Apparel Zone Will be ‘Print Paradise’ for Attendees of PRINTING United Expo
The preliminary agenda for the Apparelist Live Theatre helps attendees set their schedule for the 2025 Expo
Over the course of the last few years, the Apparel Zone at PRINTING United Expo has become a hands-on training destination area for anyone interested in learning about apparel decorating. From heat-applied graphics to embroidery and more, the expert-led training zone is perfect for beginner all the way to veteran decorators.
This year, PRINTING United Expo will take place from Oct. 22-24, 2025 in Orlando, where the beach vibe and tropical surroundings will find a way into the Apparel Zone. Following a “Print Paradise” theme, attendees in the Zone will get the same high-caliber training while in a relaxed, flamingo-enhanced atmosphere.
Central to the Apparel Zone is the Apparelist Live Theatre, where 45-minute presentations will happen on a rolling schedule throughout the Expo on a variety of topics.
Check out the following preliminary agenda, and be sure to check back in to Apparelist as we work to announce the finalized Theatre schedule.
Wednesday, October 22
Thursday, October 23
9:15-10 a.m. - Hirsch Solutions
Let’s Talk Direct-to-Film – Best practices to ensure a high-quality outcome with a phenomenal feel.
10:15-11 a.m. - American Print & Supply
What to Look for in Your Digital Vendor - In today's digital printing world, your digital vendor is a key partner in your business. Are you asking the right questions? Some decorators start with the wrong questions, or worse, the wrong assumptions. This session walks through the key questions you should be asking (and what the answers reveal about your potential partner). With over 161 years of combined experience in the apparel decorating space, our goal is to equip you with an understanding of how your equipment should be making you money and the return on investment. If your bottom line doesn't grow long after the sale is made, you invested in the wrong partner. If you're planning to grow, upgrade, or simply avoid regret, this is the session to attend.
- Essential questions to ask before you buy
- Common sales answers decoded
- How to calculate the true cost of ownership
- A cheat sheet to take back and use with any vendor
11:15 a.m.-12 p.m. - STAHLS'
The Power of On-Demand: Printing What You Need When You Need It
Josh Ellsworth, STAHLS' with Ross Greenstein, Brand Sauce
In this 45-minute session, Ross Greenstein of Brand Sauce will share firsthand experience of how corporations are reshaping the way they buy branded merchandise by embracing on-demand solutions. From “minimum-of-one” stores to flexible gifting programs, discover how leading companies are moving beyond bulk orders to create culture-building merchandise strategies that are faster, more efficient, and more meaningful. This session will challenge traditional swag models and showcase how on-demand technology delivers solutions that bulk printing never could.
12:15-1 p.m. - SanMar
Industry Peer Panel Discussion - Join panelists as they discuss some of the top topics in the apparel decoration community, including:
- How the Printing Industry Empowers Small Business
- Balancing Investment Objectives with Social Good
- Building a Culture of Loyalty
1:15-2 p.m. - ISW
Breaking the Myths: The Truth About DTF Ink Chemistry (Part One) – Step behind the curtain and discover what really makes DTF ink work. We’ll break down the chemistry in plain language, debunk common misconceptions, and give you the science-backed know-how to get consistent, vibrant prints every time.
2:15-3 p.m. - Inktavo
From Cart to Completion: Compete Like Amazon with Seamless Online Sales and Streamlined Production - Today’s customers expect the speed, convenience, and transparency of an Amazon-like shopping experience. In this live, demo-focused session, you’ll see how to deliver that level of service in a decorated apparel business by connecting online selling with automated shop management. We’ll build an online store with interactive design tools, create a customer portal for reordering, and then show how orders move seamlessly into an automated production workflow for scheduling, order processing, and fulfillment. You’ll leave with a clear, end-to-end blueprint, from the first click to the final delivery, to boost efficiency, reduce errors, and keep customers coming back. The session is hosted by Craig Mertens and Matt Marcotte, the education directors at Inktavo.
3:15-4 p.m. - BELLA+CANVAS
The Tie Between Technology and Blanks – Join us for an inside look at why BELLA+CANVAS is the top choice for DTF and how this versatile technique pairs with a variety of our fabrication options. We will also cover the top fabric choices for DTG and how investing in a quality print goes hand-in-hand with quality fabrications.
4:15-5 p.m. - ASDPT
Academy of Screen and Digital Print Technologies New Member Induction and Awards Ceremony
9:15-10 a.m. - American Print & Supply
Finding Success in the Wild West of DTF – The DTF boom has opened up incredible opportunities. That same boom makes it feel like the Wild West, with companies coming and going and no real stability to be seen. Between confusing equipment claims, inconsistent supplies, and daily workflow breakdowns, success can feel out of reach. This session cuts through the noise and shows you how to build a solid foundation from the inside out. We’ll cover smart production layouts, scalable workflows, and the systems behind sustainable growth. Because in DTF, you’re not just buying machines, you’re building a business.
- How to spot common pitfalls that cause bottlenecks in DTF shops
- How to align your equipment, team, and layout for consistent, scalable output
- The hidden connection between production inefficiency and pricing/profitability
- A mindset shift: from “just printing” to building a repeatable, reliable system
10:15-11 a.m. - Melco
Mastering Embroidery on Demand: From Chaos to Consistency – This session dives deep into the booming world of embroidery on demand, revealing how to turn unpredictable orders into streamlined, profitable opportunities. Attendees will discover proven strategies to optimize workflows, leverage automation, and consistently deliver high-quality, personalized products—no matter the volume or turnaround time. By the end, you’ll have the tools, tactics, and confidence to scale your business, satisfy customers, and tap into one of the most lucrative segments in the customization industry.
11:15 a.m.-12 p.m. - Chipply
Why Web Stores Win: The Proven Model for More Profit, Less Stress, and Happier Customers – In this session we will explore how online stores streamline ordering, reduce administrative headaches, and create a better shopping experience. Drawing from real-world data and case studies, it will show how businesses can save time, cut errors, and drive repeat sales through corporate, team, and event stores. The session will make the case that web stores aren’t just a convenience—they’re a proven growth and profit model.
12:15-1 p.m. - STAHLS'
Collaboration and Connectivity The Future of Branded Merchandise
Collaboration and Connectivity - The Future of Branded Merchandise
Josh Ellsworth, STAHLS' and Jayson Tompkins, STAHLS' Fulfill Engine
This session explores how stronger collaboration across suppliers, platforms, and decorators — combined with smarter connectivity through technology — will redefine the future of branded merchandise. Attendees will learn how connected networks create faster fulfillment, more personalized products, and greater value for brands and customers alike. We’ll discuss emerging tools, real-world case studies, and actionable strategies to position your business at the center of this transformation
1:15-2 p.m. - Hirsch Solutions
Diving Into Direct-to-Film Details – Looking at art setup and color accuracy.
2:15-3 p.m. - ISW
Breaking the Myths: The Truth About DTF Ink Chemistry (Part Two) – Step behind the curtain and discover what really makes DTF ink work. We’ll break down the chemistry in plain language, debunk common misconceptions, and give you the science-backed know-how to get consistent, vibrant prints every time.
3:15-4 p.m. - SanMar
The Evolving World of Decoration-on-Demand Systems – The presentation will talk through how easy it can be for a customer to get involved with this market trend. Whether attendees have their own e-commerce and need to plug into a network of contract decorators who support the model or need both a tech platform and POD/DOD/3PP network to handle all the back-end ordering, production, and fulfillment.
4:15-5 p.m. - Apparelist and Lane Seven
Announcement of Decoration Disasters Sweepstakes winner
Friday, October 24
9:15-10 a.m. - STAHLS'
Preparing for 2026 and Beyond
Josh Ellsworth, STAHLS' and Ross Hunter, ROQ
Join Josh Ellsworth of STAHLS' and Ross Hunter of ROQ for a forward-looking discussion on where the decorated apparel industry is headed. This session will take a practical, no-hype approach to the technologies shaping the future — highlighting how screen printing, heat transfer, digital, and emerging methods each fit into today’s and tomorrow’s market demands. Attendees will gain insights into equipment strategies, evolving production models, and new opportunities that print providers and brands should be considering now to stay competitive in 2026 and beyond.
10:15-11 a.m. - Apparelist
Panel Discussion: Advice and Guidance from Big Shops on Scalable Growth
It can be easy to simply say "yes" to every order and grow your apparel decorating business, but that method will only last so long. During this panel Q&A session, representatives of large apparel decorators from around the country will answer questions about how to achieve healthy growth, how to bust past the $2-$5-million mark, and where they found opportunity among challenges.