It’s truly indicative of the unique start that 2023 had that we waited until March to publish an article about a Contract Decorator’s Playbook. The pent-up need for sharing, counsel, and strategic planning as we look ahead makes this year feels different, in a good way. Take a closer look at our insights about marketing, automation and outsourcing that will provide guidance for the year to come.

Heat-applied faux leatherette patches are made from synthetic materials that mimic the look and feel of real leather and can be applied to caps, clothing, bags, and other accessories. This method of decoration has become a popular way for customers to add a touch of personal flair to their everyday wardrobe.

There are many possible answers to the question of what “sustainable” means for your business. Each community has unique standards and every project may look a little different. Here are some considerations you and your customers can work through before you make any decisions about artwork, the product being decorated or decoration methods, to make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to sustainability.

We just got back from the Impressions Expo in Long Beach and we’re excited to share some of the things we found. From innovations in sustainable use of consumable resources to improvements in automation and process, there was a lot to see.

Many customers at decoration shows I’ve worked in the last year are interested in learning about sublimation on apparel. At the shows, I see apparel companies that do all-over dye sublimation on t-shirts, bowling shirts, polos, bags and towels. You can customize team jerseys, dance uniforms and restaurant uniforms with this decoration technique. In most … Continued

Successful heat printing depends on three things being delivered accurately: heat, time and pressure. Pressure needs to be evenly distributed across the upper platen to the garment design on the lower platen. How important is pressure, you might ask? Apart from it being part of the name of the heat press process, well…pressure is the … Continued

With 2023 right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to review a few key products and stories that will continue to develop in the new year. Let’s explore the consumer’s continued desire to buy products made in the USA, purpose-driven manufacturing and the inclusion of recycled or organic raw materials.

Workers today have been raised with digital efficiencies at their fingertips. A workplace that uses a more analog workflow might look like it’s not keeping up to a potential employee – but it doesn’t have to be this way. Let’s take a look at a few options you can explore to automate key processes to help attract and retain excellent teammates for this new era.

Printing United has come and gone! While the tradeshow circuit took a heavy blow from the COVID-19 pandemic over the last several years, our Decorator and Digital Solutions Team was thrilled to see a heavy turnout at the nation’s largest print show. Two entire halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center were packed to the … Continued

With the print-on-demand production boom of 2021 showing no sign of waning, we take a closer look at two leading techniques that meet the needs of this market. Direct-To-Garment printing has been around for some time, while Direct-To-Film is a relative newcomer. Which should you choose to focus on for your print-on-demand business?