Creating custom applique apparel is a fun and impactful way to express your brand, identity, or creativity. Designing pieces for your business, team, or personal use the applique process offers a tactile, durable, and visually rich result. This applique design guide breaks down everything you need to get started—from choosing the right product to uploading your artwork.
Step 1: Select the Type of Product
Start by choosing the base product you want to customize. Applique works best on sturdier fabrics like sweatshirts, jackets, and team wear, but you can also explore t-shirts, bags, or workwear depending on your needs. You can explore a wide range of customizable products in our collections, including t-shirts, jackets, workwear, team sports apparel, bags and more.
Think about who will be wearing the item and how it will be used. Applique designs stand out beautifully on outerwear and bags where durability matters.
Step 2: Choose Style and Color
Once you’ve selected your product, narrow down the style and color options. Keep your branding in mind if you’re designing for a company or team. High-contrast color combinations often make applique pop, while tonal shades can give a more subtle, sophisticated look. Choosing a quality garment that fits well and feels good will ensure the finished product is something people actually want to wear.
Step 3: Select Your Decoration Method
Applique may be your primary focus, but it can also be combined with other techniques for a unique finish. Decide what type of decoration suits your design best. Applique is ideal for bold letters or layered fabric textures. Embroidery adds a polished, textured finish for detailed logos. For larger graphic designs, screen printing delivers vibrant results, while patches work great for bold, emblem-style designs. If you’re unsure which approach works best for your concept, our FAQ section can help clarify and explain the differences so you can make the right choice.
Step 4: Upload Your Design or Get Help from Our Team
Once your product and decoration method are set, it’s time to upload your artwork. We recommend high-resolution vector files for best results, but we can work with a variety of formats.
Need help refining your logo or creating something from scratch? Our in-house graphic design team is here to assist.
Final Thoughts
Designing custom applique apparel is easier than you think—especially when you follow the right steps. Selecting the perfect product, choosing bold colors, and using reliable decoration methods, every decision shapes the final result.
If you’re designing branded apparel, planning a fundraising campaign, or working on a personal project, GetBold is ready to help you create something unique. Start designing today and explore how applique techniques can bring your ideas to life.