getting started
I have never ordered custom merch before. Where do I start?
Right here, and it is a lot simpler than you might think.
Pick your product, tell us what you want on it, upload your artwork if you have it, and check out. Within one business day we send you a digital proof showing exactly what your finished product will look like. You approve it, we make it, and you pick it up or we ship it to you.
Not sure what product you need or where to begin? Just reach out through our Contact page before you order. Tell us what you are celebrating or honoring and we will point you in the right direction. That conversation is free and we are genuinely happy to have it.
Do I need a design ready before I reach out?
No. You can start with nothing more than an idea.
If you have a logo or artwork file ready, bring it. If you just know you want your business name on a tumbler or your team colors on a shirt, that is enough to get
started. We will talk through your options before you commit to anything.
If you need a design built from scratch, we can help with that too. A design fee applies based on complexity. We will always tell you the cost before any design work begins.
Will I see what my order looks like before you make it?
Every single order. No exceptions.
Before anything goes to production we send you a digital proof showing exactly how your design will look on the product you ordered. You review it and approve it. We do not start making anything until you give us the green light.
Take your time reviewing the proof. Check every name, every date, every detail. Once you approve it and production begins, changes to that batch are not possible.
Are you actually a local shop or do you outsource the work?
Everything we make comes out of our own studio right here in Lithonia, Georgia.
We use professional laser engraving equipment, DTF apparel printing, sublimation, and heat press technology, all under one roof. When you order from us, the person reading your order is the same person making it.
Not a fulfillment center. Not a drop-ship operation.
Us.
pricing & minimum order quantities
How much does it cost?
Pricing depends on the product and quantity. Here are starting prices for our most common items:
Custom shirts
(DTF printing): from $25 per piece
Custom hoodies:
from $30 per piece
Custom hats: from
$20 per piece
40oz laser
engraved tumbler: from $45 per piece
40oz sublimation
tumbler: from $35 per piece
30oz sublimation
tumbler: from $28 per piece
20oz sublimation
tumbler: from $22 per piece
11oz sublimation
mug: from $18 per piece
Per unit price decreases as quantity increases. Orders of 25 or more units receive a bulk discount applied automatically at checkout.
For large orders over 100 units, reach out directly for a custom quote.
What is the minimum order quantity?
Minimum order quantities vary by product:
Apparel (shirts and hoodies): 10 pieces per design
Hats: 10 pieces
Sublimation tumblers (20oz, 30oz, 40oz): 10 pieces
Sublimation mugs (11oz): no minimum, single item orders welcome
Laser engraved tumblers: no minimum, single item orders welcome
Buttons: 100 piece minimum
The minimum exists because custom printing requires real setup time for every design regardless of quantity. Materials, file
preparation, equipment calibration, and quality checks all happen before a
single finished piece comes off the press.
The MOQ lets us do that work properly and price it fairly.
Can I order just one item?
Yes, on select items.
Our laser engraved tumblers and 11oz sublimation mugs are available as single
personalized orders with no minimum. These are our most popular items for
birthdays, anniversaries, teacher appreciation, coach recognition, and realtor closing gifts.
For apparel, hats, and most drinkware the minimum order quantity applies. If you are unsure whether the item you want has a minimum, reach out before you order and we will let you know.
Is there a design fee?
A design fee applies to all orders that require our creative input.
Simple text edits, basic layout adjustments, and minor file prep are handled at no additional charge. If you need a design built from scratch, a complex graphic created, or significant work done on a file that is not print-ready, we will quote the design work separately before we start anything.
We will always give you the cost upfront and get your approval before any design work begins. No surprise charges.
Do you charge extra for more colors in a design?
No. DTF printing and sublimation are full-color processes. Your design can have two colors or twenty, gradients, photography, and complex artwork and the price is the same.
Laser engraving works differently. It is a
single-depth process where the laser removes material to reveal the surface
underneath. Color is not a variable in engraving because there is no ink
involved.
Can I mix sizes in one order?
Yes. If you order 10 shirts and need a mix of sizes across the group, that counts as one order and your minimum is met. Size variety within the same design does not affect the price.
What does affect the minimum is different designs. If you want 10 shirts with 3 different designs, each design requires its own minimum. Reach out before ordering if you have a mixed-design situation and we will work through it with you.
turnaround & delivery
How long does it take to get my order?
Turnaround depends on the product and quantity:
Single engraved or personalized items: 2 to 3 business days from proof approval
Small orders up to 24 pieces: 5 to 7 business days from proof approval
Medium orders of 25 to 49 pieces: 7 to 10 business days from proof approval
Large orders of 50 or more pieces: 10 to 15 business days from proof approval
Turnaround begins after you approve your proof, not when you place your order. We send proofs within one business day of receiving your order.
If you have a hard deadline, tell us when you order. We will confirm whether we can meet it before you pay.
Do you do rush orders?
Rush orders are available but must be requested before you place your order.
We cannot guarantee rush availability on every order because it depends on our current production capacity. Reach out through our Contact page first, tell us your deadline, and we will let you know honestly whether we can make it work.
A rush fee of $125 applies to all rush orders. That fee covers the rescheduling of existing production to accommodate your timeline. We will confirm the fee and your deadline before you pay anything.
If we cannot meet your timeline, we will tell you upfront. We would rather be honest now than let you down later.
Can I pick up my order in person?
Yes. Local pickup is always free.
Pickups are by appointment only. When your order is complete we will reach out to schedule a time that works for you. We are in Lithonia and coordinate pickups during business hours Monday through Saturday.
Do you ship?
Yes. Shipping is available on all orders anywhere in the United States. Shipping cost is calculated at checkout based on your order size and destination.
Once your order is complete it ships within one business day. Standard delivery after that typically takes 3 to 5 business days. Expedited shipping is available if you need it faster.
We do not currently ship internationally.
When should I order for graduation season?
As early as you can. Graduation season across metro Atlanta is our busiest production window, running from March through June.
If your ceremony is in May or June, placing your order in March is not too early. Late April is cutting it close. The week before a ceremony is a conversation about whether a rush is possible, and sometimes it is, but we would rather not put you in that position.
Six weeks before your event date is the comfortable window for graduation orders.
your artwork & design files
What file format do you need?
The best files for our process are:
PNG with a transparent background at 300dpi or higher, ideal for apparel and most products
PDF vector file, best for engraving and precise logo work
AI or EPS files from Adobe Illustrator, also excellent
JPG files are acceptable but can show quality loss at smaller print sizes and do not support transparent backgrounds.
If you are not sure what format your file is, upload it and we will tell you whether it will work.
My logo is blurry or low resolution. Can you use it?
We will be honest with you about this one.
A logo that looks fine on your phone screen can print fuzzy and unprofessional on a shirt or
tumbler. We will never knowingly put a low quality file onto your product
because the end result reflects on both of us, and we care too much about the
work that leaves this studio.
If your file is not print-ready we will tell you exactly why and what your options are. In many cases we can rebuild a logo as a clean vector file for a design fee. We will quote it before we start anything
and give you the choice.
I do not have a design at all. Can you create one for me?
Yes. We work from both customer-supplied files and customer ideas.
If you have a vision of what you want, describe it. Colors, style, the feeling you are going for, anything that helps us understand what you need. A design fee applies based on the complexity of the work. We give you a quote before we start and you decide from there.
If you have a rough sketch, a reference image, or even just a few words, that is enough to start the conversation.
Can I use a logo or character I found online?
No. We cannot print trademarked logos, copyrighted characters, or designs belonging to brands or creators you do not have authorization to use.
This applies to sports team logos, brand marks, popular characters, and any artwork you did not create or license. This protects you as much as it protects us.
If this is your own logo or your own business name, you are completely fine. If you are unsure whether something is protected, ask us before you order.
products & quality
Will the print crack or peel after washing?
Not with proper care.
We use professional-grade DTF printing with a finishing press on every apparel order. That second pass locks the print into the fabric fibers rather than leaving it
sitting on top of the surface. The result is soft, flexible, and built to last.
Care instructions come with every apparel order. The short version is wash inside out in cold water and tumble dry on low or hang dry. No hot water and no high heat in the dryer.
What is the difference between your engraved tumblers and your sublimation tumblers?
They are two different processes and two very different results.
Laser engraved tumblers use our laser to etch directly into the surface of a black electroplated tumbler. The black coating burns away and reveals the metallic surface underneath. The result is bold, high-contrast, and permanent. It cannot peel, fade, or wash off. These have a premium, almost jewelry-like finish.
Sublimation tumblers use heat to infuse full-color ink directly into a specially coated surface. The design wraps all the way around the tumbler in vibrant,
true-to-file color. Ideal for logos, brand colors, and detailed full-color designs.
If you want a bold metallic statement piece, choose engraved. If you want your brand colors and full logo wrapped around the tumbler, choose sublimation.
What shirt brands do you use?
We primarily work with Bella+Canvas, Next Level Apparel, and Gildan depending on your preference
and budget.
Bella+Canvas and Next Level are our recommendation for most orders. They are lightweight, soft, and take DTF prints beautifully. Gildan is a solid option when cost per unit is the priority.
If you have a brand preference, let us know when you order. If you want to provide your own blank garments, please check with us before you buy anything. Not every blank is compatible with every printing process.
Can I provide my own blanks for you to print on?
In some cases yes, but please check with us before you purchase anything.
Not every blank is compatible with our equipment and processes. Sublimation requires a specific coating. DTF performs differently on various fabric blends. If you bring us something that does not work with our process, we cannot print on it and we cannot be responsible for those blanks.
Send us the product name or a link before you buy and we will tell you upfront whether it will work.
orders & payment
How do I pay?
All orders are paid in full at checkout.
When payment is complete we order your materials and schedule production immediately. No waiting on a deposit, no delays between steps. Your order moves faster.
And because every order goes through a proof approval before production begins, your payment is protected. If we make a production error on our end, we reprint or refund. The proof step is what makes full
upfront payment safe for everyone.
How quickly do you respond to messages?
We respond to all messages within 24 hours.
Business hours are Monday through Friday 9am to 6pm EST and Saturday 10am to 3pm EST.
You can also reach us on Instagram and Facebook at @zeroappealco. DMs are open and checked regularly.
Can I make changes to my order after I place it?
Yes, right up until you approve your proof. That window is your opportunity to catch anything that needs adjusting.
Once you have approved the proof and production starts, changes are not possible for that order. This is exactly why we ask you to review your proof carefully before you approve it. Check every name, every date, every detail.
If something changes before your proof is sent, such as a different quantity or a different design, reach out right away and we will update the order.
What if there is a problem with my finished order?
We stand behind everything that leaves this studio.
If there is a production error on our end, meaning the finished product does not match your approved proof, we will reprint or refund depending on the situation. No runaround and no argument.
For pickup orders, please look over your items before you leave so we can catch anything right away.
For shipped orders, send us a photo of the issue within 48 hours of delivery and we will take care of it.
special situations
I am planning a memorial. My timeline is uncertain. Can you help?
Yes, and we handle memorial orders differently from anything else we take on.
Grief does not follow a schedule. We understand that timelines for memorial and celebration of life orders are often unexpected. Reach out directly through our Contact page and tell us your situation. We will do everything we can to accommodate you and every conversation about this is handled with the care it deserves.
We start every memorial order by asking about the person being honored. Who they were, what they loved, what would make the tribute feel like them. That is not extra. That is the whole point.
I am planning a wedding. How far in advance do I need to order?
We recommend reaching out at least four to six weeks before you need everything in hand.
Wedding orders often involve multiple items across different timelines. Bachelorette apparel, getting-ready gear, bridal party gifts, and favor sets can all be separate orders. Starting early gives us room to get every detail right without any last-minute pressure.
Tell us your wedding date as soon as you know it and we will work backward from there.
I am a realtor. Do you make closing gifts?
Yes, and this is one of our favorite types of order.
Closing gifts from Zero Appeal Co are personalized pieces that a buyer will keep for years. Our most popular option is a laser engraved tumbler with the buyer's name and their closing date. The metallic finish looks premium and the permanence of the engraving means it does not fade, peel, or wear away.
We also make mug and tumbler gift sets, engraved keepsakes with the property address, and branded gift packages for agents who want their logo alongside the personal detail.
Realtors who order regularly receive priority scheduling and a direct line for reorders. Reach out and we will take care of you.
Do you work with businesses on recurring orders?
Yes. We work regularly with salons, barbershops, gyms, restaurants, real estate offices, and other small businesses across DeKalb County and metro Atlanta.
Once we have worked together once, your brand files are on file and future orders move faster. Businesses that order regularly receive volume pricing and priority scheduling.
Reach out through the Contact page and tell us about your business. We will figure out exactly what you need.