Best Ways to Customize Blank Dog Apparel: DTF, Sublimation, Embroidery & More
Choosing the right decoration method for blank dog apparel starts with one important thing: knowing your fabric.
Whether you use DTF transfers, sublimation, embroidery, heat-transfer vinyl, or screen printing, the fabric can make a big difference in your final result.
At Fetch Blanks, we want our blanks to be more than just a starting point. We want makers, small businesses, pet boutiques, and custom apparel brands to feel confident choosing the right blank for the way they create.
In this guide, we'll walk through some of the most popular ways to customize blank dog clothing and explain which methods may work best with Fetch Blanks styles.
Start With the Fabric
Most Fetch Blanks tees, dresses, and cotton/poly hoodies are made from a 65% cotton / 35% polyester blend.
Our Performance Blank Dog Hoodie is different. It is made from 100% polyester with a soft brushed interior.
Why does that matter?
Some decorating methods, such as DTF and embroidery, are flexible enough to work with many fabric types. Others, especially traditional sublimation, depend much more heavily on fiber content and garment color.
Our blanks are also tag-free and feature a smooth exterior surface, giving makers a clean area to work with when applying transfers, vinyl, embroidery, and other decoration methods.
1. DTF Transfers
Best all-around option for Fetch Blanks
Direct-to-film, or DTF, has become a favorite among custom apparel businesses because of its versatility.
Unlike sublimation, DTF does not rely on the polyester content of the garment to create the design. The transfer is applied to the surface of the fabric, which makes DTF a great option for cotton/poly blends as well as polyester garments.
DTF works well for:
- Blank dog tees
- Blank dog dresses
- Cotton/poly dog hoodies
- Performance polyester hoodies
- Light and dark garment colors
- Full-color artwork
- Small-batch and made-to-order businesses
DTF is especially helpful if you want to offer colorful designs on black, navy, red, or other darker blanks.
One of the biggest advantages is flexibility. You can order transfers from a DTF supplier without investing in your own DTF printer, making this a practical option for newer businesses and small-batch creators.
A few DTF tips
Always follow the pressing instructions provided by your transfer supplier. Temperature, pressure, pressing time, peeling method, and repressing instructions can vary from one transfer manufacturer to another.
For small dog garments, use a firm, flat pressing surface whenever possible. Seams, hoods, and padded areas can interfere with even pressure.
We also recommend testing a transfer on a sample before producing a larger batch.
2. Sublimation
Best for light-colored polyester garments
Sublimation can produce beautiful, vibrant designs, but fabric content matters much more with this method.
Traditional sublimation works best on garments with a high polyester content, especially white or light-colored polyester.
That makes the Fetch Blanks Performance Hoodie, which is 100% polyester, the strongest option in our collection for traditional sublimation.
Best choice for traditional sublimation:
Performance Blank Dog Hoodie in white or another light color
Sublimation ink becomes part of the polyester fibers instead of sitting on top of the garment. This gives sublimated designs their lightweight feel and excellent durability.
Garment color matters, though.
Traditional sublimation ink is transparent and does not print white. A white or very light polyester garment allows the colors in your design to show more accurately. As the garment color gets darker, the base fabric can change or overpower the colors in the design.
What about our 65/35 blends?
A 65% cotton / 35% polyester garment has much less polyester available for traditional sublimation ink to bond with.
That does not necessarily mean you cannot experiment with it. Some makers intentionally use lower-polyester blends to create a softer, faded, or vintage-style result.
However, if your goal is bright, saturated, consistent color, our 65/35 tees, dresses, and cotton/poly hoodies would not be our first recommendation for traditional sublimation.
There are also specialty decorating systems and products designed to expand what can be decorated beyond traditional polyester sublimation. If you use one of those systems, follow the recommendations from that manufacturer.
3. Embroidery
Excellent for a polished, boutique-style finish
Embroidery can give blank dog apparel a premium look and works especially well for logos, names, monograms, small graphics, and boutique branding.
Embroidery is an excellent decorating option for both our cotton/poly blends and polyester styles.
Embroidery works well for:
- Business and boutique logos
- Pet names
- Monograms
- Small chest designs
- Back designs
- Minimal branded collections
Because pet apparel is much smaller than human apparel, design size and placement become especially important.
A design that works beautifully on a medium or large dog hoodie may be too dense for an XS garment.
For smaller sizes, you may need to reduce the design size or stitch density to avoid puckering or distorting the garment.
Don't forget stabilizer
Choosing the right backing or stabilizer is important when embroidering stretchy or knit fabrics.
The stabilizer helps support the material while the design is being stitched and can reduce shifting, stretching, and puckering.
If you outsource your embroidery, let your embroidery professional know the garment's fabric composition and size before production.
And, as always, test before committing to a larger run.
4. Heat-Transfer Vinyl
A great choice for makers, personalization, and small batches
Heat-transfer vinyl, commonly called HTV, is another popular choice for decorating dog apparel.
HTV is especially useful for:
- Names
- Numbers
- Simple logos
- One-color designs
- Small-batch collections
- Personalized dog clothing
Because HTV sits on the surface of the fabric, it can work on both cotton/poly blends and polyester garments when you choose a vinyl made for the material you are decorating.
Working with polyester
When decorating polyester, pay close attention to the recommendations from your vinyl manufacturer.
Some polyester garments can be sensitive to higher heat, and certain colors may be more susceptible to dye migration.
Look for vinyl that your manufacturer specifically recommends for polyester or lower-temperature applications when appropriate.
For our cotton/poly styles, choose an HTV compatible with cotton/polyester blends and follow the vinyl manufacturer's application instructions.
5. Screen Printing
A strong option for larger production runs
Screen printing can be a great choice for businesses producing larger quantities of the same design.
Once the screens are set up, screen printing can be very efficient for repeating the same artwork across multiple garments.
It can work especially well for:
- Wholesale collections
- Boutique launches
- Event merchandise
- Business logos
- Larger production runs
- Simple artwork with fewer colors
However, dog clothing introduces one challenge that does not exist to the same degree with standard adult T-shirts: size.
XS and small pet garments provide much less printable space and may require specialized platens or equipment.
If you're working with a screen-printing company, we recommend giving them the actual garment or a sample before placing a large production order.
For polyester garments, your printer may also need inks and curing methods designed to reduce dye migration. Your screen printer or ink supplier can determine the best process for their equipment.
Quick-Reference Decoration Guide
Not sure which decorating method to choose? Use this quick guide as a starting point.
| Decoration Method | 65/35 Tees & Dresses | 65/35 Cotton/Poly Hoodies | 100% Polyester Performance Hoodie | Works on Dark Colors? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTF Transfers | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Yes | Full-color designs, small batches, makers and custom apparel businesses |
| Traditional Sublimation | Limited / softer results | Limited / softer results | Best on white or light colors | No | Vibrant full-color designs on light polyester |
| Embroidery | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Yes | Logos, names, monograms and premium boutique branding |
| HTV | Excellent | Excellent | Good with polyester-compatible HTV | Yes | Names, personalization, simple graphics and small batches |
| Screen Printing | Good | Good | Good with the appropriate ink and process | Yes, with proper ink/setup | Larger runs and repeated designs |
The easiest place to start
If you're new to decorating blank dog apparel, DTF is one of the most versatile options because it works with all Fetch Blanks fabric types and can be used on both light and dark colors.
For traditional sublimation, choose the 100% polyester Performance Hoodie in white or a light color for the strongest results.
Whatever method you choose, always test your materials and equipment on a sample before moving into full production.
Always Test Before You Produce
No matter which decorating method you choose, testing is one of the most important steps.
Two businesses can use the same type of transfer and still get different results because of differences in heat presses, pressure, transfer brands, inks, vinyl, embroidery settings, and other equipment.
Before producing a full collection, we recommend:
- Test one blank. Make sure your design, placement, and decoration method work with the garment.
- Check the finished surface. Look for good adhesion, clean edges, accurate color, puckering, scorching, or other issues.
- Wash your sample. Follow the garment care instructions and check the design again after washing.
- Keep notes. Once you find settings and supplies that work well with your equipment, save them for future production.
Testing a sample first can save you time, product, and frustration later.
Caring for Decorated Fetch Blanks
Our general care recommendations for Fetch Blanks apparel are:
- Machine wash cold
- Tumble dry low
- Do not bleach
Your decoration method may have additional care requirements.
For example, your DTF or HTV supplier may recommend washing the garment inside out or waiting a certain amount of time before the first wash.
Always follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer of the decorating product you use.
If you sell finished apparel to your own customers, consider including care instructions with every order.
Which Fetch Blank Is Right for Your Business?
Not sure where to start?
Here are a few simple ways to narrow it down.
Want the most decorating flexibility?
Start with one of our blank dog tees, dresses, or hoodies and DTF transfers.
DTF gives you plenty of freedom with garment color and artwork and works well for businesses producing one piece at a time.
Want to create traditional sublimation designs?
Start with the Performance Blank Dog Hoodie in white or a light color.
Its 100% polyester fabric makes it the strongest choice in the Fetch Blanks collection for traditional sublimation.
Want a premium boutique look?
Try embroidery on one of our blank dog hoodies, tees, or dresses.
A small embroidered logo, monogram, pet name, or design can transform a blank into a polished boutique product.
Creating personalized pieces?
HTV is a practical choice for names, numbers, simple sayings, and smaller custom orders.
Preparing for a larger production run?
Talk with your screen printer or professional decorator about testing one of our garments with their equipment before committing to production.
Build Your Collection Your Way
There is no single "best" decorating method for every business.
The best method is the one that fits your products, your equipment, your designs, and the experience you want to give your customers.
That is exactly why we offer blanks.
Fetch Blanks gives makers, pet boutiques, small businesses, and custom apparel brands a starting point so you can turn our blanks into something that feels completely your own.
Whether you're creating your first personalized dog shirt, building a seasonal collection, or preparing a larger wholesale launch, start with the blank that works best for your decorating method and always test before scaling.
Ready to create? Explore Fetch Blanks dog tees, dresses, hoodies, sample options, and bulk ordering for your next collection.