If you're planning t-shirts, hoodies or other custom clothing for your program, academic slate, or association, you've probably already realized it's not as simple as it looks.
Between choosing the design, figuring out prices, quantities, and techniques like DTF or embroidery, it's easy to make mistakes and end up with pieces nobody wants to wear.
At Matter Studio, we built this guide based on our real experience working with students, to help you avoid those mistakes and create clothing that truly represents your group.
Who is this guide for?
This guide is for university programs, election slates, associations, and student groups who want to customize t-shirts, hoodies, or other products in a simple, effective way. We've already worked with several university groups, and we know exactly what makes a custom piece work.
The biggest mistakes when customizing clothing for your program
One of the most common mistakes we see is receiving files with a background or low quality, which means extra work and can affect the final result and turnaround time.
Another frequent mistake is trying to embroider designs that are too complex — not every design works well in embroidery, and that can compromise the result.
Other mistakes we've noticed over time:
- Choosing based on price alone, ignoring the quality of the fabric or print.
- Not approving the final design before confirming the order.
- Choosing the wrong customization technique.
- Ordering the wrong quantities, without factoring in bulk discounts.
- Ignoring the durability of the product, which is essential for representing your class.
DTF vs. Embroidery: which is the better choice?
The choice between DTF (printing) and embroidery depends a lot on the type of item and the result you're going for.
For custom t-shirts, DTF is usually the best option: it's more affordable, allows for more complex designs (with colors, shading, details), and works well for large groups like university classes or academic lists.
As for custom hats or caps, we almost always recommend embroidery. From our experience at Matter Studio, trying to print on hats rarely gives a good result — the finish isn't as clean and the durability is lower.
Embroidery, although more expensive (since it requires creating a template for the machine), delivers a much more professional, durable, and premium-looking result.
Learn more about our clothing customization techniques here.
How much does it cost to customize clothing for your class?
The cost depends on two factors: the quality of the product and the technique chosen, but also the quantity. For small quantities, the unit price is higher. As you order more pieces, the discounts increase. DTF is generally cheaper than embroidery, since embroidery requires a template, but the investment pays off in durability.
How many pieces should I order?
We always recommend starting with a minimum of 10 pieces. This way, you get a better price, with the same design applied across different sizes. For larger groups, the quantity discount gets even better, making customization affordable for everyone.
Step by step: how it works at Matter Studio
One of the biggest differences at Matter Studio is that you can see exactly how your piece will look before ordering.
Our process is intuitive:
- Visit our site and pick a product from the catalog.
- Select the color and size.
- Open the customizer and upload your design.
- In the customizer, drag your files to the position you want and see a detailed preview.
- Confirm your design, check the gallery to make sure it looks the way you want, and add it to your cart.
- If you need multiple sizes, pick the next size, customize again, and repeat the process.
- At the end, add all the quantities you need, and checkout is quick and secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does an order take? We typically produce and ship within 7 to 10 business days, depending on complexity.
- Can I order just one piece? Yes, you can, but the unit cost will be higher.
- Is the quality worth the price? Yes, we use premium materials and durable techniques.
- Can I use any design? Of course, as long as it respects copyright, you can customize with your own logo or artwork.
Conclusion
In the end, your class's clothing isn't just clothing — it's something you'll keep, wear, and associate with that stage of your life.
So instead of just choosing the cheapest option, it makes sense to choose wisely.
If you want to see how your design might look, you can try the Matter Studio customizer and create a preview in just a few minutes.
