From file prep to size breakdowns — here's what every first-time bulk buyer needs to know to avoid costly mistakes.
1. Start with the deadline, not the design. Standard production is roughly 5–7 business days after artwork approval, and shipping is on top of that. Work backwards from the date you need them in hand.
2. Count the people, then add some. Reorders of five shirts cost far more per piece than including them in the first run.
3. Get the size breakdown before you order, not after. Ask the group. Guessing produces a box of unworn smalls.
4. Send the best version of your file you have — vector (AI, EPS, PDF, SVG) if it exists, otherwise a PNG at 300 DPI with a transparent background.
5. Decide the garment early. A hoodie costs considerably more than a tee, and it changes the whole budget.
6. Count your colours. On screen printing, each extra colour adds to every piece.
7. Count your locations. A back print is a second pass, not a freebie.
8. Approve the digital proof carefully. It is the last point at which a change is free.
9. Keep one contact person. Orders go wrong when three people email three different changes.
10. Ask before you assume. A two-minute phone call has saved a lot of orders.