I started working in this shop the summer after graduating Washington State University in 1996. My father, Jim Mickelson, had been running Northwest Embroidery since 1977, and I figured I’d help out for a few months before figuring out what I actually wanted to do. That was 29 years ago. I’m still here.
Today I run production operations for Northwest Custom Apparel in Milton, Washington. I manage our Tajima TMAR-KC 8-head embroidery machines, our Kornit direct-to-garment printers, and our screen printing line. I also handle the technical side of what we do: logo digitizing, color separation, file prep, and helping clients figure out which decoration method actually makes sense for their order — not just the one that makes us the most money.
I started the Apparel Graphic Academy because I got tired of seeing businesses waste money on printing methods that didn’t fit their fabric or their use case. Most shops will sell you whatever they have. I think you should get what you actually need.
When I’m not debugging a stitch file or calibrating a DTG print head, I’m usually explaining to someone why their JPEG logo won’t work for embroidery, or why polyester needs DTF instead of DTG. I don’t mind. I’d rather answer it once here than have someone order 500 shirts that peel after three washes.
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Embroidery Digitizing & Production | Tajima TMAR-KC 8-head, 1,100 RPM, 15 needles per head. I handle complex left-chest logos, full-back designs, and cap cylinder framing. |
| Screen Printing Operations | Plastisol and water-based ink systems. ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 certified Hi-Vis safety shirt decoration. |
| DTG & DTF Production | Kornit direct-to-garment printers. DTF heat transfer for polyester, nylon, spandex, and blends. |
| Technical Consultation | File prep, color matching, garment selection, method recommendation based on fabric type and order volume. |
| Client Education | Apparel Graphic Academy — training clients and internal staff on decoration technology and best practices. |
I write because most “custom apparel advice” online is written by marketers who’ve never stood in front of a heat press. I’ve seen what happens when a construction company orders screen-printed polyester performance shirts (they crack). I’ve seen what happens when someone sends a 72-dpi screenshot for embroidery (it looks like a blob). I write so you don’t have to learn those lessons the expensive way.
Every article here is based on something I’ve actually handled in production. If I recommend a method, it’s because I’ve run it on our equipment. If I warn against something, it’s because I’ve had to fix the result.
Northwest Custom Apparel has operated from Milton, Washington since 1977. We’re a family-owned decoration shop producing custom embroidery, screen printing, DTG printing, DTF printing, laser engraving, and promotional products — all in-house, no outsourcing. We serve construction companies, schools, corporate uniform programs, and local businesses across the Pacific Northwest. 185 verified Google reviews. 47 years in business.
