FAQ Library
Answers to the most common questions about custom clothing, branded merchandise, printing methods and merch stores.
Custom Clothing
View all →What is the minimum order for custom clothing in the UK?
With print-on-demand, there is no minimum — you can order a single item. Bulk orders typically start at 10–25 units depending on the decoration method.
Read the full guide →How long does custom clothing take to produce?
Print-on-demand orders are usually dispatched within 3–5 working days. Bulk orders take 7–20 working days depending on the method and volume.
Read the full guide →Do I need to provide my own design?
You can supply your own artwork, or most UK suppliers offer design support. Supplying a high-resolution vector file (PNG, SVG or PDF) gives the best print quality.
Read the full guide →Which printing method is most durable?
Embroidery is the most durable decoration method, followed by screen printing. DTF and DTG offer good durability when garments are washed correctly at 30–40°C.
Read the full guide →Can I see a sample before ordering?
Yes. Reputable suppliers offer sample packs or single-item orders so you can assess quality before committing to a bulk run.
Read the full guide →What weight hoodie should I buy?
For branded merchandise, aim for 280gsm or above. The difference in perceived quality between a 240gsm and a 300gsm hoodie is immediately obvious. Premium hoodies are 300gsm+.
Read the full guide →What is the best printing method for hoodies?
DTF is the best all-round choice — full colour, no minimum, works on all colours. For premium logos on heavyweight hoodies, embroidery is the high-end alternative.
Read the full guide →How much should I charge for a branded hoodie?
A mid-weight hoodie (280gsm) typically retails at £32–£42. A premium hoodie (300gsm+) can retail at £40–£55. Price for perceived value, not just cost.
Read the full guide →Gym Clothing
View all →Do I need to buy stock upfront for gym clothing?
No. With a print-on-demand merch store, each item is printed and shipped only when a member orders. You earn profit per sale with no stock risk.
Read the full guide →What is the best fabric for gym t-shirts?
For performance wear, a moisture-wicking polyester blend is best. For lifestyle t-shirts worn outside the gym, heavyweight cotton (180gsm+) gives a premium feel.
Read the full guide →How much profit do gyms make on custom clothing?
With a managed print-on-demand store, gyms typically earn £4–£8 per item sold, paid monthly with no operational overhead.
Read the full guide →Can I put any design on gym clothing?
Yes, provided you own the design rights. Full-colour designs, logos and artwork can all be applied using DTF or DTG printing.
Read the full guide →Is bulk ordering cheaper than print-on-demand?
Per unit, yes. But bulk ordering requires upfront investment and carries stock risk. Print-on-demand has a higher per-unit cost but zero stock risk, which often produces higher total profit over a year.
Read the full guide →What is a good profit margin for gym clothing?
Aim for £4–£8 profit per item with a print-on-demand model, or £15–£25 per item with bulk ordering (before accounting for unsold stock).
Read the full guide →Sports Club Clothing
View all →What is sublimation printing?
Sublimation is a printing process that dyes the design directly into polyester fabric, producing full-colour, all-over prints that never crack or peel. It is the standard for custom team kits.
Read the full guide →Can our club sell merchandise without buying stock?
Yes. A managed print-on-demand store lets supporters order online, with each item printed and shipped on demand. The club earns profit per sale with no stock risk or upfront cost.
Read the full guide →What is the best printing method for club hoodies?
Embroidery gives the most premium, durable finish for club crests on hoodies. For full-colour designs, DTF printing is the best alternative.
Read the full guide →Workwear & Corporate Clothing
View all →What is the best decoration method for workwear?
Embroidery is the premium choice for corporate workwear — it is durable, professional and withstands frequent washing. For hi-vis vests and bulk t-shirts, screen printing is more cost-effective.
Read the full guide →How often should workwear be replaced?
Corporate polo shirts and fleeces typically last 1–3 years depending on wear and washing. Hi-vis and safety workwear should be replaced when visibility or protection is compromised.
Read the full guide →Can staff order their own workwear sizes?
Yes. A managed workwear store lets each staff member order their own sizes from a branded online shop, eliminating sizing problems and stock holding.
Read the full guide →Is a polo shirt corporate clothing or workwear?
It can be either. An embroidered polo worn in an office or shop is corporate clothing. A polo worn on a building site, particularly if hi-vis, is workwear. The context determines the category.
Read the full guide →Can one supplier provide both corporate clothing and workwear?
Yes. A full-service supplier or managed store platform can offer both ranges, with decoration and safety compliance handled in one place.
Read the full guide →Branded Merchandise
View all →What is the difference between branded merchandise and promotional products?
Branded merchandise is a broader term covering any product bearing your brand, including clothing sold for profit. Promotional products are typically giveaway items used for marketing. See our comparison guide for the full distinction.
Read the full guide →How much should I spend on branded merchandise?
It depends on your goal. For a giveaway campaign, budget per recipient. For a merch store, print-on-demand means no upfront spend — you earn profit per sale.
Read the full guide →What merchandise items are most popular?
Hoodies, t-shirts, tote bags, water bottles and mugs are consistently the most popular and most retained branded items.
Read the full guide →Promotional Products
View all →Are promotional products and branded merchandise the same thing?
They overlap, but promotional products are giveaway items for marketing, while branded merchandise includes higher-quality items that can be sold for revenue. The distinction is purpose and quality, not the product itself.
Read the full guide →Which is better for a small budget?
For pure brand visibility on a tight budget, promotional products (pens, keyrings) give the most impressions. For revenue, a print-on-demand merch store requires no upfront budget and generates profit per sale.
Read the full guide →Print-on-Demand & Merch Stores
View all →Is print-on-demand profitable?
Yes. While per-unit costs are higher than bulk, the elimination of stock risk and dead stock means total profit often exceeds bulk ordering, particularly for organisations with unpredictable demand.
Read the full guide →How long does print-on-demand take in the UK?
Most UK POD providers dispatch within 3–5 working days of order, with delivery a further 1–3 days.
Read the full guide →Do I need to hold stock with print-on-demand?
No. Each item is printed and shipped only when a customer orders. You never touch or store the product.
Read the full guide →What is the best printing method for POD clothing?
DTF (direct-to-film) is the leading method for POD clothing — it handles full-colour designs, works on light and dark fabrics, and offers excellent durability.
Read the full guide →How much does it cost to start a merch store?
With a managed print-on-demand store, there is typically a monthly platform fee (from around £37/month) but no stock or production upfront. You earn profit per sale.
Read the full guide →Do I need a website to sell merch?
Not necessarily. A managed merch store gives you a branded online shop without building a website yourself. Some providers also integrate into existing websites.
Read the full guide →How do I get paid from a merch store?
With a managed store, you receive monthly profit payments based on your sales. The partner handles all transaction processing.
Read the full guide →Printing Guides
View all →Is embroidery or screen printing more durable?
Both are highly durable when done correctly. Embroidery generally outlasts the garment itself. Screen printing is very durable but can eventually crack after many washes, particularly if garments are washed hot.
Read the full guide →Which is cheaper, embroidery or screen printing?
For small runs, embroidery is often cheaper (no per-colour setup). For large runs of simple designs, screen printing is significantly cheaper per unit. The crossover is typically around 25–50 units.
Read the full guide →Can I embroider a full-colour photograph?
No. Embroidery cannot reproduce photographic or full-colour designs. For full-colour, use DTF or DTG printing instead.
Read the full guide →Is DTF printing durable?
Yes. DTF prints are highly durable and withstand regular washing. When garments are washed inside-out at 30–40°C, DTF prints last for the life of the garment.
Read the full guide →What is the difference between DTF and DTG?
DTF prints the design onto a film and heat-presses it onto the garment; DTG prints directly onto the fabric. DTF works on more fabric types and colours, while DTG offers a slightly softer hand feel on cotton.
Read the full guide →Can DTF print on dark garments?
Yes. DTF uses a white ink underbase, so full-colour designs are vibrant on both light and dark fabrics.
Read the full guide →Which is better, DTG or DTF?
DTG offers a softer hand feel and is best for cotton garments. DTF is more versatile across fabric types and colours, and slightly more durable. For print-on-demand stores, DTF is often the preferred choice for its versatility.
Read the full guide →Does DTG printing wash off?
No. DTG prints are durable when cared for correctly. Wash inside-out at 30°C and the print will last for the life of the garment. Hot washing and bleach will reduce print life.
Read the full guide →Can DTG print on polyester?
DTG is designed for cotton. On polyester or poly-heavy blends, results are less vibrant and less durable. For polyester, use DTF or sublimation.
Read the full guide →Sustainable Clothing
View all →Is organic cotton better for the environment?
Yes. Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers and typically uses less water than conventional cotton. GOTS-certified organic cotton also ensures ethical labour conditions.
Read the full guide →Is print-on-demand more sustainable than bulk ordering?
Yes, in terms of waste. POD produces only what is ordered, eliminating overproduction and dead stock. However, individual shipping has a higher carbon footprint per item than bulk delivery.
Read the full guide →What is the most sustainable printing method?
DTG and DTF with water-based inks are the most environmentally friendly printing methods, avoiding the PVC and phthalates found in traditional plastisol screen inks.
Read the full guide →Creator & Influencer Merchandise
View all →How much do creators earn from merch?
It depends on audience size and engagement. A creator with 50,000 engaged followers converting 1% per launch at £10 profit per item earns around £5,000 per drop. Monthly drops create substantial recurring revenue.
Read the full guide →Do I need a big audience to sell merch?
No. Even a few thousand highly engaged fans can generate meaningful merch revenue. Engagement matters more than raw follower count.
Read the full guide →Should I hold stock or use print-on-demand?
For most creators, print-on-demand is the better choice — no stock risk, no fulfilment, no customer service. You focus on content and promotion while the store handles everything else.
Read the full guide →School & University Clothing
View all →When should we order leavers hoodies?
Order 4–6 weeks before the end of term to ensure delivery in time for leavers' events. Confirm the lead time with your supplier before committing.
Read the full guide →Can a student union sell merch without holding stock?
Yes. A managed print-on-demand store lets students order online, with each item printed and shipped on demand. The union earns profit per sale with no stock risk.
Read the full guide →Are school leavers hoodies safe for children?
Reputable suppliers use OEKO-TEX certified garments, which are tested for harmful substances. Always confirm certification when ordering for children.
Read the full guide →Event & Festival Merchandise
View all →Can we sell festival merch online and on-site?
Yes. The most effective strategy combines a managed online store (pre- and post-event) with a staffed pop-up shop on-site. Unsold on-site stock continues to sell online after the event.
Read the full guide →Do we need to hold stock for an on-site pop-up shop?
Yes. On-site sales require physical stock, staffing and equipment. Some merchandise partners offer full pop-up shop staffing as a service, bringing stock, team and equipment.
Read the full guide →What happens to unsold event stock?
Unsold stock can continue to sell through the online store after the event, eliminating waste. This combines bulk on-site stock with print-on-demand for a zero-waste approach.
Read the full guide →