Screen Printing vs. Embroidery vs. DTF — Which Method Is Right for Your Order?
Three methods, very different results. When each one wins — quantity, color complexity, garment type, and cost all explained.
T-Shirts By Design — Anacortes, WA · Est. 2003
The Journal
Print tips, honest pricing guides, project spotlights, and stories from our corner of Skagit County — for anyone working on custom apparel or thinking about it.
Featured Article
The DECA Diner: When a Merch Table Becomes an Experience
Classic diner energy, live apparel production, and a room full of marketing students watching their shirt go from blank to finished in real time. Here’s what we built for Washington DECA’s State Career Development Conference — and why it worked.
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7 articlesHow Much Does Custom Screen Printing Actually Cost? An Honest Breakdown
Real numbers, real minimums, and why your per-shirt cost drops significantly when you order more. No mystery pricing here.
What File Should I Send? Your Artwork Questions Answered
JPG, PNG, AI, EPS — what actually matters, what we can fix, and the one mistake that delays nearly every first-time order.
Outfitting Anacortes Youth Sports: How Local Teams Get Their Gear
From tee-ball jerseys to soccer scarves — how Anacortes leagues approach custom apparel, and what 20+ years of doing it taught us.
5 Ways Skagit County Businesses Use Custom Apparel to Build Their Brand
From fishing charters to farm stands — how local businesses across the county turn branded gear into their most effective marketing.
How to Plan Company Kickoff Apparel That Actually Works
300 backpacks. 300 embroidered zip-ups. What we learned from large-scale event apparel — timelines, product choices, and Pantone matching explained.
How We Use AI in the Design Process — Without Losing the Human Touch
A blurry whale watching photo turned into print-ready art in minutes. Here's how generative AI fits into our workflow — and where it doesn't replace people.
How Our Online Group Stores Work
From setup to delivery, here’s the step-by-step breakdown of how we build and run custom online group stores for teams, schools, businesses, and more.
Why Your Staff Uniform Is Your Best Marketing Spend
The math, the psychology, and the practical playbook for turning everyday workwear into a brand-building machine.
What Happens Between “Approved” and “In Your Hands”
A behind-the-scenes look at how custom apparel actually gets made — from screen setup and embroidery digitizing to quality checks and packaging.
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