Build Your Business | Improve Your Printing Business | Impressions

February 23, 2023 | Shop Talk
Rich Khun is a man of many talents. He began his career in 2004 as a graphic designer, creating among other things, CD covers, nightclub flyers and billboard designs.
On-Demand Apparel Decorating and Green
February 22, 2023 | Management
The “Busy Season.” Depending on what you’re producing, or for whom, that phrase likely conjures up a specific time of year.
An Education on Efficiency
February 21, 2023 | Management
There is no greater goal that any shop can have than to be efficient. When you are “efficient,” you are squeezing the most out of every minute, maximizing income.
January 17, 2023 | Shop Talk
In the garment-decorating industry there are many different production methods available. Each method in turn requires a specific type of artwork and has certain specifications that need to be met in order for an image to be reproduced properly.
Creating a Business Plan, Your Roadmap to Success
January 13, 2023 | Management
Simply put, a business plan is a roadmap to success. It maps out who your most important customers are, how you can help them, how you will make money, what it costs you to service them, and what separates your business from everyone else.
Spilling the Tea on Tees
January 12, 2023 | Trends
The basic T-shirt is anything but. Sure, the same standard tee that has been around for years is still here, but manufacturers are putting a different spin on these products. For example, while lightweight was once king, styles are inching back toward mid- and heavyweight.
Apparel Decorating Shop Setup Options
January 12, 2023 | Management
Setting up an apparel-decorating business requires doing some homework, as opposed to jumping right in. It’s important to research apparel options and the equipment needs that fit the type of apparel decorating you want to pursue.
December 20, 2022 | Shop Talk
LaTonna Roberson, founder of Dallas, Texas-based Lady Print Boss, and Rick Roth, founder of New England’s Mirror Image Screenprinting & Embroidery and Ink Kitchen discuss how to grow your business beyond its current boundaries
Performancewear Outlook 2023
December 1, 2022 | Trends
With new technologies surfacing every day, interest in the performancewear market continue to increase. Manufacturers, in turn, face the challenge of bringing these technologies to the mass-blanks market in the wake of COVID-19.
Unwrapping the Holiday Custom Apparel Decoration Market
October 25, 2022 | Trends
Everyone loves the holidays, no matter what you are celebrating, from Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah to Easter, Halloween, even birthdays. People everywhere want thoughtful and meaningful gifts and apparel created with their loved ones in mind.
Speed Up Your Orders, Maintain Costs with DTF Transfers
October 21, 2022 | Management
DTF transfer printing involves first printing onto a sheet of PET film with a DTF printer. The decorator then applies the transfer to a hat, tote bag, T-shirt or sports jersey using adhesive powder, pressure and heat: a technique that works well with smaller orders and quick turnarounds..
Heat Presses and the Holiday Market
October 21, 2022 | Trends
Heat transfers have become an increasingly effective means of custom apparel decoration, making them a great option to taking advantage of seasonal holiday markets. When you do so, be sure to look beyond T-shirts and caps to products such as aprons, dish towels, plaques and even notebooks.
Profitable T-shirt Printing Post Pandemic
October 21, 2022 | Management
The decorated apparel industry was hit faster by the pandemic than many other industries. As the pandemic began to ease, a lot of decorators were also overwhelmed and unprepared for the influx of orders. Many companies were still struggling with labor issues, ink shortages, as well as difficulties getting garments even months later.
Guide to Ordering the Perfect Embroidered Emblem
October 19, 2022 | Management
Nothing is more frustrating than using an outside service to fabricate embroidered emblems for a client only to open the box and find they’re not right. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your order is exactly what you need and meets the expectations of your client.
Outerwear and Jacket Trends Through 2023
August 15, 2022 | Trends
The approach to garment design and fabrications as we move through 2022 into 2023, once again, yields to the younger Gen-Z and Millennial demographics.
August 15, 2022 | Trends
While many aspects of life have slowed down during the pandemic, apparel decoration has seen considerable growth.
When Decorated Apparel Design Goes Online
June 30, 2022 | Management
Design is a central part of printed merchandise, whether it’s a screen-printed T-shirt, embroidered polo, tote bag decorated with a heat transfer or DTG (direct-to-garment)-printed hoodie.
Niche Focus: Hospitality Employee Identification Options
June 30, 2022 | Trends
If you are catering to businesses in the hospitality niche—such as bars, restaurants and hotels—with employee uniforms, you are leaving money on the table if you are not also offering staff identification.
Fashion Trends for ’22
April 7, 2022 | Trends
We’re living in a new era of fashion. Gone are the days of sensible rules and structure. The lines have been blurred, leaving consumers to sometimes grapple with what’s hot and what’s not.
March 23, 2022 | Shop Talk
The decorated-apparel industry has long been recognized as a place where creativity, innovation and giving back have become defining hallmarks of the community at large, especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected everyone — regardless of occupation or industry — in the last two years.
Athleisure Flexes its Appeal
March 23, 2022 | Trends
Athleisure’s popularity went into overdrive as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current question is about this category’s longevity moving forward.
Niche Focus: How to Reach Retail
March 3, 2022 | Management
Looking for a new niche to tackle? Try fashion/retail; it’s a large channel and has so many divisions, you’re sure to find a sub-genre that fits your shop’s strengths and capabilities.
Why Name Image Likeness is a Great Opportunity for Decorators
March 3, 2022 | Management
If you’ve been following the news on college sports the past few months, you might’ve noticed the NCAA changed restrictions on how student-athletes can make money.
5 Trends for Industrial Inkjet Printing in 2022
February 7, 2022 | Trends
New risks cast a shadow on 2021’s robust economic recovery. Businesses are struggling to meet the pent-up consumer demand that grew during the global pandemic.
Take a Note from Levi’s on Offering Your Customers Quality
February 7, 2022 | Management
When customers stop by your shop for a job, what’s your tendency to recommend products? The product that fits their budget the best? Maybe it’s a brand you know you can get a great deal on from the distributor.
January 28, 2022 | Shop Talk
From beanies and blankets to caps and koozies. Messenger bags, sticky notes and writing tools, too — you name it and North Georgia Promotions can brand it.
Niche Focus: Servicing a Healthy Medical Niche
January 27, 2022 | Trends
Healthcare is one of the hottest niches for decorated apparel for one simple reason, regardless of the state of the economy: Everyone wants to be healthy.
The Tee Party Goes On
January 27, 2022 | Trends
If there has proven to be one certainty about T-shirts, it’s that they never go out of style — even though styles of this staple apparel product continuously shift and evolve. This year will find a mixed bag, with some trends carrying over from last year and others evolving.
The Plackets & Wovens Renaissance
January 18, 2022 | Trends
With so many apparel trends that seem to turn on a dime, the woven and placket markets appear to have been strongly adopted by the marketplace.
October 6, 2021 | Shop Talk
La Tonna Roberson always had a passion for apparel and design, but she had no idea the canvas she’d spend countless hours working on would be T-shirts.
Is Your Company’s Instagram Account Professional or Personal?
October 4, 2021 | Management
Did you know that Instagram offers personal and business accounts? Available since August 2014, you may have created a personal account before that time or just never even knew.
Using Social Media Management to Analyze Data and Improve Performance
August 31, 2021 | Management
Once you have set up your social media accounts and have gotten a feel for your audience and what content is working best, you may want to consider using a social media management service.
5 Things to Expect at Impressions Expo Atlantic City
August 13, 2021 | Trends
The wait is almost over! We’re gearing up for our first in-person Impressions Expo event in more than 18 months: Impressions Expo Atlantic City, to be held Aug. 26-28 at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, N.J.
The Idea Generator: Part 3
August 13, 2021 | Management
The first article in this three-part series on idea generation was about the power of collaboration. In the second article, we explored the idea of randomness to inject some fun creativity into your ideation process.
 
July 22, 2021 | Shop Talk
Amber Penny Massey experienced her first case of severe anxiety at age 22. Upon getting her master’s degree in emotional behavior disorders from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, she worked as a special-education teacher in the Muscogee County School District.
Niche Focus: The Travel Takeoff
July 21, 2021 | Management
As people begin to hit the road, air or seas again for their favorite vacation spots, decorators are ramping up their orders for clients in the tourism market.
The Idea Generator: Part 2
July 21, 2021 | Management
Hour after hour, day after day and week after week, you have to be creative and come up with fantastic new ideas that not only look great, but also sell.
Refocused on Fun
July 21, 2021 | Trends
After more than a year living of through the COVID-19 pandemic, apparel suppliers have pivoted where necessary; tried to keep “business as usual” as attainable as possible; and didn’t slow down in efforts to meet trend demands — or the lack thereof — in the childrenswear and teen/tween categories.
Why You Should Be Using Hashtags
June 30, 2021 | Management
Hashtags are a powerful social media tool that help you gain more followers and exposure and increase your social interaction if used properly.
‘Where the Real Magic Lives’
June 9, 2021 | Trends
Talk to Michelle Moxley about innovation in our industry, and it’ll be immediately clear that she’s not one of those people who simply discusses it in a “turn-it-on-turn-it-off” manner. It’s not just an eight-hour-a-day obligation meant to justify a paycheck. The passion with which she talks about the subject is evidence of the fact that she lives it.
Niche Focus: Making the Grade
June 2, 2021 | Management
In the past year, the stoppage of school events and team sports — along with a shift to virtual learning — has changed the way many decorators have approached selling apparel to educational institutions.
Staying the Course to E-Commerce
June 1, 2021 | Management
The COVID-19 pandemic sparked the biggest change that La Tonna Roberson, sales manager at Dallas-based Roberson Printing & Graphics and TShirtShopDallas.com, had seen in her shop in 20 years.
Create the Ultimate Instagram Bio
June 1, 2021 | Management
Like an initial face-to-face encounter, your Instagram bio needs to make a powerful, positive, first impression. Because you get only 150 characters, make sure that every word counts.
Facebook Offers New Business Suite Platform for Managing Pages
April 30, 2021 | Management
In March and April, I discussed the need to be auditing and reviewing the free analytical data that Facebook provides to maximize the impact and effectiveness of your content.
Trend Report: Athletic Wear is Back in the Game
April 22, 2021 | Trends
While the country is slowly recovering from a devastating year that saw a global pandemic sink its teeth into our collective way of life, sports are increasingly becoming more of an outlet for those trying to weather the storm and maintain a bit of normalcy. Still, the fact remains that the athletic-wear sector was affected.
The Idea Generator: Part 1
April 17, 2021 | Management
It’s no secret that in a few markets, sales have dried up to the point that many shops have closed down.
Niche Focus: Be the Team MVP
April 16, 2021 | Trends
Craig Mertens, general manager at Digital Arts Solutions, knows the drill when it comes to servicing the team-sports niche as a decorator.
Evaluating Facebook Page Insights
April 5, 2021 | Management
Last month, I explained the reasons for conducting a social media audit, and we barely got started discussing data analytics offered by Facebook for evaluating your page(s).
Doing the Heavy Lifting
March 23, 2021 | Trends
Americans are resolving to make health-related goals a top priority in 2021, which is great news for fitness centers and gyms that experienced a severe downturn in 2020.
Athleisure: Channeling Fashion & Comfort
March 18, 2021 | Trends
Athleisure is the transitional fusion of athletic wear and casual clothing. Although this popular apparel category has been on the rise, it has become even more prevalent during the past year.
Talking Trends: Dressing Down
March 18, 2021 | Trends
If you think you’ve heard all there is to hear about the pandemic and its effect on fashion, think again. It’s a bona fide phenomenon, and 2021 will be no different.
Auditing Your Social Media Pages
March 8, 2021 | Management
Like anything in life, social media marketing is effective only if you are doing it the right way.
Doing the Heavy Lifting
March 4, 2021 | Trends
Americans are resolving to make health-related goals a top priority in 2021, which is great news for fitness centers and gyms that experienced a severe downturn in 2020.
Dressing Down: Womenswear Trends in 2021
March 4, 2021 | Trends
If you think you’ve heard all there is to hear about the pandemic and its effect on fashion, think again. It’s a bona fide phenomenon, and 2021 will be no different.
Plackets and Wovens Check All the Boxes for Wearers
February 11, 2021 | Trends
For the time being, much of the world is working from home and comfortable clothing is ruling the weekdays. Still, with the rising popularity of video meetings, it’s important for workers’ top halves, at the very least, to look professional.
Choosing The Best ‘Buckets’ For Your Social Media Calendar
February 8, 2021 | Management
If you read my January column, I explained the process of creating a social media calendar along with some tips and tricks to make it easier.
January 12, 2021 | Management
A good business plan serves as a critical roadmap to your destination of having a successful 2021.
Why You Should Create a Social Media Content Calendar
December 1, 2020 | Management
In my experience of being in this industry for the past 39 years, the average small- to medium-size decorated apparel shop does not do a very good job of marketing.
Going the Distance
November 12, 2020 | Trends
Once upon a time, performancewear was limited to the gym or other athletic activities. Today, however, comfort reigns supreme.
Kids Cozy Up to Comfort
November 12, 2020 | Trends
Each year, new trends surface in the childrenswear market while those from previous years persist — and 2020 is no different. What actually has changed is an apparel market that is functioning amid a COVID-19 pandemic.
Why DTG is in Your Future
November 12, 2020 | Trends
From the early days of converted desktop inkjet printers to today’s purpose-built direct-to-garment (DTG) machines, many things have changed with this digital application.
Advantages of Supportive Software
November 12, 2020 | Management
As print shops face the new reality of workplace adaptations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, many apparel decorators are questioning whether their everyday processes will support the new way of conducting business — specifically with regard to maintaining social-distancing requirements and modifying physical workspaces.
Ahead of the Curve
November 2, 2020 | Trends
It’s not an understatement to say that when you want to talk about innovation in decorated apparel, the first person you should call is Mark Coudray.
Attract Customers with Educational Social Media Posts
November 2, 2020 | Management
For the October column, I featured four examples of educational content for your social media. This month, I bring you six more.
7 Important Questions to Ask Yourself Heading into 2021
November 2, 2020 | Management
2020 will definitely be a year we’ll remember, with a worldwide pandemic and ripple-effect it had on industries across the country.
Techniques for Great Heat Transfer Applications
November 2, 2020 | Management
In this ever changing world, consistency is key when it comes to applying heat transfers to any substrate.
Managing Today’s Workplace
October 1, 2020 | Management
Two months ago, we were all enjoying the synergy typically found in most workplaces, whether it’s handing out high-fives for fellow colleagues’ accomplishments or socializing near the microwave in the break room. Conversations — mostly of the trivial nature — centered on traffic or whatever weather Mother Nature felt like throwing at us.
Proven Ideas for Creating Great Educational Social Media Content
October 1, 2020 | Management
As I have been preaching in this column from the beginning, the best kind of content either educates, entertains or inspires.
The Intersection of Innovation
September 25, 2020 | Trends
In 2020, decorators have access to a wide variety of new apparel styles, fabrications and decorating techniques to better serve other industries, particularly those centering on fitness, fashion and athleisure.
Generating Content for Social Media
September 3, 2020 | Management
For anyone just getting started putting together a social media content calendar, one of the biggest challenges is deciding what to post.
Promote Positivity on Social Media
August 3, 2020 | Management
There’s an old saying that “honey catches more flies than vinegar,” and nowhere is this truer than on social media.
The Gameplan for Athletic Wear
July 21, 2020 | Trends
If there’s a buzzword that sums up the predominant 2020 trend in athletic wear, it’s “sublimation.” Though not a new technology, sublimation has been a game changer for decorators who embellish athletic wear due to its ease of use on most fabrics, general affordability and turnaround time.
The ‘New Normal’
July 17, 2020 | Management
What’s the new reality for your print shop after COVID-19? Honestly, it may be difficult to determine, as businesses most likely are at different points in the reopening process due to regional differences determined on a state-by-state — or even a county-by-county — basis.
Tips and Tricks for Creating Engaging Facebook Content
June 30, 2020 | Management
In last month’s column, I discussed choosing which channel(s) you want to be on and some guidelines for making that decision. This month, I’m going to discuss what kind of content you should be posting.
Call of the Wild (Patterns)
June 9, 2020 | Trends
Animal prints may lead you to think of a racy leopard-print jacket or something more reminiscent of the 1980s, but times have changed.
Learning Lessons from the COVID Crisis
June 1, 2020 | Management
Every business in the world right now is having its mettle tested with the economic shutdown caused by COVID-19.
Signs of the Times
May 21, 2020 | Management
Are you considering jumping into the sign, graphics and visual communications industry? Despite the obvious natural tie-ins — and customers — stepping into a new line of business can bring big opportunities, along with significant questions.
Fewer Problems with Poly
April 29, 2020 | Trends
Often referred to as athletic, performance, synthetic, novelty or blended apparel, high-polyester blended garments have grown in popularity, which can be attributed to the athleisure trend.
‘It’s in My DNA’: A Roundtable Q&A
April 28, 2020 | Management
The world has seen a cultural shift in the past few years, with women in all industries being embraced in roles ranging from supervisors and directors to C-suite executives — and every leadership rung on the proverbial ladder in between.
What Women Are Wearing
April 22, 2020 | Trends
With the many evolutions of women’s apparel, it can be challenging to stay updated on current trends. One fashion trend, however, remains constant: customized tees and other wearables.
Tuning in to Social Channels
April 22, 2020 | Management
With Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest each having billions of monthly users, it’s clear that social media is here to stay.
March 31, 2020 | Shop Talk
Sue and J.R. Howell own and operate Marshallton, Delaware-based Shacraft Inc., a home-based decorated-apparel business that offers screen printing, sublimation, embroidery and CAD-cutting services.
Your Shop’s Sweet Spot
March 10, 2020 | Management
With new decorated-apparel shops popping up every year and plenty of online competition, you must find ways to differentiate your business from other decorators to remain relevant and successful.
Tech Influences Sustainable Merch Design & Production
March 10, 2020 | Trends
Not that many years ago, most high street shoppers’ notions of sustainable clothing and fashion were centered around hemp, organic cotton, and natural dyes.
February 25, 2020 | Shop Talk
Wendy Schenck-Benson’s first adventure in screen printing occurred in late-spring 1983 in Salt Lake City. The area had
record-breaking snowpack that melted because of a warm spring descended the mountains.
Recap: Impressions Expo Long Beach 2020
February 10, 2020 | Trends
Every year, the Impressions editorial team highly anticipates traveling to the Imprinted Sportswear Show (ISS) event in Long Beach, Calif.
Why Social Media is Worth Your Time
February 10, 2020 | Management
Social media is the most-effective, least-expensive method of advertising and marketing your decorated apparel business that has ever existed in the world.
Tees: Packed with Purpose
January 28, 2020 | Trends
In 2020, expect the basic tee to be anything but basic. Like last year, expect trends to reflect both identity and versatility. However, this year comfort will be king.
January 23, 2020 | Shop Talk
Phil Gandy calls it the “bulldog mindset” — that drive and ambition that was necessary when he started Gandy Ink in San Angelo, Texas, more than 30 years ago.
New Year, New Solutions
January 9, 2020 | Management
Are everyday business challenges limiting your company’s potential? Are you searching for the best way to tackle demands head on in a competitive industry?
The Evolution of Athleisure
November 21, 2019 | Trends
These days, athleisure is much more than an apparel buzzword. It’s a phenomenon that has changed where and how consumers wear apparel like slogan T-shirts, leggings, joggers, hoodies and caps.
3 Ways Successful Print Shops Stay Organized
October 31, 2019 | Management
As I’ve developed Printavo’s simple shop management software, I’ve visited dozens of print shops across the world.
Top 5 Tools to Find Online Trends in Heat Printing
October 31, 2019 | Trends
From small side-hustle T-shirt businesses to large apparel chain stores, establishing a method of online sales is the fastest way to big profits.
Branding Basics
October 22, 2019 | Management
There’s a lot of jargon that gets thrown around in the marketing world, but if there’s one concept that decorated-apparel shops should consider when building their businesses, it’s branding.
October 22, 2019 | Shop Talk
Paul Whitmore still remembers the biggest job that rolled through Rhino Graphics. Not too long before a 44,000-shirt order came in, the San Marcos, Texas-based shop had just purchased an automatic screen-printing press.
The Outlook for Outerwear
October 18, 2019 | Trends
We heard it all the time as kids: “Don’t forget your jacket!” Our parents didn’t want us to get sick because of the cold weather, and jackets were the first line of defense.
Fit Factors
October 17, 2019 | Trends
Fit can be one of the most challenging issues an apparel decorator faces when selecting the correct style for a customer. A garment that didn’t fit the way the customer expected is the No. 1 reason for most online apparel returns, according to a 2017 Narvar report, Making Returns a Competitive Advantage.
5 Easy Ways to Increase Your Bottom Line
September 23, 2019 | Trends
“You don’t get paid for what is in the shirt but rather what is on the shirt” is one of the mantras I often repeat to my screen-printing customers.
Blog: KAO Xbar Quality Inkjet Printing Delivers Direct Mail Marketing Success
September 16, 2019 | Trends
The results of attracting customers through direct mail can’t be denied, according to Deborah Haskel with IWCO Direct.
Innovations in Retail: Lessons Learned from Guideshops
September 3, 2019 | Trends
Much like one’s personal wardrobe, the retail apparel business is constantly evolving with new looks and fashions, as well as innovative trends.
Why Fleece Still Flourishes
August 27, 2019 | Trends
As usual, fleece will be a big player in this year’s cold-weather months, but it also is a fabric that is popular for all-season wear.
Pitch-Worthy Apparel Trends
August 27, 2019 | Trends
From fields to factories, the fashion industry is evolving its practices to meet the requests of conscious end users everywhere. While trends previously focused on the latest coveted colors and patterns, consumers are increasingly concerned with where and how their products are made and the ideas they espouse.
Social-Media Hacks to Score Sales
August 26, 2019 | Management
Lee Romano Sequeira, co-owner of Durham, North Carolina-based Sparkle Plenty Designs, offered a “take-the-shirt-off-our-back” campaign on social media to get the word out about her wares.
May 31, 2019 | Shop Talk
There’s something unique about the apparel-decorating community. Ask decorators about their counterparts and what epitomizes the good things about the industry and — surprise — they won’t ramble on about themselves. They’ll actually defer praise to others.
The Long Road to Innovation
May 30, 2019 | Trends
In the past century, the apparel industry has witnessed a dizzying number of changes in the way companies source, manufacture and decorate garments. From hand cutting film for screen-printed letters to designs that are ready to use in less than 30 seconds, there’s no doubt that the digital age has launched commercial decoration into a realm that industry veterans could only have dreamed of just two decades ago.
The Innovation Era = Now
May 30, 2019 | Trends
This is an exciting time for the decorated-apparel industry. So many new things are happening not only in our market, but also in surrounding ones, so it may be hard to keep up.
8 Things to Do to Be Successful in Your New Decorating Business
May 6, 2019 | Management
Every new business owner starts at the beginning, but there are definitely ways to accelerate your decorating shop’s growth in year one by taking steps that other entrepreneurs either aren’t doing or don’t know they should be doing.
Athletic Wear: It’s Still Personal
April 30, 2019 | Trends
Why mess with a good thing, right? If you’re looking to define the athletic wear and team-uniform categories in 2019, look no further than where things stood last year — with customization.
April 25, 2019 | Shop Talk
When Nanette Finch opened Creeds & Crests Inc. 26 years ago, it was an experience that required her to, as she says, “fly by the seat of my pants.” Little did she know that she was perfectly equipped to handle such a scenario.
4 Marketing Tactics to Try This Year
April 23, 2019 | Management
Visiting Boston-based Johnny Cupcakes is like going to the best bakery in the world — on steroids. There’s the scent of frosting wafting through the showroom, oven-lid decorations and, not to be overlooked, decorated T-shirts stacked in industrial ovens.
7 Easy Ways to Score Referrals
April 8, 2019 | Management
One of the easiest ways to get warm—or even hot—leads is through referrals from your current, on-repeat and happy customers.
April 2, 2019 | Trends
Many decorators and customers think of lasers for the traditional applications of teamwear numbers, names and mascots.
Marketing for Slower Seasons
April 2, 2019 | Management
If you’re like many garment decorators, the cold weather also can cool off your sales. As the summer rush winds down, fall and winter can find you scrambling to minimize costs and planning for the lower end of the bell curve.
The Lowdown on Ladies’ Apparel
March 21, 2019 | Trends
From distinct cuts and colors to fun slogans and witty messaging, today’s womenswear niche isn’t slowing down. And some industry insiders say the trail is blazing as hot as the past comes full circle.
August 27, 2018 | Shop Talk
Eden Autism was started in 1975 as a nonprofit organization to help individuals with autism. The organization has made many strides in varying areas, including opening a school and offering adult services and various other outreach programs.
Fleecewear Takes the Retro Road
August 17, 2018 | Trends
Designers and manufacturers seem to be undergoing a back-to-basics evolution, leaving behind opulence and flair, and instead favoring athletic trends and everyday lifestyle. This gravitational pull is evident when it comes to current fleecewear trends.
Tips for Training Sales Staff
July 2, 2018 | Management
When walking into a bakery to order a cake, you will expect the owner or an employee to inform you on everything the bakery has to offer.
Accelerating the Art Department
June 14, 2018 | Management
The art department is where all of your shop’s creative magic happens. It also is the source of many challenges.
Big Things Come in Small Sizes
June 14, 2018 | Trends
The childrenswear market has grown substantially in the past few years, leading to the creation of a fashion category that holds its own. The apparel therein mirrors larger, adult styles, with collections that are fun and exciting to tot-sized wearers.
June 1, 2018 | Shop Talk
In 2014, Mel Lay founded Gladstone, Oregon-based SandiLake Clothing to satisfy an unmet demand. She saw a trend in “statement clothing” for children, as well as matching sets for kids and adults.
Looking Back to Head Forward
May 17, 2018 | Trends
Once upon a time, you could identify the era in which a hat was popular simply by looking at it. Now, with the retro craze booming, it’s not so easy to peg a hat’s heyday.
The Innovators
May 17, 2018 | Management
Innovation. It’s only a single word, but it has come to define so much, especially in decorated apparel.
May 17, 2018 | Shop Talk
Stuart McKown doesn’t have a long history in the decorated-apparel industry. In fact, he was in a different industry during the country’s most recent economic recession in 2008.
Cultivating the Cutting Edge
May 17, 2018 | Management
Just how innovative is this industry? Though it seems like the business of garment decorating hasn’t evolved much during the years, the fact is that everything is in a constant state of change.
The Brand Boost
May 8, 2018 | Trends
In the past, retail trends appeared at wholesale on a time delay; today, trends in both channels seemingly are one in the same.
How to Increase Staff Motivation
May 8, 2018 | Management
Sometimes it takes more than a paycheck to encourage employees to come to work. Finding out what motivates workers can not only make them happy, but it also can increase your business’ profits.
Changing Tides in Athletic Wear
May 7, 2018 | Trends
Each year, a strong trend or two dominate the athletic wear and team uniform categories. Last year saw a significant fashion influence, along with customization.