Custom socks are one of the best holiday gifts for 2024.
If you don’t know what to gift anyone this holiday season, go with some custom printed socks to fill their stockings with. Socks are never going out of style, and everyone needs a pair or two.
Socks are an evergreen gift, and you can give socks to almost everyone in your address book without offending anyone! Custom socks can be stylish, quirky, funny, or cute.
They’re also affordable and quick to source if you choose the best custom socks company.
But how do you know you’re choosing a good print-on-demand company for socks?
There are many print-on-demand companies, but they can’t all be the best one.
Here’s how to choose the best custom socks company, including how to know which companies use the best quality textiles and safe, durable dye.
High-Quality Textiles
The best custom socks companies use high-quality textiles to make their products. High-quality textiles give you the lasting guarantee of a perfect pair of socks. Superior materials produce a pair of socks that lasts longer, and won’t deteriorate as fast compared to something cheaper.
However, cheaper companies cut corners—and cheaper products inevitably mean using cheaper materials that simply haven’t been quality checked.
A print-on-demand company should be able to tell you exactly what type of textiles they use.
If they don’t have a plain explanation of what type of materials they’re using on their website, you can guess they’re using lower quality materials.
Safe, Durable Dye
It’s not just about what kind of materials the company uses for their products. A reliable print-on-demand company for socks should also be able to guarantee that they’re using safe and durable dye.
Cheaper dyes can stain other clothing, and might be toxic or harmful. Good quality dyes won’t fade, tarnish, or harm the wearer or environment.
Always make sure your custom sock printer guarantees safe, durable dye.
The Online Sock Creator
Most print-on-demand companies have a tool that allows you to create a design or mock-up. However, not every company has a tool that’s easy (or comfortable) to use and navigate.
A company that makes their online tool easier to use, might be more likely to focus on good customer experience in the other aspects of their business.
If you’re struggling to navigate their website, however, consider choosing a print-on-demand company with better online visualization tools.
Accurate, Quality Printing
Accurate, quality printing sets quality print-on-demand companies apart from everyone else. Customers are looking for companies that produce exactly what they’re looking for—no flaws, no mistakes, and no misspellings.
Companies cutting corners might send out 500 socks with a misspelled name… And their customers unfortunately pay for these mistakes!
Sometimes it gets worse, and misspellings or formatting mistakes turn into memes that are famous forever—for being wrong!
Choose a reliable print-on-demand company for your custom socks. You’ll be more assured of accurate, quality printing by the end product.
Materials Made to Last
Custom socks are supposed to last for a long time.
However, there are many print-on-demand companies pushing out lower quality products. These create products that won’t last as long, and by next year they’ll be part of a garbage heap.
Make sure that your chosen company uses materials made to last.
Cotton isn’t the only answer, and various poly-blends can also make a quality pair of socks. However, always check if your company says what material they’re using.
The Company’s Carbon Footprint
Custom socks are also about the company’s carbon footprint—no pun intended!
Companies who don’t measure or control their carbon footprint do a lot of environmental damage. Companies who lessen their impact are better for the environment, and ranked as more responsible overall.
Can you tell whether your print-on-demand company commits to environmental responsibility?
If this information isn’t on their website, you have the right to ask.
Several Colors
The best print-on-demand companies have a range of options when it comes to colors. Socks don’t just come in white or black!
Look for companies that offer a wide variety of different colors. Some might even branch into blue or pink—because that’s how people work!
Not everyone looks good in green socks, but it works great for someone else.
Make sure that your print-on-demand provider has the diversity you’d like to see. Otherwise, you’re going to be stuck with one-color socks.
Good Reviews
Reviews can tell you a lot of things about a company, and how happy their customers have been with their service. Make sure you take a thorough look at a company’s reviews—and if they’re consistently rated lower, dig around for the reasons.
You’re looking for good reviews that can show you high-quality products, happy customers, and quick delivery. If you can’t source any good reviews for a print-on-demand company, avoid using them!
Order Fulfillment Speed
How long does your chosen custom sock company take to create a finished product? Nobody wants the answer to be waiting for several weeks or months—and the best custom sock companies can deliver in 48 hours or less.
Order fulfillment speed separates good companies from average ones, especially for last-minute orders or holiday rushes.
Before settling on a custom print-on-demand provider, make sure they can deliver on their promises as fast as their website claims.
Reviews are a good way to find out if a company delivers as fast as they claim to.
Affordable and Worldwide Delivery
Make sure your custom socks can be delivered anywhere in the world, or at least to your chosen state. This depends on the print-on-demand company, but also on the carrier they use—and yes, you’re allowed to ask for more information about delivery before ordering.
Print-on-demand companies can produce custom socks at affordable prices. However, you have to make sure that they’re also able to ship these at reasonable rates—some companies have lower manufacturing prices, but higher costs for shipping their products.
If you’ve come up with a great custom sock design, make sure the world gets to see it.