The Hidden Cost of Custom Gear: How Tariffs Could Impact Custom Apparel in 2025
In the world of custom apparel—where creativity meets logistics—the cost of doing business is about more than ink, thread, and fabric. As global trade policies shift, tariffs are becoming a growing concern for U.S.-based decorators, suppliers, and end customers alike. For companies like Kanaley Creations, which rely on premium apparel brands and overseas manufacturing pipelines, understanding the implications of tariffs is crucial to staying competitive and transparent with clients.
What Are Tariffs?
Tariffs are taxes placed on imported goods. Governments use them to regulate trade, protect domestic industries, or as leverage in trade negotiations. While tariffs can help boost local manufacturing, they often lead to higher costs for import-dependent industries—like apparel decoration.
How Tariffs Could Affect the Custom Apparel Industry
1. Increased Cost of Blanks and Raw Materials
Many of the blank garments used for custom printing and embroidery—like T-shirts, hoodies, and hats—are manufactured overseas. If tariffs are applied to countries like China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, or Mexico, suppliers may pass those costs downstream:
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Cotton and polyester blend tees could rise 10–25% in cost
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Brand-name gear (like Nike, New Era, and Under Armour) may see price hikes
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Supply chain disruptions could create limited availability or longer lead times
2. Reduced Margins for Decorators
Tariff-induced price increases may force decorators to make tough decisions:
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Absorb the cost and shrink profit margins
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Raise prices and risk losing price-sensitive customers
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Seek alternative products or suppliers, often with lower quality or reliability
3. Shifts in Consumer Behavior
As retail pricing climbs, end customers—sports teams, corporate buyers, schools—may cut back on quantity or quality, opting for simpler products or more budget-friendly decoration methods. The premium embroidered hoodie might get swapped for a single-color screen-printed tee.
4. Unpredictable Quoting and Budgeting
For teams, leagues, or businesses ordering custom apparel months in advance, volatile pricing due to tariff announcements could make budgeting a challenge. Decorators may need to revise quotes mid-season or build in contingency pricing to protect against sudden spikes.
How Kanaley Creations Is Preparing
At Kanaley Creations, we’re actively:
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Monitoring supplier communications to anticipate cost changes
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Diversifying our product catalog to include both domestic and tariff-exempt options
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Offering early ordering incentives so clients can lock in pricing ahead of seasonal increases
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Working with trusted brands that have U.S. warehousing and production flexibility
What Can Customers Do?
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Order early – Lock in pricing before any tariff-driven increases occur.
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Stay flexible – If needed, be open to alternate brands or decoration styles that achieve a similar look at a better value.
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Communicate your needs – Let us know your goals so we can build the best package within your budget.
Final Thought:
Tariffs may be out of our hands, but transparency, preparedness, and smart sourcing can help reduce their impact. Kanaley Creations remains committed to delivering high-quality custom apparel—on time, on trend, and on budget—even as the global trade landscape evolves.