When Carson, California-based Seabell International was approached by a distributor working on a joint promotion between the Houston Astros and NASA, there was quite a challenge on the table. The team wanted to embroider a hat with the names of fallen astronauts, but the task was a bit too much in the way of readability. However, the staff at Seabell International managed to make it work: “One of our sales representatives suggested to do a woven label with all this information,” explained Steve Byrens, the company’s national director of sales and marketing. By using a patch instead, the traditionally thick embroidery thread could be replaced with something thinner and more conducive to intricate lettering.
Read MoreSporty and Soft
Hanes Printables—Women’s 3/4-Sleeve Raglan
Maybe it’s the full decade’s worth of summers I spent playing double-headers in the scorching sun. Maybe it’s my devotion to the Philadelphia Phillies. Maybe it’s just the fact that, yes, every now and then, a T-shirt and jeans is my go-to outfit. Whatever the reason, this shirt just makes me happy. With its sporty, baseball-inspired raglan sleeves, and a soft fabrication, it’s the perfect thing for running weekend errands or watching your favorite team win the World Series.
(800) 685-7557
www.hanesprintables.com
Site Wins Fashion Fans By Letting Them Design (The New York Times)
OK, now don’t start getting ideas. I don’t want to be out of a job or anything. But I couldn’t resist pointing you to this article highlighting how the creators of Polyvore (described by the NYT as a “user-generated fashion magazine”) are pretty much doing everything right, while fashion magazine Web sites for such pubs as In Style and Vogue, well, aren’t. Basically, by tapping into the whole interactive and entertainment elements of fashion—consider, if you will, how no two fashionistas will wear the same piece the same way—they’re creating more value by letting visitors click through to their favorite e-retailer. Plus, the site is really cool, which always helps. (The New York Times)
Read MoreGive active people a little lightweight helper.
Climbing a mountain can get so annoying! All that walking, plus there’s gear to tote—water, oxygen … um …flashlights, tents, a change of clothes, a cappuccino machine…the list goes on and on! (Full disclosure: I have never climbed a mountain.) Luckily for those who have and do so often, Perserverance Mills Ltd., a textile manufacturer based in Lancanshire, England, came up with Pertex. The fabric is crafted from tightly woven microfiber yarns and is often used in sleeping-bag construction. (That’s right, sleeping bags! You would also need sleeping bags whilst climbing a mountain. Add that to the list.) Well, whatever you bring, Pertex packs light and is a great for saving space without sacrificing comfort.
Read MorePremiumWear Announces Fantastic Response to Woven Label Decoration Program
PremiumWear Inc., Minnetonka, Minn., received a fantastic response to its new Woven Label Decoration Program, which the company kicked off at the January trade shows.
Read MoreParis’ House of Knock-Offs (Los Angeles Times)
Well, considering the fact it’s the fashion capital of the universe, I guess Paris has every right to blow the cover wide open on the differences between the counterfeit and the real deal. In fact, they’ve made an entire museum out of it (or should I say, “musee”?). Displaying Birkin bags, Hermes scarves and even Ray-Ban sunglasses, the Musée de la Contrefaçon gives the masses an education in luxury goods vs. cheap knockoffs. I, being firmly in the camp of “If you want it so badly, invest in the real thing,” appreciate this type of thing. I kind of want to go, actually. And as a bonus, it’s not just luxury goods being spotlighted. Ordinary stuff, including food, tools and beauty products are thrust under the microscope, as well. And it’s not pretty. (Los Angeles Times)
Read MoreMind the littlest fans.
For those of you who stopped short on page 62 of Promo Marketing‘s June issue, you might have asked yourself, “Why is there a picture of a baby in a collegiate wear article?” No, we weren’t suggesting you try to find a foothold in the competitive niche market of child prodigies. Surprisingly enough, according to Mindy Anastos of Ball Ground, Georgia-based LAT Sportswear, infant and toddler items are the most popular items the company supplies to colleges and universities. Joe Ebaugh, director of trademark licensing at the University of Maryland in College Park, Md., agreed: “Little infant cheerleader sets, bibs, youth products … if you can envision seeing a logo on it and having it marketable and consumable, we’ll take a flyer on it.”
Read MoreRight to Bare Arms
BroderBros.—Harriton Fleece Vest
I layer with abandon, for better or for worse. To me, it’s not really an outfit unless there are multiple levels. Why? Well, I get cold easily. And I also enjoy irreverent color combinations. But even if it’s merely to get through the in-between seasons, fleece vests are great go-to wardrobe staples. Whether it’s for a college kid who spends half his day running in and out of the hallowed halls of learning, or for an adult who isn’t really into the bulkiness of a jacket, this is a great, versatile item.
(800) 521-0850
www.broderbros.com
Jetline Announces Expansion Plans
Industry supplier Jetline, based in Mount Vernon, N.Y., announced it is in the process of examining additional plant locations to address increased capacity requirements resulting from double-digit annual growth.
Read MoreAdmore Sales Manager Receives MAS Certification
Midlothian, Texas-based Ennis Inc. announced John Andersen, sales manager for Admore in Macomb, Michigan, passed the certification assessment administered by
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