It seems like only yesterday we were announcing the results in our inaugural Impressions Industry Impact (III) Awards. Truth be told, as we were gearing up for round two, we couldn’t help wondering whether the industry would be able to top what had, by any measure, been an outstanding inaugural class. Well, the results are in, and we’re happy to announce the industry has come through with yet another great group of winners. Heat-pressing, digital decorating, sustainability, great design, you name it: the decorated apparel industry is clearly one that never has and never will be tempted to rest on its laurels. What follow are a list of the 20 winners in this our second running of our annual III Awards. For a list of the awardees from 2024, click here. Enjoy!
2025 Impressions Industry Impact Awardees
Best Decorating Company with Sales of $1 Million or More Annually: Relentless Merch
According to Nebraska-based Relentless Merch, “You can be serious without a suit.” And when it comes to this, dare we say, “relentlessly” hardworking outfit, they clearly mean it. Click here for more.
Best Decorating Company with Sales of $1 Million or Less Annually: Branded Threads
Fast-growing Branded Threads and its founder Sam Lapcevic are in many ways the quintessential home-grown decorated-apparel company. An English major in college, Lapcevic eventually found his way to screen printing, which in turn led to the creation of Branded Threads. Click here for more.
Best Digital-Decorating/Heat-Pressing Shop: Ninja Printhouse
An offshoot of custom direct-to-film (DTF) provider Ninja Transfers, the newly launched custom decorator Ninja Printhouse is dedicated to making it possible for its customers to say, “yes,” to every order. Click here for more.
Best New Embroidery Tech: Melco Summit
With its appropriately named SUMMIT embroidery system, embroidery industry leader Melco has taken its already impressive game to a whole new level through a combination of performance and ease-of-use. Click here for more.
Best New Screen-Printing Tech: Avient MagnaPrint Hybrid Fusion Vibrant White
Avient Specialty Inks’ MagnaColours division has created what it calls its MagnaPrint Hybrid Fusion Vibrant White product, a flexible, soft, high-opacity, water-based ink specifically formulated for use as part of a hybrid printing system. Click here for more.
Best New Heat-Pressing Tech: ROQ IMPRESS, FEED, PEEL and PULL
If there was ever any doubt direct-to-film (DTF) is becoming an increasingly viable means of fulfilling higher-volume T-shirt orders, a la screen printing, those doubts should be put to rest by ROQ’s new fully automatic IMPRESS system. Click here for more.
Best New Digital-Decorating Tech/Printers: Epson SureColor G6070
Epson’s first wide-format DTFilm printer, the SureColor G6070, has been created for the express purpose of providing unparalleled reliability, ease of use, minimal maintenance and consistent print quality. Click here for more.
Best New Digital-Decorating Tech/Fabric: Gildan Plasma Printing Technology
When it comes to Gildan’s new Plasma Printing Technology, which debuted at the 2025 Impressions Expo in Long Beach, California, the industry might, in fact, be looking at a true game changer. Click here for more.
Best New Digital-Decorating Tech/Equipment: M&R Quatro Cutter X
There’s nothing like the application of a bit of common sense—and careful engineering—to provide a satisfying solution to a nagging problem. Case in point, the M&R QUATRO Cutter X Direct-to-Film Transfer Film Cutter. Click here for more.
Best E-Commerce Store/Platform: STAHLS’ Fulfill Engine
E-commerce, online company stores, ordering and business management software systems, production software systems, shipping and receiving, you name it—STAHLS’ new Fulfill Engine “all in one” print shop software does do it all. Click here for more.
Social Media/Influencer Award: Ninja Transfers
Hard to believe it’s only been a little over two years since Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based custom direct-to-transfer (DTF) specialist Ninja Transfers burst onto the custom decorated-apparel scene. Talk about impact! Click here for more.
Most Innovative Marketing Initiative/Concept: 613 Originals/Not a Food Truck
Kudos to 613 Originals, both for its creativity and for going the extra mile with its exhibits at Impressions Expo: no great surprise coming from a company offering an equally outstanding product line! Click here for more.
Best New Casual Wear/T-shirt: ATC Earth Wash Tee
To quote the Authentic T-shirt Company, “ATC Earth Wash [offers] the soft familiarity of your favorite vintage washed tee, complete with the feel-good vibes of responsible manufacturing in brilliant hues unearthed by nature.” Click here for more.
Best New Headgear: Atlantis Headwear/ReTraze Visor Line
Atlantis is now using visors in its caps made entirely of recycled, traceable PE material created by upcycling discarded fishing nets and plastic bottles. Click here for more.
Best New Placketwear: S&S AllPro Polo
S&S Activewear’s AllPro brand includes the use of what the company calls its Pro-Flex fabric, a sustainable performance material comprised of a mix of materials, including 60-percent polyester pin-dot mesh and 40-percent Sorona. Click here for more.
Best New Activewear: Allmade Unisex Organic CVC Fleece Pullover Hoodie
In addition to being a great looking piece of apparel, the Allmade Unisex Organic CVC Fleece Pullover Hoodie provides yet more proof of the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and social justice. Click here for more.
Screen-Printing Design of the Year: International Coatings Mask/Mummy Design
A collaboration between master screen printer and sales rep Kieth Stevens and fellow master printer William Jimenez, both with International Coatings, this extraordinary lenticular image is actually a combination of two separate images. Click here for more.
Embroidery Design of the Year: Quality Punch “Monster Truck” Design
Quality Punch, the winner in our Embroidery Design of the Year Category, actually sent in three separate designs, each one better than the last! Click here for more.
Digital-Decorating Design of the Year: Emerald City Decoration “Down to Earth” Design
The Pacific Northwest’s Emerald City Decoration employed a combination of direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-film (DTF) to produce this image for a Seattle Space Needle tee. Click here for more.
Green Award for Environmental Business Initiatives/Practices: Madeira Polyneon Green Thread
What better example of the decorated apparel industry’s commitment to sustainability than Madeira USA’s Polyneon Green embroidery thread, manufactured from 100-percent recycled post-consumer PET bottles? Click here for more.
To see the winners of Impressions magazine’s 2024 III Award winners, click here.
