Custom Apparel Source

What Custom Apparel Source does

Custom Apparel Source (legal entity Auer Agency, LLC) is a US-based custom sports apparel designer and manufacturer founded in 2001 by Mariellen Auer, headquartered in Lake Wylie, South Carolina. The company provides end-to-end apparel production services spanning graphic and logo design, fabric and pattern sourcing, cut-and-sew manufacturing, and multiple decoration methods including dye sublimation printing, screen printing, direct-to-film (DTF), and embroidery. Its specialty is dye sublimation, where ink is transferred to fabric fibers at the molecular level, producing durable, full-coverage prints used for sports uniforms, corporate apparel, retail brand programs, and apparel-startup product launches.

The business operates across both private label (brand-exclusive manufacturing to client specs) and white label (pre-made blanks customized with logos) models, supplemented by paid Apparel Line Review consulting, free downloadable tools (Pantone charts, purchase order templates, print location guides), and a podcast aimed at apparel entrepreneurs. Manufacturing is executed through a network of in-house and partner production facilities located in the USA and overseas, supporting both small-batch minimums (12-72 pieces depending on service) and runs up to millions of units annually. Customization is fully configurable across fabric selection, labeling, packaging, and decoration method, with screen printing capacity exceeding 10,000 shirts per day.

The go-to-market is sales-led, combining a direct website quote-request funnel, a by-appointment showroom, paid consulting packages, and educational content marketing aimed at brand founders and sports programs. Pricing is quote-based across all service lines, with no public rate cards. The firm is privately held, bootstrapped with no disclosed institutional funding, operates with 1-10 employees, and serves a fragmented mix of apparel startups, sports teams, retail brands, corporate clients, hospitality businesses, and non-profits.

Name

Custom Apparel Source

Legal name

Auer Agency, LLC

Website

https://customapparelsource.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Custom Apparel Source is a US-based custom sports apparel designer and manufacturer serving apparel startups, sports teams, retail brands, and corporate clients with dye sublimation, screen printing, cut-and-sew manufacturing, and private label programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Apparel Manufacturing

NAICS

Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (3152), Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors (315210), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599), Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except Contractors) (31525)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Men's & Boys' Furnishgs, Work Clothg, & Allied Garments (2320)

akta.pro primary industry

Workwear, Uniforms & Safety Apparel Cut & Sew (IMAOAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Team & Promotional Apparel Cut & Sew (Screenprint/Embroidery-Ready) (IMAOAEAK), Workwear, Uniforms & Corporate Apparel Wholesale (CRAOADAF), Tops & Shirts Cut & Sew (T-Shirts/Shirts/Blouses) (IMAOAEAE)

Keywords

• Custom apparel manufacturing
• Sublimation printing services
• Cut and sew manufacturing
• Private label apparel
• Screen printing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Matthews

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Custom Sublimation Apparel: Design and manufacture of custom sublimated clothing including t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, cycling jerseys, shorts, joggers, socks, footwear, and accessories. Sublimation process allows unlimited colors and full-coverage prints.
2. Screen Printing Services: Contract and commercial screen printing services with capacity for large production runs. Uses eco-friendly squid ink with large capacity 18-station equipment.
3. Private Label Apparel: Exclusive production of custom branded apparel for client brands with full customization of fabric, cut, fit, labeling, and packaging. Clients control product specs, MOQs, branding, and pricing.
4. White Label Apparel: Sale of pre-made, unbranded blank garments that clients can customize with their branding. Faster, more budget-friendly option compared to private label.
5. Cut and Sew Manufacturing: Custom garment creation from client-chosen fabrics with complete customization. Includes pattern development, tech packs, sampling, and full-scale production in USA or overseas.
6. Creative Design Services: Logo design, branding strategy, t-shirt graphics, apparel mockups, and collection development. Also includes technical illustrations and collateral design.
7. Consulting Services: Apparel Line Review consulting packages, strategic planning, and guidance on branding, manufacturing decisions, and business setup for apparel startups.
8. Embroidery Services: Embroidery decoration services for hats and apparel with 12 piece minimum order quantities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Custom Apparel Source designs, manufactures, and decorates custom apparel end-to-end for businesses, with a specialty in dye sublimation apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, jerseys, shorts, socks, footwear, accessories). The company also delivers cut and sew manufacturing, screen printing, private label and white label apparel programs, direct-to-film (DTF) printing, embroidery, graphic design, and apparel start-up consulting, operating both US-based and overseas production capacity to scale from small runs to millions of units annually.

Product overview

Custom Apparel Source is a full-service custom apparel company operating as a single integrated platform offering design, manufacturing, and fulfillment services. The core offerings include Custom Sublimation Apparel (their specialty using dye sublimation technology), Cut and Sew Manufacturing, and Screen Printing services. Supporting services include Private Label and White Label apparel programs, Apparel Start-Up Services with a 7-phase process, Graphic Design Services, and Apparel Line Review consulting. The company also provides Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing and maintains an Organic and Sustainable Fabric Catalog featuring OEKO-TEX certified options. Free downloadable resources include Print Locations Guide, Pantone Color Chart, Roster Order Template, Apparel Purchase Order Template, and Sublimation Apparel Purchase Order Template. The product portfolio spans sublimated apparel, footwear, and accessories catalog with over 100 items.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Sublimated designs last as long as the t-shirt does because ink is embedded into fabric threads
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CustomInk: CustomInk is a large online platform for custom-decorated apparel (t-shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys, polos) serving groups, teams, businesses, and individuals. Directly comparable to CAS as a one-stop custom apparel and decoration provider for non-enterprise buyers.
• Printful: Printful is a print-on-demand and fulfillment platform serving apparel brands and creators with custom printing, embroidery, and warehousing. Directly comparable to CAS in offering custom decoration, private/white-label production, and design-to-fulfillment services for emerging brands.
• SquadLocker: SquadLocker is a team apparel and custom gear platform serving sports teams, schools, and groups with decorated uniforms and apparel. Comparable to CAS as a custom team/sports apparel provider offering design, decoration, and roster-based ordering.
• Underground Printing: Underground Printing is a custom apparel decorator and retailer (screen printing, embroidery, DTG) serving businesses, teams, and retail brands. Directly comparable to CAS in screen printing capacity and custom decoration for sports and corporate buyers.
• LogoSportswear: LogoSportswear is a custom apparel and team uniform specialist offering decorated apparel, custom team stores, and screen printing/embroidery services. Comparable to CAS as a custom team/sports apparel provider with decoration and private-label capabilities.
• Anthem Sports: Anthem Sports is a custom-decorated athletic apparel provider specializing in sublimated team uniforms for schools, clubs, and leagues. Closely comparable to CAS's custom sublimation apparel and team uniform business.
• Riot Industries: Riot Industries is a full-service cut-and-sew apparel manufacturer offering private label, screen printing, embroidery, and sublimation for brands and teams. Directly comparable to CAS as an integrated cut-and-sew + decoration manufacturer serving startups and sports brands.

Emerging players

• Boathouse Sports: Boathouse Sports designs and manufactures custom team apparel and athletic gear for rowing, rugby, and other sports. Comparable to CAS in custom cut-and-sew sports apparel manufacturing and team uniform supply.

Broad incumbents

• SanMar Corporation: SanMar is one of the largest apparel wholesalers and decorators in North America, supplying blank apparel, screen printing, and embroidery services to resellers. A broad incumbent comparable to CAS in apparel decoration and wholesale supply, though much larger.
• Alphabroder: Alphabroder (PRIMEDIA/Alpha Broder) is a leading wholesale apparel distributor serving the promotional products and decorated apparel industry. Broad incumbent comparable to CAS as a B2B apparel supplier serving decorators and brand buyers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cascoolapparel
• Facebookfacebook.com/customapparelsource
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/auer-agency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Custom Apparel Source