American Eagle Imagewear: Custom Branded Apparel and Gear in South Carolina

What American Eagle Imagewear Does

American Eagle Imagewear is a screen printing and embroidery shop based in South Carolina that creates custom branded clothing and promotional items for businesses, organizations, sports teams, and events. They take your logo or design and apply it to apparel—t-shirts, polo shirts, hats, jackets—and other merchandise like bags, drinkware, and promotional products. The work happens in-house, which means faster turnaround than mail-order services and the ability to see samples and make changes before your full order ships.

The shop handles everything from small runs of 12 shirts for a local nonprofit to larger orders for corporate uniforms or event giveaways. They work with you to choose fabric quality, printing method (screen printing for durability, embroidery for a polished look, or direct-to-garment printing for detailed designs), and placement of your design. Most orders include a proof stage where you see exactly what the finished product will look like before production begins.

Key Takeaways

• American Eagle Imagewear prints and embroiders custom designs onto clothing and promotional items at their South Carolina location.
• They work with businesses, nonprofits, teams, and event organizers on orders ranging from small quantities to bulk runs.
• You can choose between screen printing, embroidery, and direct-to-garment printing depending on your design and budget.
• The shop provides a proof before production so you can verify colors, placement, and quality before your order is completed.

When to Use American Eagle Imagewear

Use this shop when you need branded merchandise with a local relationship. If your nonprofit is fundraising and wants to sell t-shirts with your logo, or your small business wants matching polos for staff, or a local sports team needs uniforms with player numbers, American Eagle can handle it without requiring you to work through a national distributor or wait weeks for samples to arrive from out of state.

They are also useful if you are unsure about design details or want to test a small batch before committing to a large order. Being able to walk in, talk through options, and see samples in person reduces the risk of ordering 500 shirts only to discover the color or fit is not what you imagined.

Screen Printing vs. Embroidery vs. Direct-to-Garment

Screen printing is the traditional method: your design is transferred onto a screen, ink is pushed through it onto the fabric, and the result is durable and vibrant. It works best for designs with bold colors and simple shapes. Screen-printed shirts hold up through many washes and are cost-effective for larger orders because the setup cost spreads across more units.

Embroidery stitches your design directly into the fabric using thread. It looks more formal and professional than printing, which is why it is common on polo shirts, hats, and jackets for corporate uniforms. Embroidery is more expensive per item but creates a textured, high-quality appearance that lasts indefinitely. It works best for logos and simpler designs; detailed artwork or photographs do not translate well to thread.

Direct-to-garment printing (DTG) works like an inkjet printer for fabric: the design is printed directly onto the shirt in full color. It is ideal for detailed designs, photographs, or artwork with many colors, and there is no setup cost, so small orders are economical. The downside is that DTG prints may fade slightly over time compared to screen printing, though quality has improved significantly in recent years.

Typical Order Process and Timeline

Most custom apparel shops, including American Eagle, follow a similar workflow. You contact them with your design (a logo file, sketch, or description), the garment you want (t-shirt, hat, jacket), the quantity, and any color preferences. They provide a quote based on the garment cost, printing method, and number of items.

Once you approve the price, they create a proof—a mockup showing your design on the garment in the colors and placement you requested. You review the proof and request changes if needed. After you sign off, production begins. Turnaround typically ranges from one to three weeks depending on order size and current workload, though rush orders may be possible for an additional fee. You then pick up your order or arrange shipping.

What to Bring or Prepare

Have your design ready in a digital format if possible—a logo file (PDF, PNG, or AI format works best), or a clear image of what you want printed. If you do not have a digital file, you can describe your design and ask if they offer design services; many shops will create or refine a design for a fee. Bring the name or description of the garment you want (for example, "Gildan 5000 t-shirt in navy") or let them recommend options based on your budget and use.

Know your quantities and any specific requirements: Do you need sizes XS through 3XL, or just a few sizes? Do you want all one color or a mix? Are there placement preferences for the design? The more details you provide upfront, the faster the quote and proof process moves.

Cost Factors

The final price depends on several variables. The garment itself has a base cost—a basic t-shirt costs less than a high-quality polo or a jacket. The printing method affects price: screen printing is cheapest per item for large orders but has a setup fee, so a 12-shirt order costs more per shirt than a 100-shirt order. Embroidery is more expensive per item but has lower setup costs. Direct-to-garment printing has no setup fee, so small orders are economical.

Design complexity also matters. A simple one-color logo is cheaper to print than a full-color photograph. The number of colors in your design, the size of the print, and the placement (front only versus front and back) all factor into the final cost. Rush orders, special garments, or custom sizing may add fees. Ask for an itemized quote so you understand what you are paying for.

Finding American Eagle Imagewear

American Eagle Imagewear is a brick-and-mortar shop in South Carolina, so you can visit in person to discuss your project, see samples of their work, and handle garment options. Having a physical location means you can build a relationship with the team, ask questions face-to-face, and pick up orders on your schedule rather than waiting for shipping.

Contact them directly by phone or visit their location to discuss your project. Bring your design file or a description of what you need, and they can walk you through options, show you garment samples, and provide a quote on the spot or within a day or two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order just a few shirts, or do I need a minimum quantity?

Most shops have a minimum, often around 12 items for screen printing, though direct-to-garment printing may allow smaller orders. Ask American Eagle about their minimums for each printing method. Small orders cost more per item but are sometimes worth it if you are testing a design or need a small batch for an event.

How long does it take to get my order?

Typical turnaround is one to three weeks from the time you approve the proof, depending on order size and how busy the shop is. Rush orders are sometimes available for an additional fee. Call ahead to ask about current timelines if you have a deadline.

What if I do not have a design file?

Many shops offer design services for a fee. You can describe what you want, provide a sketch, or show them examples, and they can create or refine a design for you. Ask about design costs upfront so there are no surprises.

Can I order different sizes in one order?

Yes. You can order a mix of sizes—for example, 10 small, 15 medium, 12 large—all with the same design. Let them know your size breakdown when you place the order so they can ensure they have stock in all the sizes you need.

What is the difference between a proof and the final product?

A proof is a mockup showing your design on the garment before production. It lets you check colors, placement, and size. The final product is the actual printed or embroidered item. Proofs are usually digital images or sometimes a physical sample; they help catch mistakes before you commit to a full order.