1. Know Your Purpose
Before you start picking colors and uploading logos, ask yourself: What is this apparel actually for?
The purpose of your order shapes everything — from the style you choose to the print method, quantity, and budget.
Team uniforms or staff shirts? You'll want durability and consistency across sizes.
Trade show or event giveaways? Lightweight, comfortable tees that people will actually wear again are your best bet.
Branded merchandise for sale? Think about what your audience will love enough to pay for — and wear proudly.
School or fundraiser gear? Spirit and affordability often take center stage here.
Getting clear on your goal upfront saves time and helps your promo expert steer you toward the right product from the start.
2. Understand Your Print & Decoration Options
Not all custom apparel is made the same way. The decoration method affects the look, feel, durability, and price of your finished product. Here are the most common options:
- Screen Printing — The classic. Great for bold, simple designs with a limited number of colors. Best for larger quantities.
- Embroidery — Elevated and professional. Perfect for polos, hats, and anything that needs a premium look. Works great for logos.
- Direct-to-Garment (DTG) Printing — Full-color, photo-quality prints applied directly to the fabric. Ideal for detailed or complex designs and smaller runs.
- Heat Transfer / Vinyl — Versatile and cost-effective for small batches. Works well for names, numbers, or custom one-off designs.
Not sure which is right for you? That's what we're here for! Our team will help you match the right technique to your artwork and your budget.
3. Get Your Artwork Ready
Your logo or design is going to live on a shirt — it needs to look great at that scale. Here are a few tips to make sure your artwork is print-ready:
Use vector files when possible (.ai, .eps, or .svg formats). These scale to any size without losing quality.
High-resolution images (at least 300 DPI) work for raster files if you don't have a vector version.
Simplify if needed. Very fine details and thin lines can get lost in certain print methods. A clean, bold design almost always looks better on apparel.
Consider your color count. For screen printing especially, more colors = higher cost. A 2–3 color design can be just as striking and more budget-friendly.
Don't have a print-ready file? No stress — our design team can help clean up your artwork or create something from scratch.
4. Know Your Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)
One of the biggest questions we hear is: "How many do I have to order?"
MOQs vary depending on the product, decoration method, and supplier. Here's the general rule of thumb:
Screen printing often requires a minimum of 12–24 pieces to be cost-effective.
Embroidery and DTG tend to have lower minimums — sometimes even single pieces.
In-house products (like the ones available right here in the Georgia Peach Designs Store) are specifically curated for low minimum orders — so you can get quality custom apparel without committing to a giant run.
If you need a large quantity, our full Promo Store gives you access to thousands of apparel options at bulk pricing that will make your budget smile. 😊
5. Plan for Sizing
This one trips up a lot of first-time apparel buyers — don't forget to collect sizing from your team or audience before you finalize your order!
A few pro tips:
- Order a size run (a distribution across S–XL or S–3XL) rather than assuming everyone wears the same size.
- Consider ordering a few extras in the most common sizes (usually M, L, and XL) for replacements or new additions.
- For women's styles, note that women's cuts run smaller than unisex — ask about fit options.
Running a fundraiser or selling to customers? Set up a short-window pre-order to collect sizes before you commit. It's a strategy that saves money and avoids a box of unused smalls collecting dust in your garage. 😄
6. Give Yourself Enough Time
Custom apparel takes time — and rushing an order often costs more and stresses everyone out. Here's a general timeline to keep in mind:
- Standard production: 10–14 business days after artwork approval
- Rush orders: Available in some cases — contact us early and we'll do our best!
- Proof approval: Allow 1–2 days to review and approve your digital proof before production begins
Planning for a specific event? Work backward from your date and give yourself a comfortable buffer. We always aim to deliver on time, but padding your timeline is always smart.
Ready to Order Your Custom Apparel?
Ordering custom apparel doesn't have to be complicated — and with the right partner, it's actually pretty fun! At Georgia Peach Designs, we walk you through every step of the process, from choosing the right product to approving your final design.
Whether you need a small batch of custom tees, a full team uniform package, or branded merchandise for your next big event, we're ready to help.
👉 Shop Custom Apparel or Contact Us for a free consultation with one of our promotional product experts. We'd love to bring your brand to life! 🍑
