As the end of 2021 approaches, we are all looking ahead at what is next and what will be the trends driving the apparel industry. Many things have changed or come back in style and in the age of TikTok trends come and go faster than we can keep up with. Here is a summary of what is to come and what is here to stay in apparel printing.

T-Shirt Styles

We’ve seen a change in the styles and fit of t-shirts. The styles that are most popular right now include t-shirt that are thicker cotton and a more relaxed fit. These are the brands that are hot right now:

1. Comfort Colors 1717 Heavyweight T-Shirt

Comfort Colors 1717 is 100% ring-spun cotton, making this fabric very durable and heavy. This material is comfortable and the style is a relaxed fit and a bit oversize. This style has been very popular in recent years for it’s fit.

2. Bella+Canvas 3001 Classic Unisex T-Shirt

This Bella+Canvas 3001 custom print t-shirt is a modern tee with a crew neck and side-seam construction for durability. Designed with superior airlume-combed and ring-spun cotton, it has a very soft feel and smooth surface which makes it great for direct to garment printing.

3. AS Colour 5001 Staple Tee

The AS Colour 5001 staple t-shirt has a soft and relaxed fit, made from a blend of cottons with a fit that can be worn for any occasion. You can dress it down or dress it up. A true staple for every closet.

GRAPHIC Tees

Vibrant and out-of-the-box graphics are all the rage right now. Streetwear has been front and center in fashion trends and will continue to be in 2022. Bold graphics will help you brand stand out and bring an element of art and design that bigger brands may be missing out on. Incorporating a abstract design to your logo to compliment your brand is a great way to push your brand in the new year.

BRAND Merch

Team shirts or branded company shirts are often used as brand merch or swag for employees. While this is a great way to encourage workplace community, the bar is being raised for 2022.

Swag kits or promo merch boxes are a step above the t-shirt or stationary items. These merch box kits can include a variety of items and the box itself can be branded with your logo and brand colors which makes a great promotional gift for potential clients.

Swag kits are perfect for brands that offer a service, these promo products can improve brand recognition and for your current client it can cement brand loyalty.

Learn more about how branding such as swag boxes can benefit your business.

Screen Printed Pants / Shorts

Where it’s a pattern or a logo, screen printing on pants and shorts are very popular in 2021 and 2022. We see brand such as Stella McCartney with these Beetles inspired printed trousers. We also see smaller streetwear brands playing with this concept in a more fluid way with abstract designs and with logo designs. All-over prints on pants have been quietly emerging from the sub-culture fashion trends in New York City as depicted in this article by Vogue.

Specialty Prints

Specialty prints such as puff prints have had an impact on the new generation. Puff print making a comeback in 2021 has pushed this trend to become a big component of streetwear in 2022. The popularity that this type of printing has reached is exciting for specialty screen printers everywhere.

We partnered with the iconic Amoeba Music in Los Angeles and printed sweatshirts with a vibrant puff ink.

Learn about What Is Puff Ink?

Fulfillment Services

With the rise of online shopping, there is a bigger demand in shorter shipping times. When running a small brand this can feel overwhelming and time consuming when the focus should be on the design for the next drop. This is where auto fulfillment services come into play, premium print shops such as Family Industries offer a fulfillment component to their printing services. Not only do we print and ship, but also offer finishing services which include your own branded tags, branded mailers, and any inserts you would like to include with your apparel.

Fulfillment services have become a necessity for a lot of smaller businesses looking to expand.

Learn more about The Benefits of Fulfillment Services

Have more questions? Check out our video explaining the process of fulfillment.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

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send us an e-mail at quotes@familyindustriesla.com

Trade show Giveaways

Tradeshows can be great exposure for brands in the service industry and giveaways or promotional items can aid other marketing efforts. Whether you call them promotional items, tchotchkes or swag, exhibitors at every trade show hand out countless trade show giveaways to attract and encourage attendees to enter their space.

The right trade show giveaways can help generate leads and support integrated marketing messages that will prompt attendees to tie that message back to your company long after the show has ended.

What’s The Right Trade Show Promotional Item?

The perfect trade show giveaway items communicate a company’s brand strategy and messaging to attendees. Before selecting a trade show giveaway item, first consider weather or not they support your corporate or brand image and campaign theme.

Brand Alignment

Ensuring your branded merch has your company logo printed, etched, or chiseled on it. It does not matter how cool the giveaway is, you will lose out on business and exposure if the item cannot be linked back to your brand.

Your giveaway items need to in some way tie-in to your brand and most importantly, your industry. This will help the attendee connect the dots between the physical merch item to your service or business.

If you’re attending a themed trade show, select an item that goes with the theme to further strengthen your brand messaging.

What Is A Valuable Trade Show Giveaway?

The most important function of a tradeshow giveaway is the ability for that item to resonate with your clients and prospects. While unique and fun giveaways are always a good way to generate overall interest in your brand, practical merch items can present more value to a trade show guest.

Think of a trade show giveaway item as something an event goer can immediately find useful such as tote bags, water bottles, sanitizer, or a backpack.

Some of the most valuable giveaways are the ones that will be used frequently like a cool keychain, wireless phone charger, or a phone case / phone wallet.

Apparel such as t-shirts are always attractive for people and it’s an overall low-cost product and the perfect canvas for your logo.

Budgeting For Trade Show Giveaways

Like exhibits, trade show budgets vary in size from exhibitor to exhibitor. You should be conscious of the costs associated with your trade show giveaway regardless of your marketing budget. A good rule of thumb is to use 10% of your profit towards marketing, out of the 10% allocate a certain amount to your promotional merch as needed. This will vary depending on your business model.

Tips To Cut Giveaway Costs

Making sure you get the most bang for your buck, may mean that you will have to get a little more creative or find inexpensive alternatives.

Shipping can add up and can sometimes be an afterthought that puts you over your budget. Think ahead and use a local merch agency so as to be able to pick up your merch instead of paying for shipping and handling.

Having the right staff to represent you on site can be a way to ensure your promotional items are being handed out to every person and nothing goes to waste.