With so many apparel manufacturers in the world, how do you know you’ve found your perfect match? Each company has its own strengths, weaknesses, and processes that they use to produce clothing.

But finding a printing partner isn’t just about finding someone who can get the job done—it’s about finding someone who will do it right, and who will be a true partner in your success.

Unfortunately, there is no surefire way to know you’ve found the best partner.

Fortunately, there are signs that can show you who is right.

You’re bound to meet your match eventually. (It’s fate.)

You just need to know what to look out for. Whether it’s specific services, great materials, or just a friendly team, there are key factors that come with a quality t-shirt printing company.

What if we told you we could help you with finding your true match? We could obviously go ahead and state that Scrappy Apparel is the right t-shirt printing company for you, but we won’t—yet.

Here are 10 different signs to look out for in order to find the right t-shirt printing company for your brand:

custom apparel services

1. They Offer the Services You Want and Need

Obviously, the t-shirt printing company you choose needs to offer the services that will benefit your brand. That’s pretty obvious.

However, what happens when you don’t know what you want? Well, you need to look for a company that offers multiple different services that you can choose from.

For example, this one amazing custom apparel company that we won’t disclose (just kidding, it’s us) offers retail-ready screen printing, all-over sublimation printing, custom embroidery, custom hats, and more. If you ask us, those are some great services to offer.

If you’re indecisive or you aren’t sure which service to choose, it also helps to choose a company that can help you make the best choice for your project.

Many online printing solutions have a completely self-guided ordering process, so you don’t get the same personalized service you’d get from a local print shop.

At Scrappy Apparel, we give you the best of both worlds—a seamless online ordering process and 5-star support from one of our expert Scrappy Sales Reps. When you work with us, you can trust that you’re making informed decisions for your brand.

2. They Have the Right Experience

When searching for the perfect t-shirt printing company, remember that experience leads to wisdom. When a custom apparel company has years of experience, it shows that they have gone through the trial and error phase already and can successfully fulfill your order without a problem.

We remember the days when we first started. Honestly, we were far from perfect in our first few years. Every business hits bumps in the road in the beginning. Mistakes are crucial aspects of the trial-and-error process that help you improve your offers over time.

Now, with over 16 years of experience in the t-shirt printing industry, we have had time to fine-tune our craft and become one of the most reputable companies in the business. We have perfected our processes to eliminate misprints, delayed orders, and other custom apparel horror stories that we hear about.

We aren’t telling you not to go with a small business that’s just starting out. They deserve customers, too. However, we do know that years of experience can give you a better guarantee of what you’re getting and the quality of it, too.

3. Reviews, Reviews, Reviews

OK, an apparel manufacturer can have many years under its belt, but how do you ensure that their work is reliable? The right t-shirt printing company will have customer reviews that speak for themselves.

Some people may ask “Why do customer reviews matter?” and although we’re all about experiencing things yourself without judging first, we do stand by the fact that a good company will have reputable reviews from customers.

Happy customers = positive experiences, and positive experiences = the right t-shirt company for you.

Besides reviews, a good t-shirt printing company should have a portfolio showing off their work for these awesome clients. (Check out ours here!)

You can learn a lot about what to expect from a company just by looking at their previous work.

  • Does it look like they’re capable of handling large orders?
  • Do the colors look consistent throughout all of the garments?
  • Do they have a lot of experience with a certain printing technique that you’re looking for?

4. World-Class Customer Service

Sure, having the right services is important, but why would you want to work with a company that has poor customer service? That’s a BIG no from us.

When you reach out to the t-shirt company’s customer service, does anyone answer? Do they take days or weeks to get back to you? If the answer is yes, then we have some bad news: that’s not a good sign.

The right t-shirt printing company will have a stellar customer service team that is willing to answer all your questions and help you with everything you need.

We recommend working with a company that feels like your friend. One that is easy to communicate with, friendly, helpful—and most importantly, honest.

Skill set matters, but personalized customer service is what will make you want to work with a partner again and again. You should always aim to work with a company that genuinely wants to help your brand succeed.

5. Ensuring Perfection With Each Order

When you are able to mix the right services with quality custom apparel, you should choose a company that strives for perfection with every order.

How can they do this, you may ask? Well, the right t-shirt printing company will offer pre-production layouts to ensure that things are exactly how you want them before they are manufactured.

Our Brand Building Process (BBP) has an extensive pre-production layout review that gives you the opportunity to confirm the size and placement of your design as well as other important details that will make your shirts perfect.

This is a huge advantage because it means you can avoid costly mistakes and get exactly what you want the first time around.

Here’s how our BBP works at Scrappy Apparel:

Get Your Quote

Once you submit your project through our “Get Your Quote” process, you will receive a detailed estimate within 24 business hours.

Connect with your Scrappy Sales Rep

Once you receive your quote, you will be connected to a Scrappy sales rep to finalize your project details.

Approve Your Pre-Production Layout(s)

After payment, you will receive pre-production layouts to confirm your print size, location, private labeling, etc.

Sit Back And Relax

After approval, your order will be scheduled for production. Ground shipping is FREE to your doorstep… early, on time, never late!

6. Offering Luxury-Level Materials

If you’re going to pay for some custom apparel, you better make sure the company you choose uses the best materials in the game. This includes high-quality inks, fabrics, and even machines.

The right t-shirt printing company is one that will give you the best bang for your buck, and quality materials are key for long-lasting products.

For instance, Scrappy Apparel offers Peruvian Pima Cotton for some services. Don’t know what Pima Cotton is? Well, my friends, let’s just say it’s the softest damn piece of fabric your closet will ever have.

7. Free Shipping!

Maybe you have a couple of potential manufacturers in mind at this point. What could make their offers better?

Free shipping. That’s what.

Your ideal t-shirt printing company should offer free shipping.

Getting your apparel order delivered to your doorstep on time and for free is the icing on the cake. It’s a blessing that should be a given when searching for the right company to work with.

8. A Lightning-Fast Turnaround Time

Who can handle the excitement of waiting for their custom apparel order? We definitely can’t.

We think it’s important to look for a fast turnaround time when choosing your perfect custom apparel company. Not only is this beneficial for when you are on a time crunch, but it is also exciting knowing that after you place your order, you won’t have to wait a decade to receive it.

More importantly, choose a manufacturer that is reliable and can always deliver your order on time. If you have an apparel brand or even an important corporate event, you can’t deal with delayed orders or excuses. There’s no time.

At Scrappy Apparel, we are proud to say that deadlines are our best friends because we never miss them. You can count on us to deliver your order on time, every single time.

9. A Private Labeling Option

What if you want to take things one step further and private label your products?

Top t-shirt printing companies offer this service so that you can have complete control over your product and how it is presented to the world.

This is the process of placing your own brand label on the garments you order. It’s a great way to add an extra level of professionalism and ensure that your products are always associated with your brand.

Here’s why many of our customers choose to pay a little extra for private labeling:

  • It gives them true ownership of their brand
  • We can produce thousands of garments with the same level of attention to detail on each one
  • Private labeling helps you charge more for your apparel

At Scrappy Apparel, we have a private labeling option. We understand that this is an important part of building a successful brand, so we’re more than happy to accommodate your needs.

10. Values Matter, Too!

You should consider your values when looking for the right t-shirt printing company. After all, you will be working with them closely and entrusting them with an important aspect of your brand.

A great t-shirt printing company should share your values and be committed to providing the best possible service. At Scrappy Apparel, we pride ourselves on being a company that always puts the customer first. We are passionate about what we do and take the time to ensure that every single customer is happy with their order.

This is just a small part of what to look for when choosing a t-shirt printing company. These are the basics that we think are most important, but ultimately, the decision is up to you.

Which T-Shirt Printing Company is the Best For You?

Now that we’ve gone over some important factors to consider when choosing the best t-shirt printing company, it’s time for you to make a decision.

The right company is out there waiting for you. All you have to do is find them.

When looking for the best t-shirt printing company, be sure to keep Scrappy Apparel in mind. We offer luxury-level materials, free shipping, fast turnaround times, and much more. Plus, our team is passionate about perfection and will work closely with you to ensure your complete satisfaction.

We’re ready to get this t-shirt party started when you are:

free quote