The DAX Learning Hub is a practical resource for screen printers, embroiderers, DTF shops, apparel decorators, and anyone building a custom apparel business.

Explore straightforward guides on screen printing, embroidery, direct-to-film (DTF) printing, heat printing, production workflows, pricing, equipment, supplies, troubleshooting, and shop management.

Whether you're starting a decorated apparel business or looking to improve an established operation, our goal is to provide useful information that helps you produce better work, make smarter buying decisions, and run a more profitable shop.

Pricing  Troubleshooting  Production  Buying criteria

Custom Apparel Pricing Guides

How to Price Custom Apparel Jobs for Profit
Cost formulas, margin, setup, spoilage, and rush pricing for screen, DTF, and embroidery.

Screen Printing vs DTF Pricing for Small Runs
Setup breakpoints, quote language, and when each cost curve wins.

How to Price Setup Fees, Rush Orders, and Minimums
Amortize setup, set rush rules in writing, and use minimums without guessing at fixed fee gospel.

Apparel Decoration Troubleshooting

DTF Transfers Cracking or Peeling After Wash
Diagnostic order: cure, then powder, press, and garment.

Embroidery Puckering on Tees and Polos
Diagnose stabilizer, hooping, and digitizing before changing machine settings.

Heat Transfers Not Sticking or Peeling: Causes and Fixes
Time, temp, pressure, peel, and substrate checks for HTV and heat transfers (not the DTF wash diagnostic).

Apparel Decoration Production & Shop Workflow

Blank Inventory and Sizing
Organize blanks by size and color, run cycle counts, and pull orders without overselling.

Job Tickets and Shop Floor Flow
From order in to packed box: tickets, stages, handoffs, and remake prevention.

First Hire SOPs: From Solo Shop to One Employee
What to document before your first hire so prep, pack, QC, and handoffs survive without you on every call.

Buying Criteria for Apparel Decoration Equipment & Supplies

What to Know Before You Buy a DTF Printer
Buyer questions on throughput, white ink, consumables, footprint, RIP, and warranty before you commit.

What to Ask a Shop Management Software Provider
RFP-style questions on workflow fit, total cost, onboarding, integrations, support, and data export.

What to Know Before You Buy an Embroidery Machine
Buyer questions on heads, fields, tubular vs flat, training, warranty, and digitizing before you commit.

At the show

See equipment, blanks, and consumables in person, and ask suppliers the process questions these guides raise. Check 2027 cities and dates on the DAX show schedule.