DMV apparel buying guide
How to order custom shirts for a DMV event
A practical checklist for conference organizers, schools, nonprofits and teams in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Plan the order around the date the apparel must arrive, not just the date of the event.
Request a DMV quoteThe short version
Boring Tees is based in the College Park, Maryland area. Our minimum is 24 pieces, and customer orders are delivered by UPS or USPS. Send your deadline, quantity, garment, artwork and delivery ZIP together so we can confirm production and shipping in one quote. There is no walk-in pickup or staff drop-off.
Plan the order in six steps
1. Work backward from the delivery date
Tell us when the apparel needs to be at your office, school or venue. Artwork review, proof approval, production and carrier transit are separate parts of the schedule. If your date is close, tell us before selecting a garment so we can discuss what is feasible.
2. Count wearers and build a size list
Start with the number of people, then ask for sizes rather than guessing from a single total. Include volunteers, staff and speakers if they all need apparel. Consider a few extras for late additions. For example, an event with 90 confirmed wearers and 10 spare shirts needs a quote for 100 pieces; the final size mix still matters.
3. Choose the garment for the job
A volunteer tee, an embroidered staff polo and a conference hoodie solve different problems. Tell us how the group will use the apparel, whether the fit or fabric is important, and if you already have a preferred brand or style. We can then quote a suitable garment rather than an arbitrary blank.
4. Share the design and brand rules
Send the best artwork file you have, even if it is not production ready. Identify every print or embroidery location and any required brand colors. If a communications team must approve the design, include that step in the schedule. Our artwork file checklist explains what to send for each method.
5. Review the proof as an order document
Check spelling, logo version, garment color, decoration placement and size breakdown before approving. A proof is the point to catch a wrong year, sponsor mark or department name. Ask for changes before production begins.
6. Confirm the shipping destination
We ship customer orders by UPS or USPS. Give us a complete address and a contact who can receive the package. If the order is going to an event venue, confirm its receiving rules and hours first. We will confirm the shipping plan with your quote; a College Park base does not mean local pickup or same-day delivery.
What to include in your first quote request
A complete first message makes it easier to compare a screen print, DTF print or embroidery option without guessing at the order details.
Event date and delivery ZIP
Include the date the shirts must be in hand, the delivery address or ZIP, and who can receive the package.
Garment and quantity
Name the shirt, hoodie, polo or other garment you want, your total count, and a size breakdown if you have one.
Artwork and placement
Attach your logo or draft, identify front, back or sleeve placement, and share any brand colors that must be matched.
Approval contact
Tell us who can approve the proof and whether your organization has a brand review or purchase-order process.
Which decoration method fits?
Screen printing is a strong starting point for the same design across a larger run, especially with a limited number of ink colors. Each ink color and print location affects setup.
DTF printing is useful when a design has many colors or fine detail. The artwork size and placement still matter, so include those in the quote request.
Embroidery often suits polos, hats and workwear with a compact logo. Small text and intricate detail may need simplification before stitching.
You do not need to choose a method before contacting us. The garment, artwork, quantity and budget determine the recommendation.
Ordering across the DMV
The same planning checklist works for a DC conference, a Maryland school event or a Northern Virginia staff order. Start with the page closest to your delivery market for service details: Washington, DC, College Park, Silver Spring or Arlington.
To see finished apparel before choosing a method, browse the Boring Tees portfolio.