A visit to Ikonics (Chromaline) illustrates some trends in the screenprinting world: 1. The screenprinting world is splitting into high tech and automation versus DIY, side hustle, small crafty shops. 2. The screenprinting world is consolidating. Kornit bought Tesoma. Alpha bought NES, Broder and other distributors. Gildan bought Comfort Colors, American Apparel and Alstyle.…
I had a great tour of Los Angeles Apparel in Downtown Los Angeles. With barely any notice they gave me the run of the place and let me talk to anyone. Their claims of making all their shirts and treating their workers with respect are ABSOLUTELY true. Even after many years in a somewhat volatile…
The customer says, ” I sent you the color, why doesn’t it match?” and then it starts… Here are probably not all, but many of the reasons color matching for screen printed t-shirts is so difficult. Customer’s Dream and Aspirations for the Color 1. We have customers that send us computer images and expect t-shirts…
Ink Kitchen is sponsoring hand-done poster printing at the Impressions show in Long Beach. The posters produced will be sold (suggested donation $10) to benefit a non-profit called Care Closet serving unhoused folks in Long Beach. You can watch them being printed and purchase one at the walkway between the main hall and the back…
The Impressions expos, particularly Long Beach, have become the main shows to attend. Originally more in the direction of garments, now they are where you go to see new equipment and supplies. However, that doesn’t mean garments are diminished. On the contrary, it is definitely a big show to see what is out there, talk…
It seems like a very opportune time to highlight the brand Chromaline as we are going into the Long Beach Impressions show. The Chromaline booth is #2324 if you are attending the Long Beach show. I’ll get to what it means in a moment but the focus in Long Beach for them is an…
One reason to attend the Impressions Expo in Long Beach is to see equipment in person. This show has plenty to see. Here are some things worth checking out and some folks that I think it is advantageous to meet in person. In general, most folks will benefit from checking out all the transfer options both…
The Long Beach Impressions Expo (formerly called ISS) is coming up January 20-22. It feels like there is quite a buzz about it and probably a dozen people who I thought were not going decided to go in the past couple days. It feels like everybody’s autos and dryers are worn out and they want…
Best piece of equipment in the shop in terms of bang for the buck is my folding safety box opener. The opener has a nub to split the tape on the top of the box, so you don’t cut the shirts. (We once did work for a big retailer and they made us put cardboard…
The New York Times reports that some World Cup soccer (football) jerseys are being made my workers with pay of $2.27 per day. You read that right, not by the minute, not by the hour, $2.27 per day. There is no standard of living in the world that supports paying people that low, even Myanmar. …
