Mockup approval starts with the proof: a customer proof for custom apparel shows the art, size, placement, garment and colors so the buyer can approve the job in writing before screens, files or stitches are made, and that written approval is what locks the production file.

Rule: proof first, then produce

A customer proof shows the art, size, placement, garment and colors. Written approval locks the job before screens, files or stitches are made.

Part of the business and pricing guides in the DAX Learning Hub. For print-ready file formats and resolution, see Preparing Artwork for T Shirt Printing. For how approved jobs move across the floor, see Job Tickets and Shop Floor Flow.

Published by DAX (Decorated Apparel Expo) · Last updated: October 2026

This page owns the shop-side proof and approval conversation with the customer. It is not a software review, not a file prep tutorial and not legal advice about contracts.

What a Customer Proof Is (and What It Is Not)

A proof is a production preview the customer reviews before you burn screens, sew, or print. Trade and shop workflows treat it as a gate: production does not start until a named person approves a specific version.

A proof is not a casual sketch, not a stock photo of a blank shirt, and not payment alone. Opening an email or paying a deposit is not the same as approving the artwork. The proof also does not replace technical preflight of the print file; file prep stays on the artwork prep page linked above.

Mockup Approval: What Every Apparel Proof Should Show

Leave nothing open to guesswork. A clear apparel proof usually shows:

• Garment style and color by manufacturer style and color name, not only a mockup tint.
• Size run and quantities that match the quote and the job ticket.
• Every decoration position (front, back, sleeve and similar) with art for each side.
• Print or stitch size and placement, including measurements from seams or center when the shop uses them. For placement conventions, see T Shirt Print Placement Guide.
• Ink, thread or transfer colors named clearly. Screen color is not garment color; say so on the proof and point color-critical work to a sample when needed. See Color Matching for Apparel.
• Artwork version so an old file cannot approve a new one.
• Price, due date and fee notes that matter before sign-off, including rush or setup fees when they apply. See Setup, Rush and Minimum Fees.

How to Send and Get Approval on a Customer Proof

1. Confirm order details: garment style and color, size run, due date, decoration method and any imprint limits.
2. Build the proof with art, size, placement and garment views for every position on the order.
3. List ink, thread or transfer colors and state that on-screen color is a preview, not a press proof.
4. State what approval means: approve as shown, or request specific changes by a named deadline; production does not start without written confirmation.
5. Send the proof through one channel, log who received it and when, and chase unanswered proofs on a schedule the shop can keep.
6. Handle revisions as new versions. Keep prior versions for reference. Do not let an old link approve a new file.
7. Lock the approved file and version to the job ticket, then release production. Shop software can help with tracking; see Shop Management Software Questions for buying questions, not a brand matrix.

Approval Wording and Revision Rounds

Put approval wording on the proof itself. Common shop practice is to offer two clear actions: approve as shown, or request specific changes. Name who must approve, set a response window and say that production waits for written sign-off of the current version.

Revision rounds vary by shop and order type. Trade and decorator guidance often treats about two to three included rounds as a common practice range, then moves extra changes to a paid revision or re-quote. Put your included count in the estimate so the limit is not a surprise. This is shop policy, not a legal standard.

Changes After Approval: Who Pays and When

Once a version is approved, treat a change request as a change order. Pause production if work has not started, revise the proof, and get a new approval. If screens are burned, files are sewn, or blanks are already decorated, record the extra work separately and reconfirm cost and timing before continuing.

Shops that keep a timestamped record of who approved which version are better positioned when a customer disputes a finished order. That record is an operations tool, not legal advice.

Common Proofing Mistakes That Cause Reprints

• Sending a pretty mockup that omits size, placement or quantity.
• Letting email chatter approve a different version than the one on the ticket.
• Treating payment or an email open as artwork approval.
• Skipping the on-screen vs garment color caveat on color-critical jobs.
• Starting production while a revision is still open.
• Leaving file-format problems for the press when they belong in artwork prep.

Frequently Asked Questions About Customer Artwork Proofs (FAQ)

What is a mockup approval for a shirt order?

It is the customer's written sign-off on a proof that shows how the design will look on the garment, including size, placement and colors, before production starts.

What should a t shirt proof include?

Garment style and color, size run, every print or stitch position with dimensions and placement, named colors, an artwork version and clear approve or revise options.

What does subject to mockup approval mean?

It means the quote or order is not released to production until the customer approves the mockup or proof. Shops use the phrase to keep decoration work gated behind that sign-off.

How many proof revisions should a shop include?

Many shops include about two to three revision rounds in the base price, then charge or re-quote beyond that. Put the number in writing on the estimate. Incomplete briefs drive extra rounds more often than the proof process itself.

Can a customer change the order after approving the proof?

Yes, but treat it as a change order. Get a new proof and approval. If production has started, confirm added cost and timing before you continue.

Proof practices, revision counts and fee policies vary by shop. This page is workflow guidance, not legal advice. Confirm your terms with the customer in writing and follow your supplier and method specs for production.

More business and production guides live in the DAX Learning Hub. Compare workflows and tools in person on the DAX show schedule.