CAS Founder/CEO

Hi! Welcome to Custom Apparel Source!

If you landed here, then you at least want to know who you will be working with right?

I’m Mariellen Auer and I have been a professional fashion and graphic designer for over 30 years. My passion for sports and apparel started with my college volleyball team, Southwestern Michigan College where I designed our team apparel. I continued my education and played volleyball at Western Michigan University, where I was introduced to print, graphic design and public relations classes.

In my 20’s, I landed a dream job at Giordana cycling company and moved from Michigan to Charlotte, NC. My first projects included designing apparel for Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Olympics, Lance Armstrong and professional cycling teams around the world. I am lucky enough to have combined my love of sports and apparel/graphic design into a lifetime career. I always wanted to be a teacher and coach, and through my consulting services I get to work with a diverse clientele and educate them on apparel design and development. I learn just as much from them as they do from me.

I always love a challenge! If you have a new idea or concept, I’d love to collaborate together in finding a solution.

Mariellen Auer, Owner

Being at it this long, I have learned a thing or two and I think that makes me stand out from companies you are vetting, in that I’m a great sounding board for your ideas and then working through the process to create deliverables that work! I have a knack for being given a simple sketch or idea and then delivering an out-of-the box ideas and designs. I stay on top of trends, I work with the latest creative software and I’m always learning new techniques. You have to in this business. I get inspiration from so many different industries.

Here Are Some Really Cool Projects I’ve Worked On

• Developed entire brand from logo to apparel design to tech packs for a Grateful Dead related company.
• Work with professional athletes in creating custom graphics and designs for their own start-ups.
• Worked directly with Olympics, NFL, Nike and Gatorade in creating unique apparel and presentation products.
• Multi-store lacrosse owners sought me out to design and produce custom Lacrosse uniforms for rec to high school to college teams.
• Created logo and branding for 1,000+ companies
• Created first hockey and baseball jersey designs for Made in Detroit (Kid Rock’s line)
• Big Brothers and Big Sisters needed 1,000 embroidered hats in 3 days and we delivered!
• Named one of Cycling Industry’s best designer and sought after by major retail brands to provide custom designs

Apparel Design & Development

Original T-Shirt & Apparel Graphics
Eye-catching, trend-aware designs perfect for retail brands, merch drops, collections, and team uniforms.

Custom Apparel Design
Creating unique apparel concepts for start-ups, fashion collections, sports teams, and private labels—with a strong focus on brand identity and market appeal.

Product Development Support
From concept to production: full-service support for sublimated apparel, accessories, and custom product lines.

Tech Packs & Technical Illustrations
Detailed, factory-ready tech packs and precision technical drawings that translate your vision into production-ready specs.

Print-Ready Graphics
Expert in preparing artwork for a range of production methods—ensuring clean, accurate files in the right formats for print, embroidery, and digital use.

Cut & Sew Manufacturing Guidance
Experienced in custom garment development, including pattern design and sourcing support.

Apparel Decoration Expertise
In-depth knowledge of techniques including screen printing, dye sublimation, embroidery, heat transfer, and more.

Design Expertise

Logo Design & Brand Identity
Developing bold, fashion-forward logos and cohesive visual identities tailored for emerging apparel brands—from streetwear to luxury.

Branded Collateral
Designing impactful business cards, lookbooks, pitch decks, and packaging that reflect your brand’s voice and appeal to buyers, investors, and customers.

Vector Illustration & File Conversion
Expert in vector-based design for screen printing, embroidery, and scalable brand assets. Able to convert raster images (JPGs) into clean, production-ready vector files.

Print Production Expertise
Deep experience in print design, including catalogs, posters, brochures, and hangtags. Skilled in photography direction, copywriting, paper selection, and working with top-tier printers to ensure high-quality results.

Infographics & Visual Content
Designing custom infographics, icon sets, and visual assets for social media, investor materials, and seasonal campaigns.

Software Proficiency
Advanced knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Apple Pages, Excel, and WordPress—ensuring consistent design across both digital and print platforms.

Unique Industry Contacts

• Work side-by-side with compliant, secure, and reliable factories both in the USA and abroad to craft environmentally friendly apparel and accessories
• Established connections with international garment producers for more than three decades.
• Fabric, Trim and Packaging – working with the latest and custom materials

Education

Western Michigan University. Kalamazoo, MI. Bachelor of Science. Public Relations and Journalism degree. Division I. Received full-ride athletic scholarship in volleyball and played on the #16 national ranked team. Worked in the sports department providing graphic design and marketing support.

Southwestern Michigan College. Dowagiac, MI. Associate in Arts. Graphic Design specific. Received full-ride scholarship for the #2 national ranked team volleyball and also played. basketball.

Job Experience

• Sports/Global Cycling Company – apparel designer, catalog, photoshoots, ad development, worked with teams in creating custom apparel, major retail brands for sponsorship
• Food Packaging – responsible for $35M territory for food packaging artwork production. Worked with Nathan’s, Boar’s Head, Tyson, Perdue, Dietz & Watson
• Paper Specification Representative – As a Southeast Regional Sales Representative, I engaged with diverse advertising agencies to curate premium paper solutions for their marketing and sales materials.
• My fav job…working at a surf store at the beach!

Non-profit and Professional Board Positions

2016-Present – Mecklenburg Country Parks and Recreation. Athletic Advisory Council Board member.
2020 – present – Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte. Marketing Committee for various fundraising events.
2016-Present – America’s Toothfairy. Marketing Committee. Assist with special events, provide merchandise and promotional products.

• Other cool stuff I’m involved in:
• CSCA – Charlotte Society of Communicating Arts, Vice President, Event Coordinator, Newsletter writer/designer/editor
• Charlotte Sports Network, Founder Advocate to connect sports business leaders and owners.
• BNI – Business Network International, Marketing Committee, Vice President.
• TNBA – The National Business Association of Sports. Vice President, Marketing Committee, Website designer, Official Greeter.
• Special Olympics – Camp Counselor
• Junior Olympics Volleyball – Coach

Contact Mariellen Auer at
[email protected]. I’m a good joke teller too!