The Future of Apparel in the Metaverse

With facebook’s announcement of their plans to build the metaverse and with the crypto space already well on it’s way to establishing itself as a legit decentralized currency system, virtual apparel is not a far fetched idea and many big brands have already been planning and prepping for it.

What is the Metaverse?

The metaverse is a virtual world in which you can create your own reality outside of the physical world. With virtual and augmented reality advances, the metaverse has become more and more established as the future of how we interact with other people and how businesses like Facebook (now Meta) plan to profit in the next few years.

Within the metaverse, retailers will be able to sell NFTs that will be meant to be used and owned in this virtual world. This aspect of the metaverse is what will drive a whole new economic system.

NFT artwork: CryptoPunks

What is an NFT?

A non fungible token (NFT) made waves in 2020 as a new form of non-tangible asset but rather a virtual one. A non-fungible token (NFT) is a unique identifier that can cryptographically assign and prove ownership of digital goods. These digital goods can then be re-sold for a higher amount, therefore, becoming a profitable trade.

Much like in the real world of art, NFTs follow the same concept, only it is all digital and it does not have to be art.

For its fall 2021 collection, Gucci partnered with the art auction house Christie’s on an NFT video called “Aria,” which sold for $25,000 in June. Christie’s was also where Beeple, the most famous digital artist, sold his piece for $69 million this year. This overnight success of NFTs is now leading Christie’s to accept auction bids with Ethereum, the most popular crypto-currency.

What is the Future of Apparel?

We will obviously still need to dress ourselves in real life, however, the way we shop will be different. Like in video games today, avatars will need some sort of “skin” or “apparel”, this is where the profits come into play. Currently, in most video and VR games, you have to either win points or purchase points to then acquire specific items of clothing for your avatar. We believe this model will remain and transcend into the physical world.

Read more To Build the Metaverse, Meta First Wants to Build Stores

So, how will physical fashion retailers make money?

Nike has taken its first steps into the metaverse. The Oregon-based company has filed several new trademarks this week that indicate its intent to make and sell virtual Nike-branded sneakers and apparel.

In addition to filing for a list of new trademarks, Nike is looking to fill new job positions within the virtual space such as virtual material designer of footwear and other virtual design roles.

With more brands looking into making their way into the virtual space, projects such as MetaHero are making headlines as their technology is designed to scan objects or people to then render a 3D virtual version. With such technology, we believe that a 3D version of ourselves will be available in the metaverse.

This type of scanning system leads to believe that we will be able to shop in the metaverse for apparel, this may also mean that our metaverse version can try on different outfits as you do now, but without leaving your couch.

Essentially, it is believed that a metaverse version of your current online store will be needed in order to sell apparel. With increasing amounts of time spent in the Metaverse, the ratio between the virtual and physical possessions we own will increase dramatically.

It is also speculated that “Limited Run” drops of Nike sneakers will be exclusively done within the metaverse. This will drive the retail market within the virtual world and is expected to eventually become the norm.

Check Out Shopping In The Metaverse

---

Is The Metaverse Really The Future?

Although all of this seems far fetched, it is believed that in 10 years from now we will all be interacting with each other in the metaverse.

Some may choose to spend almost all their waking time there, seeing the real world as dull, limited and inefficient by comparison.

As we spend more time in the Metaverse, status symbols like the virtual home you own, the virtual clothing and jewelry you wear or the virtual cosmetics you use will become every bit as important as those same real-world purchases and possessions are today.

Brands are predicted to capitalize on this demand by creating an ever-growing assortment of virtual products at real-world prices.

At first thought this may mean that whatever you purchase in the metaverse will be then shipped to you in the real world. But as technology in this field continued to expand, we don’t really know how this will look like in 30 years from now.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

---

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

For FAQ, check out our site!

For any inquiries, send us a message!

OR

send us an e-mail at quotes@familyindustriesla.com

A Guide To Streetwear Design

Designing artwork for a t-shirt or a hat may seem like a simple task, but when it comes to the technical application of the design; things may get complicated. The road to starting your own streetwear brand does not have to be bumpy! we encourage you to inform yourself before investing time and money, and we will help you by taking you through the different steps to consider when creating and designing your own apparel brand.

In this article, we will walk you through efficient and economical ways to begin a streetwear clothing line as well as the technical part of apparel printing to help you avoid having to re-design your logo or any other artwork you would like to print on t-shirts, hats, or pants.

Photo and T-Shirt Design By NEVER MADE

What Is Streetwear?

Streetwear is a casual fashion style that became popular in the 1990s. It includes comfortable yet trendy clothing such as graphic tees, hoodies, sweatpants, and sneakers. Streetwear brands are inspired by both hip-hop culture and skater style. Followers of the latest trends in streetwear are known as hypebeasts, and many go to great lengths to acquire limited-edition designer hats, hoodies, sneakers, and more.

The first streetwear brands emerged in Southern California in the 1980s, when surfers sold screen printed T-shirts to promote their hand-shaped surfboards. Inspired by the street style of LA skateboarders and surfers as well as hip-hop fashion, small skateboarding shops in NYC started creating their own designs in the 1990s.

In the 2000s, sneaker culture influenced streetwear fashion. Hypebeasts paired their graphic tees with athletic sneakers, and collaborations flourished.

In the 2010s, luxury streetwear was born. As young people and social influencers made streetwear an important part of pop culture, and the fashion industry noticed, from mainstream sportswear brands to high fashion brands, got in on the action.

The Basics

Comfort

As mentioned, streetwear takes inspiration from the hip-hop culture as well as the skater style. When figuring out the fit of your apparel, you will first want to think about whether you’re looking to design loose and comfortable pieces or have more of a tapered look.

Streetwear is generally defined by breaking the rules of proportion by using oversize t-shirts with skinny jeans or dropped-crotch sweatpants, but as the style evolves, it is encouraged to just make cool and interesting apparel regardless of fit.

Ripped pants and distressed jeans are also part of the streetwear style, these details are important to the overall look. Considering what type of fit and style gives you brand identity and consolidates your audience to a specific group, which in turn, will help you narrow down your marketing efforts in the future.

Fabrics & Design

Because t-shirts are one in a million, and cool graphics are being designed and printed daily; good high-quality fabrics will set you apart from the competition and give your brand an edge. If this is something you can afford, we highly recommend going with higher quality cotton.

Cotton fabrics are premium options and ideal for long-lasting apparel. Additionally, the thicker the fabric, the better the graphics will be. The thicker fabric allows for a cleaner and nicer print, whether you’re screen printing the design or opting for a DTG print (direct to garment), a nice cotton blend is what you will need.

The design will depend on what your brand is about. Considering the name and the inspiration behind your brand as well as finding a compelling way to translate your passion for the brand into a cool graphic is key, and that same sentiment should show throughout each article of clothing and each collection thereafter.

We recommend that you stick to one logo and that logo be visible enough on all articles of clothing offered by your brand. The graphic design should be easy to read and recognizable. When designing the graphics, seek inspiration from your life, your surroundings, or the culture within your community. Having a design that directly connects to a certain lifestyle is what makes a streetwear brand successful.

Versatility

When creating your own apparel brand, especially in the streetwear category, you want each piece to be versatile. Versatility means that you can wear that article of clothing with many other pieces to allow the buyer to create their own unique look and keep their originality.

You can achieve versatility by including basic colors such as white, black, or grey. Minimal designs such as your logo embroidered small on the chest or your logo screen printed on the back of a t-shirt.

The Details

Accessories are essential to completing a look. There are simple accessories you can offer, such as hats, beanies, and bandanas to complete a unique outfit.

Screen printing a hat or a bandana is fairly easy and affordable, and are a good way to add accessories to your clothing line. Additionally, embroidering a logo on a hat or a cross-body bag is a good alternative that provides an added touch of customization and quality.

Focusing on the smaller details can make all of the difference in setting your brand apart from others, such as printing on unconventional spots like the sleeves or adding an embroidered element to the design.

Screen Print or Direct To Garment?

There are many differences and similarities between these two methods of printing, and there are a number of criteria to be taken into consideration when making your decision. The following points will help you decide on which print method is better for your brand and more specifically what type of print method is best for your designs such as logo and other artwork you wish to display on the apparel.

1. Quantity: Digital printing allows for a smaller quantity to be printed while screen printing will usually require a minimum.

2. Apparel: Screen printing has more versatility when choosing your fabric. For digital printing, it is advised to print on 100% cotton or other select cotton blends and only certain colors.

3. Design: Photographs or hyper-detailed images with a lot of colors are usually better printed digitally. However, if you have a large number of shirts you would like to print, screen printing may still be an option but it may cost you a little bit more or may require some adapting to make the design work best.

If cost is your main concern, the following criteria will dictate the best print method:

1. Apparel: The type of apparel can range from value to premium options and depends on the style and brand.

2. Print Locations: There is the option for 1 or 2 locations, which would be the front and/or the back (for a t-shirt or sweatshirt).

3. Fabric Color: For screen printing on darker color fabrics, a white layer before your print is necessary and may cost a little bit more.

4. Number of Colors: The more colors your print requires the higher the cost is for screen printing, however, if you have a large quantity, this cost may be a lot lower as you can have access to deeper discounts.

5. Quantity: With screen printing, the number of pieces will dictate the majority of your cost. This is the most important factor that will most likely dictate the right method for you.

---

Streetwear Brand Spotlight:

Never Made is a Los Angeles based streetwear / lifestyle brand created by artist Francisco Reyes, Jr.

---

Remember!

When people look at you as a “high-quality” streetwear brand, you’ll not only be able to charge more money, but you’ll be much more reputable in the process. Reputation can take you a long way in the fashion industry, especially when it comes to something as urban as streetwear.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

---

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

For FAQ, check out our site!

For any inquiries, send us a message!

OR

send us an e-mail at quotes@familyindustriesla.com

Our showroom at 2755 Fruitdale Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039 is open by appointment only from 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday.

Screen Printing With Puff Ink

If you’ve been paying attention you’ve seen that more and more streetwear brands are bringing back the Puff Ink prints. This type of ink is a plastisol based ink that has been modified with the addition of a heat reactive foaming agent that makes the ink expand tp give you that ‘Puffy’ look.

---

How Does It Work?

Puff ink adds a 3 dimensional aspect to screen printing on garments. With this type of ink, you will follow the same screen printing steps as printing with standard water-based inks.

You can use puff ink across the entire artwork, or you can choose specific elements or colors of the design to give it the desired effect to bring more attention or 'pop' to a particular part of the artwork.

One of the downsides to printing with puff ink is that it’s hard to match the exact Pantone ink colors as opposed to using regular water-based ink. This is because the puff ink additive changes different colors in different ways. However, usually, lighter Pantone colors are easier to match than darker colors.

Keep It Simple

There are no fundamental limitations when using puff ink for t shirt printing, apart from when your design has small details that are less than 1 - 2mm wide. For the best puff print, you will want your design to have thick lines and minimal small details. When creating a design featuring text, choosing the right font is key. The thicker the lines the more your design will stand out.

Check out How To Add Puff Additive To Plastisol Ink

How It’s Made

You should use plastisol inks of any color and add a puff additive such as “Rutland NPT puff’ which recommends a 5% to 15% ratio for an optimum puff. The amount of additive dictates how much the ink will rise. With puff ink, it’s important to measure how much additive and paint to mix by weight.

When it comes to your screen, the lower the mesh count, the more open the holes are, which translates to more ink deposit and results in a more “puffy” print.

Once you’ve added the ink to your garment in the chosen design, as the ink goes through the dryer and the heat rises, so does your ink. Like a loaf of bread!

Aftercare

To preserve a puff print or any other specialty prints, it is recommended that you wash it inside out with cold water. Do not use a tumble-dryer, hang dry if possible and do not iron over the print.

Check out Puff Ink – The definitive designers guide for apparel creation

---

Pro’s and Con’s List

Pros of Puff Screen Printing

• Fast printing technique for printing in large volumes

• Can be printed in conjunction with a wide selection of other inks and effects

• Can produce designs with multiple colors

• High-durability, will not crumble and flake off

• Professional finish and usually less expensive (consult with your printer)

• Can print on most types of fabrics

Cons of Puff Screen Printing

• Initial setup fee makes it unsuitable for small quantity orders

• Not good for use in fine detailed artwork

• Can not be used for image (raster based) prints

• Can not be printed alongside, foil, flock or high density print effects

---

Are you looking to printing

your design with Puff Ink?

---

Get the inside scoop from Lee Stuart printing with Puff Ink for the first time!

---

Brand Spotlight

Japangeles is a Los Angeles based streetwear brand located in the heart of Little Tokyo. Japangeles has done collaborations with other major brands such as Kirin, Hello Kitty, Champion, and Lexus. Their simplistic yet eye-catching approach to design and word play has caught the attention of many people looking for high-quality garments and minimalistic aesthetics in Los Angeles. Their newest design features a puff ink print, demonstrating the current popularity of this type of specialty print method.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

---

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

For FAQ, check out our site!

For any inquiries, send us a message!

OR

send us an e-mail at quotes@familyindustriesla.com

Screen Printing Trends of 2022

As the end of 2021 approaches, we are all looking ahead at what is next and what will be the trends driving the apparel industry. Many things have changed or come back in style and in the age of TikTok trends come and go faster than we can keep up with. Here is a summary of what is to come and what is here to stay in apparel printing.

---

T-Shirt Styles

We’ve seen a change in the styles and fit of t-shirts. The styles that are most popular right now include t-shirt that are thicker cotton and a more relaxed fit. These are the brands that are hot right now:

1. Comfort Colors 1717 Heavyweight T-Shirt

Comfort Colors 1717 is 100% ring-spun cotton, making this fabric very durable and heavy. This material is comfortable and the style is a relaxed fit and a bit oversize. This style has been very popular in recent years for it’s fit.

2. Bella+Canvas 3001 Classic Unisex T-Shirt

This Bella+Canvas 3001 custom print t-shirt is a modern tee with a crew neck and side-seam construction for durability. Designed with superior airlume-combed and ring-spun cotton, it has a very soft feel and smooth surface which makes it great for direct to garment printing.

3. AS Colour 5001 Staple Tee

The AS Colour 5001 staple t-shirt has a soft and relaxed fit, made from a blend of cottons with a fit that can be worn for any occasion. You can dress it down or dress it up. A true staple for every closet.

GRAPHIC Tees

Vibrant and out-of-the-box graphics are all the rage right now. Streetwear has been front and center in fashion trends and will continue to be in 2022. Bold graphics will help you brand stand out and bring an element of art and design that bigger brands may be missing out on. Incorporating a abstract design to your logo to compliment your brand is a great way to push your brand in the new year.

BRAND Merch

Team shirts or branded company shirts are often used as brand merch or swag for employees. While this is a great way to encourage workplace community, the bar is being raised for 2022.

Swag kits or promo merch boxes are a step above the t-shirt or stationary items. These merch box kits can include a variety of items and the box itself can be branded with your logo and brand colors which makes a great promotional gift for potential clients.

Swag kits are perfect for brands that offer a service, these promo products can improve brand recognition and for your current client it can cement brand loyalty.

Learn more about how branding such as swag boxes can benefit your business.

Screen Printed Pants / Shorts

Where it’s a pattern or a logo, screen printing on pants and shorts are very popular in 2021 and 2022. We see brand such as Stella McCartney with these Beetles inspired printed trousers. We also see smaller streetwear brands playing with this concept in a more fluid way with abstract designs and with logo designs. All-over prints on pants have been quietly emerging from the sub-culture fashion trends in New York City as depicted in this article by Vogue.

Specialty Prints

Specialty prints such as puff prints have had an impact on the new generation. Puff print making a comeback in 2021 has pushed this trend to become a big component of streetwear in 2022. The popularity that this type of printing has reached is exciting for specialty screen printers everywhere.

We partnered with the iconic Amoeba Music in Los Angeles and printed sweatshirts with a vibrant puff ink.

Learn about What Is Puff Ink?

Fulfillment Services

With the rise of online shopping, there is a bigger demand in shorter shipping times. When running a small brand this can feel overwhelming and time consuming when the focus should be on the design for the next drop. This is where auto fulfillment services come into play, premium print shops such as Family Industries offer a fulfillment component to their printing services. Not only do we print and ship, but also offer finishing services which include your own branded tags, branded mailers, and any inserts you would like to include with your apparel.

Fulfillment services have become a necessity for a lot of smaller businesses looking to expand.

Learn more about The Benefits of Fulfillment Services

Have more questions? Check out our video explaining the process of fulfillment.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

---

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

For FAQ, check out our site!

For any inquiries, send us a message!

OR

send us an e-mail at quotes@familyindustriesla.com

Streetwear Fall Trends

The fall isn’t only for flannel and pumpkin spice lattes; in the fast evolving world of fashion trends, streetwear is front and center. With streetwear becoming more mainstream and social media usage is on it’s all time high, fashion history seems to be repeating itself. The trend this fall is reminiscent of the 1970’s, 1990’s and early 2000’s. We’ll take you to the top 5 trends for this fall/winter season.

Fashion Is Recyclable

It’s not only middle part hairstyle that Gen Z’s have brought back, it’s also streetwear with big wide leg pants and alternative apparel such as oversize sweatshirts and Dr. Marten boots. This fall we are seeing some styles from the early 2000’s making a comeback as well as some 70’s and 90’s , here are some of those trends.

Read more about The ‘90s fashion trends that are making a comeback in 2021

Velour Tracksuits

Baby Phat and Juicy Couture had a hold on us back then, and continue to have a big influence now. These tracksuits are the ultimate (more fashionable) alternative to athleisure apparel. Tracksuits have made a comeback for all most every generations since the 70’s and the '70s are as far away in the mid-'90s as the '90s are from today.

There are ways to customize your own Velour Tracksuits by incorporating chainstitching or embroidery of your name or nickname. Generally, the material for these tracksuits are more suited for embroidery.

Corduroy Jackets

Once again, the 70’s comeback is being demonstrated by this trend. Corduroy is not longer your dad’s style; specifically the double breasted or utilitarian cut. Corduroy jackets are best worn with high waisted pants and boots, and they can be customized by adding embroidery or embroidered patches.

The best colors are dark and earthy colors, coupled with light pants or a turtle neck!

Fashion Tip: Tan colors are in this season! Don’t be afraid to pair tan on tan.

Letterman Jacket

Most notably made popular in the 90’s, this trend has been around since… well, the year 1865. The Harvard’s baseball team sewed the letter ‘H’ to their uniforms and the varsity jacket was born!

This jacket has evolved since 1865 but has not changed much in recent years. This style used to be signifier of your athletic accomplishments, it is now worn by many for the purpose of style.

The letterman jacket has also been a signifier of not only American sportswear but American streetwear as it was made trendy in the 80’s and 90’s. Basically, you can’t go wrong with this fit.

This jacket is great to customize with embroidered patches!

Fisherman’s Beanie

A fisherman beanie is a bolder style because it sits higher on the head, leaving the ears, and potentially the front of the hair, exposed. The look is inspired by the dockworkers for which it’s named, but it really can be worn with just about any casual outfit.

Are you not sure about how to wear this type of beanie? Check out How To Wear a Beanie Without Looking Like an Idiot

Statement Tee

People have a lot say, so what best way to express your thought than through a statement tee?

The statement tee has been around for a while now, however, it is again becoming a staple in everyone’s closet. Witty phrases and political statements are an easy and affordable way to upgrade your wardrobe and show a little bit of your personality.

Read 14 Statement Tees That Let Your Clothes Do The Talking

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

---

Do you have something to say?

Get a quote from Family Industries!

---

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

For FAQ, check out our site!

For any inquiries, send us a message!

OR

send us an e-mail at quotes@familyindustriesla.com