In this Shop Talk Rick talks about the many different ways he implements sustainable practices in his shop, Mirror Image. From using eco-friendly packaging to giving old shirts a new lease on life, there are many ways to turn what might seem to be trash into treasure. Sustainability and waste reduction are complex issues that…
The fashion industry has long been associated with waste and excessive consumption. However, there is a growing movement towards regenerative technologies that aim to change this narrative. Regenerative technology involves the use of already generated materials and finished products, breaking them down to their raw materials and then regenerating them into new products. This process…
Heat applied decorations. Indirect prints. Transfers. Call them what you will. Heat transfers are a popular method of apparel decoration that has become accessible to anyone looking to enter the industry. With low investment and a relatively small learning curve, heat pressing has gained popularity among both beginners and experienced decorators. However, there are several…
This conversation between Rick and Jay Busselle from Equipment Zone at Impressions Expo Fort Worth provides a comprehensive overview of DTG (Direct-to-Garment) and DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing technologies. Here’s a summary of the key points: DTG Printing: Applications: Best suited for high-quality printing on cotton or high cotton content garments. Benefits: Excellent for short runs and…
It’s easy to get bogged down with the technical aspects of apparel decoration, but the real path to success lies in thinking like a business owner first. In this Shop Talk from the Impressions Expo in Fort Worth , Jennifer Cox of the National Network of Embroidery Professionals, explains that the key to success lies…
Just like t-shirts, businesses come in all sizes. Bigger isn’t always better. While growth is often seen as a mark of success, some entrepreneurs thrive by keeping their operations small. Many people assume that growing a business by adding employees and equipment automatically means it’s more successful, but there are plenty of folks who are…
What’s so great about transfers? So many things! Their flexibility, scalability, reliability and viability as a decorating solution for literally any type of customizable product. This Shop Talk from Impressions Atlantic City features a dream team of transfer experts- Kyle Eslinger of SanMar, Josh Ellsworth of Stahl’s, Carrie Terwilliger of FM Expressions, Jody Mazade of Howard…
Online stores can be a great addition to your screen printing business and there are many different ways to run them. In this Shop Talk, Peter Rinnig of QRST’s and Pam Ikegami of Doing Good Merch and Ink Kitchen discuss types of stores you can run, how to choose an e-commerce platform, ways to handle…
Rick sat down with Yoann Giorsetti, Managing Director of heat transfer vinyl manufacturer Siser North America, to discuss approaches to sustainability in manufacturing in the US and Europe and to share how we as business owners can influence our suppliers to pursue more sustainable practices. There are many ways decorators and suppliers can reduce their…
If you are struggling with hiring and employee retention issues in your business, you may be overlooking a valuable segment of the population, individuals with disabilities. Study after study shows that companies that hire people with disabilities have higher productivity, lower absenteeism, and better employee morale. Rick sat down with Jed Seifert of Stakes Manufacturing,…
