Build Your Business: Trends

Athleisure: Beyond the Gym

February 12, 2024 |

In the coming months, expect to athleisure make statements across the board – as these styles permeate all aspects of our busy lives, from versatile silhouettes and colors to performance fabrications, sustainable options and much more.

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Tees Go Tech: Trend Alert 2024

January 9, 2024 |

How do you define, “basic?” In 2024, a basic T-shirt only lacks decoration. Once decorated, it can take on many forms, with fit and comfort sitting front and center.

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Fleecewear Trends: A Soft Touch

July 12, 2023 |

Fall is in the air, and with it comes a cornucopia of new apparel, with comfort continuing to be the name of the game. Fleece is also becoming more of an everyday wear item at the same time it straddles gender lines.

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Cutting-Edge Apparel: Fits of the Future

May 1, 2023 |

Despite capricious market trends that sometime seem to fluctuate daily, one thing will always remain constant: the apparel industry consistently stays ahead of the game by cultivating cutting-edge technology and techniques racking up win after win.

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The Nuts & Bolts of DTF

March 23, 2023 |

Direct-to-Film (DTF) has been hailed as a revolutionary embellishment process. No longer an abstract idea wistfully floating along within the decorated-apparel think tank world, DTF has infiltrated the industry, setting up shop and ready to upend the great pretreatment debate.

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Staying Ahead of the Game

March 16, 2023 |

Today’s athletic teamwear is a fusion of fashion and function. Comfort reigned supreme at the height of the pandemic, and there are carryovers from that lifestyle for today’s brands.

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Plackets and Wovens Remain Strong

January 17, 2023 |

At the end of the day, despite recent challenges, wovens and plackets are proving more than capable of maintaining a place of prominence as their classic look and feel continue to be in consistent demand among consumers.

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Spilling the Tea on Tees

January 12, 2023 |

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.

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Performancewear Outlook 2023

December 1, 2022 |

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.

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Heat Presses and the Holiday Market

October 21, 2022 |

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.

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Fashion Trends for ’22

April 7, 2022 |

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.

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Athleisure Flexes its Appeal

March 23, 2022 |

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.

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The Tee Party Goes On

January 27, 2022 |

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.

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Heading in a Digital Direction

October 8, 2021 |

While there may never be a sufficient way to clearly describe the indelible mark the past 18-plus months have had on the decorated-apparel industry, here’s a start: The appetite for online shopping has never been greater.

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Refocused on Fun

July 21, 2021 |

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.

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‘Where the Real Magic Lives’

June 9, 2021 |

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.

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Trend Report: Athletic Wear is Back in the Game

April 22, 2021 |

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.

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Doing the Heavy Lifting

March 23, 2021 |

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.

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Talking Trends: Dressing Down

March 18, 2021 |

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.

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Doing the Heavy Lifting

March 4, 2021 |

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.

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Plackets and Wovens Check All the Boxes for Wearers

February 11, 2021 |

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.

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Tees: Still Comfy & Classic

January 25, 2021 |

In recent years, T-shirts have evolved to be anything but basic. Identity and versatility consistently define tees, according to industry suppliers, communicating consumers’ needs and visions.

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Going the Distance

November 12, 2020 |

Once upon a time, performancewear was limited to the gym or other athletic activities. Today, however, comfort reigns supreme.

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Kids Cozy Up to Comfort

November 12, 2020 |

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.

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Why DTG is in Your Future

November 12, 2020 |

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.

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Ahead of the Curve

November 2, 2020 |

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.

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The Intersection of Innovation

September 25, 2020 |

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.

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The Gameplan for Athletic Wear

July 21, 2020 |

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.

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Fewer Problems with Poly

April 29, 2020 |

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.

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What Women Are Wearing

April 22, 2020 |

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.

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Tees: Packed with Purpose

January 28, 2020 |

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.

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The Evolution of Athleisure

November 21, 2019 |

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.

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The Outlook for Outerwear

October 18, 2019 |

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.

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Fit Factors

October 17, 2019 |

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.

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Pitch-Worthy Apparel Trends

August 27, 2019 |

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.

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Cut from the Same Cloth

July 23, 2019 |

They may be small, but children and teens/tweens have a big voice in the apparel industry and are influential when it comes to driving trends.

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Hidden in Plain Sight

July 23, 2019 |

Camouflage is in the middle of a cultural renaissance. At no time in the past has it enjoyed more growth and diversity in the apparel and fashion marketplaces than now.

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Old is New

July 23, 2019 |

If you think about the state of the headwear category one year ago, you’ll probably remember a proliferation of retro headwear, with the front-and-center positioning of trucker and low-profile styles.

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The Long Road to Innovation

May 30, 2019 |

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.

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The Innovation Era = Now

May 30, 2019 |

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.

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Athletic Wear: It’s Still Personal

April 30, 2019 |

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.

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Laser Focus

April 2, 2019 |

Many decorators and customers think of lasers for the traditional applications of teamwear numbers, names and mascots.

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The Lowdown on Ladies’ Apparel

March 21, 2019 |

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.

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Decorated Apparel’s Youth Movement

February 14, 2019 |

When 31-year-old budding hip-hop star Chad-Eric Montgomery founded streetwear line Gold and Gems Clothing, he was interning in Silicon Valley, bunking with his parents and investing each check he received in his business.

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Tee Talk in 2019

January 28, 2019 |

In 2018, T-shirts were defined by versatility. This year, industry suppliers say that versatility will be coupled with the element of communicating wearers’ identities. The basic tee has a touch of fashion but can adapt to current trends, whether it’s paired with a hoodie, sweater or blazer.

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Fleecewear Takes the Retro Road

August 17, 2018 |

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.

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Big Things Come in Small Sizes

June 14, 2018 |

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.

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Looking Back to Head Forward

May 17, 2018 |

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.

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The Brand Boost

May 8, 2018 |

In the past, retail trends appeared at wholesale on a time delay; today, trends in both channels seemingly are one in the same.

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Womenswear: Mindfully Made

March 28, 2018 |

Functional. Comfortable. Authentic. The approach that designers are taking in this year’s womenswear category will reflect the mindset of today’s ultra-diverse consumer.

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What Can Tees Do For You?

February 22, 2018 |

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the T-shirt’s role in a wardrobe? There’s more than one answer, right?

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Cut from the Same Cloth

September 5, 2017 |

Technology, e-commerce, fast delivery and customer engagement currently are hot retail topics, but these trends go beyond the business-to-consumer world.

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Childrenswear Makes Magic

August 21, 2017 |

It can be argued that trends don’t bob and weave in any other industry segments as frequently as in the childrenswear and teens/tweens apparel categories.

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On Top for 2017

October 12, 2016 |

With the year’s end just around the corner, it’s time to get ahead and
prepare to kick off 2017 with new products that will meet customers’
demands.

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Still Running Strong

October 12, 2016 |

Since its industry debut as tight-fitting, moisture-wicking,
support-enhancing apparel, performancewear has continued to be a staple
of gyms, greenways and yoga studios.

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An Inside Look at Outerwear

September 7, 2016 |

Whether it’s protection from the elements or statements of style to accompany a favorite outfit, jackets — and the entire outerwear category at large — have undergone a transformation.

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Innovation in the Trenches

May 17, 2016 |

Upon hearing the term “innovation,” it’s natural to think about technology as it applies to products. But what about other aspects of apparel decorating, such as techniques, design, business practices and marketing? 

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Market Watch: B2C vs B2B

February 11, 2016 |

What a great time to be in the decorated industry. Consumer confidence is up, print and embroidery technology has made more custom “one-offs” possible and new website technology is readily available to the masses, regardless of budget.

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Inside the Embroidery Evolution

February 11, 2016 |

Today, embroidery machines are the most technologically advanced they’ve ever been. Machines typically achieve more than 1,000 stitches per minute, and designs are loaded quickly and easily.

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Sworn to Perform

January 15, 2016 |

Whether for sports, activewear or corporate apparel, performancewear represents tremendous profitability in a less-contested market space.

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Tees Still Trending

January 15, 2016 |

The T-shirt is a fashion staple in virtually all closets across the country. The horizon looks strong and promising for this wardrobe basic, and colors and styles continue to evolve.

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The Framework of a Champion

January 14, 2016 |

Each year, Impressions invites apparel decorators of all experience levels from shops of all sizes to enter the annual Impressions Awards competition.

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The Digital Directive

October 26, 2015 |

In an industry where speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness are paramount, it is critical to arm your shop with the latest digital decorating machines
and supplies.

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Performance Perfection

October 26, 2015 |

Whether your customers are hitting the gym, participating in outdoor activities or even performing strenuous tasks, the breathability, comfort and performance properties of their apparel can be the difference.

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Classy Comfort

July 31, 2015 |

With the fall and winter months right around the corner, consumers will be looking for garments to keep them warm and stylish. Soft, light fleece-wear always is a solid option…

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Trendy Tots

June 30, 2015 |

Childrenswear comes in all different shapes and sizes, with outfits designed for rapidly growing newborns, toddlers or youth.

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Technology Meets Fashion

June 29, 2015 |

It’s amazing how far-reaching apparel decoration can be, not only for the wholesale market with which we’re all familiar, but high fashion as well.

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Factors Driving Fashion

June 29, 2015 |

Welcome to the mid-decade of promotional wearables. According to industry pros, it’s a season of transition, transformation and tradition…

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Lucrative Lids

April 14, 2015 |

Headwear can make the perfect add-on — especially for athletic and promotional orders — while also satisfying customers and giving profit margins a boost. 

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Rush Hour

April 7, 2015 |

Just like their brick-and-mortar counterparts, online businesses need traffic. After which, this traffic needs to be converted to either capture a potential customer’s email address or place an order.

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Adding the ‘Wow’ to Womenswear

March 19, 2015 |

There’s an interesting push in special-effects printing for ladies’ and juniors’ apparel that is more subtle. It even starts to push the boundaries of what is commonly considered special effects.  
 

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What Women Wear

March 19, 2015 |

Promotional fashion style leaders are keenly aware of several trends dominating new product development, particularly for women.  

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Ladies First

March 18, 2015 |

It’s all in the details when it comes to womenswear. Suppliers know a just-right hem, drape or seam can make all the difference.

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Specialized Stitching

March 16, 2015 |

They’re lighter, faster, more efficient and more technologically advanced. Clearly, the evolution of embroidery machines continues.

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Target Acquired

March 12, 2015 |

About two years ago, I was browsing Facebook and looking at entertainer fan pages, which included musical groups, singers, songwriters, etc. I was stunned by how many fans some of these pages had. 

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Apparel Decorators: The Holy Grail for PPDs

March 12, 2015 |

So, just what are promotional products distributors (PPDs) searching for in the quest for decoration excellence? We asked dozens of these busy promotional apparel counselors what they seek or currently have in a superb contract decorator.

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Hitting the Right Target

March 9, 2015 |

Your business’ success depends on getting its message in front of a qualified audience of potential buyers (emphasis on “qualified audience”). This is where precise targeting comes in.

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The Heat Is On

March 9, 2015 |

In the world of apparel decorating, there is nothing more popular or challenging than embellishing on performancewear. The question really isn’t whether you will decorate performancewear; rather, it’s when and how will you do it?

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On The Move

March 9, 2015 |

In the fast-paced performancewear market, consumers’ purchasing decisions are driven by comfort and high-tech details.

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Let’s Get Digital

March 6, 2015 |

Speed and efficiency are the names of the digital game. Every year, this market segment offers exciting new state-of-the-art products.

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Trending: All Over Printing

March 5, 2015 |

When it comes to allover printing on garments, dye sublimation has been a growing trend. Whether you’re at the grocery store, mall, post office or your favorite deli, you’re bound to see shirts covered entirely with oversized images, or in unusual placements.

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How Green is Your Green?

March 3, 2015 |

Though some greenwashing is done with the intent to deceive, in many cases there’s just a difference of opinion as to what qualifies as natural, green, eco-friendly, environmentally safe, etc.  

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Keywords Can Add Value to Your Products

January 12, 2015 |

Today, there are a ton of keywords that you can add to your product offering. It is not hard to find these keywords; just look around where you shop. From the grocery store to street vendors, trending keywords are everywhere. 

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Back to School

November 24, 2014 |

Whether your local school already has a school store with an apparel shop or is new to the school spiritwear industry, custom screen printed and digital transfers can help those businesses grow. 

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The Complex Organic Cotton Issue

October 7, 2014 |

The following is a letter from Garry Bell of Gildan Activewear that was submitted in response to Jimmy Lamb’s article, “How Green is Your Green?” which appeared in the September 2014 issue of Impressions

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Cool Kids

October 2, 2014 |

The kidswear market spans small tykes, active youth and trend-seeking teens, making it one of the largest, most demanding — and most lucrative — niches.  

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How Green is Your Green?

September 8, 2014 |

With consumer spending on the decline, many companies are desperate to boost sales and see jumping on the “green” bandwagon as the perfect solution. 

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Top it Off

September 3, 2014 |

Adding headwear offerings can bring good margins, as they make great add-ons for other orders. The varying price points for caps means there are styles designed for every client’s needs, from youth athletics, to corporate and fund-raising events. 
 

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Gametime Garb

September 3, 2014 |

The team sports arena remains one of the most profitable niches for apparel decorators. But the competition is fierce in this hot market, and customers are looking for the latest and greatest the industry has to offer. 

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Professional Picks

February 27, 2014 |

Woven shirts dominate the corporate market and have for decades. Beyond a wide variety of basic options, suppliers introduce new styles every year with fashion details, expanded color options and performance technologies.
 

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Peak Performance

November 19, 2013 |

In the cutting-edge performancewear market, comfort, movement and technology are paramount. This year’s offering doesn’t disappoint. 

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Outdoor Outfitting

October 7, 2013 |

With cooler weather fast approaching, outerwear suppliers offer a variety of options for your fall and winter orders. 

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Beat the Heat

October 1, 2013 |

For the uninitiated, hot-market printing is the term used in the decorated apparel industry for contract printers who take on the stressful, and often large, T-shirt printing duties after a sports team wins a championship.
 

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Feel-Good Fleece

August 2, 2013 |

With stylish options, fleecewear also maintains its status as a fashion staple. This year’s selection includes everything from contrast detailing to neon colors and heather looks. 

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Outfitting Tots & Teens

June 24, 2013 |

From tiny tykes to towering teenagers, youth customers make up one of the most influential demographics in the decorated apparel industry.
 

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There’s a Cap For That

April 11, 2013 |

Today’s headwear market has wide-ranging appeal, providing everything from practicality to fashion-forward looks, performance-quality fabrics, sustainability and unexpected details. 

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Redefining Fleece

August 27, 2012 |

When someone says the word “fleece,” what do you think of? What probably
comes to mind is either a crew-neck sweat shirt, which is practically
an American icon, or maybe a full-zip hoodie, which has become a
streetwear staple for millions of people.

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Trendy Tykes

June 7, 2012 |

Styling childrenswear is a balancing act. For kids — and their parents — comfort comes first, but fashion is a close second. With this in mind, savvy suppliers continue to deliver apparel that offers trendy, youthful details, but that still allows kids to be — well, kids.

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Teens and Tweens Remain Industry Style-Setters

June 7, 2012 |

Teens and tweens are an ever-growing power base of influencers in the apparel industry. Driven by popular culture, they are quick to adopt and establish new style trends. They view what they wear as a powerful means of self-expression, and are more willing to push the style envelope.

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