How and Where To Hire the Best Apparel Graphic Designer for Your Brand

Making custom clothes can be an exciting way to show off your brand. But what happens when your team is already stretched thin? You don’t have time to tackle apparel design yourself, but you still want the best for your brand. 

That’s when it’s time to consider working with an apparel graphic designer for hire. The challenge is finding a suitable person for the job. Where do you look? And how do you make sure that they fit the role? 

Here’s our guide to finding the right apparel graphic designer for your brand, including what and what not to do when you decide to outsource your work.

Key Responsibilities of Apparel Graphic Designers

The clothing and fashion industry is massive, worth over $1.7 trillion globally, so it makes sense why you’d want a slice of the pie. 

However, this often requires specialized talent like graphic design that often isn’t available in-house. Fortunately, you can hire apparel graphic designers to handle duties like:

• Designing graphics for clothing and accessories: This includes creating logos, illustrations, and custom designs for various apparel.
• Creating patterns and prints for textiles: Designers craft patterns that make fabrics stand out.
• Developing original artwork for screen printing and embroidery: They also need to create artwork tailored to these specific production techniques.
• Collaborating with fashion designers and product design teams: Designers can work closely with other creatives to make sure that everything aligns with the overall vision.
• Ensuring designs match with brand identity and trends: Staying on brand and on trend is a must for apparel graphic designers.
• Adapting designs for various apparel types and sizes: The designs need to look great no matter the style or dimensions required.
• Preparing production-ready files and technical specs: A designer can use tools like Adobe Illustrator to make certain that the final designs are ready for manufacturers to use.
• Revising and adjusting designs based on feedback: Designers are open to changes based on what’s needed to improve the product.
• Managing multiple design projects simultaneously: Handling multiple projects efficiently is part of the job.

A great apparel graphic designer plays a huge role in the success of your clothing line, and knowing what they do can help you decide whether to outsource their services or hire one in-house.

Why Outsource Apparel Graphic Design?

Outsourcing your apparel graphic design can be a smart move for both flexibility and cost savings.

Instead of hiring a full-time designer and having to cover their benefits and office space, outsourcing lets you pay only for the work you need. This can be especially helpful for smaller brands with fluctuating design demands.

Another big advantage of outsourcing is getting immediate access to specialized skills. Since you have a vast talent pool to choose from, you can find designers with unique expertise that aligns with your brand strategy.

The best graphic design and recruitment agencies can find you talent with extensive experience and innovative ideas. Outsourcing allows you to focus on other important parts of your business while a talented designer handles your visuals.

How To Hire the Most Talented Apparel Graphic Designers

Finding someone with the right skills and vision takes a bit of effort, but the hiring process doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are the steps to secure a best-in-class apparel graphic designer for hire. 

1. Partner with a reliable outsourcing partner

Start by working with a trusted outsourcing partner. They should be able to give you access to a wide pool of talented designers from across the globe.

You’ll be doing yourself a favor because the hiring process can take around 44 days or even more when you do it on your own. An outsourcing partner can take care of sourcing and screening the candidates, making the process smoother and faster. 

2. Create the job description

An attractive job description is key to finding the best designer. Make sure to be transparent about the responsibilities of the role, like creating patterns, working with fashion teams, or developing original artwork.

When hiring remote talent, it helps to be detailed about the expectations, deadlines, and skills required. This will attract applicants who are best suited to your project.

3. Interview the applicants

Once you’ve shortlisted your candidates, conduct interviews to get a feel for their personality and style.

Some good questions to ask are, “How do you approach design projects?” and “Can you describe a time when you had to work under tight deadlines?” This can give you insight into their work ethic and problem-solving skills.

4. Assess their skills

You could request a portfolio of your candidates’ past works to assess their abilities and professional experience. Look for their unique design flair, attention to detail, and how their designs align with current fashion trends.

A design test can also help you see if their style matches your brand. Additionally, consider how adaptable they are to different styles or client requests.

5. Review service-level agreements

Before making a final decision, don’t forget to review the service-level agreements (SLAs). These should outline the deliverables, deadlines, and expectations as clearly as possible.

This agreement ensures that everyone is on the same page and prevents misunderstandings later on. Make sure that the SLA also includes revisions and communication expectations to keep the project on track.

6. Make the hire

Once you’ve found the right designer for the job, you can finally wrap up the hiring process. Confirm the timelines and any ongoing projects you have. Then, you can get started on your exciting design journey with your new hire!

Hiring a talented apparel graphic designer might take time and work, but remember that outsourcing can save you both, letting you focus on growing your brand instead.

Best Countries To Outsource Apparel Graphic Designers

According to the statistics we cited earlier, the rapid growth of the clothing and apparel industry is projected to continue, but that will also mean tough competition. Bringing in the right apparel graphics designer is your ticket to standing out.

Outsourcing is a great way to find affordable, skilled designers. Here are some of the top countries that do it best.

Philippines

With well over 1.3 million Filipinos working in the business process outsourcing industry and over 1.5 million Filipino freelancers working on digital platforms, the Philippines is a major player in the global outsourcing landscape.

Filipino designers are known for their creativity and dedication. The country’s high level of proficiency in English and cultural alignment with the US market make it an attractive choice for businesses.

Mexico 

Mexico is a popular nearshoring destination for US companies because of its proximity to the US, similar time zones, and competitive pricing. Mexican designers often have strong knowledge of US market trends and can often offer more cost-effective solutions for apparel graphic design work than local talent.

Colombia 

Among Latin American (LatAm) countries, Colombia is emerging as a leader in outsourcing. With its growing pool of graphic design talent, the country offers skilled professionals at a fraction of the cost of US designers. Its vibrant creative scene and nearshore advantage make it a great option for hiring remote talent.

Argentina 

Argentina boasts a highly educated workforce and a strong design culture. It’s another excellent nearshoring location for US businesses looking for top-tier talent at lower costs. Argentine designers are known for their high-quality work and adaptability to different styles.

Poland

Poland is a go-to country for outsourcing in Eastern Europe. Polish designers are highly skilled, with many specializing in various aspects of graphic design. Their reputation for technical expertise and attention to detail makes them a strong choice for various graphic design projects.

4 Best Providers for Apparel Graphic Designer Outsourcing 

Finding the right outsourcing provider for apparel graphic design can be tough, so we’ve narrowed it down to present you with some of the top contenders. These trusted providers aren’t ranked and include a mix of niche graphic design expertise and recruitment services tailored to your needs.

1. Near

Yes, it’s us! Here at Near, we specialize in helping US businesses find top LatAm talent. 

Remote LatAm graphics designers can deliver high-quality work at significantly lower rates than US professionals. And we make it easy to build remote teams for up to 70% less, taking care of everything from hiring to retaining talent with our comprehensive, 360-degree solution. 

2. Flocksy

A predictable cost makes Flocksy the perfect solution for startups and small businesses looking for an all-in-one creative solution. This flat-rate creative agency offers unlimited graphic design, copywriting, and web development services. Once you join the “flock,” its team will start working on your projects right away.

3. Design Pickle

Design Pickle is one of the first companies to offer subscription-based creative services, including graphic design, illustrations, and motion graphics. With 500 designers worldwide, it provides a wide range of design options. Its platform also lets you reprioritize design requests to fit your changing needs.

4. ManyPixels

ManyPixels is another popular unlimited design service with a subscription model. It offers solid design quality at competitive prices. Since its founding in 2018, it has been able to serve over 3,000 customers globally, making it a reliable choice for businesses looking for affordable graphic design.

Do’s and Don’ts of Outsourcing Graphic Design for Apparel 

Outsourcing graphic design for your apparel line can elevate your brand. But to make it work smoothly, it’s essential to know what and what not to do. 

Do’s

• Clearly define the project scope and expectations: Lay the groundwork for a successful partnership right from the start.
• Review portfolios: Look for a designer whose style matches your vision.
• Set realistic deadlines: Plan milestones to keep everything on track and avoid last-minute rushes.
• Maintain regular communication: Keep the lines open for updates and feedback.
• Provide detailed briefs: Share references and examples to guide your designer.
• Establish ownership rights: Make sure it’s clear who owns the designs once payment is made.
• Agree on payment terms: Talk about budgets up front to avoid surprises down the road.
• Encourage creativity: Give your designer some freedom to innovate.

Don’ts

• Don’t micromanage: Trust your designer’s expertise; if you make the right hire, they’ll know their stuff!
• Don’t hire without a contract: Always have a written agreement to protect both you and the designer.
• Don’t change the scope without discussion: If you need adjustments, talk it out first to avoid confusion.
• Don’t rush the process: Remember that quality designs take time.
• Don’t ignore time zone differences. Be mindful of availability when scheduling meetings to keep communication on track.

By following these do’s and don’ts, you can manage your outsourcing efforts successfully. 

Final Thoughts

Getting the best apparel graphic designer for hire is crucial to bringing your brand’s vision to life. Understanding where to find talent, defining your project’s needs, and leveraging outsourcing can help you bring in the best professionals.

Don’t forget that partnering with a reliable outsourcing provider can save you time and ensure quality results. At Near, we specialize in connecting you with top LatAm talent, making your hiring experience seamless while keeping costs reasonable. We can help you hire a top graphic designer for your apparel within 21 days.

Ready to elevate your brand with exceptional apparel design? Book a free consultation call with us today, and let’s get started.