Custom Apparel Trends for 2026
The custom apparel industry moves fast. What sold like crazy in 2024 might feel stale in 2026. At French Press Custom, we track trends across thousands of orders — from streetwear brands to corporate clients to school organizations. Here is what we are seeing dominate in 2026.
1. Garment-Dyed Everything
The vintage, lived-in look shows no signs of slowing down. Comfort Colors continues to be the most requested blank brand for merch, events, and fashion labels.
What Is Trending
- Garment-dyed tees in muted earth tones (pepper, yam, moss, blue spruce)
- Discharge printing on garment-dyed fabrics for the softest possible hand feel
- Oversized, relaxed fits — the boxy look is in
- Faded, vintage-style graphics that look like they have been washed 100 times
Why It Works
The vintage aesthetic is inherently Instagram-friendly. It photographs well, looks effortlessly cool, and signals that the wearer has taste — not that they grabbed a free shirt at a trade show.
How to Implement
- Choose Comfort Colors 1717, Gildan Hammer, or similar garment-dyed blanks
- Use discharge ink for the softest print
- Design with a vintage aesthetic — hand-lettered typography, distressed textures, muted palettes
2. Puff Ink and Textured Prints
Flat prints are standard. Textured prints are premium. Puff ink — which creates a raised, foam-like surface — has become the go-to technique for streetwear and merch brands that want their designs to literally pop.
What Is Trending
- Puff ink on bold text and logos (raised 2-3mm off the garment)
- Combining puff with flat plastisol for contrast (puff text, flat graphic)
- High-density printing for a rubber-like raised texture with clean edges
- Suede and flocked effects for tactile variety
Why It Works
In a world of digital content, physical texture stands out. When someone picks up a shirt and feels a raised puff print, it creates a sensory connection that flat prints cannot match.
How to Implement
- Keep puff elements simple — bold text, thick outlines, icon shapes
- Use puff as an accent, not the entire design
- Budget for the $1.25-2.00 per piece upcharge
- Minimum order: same as standard screen printing (24+ pieces)
3. Heavyweight and Oversized Tees
The ultra-fitted, thin tee era is fading. 2026 is all about substantial, heavyweight, oversized garments.
What Is Trending
- 6+ oz heavyweight cotton tees (Comfort Colors 1717, Gildan Ultra Cotton)
- Drop-shoulder, oversized silhouettes
- Boxy fits that look intentional, not accidental
- Mock neck and heavyweight long sleeves
Why It Works
Heavyweight tees feel premium, drape better, and last longer. The oversized trend aligns with the broader Y2K-revival and streetwear aesthetics that continue to influence fashion.
Popular Heavyweight Blanks
- Comfort Colors 1717 (6.1 oz, garment-dyed)
- Shaka Wear Max Heavyweight (7.5 oz, boxy)
- Los Angeles Apparel 1801GD (6.5 oz, garment-dyed, made in USA)
- Gildan Hammer H000 (6.0 oz)
4. Sustainability-Forward Branding
Eco-consciousness is not just a niche — it is mainstream. Brands that communicate their sustainability practices are winning customer loyalty and premium pricing.
What Is Trending
- Organic cotton blanks (Bella+Canvas 3001ECO, allmade)
- Recycled polyester for performance wear
- Water-based and discharge inks (no PVC, no phthalates)
- Minimal packaging (recycled kraft, no plastic)
- Transparency messaging (printing methods, materials sourced listed on hang tags)
- Carbon-neutral shipping options
How to Implement
- Choose organic or recycled blanks (add $2-4 per piece)
- Request water-based or discharge printing
- Use biodegradable polybags instead of standard plastic
- Include sustainability messaging on your hang tags or website
- Document your supply chain for marketing content
5. DTF and Hybrid Methods
DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing has matured from a novelty into a production-ready method that is changing how small and medium orders are produced.
What Is Trending
- DTF for full-color designs on small runs (1-100 pieces)
- Hybrid orders: screen print the base + DTF for personalization
- DTF gang sheets: multiple designs printed on one sheet for maximum efficiency
- Pre-printed DTF transfers stored for on-demand application
Why It Matters
DTF fills the gap between screen printing (great for bulk, limited for small orders) and DTG (limited to cotton). It works on any fabric, has no minimums, and produces vibrant, durable prints.
Use Cases in 2026
- Testing new designs before committing to screens
- Personalized items (individual names, custom graphics)
- Polyester and performance fabric printing
- Rush orders where screen setup time is not available
6. Subtle and Tone-on-Tone Branding
The era of slapping a giant logo on everything is waning. Sophisticated brands are going subtle — and customers are responding.
What Is Trending
- Tone-on-tone printing (same color ink on same color garment)
- Small, minimal logos (left chest or back neck)
- Embroidered wordmarks in matching thread color
- Hidden details (inside collar print, under-brim embroidery)
- Debossed or embossed effects on heavyweight fabrics
Why It Works
Subtle branding feels exclusive and intentional. It says "if you know, you know" rather than screaming for attention. This approach works especially well for corporate apparel, premium merch, and lifestyle brands.
How to Implement
- Match your Pantone ink color to the garment color (e.g., navy ink on navy tee)
- Use embroidery with matching thread for texture without contrast
- Print small logos (2-3 inches) in single-color tone-on-tone
- Add hidden brand details as Easter eggs for loyal customers
7. Online Stores and Drop Culture
The pre-order and limited-drop model continues to replace traditional inventory ordering.
What Is Trending
- Time-limited merch drops (48-72 hour windows)
- Pre-order campaigns that eliminate inventory risk
- Seasonal collections released quarterly
- Online team and spirit wear stores for schools and organizations
- Customer-facing dashboards for corporate uniform ordering
Why It Works
Drops create urgency and FOMO. Pre-orders eliminate risk. Online stores reduce administrative burden. The combination of these models is becoming the standard for how brands sell custom apparel.
8. Athleisure and Performance Custom
The line between athletic wear and everyday wear continues to blur. Custom performance apparel is growing beyond sports teams into corporate, events, and lifestyle brands.
What Is Trending
- Sublimated performance tees (all-over prints on moisture-wicking polyester)
- Custom quarter-zips and pullover hoodies in performance fabrics
- Embroidered Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour blanks for corporate
- Matching sets (hoodie + jogger) in custom colorways
9. Nostalgia and Retro Aesthetics
Y2K, 90s, and 80s-inspired designs continue to dominate. Customers want apparel that feels like it has a story.
What Is Trending
- Retro sports-style typography and numbering
- Vintage band tee aesthetics for non-music brands
- Washed-out, sun-faded color palettes
- Thick, distressed outlines and weathered textures
- Throwback varsity lettering and arched text
How to Implement
- Use garment-dyed blanks in vintage colorways
- Design with intentional distressing (cracked, faded textures)
- Choose heavyweight blanks for that 90s thick-tee feel
- Discharge printing amplifies the vintage effect
10. Community-First Merch
The most successful merch in 2026 is not just branded — it is community-building. Apparel that makes the wearer feel like part of something is outselling generic branded products.
What Is Trending
- Hyper-local branding (city, neighborhood, street references)
- Member-exclusive drops (loyalty program merch, VIP items)
- Collaborative designs (artist x brand, customer-submitted art)
- Cause-related merch (portion of proceeds to local organizations)
Implementing 2026 Trends with French Press Custom
We stay ahead of these trends so our clients can too. Whether you want to launch a garment-dyed discharge collection, add puff ink accents to your merch, or set up a pre-order drop model — we have the equipment, expertise, and blank inventory to make it happen.
What is next for your brand? Call French Press Custom at (562) 758-5110 or submit a quote request to start planning your 2026 apparel.
