What You Need to Quote and Produce Custom Apparel Successfully
- BKNY PRINTING
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
A mockup is a great start, but it is not the same thing as a production-ready order.
You may have a logo, a Canva layout, a T-shirt template, or a full clothing brand concept ready to go. That visual direction matters. It helps a custom apparel printer understand the look you want. But before a shop can give an accurate quote or start production, the project needs a few clear details.
At BKNY Printing, we work with clothing brands, businesses, organizations, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs throughout Brooklyn and NYC. The projects that move the fastest usually have one thing in common: the artwork and production specifications are organized before production begins.
That does not mean every detail has to be perfect before you reach out. It means the printer needs enough information to understand the garment, artwork, quantity, placement, method, and deadline.
Here is what helps turn your idea from a mockup into a real, wearable product.
Start with the actual artwork file
For every design, provide the actual artwork file whenever possible. A screenshot or mockup can show the idea, but it may not be usable for production.
A mockup answers the question, “What should this look like?”
The artwork file answers the question, “What will we print?”
Those are not always the same thing.
Preferred production artwork usually includes:
High-resolution PNG files with a transparent background
Artwork at 300 DPI when applicable
Artwork created at or near the intended print size
Vector files such as AI, EPS, or PDF when available
Separate files for each design, garment, or print location
Clear file names that match the order details
For example, a file named `front-logo-white-12in.png` is much easier to understand than `finalfinal2.PNG`.
If the artwork is low resolution, too small, blurry, or pulled from a screenshot, it may print poorly. Small issues on a screen often become much more visible on fabric. Edges can look rough. Fine details can disappear. A design that looked sharp in a mockup may not hold up once it is enlarged to chest size.
Canva files, screenshots, and T-shirt templates are still useful. They help explain the layout, approximate sizing, color direction, and overall feel. But they should be treated as reference files, not always as final production files.
A simple way to think about it is this:
Mockup
Artwork file
Shows the intended look, placement, and style.
Gives the printer the usable file needed to produce the garment.
If you are not sure whether your file is ready, send what you have. A good print shop can review it and let you know if it needs cleanup, resizing, vector conversion, or a different export.
Give complete garment information
The garment affects the quote as much as the artwork does.
A heavyweight shirt, a basic promotional tee, a fleece hoodie, a moisture-wicking shirt, and a premium oversized blank all have different costs and printing considerations. Fabric weight, color, texture, material blend, and garment construction can all affect the best production method.
When you know what you want, include the full garment details.
For example:
Detail | Example |
Garment | Heavyweight T-shirt |
Brand | Shaka Wear |
Style | Max Heavyweight |
Garment color | Black |
Quantity | 48 pieces |
That level of detail helps the printer quote accurately and check availability.
If you do not know which garment to use, that is fine. Many customers start with a general direction, such as:
“I want a thick streetwear-style tee.”
“I need affordable shirts for an event.”
“I want soft hoodies for staff.”
“I need something durable for a work crew.”
“I want a premium blank for a clothing release.”
From there, BKNY Printing can recommend options based on the look, quality, budget, and end use.
The more specific the goal, the better the recommendation. A shirt for a one-day giveaway does not need the same garment as a retail product. A hoodie for a winter staff uniform needs different thinking than a lightweight summer merch drop.
Send the quantity and size breakdown
A total quantity is helpful, but it is not enough for production. The printer needs to know how many pieces are needed in each size.
Instead of sending only “48 shirts,” send the full breakdown.
Example:
Size | Quantity |
S | 4 |
M | 10 |
L | 14 |
XL | 12 |
2XL | 6 |
3XL | 2 |
Total | 48 |
This matters for a few reasons.
First, some sizes may cost more, especially extended sizes. Second, the printer needs the breakdown to order the correct blanks. Third, it helps prevent shortages, substitutions, and last-minute delays.
Size breakdowns are especially important for teams, events, uniforms, brand drops, and preorders. If you are collecting sizes from a group, try to finalize the list before requesting the production quote. Changes after garments are ordered can affect timing and cost.
If you are producing apparel to sell and do not know your exact size curve yet, start with your best estimate. A printer may be able to help you think through a common size spread, but the final decision should match your audience and sales history.
Identify every print location
A “front print” can mean many different things.
It could be a small left chest logo. It could be a full front graphic. It could be centered high near the collar or lower toward the midsection. The same applies to back prints, sleeve prints, hoodie pockets, neck labels, and leg prints.
For each design, specify the print location clearly.
Useful location details include:
Front center
Left chest
Full back
Upper back
Right sleeve
Left sleeve
Hood
Pocket area
Inside neck label
Outside neck label
If the garment has multiple print locations, list each one separately with its artwork file.
For example:
Location | Artwork | Approximate size |
Left chest | `left-chest-logo.png` | 3.5 inches wide |
Full back | `back-graphic.png` | 12 inches wide |
Right sleeve | `sleeve-text.png` | 2 inches wide |
Approximate print size matters. A design that is 10 inches wide will not feel the same as one that is 14 inches wide. A small logo can look clean and subtle. A larger print can feel more graphic and retail-ready.
If you are not sure about exact sizing, provide a mockup and explain the look you want. The printer can suggest production-friendly dimensions.
Include a mockup, but label it as a reference
Mockups are helpful when they are used the right way.
They show placement, scale, garment color, design relationship, and overall direction. They are especially useful if you are ordering multiple garments with different artwork locations.
But mockups should not replace the production file.
A good project submission often includes both:
A clean mockup showing how the final garment should look
The actual artwork files that will be printed
Notes explaining size, location, and garment color
For example, if the mockup shows a white design on a black hoodie, also include the transparent PNG or vector file for that design. If the mockup has a left chest logo and back print, send both artwork files separately.
This prevents confusion and reduces back-and-forth questions before production.
The best mockups answer visual questions before they become production problems.
A mockup does not need to be fancy. It just needs to be clear. Even a simple garment template with the design placed in the right spot can help.
Choose or discuss the production method
Different designs and garments work better with different print methods. The best option depends on the artwork, fabric, quantity, budget, and finish you want.
Custom apparel projects may include screen printing T-shirts, sweatshirts, custom printing, DTF, DTG, embroidery, or a mix of methods depending on the order.
Here is a simple overview.
Method | Often works well for |
Screen printing | Larger quantities, bold graphics, spot colors, durable prints |
DTF printing | Full-color graphics, smaller runs, mixed garments, flexible placement |
DTG printing | Detailed full-color prints on suitable cotton garments |
Embroidery | Hats, polos, jackets, left chest logos, premium textured finishes |
You do not need to know the perfect method before reaching out. Many customers come in with a result in mind, not a production method.
For example, someone might say, “I want the print to feel soft,” or “I need the design to look bright on black hoodies.” That information helps the printer recommend the right process.
Still, if you already have a preference, say so. If you want embroidery instead of print, or screen printing instead of DTF, include that in the request. It helps the quote reflect what you actually want.
Confirm garment colors and artwork colors
Garment color affects how artwork appears.
A black shirt, white shirt, heather gray sweatshirt, and navy hoodie can each change the way a design reads. Light ink on dark fabric may need a different setup than dark ink on a light garment. Full-color artwork may need adjustments so the print stays clear and readable.
Make sure your request includes:
Garment color for each item
Artwork color expectations
Whether the same design changes color across garments
Any Pantone or brand color references, if available
Whether the print should look bright, vintage, soft, tonal, or distressed
If you want the same design printed on multiple garment colors, mention whether the artwork should stay the same or change.
For example, a black logo may work on a white shirt but disappear on a navy shirt. A white version of the logo might be needed for darker garments.
This is another reason clean artwork files matter. If the design needs color changes, the printer may need editable artwork, not a flattened screenshot.
Share your deadline early
Production timing depends on many factors, including garment availability, artwork readiness, approval time, order size, print method, and finishing needs.
If you have a hard deadline, share it at the beginning.
Common deadline details include:
Event date
Pickup or delivery date
Launch date
Photoshoot date
Team distribution date
Travel date
A deadline is not just the date the order is needed. It also affects when artwork must be approved, when garments must be ordered, and when production can begin.
Last-minute orders may be possible, but they leave less room for garment changes, artwork fixes, or shipping delays. The earlier the printer knows the deadline, the easier it is to recommend realistic options.
If the date is flexible, say that too. Flexibility may open up more garment choices or production methods.
Mention packaging, labels, and finishing needs
Some orders only need printing. Others need retail-style finishing.
If your project includes extra services, include them in the quote request. These details can affect cost and turnaround time.
Finishing options may include:
Folding
Individual bagging
Size stickers
Hang tags
Neck label printing
Woven label application
Sleeve or hem tags
Sorting by size, team, or department
For a clothing brand, these details can make the product feel more complete. For an organization or event, sorting and labeling can make distribution much easier.
A simple note such as “Please fold and separate by size” can save time later.
Use a clear quote request format
A strong quote request does not need to be long. It just needs to be complete.
Here is a simple format you can copy and adjust:
```text
Garment:
Brand or style:
Garment color:
Total quantity:
Size breakdown:
Print locations:
Artwork files attached:
Mockup attached:
Preferred print method:
Deadline:
Finishing needs:
Notes:
```
Here is how that might look filled out:
```text
Garment:
Heavyweight T-shirt
Brand or style:
Shaka Wear Max Heavyweight
Garment color:
Black
Total quantity:
48 pieces
Size breakdown:
S 4, M 10, L 14, XL 12, 2XL 6, 3XL 2
Print locations:
Left chest and full back
Artwork files attached:
left-chest-logo.png, back-graphic.pdf
Mockup attached:
black-shirt-mockup.jpg
Preferred print method:
Open to recommendation
Deadline:
Needed before May 24
Finishing needs:
Fold by size
Notes:
Looking for a clean retail finish with bright white ink
```
This gives the printer enough information to review the job properly. It also reduces the chance of a quote changing later because key details were missing.
A complete request helps the whole order run better
Custom apparel production works best when the idea, artwork, garment, quantity, and production details all line up.
Before requesting a quote, gather the pieces that matter most:
Production-ready artwork when available
A mockup for visual reference
Garment type, brand, style, and color
Total quantity and size breakdown
Print locations and approximate print sizes
Preferred method, if you have one
Deadline and finishing needs
You do not need to have every technical answer before contacting BKNY Printing. That is part of what a print shop helps with. But the more organized your request is, the easier it is to quote accurately, recommend the right process, and produce the order the way you imagined it.
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