Blog

Board Members

APARNA AVASARALA

Aparna Avasarala, DenimRush

Business Tips

Turning Branded Merchandise Into An Experience

From hand painting denim jackets to helping clients launch brand campaigns, Aparna Avasarala takes logos to the next level.

Business Tips

Persistence Pays When Getting Started

Learning from YouTube and podcasts, Christy Shellenberger is proof that persistence pays when learning how to screen print.

Culture and Trends

Color-Changing Inks: The Why and The How

With creativity and imagination your only boundaries, adding color- changing inks can take your shop to the next level.

Board Members

CHRISTY ROSSI

Christy Rossi – Snatch and Run Screen Printing

Board Members

PETE SEOW JR

Pete Seow Jr, Easy Did It, Atlanta

News and Events

Gildan Opens its Doors to the BOD

Gildan Opens its Doors to the BOD

Board Members

BLAKE REED

Blake Reed, Money Merch Orange, Calif.

Business Tips

Increase Output and Capabilities With A Bigger Press

Deciding to upgrade allowed me to increase output from 300 to 700 shirts per hour.

Business Tips

Why I Started My Own Decorated Apparel Business

Starting a decorated apparel business made sense for me because I’ve been drawing my whole life.

Board Members

MATTHEW HILLIS

Matthew Hillis, Print Two Impress

Board Members

SHARON PRYOR

Sharon Pryor, Squirrelprintz, Los Angeles

Business Tips

Develop An Unstoppable Sales Team

Training does not end after the initial period. Ongoing education keeps your team motivated and inspired.

Culture and Trends

Comparing DTG to DTF: One Decorator’s Perspective

Learning the distinctions between DTG and DTF will help you choose which process to use for which jobs.

Business Tips

Finding Solutions For Growing Pains & Pricing

Christy Rossi shares how she handles two common challenges: growing pains and pricing.

Business Tips

Why You Should Consider Cross Training

Increase employee opportunities, engagement and retention with a cross training program that allows a company to be flexible in challenging times.

business tips

Printer Strikes Gold With Print-On-Demand Model

Blake Reed has finetuned his screen-printing operation to offer clients a way to sell their branded merch with no money down and no inventory.

News and Events

From Local to Global: Print 2 Impress Uses the Power of a Blank T-shirt to Build Community

From Local to Global

Culture and Trends

Three-Generation Family Business Thrives

P&M Apparel, founded in 1987, is proof that a family business can survive and thrive through multiple generations.

Business Tips

Tips For Training An Unstoppable Sales Team

For the past eight years, I have turned students into top salespeople for the college niche. Here’s how I did it.

News and Trends

From Local to Global: Print 2 Impress Uses the Power of a Blank T-shirt to Build Community

Print 2 Impress Uses the Power of a Blank T-shirt to Build Communit

Business Tips

Top Tips For Staging A Successful Fundraiser

In this fourth blog on fundraising, I offer some tricks of the trade that I have found make the process go easier and ensure the greatest degree of success.

business tips

Building A Business With A No Minimum Strategy

With the proper decorating techniques, setup and pricing, you can make money on small orders and build a loyal customer base.

Master Decorators

Specializing In Screen Printing Has Driven My Success

A self-described screen-printing nerd, Dylan Gilligan has built his shop’s reputation on creating the best print.

Business Tips

The Trade Show Advantage

Trade shows are a nice opportunity to reconnect with existing partners, especially if they're in locations you don't frequent. That being said, you really want to make sure you're attending for new customers as well.

board members

Mitch Heiman

President Perrin Resort and Collegiate Apparel

Tech and Innovation

How the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Is Helping Cotton Farmers Drive Positive Social and Environmental Results

In part one of this series, I talked about the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, which is farm-level, science-based sustainability program launched by the National Cotton Council, (NCC) in late 2019. Its mission is to create positive outcomes on both social and environmental aspects of U.S. cotton farming. It is also harnessing powerful blockchain and other digital technologies to provide brands and retailers an unprecedented level of supply chain visibility.

Board members

Meet The New Board of Decorators!

Tap into the wealth of knowledge and expertise of this year’s Board of Decorators. Meet the 2022 BOD members whose mission is to help to improve the printwear industry.

Board Members

DYLAN GILLIGAN

Dylan Gilligan, Upstate Merch

Board Members

STEVEN FARAG

Steven Farag Campus Ink

Board Members

JESSICA SANCHEZ

Jessica Sanchez, The Colorpop Print Studio, Grand Prairie, Texas

Board Members

RYAN TONEY

Ryan Toney, P&M Apparel, Iowa

Business Tips

How to Start a Clothing Brand From Scratch

Looking to start a clothing brand from scratch but don’t know where to start? Read on to discover our clothing brand start-up guide.

Culture and Trends

T-shirt Trends for 2022 and Beyond

Wanting to keep up with t-shirt trends but don’t know where to start? Click here to discover the latest t-shirt trends and tips on how to keep up with them.

News and Events

Branded Clothing: What’s Going On?

You may have seen a surge of high-street branding appearing on clothing recently, but where has this hype come from? Click to discover more.

Culture and Trends

Ultimate Guide To Ethical T-Shirt Printing

Looking for ways to ensure your t-shirt printing is as ethical and sustainable as it can be? Read our guide for some useful tips.

Business Tips

How To Use Influencers and Ambassadors To Promote Your Clothing Brand

Want to know how to utilize fashion influencers and brand ambassadors effectively? We’ve got you covered. Click here to find out.

Culture and Trends

What is Fast Fashion and How Did It Happen?

Fast fashion is everywhere, but what exactly is it and where did the phenomenon come from? Click here to find out.

Business Tips

How To Choose The Right Manufacturer

Are you new to the clothing manufacturing scene? We can help. We’ve compiled a list of top tips and advice to ensure you pick the right manufacturer.

What Is Screen Printing? A Guide To Silk Screen Printing

Screen printing is a popular method of t-shirt printing. Learn more about silk screen printing, including its benefits and different types, here.

Business Tips

Promote Your Fundraiser To Ensure Its Success

Word of mouth happens organically; otherwise social media is a powerful tool for getting the word out to as many people as possible.

Culture and Trends

How The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Is Changing Brands’ Ability To Assure Fiber Sustainability and Supply Chain Transparency

How The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Is Changing Brands’ Ability To Assure Fiber Sustainability and Supply Chain Transparency by Gary Bell

Business Tips

Ecommerce Platforms For T-Shirt Fundraisers Speeds Up The Process

For speed, efficiency and to reduce human error, automate your fundraising with a webstore.

Master Decorators

Ink Mixing Systems and Lighting Matter When Setting Up An Ink Kitchen

Once you properly set up your ink kitchen with the right tools and lighting, using it is as easy as baking cookies.

Business Tips

T-Shirt Fundraisers Help Others While Building A Reputation in The Community

By Jennifer Badger

Business Tips

Adding In Options To Your Bundle Pricing

Bundles offer many advantages to customers and decorators alike. Here are some tips to putting together packages that will work for your shop.

Take Your Seat on the Board

If you're an industry game changer who's innovative with inks, community-centric & passionate about the future of printwear - then this is the space for you.

Master Decorators

Setting Up An Ink Kitchen

When your volume and/or type of printing demand it, mixing your own inks offers many advantages.

Business Tips

Understanding Your Business Costs - The Difference Between Success and Failure

By learning how to accurately keep track of your expenses, you always have the information you need to make the best decision.

Business Tips

Keeping Your Print Shop Business in the Black

The best way to make sure you never run out of cash is to have a qualified professional reviewing financials on a monthly basis.

Business Tips

Increase Customer Satisfaction By Bundling Your Services

By combining your print, art and shirt options into packages, you take the guesswork out of ordering for your customers, saving them time and increasing their job satisfaction.

Business Tips

Setting Quality Standards In Your Shop

By establishing the goal to always do better in your shop, you ensure that employees are constantly evaluating their work.

Business Tips

How To Succeed In The Music Merchandise Market

By Christine Geromino, owner, Midnight Supply Co. Seattle

Culture and Trends

Investing in Social Media Reaps Great Rewards

Based on my experience incorporating social media in my marketing, you are missing out on valuable opportunities if you don’t participate.

Culture and Trends

Entrepreneur Creates A Brand With A Powerful Message

Christopher Barnes wants everyone to feel like they contribute and he’s created a T-shirt collection to make his point.

Business Tips

3 Tips to Better Employee Retention

3 Tips to Better Employee Retention

Business Tips

Coping with COVID: Make Employee Retention a Priority

Coping with COVID: Make Employee Retention a Priority

Tech and Innovation

Tipping the Scale with Special Effects

Learn how you can use specialty inks and effects to add a little extra pizazz to your T-shirt designs.

Tech and Innovation

7 Expert Tips for Screen Printing on Dark T-shirts

Lots of screen printers think dark shirts are harder to print. However, once you learn the process, the black tee will be your new best friend—and your customers will probably prefer a black tee for standout designs. Learn more from Lon Winters.

Tech and Innovation

Next Generation DTG Printers: Changing the Game

Emerging technology is allowing DTG to better meet customers’ expectations of faster delivery, greater customization and a “retail” look. Michelle Moxley tells us more.

Tech and Innovation

The Digital Evolution and the Future of Screen Printing

Is the future of screen printing threatened by digital printing? Find out more about the impact that digital printing may have on the next generation.

Master Decorators

Big Printing’s Pathway to Success

Learn how Dawaud Muhammad carved out a profitable niche and established a reputation as the go-to decorator for urban streetwear.

Board Members

Sound and Fury. Keeping Us Honest.

Matt from Sound & Fury, describes his love for screen printing: from being a mad scientist with inks, to all the fine details (‘the pressure, the speed, the angle’ ). He loves pushing boundaries.

Board Members

Anthony Corsano: The Value of Hard Work

What are Anthony’s secrets to his success? Learn how Anthony turned a combination of hard work and a love of people into an impressive career in the decorated apparel industry.

Tech and Innovation

Top Tips for Decorating Face Masks

Lots of screen printers think dark shirts are harder to print. However, once you learn the process, the black tee will be your new best friend—and your customers will probably prefer a black tee for standout designs. Learn more from Lon Winters.

Business Tips

9 Tips to Find Direct to Garment (DTG) Friendly T-shirts

We’ve got the top nine qualities to look for (and avoid) to find the best DTG-friendly cotton T-shirts.

Master Decorators

Shop Skills: Constantly Create Shows Off Its Hottest Designs

See how great quality artwork contributed to the growth of this custom t-shirt printing business. Constantly Create Shop, scaled his 4-year old shop to its first million-dollar year in 2020.

Business Tips

8 Growth Hacks from a Million-Dollar Printer

DJ Kinslow shares eight tactics that literally multiplied his revenues 10 times in just under four years.

Business Tips

DTG vs Screen Printing: Finding the Sweet Spot

Learn about the distinct advantages screen printing and DTG printing offer and how to determine which process is right for your shop.

Business Tips

4 Proactive Ways to Stay Profitable in 2021

As we enter 2021, here are four areas to consider quarterly to consistently improve your shop’s sales.

Business Tips

8 Industries Negatively Affected by COVID-19

Here are 6 ways your business may look a little different in the second half of 2020.

News and Events

How ‘Make A Tee’ and ‘Make Our Schools Safe’ Use T-shirts to Create Positive Impact

Here’s how Meryl is working with Make our Schools Safe to fulfill their mission in designing stronger, better, and smarter school safety practices.

Culture and Trends

2021 Industry Trends in Decorated Apparel

E-commerce ready, flexibility and diversity are three keywords that describe COVID survivors, and those who want to succeed in 2021.

Culture and Trends

Digital Trends You Shouldn’t Ignore in 2021

Digital Trends Prevail from Equipment to Communication. While analog is not going away, the digital age has truly arrived in the form of printers, communication, sales and marketing.

Business Tips

Explore The Wellness Side Of Health Care For Unlimited Growth

Explore The Wellness Side Of Health Care For Unlimited Growth

Business Tips

Coping with COVID: Keep in Constant Communication

Keeping in Constant Communication with Staff and Customers helps to maintain Valuable Relationships

News and Events

Giving Back: Anthony Corsano on the Deeper Meaning Behind Making a Difference

Learn how Anthony Corsano is giving back to his community and his philosophy on the deeper meaning behind making a difference.

Business Tips

Creating an Evaluation Checklist

Use this handy list to make sure you are checking every aspect of a shirt’s look and feel to ensure customer satisfaction and maintain your standards.

Business Tips

Help Bands Sell More Merch

Helping bands sell more merch may be your ticket to higher profits.

Business Tips

A Guide to Choosing Your First Embroidery Machine

Once you decide to offer custom embroidery, the biggest investment will be the machine. Here are some tips to consider when choosing your first embroidery machine.

Business Tips

The Best Way to Learn Social Media Is By Doing

Based on my experience incorporating social media in my marketing, you are missing out on valuable opportunities if you don’t participate.

Business Tips

Tips and Tricks for Successfully Printing DTG

This is the third in a series about getting started creating an online DIY design website and fulfillment using digital direct-to-garment printing. Read more.

Business Tips

Getting Started in Embroidery

Matt Richardson shares some tips and tricks for ensuring your start in embroidery is successful. Read more.

News and Events

Midnight Supply Company: Proud to Support Community

Building strong communities doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time, and it can start with the basics. Always looking for simple ways to create change, Geronimo knows that the way to move forward is to give back. Read more

Business Tips

Recognizing The Importance of Branding

Know who you are and how to best communicate that to potential clientele. Learn about the importance of branding in social media marketing.

Business Tips

Getting Started Selling T-Shirts Online

Learn the first steps you need to take if you want to start offering apparel decorating services from a website.

Business Tips

Making a Difference in the Nonprofit Niche

Not only can you feel good about getting involved in the community and giving back, the nonprofit niche also can be a profitable market for your business. Learn more.

Business Tips

Tips to Improve Customer Satisfaction

Clear, well-communicated customer service policies ensure that staff knows how to handle the problems that most often crop up. Learn more

Business Tips

Finding Your Voice on Social Media

Nowhere is the advice to “Be Yourself” more important than on social media. Learn more.

Business Tips

Why You Should Consider Using an ERP System in your Shop

There are many advantages to be gained from using an ERP system in your shop. Learn about them here.

News and Events

Relentless Merch and the Lincoln Community Foundation: Turning Up the Volume on Doing Good

When makers and artists come together, possibilities to build powerful initiatives are endless.” Learn more about how Relentless Merch and the Lincoln Community are “Making a Difference by Working Together.

Business Tips

Getting Started with DTG Print on Demand

Learn the workflow process needed to produce print on demand using a DTG printer.

Business Tips

Exploring the Power Of Social Media to Promote your Print Shop

If you haven’t been using social media to market your shop, it’s time to start. If you have, here are some tips on how to improve.

Business Tips

Getting Started in Music Merch

Here’s how Christine Geronimo turned her passion and love for music into a thriving business.

Business Tips

Know Your Business Basics to Survive & Thrive

While you may be the world’s best at artwork, decorating techniques and print quality, without basic business skills you’re never going to survive. Let’s get back to the business basics with Anthony Corsano.

Business Tips

6 Ways to Add Shirts for a Cause to Your Lineup

Your decorated-apparel business is a platform you can use to raise awareness for different causes and social change. Keep these six points in mind when adding shirts for a cause.

Tech and Innovation

Cashing in on the Heat Press Advantage

If you’re looking for new ways to add value to your services, consider heat pressing your cured screen prints. Learn more.

Business Tips

How to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in Your Shop

Here are some ways you can implement diversity strategies in your workplace.

Business Tips

Elevate Your T-shirts with Custom Tags

Adding custom tags can help create the perception of retail apparel or private label garments. Here are 6 ways to creatively use them and generate a great profit for your shop.

Business Tips

How to Sell T-shirts to Museums and Galleries

Learn how TX-based Industry Print Shop has become an invaluable resource and a partner for the local arts community and how you too can tap into this market.

Business Tips

8 Ways to Make Sustainability Part of Your Business

There’s a corporate responsibility as well as a consumer demand for goods produced in a way that creates a lighter impact. Here are 8 ways Amy incorporates sustainable practices in her everyday business.

Tech and Innovation

Tips for Fine-Tuning Your Finished Prints

Learn how to fine tune the finish of your print to be anything from a flat matte to a high gloss.

Business Tips

A Guide to Selling to Non-profits

Nonprofits are a huge market, both at the national and local levels. Here are five ways Meryl has grown her nonprofit client list over the years.

Business Tips

How to Support Your Music Clients Right Now

Rich believes there will be a long-term shift from selling the bulk of band merch at live venues toward a more immediate online buying experience. He shares 4 key ways you can tap into this new selling landscape.

Board Members

Midnight Supply Company: Making Memorable Nights Out

Christine shares her story of how her passion for music and band merch have led her to owning a print shop today. From merch coordinator to print shop manager to print shop owner, Christine continues to be fueled by this passion and seeing her clients’ businesses grow.

Board Members

Akade Kollection Brand: Finding Who You Are

Christopher shares how he has found beauty in his mistakes and how they’ve led to strengthening his identity and growth for his t-shirt printing business - Akade Kollection Brand.

Board Members

Relentless Merch: Makers and Artists

Matt discusses his passion for apparel decorating. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, Matt was always the maker whilst his brother Nathan was always the artist and musician. Discover what new piece of machinery for t-shirt printing he invested in and hear why he’s so excited about embroidery.

Board Members

Make A Tee Online: Turning Ordinary into Artistry.

Meryl tells of her love of helping people and ‘turning ordinary into artistry’. She loves being challenged and taking risks with business and shares why she invested in a direct to garment machine in 2011.

Board Members

Culture Studio: Every Print Order is An Opportunity

Culture Studio is dedicated to being the best in the t-shirt printing industry and so chased after some of the most high-profile clients in the world.

Board Members

Industry Print Shop: Blood, Sweat, Mostly Tears

Tony discusses his passion for printing, music and art and his contentment in working with creatives in his community.

Tech and Innovation

DTG’s Impact on The Next Generation

Whether you are an established T-shirt screen printer or DTG operation, or you are thinking of starting one, looking ahead and assessing evolving and future screen print industry trends is a smart move.

Board Members

Threadbare Print House. From Setback to Success.

Based on my experience incorporating social media in my marketing, you are missing out on valuable opportunities if you don’t participate.

News and Events

Chairman’s Message

Anthony Corsano reflects on the historic year of 2020 and welcomes the 2021 BOD.

Tech and Innovation

The Digital Evolution and the Future of Screen Printing – Pt II

Learn how consumer preferences will play a major role in determining the future of screen printing.

Business Tips

6 Tips to Streamline Your Ordering Process

Scott Valancy shares 6 expert tips to help make your shop’s ordering process more efficient and keep it running smoothly.

Business Tips

A Guide to Large Order Personalization

Emmy Handen from Bravo Screen Printing shares some tips and tricks on how she gets large complex orders done and dusted

Business Tips

Pitching New Uses for T-shirts

Unprecedented situations, such as COVID-19, can result in a business shift. Here are some thought-starters for pitching new t-shirt business ideas.

News and Events

Gildan Named One of the World’s Most Sustainably Managed Companies

Across all industries, Gildan ranked 32nd overall and second among three apparel companies. Learn more.

Business Tips

COVID-19 Silver Lining Stories

3 Printshop Owners on How their Response to the Pandemic Has Created a Silver Lining for Their Companies and Communities

Business Tips

How to Handle Post-COVID-19 Employment Concerns

Here are 10 ways to manage COVID-19 employee communication and COVID-19 employee stress, with input from apparel-decorating shop owners.

Business Tips

5 Ways Decorators Shake Up T-Shirt Marketing

Decorators are revamping their t-shirt and apparel marketing in light of a pandemic-stricken economy. Here are 4 areas they’re finding key ways to serve customers’ new and morphing needs.

Business Tips

Handling T-Shirt Pricing in Our New Normal

Based on my experience incorporating social media in my marketing, you are missing out on valuable opportunities if you don’t participate.

Business Tips

Screen Printing Isn’t Dead

Veteran Printer, Dave Gardner, shares his thoughts on why he believes DTG printing will never replace screen printing.

Business Tips

Scale Your Shop with the Right Equipment

Here are eight of Jenifer Badger’s suggestions - based on her own experience scaling a shop—for purchasing new or used equipment.

News and Events

Gildan Releases Newest Genuine Responsibility® Report

Gildan has just released their newest Genuine Responsibility® Report which highlights the Company’s 2019 results, key priorities, and future commitments towards achieving its vision of Making Apparel Better®. Read more in this article.

Business Tips

6 Ways COVID-19 Impacts Screen Printers

A look at what the future may hold for 8 industries challenged by COVID-19.

Business Tips

Upselling Tips for Print Shops

Useful tips and hacks for upselling different services to your existing customers.

Business Tips

How to Match Customers to their Perfect T-shirts

Here are 7 tactics to match customers to their perfect t-shirts, starting with their very first order.

Tech and Innovation

Digital Hybrid Printing: Imaging the Possibilities

Learn about the exciting opportunities digital hybrid printing offers and how it allows printers to use special effects in new ways.

Culture and Trends

The Big, Post-Virus Push Toward E-commerce

New online buying patterns are dictating how decorators sell and process orders. Here are 4 ways to approach e-commerce.

Business Tips

Overseas Orders

Marian shares how she got started with overseas orders and how she overcame challenges that came her way.

Tech and Innovation

My First Experience with DTG Printing

Dave Gardner shares his observations and insights for those who may still be on the fence about investing in DTG printing.

Culture and Trends

10 Industries to Pitch Decorated Apparel to Right Now

Here’s a rundown on 10 industries to keep your eye on for decorated-apparel opportunities

Business Tips

Working with PTAs

Here are Emmy Handen’s valuable insights on how she’s able to tackle these complex orders.

Business Tips

Customer Loyalty in 5 Proven Steps

Here are five steps that Marian Hinebauch recommends you take to create a loyal customer base.

Business Tips

7 Ways to Streamline Your Smaller Shop’s Operations

Whether you’re a startup decorating shop, a sole proprietor or a shop that’s had to downsize to a smaller staff, there are some key ways you can streamline your operations to stay competitive. Learn more.

Master Decorators

Veteran Printer Embarks On The Road Less Travelled Making New Discoveries Along The Way

Michelle Moxley tells how she translated an affinity for special effects animation to printing special effects inks on T-shirts to becoming a leading authority and educator on hybrid digital printing.

Business Tips

Copy of Marketing Your Shop Traditionally

Zachary Traxler has gotten lucrative results from combining digital with traditional marketing. Today, he shares his tips on how to run a great traditional marketing campaign.

Business Tips

Marketing Your Shop Traditionally

Zachary Traxler has gotten lucrative results from combining digital with traditional marketing. Today, he shares his tips on how to run a great traditional marketing campaign.

Business Tips

How to Handle Burnout

Jen Badger shares how she manages and adjusts her work patterns to alleviate stress, allowing her to rediscover the motivation for her craft.

Business Tips

How to Manage Your Inventory Like a Pro

Learn about the worth of having surplus stock, and how to go about it smartly.

Business Tips

Use Instagram to Turn Followers Into Loyal Customers

Here are eight key ways Dawaud Muhammad uses Instagram to connect with his exact right prospects—and turn them into loyal customers, who buy and refer his shop, on repeat.

Culture and Trends

Joining the Fight: Making Masks.

Learn how two small businesses are pivoting in response to the pandemic: Big Community Inspiration in a Small Mask!

Business Tips

The COVID-19 Business Game Plan Part II

In part II of this series, Mark Coudray shares tips and ideas on creating a plan that will strengthen your business and how to best prepare for the return to “normal.”

Business Tips

Veteran Printer Evolves To Survive and Returns To Help Others

Mark Coudray shares his story and conveys a strong message to those who may be struggling or fearful of what the future might bring.

Business Tips

The COVID-19 Business Game Plan -Part I

Based on my experience incorporating social media in my marketing, you are missing out on valuable opportunities if you don’t participate.

Business Tips

What’s Now? What’s Next? 6 Immediate Steps for Mapping an Uncertain Future.

Mitch Heiman, of Perrin Sportswear in Michigan, shares long-term thinking and short-term practical strategies for surviving the Covid-19 pandemic.

Business Tips

Online Fundraising Stores: Creating a Positive Impact

Adam Smith, of Lucky Prints, shares his thoughts on how retrofitting his company’s digital tools might help other businesses in Chicago—stay in business.

News and Events

Gildan Activewear to start producing personal protective equipment to help slow the spread of COVID-19

Gildan has joined forces with various partners to produce non-medical face masks and isolation gowns in support of the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic!

News and Events

Selection of 2020 Board of Decorators Postponed due to COVID-19 Virus

Update on selection of 2020 Board of Decorators

Business Tips

Asking Hard Questions Without Easy Answers

An interview with the Chair of the Board of Decorators on how print businesses doing the right thing now can also be doing the right thing for the future.

Business Tips

5 Core Team Members Every Print Shop Needs

Based on my experience incorporating social media in my marketing, you are missing out on valuable opportunities if you don’t participate.

Tech and Innovation

Adapting to the DTG Evolution

Dave Gardner, sees the future of screen printing through the lens of its past.

Business Tips

Understanding Facebook’s Changing Algorithms to Reach Your Target Audience

Traxler offers six tips for mastering interaction on Facebook in 2020 with the newest algorithms

Business Tips

Creating an Employee- Focused Culture

Don’t lose sight of what really makes you successful— your employees. Tap into these nine tips for creating an employee-focused culture.

Business Tips

Helping Customers Come Up with Ideas

Before hitting the press, you may need to guide your customer in coming up with ideas - as some might not have the faintest clue of what the end product should look like. Today, Marian shares some of her best practices for guiding customers through their brainstorming journey.

News and Events

Gildan’s leading corporate sustainability practices recognized by the 2020 SAM Sustainability Yearbook

Gildan receives Bronze Class Distinction in the 2020 SAM Sustainability Yearbook

News and Events

Gildan achieves an A- in CDP & 2019 scores for corporate transparency and action on climate change

Gildan achieves an A- in CDP's 2019 scores for corporate transparency and action on climate change

Tech and Innovation

Reclaiming Screens in Small Shops

Learn all about Jen’s pragmatic approach to reclaiming screens.

Culture and Trends

Hot Garment Trends

Dawaud talks about some of the current trends in printing and gives advice to those looking to keep up with hot garment trends.

Business Tips

Moving Leftover Product

Learn how you can limit surplus inventory and strategies you should consider when looking to convert slow-moving products.

Tech and Innovation

Make More Money With Mixed-Media Designs

Based on my experience incorporating social media in my marketing, you are missing out on valuable opportunities if you don’t participate.

Culture and Trends

7 Streetwear Trends You Can’t Miss in 2020

If you want your business to be streetwear-ready for 2020 (and the advent of a brand-new decade), here are seven trends to watch in this year!

Business Tips

6 Reasons to Expand into DTG Printing Today

Here are six reasons Dan Strickland knows DTG is a no-brainer for any print shop.

Business Tips

How To Grow Your Business

As someone who's started a screen-printing business, you’ve probably taken the sort of risks that make you an extreme optimist.

Business Tips

Selling to Clients who Don’t want T-shirts

Are you looking to reach new audiences or diversify your portfolio with new businesses? Zach shares some examples of inventive ways to win over new clients and strike new business deals.

Tech and Innovation

A Guide to Pallet Adhesives

Emmy offers some valuable tips on using different pallet adhesives and how to deal with the sticky challenges that might come your way.

News and Events

7 Inspiring Reasons to Join the Board of Decorators

Shared purpose. Powerful experiences. Invaluable learnings. Here are 7 inspiring reasons to join the board.

Tech and Innovation

Top Embroidery Challenges and How to Solve Them

Marian takes us through some of the biggest challenges she’s faced over her career and all the helpful ways she’s learned to solve them

Business Tips

Making the Most of Your Trade Show Experience

Dan shares his thoughts on how to get the very best out of tradeshows, as both an attendee and an exhibitor.

Culture and Trends

How Blankwear is Made

Anthony Corsano takes us through the manufacturing journey of how a small cotton boll transforms into the t-shirts you print on every day.

Business Tips

How to Manage Your Shop Remotely

Read Adam’s top tips on how to manage a business remotely and learn the importance of technology and staff training in this process.

Business Tips

Printing for High Schools

Printing t-shirts for high schools can be a treasure trove for decorators. Read more here.

Business Tips

Business Software for Print Shops 

Dawaud shares insights on the software he likes using, how it helps him, and how you can benefit from implementing business management programs yourself.

Culture and Trends

Mastering If-Win Printing for Sporting Events

If-Win Printing can be a great way to boost your sales! Learn all about this unconventional process here.

Business Tips

Understanding Blended Margins

One way to better manage your finances is through blended margins: Looking at your profits and sales channels as one, interconnected system - rather than independently.

Business Tips

Running a Screen Printing Shop with Family

Dan Strickland started Garment Gear 20 years ago together with his brother, Dallas. Today he happily shares some of his insights on how they manage their successful shop.

News and Events

Board of Decorators Visit Gildan’s Barbados Offices

BOD members got a chance to visit Barbados to learn more about Gildan’s operations and culture, as well as its commitment to its community.

Business Tips

Collaborating with Local Art Communities

Through actively seeking collaborations with others, Jenifer Badger has pushed her own creative limits and opened new revenue streams along the way.

Culture and Trends

Finding Inspiration from your City

The location you choose to set up shop has a big influence on the printing jobs you’ll churn out. Your prints can be a reflection of your city’s long-standing history and culture, or the direct product of the events and business that are haute in your hood. Adam of Luckyprints, who lives and works in Chicago, can thank its humble and old-school culture for bringing him unique printing jobs. Today, he talks to us about how he prints for the city he knows best and

Business Tips

Creating Engaging Online Content For Your Shop

DJ Kinslow talks about the benefits online content can bring to your shop, and how you can get better at making your own.

Tech and Innovation

Sizing and Placing Your Apparel Designs

When you’re creating a design for your customer, deciding on its size and placement can sometimes be as important as the design itself.

Business Tips

Planning and tracking your production process

Based on my experience incorporating social media in my marketing, you are missing out on valuable opportunities if you don’t participate.

Culture and Trends

How to Choose Blankwear Cuts and Styles

Anthony Corsano tells us about the factors to consider when choosing among different blankwear cuts and styles.

News and Events

Visit to Gildan Honduras Manufacturing Facility

After two days touring Gildan’s Honduras facilities, its Board of Decorators is awed, inspired and motivated to make changes for the better.

Business Tips

How To: Set Up Shop for the First Time

Jen Badger from Shine On Designs set up her apparel business in the basement of her own house in Iowa, starting completely from scratch. This meant she had to figure out how she was going to fit all this new equipment into her limited workspace. Not long after setting up, she outgrew her basement and had to relocate again, making her no stranger to thinking up a good shop layout. This has given Jen some helpful knowledge and valuable hindsight on what she wishes she kn

Business Tips

Pricing Your Shirts

Based on my experience incorporating social media in my marketing, you are missing out on valuable opportunities if you don’t participate.

Tech and Innovation

How to Perfect DTG Pretreatment

Anyone dabbling in Direct-to-Garment knows about pretreatment, which is an essential part of any DTG print. Applied as a base for your inks, it brings a vibrancy to your colors and enhances the quality of your prints. Nevertheless, pretreating can be a difficult technique to master, especially as there are countless application options out there. DJ Kinslow, DTG expert and founder of Constantly Create, is here today to give us some of the best pretreatment tips he’s co

Business Tips

Working with Different Types of Artists

Every t-shirt design begins with an artist. Perhaps you have an internal art team, or you decide to bring on a freelancer. Maybe you have the opportunity to partner with a professional artist in the field. No matter, there are some good practices to make the process go smoother, and your designs better. Today we speak with Mitch Heiman, who has worked with a variety of artists throughout his career and shares some tips when it comes to working with artists.

Business Tips

A Guide to Tackling Challenging Orders

Emmy Handen from Bravo Screen Printing has built a loyal relationship with the same client for over 15 years: a local summer camp who request a new design every summer for their kids to wear. This means Emmy has to manage a relatively large order, for kids of multiple ages, who will be doing multiple physical activities — all while having to think of an original design every year. To say the least, it’s a challenge. But after doing it for many years, Emmy’s become quit

Culture and Trends

A History of the Blankwear Industry

Based on my experience incorporating social media in my marketing, you are missing out on valuable opportunities if you don’t participate.

Business Tips

Simple Ways to Organize Small Print Shops

Jen Badger was completely taken by surprise when her one-person print shop took off. Now, ShineOn Designs has moved to a commercial space and gained another full-time employee which makes communication and organization a little more challenging compared to the days when Jen was working by herself. We catch up with her today to hear all about her top methods for keeping a small-scale business organized that are affordable, simple to use, and easy for any decorator to ad

Tech and Innovation

How To: Glow in the Dark

Emmy Handen, co-founder of Bravo Screen Printing, has worked with a bunch of local businesses and clients who are on the lookout for glow in the dark garments. As one of the simplest specialty techniques around, glow in the dark is far less intimidating than it might seem. Emmy is eager to share her knowledge and tips with us today, in hopes of inspiring other printers to try their hand at this fun and creative technique.

Culture and Trends

Forecasting Color Trends

To stay fresh and relevant, it is important to stock the right colors to match today’s trends. The challenge is making sure you present the trending colors to your customers and have product by the time trends are in full swing. The perfect solution in these cases is color forecasting: Predicting the color trends of the next season. Mitch Heiman from Perrin Sportswear has some insight on how to go about it.

Culture and Trends

Live Printing Events

Adam Smith from Luckyprints, Chicago, is an avid devotee of live printing events. Born in Georgia, Adam has always enjoyed the energy of fairs and community events. Eager to combine his love of printing with his Southern Hospitality, Adam has printed at live events for the past 4 years, which has also helped him drum up some helpful publicity for his business. We talk to him today about his experiences with live printing and what you can expect if you haven’t tried it

Business Tips

Finding a Niche Market: Street Style

When he was just nineteen, Dawaud Muhammad started selling t-shirts on the streets of Oakland. From there, he quickly realized that garment wear was what he wanted to do. Now, Dawaud runs Big Printing. And although he sells more through Instagram than on the streets, he’s been determined to keep street style at the heart of his business. We catch up with him to find out why he’s chosen to keep a niche market and why street style is so much more than a fashion trend for

Tech and Innovation

DTG Printing on Difficult Fabrics

DTG printing is traditionally designed for 100% cotton fabrics. This makes printing on anything other than that a bit of a nightmare for the uninitiated. DJ Kinslow from Constantly Create Shop has become quite the pioneer in DTG printing over the years and has learned just about everything it takes to create successful, vibrant designs. DJ is here to give us some hacks and pointers for nailing DTG prints on unconventional fabrics.

Business Tips

Understanding Your Customers

As a decorator, the wealth of potential customers can make it difficult to really know your market and understand your customer. For Marian Hinebauch however, this came naturally. Through intuitive decisions and incredible dedication, she was able to land a massive client order that radically changed her business. Today, Marian shares some of her best advice on how you can approach customer orders.

Tech and Innovation

The Evolution of Screen Printing Technology

Scott Valancy was first introduced to screen printing during his high school and college summers and very quickly fell in love with the craft. He’s been in the industry ever since, now as the COO of his own company, Tee Shirt Central. With over 30 years of experience under his belt, Scott has witnessed major changes in the way printing businesses use technology. We speak to him today about some of the most significant changes to come from the last few decades.

Tech and Innovation

How To: Reclaim Your Screens

Reclaiming your screens is a process every decorator knows, but might not love. It’s a great way to keep costs down and be a little kinder to the planet, but the process can sometimes be unpleasant or confusing to say the least. Adam Smith, co-founder of Lucky Prints, is here to help us rethink the reclaim process. Sharing his tried and tested tips, he wants to help others reclaim in an easier and more enjoyable way.