The Custom Ink Staff is a team of design enthusiasts and promo product experts dedicated to bringing your ideas to life. From screen printing secrets to the latest trends in custom gear, we draw on decades of collective experience to help you create something unforgettable.
77% of Americans Are Excited About America 250. Here’s Why Most Haven’t Made a Plan Yet.
Most of the country already knows America 250 is coming. According to our 2026 Community Pride Survey of 1,690 Americans, 76.9% are aware that 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and 43.7% say they’re highly excited about it. Yet only 28.8% are actively planning something specific. That gap — [...]
Custom Signs: A Practical Guide to Types, Materials & What Actually Works
A FedEx Office “Signs of the Times” survey found that 76% of consumers have walked into a business they had never visited before based solely on its display signs. That single stat says a lot: your signage works before you ever open your mouth. Whether you are promoting a grand opening, running a political campaign, branding [...]
The Best Sweatshirt Brands for Custom Printing: Champion, Hanes, Bella+Canvas, and More — Compared
You’ve seen it happen: An order of custom sweatshirts arrives, people put them on, and six months later half of them are in a donation bin. Not because the design was wrong, but because the fabric was: the sweatshirt felt thin in hand, pilled after a few washes, or just didn’t hold the print. Nearly half of all swag buyers — [...]
Custom Sweatshirts for Business: The ROI Math on Bulk Orders
A single branded sweatshirt generates an average of 6,100 lifetime brand impressions at a cost-per-impression below $0.004 — less than four-tenths of a cent — outperforming television, digital display, and social media advertising in both reach and consumer recall, according to the 2026 ASI Global Advertising Impressions Study. But [...]
New Survey Reveals How Americans Are Celebrating 250 Years Together
America’s 250th anniversary is almost here – and according to our new research, Americans don’t have to choose between pride in their country and pride in their community. Most feel both, and they want this summer’s celebrations to reflect both. Our 2026 Community Pride Report, a nationally representative survey [...]
Screen Printing vs. Embroidery for Custom Sweatshirts: Which Method Is Right for You?
No one wants to open a box of custom sweatshirts only to find that the finished product looks cheap. In fact, a recent Custom Ink survey found that this is the single biggest fear for 30% of custom swag organizers, ranking way ahead of late deliveries or going over budget. Most of that anxiety comes down to selecting the right decoration [...]
How to Design Your Own Sweatshirt: Ideas for Teams, Reunions, and Company Merch
Most people assume designing a custom sweatshirt requires graphic design experience. The data says otherwise. Our 2026 Unsung Heroes Survey found that only 41% of swag organizers enjoy design work and find it easy — meaning the majority are starting from scratch with some combination of vision, uncertainty, and a deadline. If that sounds [...]
How to Choose the Best Custom Sweatshirts: Fabric, Style, and Design Guide
In 2026, heavyweight fleece and custom sweatshirts are the single most-requested apparel upgrade among group buyers. According to our 2026 Swag Trends Survey, 62% of organizers plan to add heavyweight fabrics and substantial hoodies to their programs this year. Whether you’re outfitting a 5K crew, a corporate onboarding kit, or a [...]