Screen Printing - December 2019/January 2020 - 26

available on the market that
to be the perfect go-to fleece shirt
most shops don't take advantage
for those chilly morning activities,
of. I recently sat down with my
yet light and breathable to help
main printer, Danny Gruninger
you stay cool as the day warms
of Denver Print House (denverup. It's part of the true California
printhouse.com and 2018 Rising
transitional lifestyle." Because
Stars Award winner), to talk about
California influences casual wear
his predictions for the upcoming
trends, I can see this garment popAn example of a three-color puff print. Image courtesy of AMB3R.
year. "From a technical decoraping up all over the country in the
tion standpoint, the larger brands
near future.
are driving the elite developers in the industry to create more
Another garment trend that has been gaining steam for
interactive apparel. With the rapid acceleration of digital and
a couple years but is reaching new heights is unique tie dye
the speed to market that it provides, you are going to start
and garment wash treatments. Taylor Swift, Kanye West,
seeing a lot more hybrid screen print and digital, as well as
and The Fresh Prince have all used tie dye tees and hoodies
special effect techniques incorporating these advanced techin their recent merch releases. From multicolor dip dyes to
niques," he says. "Some of these include foil and digital print,
color-shifting dyes, the typical hippie tie dye is being reinflock and digital print, high-density and digital print, among
vented. While our options are limited in the blank market,
many other special effect applications. We have also seen a
for those customers that have higher qualities or further
higher demand in decorations using special pigments such
reaches, you can get custom dyed blanks from a couple
as color shifting, pearls, glows, etc., which add an element of
different factories in Los Angeles. This helps you create a
appeal to a standard style graphic. In the near future, you will
garment that is truly unique to your customer.
also start to see many large brands having more interactive
Other styles to expect to see more of in 2020:
merch and/or decorations that give the end user the ability to
* Color blocking and rugby style stripes
have interaction with the design or the garment, which will
* Allover pattern prints on button downs
be able to provide useful data to whoever is wearing it."
* Oversized drop shoulder tees and hoodies
Decoration techniques I'm currently loving are:
* Henleys (short and long sleeve)
* Tone on tone printing and embroidery
* Multiple and unique location prints
You'll see even more growth of the Heritage brands like
* Embossing in fleece
Champion, Russel Athletic, Kappa, Carhartt, and K-Swiss. If
* Multi-media using screen print with appliques or patchwork
you haven't been to the mall lately, Champion has infiltrated
* Metallic accents
every store from Nordstrom to PacSun to Urban Outfitters.
All have specific collections for that retailer's demographic.
Another garment-specific trend that will gain marketshare
Now, how do you take what you're learning with trends
in 2020 is activewear and athleisure. With our society as a
and apply it to your clients? At the end of the day, a "cool"
whole living healthier lifestyles and dressing more casually,
tee that nobody buys or wears misses the mark. Set up a
the need for transitional, comfortable apparel is ever growquestionnaire so you can structure what you're trying to pull
ing. Brands like Lululemon, Athleta, Nike, Gymshark, and
from the client so they give you the info you need to make
Fabletics are creating full outfits that accommodate going
the best suggestions possible that will resonate with their
from the office to the gym and then out to social settings.
audience. Take your core clients and put trend reports
This demographic is very wide, but there are commonalities
together for them so you can build a "blueprint" of looks that
among the Crossfit companies and yoga studios.
will help in the development of new merch.
Faithful customers preach the message of activewear in
Knowing the trends is not only a power edge over your
a cult-like manner. This is a big opportunity for companies
competitors, but it will also establish you as the expert and
in our industry. There's no better way to spread a message
give your clients a garment their audiences will love.
of fitness and wellness than with branded products that go
beyond a basic corporate logo. Typographic statement tees
Jeremy Picker is the creative director and CEO at AMB3R Creative
(amb3r.com), a Colorado-based apparel design firm. He has more
with motivating words will build more retail sales for your
than 20 years of experience in the fashion industry and brings a
customers. Moisture management tees, shorts, and leggings
depth of knowledge in custom design, screen printing, embroidery,
are core items for activewear. Athleisure garments such as
applique, finishing, and promotional products. Picker has helped
joggers, drapey loose fabrics for women, and Sherpa fleece
numerous brands launch and grow, and has managed merchandise
for major label brands. He is also passionate about creating retail
quarter zips have been showing up in retail.

DECORATION TRENDS
There are so many print-friendly decoration techniques
26

SCREENPRINTING

quality for the non-profit sector to fuel fundraising efforts and expand
awareness. His current client list spans from churches to restaurants
to corporations. He is a cancer survivor and a co-founder of Estaine, a
high-end accessory line to support cancer education.

http://www.printhouse.com http://www.amb3r.com

Screen Printing - December 2019/January 2020

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