Custom apparel guides: printing, embroidery and ordering, explained.

Decoration

• Water-based vs plastisol screen printing – How the two main screen printing inks differ, and which suits your garment.
• How screen printing works – The process step by step, and when screen printing is the right choice.
• Choosing a decoration method – Screen printing, embroidery, DTG and DTF compared side by side.
• DTG vs DTF printing – Two full-colour digital methods, and when to use each.
• Logo embroidery: what works best – Design tips, garment choice and placement for embroidered logos.

Artwork and design

• Artwork file requirements – What files to send for printing and embroidery, and what to do if you only have a JPG.
• Pantone colour matching – How brand colours are matched in ink and thread.
• Print placement and sizing – Common print positions and typical sizes for tees and hoodies.

Ordering

• Minimum order quantities – Screen printing minimums, what counts as a design, and options for small runs.
• Turnaround times – How long custom apparel takes, and what affects it.
• How ordering works – From quote request to delivery, step by step.
• Choosing an ethical apparel supplier – The questions to ask before you choose a supplier for ethical custom apparel and merch.

Garments and labels

• Caring for printed and embroidered garments – Washing and drying tips that keep prints and embroidery looking good.
• Relabelling and private label – Neck labels, woven labels and swing tags, and what labels must show.
• GOTS, OCS, GRS, Fair Wear and OEKO-TEX explained – What each apparel certification covers, and what it does not.
• Choosing t-shirt weight and fit – GSM explained, and how to pick the right weight and fit for your use.
• Organic vs recycled cotton – How organic and recycled cotton differ, how each is certified, and when to choose which.
• Sustainable merchandise ideas – Practical, certified merch ideas for events, staff, campaigns and retail.
• Making honest sustainability claims about merch – How to describe organic, recycled and ethical merch accurately, without greenwashing.