What If Something Is Wrong With My Custom T-Shirt Order?

Something wrong with your custom T-shirt, embroidered hat, sweatshirt, or other personalized apparel order? At Bolt Printing, we stand behind the products we make, and we want you to be happy with your purchase.

Because every order is custom printed or embroidered specifically for you, we don't accept traditional returns for most custom apparel. However, if you receive an incorrect product, your order doesn't match your approved artwork proof, or there's a significant production defect, we're here to help.

What Is Bolt Printing's Return Policy for Custom T-Shirts?

Custom apparel is different from ordinary retail clothing. Each order is produced specifically for the customer using their selected garments, artwork, colors, and customization options.

For that reason, Bolt Printing generally cannot accept returns based on personal preferences, incorrect sizes selected during ordering, or changes of mind after receiving your products.

However, we stand behind our production quality. If we make a mistake or your finished apparel has a qualifying defect, we want to know about it.

Our goal is to review each eligible claim fairly and work toward an appropriate resolution.

What Problems Qualify for a Custom Apparel Return Claim?

If your custom T-shirts or embroidered products arrive with a significant issue, you may qualify to submit a return claim.

Qualifying problems include:

• Incorrect Products: You received the wrong garment style, color, or size compared with what you ordered.
• Artwork Doesn't Match Your Approved Proof: The finished printing or embroidery is different from the artwork proof you reviewed and approved.
• Significant Design Misalignment: Your printed or embroidered design is noticeably misplaced beyond our standard production tolerances.
• Major Visible Defects: Your apparel has a significant production defect that is clearly noticeable from a normal viewing distance of approximately 4 to 6 feet.

If your order has one of these issues, contact our claims team within the required timeframe so we can review the problem.

What Doesn't Qualify for a Custom T-Shirt Return?

Because Bolt Printing produces custom apparel specifically for each order, some issues aren't eligible for returns.

Examples of non-qualifying issues include:

• Incorrect Sizes Selected During Ordering: If the sizes delivered match the sizes you ordered, they aren't eligible for return simply because the garments don't fit as expected.
• Changes in Personal Preference: Not liking the garment color, fabric, fit, style, or print appearance after receiving the order.
• Minor Placement Variations: Small differences in artwork positioning that fall within our accepted production tolerances.
• Minor Close-Up Imperfections: Small details that aren't noticeable when the garment is worn and viewed from a normal distance.

We strongly recommend reviewing the product's size chart, garment specifications, and artwork proof before completing your custom apparel order.

What Are Bolt Printing's Standard Printing and Embroidery Tolerances?

Custom screen printing and embroidery involve normal production variations. Small differences in artwork placement can occur during the decoration process.

Bolt Printing's standard placement tolerances are:

• Custom T-Shirts: Artwork placement may vary by approximately ±0.5 inches.
• Embroidered Hats: Decoration placement may vary by approximately ±0.25 inches.

Minor placement differences within these tolerances are generally considered acceptable.

We also evaluate visible decoration quality using the principle of commercial acceptability. This means considering how the finished product looks when worn and viewed from a normal distance of approximately 4 to 6 feet.

If your printing or embroidery is significantly misaligned or has a major visible defect, you can submit a claim for review.

How Do I Submit a Return or Printing Defect Claim?

If something is wrong with your custom apparel order, submitting a claim is straightforward.

Follow these steps:

1. Find Your Order Number: Locate the order number from your original Bolt Printing confirmation email.
2. Take Clear Photos: Photograph the incorrect garment, printing problem, embroidery issue, or other defect.
3. Describe the Problem: Explain what is wrong with the product and how it differs from your order or approved artwork proof.
4. Submit Your Claim: Email the information to claims@boltprinting.com or use our online return claim form.

You can submit your information directly through our website:

Submit a Return Claim at Bolt Printing

Our team will review your claim and respond with the appropriate next steps.

What Happens After I Submit My Return Claim?

After submitting your claim, our team will review the information you've provided, including your order details, photographs, and description of the issue.

We'll evaluate the claim based on the original order, approved artwork proof, and applicable production quality standards.

Our claims team will respond with the next steps. If additional information is needed, we'll let you know.

We want every customer to feel confident ordering custom apparel from Bolt Printing, and we're committed to handling qualifying concerns fairly.

Can I Make Changes to My Custom T-Shirt Order After Checkout?

If you've already placed your custom apparel order and need to make changes, contact Bolt Printing as soon as possible.

Orders move through artwork preparation and production quickly, so your ability to make changes depends on how far your order has progressed.

If your order hasn't reached the art department or embroidery stitch-count process, our team can usually help review your requested changes.

Once those steps have begun:

• Changes may no longer be possible.
• If the requested changes can still be accommodated, a $15 change-order fee applies.
• Making changes may delay your original shipping date.

Call (888) 909-2658 or use Live Chat to discuss your request with our team.

Can I Cancel My Custom Apparel Order?

Order cancellations depend on whether production has started.

If production has not begun: You can request cancellation by calling Bolt Printing. A $15 cancellation fee applies.

If production has already begun: Your order cannot be canceled.

The cancellation fee is separate from the change-order fee discussed above. One applies to canceling an eligible order, while the other applies to qualifying changes during order processing.

To request cancellation, call (888) 909-2658 as soon as possible.

For complete cancellation details, visit our Custom T-Shirt Order Cancellation Policy.

How Can I Avoid Common Issues With My Custom Apparel Order?

Taking a few minutes to review your order details before checkout can help prevent common mistakes.

Before purchasing custom T-shirts or embroidered apparel, we recommend:

• Check Size Charts: Review the garment measurements to select the correct sizes.
• Review Product Details: Confirm the garment style, fabric, and available color options.
• Consider Ordering a Sample: A blank sample lets you examine the actual garment before placing a larger order.
• Double-Check Your Artwork Proof: Carefully review spelling, artwork placement, dimensions, and selected decoration colors.
• Verify Order Quantities: Make sure you've entered the correct number of items in each size.

If you're unfamiliar with a garment, our How to Order an Apparel Sample guide explains how to evaluate products before placing a bulk order.

You can also review our Artwork Proof Approval Guide to understand what to check before your design goes into production.