What to make of the past 12 months and the state of the decorated-apparel industry? What to expect in the year to come? To find out, we at Impressions Magazine polled a sampling of industry leaders to see what they thought about the way things stand in terms of the commercial apparel decorators of the world. Specifically, we asked:
- How have you seen economic roller coaster ride of the past year affecting the decorated apparel industry, both in the United States and internationally?
- What one or two developments—technological or otherwise—do you see as having been the most impactful this past year in terms of the decorated-apparel industry?
- Looking into your crystal ball, what would you say apparel decorators and materials and equipment suppliers should be on the lookout for in 2026?
Below are seven more of the 15 responses we received. Again, because we received so many exceptionally well-thought-out responses, we’ve divided this piece into three separate parts to make them a little bit easier to ponder and digest. What follows are the response we received from Kati Sportcap & Bag, 613 Originals, Epson America, Madeira USA, Hirsch Solutions, ColDesi and Melco.
To see Part 1 and the responses we received from Barudan America, Atkinson Consulting, Sportsman Cap & Bag and STAHLS’, click here. To see Part 2 and the responses we received from Live & Tell by L.A.T., Inktavo, Vastex, Brother International and Allmade, click here.
Thanks again to all who participated, and here’s to a happy, healthy—and profitable 2026!
Ben Spier, Kati Sportcap & Bag, (blank headware), katisportcap.com:
This past year has pushed customers to be more intentional, with a stronger emphasis on quality, brand consistency, and long-term value rather than reactive purchasing. Internationally, higher freight costs, tariffs, and longer lead times encouraged buyers to rethink sourcing strategies and prioritize partners that can deliver reliability without compromising standards.
In terms of developments: technology that improves speed and accuracy–particularly automation in design, AI-powered mockup tools, and integrated order workflows—has had a major impact. AI-driven mockups help streamline the decoration process, reduce revisions, and ensure greater accuracy while still allowing creativity early in the sales cycle.
[Looking ahead,] we expect continued investment in AI-driven design tools, automation, and quick-turn or near-shore programs as customers push for faster delivery without sacrificing quality. In response to this demand, we introduced a 21-day Quick Turn custom overseas program that balances speed, competitive pricing, and consistent quality–an approach we expect to become increasingly common across the industry.
613 Originals (custom transfers, DTF manufacturing), 613originals.com:
Deric Hoch, CEO—When the market is volatile, clarity matters more than ever, and we’re seeing customers gravitate toward partners who can remove friction, reduce risk and execute closer to home with confidence.
Joe Orminski, vice-president of sales—What’s changed is how brands think about decoration—there’s far more creativity and intention in how garments are built, layered and finished, and heat transfers have given teams the freedom to design without the traditional constraints. DTF has accelerated the adoption of heat transfers as a primary decoration method, paving a clear path to more flexible, lower-minimum solutions with premium digital options like Hybrid and special effects products such as Puff, Neon, Glow and more.
Greg Mastro, senior vice-president of operations—As expectations rise around speed and consistency, operations have become a differentiator, and the ability to deliver repeatable, high-quality results at scale is now table stakes, not a nice-to-have.
Tim Check, senior product manager/professional imaging, Epson America, epson.com/usa:
This year has truly been a roller coaster, marked by economic uncertainty and unexpected twists. In times of unpredictability, businesses and consumers alike tend to tighten spending and delay major investments. We’ve seen garment decorators postpone equipment upgrades and scale back orders to manage costs. Additionally, global supply chain disruptions and fluctuating import costs have pushed many businesses to rethink their strategies. A notable trend has been the shift toward domestic production, bringing garment and accessory manufacturing in-house. This move helps reduce variables, stabilize costs, and improve quality and delivery times. Those who adapted quickly to this model have not only mitigated chaos but also captured new business opportunities.
One of the most significant technological advancements this year has been the evolution of direct-to-film (DTFilm) printing. Major brands, including Epson, have entered the market with solutions that deliver consistent, high-quality results, reducing the technical complexity that previously challenged decorators. These innovations allow businesses to focus less on troubleshooting and more on growth, customer satisfaction, and creative output. The reliability and accessibility of these systems have made DTFilm a game-changer for many decorators.
Looking ahead to 2026, expect continued progress in DTFilm technology—driving greater productivity, reliability, and versatility. One area poised for innovation is print hand-feel; solutions that deliver a softer, more natural finish will likely gain traction. Workflow optimization will also take center stage, with software advancements aimed at improving cost efficiency, turnaround times, and business intelligence. Artificial Intelligence—what I like to call “Apparel Intelligence”—will play a growing role in automating processes, predicting trends, and enabling smarter decision-making across the production cycle.
Rick Purdy, director of marketing, Madeira USA (embroidery thread, materials and equipment), madeirausa.com:
Economically, businesses of all kinds were faced with varying conditions and challenges in the U.S. and around the world. This meant the need to adapt. We tried to see it as a way to turn challenges into opportunities. With a broad range of customers, we are trying to serve many segments in a way that suits their particular needs by building better product offering and smart buying options. While it may seem simple and fundamental, our goal is to provide consistent quality, service and reliability that helps our customers in an atmosphere of change and uncertainty.
We can only speak for us [but] for the embroidery space, there are a couple of trends that have stood out for us. Madeira [for example] has been in the process of moving to 100-percent recycled polyester for our Polyneon thread. This will allow us to provide the same quality, reliability, colors, and price for our customers with the bonus of being economically and ecologically sound. This transition has been going very well.
Going into 2026, businesses could likely see similar conditions we saw in 2025. For Madeira USA, we will keep trying to understand what customers are going through and take actions that help them. We will work even more in the area of product and buying options to fit the changes in the economic landscape. We will also be focusing on the area of customer experience improvements and a continued focus on service. While Madeira is always interested in speaking with customers directly, we recognize the need for 24-7-365 access to embroidery resources and supplies. We are continuously enhancing the Madeira digital platform to support customers whenever they need, no matter what time of day or night.
Mark Gardner, marketing manager, Hirsch Solutions, hsi.us:
This year’s economic volatility pushed many decorated-apparel businesses to operate leaner and become more strategic with equipment investments. In the U.S., we’ve seen customers prioritize reliability and ROI more than ever, while the demand for automation and consistency continued to accelerate too. Overall, the industry has remained resilient by focusing on efficiency, quality and diversification.
This year’s biggest leaps came from high-efficiency DTF and next-generation automation tools. The launch of the Mimaki UJV300DTF-75 [for example] dramatically raised expectations around print quality, white-ink stability, and low-temp UV-cured DTF production—giving shops a cleaner, faster, and more reliable way to run transfers. On the automation side, Pulse IQ pushed the industry forward by turning embroidery personalization into a streamlined, data-driven workflow that cuts labor, reduces errors, and makes on-demand production truly scalable.
In 2026, decorators should prepare for even more integrated automation—systems that connect design, production, and fulfillment into one seamless pipeline. We expect higher demand for hybrid print solutions and multi-needle embroidery as hobbyists and small shops scale into commercial output. Suppliers that focus on speed, reliability, and technician-level support will be the ones who win in the year ahead.
Marc Vila, director of marketing, ColDesi Inc. (DTF, DTG, UV printing, print-and-cut equipment and supplies), coldesi.com:
There are a few key items that have affected our industry. These include:
Capital Availability—a With increased interest rates and banks changing how conservatively they lend money, businesses are not as quick to invest. They have to consider the cost of money and how much they can get approved. Years ago, someone may have quickly decided to invest in the larger equipment because it was easy and inexpensive to borrow. Nowadays business owners are taking more care to invest. This means that the vendors they work with must be trusted, and making educated decisions are more important than ever. Also, it’s important to consider the return on investment. If the rate to borrow money has increased, but the ROI is still strong, it’s worth the investment. This is going to separate businesses who grow and those who dwindle. Smart business decisions will be made by those who make purchasing decisions based on ROI.
International Business—It is easier than ever to do business internationally. This comes with positives and negatives. First it gives the availability of all technology to everyone; it’s quite easy to invest in new equipment at a lower cost. The downside of this is the flood of imports and dealers in the U.S. This creates a market where new businesses are created quickly with less longevity. It’s important to consider who [you] are working with more than ever. Are they going to be able to support your equipment or sell you needed parts/supplies in years to come?
Rapidly Moving technology—We are seeing technology move quickly, along with user adoption. This pace doesn’t look like it will slow down. This gives business owners a unique opportunity, where if what they need isn’t available yet, it probably will be in just months. This is great for business owners but also dangerous as it can lead to constant postponement of decisions waiting for the perfect solution. Find what works for your business, calculate Return on Investments and make decisions.
[In terms of developments] direct-to-film and UV. Printing is easier and more versatile than ever. We are able to decorate almost any substrate with ease, less work and the ability to train almost anyone to run the equipment. Not that long ago it would take months to train someone on screen printing. Now you can train someone on DTF or UV in hours.
As mentioned above, the availability to purchase technology all over the world is easier than ever. What I suspect is there will be more churn than ever in equipment suppliers. New factories and dealers will open and close. It’s important to build strong relationships with trusted suppliers.
Hillary Massey, digital marketing specialist, Melco International (machine embroidery equipment and production management software), melco.com:
The beginning of the year was noticeably slower, which wasn’t surprising given the uncertainty with tariffs, inflation and interest rates. However, by Q3 we saw the market stabilize and pick up considerable momentum. Customer attendance at in-person events and trade shows surged toward the end of the year, which is historically a strong indicator of business confidence. Overall, the year closed on a strong note, and if this trajectory continues 2026 is positioned to be a growth year for the apparel decoration industry.
The two most notable developments we are seeing in the industry are new innovations for heat applied technology and more solutions for on-demand, one-off customization. DTFilm and heat press products have exploded in popularity. These applications are becoming more accessible, more durable, and more creative. The one-off, on-demand customization market is rapidly expanding, and customers are looking for ways to capitalize on it. Both print and embroidery are seeing technology advancements in automation, workflow management, and simplified production. For embroidery-on-demand in particular, customers want the ability to personalize products in real time—choosing fonts, colors, and layouts—and receive a finished item quickly. As a result, the industry is moving toward fully connected, streamlined workflows that maximize efficiency. At Melco, we’ve made significant strides in this area throughout 2025 and will continue into 2026. Our focus has been on equipping decorators with technology that removes bottlenecks and makes on-demand production truly scalable.
Going into 2026, decorators should expect continued innovation focused on efficiency, scalability, and adaptability. Smart equipment features, more intuitive and connected software, and advancements in application-specific products will all play a major role in shaping the year ahead. Ultimately, the decorators who stay ahead will be those who invest in scalable, reliable technology and remain flexible as customer expectations evolve.
To see Part 1 of this three-part article, click here. To see Part 2 of this three-part article, click here.
