Impressions - February 2015 - 46
Shop SPOTLIGHT
Breakthrough Custom Clothing
Breakthrough Moments
This award-winning shop is laser-focused on perfecting its offerings,
and its clients are reaping the benefits.
By Jennifer A. Morrell, Contributing Writer
Winning
contests like
the DTG Battle
Royale and two
Impressions
Awards
competitions
helped boost
Breakthrough
Custom
Clothing's brand
prestige.
Breakthrough Custom
Clothing At A Glance
Company Name: Breakthrough Custom Clothing
Address: 294 W. Water St.
Toms River, NJ 08753
Founded: 2011
No. of Employees: 5 full-time
Decorating Methods Offered: Direct-to-garment
printing, screen printing
Company Website:
breakthroughcustomclothing.com
i
n 2007 Gerald Cantalupo Jr., owner
of New Jersey-based Breakthrough
Custom Clothing, had a major breakthrough of his own.
A college student at the time, he lost
a sibling in a car accident. The resulting
wake-up call that, "Hey, life is short," was
heard loud and clear. Cantalupo decided
to pursue his true passion: clothing and
custom designs.
"I didn't want to just sit around and go
through life, but [I wanted] to live life,"
Cantalupo says. "So I ordered my first heat
press and started to create my own clothing line from my bedroom. As I headed out
to festivals and shows during the months I
was off from college, local business owners
I knew started to ask me to print their work
apparel. So I made some extra cash while
in school."
Little by little, Cantalupo built his business through referrals from clients, and
people who saw his work and liked what
he was doing. Though he enjoyed the work,
Cantalupo didn't feel ready to move into
46
Impressions | February 2015
After a business boom necessitated a move, Breakthrough Custom Clothing owner
Gerald Cantalupo bought a storefront location in a New Jersey strip mall.
a full-time operation until 2011, when he
decided to take a leap of faith like every
entrepreneur and small business owner.
"I purchased a direct-to-garment (DTG)
machine, the All-American Neoflex," he
says. "I converted my entire bedroom into
my print area and slept on the couch. For
the first two months, I tested apparel to
make sure I was good at what I was about
to sell to clients."
His patience and persistence paid off
as business increased, along with his creativity. He was able to offer a variety of
interesting designs, one-off prints and work
shirts for local clients.
Cantalupo next entered a national contest hosted by T-shirtforums.com, DTG
Battle Royale, which was based solely on
DTG prints. All competitors had to print
the same design and were judged on five
impressionsmag.com
http://www.breakthroughcustomclothing.com
http://www.T-shirtforums.com
http://www.impressionsmag.com
Impressions - February 2015
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - February 2015
Contents
First Impressions
From the Show Director
FYI
Product Gallery
ISS Product Pick
ISS Conferences
On Par With Plackets
Specialized Stitching
Online Search: An Update
How to Maximize Your Resources
Shop Spotlight
Embroidery Technique
Screen Printing Production
Screen Printing Technique
Digital Decorating
Classifieds
Online Directory
Ad Index
Impressions - February 2015 - CT1
Impressions - February 2015 - CT2
Impressions - February 2015 - Cover1
Impressions - February 2015 - Cover2
Impressions - February 2015 - 1
Impressions - February 2015 - Contents
Impressions - February 2015 - 3
Impressions - February 2015 - First Impressions
Impressions - February 2015 - 5
Impressions - February 2015 - From the Show Director
Impressions - February 2015 - 7
Impressions - February 2015 - FYI
Impressions - February 2015 - 9
Impressions - February 2015 - 10
Impressions - February 2015 - 11
Impressions - February 2015 - 12
Impressions - February 2015 - 13
Impressions - February 2015 - 14
Impressions - February 2015 - 15
Impressions - February 2015 - Product Gallery
Impressions - February 2015 - 17
Impressions - February 2015 - 18
Impressions - February 2015 - 19
Impressions - February 2015 - ISS Product Pick
Impressions - February 2015 - 21
Impressions - February 2015 - ISS Conferences
Impressions - February 2015 - 23
Impressions - February 2015 - On Par With Plackets
Impressions - February 2015 - 25
Impressions - February 2015 - 26
Impressions - February 2015 - 27
Impressions - February 2015 - 28
Impressions - February 2015 - 29
Impressions - February 2015 - 30
Impressions - February 2015 - 31
Impressions - February 2015 - Specialized Stitching
Impressions - February 2015 - 33
Impressions - February 2015 - 34
Impressions - February 2015 - 35
Impressions - February 2015 - Online Search: An Update
Impressions - February 2015 - 37
Impressions - February 2015 - 38
Impressions - February 2015 - 39
Impressions - February 2015 - 40
Impressions - February 2015 - 41
Impressions - February 2015 - How to Maximize Your Resources
Impressions - February 2015 - 43
Impressions - February 2015 - 44
Impressions - February 2015 - 45
Impressions - February 2015 - Shop Spotlight
Impressions - February 2015 - 47
Impressions - February 2015 - 48
Impressions - February 2015 - 49
Impressions - February 2015 - Embroidery Technique
Impressions - February 2015 - 51
Impressions - February 2015 - 52
Impressions - February 2015 - Screen Printing Production
Impressions - February 2015 - 54
Impressions - February 2015 - 55
Impressions - February 2015 - 56
Impressions - February 2015 - Screen Printing Technique
Impressions - February 2015 - 58
Impressions - February 2015 - 59
Impressions - February 2015 - Digital Decorating
Impressions - February 2015 - 61
Impressions - February 2015 - 62
Impressions - February 2015 - 63
Impressions - February 2015 - Classifieds
Impressions - February 2015 - Ad Index
Impressions - February 2015 - 66
Impressions - February 2015 - Cover3
Impressions - February 2015 - Cover4
Impressions - February 2015 - S1
Impressions - February 2015 - S2
Impressions - February 2015 - S3
Impressions - February 2015 - S4
Impressions - February 2015 - S5
Impressions - February 2015 - S6
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202404S
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20240102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202312
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https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20221011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20211011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/DigitalDecorator_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20210809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/teamactivewear_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/imp_0421_digital
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_fall2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nxtbook_bhtest/impwessons
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2020fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20200607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20190607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20170607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20160607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20150607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20140607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sportsfanretailer_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20131011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20130607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20121011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20111011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20110809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20110607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sourcebook2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20101112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20100910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20100708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201003
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_200909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_eco_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20091112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sourcebook_200906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201001
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com