The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for many people, and that includes apparel decorators. Although it may seem a bit early to be thinking about Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and the many other holidays that take place each fall and winter when it’s still beachgoing weather, the time to start planning is now. That said, if you haven’t thought about it or aren’t even sure how to get started, don’t let the Grinch get you down. With the help of today’s apparel-decorating technology and heat-press tech, in particular, it’s easy to offer a variety of holiday-themed items that will easily spread that holiday cheer this season.
Halloween-themed T-shirts, just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what this time of year has to offer apparel decorators. Photo courtesy of STAHLS’
In this article, you’ll learn the value of your heat press during the holidays and get inspired to create your own one-of-a-kind gift shop that’s sure to spark more sales. It’s the perfect opportunity for decorators to use their heat press to create personalized keepsakes. The holiday market offers plenty of sales potential, especially for those who know how to diversify their decorating with an offering that rivals Santa’s bag of presents.
Whether you’re selling online, via a storefront, by word-of-mouth or even at pop-up events, being equipped with a heat press is a surefire way to be prepared for any order. Getting the jump on holiday orders means being able to produce a variety of items at a quick pace for a profit and at any quantity, small or large.
Diversify Your Merch, Apparel Holiday Decoration
With the busy holiday season coming, it’s important to find ways to simplify your production and streamline your sales so you can do more with less. Offering a variety of finishes across an array of items will keep you efficient and ready to meet the demands of the season.
A heat press can also be used for decorating hard goods, like Christmans ornaments. Photo courtesy of STAHLS’
Direct-to-film (DTF) transfers, heat transfer vinyl (HTV), screen-printed transfers, and dimensional emblems and patches provide decorating opportunities across many different situations. DTF or screen-printed transfers, for example, work well for grouping smaller orders together or creating larger runs, due to the ability to order both low individual quantities and gang-sheet multiple designs. Emblems and patches provide premium finish options that add value to any item they are applied to, with availability for apparel, crafting fabrics and hard goods. HTV is perfect for special-effect items or one-off personalization orders that you can create in-house and on demand for an even faster turnaround.
No matter what decorating method you choose, the holiday season gives you the gift of opportunity. When you have multiple ways to create custom items, you can expand your capability, along with your reputation and profit, with the power to take on multiple orders using just one piece of equipment.
10 Hot Holiday Decorated Apparel and Merch Ideas
The holidays are the ideal time to showcase your creativity with a heat press, transforming everyday items into personalized and thoughtful gifts. Whether you’re looking to offer unique presents for friends and family or aiming to add a personal touch to the holiday décor you have on offer, these 10 heat-printing ideas will inspire you to make memorable and customized gifts for your customers to give this season.
1: Festive Custom-decorated T-Shirts
Custom T-shirts are a hit in any season, and the holidays are no exception. You can print matching sets for friends and family, add your favorite holiday quotes or personalize with classic seasonal sayings. T-shirts offer endless possibilities for creativity, making them an ideal holiday gift. Designs can be tailored to reflect the recipient’s personality or interests, making them not only a fun and festive gift but a sentimental option in many cases as well.
Embrace the holiday sweater aesthetic! When it comes to the holidays, the possibilities are endless. Photo by LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – stock.adovbe.com
2: “Ugly” Holiday Sweaters
When the holidays are here, it’s time for sweater weather! That also means calendars will fill up with office parties and get-togethers with family and friends, making the ugly Christmas sweater an optimal item to have on offer. Ugly sweaters can range from basic knits with stock holiday designs to wild and crazy looks, complete with flair, 3D embellishments, glitter and more. For apparel decorators, the best bet is using full color DTF transfers to create fast and easy finishes with any design, including those with fine detail and gradients. If you want to be a little more adventurous, you can get creative with mixed media designs using HTV for eye-catching special-effect looks.
3: Custom-decorated Christmas Ornaments
Ornaments are a classic holiday gift and personalizing them with vinyl makes them even more meaningful. Custom ornaments can feature names, dates or special messages, turning them into mementos that will be cherished year after year. They can commemorate special occasions, celebrate new family members or simply add a meaningful touch to the holiday tree. The possibilities for personalized ornaments are endless. Ornaments can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal or ceramic, and can be designed to match any holiday theme. Whether it’s a full-color family photo, a seasonal saying or a detailed graphic, custom ornaments can be a simple but heartfelt gift that will be displayed with pride. Depending on the substrate, you can use HTV or sign vinyl to create a distinct decoration to hang on any tree.
4: Custom-decorated Cutting Boards, Kitchen Accessories
Creating a custom cutting board or serving tray adds a personal touch to kitchens, making this the ideal gift for newlyweds, couples or anyone that likes to cook. Kitchen accessories are practical gifts that can be used daily, but the custom designs are what make them something special. Adhesive sign vinyl or custom stickers are an easy way to transform any hard surface into a personalized piece without even using a heat press.
5: Custom-decorated Holiday Headwear & Hard Goods
Customizing holiday items with emblems and patches offers a unique gift option that can be both fashionable and functional, adding value to any gift. Whether it’s a baseball cap, beanie or some other type of headwear, you can personalize it with festive designs, family names, holiday themes, favorite teams and so much more. This makes a great gift that can be worn all year. Even better are emblems and patches with adhesive for hard goods, which you can apply without any equipment while still creating a higher perceived worth with a premium transfer option. Any mug, tumbler, notebook, padfolio or other hard surface can become a simple gift with a personalized touch.
6: Custom Home Décor, Christmas Stockings
Christmas stockings are a traditional part of holiday décor and personalizing them with heat printing makes them even more meaningful. Each family member can have their own stocking with their name or a unique design that reflects their personality. Stockings are not only decorative but functional as well, ready to be filled with small gifts and treats. Take the functionality one step further and decorate actual socks with custom sayings. They make for a great gift because they can be worn any day of the year.
7: Personalized Plush Throw Blankets
Popular buffalo plaid and cozy, plush sherpa blankets are wonderful for wrapping up in around a fire or bonfire, making them a great go-to gift for any age. Who doesn’t love a nice, warm blanket in the cold winter months? Easily pair a soft heat transfer vinyl like flock or soft foam as the perfect complement to the fluffy fabric feel. You can also get creative with your placements and use special effects materials like glitter or high-end dimensional transfers to really set your decorating capabilities apart.
8: Custom-decorated Comfy Slippers & Xmas Pajamas
Custom slippers are comfortable and make for the perfect personalized gift. They can be worn around the house for a relaxing evening or shown off during family holiday gatherings. Slippers can feature any kind of design, from the recipient’s initials to festive holiday patterns. Even the simplest designs can provide an accent that transforms an off-the-shelf item into a unique gift. Pajamas are another go-to holiday gift that everyone can appreciate, especially when they are decorated with a heat transfer. Whether it’s a seasonal theme, a family name or fun saying, or an inside joke among friends, personalized pajamas combine what truly makes a gift special—function and form. Not only will the wearer be snug all winter, customization will make the gift that much more meaningful every time it’s worn.
9: Tote Bags & Monogrammed Accessories
Tote bags are both practical and a canvas for creativity. With heat printing, you can easily transform a simple tote into a festive holiday accessory. Personalized tote bags can also be used as a kind of eco-friendly gift wrapping, adding an extra layer of thoughtfulness to your present. They are, of course, perfect for carrying holiday groceries, gifts or just daily essentials as well. Some apparel decorators may steer clear of tote bags because of how heat sensitive they are, but with the right heat transfer, they can easily be decorated and used all year round. Monogrammed items make an especially great gift because they can be used beyond the holidays and never go out of style. Whether it’s apparel, accessories or headwear, monograms are the perfect way to give a personalized gift for that special someone.
10: Corporate Gifting & Packaged Bundles
Creating corporate gifts, custom gift packages or branded bundles can add a personal touch to your holiday offerings. By combining multiple personalized items into one cohesive package, you will provide a thoughtful and unique gift set that stands out. Consider bundling items like custom mugs, coasters and tea towels for a kitchen-themed gift package, or matching T-shirts and hats for a family gift bundle. You can create seasonal bundles for Halloween or Christmas parties as well. These packages not only make for great gifts, they also showcase your ability to create cohesive and branded items that cater to your customers’ interests and needs.
When it comes to the holiday season, a blank T-shirt and the opportunities it offers can be a gateway to happy sales. Photos courtesy of STAHLS’
‘Tis the Season: To Health, Happiness and Heat Printing!
The holiday season presents an ideal opportunity for decorators to showcase their creativity and expand their product offerings with heat printing. By planning ahead and diversifying your holiday-themed items, you can capture the interest of a wide customer base and increase your sales. From festive apparel like T-shirts and sweaters to ornaments, accessories and personalized home décor, the possibilities are endless with a heat press. Embrace the holiday spirit and get ready to make this season your most successful yet by offering unique, customized gifts that are a joy to give. Happy heat printing!
David Harding is a senior content writer at STAHLS’, a long-time industry leader in everything from custom heat-transfer manufacturing to heat presses and apparel-decorating business-management software. For more on STAHLS’ and its complete line of apparel and merchandise decorating tech, go to stahls.com. and STAHLS’ Transfer Express.
