Overview & Specifications
What Are Custom Garment Sleeves?
Custom garment sleeves wrap a folded garment with a printed band or sleeve. They keep the fold in place and carry the brand, while a partial band leaves most of the fabric visible. They are retail presentation, not shipping packaging.
Custom Garment Sleeves sit in the Custom Sleeves range and under Apparel & Fashion Packaging.
What it has to do
What Folded Garments Need from a Sleeve
A garment sleeve has to fit the fold, keep it in place, show or cover the fabric on purpose and carry size and care copy. Each need below is matched to the option that meets it.
01
Fit
A Fit to the Fold
The sleeve is sized to the folded garment's width, length and thickness. Several sizes share one sleeve only where the folded dimensions match.02
Keeping
Keeping the Fold
A band around the middle holds the fold for display and stacking.03
Fabric
Fabric On Show or Covered
A partial band leaves fabric visible; a full sleeve covers more of the garment.04
Size
Size and Care Copy
Size, fit, fabric and care notes go on the band panels.
Garment Sleeves vs Shirt Boxes
Choose a garment sleeve to band a folded item and show the fabric, and a shirt box to enclose it. The table compares the two.
| Attribute | Garment Sleeve | Custom Shirt Box |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Band or partial sleeve | Fully enclosed |
| Fabric visible | Yes, by design | Only through a window |
| Protection | Light surface coverage | Box encloses the garment |
| Best for | Shelf stacks, gift add-ons | Gifts, retail boxes |
Custom Garment Sleeves Specifications
Custom Garment Sleeves are specified around the package, the board and the sleeve format. Review the specifications below to plan the sleeve.
| Specification | Available Configuration |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Apparel-focused sleeve or band |
| Category | Custom Sleeves |
| Structure | Partial band (Belly Band) or full sleeve, by approved format |
| Dimensions | Based on the folded garment dimensions |
| Board | Paper or paperboard from text weight up to about 18 pt for bands; approved garment-contact material |
| Add-ons | Die-cut window, tear strip or locking tab |
| Protection | Light surface coverage only |
| Print Coverage | Exterior only, or exterior and interior |
| Print Methods | Offset, digital, UV or screen printing; CMYK and Pantone spot colors |
| Coatings and Finishes | Matte, gloss or soft-touch lamination, aqueous coating, foil stamping, emboss/deboss, Spot UV and raised 3D UV |
| Starting Price | From $1.25 / unit; final price depends on size, board, print, finishes and quantity |
| Minimum Order | 500 units |
| Standard Production | 7 days from approved proof |
| Rush Production | Available on request |
| Shipping | Ships flat, USA and worldwide |
How Do You Size a Garment Sleeve?
Fold the garment as it will be sold and measure width, length and thickness at the band position. The final size is set on the approved dieline.
| Measurement | What to Record |
|---|---|
| Folded garment | Width, length and thickness |
| Band position | Where the band sits |
| Sizes | Which sizes share one sleeve |
| Copy | Size, fabric and care |
Fit a Sample on the Folded Garment
Fold the garment, slide the sample on and check that it holds the fold without creasing the fabric.
What to Check Before Bulk Production
Review a sample on the folded garment, printed with the final artwork. Record the approved size and band position on the signed-off sample.
| If the sample shows | Review before approval |
|---|---|
| Band slides off | Review size and board on a new sample |
| Band creases the fabric | Review width and board on a sample |
| Larger sizes do not fit | Add a second sleeve size |
| Care copy too small | Enlarge type or move panels |
Seven days covers standard production from approved proof once the specification is confirmed; delivery timing is confirmed separately.
