Frequently Asked Questions

If I have an embroidery file or artwork file, do you want it?

You can send us what you have, but we will produce all the proper materials and files to complete your order at no additional cost.

Occasionally, we receive files which only need slight modification to work with our equipment. However most of the time, files we receive could be used but would negatively affect the quality of the finished goods. It's our attention to detail from beginning to end that makes our products such high quality.

How do I view my artwork?

You will receive sign in details when you place your order. Click the large red button in the upper right hand corner of any page to get to the sign in page. Once signed in, click "View Your Artwork" then click "View Artwork" underneath your workorder number.

You'll also be able to invite other people to view the artwork for your order. Once you are at the artwork proofing page, just type their email address in the form at the bottom of the page labeled " Invite others to view this artwork" and they will receive an email invitation with sign in details of their own.

How do I approve my artwork?

It's easy! Just click the link marked "Send approval," then click the "Approve" button, and finally confirm that you have checked all details of your design by clicking "OK." You'll know you're done when the page refreshes and a message from the artist indicates that your approval has been emailed to them.

If you accidentally approve something, there is a short period of time when you can "Undo" or take back your approval. Once the artist has received your approval however, that option will disappear and the only possibility of undoing your approval will be to immediately call us.

How do I make changes to my artwork?

To make any changes, you just need to call 1-800-851-4020 or email your artist by using the submit changes box on your artwork proofing screen.

Changes to your artwork received during business hours are typically completed within two business hours of receiving the changes so that your order is not delayed.

You can make as many changes as you want and you'll never pay any art charges. However, if the total art approval process takes longer than two business days from the first proof to the final approval, your order will be delayed. For rush orders, the art approval process must be completed within one business day.

Once I receive my art proof, how much time do I have to approve it without delaying my order?

Your proof must be approved by the next business day.

When you need to make changes, we plan for those changes to take up to a second business day. If the time from the first proof to the final art takes more than two business days, your order will be delayed. For rush orders, the total artwork approval time can take no more than one business day.

Many of our repeat customers enjoy the opportunity to work with our experienced art department and will order early (by a week or more) so that exploring different ideas won't delay their order. If you'd like to be able to see different ways of interpreting your artwork, you should order early and we'd love to work with you.

Will I get to see my embroidered design sewn on fabric before production?

Yes!

Your embroidery will be sewn on a fabric swatch that is similar in color and texture to your ordered goods. It will not be exact and is only intended to show the embroidery, not the final product.

Embroidery is an imprecise art and there is variation in how the embroidery looks from garment to garment. The threads which make up the design don't always fall in the exact place.

My art is approved, when will I receive my order?

Your order will ship on it's scheduled ship date.

The only reason your order will ship later that the scheduled date is if the art approval process took longer than it was scheduled. In those cases, once your artwork is approved our production manager will give you a new ship date.

How can I guarantee that my t-shirts will be a specific color?

Accurate color matching on the internet is nearly impossible and we cannot guarantee garment or decoration colors.

Two reasons. First, computer monitors, even from the same manufacturer, can show dramatically different colors. Your monitor doesn't match our monitors and neither matches reality. So a virtual color proof is impossible. Second, garments are dyed by hand and manufactured in many different locations around the world. Different sizes of the same color may be made at completely different facilities. Because of this, colors will even vary within an order.

What size will the design be on my t-shirts?

There are different maximum sizes we use depending on the range of t-shirt sizes you are ordering. Part of your artwork proof is the size of the print.

The design stays the same size across all garments. Unless specified, we will print the design as large as it can be on the smallest shirts ordered. If you order a mix of Youth and Adult sizes then the design will "look" larger on the small shirts and smaller on the large shirts, even though the design stays the same size.

Can I mix caps and shirts to get the quantity pricing?

No.

We produce your cap order with a completely different method than your shirt order. This unique set-up procedure makes it impossible for caps to be mixed in with garments.

How much extra are XXL, XXXL, XXXXL, and XXXXXL shirts?

There is no additional charge for any size shirt.

Just be sure to check the color list for the style of shirt you are ordering. Different colors and different styles are not available in all sizes.

Can I mix different styles, sizes, and colors of garments for screen printing?

Yes, you can mix styles, sizes, and colors in any amounts, as long as the shirt colors are all similar.

You are not required to order garments in even dozens, by size, style or color. You can mix and match as few as one each of a particular size, style and color. The total of all styles will determine your quantity pricing for each item. For example, if you ordered the mix of shirts below, each item would be priced at the 40 piece price break:

• 25 Adult Large, 10 Adult Medium Royal blue t-shirts
• 2 Youth Large, 2 Adult 3X Large Navy blue crew-neck sweatshirts
• 1 Adult Small Black long sleeve t-shirt

You should only mix similar shirt colors because the ink color(s) will stay the same across all shirts. So make sure your shirt colors allow for enough contrast with the ink colors. Typically this means ordering all dark colors or all light colors. It's not possible to change ink colors within an order.

If you need some shirts to have one ink color and some shirts to have a different ink color, we consider those two completely separate orders. Those two orders do not combine quantity discounts.

Can I use particular ink colors on some of my garments and other colors of inks on the rest?

No, all ink colors must stay the same.

Many of our customers who ask about changing ink colors are trying to have one large shirt order that can be used for activities like sports tournaments to show the different departments or divisions of their group or for family reunions to show the different branches of the family tree. We can make a design that can be printed effectively on either light shirt colors or dark shirt colors. You'll still be able to have each group look different!

If you need some shirts to have one ink color and some shirts to have a different ink color, we consider those two completely separate orders. Those two orders do not combine for quantity discounts.

Can I mix different styles or colors of garments for embroidery?

Yes, definitely!

We encourage you to order exactly the styles and colors you want. For embroidery, we will change thread colors when the garment color changes. For example, if you order 25 white polo shirts and 25 black polo shirts, we can have the white polos use black lettering and the black polos use white lettering.

This fine level of control is part of your artwork approval.

Will the shirts shrink?

Yes, but you won't notice!

All cotton (even pre-shrunk cotton) continues to shrink when washed. Our 50% cotton / 50% polyester shirts shrink about 2% and our 100% cotton shirts shrink from 2-5%. However, the shirts you order are slightly larger to account for this so you don't need to change how you order. (Don't expect any shirt to shrink a full size!)

The important difference between a 50/50 shirt and a 100% cotton shirt is colorfastness and comfort. A 50% cotton / 50% polyester shirt holds it's color better between washings but many people consider a 100% cotton shirt to be more comfortable.

Will the shirts fade?

Yes, all cotton shirts fade over repeated washings. With proper care, your shirt will stay vibrant and hold it's color over many, many washings. All of our garments have been tested by us to make sure they will hold their color.

All dyed cotton will fade over repeated washings. Our 50% cotton / 50% polyester shirts will fade less because the polyester holds dye much better.

What's most important is to properly care for your shirts. Using your washing machine's permanent press/delicate cycle with cold water and a gentle detergent will keep all your clothes looking brighter and make them last longer.

Everyone washes their clothes differently and over time, these differences will become visible in everyday wear. If you plan on having a company, family or group photo taken in your new shirts, do not let anyone wash their shirt before this picture. A single washing with harsh detergents, hot water, and a 'heavy soil cotton' cycle will prematurely fade a garment and can be noticed when placed next to a shirt that was laundered properly.

Will the screen printed design wash off or fade?

Your design will not wash off or fade. We only use high quality inks and finely tuned methods to produce durable imprints. The ink used to make the design is a liquid colored plastic (plastisol) which is baked after being printed on your shirts. This curing process makes the ink very durable and is actually more durable than cotton fibers. Your shirts will last a long time, the ink will last even longer.

Will the screen printed design crack or break apart?

Cracking occurs when light inks like white, khaki or gold are printed on dark shirts. For designs to be vibrant on dark shirts, the layer of ink needs to be much thicker than on inks on light colored shirts. It takes dozens of washings before any cracking will be obvious as long as you properly launder your garments. Using your washing machine's permanent press/delicate cycle with cold water and a gentle detergent made for dark fabrics will help all your dark fabrics stay dark and help slow the cracking process.

Because it's impossible to control how people wash their clothes, cracking of light inks on dark shirts should be expected.

We have a small unit, can we get just a few shirts?

Sorry, but our absolute minimum order for t-shirts is 10 pieces.

Here are some things you can do with the extra shirts:

1. Use them as incentives for recruiting
2. Sell the extras to parents
3. Give one to the Mayor, School Principal, or other public figure (get the local paper to take a picture!)
4. If you go on any long term camping, you'll want more than one shirt per person so you have a clean shirt for the drive home.

What is the minimum order?

Different products have different minimums. Always refer to each product page for exact details.

Use this list for reference:

• Screenprinted T-shirts have a 10 piece minimum and you can mix sizes, styles, and shirt colors in any amounts to reach that minimum.
• Embroidered Polo initial orders have a 12 piece minimum and you can mix sizes, styles, and shirt colors in any amounts to reach that minimum.
• Embroidered Polo reorders have no minimum quantity but pricing varies. As long as you are using a embroidery design you've ordered from us before, you can use 12 piece pricing for as few as 4 shirts. If you need less than four embroidered shirts, add $5 to the 12 piece price for each shirt.
• Promotional products each have their own minimum order. Promotional products can not be mixed. Some of our promotional products are screenprinted or embroidered but still cannot be mixed because they use unique set-up procedures.

Can I have them by a certain date?

Yes! You can request any date when placing your order.

If your event date or delivery date is sooner than our published turnaround time, then we will tell you right away if we can't meet that deadline.

In addition to our standard turnaround time, we offer a rush service with a guaranteed arrival date. Unfortunately, we cannot produce any order faster than our rush service offers.

I need these fast! What's your rush charge?

We always do our best to deliver your order when you need it.

To guarantee a faster delivery date, you can use our 6 Day Rush Service for a 25% extra charge. Your order will arrive 6 business days after you place your order. 6 Day Rush Service is only available some times of the year and exclusions apply. Call for details.

Can your art department show me a proof before I place my order?

No. We only do artwork once you've placed an order.

Before we produce your order we will show the design to you and you can make changes. We will not produce your order until you are happy with the design. Once you receive the art proof, you can show that artwork to your group.

When do I pay sales tax?

We collect sales tax for customers located in Florida. Tax rate is based on the county you are in. If you are a tax exempt organization, you must provide your certificate and pay with a check or credit card with a name that matches your certificate. When you place your order, the name you provide must match what is on your certificate.

Can I check on the shipping status of my order?

You can see the current status of your order by signing in to the site. The order status page will include tracking information for you to use when contacting the carrier.

Your order isn't finished until you have received and you are happy with your product! You can always call us at 1-800-851-4020 with any questions about order or shipping status.

Can I get a sample shirt?

No, we do not have a sample garment program.

We recognize the value a sample garment would have for you and your group. Unfortunately, we do not have any kind of sample program and do not have any other solution to offer.

Once you place your order, we will proof the actual design to you before we ever put it on any of your garments. This ensures that you and your group have the opportunity to check the design. If you have concerns about the quality of the shirts themselves, our shirts are the most popular shirts used nationwide for screen printing. It's very likely you already have a Jerzees or Gildan brand t-shirt in your wardrobe or that someone in your group has one.

Can I add more shirts after I have placed my order?

Some of our customers will order early so that they can show the art proof to their group and collect additional orders. If you wish to add more shirts, please order in advance of the two weeks, and only approve your artwork after the additional shirts have been added. Please tell your artist that this is the reason for withholding the art approval, so they can remove your name from the call to approve art list. Your initial garments are already at our production facility waiting to be printed, so those sizes and quantity can not be changed. For standard turnaround, you must make all add-ons to the order within two business days of placing your order because our rapid turnaround for all customers depends on our ability to efficiently and quickly clear our production area. Rush orders cannot have add-ons or changes. Any add-on or change to a Rush Service order will reset the arrival date of the order.

Can I have my screen? Do I own my screen?

No. (We don't charge for screens because don't make a new screen for each order.)

The traditional screen printing method of putting your design in a wooden frame which will warp and sag is not used by our shop. It's mostly a quality issue, because wooden frames allow the quality of your shirts to worsen between the first shirt printed and the last shirt printed.

Your design will be screen printed using modern aluminum retensionable frames. The screen is tightened each run for the highest quality print. Your design is placed in the metal frame, your shirts are printed, and then your design is immediately removed.

This method of using a small number of aluminum screens versus wooden screens saves space, costs and trees. This removes the need for us to charge you any kind of screen charges and ensures that reorders look just as great as the initial order.

Would you like to learn more? The inventor of this type of frame describes in detail the advantages of aluminum frames on their website (link opens in new window).

Can I use the artwork from my order on my website/newsletter/flyer?

Yes in many cases you can! You can use the image posted online (as part of the artwork approval) for practically anything. However, If your image contains a licensed image or property from any other company or organization then you must get permission from them to use the image for your website/newsletter/flyer. Even if permission was granted for use on the t-shirts, this does grant permission for other items. We are a licensee of the Boy Scouts of America, so any design containing one of their licensed images or text, permission was only granted for the item we provided you, for anything else, you must contact them for permission.

Many customers like to post the artwork on their website or put the artwork on a flyer to promote the resale of the product. You are allowed to use the proof artwork to do those things.

It's important to note that we retain all rights and ownership of our original artwork and designs. If you think your usage of the art may infringe on this, just give us a call and we'll discuss your needs.

We retain ownership and all rights to our original artwork because our experience provides the best means of protecting your designs. If the artwork we produced is stolen by a third party, you'll have a knowledgeable ally with a vested interest in helping you to protect the artwork.

Can I have the internal artwork files, film, or other production materials used in my order?

No. These items are needed for production of your order and are created free of charge because they either a) only have value in our production methods or b) are immediately recycled to reduce costs and reduce environmental impact.

Many of our procedures are unique in our industry. We have an exceptionally high regard for minimizing the environmental impact of screen printing and embroidery. Our production materials simply cannot be used in other situations. If we were able to release production materials, the correct mix of software, hardware, and knowledge to make use of the materials just don't exist outside of our company. In the case of artwork files, you can use the art proof images for nearly anything.

Can I have my embroidery tape?

No. Your embroidered design is created free of charge just for production of your order and is optimized for our hardware, software, and procedures.

The embroidery file/tape is not useable by any other embroidery system. Any other embroidery business would need to completely redo the digitizing to match their machinery and procedures so the file would have no value.

I'm with a school, government, or non-profit organization, can I get a discount?

We offer the same low prices to all our customers.

Since most of our prices are set specifically for the non-profit market (where budgets can be very tight), there is simply no room to negotiate lower prices for any reason. You'll be amazed at the high quality and great service you receive from us at low prices we offer.

Can I get a discount if I pick up my order?

No.

Because of sheer volume of boxes we process, it's actually cheaper for us to immediately ship out your order than it is to store your order. Plus, you save the time, gas cost, the worry of finding our shop, and you'll still get your order the day after it's done.

Can I use the Olympic rings in my design? How about the words "Olympic" or "Olympics?"

No. Federal law prohibits the use of terms related to the Olympics and symbols used by the United States Olympic Committee.

For more information, please read the U.S. Olympic Committee's guidelines for using their marks or, for complete information, read the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act.

If you have questions or would like to apply for special permission to use the intellectual property of the U.S. Olympic Committee, please contact the Media & Public Affairs office at the USOC.