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…
Fahrenheit AI is an Ink Kitchen production in collaboration with Notorious R&D, to explore AI and its impact on the apparel embellishment industry. In this installment, we take a look at how AI models like Midjourney and Idiogram are handling text generation, examine the growing issue of deepfakes being used in politics, and walk through…
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…
Jet plane travel, antibiotics, the computer…now AI. The new revolution in human life on the planet is Artificial Intelligence. Coming soon? No my friends, it is here and you can put your head in the sand while it influences almost everything in your world, or you can understand it, use it, and maybe even embrace…
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…
Michelle Moxley Hruby with another dive into the AI world, this time with a focus on AI generated text, a look at current AI regulations, and a really freaky video featuring Arnold Schwarzeneggar as Whitney Houston. As per usual, plenty to think about, plenty to get excited about, plenty to strike fear in your real…
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…
