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Take 5 with Tracie featuring Brittney Mittag of K&S Sportswear

Take 5 with Tracie featuring Brittney Mittag of K&S Sportswear

Take 5 with Tracie featuring Brittney Mittag of K&S Sportswear

I sat down with Brittney Mittag, a second-generation owner of K&S Sportswear, to talk about how a family-run screen print, embroidery, and promotional-products shop helps schools, businesses, churches, and organizations get noticed. K&S isn’t just about tees — they’re a full-service partner that helps shape ideas into tangible marketing and spirit items.

Two women smiling at the camera during a Take 5 interview at a round table with mugs and a plant, bright atrium background.

What K&S Sportswear does

K&S handles a wide range of custom-branded items. If you can put a logo on it, they’ll probably help you do it. Their core services include:

  • Screen printing for bulk apparel and uniforms.
  • Embroidery for polos, hats, and professional wear.
  • Promotional products — everything from giveaways to corporate gifts.

Two women in a studio interview at a round table with plant and mugs in foreground, Take 5 with Tracie banner above

The personal touch: why it matters

What sets K&S apart is the one-on-one service. Every customer talks to a person, not a bot. They also have an on-staff graphic artist who works full time with clients to translate ideas into designs that work on apparel and swag.

That creative partnership matters for two reasons:

  • Designs are optimized for production methods like screen print or embroidery.
  • Clients without a finished design get professional guidance so their final product looks and performs well.

High-quality interview screenshot showing two people at a round table with mugs, a plant, and a windowed backdrop revealing an outdoor fountain.

Who they serve and the problems they solve

K&S works with a broad customer base:

  • Local school districts — spirit wear, event shirts, team uniforms.
  • Small businesses — branded apparel and promotional items for events and employee recognition.
  • Corporations — large orders and fulfillment across the country.
  • Churches and community groups — event shirts and giveaways.

Common requests they solve: event-driven merchandise (job fairs, open houses, fundraisers), programs that need consistent branding, and orders with special budgets or payment constraints. Because they produce items every day and track trends, they can recommend proven options rather than leaving you to guess.

Two-person interview about custom-branded apparel and promotional items, table with paperwork and mugs in foreground.

Trends and common misconceptions

Trends change, and K&S pays attention. A few examples:

  • Font choices and typographic styles shift year to year.
  • Fabric preferences vary — super-soft tees have been popular and tie-dye made a big comeback.
  • Design placement and color limitations depend on the production method.

A major misconception is that custom apparel is one-size-fits-all. It’s not. Every organization has specific needs, budgets, and timelines. K&S leverages decades of experience to recommend the right materials, processes, and designs for each situation.

Two women in an interview setting at a round table with visible order sheets, mugs and a plant, discussing timelines

Turnaround times and rush orders

Standard turnaround depends on the product and process — screen print, embroidery, and promotional products each have their own timelines. Rush services are available, but availability is handled case by case. K&S emphasizes clear communication: they’ll tell you up front if a timeline is unrealistic so you can adjust expectations or explore alternatives.

Two people talking at a round table with mugs and a small plant, bright atrium windows behind them

A local business with national reach

K&S celebrated 30 years in business and remains family-run. They care about the local community but can also ship orders anywhere in the U.S. That combination of hometown service and national fulfillment makes them a reliable partner for events and programs of any scale.

Two hosts smiling and engaged in an interview at a round table with a plant and mugs, 'Take 5' banner above.

Practical tips when ordering custom apparel or promo items

  • Start early. Even with rush options, lead time gives you more design and production flexibility.
  • Be clear about budget and quantities. That helps select the right process and materials.
  • Ask for design help. If you don’t have artwork that’s production-ready, use the on-staff artist — it saves time and prevents costly errors.
  • Consider how items will be used. Event giveaways, daily-wear shirts, and long-term branded merchandise have different durability and cost priorities.

If you need help with custom apparel, branded swag, or fulfillment, reach out to a partner who listens, designs with production in mind, and communicates honestly about timelines. Local heart, national reach, and a creative team make the difference.

Connect with the Greater EMC Chamber on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn and learn more at gemcchamber.com.

— Tracie Kamenoff

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