So you want custom apparel for your team, your brand, or your next event. Great idea. But if you've never ordered before, the process can feel a little murky… how do you pick the right shop? What do you even order? How much is this going to cost?
We've been making custom apparel in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years, and we walk people through this process every week. Here's exactly how it works, start to finish.
1. Pick your manufacturer
This is the first decision, and it sets the tone for everything else. Ask yourself a few questions: Do you want someone local who you can actually talk to? Do you need to hit a specific budget? Do you need it shipped? Does the shop's style and aesthetic match your brand's vision?
Working with a local shop in Whatcom County means faster communication, no surprise shipping delays, and someone who actually cares about how your finished product looks. If that matters to you, it's worth starting close to home.
2. Sort out your artwork
Before anything gets printed or embroidered, you need a design. You've got four options: bring your own (vector files work best), lean on someone from your team, find a designer to help (we love @dahlbrosdesign), or reach out to us for design help. We charge $80/hour and can take a rough idea all the way to a finished file.
One thing we really believe: creative and unique designs stand out. A little investment in good artwork pays off every time someone puts on the shirt.
3. Pick your apparel
This depends on what you're making. Outfitting a full brand collection? A tee, hoodie, hat, and tote bag is a solid starting point. Doing staff uniforms? A polo and a hat. Building a retail line? Start with a hoodie and a tee.
Not sure? Just ask! We've seen what works and what doesn't, and we're happy to point you in the right direction based on your budget and use case.
4. Decide how you want to decorate
This is where it gets fun. The decoration method changes the look, feel, and durability of the finished product, so it's worth thinking through.
For tees, screen printing is our go-to. The colors pop and it holds up wash after wash. For hats, embroidery or a woven patch tends to look more premium. For hoodies, we're split between screen print and embroidery. We love the look of a left chest embroidery with a full back screen print! Feel free to mix and match.
Not quite sure what makes the most sense for you? Reach out to us and we'd be happy to point you in the right direction.
5. Lock in your sizes and quantities
This step matters more than most people expect. Your quantities determine your pricing. The more you order, the better the per-unit cost. Before you submit a quote, collect your team's sizes and nail down your numbers. Coming in with a firm size run means you'll get accurate pricing back fast.
6. Submit a quote
Once you've got everything figured out, it's time to get a quote. We built our quote tool to be flexible: you can either build your own quote directly on our site (browse the catalog, drag products into decoration groups, upload your art, and watch pricing updates in real time), or you can send us your info and we'll put it together for you. Either way, we'll have a formal quote back to you within one business day.
If you have a rough idea, but are not sure where to start, just let us know! We’re happy to help and get you on track.
7. Review your proof and give us feedback
After the quote is approved, we send you a proof. This is a mockup of your product and logo before anything goes into production. This is your chance to tweak placement, adjust sizing, or catch anything that doesn't look right. We adjust until you're happy, then we go to print.
8. You get your merch
You pick up your order, put it on, and look better than everyone else. We recommend celebrating with your team (happy hour?), taking pictures, and sending them to us.
Ready to get started?
If you're a small business, startup, or local team in the Whatcom County area and you're ready to build great gear, we'd love to help. Get a quote here or reach out directly. We're based in Lynden, WA and always happy to talk through your project.