“Individual commitment to a group effort, that is what makes a team work, a company work, society work, and a civilization work” 

~ Vince Lombardi

APISOURCE is a full service branded merchandise agency and ecommerce fulfillment company.  Our corporate headquarters is located in Greenbelt, Maryland approximately 5 miles outside of Washington, DC. Our state of the art, facilities house one of the largest screen printing, embroidery, graphics, and warehousing operations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area as well as on the eastern seaboard.

Our team has been providing high quality promotional products, apparel and marketing services to Organizations and Businesses nationwide for more than 50 years.   Our years of experience in marketing; past history as promotional products buyers; and solid relationships with suppliers/manufacturers across the globe, truly sets us apart.  We not only source unique advertising specialties for our clients, we serve as an extension of their Marketing Departments, offering strategic consulting and a 100% satisfaction guarantee with every order, every time.  

Part of our mission is to learn first hand about your brand strategy, corporate image and partner expectations.  We have a wealth of experience sourcing high quality promotional materials for numerous clients with diverse branding guidelines, and we have a proven track record of success for delivering creative solutions on budget and on time.  Your return on investment is our priority.

Our fanatical customer service is second to none.  We give every client and every order priority status, ensuring that no detail is left undone.  Our clients rest easy knowing that they’ve entrusted their brand to marketing experts who have not only been in their shoes as buyers but who also have superior negotiating, sourcing, and organizational skills.

We welcome the opportunity to help our clients fulfill their missions across the Nation and around the Globe. In our fast paced world, custom branded merchandise, whether they be apparel, hard goods, or virtual may seem to play a small role, but it is important that those branded products and services reflect the same quality and commitment that our clients themselves maintain. APISOURCE is committed to quality on every level, and will work diligently to not only meet, but to exceed the needs of our clients.

Women Owned Business Enterprise (WBENC)

API is a certified Women Owned Business Enterprise. Learn more about WBENC.

GSA Advantage

API is a GSA contract holder. Learn more about government programs.

Our Integrated Divisions 

Full Service Promotional Products Company

We provide customization on over 1 Million products and services including many name brands. We provide featured products every quarter that are seasonally oriented with special pricing. We also provide a full online search of thousands of promotional products from all over the world.

Full Service in house Screen Printing

API provides state of the art screen printing on tees, bags, towels, totes, sweats and much more. We are experts at small or large jobs from one color to sixteen colors and even 4 color process. We make our own film, mix our own inks and make our own screens. We are a true manufacturer of product.

Full Service Embroidery

API provides full service in house embroidery on bags, tees, polos, towels, dress shirts, golf bags and much more. We design our own embroidery tapes in house as well as manufacturer on state of the art Tajima equipment. We also are distributors and embroiderers for brand name products such as Gear, Cutter & Buck, Ashworth, and Champion.

Full Service in house Fulfillment

API provides full service pull/pack/ship services to our clients. We have full time in house customer service for order processing and phone orders.

Full Service Graphic and Web Design

API provides full service graphic art services and e-commerce website development including full shopping cart and Flash technology. We provide solutions for singular e-commerce products to full e-commerce company stores.

Our History

Charles G. Brown Inc (t/a API, APISOURCE) was incorporated in the state of Maryland on July 1, 1981. Prior to that date, it operated as a sole proprietorship established in 1965. The corporation, Charles G. Brown Inc. remains as the legal name of the corporation with the legal “trade” name of API. The business has been providing quality products and services for 49 years. Over the years, API has grown and acquired prestigious franchises. Some of these well respected brand name companies are: 3M, Ashworth, Under Armour, Nike, Greg Norman, BIC, Apple Computer, Cutter & Buck, Gear for Sports, Hazel, Leeds Business Accessories, Lenox China, Tiffany Co., Parker Pen, Rand McNally, Waterford Crystal, Zippo, Game, Adidas, and many more.

In 1988, a computerized convention services division was created. This division provides in-house laser produced badges, tickets, database management, and convention related time sensitive items. This ensures API understands the technology and timing needs for trade shows and events API is forced to meet critical convention sensitive deadlines and utilizes this strength to acquire more clients.

In 1992, our specialized fulfillment division was established. API developed exclusive contracts with national trade and commercial organizations. Fulfillment programs include product selection, customized catalog development, e-commerce website development (in-house), warehousing of products, order processing, order tracking, and customized distribution of promotion products programs. We also host the web solutions as well as maintain real time inventory.

In 1996, API established a branded apparel production facility.  The acquisition of modern screen-printing and embroidery equipment and most recently digital printing technology provides API with complete control of quality and of delivery schedules. A capital investment of over $2.5 million dollars was required for this facility alone.

In 2001, API added the API Creative Services Department.  The department is made up of an in-house web development team, an in-house art services art services team, and an in-house marketing team.  Working on state of the art equipment and fueled by the industries latest technology, the API team can offer high quality professional solutions for all Marketing, Web, and Art needs.

In 2014, we have continued to evolve and grow. API recently received a contract and has been placed on the GSA Advantage Schedule. Additionally, API is in the process of opening a new, state of the art 60K square foot production facility at a second location.  This new facility is coming online now and will be fully functional by January 1, 2015.

One of our core growth strategies is to stay ahead of the curve regarding technology, our clients evolving requirements, and in our production capacity. This strategy helps API to be proactive in the services and solutions that we offer while at the same time enabling our clients to benefit from our growth.

Technology Advancements                                                                

A key advancement in technology came in 2008, when API added the much sought after Kornit Direct to Garment (DTG) technology to our already accomplished production division. The Kornit DTG machine allows for full color digital printing on garments on the fly, with no set-ups, color restrictions, or screens.  API is one of only a few companies in the country utilizing this type of technology. What does the capabilities of the Kornit DTG machine mean to our clients?

• 1 piece printing minimums on tees

• No Set Up Fees

• No Color Limit – Print full color photos or 8 color designs.

• Water Based Ink  = ECO Friendly.**Ask us about our ECO product selection including thousands of possible products!

• Quick turnaround for those rush situations

Moreover, the machine can print on a variety of textile applications such as denim, polyester, cotton, wool, leather and more. These exceptional features allow API Production to effectively and efficiently reach optimum digital printing results on a large variety of textile applications and finished garments, answering many of the market's growing needs.

Overseas Procurement                                                                

Another huge competitive advantage that API brings to the table came along In the fall of 2007, when API opened an overseas procurement office in Guangzhou, China and a bridge office in Buena Park, California. With a staff of internationally trained researchers, procurement specialists, and customer service representatives, API now offers direct overseas sourcing and product procurement. By cutting out the “middle man” API is able to offer more than competitive pricing and offer factory direct pricing.

In addition, API ranks in the top 1% of the promotional products industry**. API enjoys a long and stable history of growth.

** Ranked by Counselor Magazine, September 2001-2019