Branded or Decorated Apparel: The Ins and Outs
by Sarah Izzo
There are two parts to any branded or decorated apparel project - the selection of the apparel and the choice of decoration. The two go hand-in-hand. The material will determine the type of decorating options you have to choose from just as much as the look you want to achieve, the size of the design and its location.
There are many types of apparel decorating that can be done separately for affordability or combined for a complex design. Here is a great article about the different types of decoration: Apparel Decorating Basic Terms and Techniques. Deciding which option is best starts with what you are trying to accomplish and how it will be used.
When talking with one of our experienced team members, the first question we ask is, “What are your goals or how will these be used?” Then we dive into some of the basics such as how many pieces, are they all the same design, is the design the same size on all the pieces and when do you need them? Some of the options are better at different quantities, turnarounds and design needs.
For example, you want the same design on a variety of shirts. Are you going for youth through Adult 5XL? Do you want to pay for a single size design or multiple sizes to fit the shirt proportionately? Do you need to personalize them with someone’s name'? Is long-term durability more important than price?
Selecting the Apparel
We can often decorate any apparel whether it is purchased at a local store or through a warehouse source. OEX is a distributor for the two major garment warehouses as well as many USA and overseas garment manufacturers. Sometimes co-branded products with a big brand name are only licensed through specific sources - we almost always have access to them as well.
Considerations to keep in mind:
Compatibility of the material with the decoration type
Accessibility of the area of application, such as on bags where zippers and pockets might hinder application to a preferred location.
Potential for shrinkage and how it will affect your decoration type
Selecting the Decoration Type
The most common types of decoration are traditional embroidery and screen printing (also called silkscreen). Embroidery is mainly used for left chest imprints on fitted shirts and polos, the fronts of hats, bags and blankets. Screen printing is typically the top choice for t-shirts. Here is a chart of the most popular options:
Reach out to our custom printing division at 248-307-1842 for a team member to work directly with you or start searching online now: Apparel Search
