Behind the Scenes: Making Iditarod Elementary Spirit Wear

There’s something extra special about creating spirit wear for our local schools — especially when it’s for Iditarod Elementary, home of the Huskies! 🐾

When you see those cozy hoodies and crewnecks around the halls, it might look like a simple print job — but there’s a lot that goes into bringing each one to life. Here’s a little peek behind the scenes at what goes on inside AKArctic Press Co. when spirit wear season kicks off!

Designing the Spirit

Every project starts with a design board in Canva, where I mix school colors, Husky pride, and fun fonts until the layout feels just right. I create separate variations for youth, staff, and families so everyone can show their Husky pride in their own way.

Once the final designs are ready, I compile them into gang sheets — large print sheets that hold multiple designs at once. This keeps everything organized and cost-efficient while ensuring every print comes out crisp and consistent.

If you’ve never heard of a gang sheet, it’s basically one big sheet filled with multiple smaller designs — like a collage of shirt prints that are later cut apart and pressed individually.

I send all my gang sheets to PJ’s Crafty Corner right here in Wasilla, where they’re printed locally using high-quality DTF (Direct-to-Film) transfers. Supporting another local business while keeping production close to home is always a win in my book!

Cutting, Centering & Pressing

Once those transfers arrive, the real hands-on work begins. I cut out each design by hand and carefully center it on every shirt, hoodie, or crewneck before pressing. It takes a sharp eye (and a good ruler!) to make sure each one lines up perfectly.

Each design goes through about four presses, with every press lasting 8–15 seconds. That means a lot of heat, precision, and patience — but it’s worth it when that Husky logo peels perfectly off the film and looks ready to take on school spirit days!

Folding, Labeling & Packaging

After pressing, each item gets folded, labeled, and packaged for easy delivery. I create custom order labels for every bag with the student’s and teacher’s names to make sorting a breeze once the order reaches the school.

It might take extra time, but having everything clearly organized means teachers and parents can distribute spirit wear quickly — no confusion, no mix-ups, just happy Huskies!

Community and Pride

Projects like this remind me why I started AKArctic Press Co. in the first place — to create locally, collaborate with neighbors, and help our community show their pride in style.

From the first Canva design to the final folded sweatshirt, every piece of Husky gear represents hours of love, heat, and hustle. Seeing those smiling faces wearing something I helped make? That’s the best reward of all. 💙🐾

Interested in custom spirit wear for your school or team?

Contact me here to start your own custom drive — local schools, clubs, and businesses welcome!