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COVID-19 Updates

Daily updates from suppliers and decorators on how they’re handling the worldwide crisis.


October 21, 2020

We realize the enormous impact the Coronavirus pandemic is having on our communities, nation and world. At Impressions, we’ve decided to use this space as a hub that will be updated daily with information from suppliers and decorators about how they’re responding to this global crisis, whether operations are changing, etc. The apparel-decorating community undoubtedly has been affected, but it also is fortified with people and businesses who are determined to help in a time of need.

Click here for a list of resources to help support your business. As additional new programs emerge, we will continue to update this page.

Check this page daily for the most up-to-date industry information on companies affected by COVID-19:

  • World Emblem recently donated more than 20,000 disposable face masks to two Atlanta homeless shelters. Click here for more.
  • Impressions Expo cancels Atlantic City and Orlando 2020 events. Click here for more.
  • Impressions Expo Fort Worth 2020 has been canceled. Click here for more.
  • InkSoft recently released the latest edition of the “Sell More Merch” InkSoft podcast series, “Where Do We Grow from Here” focusing on how to ensure the survival of your business in a post-COVID world. For more information, click here.
  • Hanes recently launched its #MaskAround campaign and also will be donating 1 million masks to those experiencing homelessness across the country due to the ongoing pandemic. To find out more, click here.
  • Los Angeles Apparel recently shut down its production factory due to more than 300 infections among workers and four deaths. Click here for more.
  • Sportsman Cap & Bag is now offering its Valubandana by Sportsman line in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for more.
  • InkSoft recently launched the Total Fundraising Spread-The-Word Toolkit to help business owners battle the uncertain economic conditions created by COVID-19. Click here for more information.
  • Royal Apparel recently unveiled new virtual options to accommodate customers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Sportsman Cap & Bag is now offering a high-quality, reusable mask solution from Helen Jon Swimwear. Click here for more.
  • InkSoft recently published a blog highlighting tips and tools for companies considering manufacturing face masks. For more information and to read the complete blog, click here.
  • Russell Athletic recently expanded its Hope for Hospitals initiative by dedicating up to $700,000 of product donations for the duration of the campaign. Click here for more.
  • Vastex Intl. now offers its Double Face Mask Pallet featuring a quick stretch design ideal for fast production.
  • BELLA+CANVAS is now manufacturing face covers to help combat the current PPE shortage. Click here for more.
  • InkSoft, recently published a blog highlighting its Work-From-Home Kit, a new way to generate orders during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, click here.
  • HanesBrands recently announced it will produce medical gowns to be distributed by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency to hospitals and health care facilities in need during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for more information.
  • Lawson Screen & Digital Products is helping to highlight and support local efforts by different garment decorators, both screen printing and direct-to-garment (DTG), that are finding ways to survive and help others during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, click here.
  • Citadel Brands, home of the Just Hoods and Just Cool by AWDis, is fully back in operation as of April 27. Orders can be placed online or by calling 800-229-1240. The company has taken the last few weeks to make its office and warehouse abide by the social distancing standard of 6 feet, as well as routine sanitation cleanings of office supplies and shipping products.
  • Barrel Maker Printing launched a fundraising campaign for small Chicago-based businesses affected by COVID-19. Click here for more details.
  • UPDATE: Kavio! announced it has extended the closure of its office and shipping department until May 15, with plans to reopen on May 18. The company says the duration can be shortened or extended until further noticed. Orders cannot be shipped until further notice.
  • Brother Intl. Corp. is donating 100 industrial sewing machines to apparel companies to support the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the ongoing pandemic. For more information, click here.
  • Insta Graphic Systems‘ President and CEO Janet Wells recently was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to lead a task force assigned to source qualified vendors of medical supplies.
  • NameBadges International recently added MaskFast, its new face masks made of polyester performance fabric now available to the public. Click here for more information.
  • Action Engineering has released a special pallet to enable screen printing on face masks.
  • Delta Apparel is leveraging its production facilities to produce cotton face masks, joining a coalition of other textile manufacturers helping to fight the spread of COVID-19.
  • Stahls’ continues its online educational events during the pandemic. For more information and a complete list, click here.
  • Corel Trainer is offering a “CoronaVirus Deal” that will include CorelDRAW 2020 free as part of its top-tier A-Z membership.
  • Reece Supply Co. is hosting “Webinar Week,” a series of 45 free webinars featuring more than 40 speakers, including Impressions Editor-in-Chief Marcia Derryberry.
  • The 2 Regular Guys podcast is hosting a virtual cocktail party on April 17 at 8:00 p.m. Since many industry trade show events have been postponed or canceled due to social distancing, the cocktail party provides a setting for the community to come together for shop talk, drinks and fun. For more information and to join the party, click here.
  • Founder Sport Group has expanded its product line to help offset the shortage of PPE during the pandemic. For more information about the the new products, click here.
  • Tiny Little Monster has created an online store for local St. Louis businesses to sell branded T-shirts in an effort to support struggling operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, click here.
  • Roland DGA, will be hosting a three-part Facebook Live mini-series, “10-minute Shop Talk: Wide-Format Edition.” The series kicks off April 14, with additional sessions to be held on April 15-16 starting at 1 p.m. EST (10 a.m. PDT). The brief sessions will feature interviews with Roland customers about how they are specifically handling the COVID-19 pandemic both professionally and personally.
  • Duluth Holdings Inc. announced its stores will remain closed for the safety of its employees and customers. Hourly store employees were temporarily laid off, provided with two weeks of pay and will have the opportunity to be re-hired as soon as the retail stores are safe to re-open in accordance with state and local regulations. The company continues to serve its customers through its online business, and its distribution centers remain fully operational. On April 6, the company provided staff at its distribution centers with a $2.50 hourly premium while Duluth Trading stores remain closed.
  • InkSoft recently published a blog, discussing how local decorators are partnering with restaurants to offset the economic impact the Coronavirus pandemic has had on both industries.
  • Blue Generation remains open and is taking the necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of their employees.  The company continues to process orders with employees working remotely. All emails are being answered and phone messages are regularly retrieved for follow-up action. The company’s New Jersey distribution center is considered an essential business and is shipping orders daily. New videos also are being uploaded to the company’s YouTube channel.
  • Brother DTG recently released a response plan for the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s plan aims to support the well-being of its employees, help prevent further spread of the disease and navigate any potential business disruptions.
  • OmniPrint International Inc. is launching the Creators Boardroom Digital Conference to be held April 16. The conference is 100% digital and will feature industry experts discussing marketing tips to navigate digital marketing during the pandemic. Other topics will include sales, workflow optimization, and a discussion panel with iconic women of the industry on how they are navigating their businesses through this crisis. For more information and to register, click here.
  • Roland DGA will continue to have its employees operate remotely at individual locations, through April. Roland DGA remains fully operational, utilizing its technology infrastructure, while processing orders and shipping products as usual through its off-site, third-party distribution center. Additionally, the company will continue to service and support customers and partners through its regular channels.
  • Duluth Holdings Inc. has announced its stores will remain closed for the safety of its employees and customers. Hourly store employees were temporarily laid off and provided with two weeks of pay and will have the opportunity to be re-hired as soon as the retail stores are safe to re-open in accordance with state and local regulations. The company is still serving customers through its online business, and its distribution centers remain fully operational. On April 6, the Company provided staff at its distribution centers with a $2.50 hourly premium while Duluth Trading stores remain closed.
  • ColDesi President Scott Colman sent an email to customers urging solidarity amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The company also is offering free, downloadable art meant to unify the industry.
  • Lawson Screen & Digital Products is open and still shipping screen-printing and direct-to-garment (DTG) supplies from its St. Louis and Atlanta locations. Additionally, Lawson is still providing technical service and print support.
  • Melco recently posted a blog highlighting various topics for embroidery business owners to consider during the Coronavirus pandemic. The blog discusses putting a focus on employees, local communities, marketing adjustments and more.
  • Ryonet has begun manufacturing medical equipment including the Allmask by Allmade to aid the national shortage. The Allmask is a tri-blend protective face mask available in packs of three. To purchase equipment or inquire of building custom equipment, please contact medicalsupplies@ryonet.com. Ryan Moor, Ryonet CVO, currently is documenting the company’s newfound mission on his personal Instagram. Moor will then transition the effort to a blog and weekly series uploaded to the company’s YouTube channel.
  • Augusta Sportswear Brands is hosting a live webinar event “Small Businesses: What the $2 Trillion Stimulus Package Means to You” to be held April 1, at 2 p.m. EST. The webinar will feature Holly Snow, a partner at Paul Hastings LLP and leading expert in the new legislation, to discuss what the recently passed legislation package means for small businesses. To join click here.
  • S&S Activewear has kept all locations open and operating as normal, except in-person customer pickup/will call, which will be suspended until further notice. All locations will continue to process and ship orders at this time. The company has shared this letter from Jim Shannon, president, about some of the initiatives it has enacted to ensure the health and safety of its employees and customers.
  • GAME Sportswear is working with the New York Police Department and other agencies in an effort to produce reusable N95 mask covers, which will help extend the life of an N95 mask. See a video feature about the effort from a local television broadcast below:


  • Click here to read about the new face mask Tultex is producing to aid the growing shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The printing industry has been declared as a part of the essential business list in some states. Click here to read SGIA’s full statement.
  • Easiway Systems has announced it remains open. Designated as an “essential business,” the company will continue shipping screen-cleaning supplies to customers. ” We have all been impacted by this pandemic,” the company says in a press release. “Our thoughts go out to everyone in our screen printing community during this time. We understand many of you are closed for business, and we will be here when your operations start back up.”
  • Vapor Apparel is currently maintaining operations with a reduced schedule. Click here to see how Vapor is working with multiple companies in the PPE supply chain to assist the national medical mask shortage.
  • In light of the current impact COVID-19 is having on the decorated apparel industry, InkSoft recently published a blog highlighting creative ways to bring in revenue.
  • In an email update, Flexfit announced the company is “closely monitoring this rapidly evolving situation and taking precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Necessary adjustments have been made and the company is working with caution to make sure headwear is always available at shop.flexfit.com.”
  • OTTO Intl. Inc., has reopened its California office with limited staff. The company’s Georgia and Texas offices also are open and operational. Orders can still be placed online with company reps available via phone, email and/or live chat for assistance.
  • Hirsch Solutions has adjusted operations in response to COVID-19.
  • Due to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order that all non-essential business be closed as of March 20 to reduce the statewide spread of COVID-19, Insta Graphic Systems has temporarily suspended operations and closed its Cerritos, Calif., facilities until April 6. Learn the status of any pending orders by contacting your sales associate.
  • SanMar joins a growing list of companies making medical masks for the Coronavirus shortage by retooling its manufacturing facilities. Click here for more.
  • Click here to see how Hanes implemented steps to produce face masks for healthcare professionals to aid the shortage during the Coronavirus pandemic.
  • LAT Apparel has announced it will be operating as normal and is shipping from both of its distribution centers. Stay updated on the status of company operations daily by visiting this FAQ page.
  • National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), a Washington, D.C.-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers, including artificial and synthetic filament and fiber producers, recently published a press release announcing that a coalition of iconic American apparel brands and textile companies, responding to the urgent call of the White House for medical supplies, have come together to build a supply chain virtually overnight and fast-track the manufacturing of medical face masks to help hospitals, health care workers and citizens battling the spread of the COVID-19 disease.


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