6 Production Insights on Decorating for Streetwear Brands

arlene Dowls, owner of JB Promotional, knows the ins and outs of high-volume production for streetwear brands. Take Riot Society, for example. “Riot Society is a streetwear brand that prints in heavy volume," she says. “They sell edgy designs in stores like Tilly’s, Burlington, Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls, and Ross.” Dowls’ team skillfully balances turning out different high-quality designs and product lines to the tune of thousands of items a day to meet each retailer’s unique needs. This strategic approach streamlines production and also ensures that Riot Society’s products stand out in a crowded market.

If you’re a screen printer looking to handle high-volume apparel production for apparel brands like a pro, you'll need to understand these complexities too. We’ve got tips to help you navigate the challenges and keep your quality standards high.

Mastering Large-Volume Production

Working with streetwear and other apparel brands means that printers face challenges in high-volume production, including meeting high-quality standards under tight deadlines. Here are six common challenges and insider strategies to address them.

1. Maintain consistency.

The challenge:

‍High-volume production demands consistent quality across thousands of prints. For screen printing, variations in ink application, color matching, and print alignment can often lead to inconsistencies.

Insider tips:

‍Consistency is a major concern for screen printers, especially when working with brands that sell at retail. “The way you print has to be consistent, although you can make tweaks as you run production,” Dowls says. “For retail, we individually prep each item to meet their stringent quality standards.”

Many of the brands Dowls works with have in-house graphic departments that produce designs and then asks her team to print them using the best decorating method.

“Samples are everything to these clients. They’ll send us their custom goods or buy blanks from a big brand. Then, over the course of a month, we’ll send them lots of samples with different garments and print styles.”
- Marlene Dowls, owner of JB Promotional

Ensuring quality across high-volume orders requires rigorous sample testing and quality control from the outset. “Apparel brands that sell at retail are very picky with quality control,” Dowls says. “You need to constantly check your decorating equipment since you can’t just run 1,000 units without oversight."

2. Meet tight deadlines.

The challenge:

‍High-volume orders for apparel brands often come with tight deadlines, putting pressure on a shop’s production schedules and increasing the risk of errors.

Insider tips:

‍Working with big retail brands has its advantages when it comes to meeting tight deadlines. “The plus side is that they know what they want,” Dowls says. “They’re also not as picky about price because they want consistent quality to avoid losing their contracts. They’re also more willing to accept realistic time frames for production when needed.”

Dowls emphasizes the importance of setting clear expectations and standing firm on production timelines.

“Explain how long each step – cut and sew, printing, and finishing – can take. Experienced retailers understand the process and will work with you, but they do need physical samples for approval before full production.”
- Marlene Dowls, owner of JB Promotional

Artem Ionitsa, president of Logo Unlimited, highlights the importance of communication and contingency plans.

“High-volume production definitely poses challenges. Developing contingency plans for equipment failures or other disruptions ahead of time means you can still meet deadlines.”
- Artem Ionitsa, president of Logo Unlimited

3. Manage your inventory and supply chain.

The challenge:

Managing inventory efficiently is critical in high-volume production.

Insider tips:

‍With a staggering stock of about 50,000 shirts for Riot Society alone, Dowls’ shop operates at an impressive scale. This volume requires meticulous planning, including calculating production time, assessing employee capabilities, and determining the need for overtime to meet strict deadlines. “Easily with this streetwear brand, we’re running about 10,000 to 15,000 units a day because he’s shipping to a lot of stores,” she says.

Here are some tips around inventory management:

• Find an inventory management system to automatically keep track of your stock levels and reorder blanks automatically.

• Build strong relationships with reliable suppliers to ensure that blanks arrive on time and meet quality standards. “Regular communication with suppliers and clients is vital to address any issues quickly,” Ionitsa says.

• Set up ”just-in-time” production techniques to help reduce inventory costs, and enable you to decorate and ship orders quickly.

4. Ensure quality standards.

The challenge:

‍Apparel brands and retailers are sticklers for every garment passing a strict quality standard.

Insider tips:

Ensuring that every garment meets high-quality standards is critical, especially for apparel brands and retailers. “Quality control for retail stores is different,” Dowls explains. “You need to follow the specific guidelines of each store, including finishing, packaging, and print style. Retailers are even pickier about products sold on their websites because of the high return rates, so they often want everything packed individually.”

To minimize errors in large orders, Dowls recommends hiring dedicated quality control staffers to ensure each print meets the required standards – and then provide ongoing training in this area.

“We also buy extra units so we can replace any damaged items before we ship, so there are no issues. In mass production, bands might not notice minor issues, but for retail, the margin of error is much smaller. Retailers might even ask for a full reorder if something is wrong with one or two garments.”
- Marlene Dowls, owner of JB Promotional

Try these other smart tips for quality control dominance:

• Work in your shop to create and follow detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for every aspect of the production process ensures consistency and quality. “To ensure quality standards, quality control measures, such as sample inspections and production audits, are crucial,” Ionitsa says.

• Keep your equipment clean, well-maintained and calibrated to reduce the risk of mechanical errors and ensure high-quality output.

5. Understand trends so you can be a strong resource.

The challenge:

‍While many streetwear brands will have a POV, they’ll also expect you to understand the marketplace.

Insider tips:

Screen printers play a crucial role in guiding apparel brands through the latest industry trends. “Some brands have a good understanding of trends, while others rely on us for guidance,” Dowls says. “When they do ask, they expect us to have knowledge about inks and fabrics.”

“Balancing creativity with market trends involves being adaptable and innovative while staying true to a brand's DNA. Selecting apparel materials and graphics involves understanding a brand’s aesthetics and target demographic while keeping an eye on current trends.”
- Artem Ionitsa, president of Logo Unlimited

Dowls notes that different types of brands have varying preferences when it comes to printing methods and materials.

“Smaller brands tend to prefer DTG or DTF because of the flexibility in the number of colors they can use. Bigger brands usually go for screen printing with water-based or discharge inks to achieve a softer feel, especially for oversized t-shirts. Eco-brands are particularly interested in pigmented-dyed shirts with heavier 5 oz. and 6 oz. fabrics.”
- Marlene Dowls, owner of JB Promotional

Sustainability and ethical considerations are also increasingly important in apparel production. “This includes using eco-friendly materials, implementing ethical labor practices, and minimizing waste throughout the production process,” Ionitsa says. “Certifications like Fair Trade or GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) can help verify sustainable and ethical practices.”

Remember, branding and storytelling play crucial roles in streetwear apparel designs, often conveyed through graphics, slogans, and unique design elements.

“Suggests story-driven collections, limited releases, and collaborations with artists or influencers to help create engaging brand narratives and foster a sense of community among consumers.”
‍- Artem Ionitsa, president of Logo Unlimited

6. Offer guidance on apparel and artwork to newbies.

The challenge:

‍Startup brands often ask printers for guidance on the right styles and graphics.

Insider tips:

‍If you want to score new apparel brand clients, do what Dowls does and offer a consulting session.

“We walk the brand owner through the process of what they should start with first. If they don’t have the financial backing to go big right away, we advise them to test samples by having us print small batches. That way, we can check everything from print placement to fit and see what sells before going into full production.”
- Marlene Dowls, owner of JB Promotional

Ionitsa points out that you can earn long-term business by demonstrating that you’re an experienced production partner who can provide valuable insights and guidance. “Startups should strategically select apparel and graphics that reflect their brand identity and resonate with their target audience,” he says. “Helping them conduct thorough market research and understand consumer preferences can drive these decisions and lifetime loyalty.”

Full Steam Ahead With Streetwear Apparel

By addressing these six challenges with strategic solutions, printers can maintain high-quality standards even in high-volume production scenarios – along with staying in the know about upcoming trends. “Future trends in streetwear apparel production and design may involve greater integration of technology, such as smart fabrics or augmented reality experiences,” Ionitsa says.

“Sustainable and ethical practices are likely to become even more prevalent, with consumers placing greater emphasis on transparent supply chains and eco-friendly materials. Customization and personalization innovation could also see continued growth, allowing you to help brands offer unique experiences to their customers.”

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