Learn more about the custom apparel decorating industry as a whole, with a focus in screen printed heat transfer application and techniques. We are sharing our best tips and tricks to help your t-shirt business thrive in today’s competitive market. Do you have a suggestion for a blog topic? Let us know HERE. Would you be interested in contributing to our blog? We’re looking for custom apparel companies to share their success stories! Apply HERE.
Understanding how apparel trends are formed gives decorators a powerful advantage. From athletic uniforms to spirit wear, the most successful shops aren’t chasing what’s hot, they’re creating it. Learn how to spot influence early, collaborate intentionally, and use your heat press to turn inspiration into innovation.
We’re stocking four holiday-forward ink colors—Spruce (PMS 557C), Eggnog (PMS 7527C), Sugarplum Shimmer (special-effect), and Gingerbread (PMS 4635C)—to help decorators move fast during peak season with consistent, pre-mixed shades. They’re available now through December 31, 2025.
Pricing isn’t just a number. It’s a signal about who you are as a business, the customers you want to attract, and the kind of life you want your work to support. The question isn’t only “What should I charge?”, it’s “What kind of business do I want to build?”
Busy season in apparel decorating can be intense - but a little motivation goes a long way. From persistence and creativity to focus and teamwork, this roundup of inspiring quotes and tips will help you stay energized, confident, and ready to crush every press.
Not all fabrics are created equal, especially in fall and winter. Technical coatings, insulation, fleece textures, and even waterproof finishes can make or break your prints if you don’t use the right transfer. This guide breaks down how to choose the perfect transfer for every cold weather substrate, so your prints stay durable, vibrant, and looking great all season long.
Give your designs a worn-in, vintage vibe that feels high-end. From band tees to collegiate spiritwear and casual hoodies, Vintage Wash delivers soft, faded prints that elevate apparel and boost perceived value. Discover how Vintage Wash can add a boutique touch and increase your profit margins.
Search engines and AI tools are changing how customers discover apparel decorators. Ignoring this could mean losing orders. Learn the essential SEO and AEO strategies that put your shop front and center before your competitors do.
When you press a great screen print transfer, you don’t just see color on a garment, you see craftsmanship. Zoom in and you’ll spot it: ink fused into the weave of the fabric, locked into every fiber. That’s not a shortcut. That’s screen print quality, applied with speed and precision.
Heat printing looks easy, but one wrong move can ruin a whole order. In this article, we’re calling out the 7 biggest heat printing don’ts and showing you exactly how to avoid them, so your designs remain sharp and your reputation rock solid.
Dive into the season with creative heat transfer ideas that bring fall and Halloween designs to life. From tone-on-tone textures to bold, glowing prints, find fresh inspiration to make your apparel unforgettable this year!
Navigate your busiest season with confidence!
Discover smart production strategies, time-saving tips, and transfer choices that keep your apparel shop efficient and profitable during peak demand. Whether you’re tackling teamwear, retail drops, or holiday gifting, this guide helps you stay ahead of the rush and maximize your output.
Fall Sports are here and so are the hottest spiritwear trends. From bold football graphics and glitter volleyball hoodies to pro-style soccer kits and stretchy swimwear, see what schools and teams are asking for right now
Thinking about launching a limited edition apparel drop?
This guide covers why exclusivity sells, how to price custom apparel for maximum profit, and which heat transfer types can make your designs stand out. Whether you’re a small business or a seasoned decorator, learn how to turn limited edition t-shirts into high-demand, high-margin wins.
If you're in the apparel decoration business, chances are you've heard the buzz about DTF (Direct-to-Film) transfers and you know the long-standing reputation of screen print transfers. But what’s the real difference between the two? Which is better for your business, your designs, and your bottom line?
Apparel brands are turning tees into powerful tools for change: supporting causes, building communities, and leading with purpose. Explore how the industry is making an impact and how your shop can be part of the movement.
Design is the difference between a t-shirt people wear once and one they reach for again and again. In this guide, we’re sharing 10 design tips to help decorators turn basic graphics into buyable apparel. From smart color use to specialty finishes and proper placement, these practical pointers will elevate your work and help your designs sell themselves.
Discover how Ultra Stretch can solve the toughest challenges of decorating swimwear and performance apparel. Ready to learn the secret to prints that move, stretch, and stay sharp all summer long? Dive into the full story and elevate your custom activewear game today!
If you’re heat pressing garments but still unsure how to price them, you’re not alone. Pricing custom apparel isn’t just about covering your costs, it’s about understanding value, strategy, and how to make your press time actually pay off. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to price garments using custom transfers (without setting fixed prices), help you identify hidden costs decorators often forget, and show how specialty finishes like Puff can seriously boost your margins.
Can screen print transfers hold up on bold, saturated tie dye? We put our white Howard Multi-Purpose transfers to the test with a patriotic red, white, and blue design. Spoiler alert: they passed with flying colors. The result? Crisp, bright prints that pop off even the wildest backgrounds. If you're decorating dyed blanks, don’t settle for faded or fuzzy. Use pro-grade transfers that can handle the heat and the hue.
Not every sale starts with a new lead, some start with a second chance. Customers step away for all kinds of reasons, but that doesn’t mean they’re gone for good. Discover how thoughtful, well-timed follow-ups can fill your press, bring customers back, and open the door to new sales.
Manually cutting transfer sheets slows down production and eats into your profits. With our Cutting & Bagging Service, transfers arrive pre-trimmed, sorted, and press-ready—no extra steps required. Whether you're printing neck labels or handling high-volume jobs, find out how this simple add-on can give you back hours each week.
A great transfer means nothing without a reliable heat press. Uneven heat or pressure can ruin garments, waste time, and hurt your business. From swing-away to pneumatic presses, find out which heat press is right for your setup - and why investing in the right one makes all the difference.
Live printing events are transforming the custom apparel game! Discover how decorators are captivating audiences, boosting brand visibility, and creating on-the-spot designs with screen-printed heat transfers and DTF. Ready to make your next event unforgettable?
Looking to grow your order value without growing your workload? Discover how easy it is to upsell hats, totes, and more using the same transfers you already press on apparel.
Reprints can drain your time and profits faster than you think. From low-quality transfers to unreliable presses and overlooked testing, small mistakes can snowball into costly reprints. Discover the top five pitfalls causing failed prints and learn how to avoid them. Read on to protect your bottom line!
Get your prints in the perfect spot every time. This article breaks down suggested dimensions and placement tips for every part of the garment, from tees and hoodies to hats and leggings. It’s full of practical advice decorators can use right away - no guesswork needed.
Want to turn a crowd into loyal customers? Strategic event sponsorships can put your brand front and center where it counts. Find out how apparel decorators can use events to drive sales, connect with attendees, and keep their designs in rotation long after the party’s over.
If you’re a heat printer or apparel decorator ordering custom screen printed transfers, there’s one simple tool that can give you more creative flexibility and lower your cost per sheet. And no, it’s not a design effect - it’s a smart production strategy that lets you get more colorways out of a single order.
In an industry shaped by fast-changing trends and shifting customer demands, agility is everything. Discover practical strategies decorators can use to stay flexible, boost efficiency, and thrive - no matter what the market throws their way.
Inspired by nature’s own palette, this collaboration between Lane Seven Apparel and Howard Custom Transfers turns simplicity into sophistication. A tone-on-tone study in green, featuring custom-matched Puff inks that prove quiet design can still leave a lasting impression. Step inside the collection and find inspiration in every shade of green.