If you’re a small business owner in the Greater Toronto Area, Montreal, Calgary, Winnipeg or elsewhere in Canada, ordering custom apparel can be one of the smartest moves you make for your brand. Whether you’re getting T-shirts for staff, hoodies for a school event, or polos for a tradeshow, custom clothing helps you look polished, professional, and unified.

But here’s the thing: even though it’s a simple process, there are a few common pitfalls that can turn a smooth experience into a stressful one—or worse, cost you time and money.

At PromoPays, we’ve seen (and helped fix!) hundreds of these scenarios over the years. So let’s make sure you’re set up for success from the start.

Here are 5 big mistakes to avoid when ordering custom apparel—and how to do it right the first time.

Mistake #1: Not Having Print-Ready Artwork

This is probably the number one issue that slows down production.

❌ The Problem:

You upload a blurry JPG or a logo saved from your website. It looks fine on your screen, but when we go to print, it’s too pixelated or small to scale.

✅ The Fix:

Send us high-resolution artwork, ideally in vector format like:

• AI (Adobe Illustrator)

• EPS

• SVG

• PDF (with embedded vectors)

If you only have a PNG or JPEG, make sure it’s at 300 DPI and as large as possible. Not sure if your file works? We’ll take a look and advise you—no problem.

Mistake #2: Forgetting to Confirm Sizing Info

Sizing mistakes happen more than you’d think—especially for group orders or staff uniforms.

❌ The Problem:

You guess at shirt sizes for your team—or assume everyone’s a Medium—and end up with clothing that doesn’t fit half your staff.

✅ The Fix:

Collect sizes in advance. Send out a quick form, email, or text and confirm everyone’s preference. If you’re in the GTA, swing by one of our sample pickup locations—we can show you size ranges to test out.

Also: always order 1–2 extras in common sizes (M and L). It’s a smart move in case someone new joins or needs a replacement.

Mistake #3: Choosing the Wrong Apparel for Your Needs

Not all T-shirts or hoodies are created equal. Sometimes a cheap shirt ends up feeling stiff or shrinking in the wash—and that reflects poorly on your brand.

❌ The Problem:

You choose the cheapest garment to save a few bucks, but your team or customers don’t actually want to wear it.

✅ The Fix:

Pick a garment that matches the use case and your audience:

• Soft cotton tees for casual retail or branded merch

• Moisture-wicking athletic shirts for active staff or outdoor events

• Heavyweight hoodies for winter promotions

• Professional polos or jackets for a client-facing team

We’ll help you choose the right balance of quality and cost so you get something people actually wear (and rave about!).

Mistake #4: Ignoring Decoration Method Differences

Screen printing, embroidery, vinyl… it all sounds the same if you’re new to it. But choosing the wrong one can impact durability, appearance, and budget.

❌ The Problem:

You pick screen printing for a tiny chest logo, or try to embroider a super detailed image and end up with a muddled result.

✅ The Fix:

Match the decoration method to your design and garment:

• Screen Printing: Best for bold, flat graphics and large logos on tees or hoodies.

• Embroidery: Great for polos, hats, and small logos—adds texture and longevity.

• Heat Transfer / Vinyl: Perfect for small runs, names/numbers, or highly detailed full-colour artwork.

We’ll walk you through which method will look best for your exact project.

Mistake #5: Not Leaving Enough Time

This one stings the most. You place your order just a few days before your event, only to realize custom apparel takes time to produce.

❌ The Problem:

You miss your event deadline—or have to pay extra for a rush job—because you waited too long to order.

✅ The Fix:

Plan ahead! At PromoPays, our standard turnaround is 7–10 business days from artwork approval.
Rush options are available, but giving yourself a 2–3 week buffer makes the whole experience smoother and more affordable.

And hey, if you’re in a time crunch—tell us early. We’ll do everything we can to meet your deadline (we’ve pulled off some miracle timelines before!).

Bonus Mistake: Not Ordering Enough the First Time

It’s easy to think “I’ll just get 12 for now,” only to have people immediately asking for more. Then you have to start a new order from scratch.

✅ Pro Tip:

If you’re offering shirts as merch, uniforms, or giveaways—and you think they’ll be popular—order a few extras now.
You’ll save on unit costs and save yourself from reordering too soon.

At PromoPays, reorders are quick and easy, but bigger first runs always give you better pricing.

Quick Recap: What to Avoid

Why PromoPays Makes It Easy to Get It Right

We know that as a small business owner, you’ve got enough on your plate already. That’s why PromoPays is built to make custom apparel ordering easy, fast, and mistake-free.

Here’s how we help:

• Artwork review and prep: We’ll fix small issues or guide you on how to improve your design

• Garment recommendations: Tell us your budget and we’ll suggest high-quality options

• Live customer service: Need to talk to a real person? Call, chat, or email us—no bots, no wait

• Delivery & support: As a GTA-based company, we’re here and ready to help

• Reorders made simple: Once your artwork’s on file, future orders are a breeze

Ready to Place Your Order?

Let’s avoid those common mistakes and create something your team or customers will love wearing!

👉 Browse Our Custom T-Shirts
👉 Explore Hoodies & Sweatshirts
👉 Request a Custom Quote Today

Have questions before you start? Just ask! Our friendly team is here to make sure your next order goes off without a hitch.