SHIRTFrequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about our custom printing services, ordering process, and product care. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us for personalized assistance.
Ordering & Pricing Questions
Everything you need to know about placing orders and understanding our pricing structure
What is the minimum order quantity?
Our minimum order quantities vary by printing method:
- Screen Printing: 12 items minimum per design due to setup costs.
- Digital Printing: No minimum! Perfect for small orders or one-off custom designs.
- Embroidery: 6 items minimum per design.
For larger quantities (24+ items), we offer tiered pricing discounts. Learn more about our printing methods.
What is the typical turnaround time for orders?
Our standard production timeline is 7-10 business days from design approval to shipping. This timeline includes:
- 1-2 days for design review and digital proof creation
- 4-6 days for production after proof approval
- 1-2 days for quality control and packaging
Need it faster? We offer rush services for an additional fee, with turnaround as quick as 3-5 business days for most orders. Please contact us before placing a rush order to confirm availability.
How do you calculate pricing for custom printed apparel?
Our pricing is determined by several factors:
- Base garment cost: The blank apparel item you select
- Printing method: Screen printing, digital printing, or embroidery
- Number of colors: More colors may increase the price for screen printing
- Print locations: Front, back, sleeves, etc.
- Order quantity: Larger orders receive volume discounts
Setup fees may apply for screen printing ($20 per color) and embroidery ($50 for digitizing your logo). These are one-time fees that don't apply to reorders of the same design.
For a detailed quote on your specific project, please contact us with your design details and quantity needs.
What file formats do you accept for artwork?
For the best print quality, we recommend the following file formats:
- Vector formats (preferred): AI, EPS, PDF with editable text
- Raster formats: High-resolution JPG, PNG, PSD (300dpi minimum)
For screen printing, vector files are strongly recommended as they allow for clean color separations. For digital printing, high-resolution raster files work well for photographic or detailed designs.
Don't have print-ready artwork? Our design services can help create or optimize your design for printing.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept the following payment methods:
- Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
- Business checks (for established business accounts)
- Purchase orders (for schools, government agencies, and approved businesses)
For orders over $500, we require a 50% deposit to begin production, with the balance due before shipping. For orders under $500, full payment is required before production begins.
Can I see a sample before placing a large order?
Yes! We offer several options for sampling:
- Digital proof: Free with every order, showing your design on your selected garment
- Physical sample: For a fee, we can produce a single printed item of your design before committing to a larger order
- Blank garment samples: Available for purchase to check sizing, fabric, and color before placing your order
Sample costs are typically credited toward your final order when you proceed with production. For more information about our sampling options, please contact our team.
Design & Artwork Requirements
Technical specifications and best practices for preparing your artwork for successful printing
What are the resolution requirements for print-ready artwork?
For optimal print quality, we recommend the following resolution specifications:
- Vector artwork: Preferred for logos, text, and simple graphics. Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF) can be scaled to any size without quality loss.
- Raster artwork: Minimum 300dpi at actual print size for digital printing. Lower resolution images may appear pixelated or blurry when printed.
When creating your design, remember that screen resolution (72dpi) is not sufficient for printing. Images pulled from websites are typically low resolution and not suitable for quality printing.
Our design team can help evaluate your artwork and suggest improvements if needed. Learn more about our design services.
What color specifications should I use for my design?
Color specifications vary by printing method:
- Screen Printing: We use the Pantone Matching System (PMS) for accurate color matching. Please provide PMS colors when possible. Each color requires a separate screen, which affects pricing.
- Digital Printing: We use CMYK color process. RGB files will be converted to CMYK, which may cause slight color shifts. For most accurate results, design in CMYK mode.
- Embroidery: We match thread colors to your design as closely as possible using our thread color chart. Exact Pantone matching may not be possible with all thread colors.
Remember that colors may appear differently on screen versus printed material. For color-critical projects, we recommend ordering a physical sample before full production.
What are the standard print locations and size limitations?
We offer several standard print locations with the following maximum size guidelines:
- Full Front/Back: Up to 12" width × 14" height
- Left/Right Chest: Up to 4" width × 4" height
- Sleeve: Up to 3.5" width × 3.5" height
- Neckline: Up to 3" width × 2" height
- Hem/Hip: Up to 4" width × 4" height
Custom placements are available upon request. Size limitations may vary based on garment style and size. For youth sizes, maximum print areas are proportionally smaller.
For all-over prints or oversized designs, please contact us to discuss specialized printing options.
How should I prepare my design for different fabric colors?
Fabric color significantly impacts how your design will appear when printed:
- Light fabrics: Most colors print well directly on light fabrics. No underbase is needed.
- Dark fabrics: Require an white underbase for screen printing to maintain color vibrancy. This counts as an additional color in your design.
- Transparent elements: If your design includes transparent areas, the fabric color will show through these areas.
For best results on dark garments:
- Avoid very fine details which may be lost when printed with an underbase
- Consider using the garment color as part of your design
- Be aware that digital printing on dark garments requires special pre-treatment
Our digital proofing process will show you how your design will look on your selected garment color before production.
What are the guidelines for text and fonts in my design?
For optimal text reproduction in your printed designs:
- Minimum text size: 6pt for screen printing, 8pt for embroidery
- Font conversion: Convert all text to outlines/paths in vector files to ensure fonts display correctly
- Font selection: Sans-serif fonts typically reproduce better at small sizes than serif or script fonts
- Reversed text: Text that appears white on a dark background should be slightly bolder to prevent filling in
If you're unable to convert text to outlines, please include all font files with your submission or stick to standard fonts. For embroidery, very small text may be difficult to reproduce clearly, so we may suggest adjustments for better results.
Visit our design gallery for examples of successful text treatments in various printing methods.
What are your policies regarding copyrighted or trademarked content?
We respect intellectual property rights and have the following policies:
- We cannot print copyrighted or trademarked content without proper authorization
- Customers are responsible for ensuring they have rights to reproduce any logos, images, or text in their designs
- For collegiate, professional sports teams, or brand logos, we require proof of licensing
- We reserve the right to refuse any order that violates copyright or trademark laws
If you're unsure about the legal status of your design elements, we recommend:
- Using original artwork or properly licensed content
- Obtaining written permission from copyright holders
- Working with our design team to create custom artwork inspired by your ideas
For more information about intellectual property considerations, please review our copyright policy.
Need help with your design?
Our in-house design team can help create or optimize your artwork for the best printing results. We offer professional design services for logos, illustrations, and layout optimization.
Expert designers familiar with all printing methods
Custom artwork creation from your concepts
File optimization for best print quality
Design Services
- Logo Design & Refinement
- Vector Conversion
- Color Separation
- Mockup Creation
Product Care & After-Service Support
How to care for your custom printed apparel and our commitment to your satisfaction after purchase
How should I wash and care for my custom printed apparel?
To maximize the lifespan of your custom printed items, we recommend the following care instructions:
Screen Printed Items:
- Turn garments inside-out before washing
- Wash in cold water with mild detergent
- Avoid bleach and fabric softeners
- Tumble dry on low heat or air dry
- Do not iron directly over the printed design
Digital Printed Items:
- Turn garments inside-out before washing
- Wash in cold water with mild detergent
- Avoid bleach completely
- Air dry recommended (can tumble dry on lowest setting)
- Do not dry clean
Embroidered Items:
- Wash in cold water with mild detergent
- Use garment bags for delicate items
- Avoid bleach and fabric softeners
- Reshape while damp and air dry when possible
- Iron on low heat from the back side if needed
Following these care instructions will help maintain the vibrancy and integrity of your custom designs through multiple washes. For specific garment types (performance fabrics, blends, etc.), check the manufacturer's care label for additional guidance.
How do I know if there's a problem with my printed items?
While our quality control process ensures that all items meet our standards before shipping, it's important to understand the difference between normal characteristics and actual defects:
Normal Characteristics:
- Screen Printing: Slight texture to the touch, minimal ink variation on textured fabrics
- Digital Printing: Slightly visible fiber texture through the print on some fabrics
- Embroidery: Minor puckering around dense designs, slight thread color variations
- Minor variations in print placement (within 1/2 inch of specified location)
Potential Defects:
- Significant cracking or peeling of the design after first wash
- Severe color bleeding or fading after following proper care instructions
- Missing elements from the approved design
- Significant print placement errors (more than 1 inch off)
- Holes, tears, or other damage to the garment
If you believe your items have a defect, please contact us within 7 days of receiving your order. Include clear photos of the issue and your order number so we can address your concerns promptly.
What is your satisfaction guarantee and return policy?
At The Shirt Shop, Etc., we stand behind the quality of our work with our satisfaction guarantee:
- We guarantee that your order will be produced according to your approved design proof
- All garments will be free from manufacturing defects
- Prints will meet industry standards for quality and durability
For custom printed merchandise, our return policy reflects the personalized nature of these items:
- Defective Items: If items arrive with printing defects or damage, we will replace them at no cost
- Incorrect Items: If we ship the wrong items or sizes, we will correct the order at our expense
- Customer Design Errors: If errors in the design were approved in the proof (spelling mistakes, etc.), reprints may be available at a discounted rate
Since custom printed items are made specifically for you, we cannot accept returns for:
- Changes in design preference after production
- Sizing issues if the correct sizes were shipped as ordered
- Color variations within industry-standard tolerances
For complete details on our return and refund policies, please visit our Return Policy page.
How do you ship orders and what are the delivery timeframes?
We offer several shipping options to meet your needs:
- Standard Shipping: 3-5 business days transit time after production
- Expedited Shipping: 2-3 business days transit time after production
- Rush Shipping: 1-2 business days transit time after production
- Local Pickup: Available at our Laurel, DE location during business hours
All orders are carefully packaged to prevent damage during transit. Shipping costs are calculated based on order weight, dimensions, and destination. For bulk orders, we offer discounted shipping rates.
Tracking information is provided via email once your order ships. Please note that shipping times are estimates and may vary based on carrier performance and weather conditions.
For international shipping options or special delivery requirements, please contact us before placing your order. For more detailed shipping information, visit our Shipping Policy page.
How can I reach your customer support team?
Our dedicated customer support team is available to assist you through multiple channels:
- Phone: (302) 715-5634 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm EST)
- Email: aleenabender@shirtshopetc.com (typically responded to within 24 business hours)
- Contact Form: Available on our Contact page
- In Person: Visit our shop at 12532 Taylor Mill Rd, Laurel, DE, 19956-2716
When contacting us about an existing order, please have your order number ready to help us assist you more efficiently. For design consultations or complex inquiries, we recommend scheduling an appointment to ensure we can dedicate appropriate time to your needs.
Our team is committed to providing exceptional service and will work with you to resolve any issues or answer any questions you may have about our custom printing services.
How do I reorder previous designs?
Reordering is simple! We keep your artwork on file for easy reordering:
- Contact us with your previous order number or design details
- Specify any changes needed (quantities, sizes, garment styles, etc.)
- No setup fees for reorders using the same artwork
- Expedited production often available for reorders
If you need modifications to your previous design, our design team can make updates for a nominal fee. This includes:
- Changing dates or event information
- Adding/removing names or numbers
- Adjusting colors or layout
- Adapting the design for different products
We archive customer artwork for at least two years, but we recommend keeping your own copy of your design files for future reference. For businesses with recurring orders, ask about our design library service where we maintain your brand assets for quick and consistent reordering.