How AI Elevates and Assists Apparel Decorators
From personalization capabilities to operational efficiency, AI should be a tool in every apparel decorator’s box
Reflect on the last decade. We've witnessed a phenomenal shift and, more importantly, an integration from traditional screen-printing methods to digital solutions. Now, AI is on the cusp of pushing the boundaries further, redefining what's possible in the apparel decoration industry.
There are three kinds of AI to be aware of:
- AI that will assist us
- AI that will replace us
- AI that will do things that we could never have done without it
AI that helps us is a game-changer in an age where sustainability is valued and expected. AI can assist us in minimizing waste through precise material usage and energy-efficient production processes, increasing profit. By leveraging AI, we're not just creating apparel but nurturing a healthier planet.
Collaborative robots, or “cobots,” guided by AI, work alongside humans, enhancing precision and productivity. They will not replace us; they will amplify our capabilities. Vendors will start displaying more cobots at trade shows. Focus on the AI that assists or takes us to new places in our business.
AI as a Personalization Tool
In 2023, we witnessed the rise of Generative AI, predicting a future where human and machine intelligence synthesis redefines creativity. One of the most striking impacts of AI in our industry is personalization.
AI algorithms can analyze consumer behavior, preferences, and social media trends to create designs that resonate with individuals. Imagine a world where every piece of apparel is not just a garment but a reflection of what is important to the wearer.
We also saw Generative AI as a means to creating the "P.I.T.A." Art. Justin Lawrence of OKC Tees offered this example: A customer wants 12 shirts for an Annual Polar Plunge, illustrated with Polar Bears lounging in a hot tub, which is perfect for tools like MidJourney, Stable Diffusion, or Ideogram (currently a free tool). Looking to the future, we see AI not as a replacement for human creativity but as a complement.
Alternatively, by the end of 2023, AI Generative artwork had become so familiar that it was losing the “wow” factor that began early in 2023. I had the experience in December 2023 of creating a personalization using Stable Diffusion, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator Generative AI. I received a customer comment in reaction to that design: "I'm really sorry, but I don't like it or the general direction. I think it looks super AI-generated." (Check out °FAI Episode 9 for the whole story.) I learned a new awareness of seeing personalization as possibly generic, and I won't send that style to a customer again. I have to learn to be better than "super AI-generated,” and so do you.
Go Beyond Design with AI
AI's influence extends beyond design. AI streamlines operations, from inventory management to customer service. Powered by AI, predictive analytics can forecast trends, optimize inventory levels, and predict supply chain disruptions. If you use data/analytics in your shop today, adding AI will instantly put you ahead of the pack.
AI multi-modal agents are on the horizon for 2024. Using Large Language Models (LLM) and your own home-grown models, you can utilize these specialized, trained, autonomous experts in your business to streamline previously challenging areas. Just knowing what they are means keeping up in the space even as they evolve.
Multi-modal means the agent can see, hear, and respond to you, like Siri or Alexa, but with knowledge about your business and your day-to-day. We will see them pop up with vendors first, as AI chatbots and AI knowledge experts, but this area of expertise is open to more than just the big players. In fact, AI is a tool we all can and should access.
Our industry has introduced some tools that help. Marshall Atkinson of Atkinson Consulting has a subscription newsletter for MidJourney called "Elevating Print Creativity." Matt Marcotte of Printavo introduced "Screenprint GPT," a unique AI tool designed to provide personalized assistance and reliable information to the screen-printing community.
The Ink Kitchen and I produce the free Vlog "Fahrenheit AI" on YouTube. Each episode explores current AI trends and defines concepts like multi-modal AI agents, creating a completely autonomous marketing department, or how to get started in AI.
Imagine a young entrepreneur with nothing but a passion for fashion and a laptop. With AI, they create a beautiful line of apparel and tell a story — their story. They reach customers globally through e-commerce, not because they have a massive factory but because they have a powerful idea. The entry point for our industry through the lens of AI is more accessible than ever; this could be perceived as a threat or an opportunity to harness AI, empowering us to create, inspire, and transform. Autonomous e-commerce brands exist today, even generating art without humans. They're junk, but they're here.
Embracing Change in the Industry
I frequently get asked what I see as the next big thing in apparel embellishment. I see a big push for direct-to-film (DTF) and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing today. AI isn't a method of application, so it seems like a cliché answer to say the next big thing is AI.
It has started to permeate all aspects of our technology, and because it is so accessible, I see it as a new frontier to explore and adapt. So, how do we get there?
The first step is embracing change. Invest in learning about AI and its applications in our field. Collaborate with technology providers, share knowledge, and, most importantly, be open to reimagining your business models. Check out all the available resources, and ask about AI at trade shows; ask your vendors and printer friends in your social media groups. °FAI was built to be a canary in the coal mine, so if you have ideas, let's explore them as an industry.
The dust will settle on some AI players in 2024, for example, which LLM is leading (currently Chat GPT, but it doesn't stand alone) and how many businesses in 2024 will hire AI developers instead of programmers or marketing personnel?
This journey has its challenges. Integrating AI requires investment in technology, skills, and training. We must also navigate the ethical implications of data usage and AI decision-making. We may even see layoffs with AI replacements in 2024. That's scary, thinking that AI will replace us. However, I think we should look at these challenges not as roadblocks, but stepping stones to a more innovative and responsible industry.
AI is already evolving my social media interactions, and programming is back in my daily workflow because of AI. For example, I am writing PS Scripts for separating and even created a free Embellishment Calculator (°FAI Ep. 7 Real World Use Cases).
Integrating AI in the decorated apparel industry is not just a trend; it's a transformative journey. A journey of innovation, sustainability, and endless possibilities.
I've read in many places that AI is “not innovation,” and I've struggled with this idea. AI on its own is not innovation; it is mostly regurgitation. Yet if AI assists us in evolving our businesses so that we stay competitive and minimize waste like "moneyball screen printing" or even simply finding a new way to utilize Generative AI to create personalization that look less "super AI-generated," then this industry innovator sees innovation everywhere. I have written hundreds of industry articles on my experiences before AI, and now I use AI to help me. I learn more using AI as an assistant, I am exposed to new concepts, and I learn how to interact with it more effectively.
Did AI write this article? No. Did AI help me? Yes, and as my experience grows, AI will continue to be my assistant.
To me, innovation has always meant making mistakes and pushing the boundaries. As we embrace this change, let's remember: We are not just participants in this space; we are its architects, and AI is just a tool.