From the Trade Show Floor: Recap of Apparel Trends, New Equipment, and More

At the beginning of each new year, our industry is eager to see what’s new in the world of apparel. Apparel decorators must stay on top of the latest fashions to keep their offerings fresh and fun.

But on top of that, decorators must also pay attention to the latest in equipment and technology. The fast pace at which technology progresses can be daunting, but it’s also an indicator that the industry continues to thrive.

There are a few ways to keep your finger on the pulse of the decorated apparel community, including the trade show. Events such as PRINTING United Expo offer networking opportunities, a chance to talk directly to suppliers and manufacturers, and ultimately, a way to see what styles and equipment are leading the charge. While attending the 2023 Impressions Expo in Long Beach, California, we at Apparelist were able to check in on the industry. Following are the apparel trends we saw as well as a recap of the latest equipment and tools.

Apparel Trends: Colors, Cuts, and General Fashion Notes

Colors

We continue to see the theme of natural, soft, and earth-tone palettes. Many of the blanks we saw on display were soft browns, pastel blues and pinks, and even the traditional black and white. But don’t be quick to dismiss tie-dyes and pops of color yet.

Many suppliers also have sustainability in mind when it comes to color. Companies such as HanesBrands, Gildan, and others are turning to natural ingredients as dyes.

These color trends are also translating beyond the basic T-shirt. Caps, bags, and even towels are all being dyed in soft, neutral tones.

: Alternative Apparel is paying attention to sustainability.

: Tie-dye, like this apparel from Colortone, is still a popular color choice.

: Neutral colors on display at the S&S Activewear booth.

: Even accessories like the headwear from OTTO Cap follow color trends.

Cuts and Fits

Gender neutral and looser fits are also continuing their reign. When asked, suppliers and manufacturers noted that the looser, boxier cuts of the late ‘90s/early 2000s are all the rage. The nostalgic emotions these styles bring out in Millennial buyers power this trend.

The next generation of buyers is also drawn to the boxier cut as a “new” fit for them. On top of that, gender-neutral fits allow greater expression of individuality.

: Current buyers are looking for looser, gender-neutral fits like these pieces from Gildan.

Fashion Notes

The unique, custom mindset that took over during the height of the COVID pandemic isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Consumers still want that customized apparel that helps express views, identities, and passion. This has led to even bigger growth in print on demand.

Decorators should continue to push into other markets, another theme we consistently came across. Incorporating items such as backpacks, headwear, and even tumblers is a smart move for shops. Not only do these products make great add-ons to your apparel sales, but they also serve as a jumping point into the world of promotional products.

: STAHLS’ presents ideas on how accessories complement apparel.

Equipment and Tools

Trade shows are also a great time to see all the new equipment, tools, and ancillary accessories used to elevate your printing game. There were a few different areas of note from the Impressions Expo that we picked up on.

First, screen printing isn’t dead, not by a long shot. In fact, it’s being used in more artistic ways than ever before. Suppliers and manufacturers demonstrated how to partner with local artists and designers to create one-of-a-kind apparel items. We even got to watch Ink Kitchen screen print posters, something that’s been going on for years and is yet another option for this amazing technology.

Working hand-in-hand with screen is digital. Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is still on the rise. Companies such as OmniPrint and even Hanes are still making huge strides in the DTG world. We even got to see the M&R Polaris at work.

We would be remiss not to mention direct-to-film (DTF). We saw and heard quite a bit of DTF talk on the floor, from the equipment featured at the DTF2U booth to Epson’s hybrid printer and of course the folks at STAHLS’ who showcased a lot of cool stuff. There’s still a lot of progress to be made here, so shops should carefully consider all the factors that go into DTF, but from what we saw, this new kid on the block is here to stay.

: Screen printing isn’t dead as proved by the people at ROQ.US.

: The M&R Polaris machine on display.

: Watching the guys at the Ink Kitchen booth screen print posters.

: The Hanes Perfect-T is already pretreated and ready for DTG printing.

: Some of the equipment we saw included the Epson printer, which is a hybrid.

Conversations, Themes, and Progress

Conversations with manufacturers, decorators, and attendees alike centered around a few themes. First and foremost, the economy. Everyone continues to speculate how rising costs and inflation, economic conflict, and more will affect the decorated apparel community. However, the spirit of optimism and serious buying mindset that we witnessed seemed to put some of those concerns to rest, at least for now.

Also top of mind is diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We had the opportunity to stop by the UNITE Together booth and have some great conversation on the progress made. PRINTING United Alliance is part of this awesome initiative, and we encourage all of you to learn more.

The last big topic of conversation was sustainability. Companies across the industry are pushing hard to do better when it comes to eco-friendly practices.