Custom Screen Printing Chicago | Office Uniforms | Spirit Wear

Why work with Great Apparel For You?

Friendly, Helpful, and Talented

Great Customer ServiceWe are here to help you! You can reach out to us anytime by email at info@greatapparelforyou.com or by telephone by calling 773-486-1702. We can help figure out the best printing process and custom apparel for your project.

Competitive PricingWe offer competitive pricing for all of our services when compared with other Chicago based or nationally based printing companies! Whether you’re looking for custom screen printing, embroidered hats or polo shirts,  or custom apparel, we’re your one stop solution.

High Quality Products & ServicesOur catalog of apparel includes high quality garments and products of every shape and size. Take a look at our online catalog link above. If you don’t see the item you want to work with describe it and we will most likely be able to obtain it for you!

screen printing, embroidery, dtg printing, dye sublimation

Estimates Form

WE WILL REACH OUT TO YOU WITH PRICING WITHIN 1 BUSINESS DAY!

    Embroidery Screenprinting Not Sure



    FrontBackLeft ChestRight Chest Other


    SCREEN PRINTING: Image Recommended
    - can be quoted based on # of colors

    EMBROIDERY: Image Required
    - As embroidery is based on stitch count we must receive and art file to determine costs.

    FULL COLOR PRINTING: Image Recommended
    – price may vary depending on quality and colors in art

    Screen Printing

    Custom screen printing is perfect for spot color art and quantities larger than 24. Can be use for almost all textures & locations. (Freight charges may apply for orders under 36 pieces.)

    Embroidery

    High quality stitching for orders 24 or more. Ideal for hats, bags and dress shirts. Art must be spot color.

    Portfolio

    Click image to see a larger one
    • 2 color screen printed mens tee
    • 3 color screen print
    • 2 color screen print close up
    • 3 color screen print on neon
    • embroidered snap back trucker cap
    • left chest embroidery
    • puff / 3d embroidered sew out
    • Embroidered Polo, left chest and right sleeve

    "Amazing customer service, super affordable, delivery time was stellar. They created a single custom t-shirt for me that I couldn’t find anywhere else and didn’t charge me an arm and leg. GAFY rocks."

    Noel M., Crystal Lake, IL

    "Really quick with quotes and getting back to my emails. Great Apparel For You is a company I will go back to for screen printing & embroidery needs!"

    Jennifer K., Palentine, IL

    "We ordered a variety of logo shirts and embroidery and the quality/price/delivery timeframe was unmatched by anyone we have ever utilized. "

    Shawn B., Keefe, Campbell, Biery & Associates

    FAQ

    Learn something new
    Q

    What are the minimums?

    This depends on what process you plan on using for your project. Embroidery has a minimum of 24 items. Custom screen printing has a minimum of 12 items. DTG and Dye Sublimation have no minimums!


    Q

    My art file is too large to upload. What do I do?

    You are more than welcome to upload a smaller version of the art file for us to review for the quote request (or email it to quotes@greatapparelforyou.com). When we send you a quote you will be sent art requirements which will include the size that we need the final file to be in and the best way to send it to us!


    Q

    I am not sure which printing process will work for my project, and I am trying to keep the price low, what do I do?

    If you are unsure about your project you should give us a call! We are in the office Monday – Friday from 9am-5pm CST. 773 – 486 – 1702.


    Q

    What is the average turnaround time?

    This depends on the type and size of your order. Custom screen printing is normally 7-10 business days. Embroidery is 10-12 business days. Direct-to-Garment and Dye Sublimation are 3-5 business days. If you need something sooner, include the due date in your quote request and note in the Additional Information section that this is a RUSH order. Rush fees may apply.


    Q

    Do we need to pay up front?

    Yes, for any new client you will submit a quote request with the form above. We will send you a quote within 1 business day. It will include details on how to submit your final order. We will then create an invoice for you to review and pay from. Once we receive payment then we will begin your order!


    Q

    Where are you located? Can we pick up our order?

    We are located in Chicago, IL in the West Town neighborhood. You are more than welcome to pick up your order when it is complete. We are open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm CST. If you need to pick up beyond that time, include that in the Additional Info section of the quote request tool.

    Latest Post

    Team Gear Guide: How to Stand Out With Sweet Uniforms You’ve formed the team, you’ve mastered the game. You’re ready to win. The only thing left to accomplish? Team gear to get you to the finish line. Whether you’re coaching a high school team, or have joined your co workers together for some company softball, you need to look the part. You need uniforms that show your opponent you’ve come to play. Or at least show them that you’ve come to have fun, and look great doing it! Before you send something basic to a printer in the interest of keeping it simple, make sure you’ve done your homework. Chances are, it’s not in the budget to deal with mistakes or disgruntled team members who are dissatisfied with anything from style to fit. You can’t be a winning team under those circumstances! Start strong right out the gate. Check all your boxes to make sure your team has the gear they need… because when you feel like a winner, it’s easier to be one, right? Step #1: Design Trends Be a leader. Bring some options to the table. It’s okay to stand out from the crowd when it comes to your team gear. Some questions to ask to narrow down your design include: Is there a strict color palette we need to use? What existing team gear can serve as inspiration? Do we have a logo? If not, do we want to design one? Fan and team gear has always been a creative way to show school spirit or team pride no matter what the sporting event. Don’t let your team look outdated, dull or boring. You want your uniforms to look so good that the fans can be inspired to rock the same design! That means paying attention to the latest trends to find a winning look for your team. It also means thinking outside the box. Current trends for team gear include: Black shirts with team colors as accents Bright colors that stand out Matching warm-up gear Hint: get inspiration from Pinterest! Knowing all the options and trends available is the first step in making sure you find a design that gets your team excited to get out there and play. Step #2: Logos and Licensing Are you borrowing your team name from a professional sports organization? For example, many little league teams are named after existing MLB teams. If this is the case, you might want to stop and think before you put a big official logo on the front of your shirt. Fact: You can not print the logo of any MLB, NFL, NBA or other professional sports team without paying hefty licensing fees. But, that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. If your team has their hearts set on being the “White Sox”, there are many legal ways to eliminate any risks. These include: Simply using the team name in your choice of font Designing a unique logo that is similar to the official logo Purchasing licensed gear through an official site like Majestic and get your individual names and numbers printed through an independent printer Logos and licensing is a factor that many team leaders don’t think about when designing their team gear. Of course, if you have a unique team name and logo, you don’t have any legal worries! Step #3: Securing Sponsors If you don’t want to copy a professional sports team, and coming up with your own name and logo isn’t quite your speed, you have another great option: finding a team sponsor. You can ask a local business to sponsor your team and pick up the tab for your team gear. What do they get in return, you ask? A lot! As your team sponsor, a local business can enjoy: A low-cost and highly visible form of advertising Increased community involvement Unlimited VIP front row seats to watch your team win in their high quality team gear What small business wouldn’t want a chance to give back to the community and see their name represented in such a fun way? To secure a sponsor for your team, simply contact a local business and explain to them the benefits listed above. Hint: find small businesses whose target market would be in attendance at your games! Step #4: Order Forms Once you check off all your boxes for design, logos and sponsors, it’s time to create your order forms. When it comes to securing the best gear for your team, you’re not out of the woods yet. The order form can make or break your team gear. Being too generic or forgetting small but important details can lead to a costly reprint; something that is likely not in the budget. What should be included on this vital order form, you ask? When printing off and handing out an order form, be sure to include all of the following: Separate lines for first and last name Directions for names be printed in all caps Desired number All size options listed Specify if size is adult, male, female; have space for them to say which they want if there are options Preview/mockup image of team gear When you find your printer (link to previous blog article about hiring the best printer) they can help you create an order form for your team. Or,  in many cases they can create one for you based on the information they need to fulfill your order. At the end of the day, the most important part of your team gear isn’t the color combination or choosing the trendiest design. It’s knowing you have the resources available to make your vision a reality. It’s having the support you need to make sure your team knows their voices are heard, and that they’re getting the best quality service and end product. In short, it’s truly a team effort! Visit go.greatapparelforyou.com/ to get a quote. Learn how we can turn your custom team gear dreams into a reality so you can be ready to win! [...] Read more...
      Spirit Wear Made Easy with Great Apparel for You Whatever your spirit wear needs, we can help you create awesome apparel for your event, group or gathering. In 5 easy steps you’ll be on your way to the best apparel in your school: Answer questions questions about who the gear is for and when you need the garments by. Ask the fans who will be rocking the gear to determine your quantity, colors and styles. Gather inspiration from places like Pinterest. Nail down the design and save your files for print! Find a printer who can bring your garments to life. REQUEST A QUOTE: http://go.greatapparelforyou.com [...] Read more...
    Custom Screen Printing: The Definite Guide to Hiring the Best Printer Any time you interact with a business to receive a product or experience a service, questions are bound to come up. Especially when it comes to custom screen printing. Whether or not you remember to ask these questions is another story. Have you ever left a meeting of any kind, whether it be an open house or a job interview, remembering a bunch of questions you forgot to bring up? We’ve all been there. We’ve all kicked ourselves as we drive home, wishing we asked the tough questions before saying yes or no. When it comes to custom screen printing, you can avoid all that kicking. That’s why we’ve created the Definitive Guide to Hiring the Best Printer. Basically, we did the hard part for you. You’re welcome! With a big purchase like custom shirts for your event or organization, you want to get it right. You want to make the right decision and hire the best printer. As with any investment, whether it’s a new home or an inventory of your custom designed t-shirt, it’s all about preparation. Are you ready to approach custom screen printing with confidence? Let’s get started. Step #1: Establish Specifics Get some aspects ironed out before you reach out to prospective printers. We’re talking numbers, here. It can be hard to know where to start when ordering your custom shirts. Do you make calls first and let printers pitch you, letting them tell you what they think you need? Nope! You know what you need in a printer. You just have to put a name to it. Start here by answering the following questions: When do you need your shirts? What does your timeline look like? What quantity do you need now? Will you need more in the future? Is your design ready? Do you have ideas for your color scheme? Once you’ve answered these questions, you will have identified some of the things you need to nail down before you even begin to research custom screen printing companies. Don’t have your color palette? Find some inspiration online so you can ask printers if they can accommodate your taste. (Hint: Pinterest is always a good place to find complementary color schemes!)                                 Don’t know the exact number you’ll need? Time to send a mass email to gauge specifics. These questions help lay the base for finding the printer that can help you bring your big idea to full fruition… with as few speed bumps as possible along the way. Step #2: Research Local and Online Options Would you feel more comfortable going to a physical location to print your shirt so you can see the process first-hand? Or, do you crave the convenience of an online service that will simply ship to your door? Stop right there. While one or the other might seem like a no-brainer, really give this some thought. Just to be sure, check the following off your list before you proceed: Make a list of both options: brick-and-mortar and online Gather necessary contact information: phone number, email addresses The best solution is typically a printer that combines both to offer flexible service options. You might think you want to be hyper-involved in the process, but your schedule might demand a list-minute switch to the convenience of online capabilities. Or, you might sign off on an online-only option, but wish you had a chance to sneak a peek at production at the end of the project. That’s why you should try to opt for both, if possible. Why confine yourself to one strict option? Step #3: Prepare Thorough Questions Don’t go into a meeting, call or email correspondence with prospective printers unprepared. Map out the questions you have beforehand so you don’t forget anything important. This might seem like a laundry list of questions, but as we said before: preparation is key. The right custom screen printing company won’t mind the inquisition. In fact. The best printer will happily answer your questions and show that they are, in fact, the most qualified to take on your project. Some might even have helpful FAQ pages to address these in detail, or inspire further discussion. Here are some topics to cover: What is your product turnaround time? Do you have a portfolio of past work or customer testimonials? What shirt style options do you have in stock? Do you have the resources to produce the exact shirt that I envision? Remember specifics: size, brightness, color scheme What is the pricing for my desired product? How do you determine pricing in general? Ask to disclose any potential hidden fees or costs that might come up during the production process. What is your policy on mistakes or misprints? What guarantees can you make in terms of quality or customer service? What locations do you have? Do I have access to these locations? While you’re at it, don’t forget to jot down highlights from your conversation, including specific answers to these questions. You’ll thank yourself later for this record of what sets each option apart! Step #4: Prioritize What aspect of your order is most important to you? Now that you have a wide range of questions answered, you must determine where your priorities lie. When it comes to your order, what is the #1 component that simply can’t be compromised? That being said, it’s a good idea to map out #2 and #3 as well. The thing is, certain printers might specialize in one thing over another. Example: If access to an array of shirt styles is your #1 priority, it wouldn’t make sense to go with a printer who offers only a few standard options, even if past customers boast about their high quality and rapid turnaround times. Good for another project, perhaps, but not yours. Make sense? It’s all about finding the right combination of services that fit your unique needs like a glove. Step #5: Finalize Your Design Get to the final stage of your design before you make your final decision. If your design is ready to go, you can ask different printers if they can work with it. Hint: Having art in multiple file formats will help ensure you have what is needed, but a good screen printer can often help if you don’t have the exact format needed. Here are a few suggested file types: .pdf .psd .eps .png .ai This is especially helpful if you have your heart set on a certain look, whether it be original artwork or custom lettering. You don’t want to have just a rough concept in mind, only to go with a printer that can’t fulfill your final vision. Step #6: Make your decision At this point, you’re ready to make your final decision. You’ve covered your bases, you’ve asked the right questions and you’re feeling excited and secure with your impending project. We call that confidence. It’s what you need to have in the custom screen printing game. The only thing to do now is choose! Ultimately, the purpose of hiring a printer is to reduce as much stress and uncertainty as possible so you can get your hands on the shirts you’ve envisioned. Spoiler alert: designing, ordering and printing your shirts through custom screen printing should not be filled with troubleshooting and miscommunication. But you knew that! It all comes back to being confident in the questions you’re asking. Visit go.greatapparelforyou.com/ and learn how we can turn your custom t-shirt dreams into a reality. We’re ready for all your toughest questions!   [...] Read more...