Editor’s note: This article originally ran in our sister publication, Printing Impressions. The following excerpt and above video interview contain information that specifically pertains to the apparel decorating community.

BY ANDY PAPAROZZI

More than 90.0% of the participants in the PRINTING United Alliance Effects of Tariffs on the Printing Industry Survey expect the recent increases in tariffs to affect their business. There are strong opinions on both the positive side — “It’s about time we took care of our country and our people” — and the negative side — “Tariffs do not help anyone!!!” — as well as broad agreement that it is too early to know what the long-term effects will be for either our industry or the American economy.

A total of 246 companies have completed the Alliance survey at the time of publishing, with 113 apparel decorators specifically participating in the Apparelist survey.

The majority of Alliance survey participants are commercial printers, graphic and sign (wide-format) printers, or apparel decorators. Annual sales range from less than $500,000 to more than $500 million, with 30.7% selling $1 million or less per year, 56.6% selling $5 million or less, and 9.8% selling more than $40 million. The survey and reports it will support are part of PRINTING United Alliance State of the Industry Series, which is generously sponsored by Canon U.S.A. Inc.

Among all companies surveyed, 66.5% expect tariffs to increase their operating costs, by 10.5% on average over the next six months, and 61.4% expect a reduction in profit margins, with 23.1% expecting the reduction to limit their capital investments. Nearly half (48.2%) expect supply chain disruptions. More than one-third (35.1%) expect a drag on sales growth, double the 15.1% who expect a boost from reduced foreign competition.

Apparel Decorating Community Feedback

In the above video, I discuss the following facts and data from the apparel decorating community specifically.

How are (or do you expect) higher tariffs to affect your business?

Tariff survey key findings for apparel decorators

Figure 1. Credit: PRINTING United Alliance/NAPCO Research | Credit: PRINTING United Alliance

Expected response to increase in tariffs

Response to tariffs from apparel decorating survey

Figure 2. Credit: PRINTING United Alliance/NAPCO Research

Click here to read the full article.

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