Ordering custom apparel can be an exciting process, whether you’re creating uniforms for your team, promotional items for an event, or personalized gifts. However, it can also be full of potential pitfalls that can turn your project into a headache. To ensure a smooth and successful ordering experience, it’s important to be aware of common mistakes and know how to avoid them. Here are some key points to consider:
1. Ignoring Sizing and Fit Issues
Ordering the wrong sizes can result in apparel that doesn’t fit well, leading to dissatisfaction and additional costs for reordering. At Adver-T, we are committed to working with you throughout the ordering process. If you need samples, please ask your account representative and based on the request we can get them for you at little or no cost. We can also provide manufacturer supplied sizing charts and guidelines to your team or customers.
2. Overlooking Fabric and Material Choices
Choosing the wrong fabric can affect the comfort, durability, and appearance of the apparel. We will work with you to help you understand the different fabric options available and select the one that best suits your needs. Consider factors like breathability, stretch, and ease of care. For example, cotton is comfortable and breathable, while polyester is durable and moisture-wicking.
Examples:
Trades - we typically use some kind of cotton / polyester blend for comfort, durability and to avoid shrinkage in the garment when washing
Teams - we would typically use 100% polyester moisture wicking tees for comfort and and stretch
4. Failing to Check Proofs and Invoice Details
Whether it is your first time ordering or placing a reorder there is no skipping the proofing stage. Doing so can lead to errors in the final product, such as incorrect colors, placement, or spelling mistakes.
Additionally, we ask that you always look over the garment description, color and style as well as your shipping address in case something has changed and needs to be updated. Failure to do so can result in delivery delays and/or mistakes in the final product.
5. Not Considering the Decoration Method
Different decoration methods work better for different designs and fabrics. Choosing the wrong method can result in poor-quality prints. We can help you to understand the various decoration methods, such as screen printing, embroidery, heat transfers, and sublimation.
6. Underestimating Lead Times
Ordering custom apparel without accounting for production and shipping times can lead to missed deadlines, especially for time-sensitive events. We will always work with you on meeting your deadline but we need to know when starting to communicate about the project…not 2 days before.
Standard production times are 5-7 business days AFTER BOTH invoice and artwork approvals. Depending on where you are located, shipping can range from 1-5 business days.
7. Ignoring Minimum Order Quantities
We have minimums for each type of decoration we offer in-house. Promotional product vendors also have minimums they have set for each of the products they offer. These minimums are usually based on the decoration type and setup involved. Our minimums for in-house decoration can be found below:
Screen Printing - Minimum 48 pieces - up to 4 print colors
Screen Printing - Minimum 72 pieces - up to 7 print colors
Embroidery - Minimum 12 pieces
DTF Printing - Minimum 12 pieces
Laser Engraving - Minimum 12 pieces
Signs/Banners - as low as 1 piece
Promotional Products - Minimums determined by the trade supplier
8. Overlooking Hidden Costs
Hidden costs don’t come up in our orders aside from when there are delays in getting approvals on either invoice or artwork and hitting a deadline is needed. In these cases we would charge you the UPS rates needed for expedited shipping.
If we run into a situation where we set a ship date for a time sensitive order and production delay can cause us to miss a deadline we will cover any expedited shipping to make sure you get your order on time.
The only setup fees we charge are for embroidery digitizing ($25) the first time you place an embroidery order with a new logo. Promotional product supplier also have setup fees that should be accounted for when placing those types of orders.
9. Post-Order Support
We strive to make every order perfect but issues do arise from time to time and may come to light after receiving your order. If you ever have any issue with the quality of your order, concern that the order doesn’t match the approved proofs or anything else please contact us as soon as possible.
We log all print details, triple count all orders and can look into any errors to figure out what happened. Sometimes we can get an answer same day while in other cases we may need to dive a little deeper but we will work with you to make sure you are happy with your purchase.
Conclusion
Ordering custom apparel can be a seamless and rewarding experience when you avoid these common mistakes. By finalizing your design, understanding sizing and materials, reviewing proofs, planning ahead, and communicating clearly with your supplier, you can ensure a smooth process and receive high-quality, custom apparel that meets your needs and expectations. Keep these tips in mind, and your next custom apparel order will be a success.
