A Canvas for Good.
During our National Sales Meeting Jeremy Lott announced a new campaign at SanMar: A Canvas For Good. Please read the announcement below from Jeremy Lott and check out the video on the website. I am certain that we all have a story from our decorating services that has impacted us, our community or someone close to us, please share.
Some people might say a T‑shirt is just that: a T‑shirt. But as you and I know, there’s much more to it than that. We call a T‑shirt a “canvas for good” because of how the product is made and how it’s used. Through responsible practices, we create the shirt your customers wear to cheer on their alma mater, honor their favorite band, and show support for a worthy cause. Together, our products shape teams, build connections, and unite communities.
At SanMar we believe that business is personal, and with this campaign—A Canvas for Good—we’re sharing the stories of how T‑shirts are more than T‑shirts. We’re sharing how T‑shirts are being worn by kids spending a week at camp, even as these same kids are going through cancer treatment; how volunteers in a North Carolina community are raising money for local nonprofits by putting on fun live music events; and what SanMar employees are doing to make a positive difference in the world. Read these stories and share a story of how a T‑shirt has impacted you on canvasforgood.com.
Regards,
Jeremy Lott
SanMar President
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SanMar New Arrivals
We just launched 128 New styles at SanMar. There are many pieces decorated with the latest and greatest techniques and new products available. If you haven’t filled out our Unique Decoration Techniques survey, here is another chance to get added to the list of decorators who can offer these techniques.
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What's New
Silicone has been around for a little over 10 years, but recently it started making noise in the industry. There are many great screen print options and one option for cad cut, however a screen printed silicone heat transfer has been illusive. Our partners at Insta Graphic Systems now have an answer.
SiliconeX is a great option for performance wear, team sports, athletic wear, industrial workwear and athleisure. It also has a great hand, blocks dye migration and has incredible stretch and rebound. It has a low application temperature that helps eliminate scorching.
- Superior stretch and elasticity
- Soft and smooth finish
- High resolution images
- Up to three colors
- Stops dye migration
- Durable, abrasion-resistant
- Non-PVC and phthalate-free
- RSL and lab wash tested
Silicone Dye Block from Stahls’ is the only Heat Transfer Vinyl version available today that has been tested. There are versions I have seen online from overseas, but remember you are decorating for an end-user and and should only use products sold by a reputable company.
 
Silicone Inks are used primarily in the sports and atheisure markets but recently we have seen this in retail as well. You will also see silicone accent pieces on some of our new style like the NEW LNEA513 the sleeve stripes are silicone.
Generally, silicone inks are more expensive than plastisol or water-based inks with the continued growth of polyester and other synthetic fabrics this ink has some unique characteristics that set it apart from standard printing.
- Low Temperature cure – Most around 260°
- Unmatched stretch and rebound
- Dye migration blocker
- Unique, soft, rubbery hand
A great starting point for printers wanting to jump into silicone inks is the article " Silicone Simplified" from the February 2019 edition of Printwear Magazine.
Silicone Ink Suppliers:
Iridescent, Shimmer, Shine, Bling!
Stahls’ introduces Cad Cut Chroma Bling, a truly unique heat transfer vinyl that is semi-transparent, meaning it takes on some of the color properties of the fabric it is applied to and it shifts in the light depending on the angle. This provides a stunning metallic effect that results in a spectrum of color in your designs.
ColDesi, Inc. - The Return of Bling!
2019 has seen a huge an upswing in demand from custom bling - rhinestone designs, glitter vinyl and even glitter transfers - but the star so far this year has been spangles. Spangles are a kind of heat transfer sequin, but with no hole in the middle. You get all the blingy-ness of rhinestones wth a soft feel and without the weight.
There are two machines that produce spangle transfers - the SpangleElite and ProSpangle - and there's a wide selection of both holographic and matte spangle tape available. That spangle tape is one of the best things about making bling part of your business. It's always lead free and it's up to seven times more cost effective than hotfix rhinestones.
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New Decoration Technology
Coming Soon from Stahls’: the Hotronix 360 IQ Hat Heat Press. This is one of the most advanced cap machines we have seen in the industry. It has a lot of new technology to address common problems in the world of heat printing caps.
Features:
- Eliminates heat press crease
- Lower heat makes it easy to heat print thick emblems or patches
- Heat print hats without replacing the lower platen
- Print all the way around the hat without removing it from the press
- Track your business with Hotronix IQ Technology
Stay up -to-date with Stahls' 360 Hat Heatpress.
Stitch It International introduces the new SWF KS-Series line-up. Merging form and function, our best embroidery series opens up opportunities for new revenue streams and allows you to take your business to the next level. Engineered to achieve advanced productivity and efficiency, the KS series sets a high standard, combining elite features that increase volume output with unparalleled stitch quality. Complete with Wi-Fi capability, the fastest stitch speed, a bigger, easy-to-use touchscreen and more features seen nowhere else. Stay tuned for the launch of SWF's latest and greatest embroidery machine. Coming Fall 2020.
  
Matsui Color introduces Phantom Clear, a water-repellent binder that goes on clear and and is not visible when printed, but when the fabric gets wet, the designs become visible as the fabric changes color. It's a very unique trend in retail fashion sports.
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Decoration Solutions
White Papers - SanMar’s Decorator Relations Team is in the field addressing real-world decoration issues every day. We recently started documenting our research and creating white papers to help our team and our decorators solve decoration issues before they arise. Below are links to our first two white papers about dye migration and ghosting. If you have any suggestions for future white papers, please email decoratorrelations@sanmar.com.We would love to hear from you!
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What's New in Software?
We are constantly researching and doing our best to stay on top of software technology for decorators. If you have further questions or would like our comprehensive list of software platforms please contact us at decoratorrelations@sanmar.com.
YoPrint is a new platform we have just learned about. It is configured to handle DTG, screen printing, embroidery and hard goods. They are integrated with SanMar and other providers such as PayPal, UPS and Fedex. Core features include order management, production management, inventory management and a customer self-service portal. It's definitely one to keep an eye on.
EMBTrak is not new to the industry but it's making some incredible changes. EMBTrak offers a complete business and art management system for distributors, decorators, contractors and promotional products companies of any size. Their software and services can help your business run faster, better, and more efficiently. With over a decade of experience working with leaders in the embellishment.industry, they can develop and implement a fulfilment system that meets your needs and streamlines your business.
Smake is a newer platform with some incredible features: production management, order management, e-commerce stores, inventory management, shipping management, QR/barcode shop tracking, to name a few. There available, so it's worth a visit if you're in the market for software.
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What's on your mind?
We encourage feedback and want to know what topics you would like us to address. Send your requests to decoratorrelations@sanmar.com.
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