The SYNcere Printing Quoting Guide

This is the most important part of the entire process. Bad art files = disappointing prints. Good art files = amazing results that’ll make your customers smile (or laugh, depending on the design). Let’s break it down.

When you send us artwork, we’re not just printing a picture—we’re transferring your vision onto fabric using specialized equipment. If your file isn’t prepared correctly, we might end up with blurry designs, colors that don’t match your expectations, or prints that fall apart after a few washes. Nobody wants that!

Think of it this way: Vector files are made of mathematical paths and points—they’re like instructions that can scale to any size without losing quality. Raster files are made of pixels (tiny dots), so when you enlarge them, they become blurry and pixelated.

The type of shirt (or other apparel) you choose affects not only the look and feel of your final product but also which decoration methods work best. Let’s explore your options.

Here’s a simple truth: the more you order, the less you pay per item. This is because setup costs get spread across more units. Let’s break it down.

Every printing job has a setup cost—preparing screens, setting up equipment, color matching, etc. When you order just 10 shirts, that setup cost is divided by 10. When you order 100 shirts, it’s divided by 100. The setup cost per shirt drops significantly!

While exact pricing depends on your specific order, here’s a general breakdown:

The Classic. The GOAT. The One Everyone Knows. Screen printing is the most popular method for a reason: it’s durable, vibrant, and cost-effective for bulk orders.

Best for: Logos, text, simple designs, bulk orders, events, team wear.

Not ideal for: Photorealistic images, unlimited colors, very small orders.

The Classy Cousin. Embroidery adds texture, dimension, and a premium look. It’s perfect for polos, hats, jackets, and anything that needs to look professional.

Best for: Polos, hats, jackets, corporate apparel, premium items.

Not ideal for: Photorealistic images, very detailed designs, budget-conscious orders.

The DIY-Friendly Option. Heat press uses vinyl cutouts or transfer paper applied with heat. It’s great for small orders, custom names, and personalized items.

Best for: Polos, hats, jackets, corporate apparel, premium items.

Not ideal for: Large bulk orders, complex multi-color designs, long-term durability.

The Vibrant Dream. Sublimation fuses dye directly into polyester fabric, creating permanent, all-over color prints with unlimited color options. The results are stunning and feel weightless on the fabric.

Best for: Polyester apparel, photorealistic images, all-over prints, mugs, mousepads.

Not ideal for: Cotton (sublimation only works on polyester), dark fabrics, budget orders.

The New Kid on the Block. DTF is the newest and most versatile printing method. It prints designs onto a special film, then transfers them to fabric using heat. It works on any fabric color and offers incredible detail.

Best for: Complex designs, dark garments, any fabric type, professional-grade apparel.

Not ideal for: Very small orders (higher per-unit cost), budget-conscious customers.

Different decoration methods have different turnaround times. Screen printing typically takes 5-7 business days for setup and production. Embroidery can take 7-10 business days depending on complexity. Heat press is fastest at 2-3 business days. DTF and sublimation are usually 3-5 business days. Always ask about rush options if you’re on a tight deadline!

We offer both shipping and local pickup at our Tiffin, Iowa location. Pickup is faster and saves on shipping costs. If you’re ordering a large quantity, pickup might be your best option. For smaller orders or if you’re out of state, we ship nationwide with competitive rates.

Before you order, double-check your sizes! We recommend ordering a sample or test print first, especially if you’re unsure about fit or design placement. It’s much cheaper to adjust before printing 100 shirts than to discover the sizing is off after production.

Colors on your screen might not match the final print exactly. This is normal! Different fabrics absorb ink differently, and lighting affects how colors appear. We always try to match your vision as closely as possible, but we recommend discussing color expectations during the quoting process.

Think about where your design will go on the garment. Front chest? Back? Sleeve? Different placements have different costs and considerations. For example, back prints are larger and more visible, while chest prints are more subtle. We’ll help you decide what works best for your vision.

To keep your custom apparel looking great, we recommend:

Don’t have artwork ready? No problem! Our design team can help you create something amazing. We offer:

Just give us a call at (319) 271-8166 or visit us at 400 Stephans St Ste A, Tiffin, IA 52340. We’re open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm, and by appointment on weekends.

Pricing depends on several factors: the decoration method, quantity, garment type, and design complexity. That’s why we offer free quotes! Contact us with your details, and we’ll give you an accurate price.

We don’t have a strict minimum! We can print as few as 1 shirt or as many as 1,000+. However, smaller orders will have a higher per-unit cost due to setup fees.

Turnaround times vary by decoration method and order size. Most orders take 5-10 business days. Rush options are available for an additional fee. Always ask when you request a quote!

Absolutely! Screen printing, embroidery, heat press, and DTF all work great on dark fabrics. Sublimation is best on light polyester, but we have solutions for dark fabrics too.

Our design team is here to help! We can create a custom design from scratch or refine existing artwork. Contact us to discuss your ideas.

We recommend ordering a sample or test print, especially for large orders. This ensures the design, colors, and sizing are exactly what you want before committing to a full run.

We accept all major credit cards, checks, and bank transfers. Payment terms can be discussed for large orders. Contact us for details.