Article draft 2 │Stay Golden Custom®

Launching a new apparel line or adding merch to an existing brand comes with one big logistics decision. Should you rely on print‑on‑demand (POD), place bulk orders with a local print shop, or mix the two? Each path offers clear advantages, and the best choice depends on your goals, timeline, and budget. Below, we break down how each model works, the pros and cons to consider, and how Stay Golden Custom can help you strike the perfect balance with our in‑house production and direct‑to‑customer support.

How the Two Models Work.

Print‑on‑Demand (POD): With POD, nothing gets printed until a customer clicks “buy.” You upload your artwork to an online store, promote the products, and—when an order rolls in—your printing partner produces a single item, ships it, and bills you. At Stay Golden, that process is as simple as sending us your design via our website form or a quick email. We confirm specs, print on our state‑of‑the‑art direct‑to‑garment (DTG) machines, and drop‑ship to your customer under your brand name.

Why POD appeals:

• Low risk, low overhead. No need to pre‑buy inventory or manage storage.

• Creative freedom. Test unlimited colorways or limited‑edition designs without up‑front costs.

• Time savings. We handle production and shipping, so you stay focused on design and marketing.

Traditional Bulk Printing

Bulk orders follow a more classic route. You supply artwork, approve a proof, and we produce a larger run—usually starting around 24 pieces for screen printing or embroidery. Once complete, you receive all garments at once and manage distribution yourself.

Why bulk still wins:

•Lower cost per piece. The bigger the run, the more you save.

•Technique flexibility. Want oversized screen prints, multi‑location embroidery, or specialty inks? Bulk gives you maximum creative control.

•Consistent inventory. Perfect for events, retail shelves, or on‑tour merch tables where you know demand will be high.

Five Questions to Find Your Fit

1. How much time can you commit to fulfillment?
If packing and shipping isn’t your idea of fun, POD keeps you hands‑off. Bulk, on the other hand, requires storage space and regular trips to the post office.

2. What’s your up‑front budget?
Bulk runs cost less per shirt but require a larger initial spend. POD costs a bit more per piece, yet you only pay when you sell.

3. How custom is your artwork?
Complex placements—like prints across seams or collarbone hits—are best tackled in a traditional run. Standard front or back prints translate perfectly in POD.

4. How many units do you realistically need?
If you’re confident you can move 100 tees, bulk is the economical route. Testing a fresh design? Start POD and scale up once you see demand.

5. Could a hybrid model serve you better?
Many brands do both: bulk for proven best‑sellers, POD for experimental designs or residual online sales after an event.

Stay Golden Custom’s Approach

Direct‑to‑Garment Precision
Our industrial DTG equipment delivers photo‑quality prints with unlimited colors—ideal for POD orders where detail matters.

Small‑Run Friendly
Need just six tees to start? No problem. Our digital workflow keeps setup minimal, so you can launch quickly without breaking the bank.

Bulk Expertise
When it’s time to scale, our screen‑printing and embroidery departments kick in. Standard minimums start around 24 pieces, with turnarounds typically 10–12 business days.

Personal Service, Atlantic Canada‑Made
Forget anonymous dashboards. Simply drop us a line through our contact form or email, and a real production specialist will guide you from artwork prep to shipping labels—keeping every step under one roof.

The Bottom Line

There’s no one‑size‑fits‑all answer. POD excels at testing the waters and freeing you from inventory headaches, while traditional bulk printing maximizes margin and creative freedom once your designs take off. Many Stay Golden clients blend the two for a best‑of‑both‑worlds strategy.

Ready to map out your fulfillment plan? Reach out today—whether you’re starting with a single tee or prepping for a full festival run, we’ll help you choose (and combine) the right methods to keep your brand growing and your customers thrilled.

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