Growth Opportunities for Apparel Decorators

Some products fit naturally while others don’t. “Mugs and other flat dye-sublimation products, stickers/labels, and direct-to-film (DTF) transfers are easy products to introduce,” he states. “The saying ‘build out and they will come’ doesn’t always apply, and can lead to stress on the business. New service offerings should be shared with existing clients to gauge their interest level. Once the interest is there, then you can start thinking about equipment and workflow around it all to make it happen.”

Where to Go

For those who have decided to expand, there are a few places to go to ask questions and source products. In-person trade shows are an excellent opportunity to see equipment and products. “Bring your own art file and have [manufacturers/suppliers] print a sample with your file to compare apples to apples across various equipment,” says Rauen. “If you see other attendees in the booth, ask if they have the equipment and get feedback.”