Any form of decoration comes with its challenges; it’s simply a natural part of the learning process. You didn’t jump into the driver’s seat of a car and instantly start driving. The process required training, time, patience and probably included a lot of close calls before you became proficient behind the wheel. The same can be said about decoration production.
January 03, 2012
When digital direct-to-substrate equipment first entered this industry, there was a lot of talk about its viability and where it fit in. Today, there’s no question that digital printing has a place in the decorated apparel industry. This is evident by the explosion of players in the equipment and ink sectors, as well as countless success stories of big and small companies making money with this print-on-demand technology.
January 01, 2012
One of the biggest trends in the decorated apparel industry is online apparel design. When set up correctly, it can function as a 24-hour salesperson for your business. It’s a great way to capture the small-order market and satisfy customers who otherwise would not be profitable.
October 13, 2011
To be profitable at any apparel-decorating process, your shop must be set up so the layout and workflow are as efficient and productive as possible, and this certainly holds true for digital direct-to-garment production.
August 29, 2011
Everyone is looking for the latest and greatest when it comes to making a buck and surviving a challenging economic environment. Our industry’s headlines routinely captivate and motivate us by focusing on new, cutting-edge developments in apparel decoration technology. Direct-to-garment printers, textile lasers, white ink, poly-performance apparel, shuttle-hook bobbins, digital transfers and more all challenge us to ask, “What if?” We engage our peers, attend webinars and walk trade shows looking for that new “thing” that will catapult our businesses to higher levels of success and profitability.
June 09, 2011
Many successful shop owners start in this industry with literally no information on how to screen print. Because this apparel-decorating technique has so many variables, it takes a certain level of commitment, trial and error, as well as patience to produce high-quality prints. Some screen printers are satisfied with good-enough designs, while others strive every day to improve and fine tune, all in the constant search to create the ultimate print.
June 07, 2011
In no other demographic is trying to follow what’s hot a faster-moving target than with teens. Heavily influenced by popular culture such as TV, movies, music, social networks and their peers, fads for this demographic may not even last a season. As young people make their journey from children to adults, they actively are seeking to establish who they are, which usually is expressed in how they look. Unfortunately, they change their minds a lot.
June 07, 2011
Despite all of the historical naysaying about polyester fabrics, sublimation is one of the fastest-growing decorating technologies for apparel. The increased visibility of performance fabrics is a big contributing factor to this.
May 02, 2011
Whether you are thinking about purchasing your first print-and-cut device or are simply upgrading your current one, the timing could not be better, as a new generation of these devices is available.
May 02, 2011
As a screen printer first venturing into digital direct-to-garment printing a few years ago, my biggest niche was entertainment — a market that prefers black shirts. I purchased my first digital printer in 2007 as a way of capturing business that I previously had to reject because I consistently received poor-quality artwork. I once turned down 25 screen printing jobs in a week because the artwork was not ready to be separated.
May 02, 2011
Multimedia decorating isn’t a new phenomenon or ground-breaking technique. You’ve seen it on clothing from popular brands, and perhaps even on corporate apparel. But are you offering it to your customers? If not, have you been unsure about finding the right combinations or are you unsure of how to get started? Learn how to get started here.
April 04, 2011
Trendy athletic uniform numbering that has been made popular through the professional sports ranks can be easily achieved with heat-applied graphics.
March 10, 2011
Nearly everyone has considered sublimation as a garment-decorating platform. But only since the recent spike in popularity of performance apparel have people looking for serious volume stopped to take notice of this decorating process.
March 01, 2011
For screen printing shops that have been dragging their heels about adopting digital printing technology, I think you will find that it has a place in any type of decorated apparel operation and can be a profitable endeavor if it is set up to maximize productivity and is properly priced.
February 25, 2011
Using heat-applied graphics is the easiest and most economical way to number team uniforms. All you need to do is provide a name and/or select a graphic, select a color and material, and your custom design ships in about 24 hours. Then, follow the easy heat printing directions using your heat press and you can customize a garment in less than 10 seconds!
February 07, 2011
This year’s Impressions Awards winners all share two common traits that are necessary for not only creating dynamic and innovative apparel designs, but also for ensuring that your customer base remains invigorated and excited about what you can offer as a decorator: attention to detail and envelope-pushing techniques.
January 25, 2011
Sublimation is a great example of a technology that has an enhanced return on investment (ROI) because not only is it a low-cost process, but it also opens doors to a wider spectrum of profitable products, like photo gifts.
January 21, 2011
Following the trends in retail, custom apparel decorating shops can expand their product mixes and bottom lines by offering garments with allover embellishment and oversized designs in unorthodox placements. There are numerous production methods to achieve this end, from fitting your screen printing press with oversized pallets and screens, to mastering certain techniques of digital printing. The method with perhaps the lowest cost of entry and one that’s easy to manage is buying (or printing) oversized transfers.
January 12, 2011
If you’ve added a process such as embroidery to your screen printing business, then you’re probably a good candidate for adding direct-to-garment printing. That’s because you’re already looking at yourself as someone who offers decorating services, not someone who only does screen printing. The only question, then, is how to add the process to your shop.
December 20, 2010
The direct-to-garment printer is one of the fastest-growing tools in the world for garment decoration. Along with this machine’s progression are the applications that are growing along with it. The most impressive of the current trends in garment printing is the use of metal foil embellishment.
November 22, 2010
From moisture-wicking, anti-microbial, and solar protection to stain-resistant and wrinkle-free characteristics, performance features have become something of a must-have for certain markets during the past few years. In most cases, the cost of these garments is dramatically higher than a non-performance style, so you should be able to educate customers on what they’re getting for that higher price tag. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions you may hear.
November 08, 2010
Decorated apparel is an entirely different animal today than a decade ago for a variety of reasons. In addition to fashion and function, numerous factors have enhanced — and changed — the way the industry operates.
November 05, 2010
The need to reduce operating costs, maintain smaller inventories and at the same time attempt to grow their business has never been more apparent. With this being said, the impact of e-commerce matched with on-demand digital printing in the decorated apparel industry has never been more important than it is today.
September 28, 2010
OK, so you bought a heat press. That means the hard part is done; you figured out how much you wanted to spend, you picked the style that fits your business the best and you’ve determined what features you really need to produce the best possible product for your customers. Now that you’ve started using your heat press, you’ve probably come up with a few questions about how to use it most effectively. Following are some of the most popular questions we’ve received from heat press owners.
September 24, 2010
As a business owner in the decorated apparel industry, you always are looking for new income opportunities, right? (Raise your hand if you don’t care about new revenue streams.) Most likely, you have limited yourself to apparel because you’re most comfortable with it. Obviously, there are many available apparel decoration technologies, but most of them carry a pretty hefty price tag – which may make you a bit uncomfortable at first glance.
September 13, 2010
Embellishing garments on their reverse sides is a trend that is growing in popularity and is ideal for a variety of market niches. For instance, consider presenting your local cheer squad with a new twist on their practice shirts — their mascot and team name applied on the inside of a sheer garment so the design shows through.
August 30, 2010
A laser bridge machine is the latest piece of equipment designed to do appliqué and etching on ready-to-wear apparel. It is called a bridge because it is built over a multihead embroidery machine. The laser head travels down a beam stopping over each embroidery head to cut, then move on the next hoop. It can cut almost any type of fabric or etch designs on the fabric’s surface.
August 16, 2010
Adding a Roland VersaCAMM printer/cutter unit to your shop can take you to a whole new level of decorating capabilities in terms of the types of jobs you can do, as well as the speed and efficiency with which you can do them. What’s more, despite the ample power the state-of-the-art machine can provide your shop, it’s not difficult to use — and if you follow these simple suggestions for troubleshooting your VersaCAMM, the road to decorating efficiency, versatility and profits will be even smoother.
June 21, 2010
If you’re an embroiderer, adding direct-to-garment decorating technology to your shop is probably one of the simplest things you can do from an operational standpoint. In fact, it’s akin to adding a singlehead embroidery machine — to put it rather simply, you’re just adding another machine that hooks up to a computer and produces fantastic-looking decorations.
June 18, 2010
The process of direct-to-garment digital printing is constructed of several crucial building blocks, and the pretreatment chemistry is truly the cornerstone of the process. This rather insipid-looking chemistry provides myriad functions that are essential in achieving a durable print.
June 07, 2010
Despite the challenges of the economy, the team sports arena remains a healthy market for savvy apparel decorators. But like the players you are outfitting, this niche is competitive and those shops with deep inventory offerings and innovative decorating capabilities are most likely to score big with local orders.
April 21, 2010
Headwear remains in high demand among a variety of markets, from Little League teams to staff uniforms to promotional giveaways. For today's savvy decorators, the sky is the limit to providing your customers cap offerings that can fit any niche or price point.
April 21, 2010
This year, ISS Long beach was again the showcase for the third-annual Impressions Awards Student Decorating Competition. An extension of the Impressions Awards contest for industry professionals, the student version is tailored for future screen printers and digital decorators, and consists of five categories created to celebrate these young people's achievements.
April 21, 2010
Which is easier: adding a new customer or servicing an existing one? The answer is quite obvious — servicing an existing one. Like it or not, it takes a lot of time, energy and effort to bring in new customers, yet most of us are always looking to continually build our roster rather than take full advantage of the customers we currently have.
April 16, 2010
More publicity. Less competition. These are great reasons to start a business during a recession. Whether you’re new to the industry or already established, here are a few promotional ideas to help give your business a boost.
March 12, 2010
Attending your first decorated apparel trade show is exhilarating. Even though the cost of travel is up, I don't think you can afford to miss the trade show closest to your home town. If you are new to the industry, prepare to be astounded by the number of new products and suppliers you will find. If you are an old hand in the industry, expect to find new products, ideas and processes to keep your business innovative and on the right track.
March 02, 2010
This time of year is the traditional off-season at apparel decorating shops — but it arguably should be the busiest time. An annual lull in production demand gives shop owners and manages the time to reevaluate processes, focus on quality improvement, streamline paperwork and test new workflow solutions. The post-holiday winter season gives decorators the time to prepare for a more profitable peak season.
February 01, 2010
As someone involved in repairing and refurbishing digital garment printing equipment, I can tell you that I see some machines in unbelievably dirty condition. In the same way that some screen printers neglect their presses, some digital decorators fail to clean and maintain their digital printers, causing themselves unnecessary headaches and expenses. That’s a shame when you consider how quick and easy it is to maintain your printer.
January 11, 2010
As our industry continues to show resilience during these challenging economic times, it is evident that art remains at the core of apparel decoration. The 31st annual Impressions Awards competition, which was judged at last September’s Fort Worth Imprinted Sportswear Show, presented a collection of artistic and technical decorating expertise on all types of wearables and even in framed pieces.
January 11, 2010
There’s a lot to see and do at the Long Beach Imprinted Sportswear Show (ISS), to be held Jan. 22-24, and a don’t-miss showcase is the 2010 winners of the Impressions Awards Student Decorating Competition.
January 04, 2010
As someone involved in repairing and refurbishing digital garment printing equipment, I can tell you that I see some machines in unbelievably dirty condition. In the same way that some screen printers neglect their presses, some digital decorators fail to clean and maintain their digital printers, causing themselves unnecessary headaches and expenses. That's a shame when you consider how quick and easy it is to maintain your digital printer. If you purchased a brand-new automobile, you wouldn't simply drive it endlessly without performing regular maintenance tasks like oil changes and tire pressure checks. Similarly, when you purchase a digital garment printer, you need to give the machine some occasional TLC. Doing so will go a long way in extending the mileage of your digital printer, ensuring that it has a trouble-free, efficient life. What's more, properly maintaining your digital printer can help you save ink, minimize the frequency of head cleanings and nozzle checks, avoid wasting garments, and avoid replacing print heads and other components.
October 05, 2009
A third-generation garment decorator, Zackary Faraj got the idea for a line of customizable T-shirts, Custom T Couture, Fairview, N.J., after seeing the decline in domestic garment production.
October 02, 2009
It’s only appropriate that garments known for their durability and dependability should remain resilient during tough economic times. Wovens, a perennial favorite in the decorated apparel industry, are holding their own despite the fact that the recession has affected most businesses and the economic climate is conservative.
October 01, 2009
A new video from Hirsch Intl. shows how to print oversize designs on the Mimaki inkjet garment printer the company distributes. To see the video, visit hirschinternational.com . Click on “Direct To Garment Printer” and search the right navigation bar for available videos.
September 28, 2009
Digital Art Solutions has introduced The Smart Garment Printing System — a direct-to-garment (DTG) Digital Art's ASSET concept. That acronym stands for Artwork, Software, Support, Equipment, Training equals Success. Digital Art Solutions is an industry-leading producer of production-ready digital art and add-on graphics software.
September 28, 2009
Since its introduction to the decorated apparel industry several years ago, direct-to-garment printing has been heralded as a game-changer — a disruptive technology that would dramatically change the way shops conduct business. It would allow decorators to tackle small orders, suppliers said. It would let shops offer personalization and print photographs with amazing detail, they promised. And it would dramatically reduce set-up time, they’ve claimed.
September 01, 2009
Corel Corp., Ottawa, recently announced the winners of the CorelDRAW International Design Contest, which drew submissions from users in more than 60 countries. Junior Souza of Brazil won first place in the Fashion/Textile category. Impressions Senior Editor Terry Murphy was among the international panel of judges for the competition.
August 10, 2009
Equipment Zone, Fair Lawn, N.J., has introduced the Veloci-Jet, a new digital direct-to-garment printer. According to the company, it is one of the fastest inkjet-to-garment printers on the market, printing a full-size design on a light shirt in about one minute.
July 06, 2009
Today’s kids are sporting some decidedly progressive, adult-driven apparel, including sun dresses with Affliction-style heraldry designs, diapers decorated with abstract sublimated designs, vintage-wash fabrics and organic cotton one-piece body suits. These fashion-forward offerings are part of a bumper crop of products from industry suppliers, who continue to unveil new twists for tots, even as classic kidswear items retain their perennial popularity.
July 01, 2009
Following the trends in retail, custom apparel decorating shops can expand their product mixes and bottom lines by offering garments with allover embellishment and oversized designs in unorthodox placements. There are numerous production methods to achieve this end, from fitting your screen printing press with oversized pallets and screens, to mastering certain techniques of digital printing. The method with perhaps the lowest cost of entry and one that’s easy to manage is buying (or printing) oversized transfers.
July 01, 2009
Whether you are buying a cappuccino or getting your oil changed, chances are the person assisting you is outfitted in custom workwear or servicewear of some type. It’s hard to say exactly when the first uniform was worn and by whom. Perhaps soldiers going into battle started the phenomenon. Or maybe it was railroad workers who wore bib overalls in the late 1800’s that popularized the trend. Either way, from traditional to non-traditional, workwear has become a staple of various sectors in our labor force.
June 22, 2009
Eric Withaar knew the look he wanted to offer customers — the hip, creative style that's so popular now at retail. "It's that look of cotton twill with frayed edges," he says. However, it simply wasn't cost-efficient for his shop to offer customers the highly sought-after look — until he purchased a laser bridge machine last year.
May 01, 2009
There are about as many ways to number athletic team uniforms as there are teams in the ever-expanding playoffs of professional sports — in other words, lots. But you have to know which decoration process works best in various situations. With that in mind, here's an in-depth look at the six main ways to number uniforms, as well as the pros and cons of each process.
April 01, 2009
What is Digital Decorating? Learn from Impressions
For the latest trends and techniques in heat-applied graphics through heat transfers, sublimation, DTG printing, print-and-cut decorating, and other digital decorating, visit us at Impressions magazine. If digital shirt printing is your business, subscribe to Impressions and get all the information you need.
|
