Custom Athletic Apparel: How Tomboy Athletic Club Found Their Print Partner
Two soccer players who once faced off on opposing Florida high school teams now run one of New York's freshest streetwear brands together. Erin Gross and Katie Im went from fierce competitors to business partners, launching Tomboy Athletic Club in 2024 with a vision that goes way beyond typical athletic apparel.
Their story proves that sometimes your biggest rival can become your strongest ally. After reconnecting at Davidson College, these former opponents discovered they shared more than just athletic talent. They both wanted to create custom athletic apparel that was bold, inclusive, and genuinely empowering for their community, something that would require finding the right printing partner to bring their vision to life.
Building Their Soccer Bond at Davidson
The transition from rivals to friends happened naturally once Gross and Im ended up on the same Davidson College soccer team. Suddenly, the competitive fire that once divided them became the foundation of their friendship. They pushed each other harder in practice, celebrated victories together, and learned what real teamwork meant.
Those college years shaped more than just their soccer skills. They developed a shared philosophy about style, strength, and what it means to support other women in sports and beyond. These values would later become the cornerstone of their brand identity.
Taking on New York City
After graduation, both founders made the bold move to New York City, where the streetwear scene runs deep and competition stays fierce. They saw an opportunity to bring something different to the market: custom athletic apparel that speaks to a community often overlooked by mainstream brands.
Tomboy Athletic Club officially launched in 2024 with a clear mission. The brand celebrates strength, inclusivity, and that unique confidence that comes from being unapologetically yourself. Every design tells part of their story, from soccer fields to city streets.
The Search for Quality Printing Solutions
Working with LA Apparel Garments for their premium blanks gave them the quality foundation they wanted, but printing costs were eating into their margins. Growing demand meant they needed to find a solution fast, but every printer they tried either compromised on quality or charged prices that made scaling impossible.
The struggle to find the best print partner became a major roadblock. They explored several screenprint shop across the East Coast, but multiple failed attempts left them frustrated, with samples that looked nothing like their vision or quotes that would price them out of the market completely.
Finding the Right Connection
Everything changed when Made It Happen LLC referred them to a printing partner who actually understood small brand needs. That first discovery call felt different. Instead of pushing standard packages, the conversation focused on understanding their specific goals, budget constraints, and vision for growth.
Choosing the right screenprint partner meant finding someone who could answer the question "Which print method is best?" for their specific designs and fabrics. The consultation process revealed options they hadn't even considered, from ink types to printing techniques that would make their designs pop on those premium blanks.
Bringing Three Signature Designs to Life
The first production run included three designs that captured the essence of Tomboy Athletic Club's custom athletic apparel line. The Coffee Cup Hoodie pays homage to NYC bodega culture, while the Bodega Run Club design celebrates the city's running community. Their Tomboy Vintage Hoodie brings that classic athletic aesthetic with a modern twist.
Each design required careful attention to detail: 30 units per style, one-color prints on both front and back, plus that signature bird logo on the left sleeve. The specs seemed simple enough on paper, but execution would prove more complex than expected.
Navigating Production Complexities
The navy hoodies presented an unexpected challenge when the HF09GD garment-dyed and HF09 (Piece Dyed) fabrics reacted differently to the same ink. What looked perfect on one batch came out slightly off on another. These are the details that make or break a brand's reputation, especially when customers expect consistency across every drop.
When misprints happened, the printing partner stepped up with no-cost replacements rather than excuses. This commitment to quality control meant Tomboy Athletic Club could maintain their standards without blowing their budget on reprints.
Digital Proofs Save the Day
Digital proofs became their secret weapon for avoiding costly mistakes. These mockups show exactly how designs will look on actual garments before production starts. The approval process involves checking placement, sizing, and color accuracy against the original artwork.
For small brands creating custom athletic apparel, accurate mockups make all the difference. Seeing that Coffee Cup design perfectly centered on the hoodie back or confirming the sleeve logo placement meant no surprises when boxes arrived. This visual confirmation transformed their production process from guesswork to precision.
Growing the Partnership
Success with that first run led to immediate repeat orders and expansion into new products. Embroidered tank tops joined the lineup, along with additional colorways of their bestselling hoodies. What started as a test order evolved into an ongoing partnership that supports their growth trajectory.
The relationship goes beyond just printing shirts. Having a reliable partner means Tomboy Athletic Club can focus on design, marketing, and community building while trusting that production runs smoothly behind the scenes. For any brand looking to get printed shirts for business purposes or merchandise, finding that kind of trust with your production partner changes everything.
Marketing Strategy and Community Building
Social media became their primary tool for showcasing each product drop. Instagram and TikTok content features real customers wearing the brand, founder stories about their soccer backgrounds, and collaborations with other NYC small businesses. The authentic approach resonates because it reflects genuine experiences rather than manufactured hype.
Partnerships with local businesses and community organizations help spread brand awareness organically. When customers see Tomboy Athletic Club supporting causes they care about, the connection goes deeper than just buying clothes.
Essential Tips for Emerging Brands
Vetting suppliers and print partners requires more than comparing prices. Check their work with similar brands, ask about their quality control process, and always request samples before committing to large orders. The cheapest option rarely delivers the value small brands actually need.
Digital proofs and sample runs might seem like extra steps, but they prevent expensive mistakes. Balancing quality, cost, and turnaround time means understanding which corners you can cut and which standards stay non-negotiable. For Tomboy Athletic Club, print quality and consistency were worth paying slightly more to get right.
The Power of Strategic Partnerships
Tomboy Athletic Club's journey from soccer rivals to successful co-founders shows what becomes possible when you find the right partners. Their printing challenges could have derailed the brand's growth, but connecting with a silk screen printshop that understood their vision changed everything. Quality screen printing transformed their designs from concepts to products their community proudly wears.
For emerging brands creating custom athletic apparel based anywhere on the East Coast, working with an experienced printing partner gives you the advantage of hands-on quality control, fast turnaround for reorders, and the kind of face-to-face collaboration that makes complex projects run smoothly.
Ready to bring your own brand vision to life? Whether you're launching your first collection or scaling an established line, the right printing partner makes all the difference. Visit Tee Vision to discover how quality screen printing and apparel customization can help tell your brand's story. Request a quote today and see why emerging brands trust us to deliver consistency, quality, and service that supports your growth from first sample to sold-out drops.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right blank for my streetwear brand?
The right blank depends on your brand's aesthetic, target audience, and budget. Tomboy Athletic Club went with LA Apparel Garments for their premium feel and quality construction. We carry a wide range of products from brands like LA Apparel, Bella + Canvas, Gildan, and more, so you can find the perfect canvas for your designs without compromising on quality or margins.
Can I see examples of brands you've worked with before placing an order?
Absolutely. We've partnered with streetwear startups, restaurants, ministries, and sports organizations across the country. You can browse our past projects to see real examples of the work we've done and get inspiration for your own brand. Seeing actual finished products helps you understand what's possible before committing to a full production run.
Do you only work with streetwear and athletic brands?
Not at all. While Tomboy Athletic Club is a streetwear brand, we work with businesses across every industry. We've printed uniforms for restaurants, merch for comedians, apparel for ministries, looking to build their personal brand. Whatever your industry, custom apparel can strengthen your identity and connect you with your audience.
Should I use screen printing or DTG for my brand's apparel?
It depends on your design complexity and order size. Screen printing is ideal for bold, one-to-three color designs and larger runs where cost per piece matters. DTG works better for highly detailed, multi-color artwork and smaller batches. Tomboy Athletic Club's one-color hoodie prints were a perfect fit for screen printing. For a deeper breakdown, check out our full guide on screenprint vs DTG to help you decide which method suits your project best.