Custom apparel covers a broad range of decorated garments — t-shirts, hoodies, polos, hats, jackets, and more — with a logo, design, or text applied through screen printing, embroidery, or other decoration methods.

It's one of the most versatile branding tools available to Maine businesses, sports teams, schools, nonprofits, and events.

Types of Custom Apparel

T-shirts — The most ordered item in custom apparel. Available in cotton, polyester, and blended fabrics in hundreds of styles, weights, and colors. Used for events, fundraisers, employee uniforms, and merchandise.

Hoodies and sweatshirts — Popular in Maine year-round. Available in pullover and zip styles. Well-suited for both screen printing and embroidery.

Polos — Common for business uniforms and corporate apparel. Typically embroidered with a left-chest logo.

Hats and caps — Structured and unstructured styles, snapback and fitted. Almost always decorated with embroidery on the front panel.

Jackets and outerwear — Fleece, softshell, rain jackets, and puffer styles. Frequently ordered for employee gear and branded workwear.

Performance wear — Moisture-wicking fabrics for sports teams, gyms, and outdoor workers.

Decoration Methods for Custom Apparel

Different garments and use cases call for different decoration methods:

Screen printing is best for t-shirts and casual apparel with graphic designs or multicolor artwork. It's cost-effective at quantities of 12 or more.

Embroidery is best for structured pieces like hats, polos, and jackets where a professional appearance is the priority.

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing works well for short runs of complex, full-color designs. It prints directly onto the fabric using inkjet technology.

Heat transfer and direct-to-film (DTF) are used for names, numbers, and small-quantity custom pieces where screen printing minimums aren't practical.

What Maine Businesses and Organizations Typically Order

Across Maine — from Portland to Lewiston, Bangor to Augusta — the most commonly ordered custom apparel includes:

• Staff and employee t-shirts for restaurants, retail, and service businesses
• Branded polos and jackets for contractors, tradespeople, and construction crews
• Event shirts for 5Ks, festivals, reunions, and fundraisers
• Team uniforms for youth sports leagues and adult recreational leagues
• School and club spirit wear
• Merchandise for Maine-based brands and retail operations

Sizing and Fabric Selection

Most commercial apparel suppliers offer sizes from small through 4XL or 5XL. Extended sizing is increasingly standard, though available styles vary by brand and fabric type.

Fabric weight matters more than most buyers realize. A 5.5 oz. cotton t-shirt feels noticeably different from a 6.1 oz. shirt — heavier fabrics generally hold their shape better after washing and tend to print more cleanly.