In the dynamic world of the decorated apparel industry, staying ahead of trends, networking with key players, and discovering cutting-edge technologies are essential for success.
[Enter: Impressions Expo Long Beach 2024]
As one of the premier trade shows dedicated to the industry, Impressions Expo Long Beach kicks off each year by bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, decorators, and professionals from various related sectors, creating a dynamic environment for networking and collaboration.
Here’s the highlights and insights from this year’s show:
Trendspotting
Blank apparel manufacturers play a crucial role in the decorated apparel industry by providing the canvas for various customization methods. Top garment manufacturers, including Gildan, Comfort Colors, American Apparel, Lane Seven, and Bella + Canvas, as well as wholesale distributors like Sanmar, showcased new colors and styles. Some common themes were sustainable materials, streetwear influence, and tech-friendly options.
Educational Opportunities
Impressions Expo Long Beach features educational workshops, seminars, and presentations by industry experts. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, from new printing techniques to business strategies, offering attendees valuable insights and knowledge for the coming year.
Shop Talk
Shop Talk, sponsored by Ink Kitchen are relaxed panel discussions that take place on the expo floor, covering a variety of topics. Howard Custom Transfers Sales and Marketing Director, Jody Mazade, participated in two sessions: “Women in the Industry: What is the Reality Now and How Can We Do Better?” and “Transfers: What Are They Good For? What’s New? What’s Next?”.
At the Women in the Industry talk, participants discussed how to bridge the gender gap in a male dominated field, why women employees are valuable to any workforce, and the importance of allyship to substantiate a more level playing field.
The Transfer session offered an opportunity for leaders from top custom transfer manufacturers to share their opinions and insights into shifts in demand, helping companies adapt their businesses accordingly.
From left: Nikki Bowen, Cotton Street Apparel, Nicole Pape, Embellishr, Megan Griffith, P&M Apparel, Pam Ikegami, Ink Kitchen, LaTonna Robertson, Lady Print Boss, Milissa Gibson, Lane Seven, Jody Mazade, Howard Custom Transfers
From left: Josh Ellsworth, Stahls’, Deric Hoch, 613 Originals, Nathan Anderson, FM Expressions, Jody Mazade, Howard Custom Transfers, Mike Modgill, Supacolor, Stan Banks, T-Shirt Side Hustle
Networking
One of the primary benefits of attending Impressions Expo Long Beach is the unparalleled networking opportunities it provides. Attendees and exhibitors connect with peers, suppliers, potential clients, and industry leaders, fostering collaborations and partnerships that can drive business growth.
After hours networking events were hosted by Sanmar, Bella + Canvas, and Shirt Show Podcast sponsored by American Apparel.
Shirt Show hosted a Happy Hour sponsored by American Apparel and Live Nation for listeners of their podcast.
Howard Custom Transfers
We exhibited two booth locations at this year’s show – one on the main floor, and one in the arena. Both booths were filled with enthusiastic attendees eager to learn about the latest and greatest in apparel decoration. For this show, we were lucky enough to partner with Lane Seven for a live printing activation as well as Sanmar for giveaway tote bags. We featured the Insta 256 Manual heat press and the impressive new Insta 780 Dual Shuttle heat press.
Some of the key topics of conversation in the HCT booths included: Screen Print Transfers, Puff combined with Howard Multi-Purpose, the future of DTF, customer service, and add-on service options.
Screen Print Transfers
Our niche industry has been lucky enough to welcome a wave of new prospective buyers through the incredible innovation of direct-to-film (DTF) transfers that make designing, purchasing, and selling easy. Many attendees, however, were impressed at the option of screen print transfers that provide a more durable option at a more cost-effective price point when decorating in volume.
Puff + Howard Multi-Purpose
If there was one standout transfer type that attendees gravitated to in our booths, it was the designs that combined Puff ink with flat Howard Multi-Purpose ink. The samples were admired for their uniqueness and their ability to offer customers a higher-end option.
Floor sample from Howard Custom Transfers featuring Puff combined with Howard Multi-Purpose for a multi-dimensional look.
Future of DTF
As with the past few years, DTF was on the mind of many who stopped by the booths. Conversations, however, have shifted from DTF being a one-size-fits-all solution to how DTF can be a tool in the custom apparel decorators proverbial tool belt.
Customer Service
Attendees loved to learn about our commitment to customer service and the option to call/email a dedicated sales representative as well as autonomously upload orders to our Dashboard portal.
Add-On Services
Who doesn’t love a good value add? The top two add-on services that attendees were interested in at this year’s show were Flat Rate Shipping and Cutting/Bagging.
Flat Rate Shipping is available on UPS Ground, 2nd Day Air, and Next Day Air and the real value-add is that you can batch ship multiple orders and only pay a single flat rate fee when the total number of sheets is 750 or less.
Cutting and Bagging offers customers the option to receive their orders cut into single images, ready to apply. This service is particularly appealing on tagless label orders, which include sorting and bagging on top of the cutting. Attendees agreed, efficiency matters and time is money. Would you rather spend on labor to cut gang sheets apart or dedicate time to market and sell your company?