FAQs for alphabroder Decoration Services

Need help placing an order? Looking for more info about deco capabilities? We're here to help! Keep reading for answers to commonly asked decoration questions. If you can't find what you need here, our friendly customer service team is just a call or message away.


alphabroder is proud to offer decoration via Screenprint, Embroidery, and Heat Seal across most of our apparel offering. The following decoration methods are offered for alphabroder's hard good assortment of products: Silk Screen, Embroidery, Pad-Printing, Debossing, Laser Engraving, 4CP and Spot Color Transfer, Digital Label, and Vibratec 4CP. Please check the individual product page for the specific decoration method offered.

alphabroder has a network of decoration facilities across the United States. Most hard goods products are decorated in our Gaffney, SC; Bridgeport, CT; Harrisburg, PA; or Fresno, CA facilities. Apparel products are typically decorated in Kansas City, KS; Harrisburg, PA; or Fresno, CA.

All of our production warehouses follow stringent quality practices to ensure that orders meet alphabroder's exacting standards.

We are pleased to offer online submission for decoration orders through our website and via email. See our Order Submission page for more details.
Yes, orders can be submitted by emailing a complete Purchase Order and artwork to [email protected]. See the Order Submission page for more details.

Yes, alphabroder offers screen printing, embroidery, and heat press decoration on a huge assortment of apparel products from trusted brands including Gildan, Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, Bella + Canvas and dozens more. Our complete catalog of deco-eligible apparel is available on our website.

See our Art Requirements page for a complete listing of accepted file types, sizes, and best practices

Our decoration facilities follow a stringent, 5-step quality assurance process to ensure that each order meets our quality standards.

First, navigate to the relevant product page on our website, www.alphabroder.com. There you can see detailed decoration location information by clicking on the "Decoration Methods" button located under the product image, or by clicking on "Decoration Methods" in the accordion menu below the product details.

We're thrilled to offer our 24-Hour Rush Service and can't wait for you to experience the convenience and efficiency it brings to your orders. Please visit our 24-Hour Rush Page for more details.

Estimated production lead times for each product and decoration method are listed on the product pages of our website, www.alphabroder.com. To see estimated lead times, simply click the yellow "Lead Times" button at the top of the product page.

Note that lead time estimates reflect our current estimated production availability for in-stock items, based on end column quantity, single imprint location and color. They are not a guarantee. The lead time assumes art files will not need modification and does not include handling time for Proofs.

For orders above catalog quantities, multicolor/multi-location imprints, our service team will contact you with an updated production time. You can also contact us prior to order submission for a production quote.

Estimated production lead times for each product and decoration method are listed on the product pages of our website, www.alphabroder.com. To see estimated lead times, simply click the yellow "Lead Times" button at the top of the product page. Note that lead time estimates reflect our current estimated production availability, based on end column quantity, single imprint location and color. They are not a guarantee. The lead time assumes art files will not need modification and does not include handling time for Proofs.

Your web order or email submission, including complete purchase order and art, must be received before 3:00 p.m. EST to count for that day.

We will begin production once the artwork or pre-production proof has been approved.

The setup charges for each product and decoration method are listed on our website. Please navigate to the specific product you wish to order and see the "Decoration Methods" tab for the complete fee schedule, including setup charges. All pricing in the Decoration Methods area of the product page displays as (G).

Due to the nature of decorated orders, we are unable to accept returns for these products online. Please call (800) 523-4585 x6402 to initiate a claim with our Customer Service team. See our Terms and Conditions page for details.

We are pleased to offer PMS matching as a service to our customers. An additional fee of $32.00 will apply for screenprint and pad print orders. There is no cost for PMS matching for embroidery; we will make every effort to match your PMS colors to our thread color library but cannot guarantee matching due to variances in dye-lots and materials.

Standard PMS Colors available at no extra charge. Click here for a complete list of standard inks for silk screen and pad print. Available in coated inks only. PMS matches are not guaranteed on non-white items. PMS matching is NOT available for VibraTec, label or 4CP Transfer orders. Art for these imprint methods is CMYK process-printed using 4 individual colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) to achieve a singular/result and lack the precision of the Pantone matching system and color formula mixing process. Results may vary in final process-printed art due to color of product, light, and variance in monitor resolution and machinery calibration.

Order minimums vary by specific products and decoration methods. View the minimum order quantities for decoration for each product on our website, www.alphabroder.com. Simply navigate to the specific product you want to order and see "Minimum Order Quantity" on the "Decorated" tab of that page.

We do not offer online ordering for quantities below order minimum (LTM). LTM may be placed by email and will be assessed a fee of $44. LTM can be half of the first-column quantity of each specific product. Orders can be submitted via email to [email protected].

All hard goods and most apparel items in our distribution centers are available decorated. To find deco-eligible products in our catalog, search or browse to any category page and look for the "Deco Eligible" filter in the left-hand filter menu of the page. Note that apparel from drop-ship warehouses is not available decorated.

Click here for a complete list of standard inks for silk screen and pad print.

alphabroder prints with Plastisol inks. These are the gold standard for screen decoration due to their vibrant color, strong adhesion, opacity, production speed, versatility and low environmental impact.

alphabroder uses Isacord #40 100% Polyester thread. This is typically regarded as the gold standard for commercial embroidery because it is strong, colorfast, and comes in 400+ beautiful colors. See our complete color chart here.

A pre-production sample, also called a spec sample, is a single run of a decorated product with your specific art which can help confirm the product, art placement and other details in advance of a full production run. Click here to see complete details of our Pre-Production Sample. Note that alphabroder also offers spec samples for all products, which can be ordered from the product pages of our website, www.alphabroder.com.

Pre-Production Proofs For Hard Goods

$40(G) per color/ location plus regular run charges and catalog end quantity pricing (EQP) for cost of the product. Setup and run charges apply. Service fees such as PMS matching fee are billed where applicable. Produced in 3-5 business days after confirmation of order or after receipt of written proof approval, if requested (Deboss produced in 5-7 business days).

Pre-production proofs shipped via UPS Next Day Air service unless otherwise specified. Spec samples will be sent UPS Ground service unless otherwise specified. Customer is responsible for freight unless 3rd party account is supplied at time of request. Total responsibility for imprint and design lies with buyer when a product or paper/fax proof is waived. Not available for rush orders. Not available for 4CP Transfer orders.

Pre-Production Proofs For Apparel

$62.50(G) 1-color/ location plus standard setup and run charges (based on decoration method) and catalog end quantity pricing (EQP) or case price of the product. Total order of spec samples must be equal to or greater than $62.50(G); charge is credited if full order is placed provided the bulk order exceeds a total value of $750. Setup and run charges apply. Service fees such as PMS matching fee are billed where applicable. Produced in 3-5 business days after written proof approval, or 3 days when proof is waived. Shipped via UPS Ground service unless otherwise specified at time of order submission. Customer is responsible for freight unless 3rd party account is supplied at time of request. Total responsibility for imprint and design lies with buyer when a product or paper/fax proof is waived. Not available for rush orders. Not available for 4CP Transfer orders.

We offer single-run, pre-production samples which can help confirm the product, art placement and other details in advance of a full production run. Please note that these are not available for Rush Orders. Click here to see complete details of our Pre-Production Sample.

Pre-Production Proofs For Hard Goods

$40(G) per color/ location plus regular run charges and catalog end quantity pricing (EQP) for cost of the product. Setup and run charges apply. Service fees such as PMS matching fee are billed where applicable. Produced in 3-5 business days after confirmation of order or after receipt of written proof approval, if requested (Deboss produced in 5-7 business days).

Pre-production proofs shipped via UPS Next Day Air service unless otherwise specified. Spec samples will be sent UPS Ground service unless otherwise specified. Customer is responsible for freight unless 3rd party account is supplied at time of request. Total responsibility for imprint and design lies with buyer when a product or paper/fax proof is waived. Not available for rush orders. Not available for 4CP Transfer orders.

Pre-Production Proofs For Apparel

$62.50(G) 1-color/ location plus standard setup and run charges (based on decoration method) and catalog end quantity pricing (EQP) or case price of the product. Total order of spec samples must be equal to or greater than $62.50(G); charge is credited if full order is placed provided the bulk order exceeds a total value of $750. Setup and run charges apply. Service fees such as PMS matching fee are billed where applicable. Produced in 3-5 business days after written proof approval, or 3 days when proof is waived. Shipped via UPS Ground service unless otherwise specified at time of order submission. Customer is responsible for freight unless 3rd party account is supplied at time of request. Total responsibility for imprint and design lies with buyer when a product or paper/fax proof is waived. Not available for rush orders. Not available for 4CP Transfer orders.

Virtual mockups can be downloaded during step 3 of the deco-configurator by clicking "Download Virtual" under the item and artwork mockup.

Yes, we do offer mixed-media decoration. These orders cannot yet be placed online. However, are happy to receive your order at [email protected].

We are happy to accept large orders and can even help with custom production to meet your needs. Please contact us at [email protected] to get a quote.

For online decoration orders, we currently print the same ink-color on different colored products.

Yes, up to 5 colors of the same product can be decorated with the same artwork in a single online order.

We are happy to help rotate your artwork as part of your online order. After uploading your art, leave a comment such as "rotate clockwise, counterclockwise, etc." in the Artwork Comments area of the deco-configurator. This instruction will be passed to our team of experts along with your order.