Custom Apparel Startups

Episode 203 - How to Compete in a Crowded DTF MarketIntro: The Shop StruggleDTF is booming and more businesses are jumping in.DTF is much easier than older methods like screen printing.Barrier to entry is lower with 'production friendly' equipment under $15k.Full-Digital Apparel that looks, feels and washes great is 'easy' to make.If you're feeling squeezed on price, overwhelmed by competition, or stuck on how to grow this episode is for you.Why It Feels CrowdedCustom t-shirt businesses are more common than even just a decade ago.People have a 'friend' or 'cousin' with a cricut.Customer expectations are all over the place a "Why is this shirt $30 when the guy down the street sells it for $15?".Social media makes everyone look busy, even if they aren't making money.The Good NewsJust because everyone's cousin makes shirts, doesnt mean they are good at it.Most 'side-hustlers' give up or cannot deliver.The business isnt 'easy' so YOU putting in the work will be around when others won't.The barrier to entry to be

In this episode we're diving deep into one of the most important decisions in DTF printing: choosing the right DTF printer. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up a serious production setup, the gear you choose can make or break your workflow, quality, and profits. We'll break down the different printer types and talk about the real-world usage of each.We're also sharing insider tips on what to avoid, and what else you'll need beyond just the printer to actually succeed with DTF.At the end of the episode we have specific advice tailored for beginners looking to start smart, and pros aiming to optimize or expand.Understanding Printer Types and Key Features Print Width OptionsLetter / A3 Sheet (12-13")Small format sheets for basic transfers12"Ideal entry into roll-to-roll printing24 - 30"Faster production for professional setupsInk SystemsBulk Ink SystemsLower ink costsRequires maintenance knowledgeCartridge SystemsMore reliable for light to medium useHigher cost per printWhite Ink CirculationPrevents s

In this episode of the Custom Apparel Startups Podcast, host Marc Vila is joined by Michael Palme and Austin Gordon from Taylor to discuss how direct mail can be a game-changer for custom apparel, sign, and promotional product businesses. While digital marketing gets a lot of attention, direct mail remains a powerful and underutilized tool for targeting new customers, retaining existing clients, and cutting through the clutter of online ads.Michael and Austin break down how direct mail works, how to effectively use data to reach the right audience, and how you can integrate it with digital advertising for even greater results. Whether you’re a startup looking to establish your brand or an established business aiming for the next level, this episode will give you practical strategies to expand your reach and increase sales.Topics Covered in This Episode:✅ Why direct mail still works in a digital world✅ How to use data to target the perfect audience for your business✅ The cost of direct mail—how much should you

In this episode, we dive into the exciting world of entrepreneurial spirit with a focus on launching a custom t-shirt business. We'll explore a practical, step-by-step guide designed for beginners eager to make a mark in the t-shirt industry, even with little to no prior experience. Whether you've dabbled in t-shirt sales or are just curious about this creative venture, this episode is your gateway to starting a successful side hustle immediately.We’ll dissect a downloadable document that outlines six actionable strategies that have proven successful for startups across the country. From leveraging your personal network to making smart use of social media and local community engagement, we cover all the bases to ensure you're well-equipped to start generating business right away.Join us as we reveal the secrets to turning referrals into sales, using everyday interactions as promotional opportunities, and why something as simple as a well-timed text message or a social media post can be incredibly effective. I

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Trevor and Trent Walden, the pioneering duo behind the Walden Bros., an Alaskan t-shirt shop specializing in Direct to Film (DTF) printing and embroidery. As they navigate the intricacies of the customization industry, the Walden brothers share their journey of transforming an idea to a successful family business.Key Discussion Points:Taking ideas and going for it: The Walden Bros. recount their initial days, emphasizing the importance of good ideas, family and hard work.Taking Risks: Trevor and Trent delve into early wins and losses that helped make the business it is today.Building a Brand: The brothers explain their approach to creating a strong brand identity that resonates with their customers.Customer Engagement: They highlight strategies for engaging customers and personalizing experiences to foster loyalty and repeat business.Challenges and Triumphs: The conversation also covers hurdles they've faced, how they've overcome them, and the lessons learned along

In this episode, we delve into the exciting world of Direct to Film (DTF) printing and how you can transition your screen-printing shop to embrace this innovative technology. We'll start by explaining what DTF printing is and why it's gaining popularity. Next, we'll break down the investment costs involved, giving you a clear picture of what to expect financially.We'll explore the wide variety of materials you can print on with DTF and detail the essential equipment you'll need to get started. Wondering if you should keep your screen-printing machines?We'll weigh the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.Additionally, we'll discuss other important factors to consider during the transition, provide insights into the current DTF market, and guide you on how to obtain a sample DTF print to see the quality for yourself. Whether you're a seasoned screen-printer or new to the industry, this episode is packed with valuable information to help you navigate the switch to DTF printing. Tune in and learn h

In this insightful episode of Custom Apparel Startups, we welcome Howard Potter back to discuss the nuances between Direct to Film (DTF) printing and traditional Screen Printing. With his deep-rooted knowledge from A&P Master Images, Howard breaks down the pros and cons of each technology, helping entrepreneurs make informed decisions tailored to their business needs.The conversation begins with an overview of each printing method’s technical demands and operational scopes. Howard elaborates on the initial investment costs, ease of operation, and scalability potential of DTF and Screen Printing, giving listeners a comprehensive comparison.Highlighting key factors like print quality, production speed, and cost-effectiveness, Howard shares his firsthand experiences with both methods. He discusses how DTF offers flexibility and precision with lower setup times, making it ideal for small to medium runs.Conversely, Screen Printing is celebrated for its economic benefits in large batch productions and its lasti

In this compelling follow-up episode of Custom Apparel Startups, we're delighted to welcome back Howard Potter, of A&P Master Images, for another deep dive into the world of custom apparel. This time, Howard sheds light on the troubles encountered when starting a t-shirt business and shares invaluable advice for both new and established entrepreneurs in the industry.Kicking off the episode, we tackle one of the most daunting questions for newcomers: "Which machine to buy?" We stress the importance of broad research and caution against getting tunnel-visioned on a single technology. The landscape of apparel printing is vast and choosing the right equipment is crucial for your business's specific needs and goals.Growth is a central theme of our conversation. Howard underscores the necessity of forward-thinking, particularly in terms of spatial planning. Anticipating future expansion is vital; many businesses struggle because they run out of room or fail to utilize their current space efficiently. He offers

In the latest episode of Custom Apparel Startups, we are excited to feature Howard Potter, from A&P Master Images, who brings his wealth of knowledge to the table on the topic of Direct to Film (DTF) Printing. Our discussion, " What You Should Know Before Buying a DTF Printer," covers the A to Z of preparing to make an informed purchase of a DTF printer for your business.Howard emphasizes the paramount importance of conducting thorough research to identify a trustworthy company. It's crucial to partner with a company that not only sells you a printer but also supports you throughout your printing journey. Equally important is considering the space your operation has available, as DTF printers come in various sizes and have specific space requirements for optimal operation.He advises potential buyers to request samples from providers. This step ensures that the print quality meets your business's standards and expectations before making a significant investment. Additionally, Howard stresses the importance

Mike Angel shares his expertise in apparel decorating, focusing on the cutting-edge technique called direct to film printing, or DTF printing for short. This method has completely revolutionized the world of apparel decorating, offering numerous advantages over traditional methods. It is not only faster and easier, but also more cost-effective and versatile.With a DTF printer, you have the flexibility to take on both small and large-scale projects. You can effortlessly create and print the same design on a wide range of fabrics, allowing for endless possibilities in customization. Unlike other technologies, DTF transfers require lower temperatures and shorter press times, making it ideal for more delicate fabrics as well as durable fabrics.DTF prints boast exceptional color and detail, surpassing many other apparel decorating methods for apparel decorating with photo-realistic images, and the prints are highly durable, withstanding stretching and washing with ease.

In this episode of the CAS Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Mike Angel from ColDesi, the brilliant mind behind ClickWear and the ColDesi OnDemand services. Mike takes us on a deep dive into the world of selling online, particularly through Shopify, and how ClickWear is transforming the custom apparel business by streamlining product creation and order management. We'll also explore the comprehensive solutions offered by ColDesi OnDemand, designed to support businesses in offering customized products without the hassle.Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that enables businesses of all sizes to set up their online stores and sell products. It's known for its ease of use, scalability, and comprehensive features that cover everything from inventory management to payment processing, making it an ideal solution for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their online sales.ClickWear is a Shopify app developed by ColDesi that revolutionizes the custom apparel industry. It allows store owners to easily create a

IntroductionSmall business owners in the customization industry are facing unprecedented challenges due to rising prices. This resource guide provides practical strategies to help your business thrive in a changing economic landscape.Market Research and Competitive AnalysisResearch competitors and trends - Price shop around and see how you REALLY are in the market. Also ask about 'hidden' fees. Set up fees, art fees, delivery, etc. Do you have a fee to set up my logo?Do you deliver or do I pick up? Fees?I am trying to budget this all out, what other costs should I expect to make sure I allocate the right money?Understand customer perception - ask other business owners you know if they have had price increases. How did they deal with them? How large were they? Define your pricing strategyDo you want to be the price leader? Keeping it SimpleAvoid complex financial details.Don’t break down the cost of your ink, paper, deliveries etc. This leaves room for holes in your pricing strategy. Just keep it simple - 'my

When it comes to growing your customization business we often talk about 'finding a niche.' What is a product / customer that you can focus on. This could be new moms, or local small businesses or tourists. However, you will find a point where growing that business becomes harder. This is why you will find a candle company that starts selling soaps, or why Bath and Body works sells 99 different ways to make your house smell good.Diversifying your product lines is a great way to level up your business and make more moneyYou can sell to current customersYou can find a new customer baseYou can become more stable (as one product line slows down, another might grow)Types of business diversificationProduct diversification: you primarily sell clothing but you want to expand into other items that will create value for your customer like home goods and accessoriesMarket diversification: you have a local business and start selling online or you open a new location across townIndustry diversification: take you knowledge

How do you choose the right t-shirt?You are looking to start or grow your custom apparel business. There are a ton of challenges with choosing the right equipment, making sales, pricing your apparel and so much more. However, a topic not often discussed enough is the apparel you use.Choosing the right blanks is a core part of your success. This is similar to a great chef. If you learn about great chefs, it's not just about the best pans and recipes, but also about the best ingredients. More so, it's about the best ingredients for their particular recipe.The same thing applies to the custom apparel industry. You must pick the right apparel for your business. The idea of 'what is the best t-shirt' is a fallacy, just like the question of 'what's the best chocolate for a dessert'. It depends!In this podcast we will discuss the idea of 'the best shirt' with an industry expert Mike Putnam. Mike has been in the apparel industry for over 30 years working in the apparel, sportswear and equipment industries.Some of the

Starting A Side Business And Growing To Full TimeEveryone is looking for a way to make more money, achieve financial independence, and enjoy the work they do. One of the ways people accomplish this is by starting a side hustle, and potentially growing it to a full-time gig.But how do you do this successfully?   If you are brand new, how do you get started? If you already have a side hustle, how do you take it full time?In this episode we are joined by Amir Bavi, a ColDesi employee and customization business owner. Amir has taken the journey from side business to full time and back around. It’s all about YOUR personal journey and we are here to help.Here are the steps to starting and growing your side business.You have an idea, so what’s next?Put it in writingConsider WHO your customer isConsider WHAT you will sell themDetermine HOW profitable your products arePick WHERE you will do the workSchedule WHEN you will do the side hustle workWrite down WHY You are doing this (and never forget it!)Other topics covere

Many small business owners get into their business with an idea, rather than a full plan. You want to make t-shirts or print signs. You know it's profitable and you've already got some referral business. It's not that hard to make some money and get overwhelmed with business. What IS hard is growing your business to achieve your dreams and goals. One of the first steps to understanding how to create a great marketing plan (that will lead to success) is understanding the 4 Ps of marketing. In so many words, it's understanding your businesses goals, so you can make truly educated marketing decisions. So, what are the next steps for your marketing?Should you start a TikTok?Should you do local paid advertising?Would doing google ads be a good idea?Is renting a booth at a farmers market going to be profitable?Is hiring a marketing firm/person the right move?Anyone who tells you they have the answer to these questions is wrong. None of these can be answered correctly without knowing your 4 Ps. So let’s get to them!

What is a social media strategy?A social media strategy is an outline or plan of your social media goals, how you will achieve them, and how you’ll track metrics. Social is talked about all the time in business, but do you need it? If yes, then how will you use it? This episode is all about finding out what is right for your business. Why having a presence on social media is important for small businesses:Maintains and builds relationships with customers you already haveGrows brand awareness and familiarityBuilds trust with new and current customersBuilds engaged communitiesTurns customers into advocates (gain mentions, comments, likes, tags, etc.)Gives your business a chance to respond to any negative feedbackAnother channel to promote products or servicesHow to set up a strategyDetermine a goal – make sure it’s measurable/realistic for your business (ex: increasing email sign ups, increase web traffic, generate sales/leads, etc). Understanding and researching your competition can help you.Understand your au

Financing is an important part of starting and growing a business. However, there are a lot of misconceptions and confusion. Many people only have experience financing a house, car, or a new couch. Yet there is a whole world of financing business equipment and software.This episode discusses financing for business and answers the most frequently asked questions.Why do businesses finance equipment?Utilize banks money to startKeep current liquid money on handTax benefitsTime value of moneyCan a new business finance?Yes!You can use personal creditWhat if you don't have perfect credit - should you finance? What if the rate is high?Start now, or don't startRisk and rewardDo what you gotta doWhy not just use a credit card?Installment vs revolving creditSave your credit card for quick purchase / pay off like supplies or blanksDon't use personal revolving credit lines for businessIsn't interest bad?If you can make more money than the interest, you winTax benefitsBank loans cost money, that's the way it works. They ar

2023 is here and what’s in store for YOUR business. Mark and I have been reading around to learn what problems the 'experts' say small business owners will run into. We then put our heads together to consider how these affect the customization business industry.So here we go... let’s get ahead of 2023 with expected challenges and resolutions!Supply Chain Issues – There will still be issues with getting supplies, and it shouldn’t be a surprise anymore. Since 2020 everything from toilet paper to cars has seen the effect of backorders & supply chain issues.What this means for youStock up, Stock up, Stock upHave backup plans, especially for apparelDon't procrastinateInclude in communication to customers*Accelerated Digital Transformations** - Changes are happening faster than ever. Your customers are going to want to interact with you digitally the way THEY want to. Texts, live chats, emails, social media, package tracking, etc.What this means for youFind the ways your customers like to interactFigure out how

Working with many customers can be very challenging, especially when it's repeat customers.Some customers are very needy, others are poor at communication, others don’t pay on time.So how do you handle all these different types of customers when you are trying to run your business YOUR way? You want to keep your best customers happy, so they come back!Get a CRMThis is key. You need a way to organize all your information, contacts, notes, reminders, invoices.Set RemindersBe sure to have reminders for ANYTHING important. Remind customer to get you the art, Remind that a bill is due. Remind to follow up on approval for production.If you can set up automated reminders to email / text them… even better.Use your calendarEvery meeting needs a calendar meeting (invite the customer too)Use Calendly to avoid those "are you available at XYZ time/day" emailsBlock out time for work. Invoicing, production, etc.Have policies and proceduresYou cannot force your customers to do everything your way, but you sure can suggest it