1. Is there such a thing as a girls' decorating business, or are the girls and boys business really the same thing when it comes to decorating?

Answer: There is now. Over the years, the girl decorating business has changed dramatically with the advent of new technologies. The girls want their own identity. With new colors, layouts and positioning of the logo and garment, its definitely not the "same ole, same ole."

2. Do you develop products specifically for the girls business?

3. What is different in terms of product?

4. what are some of the design, color or fabrication trends for 2007?

Answer: Yes, with new colors of Twill, Diamond Twill and an array of Metallic Colors, as well as the 2008 edition of Boxer Craft Plaids and Camouflage that will be available by mid January. A must see. Call for your swatches, 866-806-9120. One example; we have taken the basketball logo that the guys want in orange on black twill and we offer it to the girls in Metallic Bronze on Black Twill. We do this in different sizes so they can use our Laser Cut "No Sew" Twill, and heat apply it on caps, hoodies or unique locations on any garment.

We've created a lot of logos with metallic Silver or Hot Pink combos. Felt on Twill metallic or Diamond Twill; and for the Greek market - Laser Cut our Holy and Polka Dot Greek Sorority Letters that can be heat applied or sewn on.

If you choose the heat applied "No Sew" option from Twill USA, you will see that you can increase your margins and make your customer happier with their choice.

5. What do dealers need to know about decorating trends when they go in to sell a girls team?

Answer: The old saying of "The Early Bird Gets the Worm" can be applied here= the dealer that shows not only the classic look but offers the new colors and placement options " gets the sale". The team uniform can be tweaked; for example, if the school colors are Gold on Kelly Green, you will have the option to show Metallic gold twill on Kelly Twill, or Gold Diamond Twill on Kelly Green Twill. The mascot and school name stays the same, but you are just customizing the colors to make it unique to the girls squad.

6. Do you think dealers approach the girls and boys uniform decorating business differently? Should they?

Answer: a.) Some do but most do not- just human nature. We've been doing it this way for so long...they become complacent. Then, when someone new comes to the school and takes away the business, they start to scramble. Be proactive and prove yours is the place where the girls and boys should get their team wear.

b.) They better.

7. Where are the opportunities for dealers to make more on decorating uniforms, apparel and accessories for girls?

Answer: By having more options such as color or placement of logos on the garments, caps, bags, etc., as we stated earlier. That is why the "No Sew" option at Twill USA has been so successful. Play the human nature "trump card." Girls love new looks and colors, and if you have what they want...it is a "match made in heaven."

8. Finally, what advice would you have for a dealer when he is selling to a girls team?

Answer: "Show and tell." In-store displays with decorated samples, of course, are one way. But I've offered this tip to many owners with great success - either wear samples of the new looks, or have your male and female employees wear them because, at times, a picture is worth a thousand words. The girls or coaches see it... and they say, "I gotta get me one of those."

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Larry Simon @ Twill USA

1. What are the trends that are driving decorating in the team business??

Answer: For us at Twill USA, our customers love the “No Sew” option. It gives them the twill look and appeal but not the extra cost of having to sew it down, plus the sew disk cost as well.

Remember, the sewing process is also done to make sure the twill does not fray. Since the twill is cut by a blade or water jet technology. We also use the laser to cut with, and by doing so, the laser enables us to seal the edge of the twill, therefore eliminating the probability of fraying. A special note: Twill USA products do not contain any PVC, thus eliminating harmful fumes and burning of the edges on light colors.

2. What is more important, price or style?
3. Who pays for the extra decorating?

Answer: Lately, the end-user is willing to pay a little extra to get the look they want. But we have maintained our price level – therefore allowing the dealers to make more profits, and that means everyone wins.

4. What advice can you offer dealers on how to maximize profits through decorating
5. Are there any particular new technology/equipment trends that are significantly impacting decorating, (making it easier, more profitable, more versatile, more creative, etc?

Answer: Don’t get caught up in the “same ole – same ole” rut. With the new graphics that the new generation wants, it can be delivered to them if the team dealer truly researches the new “option & opportunities” available to them.

With the advent of sublimation and the lasers, the options are endless. A lot of dealers are using sublimation and laser cutting for the trophy and award side of the business, but have missed out using that technology for the garment side of our industry. Consequently, missed opportunities abound.

Sublimate our white polyester twill and create new patterns, colors and looks. Also, laser cutting can offer finer detailed logos. By using our (Twill USA) permanent twill, you can offer the “No Sew” yourself.

As I stated earlier, eliminating a sew disk and the time it takes to sew it down means more profits. Customers are using this process of “No Sew” even for split front jerseys.

One of the added bonuses of the “No Sew” program is that you can size the logo to fit the size of logo to the customer.

Example: if you have a 3x or 4x sized coach, who is coaching some tee-ballers, we can offer the dealer the following; (1) Order that one piece to fit that logo proportionately to the size of the coach, (2) have the other 12 to 15 pieces sized down to fit the kids. We allow you to add that one piece into the total quantity of that order for your price breaks.

Again, you can even use this process for split front jerseys. The options are endless. Remember, it also gives you the option to place the logo or name in a unique area, where maybe you can’t hoop it to sew it down.

6. Many dealers grapple with the question of doing decorating in-house or subcontracting it out? What are the critical issues they should consider to make that choice?

Answer: With the “No Sew” option, it allows you to do more garments in a shorter period of time, therefore allowing your embroidery area not to have to work on overload all the time.

As I stated earlier, “Options and Opportunities”.

Let’s review: I’ve got price options, style options, versatility, creativity, more profits with better control of delivery.

I say, You gotta call Twill USA.

This is what Simon Sez... from

Larry Simon @ Twill USA