How to Personalize Your Charles River Apparel

Applying your logo or statement to a high-quality piece of apparel is an art and an effective marketing strategy in your arsenal to let others know of your business, organization, team, or cause, as well as helping to create a sense of unity and camaraderie among members. Sweatshirt Station works directly with Charles River Apparel to provide a comprehensive decorating system and service that delivers the highest quality artwork to the highest quality apparel. Everything about the Charles River Decorating System is designed to make your decorating decisions easy and friendly while minimizing the amount of time you need to spend in the process. Sweatshirt Station can lighten your burden and deliver you a friendly one-stop shopping experience for the apparel you need and the decorations you desire. This article will present important points of the Charles River Decorating System to help you better understand the many aspects of, and possibilities for, apparel decoration. Specific details are provided to aid you in making your decision for decoration and in the best selection of Charles River Apparel for your specific needs. This article with address the following:

• The different decoration methods – the type of file needed for your artwork/logo, the best method for different apparel items, minimum order quantities, turnaround time, and pricing structures
• The difference between a “virtual sample” and a “virtual proof”
• Examples of organizations and entities for whom we have provided decoration apparel

What are the Different Decoration Methods Available and Pricing?

Embroidery: The most popular and versatile decoration technique is embroidery. It is the art of applying raised and ornamental designs and words in threads upon fabric with a needle and can be applied to virtually any apparel fabric. Embroidery is an amazing way to have your logo, name or artwork stand out on your favorite Charles River Apparel clothing, and to add value to it. The following embroidery information will help you with your decision-making process:

1. Logo Digitization: You will need to submit your logo in any computerized format (e.g. JPG, DPF, EPS, AI) and we will digitize it to the highest quality standards in a DST file.

• If you already have your logo digitized, you can email it to us and avoid the setup fee. However, your logo must be in a DST format. Acceptable embroidery files include Tajima, Barudan and Melco digitized embroidery files. We recommend you include a JPEG file along with the digitized file. Charles River is not responsible for the embroidery quality of customer supplied DST files. 

2. PMS Color Match: Hundreds of rich color threads are available, so any design is delivered with the highest-quality color and contrasting color schemes. We will need thread colors or PMS colors for the highest quality match.
3. Logo Modifications: We can modify the original size and colors of your logo, and even include extra lettering lines.
4. Minimum Quantity Order: Embroidery minimums are 12 pieces per logo. Orders less than 12 pieces will incur a fee.
5. Turnaround Time: Our turnaround time is 7-10 business days after your order has been officially submitted. We can work with you on rush orders and other specifics.
6. Mixes: You can mix Charles River Apparel styles, sizes, and colors.
7. Cost of Embroidery & Free Quote: Final cost depends on the number of stitches in your artwork. We can provide you with a free quote after receiving your artwork and order quantity.

    Screen Print: State of the art inks and multicolor screen and distressed screen-printing techniques allow your logo or design to be vibrantly and qualitatively applied to the apparel for high-quality visual effects and performance in durability. The following screen print information will help you with your decision-making process:

1. Type of Art Files: AI, EPS, and PDF files are accepted – created as a vector, with all type and strokes converted to outlines.
   • Coral Draw and Freehand files must be exported as EPS files
   • Files should have graphics and fonts converted to outlines. Placed and linked images are not acceptable
   • If you do not have usable artwork, our graphic design department can usually re-create your artwork into the proper format needed for output. To do so, the best file format is 300dpi jpeg
2. PMS Color Match: You need to provide PMS colors form the Pantone Solid Coated Library, and we can help match them for you.
3. Underlay Primer Coat: This primer coat is applied to all color garments (including black) to give a base for printing the design on and allows colors to appear as they should.
4. Rainwear: We have the expertise to create high-quality printing on difficult water-resistant and waterproof fabrics.
5. Assorted Garment Sizes: We can print on both youth and adult garments together if the design size is made to fit the smallest item being screen printed. If two sizes of artwork are required – one size for youth and the other for adult clothing, then each imprint size is considered a separate order.
6. Minimum Quantity Order: Screen Print minimums are 12 pieces per logo. Orders less than 12 pieces will incur a fee.
7. Turnaround Time: Our turnaround time is 7-10 business days after your order has been officially submitted. We can work with you on rush orders and other specifics.
8. Cost of Screen Print & Free Quote: Final cost depends on art size and quantity. We can provide you with a free quote after receiving your artwork and order quantity.

Heat Transfer: Using the “PerfectSeal” technology on nylon, microfiber, polyester, polyknit, and waterproof fabrics ensures that logos/artwork pop with detailed imagery and vibrant colors. The following heat transfer information will help you with your decision-making process:

1. Type of Art Files: Electronic art in EPS, AI, TIFF, or PDF files with a resolution of 300 dpi or greater are accepted.
2. PMS Color Match: You need to provide PMS colors form the Pantone Solid Coated Library, and we can help match them for you.
3. Assorted Garment Sizes: We can print on both youth and adult garments together if the design size is made to fit the smallest item being screen printed. If two sizes of artwork are required – one size for youth and the other for adult clothing, then each imprint size is considered a separate order.
4. Minimum Quantity Order: Heat Transfer minimums are 24 pieces per logo. Orders less than 24 pieces will incur a fee.
5. Turnaround Time: Our turnaround time is 7-10 business days after your order has been officially submitted. We can work with you on rush orders and other specifics.
6. Cost of Heat Transfer & Free Quote: Heat Transfer is charged by the square inch and quantity. We can provide you with a free quote after receiving your artwork and order quantity.

What is the Difference Between a “Virtual Sample” and a “Virtual Proof”?

Virtual Sample: A Virtual Sample is a digital representation of how your logo/artwork will look on an article of clothing. It is not a production proof but provides you the customer with a general idea as to how your logo/artwork will look when placed the clothing article you are choosing. A Sweatshirt Station sales rep can help you with your virtual samples. Virtual Proof: A Virtual Proof is created once the Purchase Order for a decorated order is received along with the details of that order, e.g., colors, art size, placement on the piece, and other additional details. This is used for production and must be approved by the customer prior to production. Virtual Proofs are typically sent out to the customer 24-36 hours following a sales order being sent.

• NOTE: A customer may request a Web Image or a jpeg image of their product with the logo. This request can be produced once an order is produced and the virtual proof has been approved. This request should be sent to Sweatshirt Station.