Custom Ink has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a T-shirt business started by a few college friends. There are over 40 Custom Ink showrooms today, and many small and large businesses rely on them for custom apparel and promotional products.
But Custom Ink has detractors as well as fans. Some former customers complain of quality issues, shipping delays, and customer service shortcomings. A growing number are looking for a Custom Ink alternative. We’re here to help you weigh your options.
Check out Diehard Custom if you’re in the market for custom items. Our expert designers offer free support throughout the design and production process, and our customer service is the best in the industry.
When you shop at Diehard Custom, you can choose between custom hats with logo, custom socks with logo, custom scarves with logo, custom towels, and a wide range of other promotional products. Choose the best alternative to Custom Ink – choose Diehard Custom!
What Does Custom Ink Have to Offer?
Custom Ink is most famous for its T-shirts, but it also offers other products, including:
- Hoodies
- Sweatshirts
- Business Apparel
- Pens
- Umbrellas
- Mugs
- Trade Show Signs
While Custom Ink maintains a strong industry presence, it has faced some bumps in its path. In January 2023 the company laid off over 330 workers as a cost-cutting measure.
Custom Ink outsources many of its projects to local printers to make up for the personnel shortages. This has resulted in frequent complaints of slipshod work, as many of their subcontractors are inexperienced with screen printing at larger scales.
Why Brands and Organizations Look For an Alternative to Custom Ink
Time is of the essence when you order custom apparel or promotional items. But many former customers report that they received damaged or unsatisfactory goods and had to wait for a new batch of items. Others expressed concerns about unresponsive or unhelpful customer service.
Here are some of the other reasons why former customers seek an alternative to Custom Ink.
Higher Quality and Premium Materials
Quality is important whether you’re selling or giving away apparel or promotional materials. Any shortcomings will reflect badly on your group since your name is emblazoned on the product. Many clients worry about Custom Ink’s spotty track record on quality issues.
Custom Ink sources most of its materials from a variety of wholesalers. Diehard Custom makes its items in house, and gets its materials from trusted, branded sellers. You always know what you’re getting when you shop at Diehard Custom, the best Custom Ink alternative.
Customization Options Beyond the Basics
While Custom Ink’s design lab is user-friendly and offers a selection of fonts and clipart, the company doesn’t offer much to clients who want something more intricate or who need help with creating their logo or design.
You’ll find a good variety of popular apparel items and promotional products. But if you’re looking for something outside that range, you’ll have to find a Custom Ink alternative. For example, you won’t find knitted logos at Custom Ink, nor will you find woven soccer scarves.
Flexibility With Low Minimums or Large Volume Orders
Custom Ink is one of the more expensive promotional products manufacturers in the industry. And while it offers large volume orders, it sends them out to subcontractors with varying degrees of skill. You pay more for lower-quality items.
Look for a promotional products company that’s set up to handle large and small orders in-house for a better alternative to Custom Ink. Smaller organizations should check pricing to make sure they offer low minimum orders at a reasonable price per item.
More Personal, Hands-On Support and Proofing
Support and proofing are major improvement areas for Custom Ink. Many former Custom Ink clients complain that customer service can be difficult to reach. When you finally get them on the phone, they are uninformed about even simple questions.
Logo design is complicated, but Custom Ink offers little hands-on support for clients. And once they create their design, Custom Ink clients often get items that don’t live up to their expectations. You’ll find recurring complaints about blurred prints and inaccurate colors.
What’s the Best Custom Ink Alternative in 2025?
If you’re dissatisfied with your Custom Ink projects or leery of placing an order with them, you need to find another custom apparel and promotional products manufacturer. But how do you choose the right Custom Ink alternative with so many companies to choose from?
Here are some of the most highly regarded companies in the custom promotional products business to help you make the right decision.
Diehard Custom
The choice is clear if you want the best alternative to Custom Ink. Diehard Custom handles orders of all sizes. Our clients range from school clubs to large corporations, and we give each order our full attention no matter how small.
You’ll find all types of socks, scarves, golf accessories, towels, pins, blankets and more. You don’t have to choose between hat vs beanie because we offer both. And you don’t have to worry about excess items, because we offer low MOQs for smaller buyers.
We craft many of our items in-house, and we only source blanks from trusted companies like Carhartt and Nike. You don’t have to worry about shirts that fall apart in the wash or blurry prints.
Our customer service agents remember your name and treat you with respect. They keep you informed throughout the whole order process, from the initial quote to designing and shipping your items. And if any problems arise, we guarantee that we will make it right.
4Imprint
4Imprint is North America’s biggest supplier of customized goods. They offer everything from customized apparel to pens, drinkware, and trade show displays.
Quite a few organizations have turned to 4Imprint after a bad experience with Custom Ink. But, at the same time, more people are looking for 4Imprint alternatives every day.
Common 4Imprint complaints include badly reproduced logos, high prices, late deliveries, and poor customer service. And high minimum orders mean many 4Imprint customers wind up with more promotional items than they need.
Vistaprint
Vistaprint is most famous for its stationery, posters, and business cards. It also offers online design tools and templates that let you create striking graphics. While they offer a selection of clothing and bags, Vistaprint is best for paper products orders.
Many reviews note print issues with Vistaprint’s custom clothing, and complain about low-quality shirts and bags. While Vistaprint is a good choice if you need custom stationery or beautiful business cards, it’s not a suitable Custom Ink alternative for those looking for other items.
Printful
Printful offers print-on-demand services for e-commerce businesses. They can print on clothing, bags, mugs, phone cases, blankets, and more.
Printful puts your design on the products you choose, then pack and ship orders to your customers. You can choose between printed and embroidered options, and their worldwide fulfillment centers let you sell internationally.
Many e-commerce sellers appreciate how Printful lets them run their operation without holding inventory. But there are many complaints about off-centered logos, sizing issues, and refund refusals.
Zazzle
Zazzle is a print-on-demand marketplace for creators who want to sell their designs online. Over 30 million prospective buyers per year come to the site looking for artisan-made items. Many e-commerce sellers get their start on Zazzle with items ranging from apparel to home decoration and stationery.
While Zazzle and Printful are good choices for sellers, neither is really a suitable alternative to Custom Ink for businesses looking for branded apparel or promotional products. You need a supplier who specializes in promotional products, not a print-on-demand service.
Closing Thoughts on Custom Ink Alternatives
There are many Custom Ink alternatives. But for the best service and the best products, choose Diehard Custom.
Many custom product companies outsource their work to foreign manufacturers or local subcontractors. We handle every job in-house. And our friendly customer service agents remember your name and are happy to answer all your questions.
We make sure your final product lives up to your expectations, and if they don’t we guarantee we’ll make things right. Your promotional products are a reflection of your group. Make sure they’re the best – count on Diehard Custom.
