ideal for apparel brands that want to create vibrant, long-lasting products. Although the setup process takes a while, screen printing provides faster production for bulk orders than DTG does.

For bulk orders, screen printing is the most cost-effective option by far.

Cons of screen printing

Screen printing can be more expensive than DTG for smaller orders. If you’re ordering screen printed products, usually there will be a minimum order quantity (MOQ), which is not ideal if you only need one or two shirts.

At Scrappy Apparel, our MOQ for Retail Ready Screen Printing is 50 pieces.

Pros of DTG printing

DTG produces photorealistic prints. It is perfect for apparel brands that want to print complex designs or need fast turnaround times for a small number of products. With DTG, there are no minimum order requirements.

Additionally, DTG gets an A+ for sustainability since its inks are eco-friendly.

Cons of DTG printing

DTG is more expensive than screen printing for larger orders. DTG prints also don’t last as long as screen prints. If durability is one of your top priorities, screen printing will be the better option.

Why we offer screen printing at Scrappy Apparel

Many of our customers are focused on scaling their clothing brands or ordering custom apparel for their teams of 50 or more. Since screen printing is the way to go for larger orders, we set out to provide the best screen printing services in the industry.

4. For large orders, bulk manufacturing is a more cost-effective option than print-on-demand.

Many apparel brands choose print-on-demand (POD) for their custom apparel needs. POD is great for small orders, but it’s not the most cost-effective solution for large orders.

Bulk manufacturing (a.k.a. when custom apparel is produced in large quantities all at once) is a better option for apparel brands that want to order 500 units or more.

The biggest advantage of bulk manufacturing is that it’s more cost-effective than POD for large quantities. When you order in bulk, you’re able to take advantage of price breaks. The unit cost goes down as the quantity ordered goes up.

Our customers often come to us because they want to order a large number of shirts at the same level of quality they’d expect from a POD service. We’re able to provide our partners with top-of-the-line, bulk manufactured apparel at a fraction of the cost per unit.

5. You don’t have to sacrifice quality for speed.

Just because you need your custom apparel quickly doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice quality. If anyone tells you otherwise, they are lying (or simply misguided).

It’s all about finding the right partner that is able to deliver the stunning, ultra-soft garments that you can be proud of.

At Scrappy Apparel, we pride ourselves on being able to provide our clients with both quality and speed. We understand that time is of the essence, so we don’t waste any of it.

We offer lightning-quick shipping times with expedited options available. Need a quick turnaround? Tell us when you need your order and we will let you know if we can meet your deadline.

Ready to take your brand to the next level?

Let’s shoot for the moon together. Our team is excited to connect with you.

Grab Your Free Quote

Custom apparel is a phenomenal brand-building tool—whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the game for a while.

However, with a sea of information and resources on the interwebs, it can be tricky to know where to start.

Feeling lost? Don’t stress—we’ll be your guide. Here are 4 steps to ordering custom screen print shirts for your apparel brand:

1. Choose the right custom apparel partner.

If you want to avoid delays and t-shirt horror stories, make sure you carefully consider which company to work with.

So, what do you look for in a partner? No, not the romantic kind… but to be real, the right custom apparel partner will make you fall in love with their products and services.

A 5-star custom apparel company will…

1. Have an organized, seamless process that gives you peace of mind and exceeds your expectations.

You already have enough on your plate. You shouldn’t have to worry about late deliveries, misprints, or miscommunications. Unfortunately, these mistakes are often the result of disorganized processes.

We have our screen printing and fulfillment workflows down pat. Our Brand Building Process (BBP) is the best in the industry. With our BBP, we can guarantee that your order will arrive on time (or early) and look exactly how you imagined it would.

2. Offer an array of custom apparel products and services.

Options, please! Your creativity has no limits, so choose a custom apparel partner that can bring your innovative ideas to fruition.

3. Provide full transparency and never charge hidden fees.

We can’t believe there are still companies in the world that charge tons of unnecessary fees in an attempt to make more money. It’s not cool.

We always provide upfront, all-inclusive estimates so our customers know what to expect. That’s how we do business—we value transparency and integrity in every situation.

4. “WOW” you with a team of rockstar customer support reps.

You’re not just a number to us. From your very first phone call or email, our team of specialists will treat you like family and help you every step of the way, from design to delivery.

With Scrappy Apparel, you get all of the above and even more. Ready to get started?

Connect With Our Team

2. Choose your shirt and ink type.

There are a lot of options out there. It can feel overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for. Here are a few factors to consider:

Fabric

You can call us the fabric gurus. We offer a variety of options to our customers, including our Peruvian Pima Cotton—which redefines the word “soft,” by the way. You deserve only the best materials for your custom apparel. That’s we offer the softest cotton in the world for our screen printing projects.

Shirt style

Are you going for casual or semi-professional? Playful or serious? The vibe you’re going for will affect the style of shirt you choose.

Once you’ve chosen the general style of shirt you’re going for, you can start thinking about more specific details. What kind of neckline do you want? What kind of sleeves? What kind of fit?

It’s a good idea to decide on the shirt type before you begin designing your artwork to ensure your product will be a solid match for the design.

View samples of our products.

Shirt color

The color of your shirt will affect the appearance of your design. It’s important to pick a shirt that will create contrast with the colors in your design so your artwork can stand out.

Type of ink

Don’t forget about the ink! It’s crucial to choose an ink that will produce vibrant and durable results with the fabric and color of your shirt.

Are you struggling to make the right decisions for your custom apparel project?

Ask our team or check out our blog on 10 Things You Should Know Before You Get a Shirt Screen Printed.

3. Prepare your design files.

This is where you get to be creative! We recommend collaborating with your team or hiring a designer to bring your custom apparel vision to life.

If you’re designing the shirts yourself, make sure you’re using vector files (AI or EPS) so we can produce high-quality prints of your artwork. Avoid raster-based file types (Ex. JPEG, PNG, or GIF) since they will not produce as crisp of a print.

4. Request your quote and enjoy the ease of our Brand Building Process (BBP).

If done-for-you sounds like the dream, you’ll love our BBP.

We take care of everything from start to finish, so you can sit back, relax, and wait for your custom screen print shirts to arrive at your door.

We are revolutionizing the custom apparel industry by providing a proven, structured process for ordering t-shirts online.

You can leave your Advil in the cabinet because our BBP is headache-free. It’s simple, straightforward, and results-driven (a.k.a. sent straight from heaven).

Here’s an overview of our BBP:

1. Get your quote

Send us the deets, and we’ll get back to you with an all-inclusive estimate within 24 business hours. Speed is our middle name!

2. Connect with your Scrappy Sales Rep

Our team members are BFF material (plus they have years of experience in the custom apparel industry). Your dedicated rep will answer your questions and finalize your project details.

3. Approve your pre-production layout(s)

This is the ultra-important part where we make sure everything is correct. We’ll confirm your print size, location, private labeling, etc. so we get everything right in the production stage.

4. Hang out and wait for your shirts to arrive!

Before you know it, your custom screen print shirts will arrive on your doorstep. (BTW, did we mention that ground shipping is free?)

Seriously, it doesn’t get any better than our BBP—but don’t take our word for it. Work with us and experience the glory of the BBP yourself!

You can trust us to knock your screen printing projects out of the park every single time.

You made it to the end of this blog, which means we’re destined to work together. If you don’t believe in fate, you can at least trust in all the incredible reasons we shared to explain why you should work with us.

Our team is eager to begin your project. Let’s get started:

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Screen printing is an art form. Over 1,000 years ago, screen printing began in China as a way to print patterns on fabric. (What a #throwback!)

Technology is a little more advanced these days, but let’s be real—your design deserves to be treated with the same level of care the Chinese took when they screen printed artwork by hand.

That’s why it’s so important to work with a custom apparel partner that can offer you the pristine quality you expect. Knowledgeable experts will guide you in the right direction as you make decisions for your custom apparel project.

Even though the right custom apparel partner will help you every step of the way, it’s still a good idea to learn about screen printing so you know what to expect when you place your order.

We’re here to help you out with a mini-guide on what the screen printing process looks like in 2022. (Don’t worry, we’ve updated our information many times since the Song Dynasty.)

Keep reading for 10 things you should know before you get a shirt screen printed:

1. Start with the basics: the fabric, design, and shirt color.

Although these are preliminary factors to consider in every custom apparel order, the decisions aren’t always clear-cut.

Why? Because the color of the shirt, ink color, and fabric type all have different attributes that will affect the outcome of the finished products.

It’s crucial to make strategic fabric, ink, and color choices to achieve impeccable results with screen printing.

First, let’s talk fabric. Here are the fabrics you can use for screen printing.

The most common fabrics for t-shirt printing are 100% cotton, a 50/50 cotton/polyester blend, and 100% polyester.

Here’s a closer look at each type:

Why choose a 100% cotton shirt?

Cotton is a natural fiber that is comfortable to wear, breathes well, and is easy to care for. It’s also one of the most popular choices for screen printing because the fabric takes the ink well.

Want that worn-in look? Cotton marries well with discharge ink, which can be used to create soft printed shirts that have a vintage look and feel.

Additionally, cotton is hypoallergenic, so it’s a good choice for everyone, including people with sensitive skin.

We use Peruvian Pima Cotton (a.k.a. the softest cotton in the world) for many of our garments. It’s dangerous. Once you get your hands on this fabric, you’ll be hooked.

Why choose a 100% polyester shirt?

Polyester is a manmade fiber that is durable, wrinkle-resistant, and easy to care for.

It’s a popular choice for athletes and teams because it can withstand repeated washings and still look great. It’s also lightweight and wearable, which makes it perfect for activewear.

Polyester is also an excellent choice for printing because it doesn’t absorb ink as much as cotton, so the colors are brighter and more vibrant.

Why choose a 50/50 cotton/polyester blend shirt?

You get the best of both worlds with a 50/50 blend. Blended shirts are breathable and comfortable like cotton, but also durable and easy to care for like polyester. Want a shirt that will hold up to repeated wear and washings? A 50/50 blend could be for you.

How to get a design for your screen printing project

This is one of the most important parts of getting a shirt screen printed. (Obviously, you’d end up with a blank shirt if there’s no design to print on it.)

Create a design you love or hire a designer to bring your vision to life. Choose artwork that represents your brand well.

If you design the art yourself, we recommend creating it in Adobe Illustrator or a similar program. Your final artwork will need to be in vector format, not raster format. (Hint: Photoshop is a raster program, and that’s why we don’t recommend it for preparing your final artwork files.)

If you choose to work with a designer on your t-shirt artwork, ask for a few quotes before you decide which person to hire. Be sure to get the quote in writing so there are no surprises later on.

Choosing shirt and ink colors

Keep in mind that light shirt colors tend to show ink darker than they actually are, while dark colors can make light-colored inks appear washed out.

CMYK printing is limited to a set color palette, so your design choices will be more limited. However, if you have a specific color in mind, we can often get close to your desired color with a CMYK print.

On the other hand, Pantone (or spot) color printing gives you more leeway in terms of color choices. With this method, we can print custom colors by mixing Pantone inks. This is a great option if you have a brand with specific colors that need to be used in your design.

The number of colors in your design will affect both the price and the complexity of your screen printing project. Simple designs with one or two colors are generally less expensive, while more complex designs with multiple colors may cost more.

Consider the purpose of your shirts when choosing colors.

Are you trying to make a statement? Create a feeling of unity? Stand out from the crowd? Your shirt’s colors should reflect your goals.

We recommend learning more about color theory to help you choose the perfect hues for your design.

2. Decide which type of ink you want to use.

Ink is a key player in upping your custom apparel game. It affects both the look and feel of your finished garment.

There are three primary inks used for screen printing shirts: plastisol, water-based and discharge.

What is plastisol ink?

Plastisol is the most common type of ink used for shirt printing.

It is made of PVC particles that are suspended in a plasticizer. The ink will not dry until it is exposed to high temperatures. This type of ink can be printed on any color shirt. However, it looks best on dark garments, and it is perfect for detailed designs.

Fun fact: the chemistry of plastisol ink is much different than water-based or discharge ink. Instead of sinking into the fabric, plastisol ink sits on top of the garment.

What is water-based ink?

Water-based inks are made of pigment and water. They dry by evaporation, and they’re best used on natural fabrics (like cotton). They are usually thinner than plastisol inks and result in a softer print on the shirt. Water-based inks can only be printed on light-colored garments, and they will not show up vividly on dark shirts.

What is discharge ink?

Discharge inks are used to print on dark garments and work by removing the color of the shirt where the design is printed, leaving only the ink color. This results in a very soft print that feels like it is part of the garment.

Feel overwhelmed by the ink options? Don’t sweat it. That’s what we’re here for!

Reach out to our team and we will be happy to help you decide which type of ink will work best for your custom apparel.

3. Decide if you want any embellishments or effects applied to your finished shirts.

Over the years, the traditional screen printing process has expanded to include a variety of effects that can make your shirts stand out.

At Scrappy Apparel, we give our customers lots of options for cool screen printing effects:

• Foil
• Glow in the dark
• Liquid gold and silver
• Puff
• Reflective
• Burnout

Let’s take your t-shirts to the next level.

4. Choose the right printing method for your project.

There are two primary methods of screen printing shirts: direct-to-garment (DTG) printing and traditional screen printing.

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing

DTG printing is a technology that allows for digital designs to be printed directly onto garments.

DTG is actually more expensive than traditional screen printing, but that doesn’t mean it provides better results. DTG is an inferior printing method that results in lower quality finished products (and we don’t want that!)

We only offer our customers the best services, so that’s why we steer clear of DTG at Scrappy Apparel.

Traditional screen printing

Traditional screen printing is the more common method of printing shirts. It involves creating a stencil of your design and using that stencil to apply ink to the garment.

This method is less expensive than DTG printing, and it is best suited for larger orders. If you want your custom apparel to look retail-ready, traditional screen printing is the way to go.

5. Decide how many shirts you want printed.

The number of shirts you need will affect the price of your screen printing project.

We offer a minimum order quantity (MOQ) of 50 pieces, which is lower than many of our competitors. We also offer price breaks, so you can save on the cost per shirt if you need a large quantity.

Always ask for a quote before you place an order.

The cost of screen printing can vary depending on the number of shirts you’re ordering, the embellishments you’re adding, etc.

Be sure to ask for an estimate in advance so you are aware of the investment. We quote our customers at the beginning of the pre-production process.

At Scrappy Apparel, we believe in full transparency without any hidden fees or surprises. You can count on us!

6. Know which file format to save your artwork in.

Our preferred file format is vector EPS.

It’s important to save your file as a vector before you submit it for printing. Vector files are made up of mathematical curves and can be scaled to any size without losing quality. This is important because screen printing requires your design to scale to a large size.

We offer design services to help you with converting files and optimizing your artwork before printing. Let us know if we can assist you!

7. Make sure your design is the correct size for printing.

Most companies will be able to print designs in one of two sizes: 12″ x 16″ or 9″ x 12″. That’s great, but there’s nothing wrong with wanting your design to look bigger and better.

We offer large format screen printing so our customers can make a bold statement with their custom apparel.

We offer four tiers of large format screen printing:

• 16″ x 20″
• 17″ x 22″
• 20″ x 28″
• Entire garment

Our team of custom apparel experts can help you decide which size is best for your project. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions you have.

8. Review your design carefully before submitting it for production.

Once your design is finalized, be sure to proofread it carefully for any mistakes. We know how important it is to get your order right the first time, so our team works diligently to ensure the accuracy of each order.

At Scrappy Apparel, we create precise pre-production layouts for our customers to review to ensure the design, text, placement, and details are correct.

Our Brand Building Process (BBP) eliminates the margin of error and ensures that there aren’t any mistakes in the production process. That is one of the perks you get when you choose us to be your custom apparel partner!

9. Ask about turnaround time and shipping options.

We know how important it is to receive your order on time, especially if you have an event or deadline approaching.

For screen printing, our turnaround time is 15 to 20 business days. However, we may be able to give you a faster turnaround time if you’re in a rush.

Don’t be afraid to ask—we will be honest with you about how fast we can fulfill your order.

10. Decide whether you want to private label your garments.

If you’re looking to start your own clothing line or want to add custom apparel to your existing product offerings, you’ll need to decide whether you want to private label your garments.

Private labeling involves adding your own brand name, logo, and neck labels to the garments. This is a great way to take ownership of your brand and increase awareness for your custom apparel.

Private labeling is a piece of cake when you work with us.

We actually offer a done-for-you neck label service for $75. Our goal is to streamline the private labeling process and take tasks off your to-do list instead of adding more to it.

If you’re interested in private labeling, we’re ready to help you every step of the way.

We offer high-touch support and the best service in the industry for our screen printing customers.

Our customer service is unmatched. We’re passionate about giving our partners the best possible experience, whether you’re ordering shirts for your team or want to start your own line of custom apparel.

We’re here to answer any questions you have about screen printing, the design process, or anything else related to custom apparel.

If you’re ready to put your order into production, let’s talk. We’re eager to get started on your custom apparel project.

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Your million-dollar apparel design deserves to be treated like royalty.

Our cut and sew services are what dreams are made of. If you’re looking for a custom apparel partner that offers you more artistic freedom, we’re the people to talk to.

When you work with us, we’ll offer you full creative control of your apparel designs. You can trust us to bring your one-of-a-kind vision to life.

How does cut and sew work?

Cut and sew is a design process in which you print a garment before it is manufactured. This might sound backwards, but it actually gives you more customization options.

The cut and sew process begins when you request a quote and send us your vector artwork. We’ll produce your garment from scratch based on the information we gather in the pre-production phase.

Finally, we’ll deliver your cut and sew apparel and “WOW” you with the results.

Is cut and sew right for your project?

Only you can decide, but we’ll share our expert advice to make your choice easier. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of the cut and sew approach:

What are the benefits of cut and sew?

You have creative control over your garment patterns.

Cut and sew is exactly what it sounds like. Your custom apparel will be created from “raw” fabric instead of being printed on a ready-made shirt. Alternatively, cut and sew can mean modifying an existing garment to add new details, like pockets.

With cut and sew, your imagination is the limit—and that’s why it’s one of our most popular services for brands that want to make a splash with their innovative ideas.

Cut and sew garments stand out from the pack.

With cut and sew, you’re creating a product that is unique to you and your brand. This will help you stand out from the competition, which is essential in today’s crowded marketplace.

Plus, cut and sew garments tend to be higher quality than printed apparel. Since cut and sew is a more labor-intensive process, you can be sure that your custom apparel will last longer and look better than printed shirts.

You can charge more for cut and sew apparel.

If you create a unique product through our cut and sew process, you may be able to charge a premium price and generate higher profits from your custom apparel. People are often willing to pay more for a product that is truly different and innovative.

You have the best cut and sew professionals right in front of you.

When you begin any cut and sew project, you want to make sure you have people who know what they’re doing on your team. With Scrappy Apparel, you’re in good hands. Our cut and sew professionals have years of experience and have worked with some big names. We’re confident we can bring your ideas to fruition.

What are the disadvantages of cut and sew?

The production process for cut and sew clothing is more complex and time-consuming than the process for ready-made garments, so it generally costs more.

If you’re working with a tight budget, there may be better options for you than cut and sew. However, if you’re willing to invest in a completely customized product, cut and sew is the way to go.

It takes longer to create cut and sew garments.

Our cut and sew process is designed to eliminate the margin of error and ensure your completed garments look exactly as you imagined they would.

Since each cut and sew garment is created from scratch, it takes more time to create the custom apparel from start to finish. If you need your garments ASAP, cut and sew might not be the right choice for you.

The process might be called cut and sew, but you absolutely cannot cut any corners with it.

Cut and sew is a delicate technique that requires an expert touch. If you cut corners, the quality and appearance of your apparel will suffer. That’s why it’s so crucial to choose a custom apparel partner that can go above and beyond your expectations. Think of your cut and sew project as an investment, not a cost.

So, what’s the verdict?

If you’re looking for creative control, pristine quality, and made-from-scratch custom apparel, cut and sew could be the right choice for you. Let’s talk!

Sublimation printing is a popular technique to use with cut and sew manufacturing.

These custom apparel approaches are best friends. Here’s why:

First, let’s recap what all-over sublimation printing is:

Sublimation is a popular printing technique to use with cut and sew manufacturing because it allows for full-color designs that reach from one end of the garment to the other.

It’s also a great way to print complex graphics or photos onto fabric. The sublimation process uses heat to transfer dye onto the fabric, so the design becomes a part of the garment. This results in a luxurious, long-lasting print that won’t crack or fade over time.

How cut and sew sublimation works

In this service, the all-over sublimation process is similar to the traditional production method, but we complete the printing of the garment before it is assembled.

The cut and sew process eliminates the potential for any blurring, creasing, or smudging. You can also choose to keep certain parts of the garment solid, separating those sections from the sublimated parts.

Want pockets, embroidered areas, or other decorations? We have you covered with cut and sew sublimation.

Limits are meant to be broken.

Most online custom apparel companies will not give you much creative control over your finished products.

Why choose a custom apparel partner that will keep your creativity inside the box? When you work with Scrappy Apparel, you can rest assured that your cut and sew project will be handled with the utmost care and attention to detail.

We’re here to take your brand to the next level.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help you create custom apparel that is truly one-of-a-kind.

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Tell us: how much do you love your brand?

If you’re like us, you adore your own brand. It is your lifeblood.

You’re obsessed with it in a way that most people don’t understand.

Your family and friends might even think you’re crazy if they don’t have the same entrepreneurial spirit that you do.

Well, if you love your brand so much, don’t you think it’s worth it to spend a few dollars more per shirt to private label your custom apparel?

Let’s back up. When we say “private labeling,” we mean printing a custom neck label inside each garment you order. 

We’re about to share how you can truly customize your custom apparel with a neck label of your own—but first, let’s talk more about how private labeling will take your garments to the next level.

Is private labeling worth the hype?

If you read anything we just wrote, you already know our opinion on this. 

But if you skimmed the last few paragraphs (or maybe you just need more convincing), we’ll dive deeper into each reason why you should private label your custom apparel:

Private labeling gives you true ownership of your brand.

You poured your blood, sweat, and tears into your apparel designs. Don’t you want to take credit for them?

If you don’t private label your garments, you’ll likely end up in one of two scenarios:

A. The manufacturer of the garment will print their own name on the inside, thus taking credit for your hard work.

AND/OR

B. Your customers will not be able to find any identifying information about your brand inside the garments, and they will forget where they ordered the shirts from.

So, private label your garments and show your brand off to the world. Make sure no one ever forgets your name.

A custom neck label will make your brand look more legit.

You might think that no one cares about the artwork inside your garment, but that is completely false.

Sure, not everyone will see your cool custom neck label, but you know who will?

The person wearing the shirt (a.k.a. your customer!)

Nearly all reputable brands have their own names or logos printed inside of their apparel.

If you want your brand to be respected just as much as the other players in your industry, trust us—you want to private label your garments.

Private labeling gives you new creative potential.

Each label contains the standard information (which we’ll go over in a minute), but you can add a fun twist to your label if you’d like.

Think of your custom neck label as an opportunity to strengthen your brand even more. What will you do with the extra real estate?

Ready to create your custom neck label?
Let’s begin with the basics!

A standard neck label consists of:

• Your brand name or logo
• The size of the garment (S, M, L, XL… and so on)
• The fabric composition
• The country of origin (Note: this is where the garment was manufactured, not where it was printed)
• Care instructions (usually shown with symbols)

Seems pretty straightforward, right? You’d think so, but there are so many innovative ways to present the details we listed above.

You can really let your imagination run wild as long as you include all the necessary info.

However, we do recommend formatting all text to be at least 7 pt. in size so it will be readable when it’s printed. 

Don’t worry—when you work with us, our Scrappy sales reps will give you their recommendations about what will and will not work for your neck label design.

Feeling creative? Don’t worry, you are not obligated to create a boring design that looks like every other neck label on the face of the Earth.

In fact, we encourage you to color outside the lines—figuratively and literally. Seriously, tell us your crazy idea and we’ll let you know if we can print it. (Chances are that we can!)

If you want your neck label to be a little *extra,* here are a few ideas for items to add to it:

Your tagline.

Obviously, if your tagline is a mile long, it won’t fit in the small neck label space—but if you have a few punchy words that you’d like to feature inside each garment, more power to you!

The printing location.

We’ve seen brands add the printing locations to their neck labels in addition to the standard manufacturing locations.

For example: Made in Nicaragua | Printed in the USA

Brand symbols or elements.

Adding symbols or other simple graphics can add flair to your custom neck label.

Your website or social media handles.

Because why not?

If this sounds like too much work for you, we have good news.

We have two easy ways for you to check this neck label business off your list:

1. Use our free custom neck label templates to prepare your designs in a snap.

You can customize these as much or as little as you want. 

They’re available in our member portal. All you have to do is register for a free account, log in, and head to the download page. You’re welcome.

Access the Free Neck Label Templates

2. Try our done-for-you neck label design service.

Don’t worry, this will not cost you an arm and a leg. You can keep your limbs this time.

For just $75, we’ll design you a custom neck label that looks dope and meets all the appropriate guidelines.

While we design your label, you can chill at home, watch TV, go to the beach, or at least free up a few hours to tackle your mile-long to-do list.

You’re welcome (again).

Learn More

Ready to own your brand like never before?

We’re ready to help you. Let’s connect and iron out the details (no pun intended) for your custom apparel project.

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