FAQs

"Wait, so you're not a 'pro' designer?"

Not in the corporate sense. I don’t have a fancy degree or a corner office—what I have is a genuine obsession with the craft. I’m entirely self-taught, fueled by thousands of hours spent in the trenches of creative problem-solving. When you work with me, you aren't getting a recycled corporate template; you’re getting a personal touch and the raw energy of someone who does this because they truly love it.

"KC" stands for Kennedy C., not Kansas City! 

 I’ll admit it: when I first started, I picked my initials because I was too excited to start making things to worry about a complex brand name. But over time, "KC Custom Merch" grew into something I love. It’s a reminder that this isn’t a faceless corporation—it’s a person-to-person business built on my own name and obsession with great design. 

Who actually makes the designs?

I handle 100% of the creative heavy lifting—the brainstorming, the digital "ink," and the final layout. Once the design is perfect, I team up with professional printers who handle physical production and shipping to ensure your gear looks as sharp in person as it does on my screen. 

Is there a minimum order? 

Not at all. Whether you want one special shirt for a gift or twenty for a family reunion, I’m happy to help. 

Can I change my mind once the design is finished?

I want you to absolutely love what you wear! That’s why we do a round of "look-overs" during the design phase—we’ll tweak the digital draft together until it’s exactly what you envisioned.

If you decide to change the design or the product type (like switching from a T-shirt to a hoodie) before we go to print, no problem! Just keep in mind that since different products have different costs, the price might shift. If there’s a difference, I’ll just send over a quick "adjustment invoice" to cover the balance.

The Point of No Return: Once I "send" to the professional printers, the design and product are locked in and on their way to being made!

How does the custom design process work? 

 It’s a total partnership! Here is how we get from "idea" to "in your mailbox":

1. The Brainstorm: You bring me your vision—even if it’s just a rough "space-cat on a hoodie" vibe—and we’ll chat to nail down the details. 

2. The Design Payment:  I’ll send over a digital invoice for the custom design work. Please note: Because custom artwork takes dedicated time and creative energy to create, this design fee is required upfront. Once payment is received, it is final and non-refundable. 

3. The Design: Once the design invoice is squared away and payment is received, the magic happens! The creative green light turns on, I get to work, and I'll send you a digital draft of your custom piece. 

4. The Polish: We’ll tweak the design together until it’s 100% perfect. (The number of included revision rounds depends on the design tier you choose. If additional tweaks are needed beyond your tier's limit, an extra design fee will be required). I want you to absolutely love it!  

5. The Print & Production: Once you give the final "thumbs up" on the artwork, I’ll send a final invoice for the physical product and shipping. Please note: Because your gear is custom-made specifically for you, product payment is final and non-refundable once paid—so please double-check the size charts and design location before checking out! As soon as that invoice clears, your order goes straight to my professional printing partners and heads your way! 

⚠️ Project Expiration Policy: To keep my production schedule running smoothly, custom projects must be completed within 30 days of your initial design draft. If a project is left inactive or unanswered on the client's end for more than 30 days, the project will be closed, and a new design fee will be required to restart it later. 

How do I pay for my custom gear?

I keep it simple and secure! We use a two-step digital invoice system sent straight to your phone or computer so your project stays organized and moves forward smoothly.

• Invoice 1: Sent after our brainstorm to cover the custom design fee so I can start drafting.

• Invoice 2: Sent after you approve the final design to cover the physical product and shipping costs.

I currently accept:

• Venmo: Quick, easy, and perfect for that person-to-person feel.

• Secure Online Pay: Major cards are accepted through the digital invoice I send.

• Checks: I’m happy to take these for in-person orders only.

🔒 The "Creative Green Light": Because custom work takes dedicated time and expenses, both the design invoice and the final product invoice are completely final and non-refundable once paid.

💳 How Extra Revisions are Billed: Any additional revision fees accumulated during the design process will simply be added as a line item to your final product and shipping invoice before we hit print. 

What kind of blanks/apparel brands do you use?

I care about quality just as much as design! I primarily use high-quality, comfortable, and durable blanks from trusted brands like Bella & Canvas, and Gildan for t-shirts and hoodies, and premium ceramic for mugs. If you have a specific blank preference for a custom order, just let me know during our brainstorm! 

Can I provide my own logo or artwork for a custom order?

Absolutely! If you already have a logo, family crest, or vector artwork ready to go, send it over during The Brainstorm. Just make sure it’s a high-resolution file (preferably a PNG with a transparent background, an SVG, or an AI file) so it prints beautifully. 

How should I care for/wash my custom apparel?

To keep your custom prints looking vibrant and crisp for years to come, I recommend washing apparel inside-out in cold water with like colors. Tumble dry on low heat, or air dry for the absolute best longevity. Avoid ironing directly on the printed design! 

What happens if my package is lost or stolen?

Once a package is handed over to the shipping carrier, it is unfortunately out of my hands. However, I want to make sure you get your gear! If your tracking information says "delivered" but you can't find it, please check with neighbors or your local post office first. If it is truly lost in transit, reach out to me within 14 days of the estimated delivery date, and I’ll work with the printers to see how we can help. 

How long does it take to get my gear?

Since I’m a one-person team and I work with professional external printers, you can usually expect your custom order to hit your doorstep within 7–12 business days after we finalize the design.

I’ll keep you updated every step of the way! Just a heads-up: during busy holiday seasons or if bad weather hits the shipping routes, things might take a little longer. I always recommend ordering a bit early if you have a specific deadline or event in mind!

"Can I place a rush order?" 

Because my printing partners operate on standard production schedules, I generally cannot guarantee overnight or rushed processing. The fastest way to get your gear is to respond quickly during our Polish design phase so we can hit print as soon as possible! 

Do you ship everywhere?

I currently ship anywhere in the U.S.! If you’re outside the States and really want something, hit me up on the Contact Page and I’ll see if we can make some "international magic" happen. 

What is your return policy?

Because custom gear is made specifically for you, I cannot accept returns or issue refunds for "change of mind," sizing issues, or completed design work. All payments made during the custom design and production process are final and non-refundable. Since I don’t keep an inventory of pre-made items, I always recommend double-checking the size charts before we hit print!

However, I want you to have a product you're proud to wear. If your gear arrives physically damaged or there’s a clear printing error caused by the manufacturer:

1. Snap a few photos and a video of the issue (this helps me show my printing partners what went wrong).

2. Reach out to me within 7 days of delivery at kc.custom.merch@gmail.com, (515) 337-2987, or @kc_custom_merch on Instagram.

I’ll work closely with my printers to make it right, whether that’s a replacement or a fix. Your satisfaction is my top priority!

Can you design or print something with a famous logo, character, or band on it?

To respect artists and copyright laws, I cannot create or print designs using trademarked logos, professional sports teams, famous characters, or copyrighted artwork unless you own the official commercial rights to them. Let's work together to create something 100% custom, original, and uniquely yours instead! 

Once I pay the design fee, do I get the digital art file to use elsewhere?

The custom design fee covers my time, creative labor, and the setup required to format the artwork specifically for your physical merch items. It does not include the purchase of the raw digital design file or commercial licensing rights. If you are interested in purchasing the high-resolution digital file for your own personal or business use outside of this shop, let me know during our brainstorm and we can discuss a digital buyout quote! 

Can I purchase the high-resolution digital file of my custom design? 

Yes! While my standard design fees only cover formatting artwork for products printed through my shop, you can absolutely purchase the digital files for outside use.

• Personal Use Digital File: $30 (Best for personal social media, digital keepsakes, or personal projects).

• Commercial & Business Logo Use: Starting at $100+ (Includes high-resolution master files and full commercial licensing rights to use the artwork for business branding, advertising, or outside product printing).

Can I change my shipping address after I approve the design?

If you need to update your shipping address, please let me know before you pay the final product invoice! Once that final invoice is paid and the order is sent to my professional printing partners, the shipping details are locked in and cannot be changed. 

What if I change my mind and want to cancel my custom order halfway through? 

I understand plans change! You can choose to cancel your project at any point before approving the final design. However, please remember that the upfront design fee (Invoice 1) is completely non-refundable as it covers the creative labor and time already spent on your drafts.

If you choose to cancel, the project will be closed, the physical product will not be printed, and digital art files will not be released.

What happens if I need to pause our project, or if I get too busy to reply?

I totally get that life happens! However, to keep my production schedule running smoothly for everyone, custom projects must be completed within 30 days of receiving your initial design draft. If a project is left inactive or unanswered on your end for more than 30 days, the project will automatically be closed. If you want to restart the project at a later date, a new design fee will be required to get back on my schedule.

If you know you’re going to be away or need a temporary pause, just give me a heads-up during The Brainstorm or The Polish phases so we can plan around it!