Peak Performance: Noteworthy Brands & Styles in Athletic Wear
Although athletic wear was originally invented for exercising and sports, the industry has certainly modernized in terms of quality and style. Over the last two decades, performance wear has been redefined in fashion, with trendy styles, materials, and features introduced to the market. Through this revolutionary movement, athleisure apparel was born.
Athleisure apparel has blurred the lines between everyday style and performance for all ages. Athletic wear is no longer just about playing sports or hitting the gym it's about a sporty lifestyle. The surge of athleisure wear trend has not only made its footprint in mainstream fashion, but it has also paved the way for a parallel trend in apparel decoration!
Apparel brands and wholesale manufacturers across the globe have embraced this trend and jumped on the bandwagon. With so many brands and options out there, it can be overwhelming to narrow down your choices. But don’t you worry! Whether you’re a fitness or sports brand, or just looking to elevate your brand, our Threadbird team can offer guidance during this section process. Let’s touch on some of our favorite athletic apparel brands and styles.
1. Augusta Sportswear
This noteworthy brand specializes in creating performance and outerwear apparel for sports teams. What makes Augusta Sportswear a leading supplier within the apparel market is the value of quality that they provide for an affordable price.
The innovative fabrics their garments are designed with really set their brand apart, in addition to the vast range of colors and styles.
Women's Wayfarer Shorts (Augusta 2430)
Cutter Jersey (Augusta 1517)
2. Badger Sport
Known for their wide range of performance apparel for a variety of activities and sports, Badger Sport is a trailblazer in sportswear apparel.
B-Core Sleeveless Tank (Badger 4130) & Women's B-Core Racerback Tank (Badger 4166)
The premium, moisture-wicking qualities that their apparel is made with makes their clothing ideal for everything from running, soccer, training to everyday wear. Badger sport offers a stylish yet affordable range of athletic garments in mens, womens, and unisex sizes that are great for decoration.
B-Core Longsleeve Tee (Badger 4004) & Ultimate Soft Lock Shorts (Badger 4002)
& B-Core Quarter Zip (Badger 4102)
3. Champion
For decades, this well-known brand has maintained a longstanding presence in the athletic apparel space and in sports. As the original pioneer in manufacturing apparel and uniforms for professional athletes, the Champion brand has continued to expand and innovate their apparel styles.
Champion has certainly embraced the ‘streetwear style’ look with their heavy-weight materials, cropped and baggy styles. The variety of versatile, trendy garments that Champion offers, makes a appealing brand when it comes to apparel customization.
Women's Heritage Jersey Crop Tee (Champion T453W) & Double Dry Eco Hooded Sweatshirt (S700) & Women's Sport Soft Touch Leggings (CHP120)
4. AS Colour
We’ve talked about AS Colour before and there is a reason for that! Their premium quality and variety of stylish, unisex apparel options definitely sets them apart from the rest. From t-shirts, shorts, sweatpants, hoodies - they have an excellent selection of trending, sporty and casual garment options for a variety of occasions.
Men's Court Shorts (AS Colour 5910)
*Decorated with a Digital Heat Transfer
If quality is your top priority, AS Colours garments will not disappoint! The craftsmanship within the design of their garments speaks for itself with buttery soft textures, flexible fits and fresh styles to choose from...you won't even want to look elsewhere!
Men's Track Shorts (AS Colour 5905) & Classic Tees (AS Colour 5026)
& Stencil Track Pants (AS Colour 5921)
* Decorated with Screen printing
5. Next Level Apparel
For nearly two decades Next Level has been a reliable brand for premium quality, blank apparel. The brand manufacturers everything from t-shirts, hoodies, hats, athletic apparel, and so much more! What really makes their apparel stand out is the top notch quality that you get for a very reasonable price. The assortment of apparel types, colors, and styles that Next Level Apparel offers constitues them as great brand to explore for garment decoration and customization.
Women's Festival Tank (Next Level 5033) & Unisex Three-Quarter Baseball Raglan (Next level 6051)
Our Threadbird team works with you to gauge the style, fit and purpose you're looking to achieve and we source garments that align with your needs. The trend of atheisure wear is here to stay, and we're embracing it by working with brands that offer the quality and price we strive for! With the wide array of options to choose from, the possibilities for decoration, and personalization with screen printing are limitless.
Or if you want to design custom athletic apparel, we can also construct your apparel from the ground up. Check out our custom leggings for inspiration! Make 2024 your year, by taking your brand to the next level!
Hey, It's Threadbird, here to be your expert guide with printing, apparel, and merch. Our brand has been in the custom merch game for 14+ years. We know the ins and outs of all of your favorite products. We are here to help your brand fly high with our knowledge and expertise!
Puff Ink Printing
Puff Ink is awesome for printing designs with solid and bold details on heavier weight garments. For best results, choose a heavier weight garment. Puff ink screen printing is not ideal for creating designs with small text or thin, fine lines.
Examples of Plastisol Printing:
Sample Puff Ink Sweatshirt / Black (Gildan 1800) & Boneyard Surf Co. Hoodie / Blue Jean (Comfort Colors 1567)
Boneyard Surf Co. Sweatshirt / Blue Spruce (Comfort Colors 1566) & Sample Puff Ink T-shirt / Chambray (Comfort Colors 1717)
Elevate Your Brand: Transform Custom Merch into a Profitable Revenue Stream
In the dynamic realm of social media, influencers are constantly exploring innovative avenues to not only connect with their audience but also to monetize their influence effectively. One strategy that has proven to be both creative and lucrative is leveraging custom merchandise for your brand. In this blog post, we will delve into the potential of merchandise as a revenue stream for influencers, as well as offering valuable insights and practical tips to maximize sales of custom merch.
Brand Advantages of Custom Merch
Custom merchandise serves as a powerful extension of an influencer's personal brand. It goes beyond digital interactions, allowing followers to tangibly express their support. Whether it's a trendy screen-printed t-shirt, a sleek mug, socks, or premium posters, custom merch can transcend online engagement into everyday, real-life connections and interactions.
Custom merchandise can ultimately provide your brand with a reliable and consistent stream for revenue, and influencers financial stability, while also enhancing their brand presence. Branding elements like finishings, and unique features can not only make your merchandise stand out…but also leave a lasting impression that makes people remember your brand.
The Lucrative Potential
Connecting with Your Audience
Imagine your followers proudly wearing a hoodie that represents your shared values or sipping coffee from a mug adorned with your signature catchphrase. Custom merch creates a tangible connection that transcends the digital space, fostering a sense of belonging and community.
Diversifying Your Income Streams
Amidst the hustle and bustle of online influencers, depending solely on brand collaborations or sponsored posts can be stressful and unreliable. The beauty of creating custom merchandise for your business is that it not only can provide you with another stream of revenue, but also it acts as a perfect incentive for influencers to support your brand.
Threadbird: Your Trusted Parter
Everything we do at Threadbird is rooted in our high standards for quality & consistency, rather than convenience & price, because we know that longevity is what ultimately leads to long-term success. Influencers are always looking for ways to enhance their personal brand, and online brand presence. Our commitment to excellence aligns seamlessly with the values of influencers aiming for the highest standards in their brand representation. This is where custom merch can come into play.
Exceptional Quality
Influencers are always looking for ways to enhance their personal brand, and online brand presence. Threadbird's commitment to delivering top-notch quality products, ensures that your custom merchandise not only looks awesome online on your website, but also exceeds expectations in the hands of your brand followers. From digital product mockups, to printing on product canvases, we prioritize excellence every step of the way.
If you have a product in mind or need some inspiration, our customer specialists are here to help you find and create unique products for you to grow and expand your business!
Streamlined Process
Our user-friendly platform makes the creation and ordering process smooth and efficient. Influencers can easily navigate through a myriad of options, bringing their unique vision to life with just a few clicks!
Maximizing Sales: Practical Tips
1. Design Matters:
Invest time in creating visually appealing designs that resonate with your customer audience. A thoughtful and eye-catching design is the first step towards sparking interest.
2. Limited Editions and Exclusive Drops:
Creating a sense of exclusivity can drive demand. When you create products and designs that your customers can’t find elsewhere, you are destined for success. Running limited edition discounts and exclusive merchandise drops can also engage your customers and give them a fear of missing out (FOMO).
Ideas for Custom Merch with Threadbird:
Comfy Apparel
Decorate premium hoodies from popular brands, pocket t-shirts, snapback hats or stylish joggers with your intricate brand designs. When it comes to effortlessly showcasing your brand designs, comfort and fashion are essential.
Functional Accessories
Explore the creative possibilities for brand personalization with unique products like shoelaces, bandanas, tote bags, stickers or even water bottles. Practical yet stylish, these accessories become everyday essentials for your followers.
Branded Stationary & Prints
Elevate your followers' workspaces with custom notebooks, pens, or mouse pads. Every glance at these items reinforces your brand in their daily lives.
In the ever-evolving landscape of influencer marketing, custom merchandise emerges as a beacon of opportunity. Threadbird, with its unwavering commitment to quality and seamless processes, stands as your ideal partner in transforming your creative vision into tangible, marketable products. Start your journey to discover new heights of success by making custom merchandise a cornerstone of your revenue strategy.
Embark on this exciting venture with Threadbird, and let your brand influence soar beyond the screens!
Hey, It's Threadbird, here to be your expert guide with printing, apparel, and merch. Our brand has been in the custom merch game for 14+ years. We know the ins and outs of all of your favorite products. We are here to help your brand fly high with our knowledge and expertise!
Threadbird's Tailored Touch: Power of Product Customization
We live in a world where your products are more than just commodities—but rather personal expressions of your unique style and brand personality. Every brand can decorate trendy blank products with their designs, but it can be it’s tricky to make your products really shine amongst the competition.
Not to mention, it can be frustrating when you run into creative roadblocks when doing standard decoration (screenprinting & embroidery). With Threadbird's cut & sew program, you can say goodbye to those restraints on ink colors, print locations, and customization.
Our custom program empowers customers to break the bounds and limitations of standard decoration, and design truly unique products with ease! Best of all, our team is here to guide you every step of the way to make your experience as seamless as possible.
When you go the custom route, you have the creative reigns to personalize & shape every detail of your apparel products and decorate them as you’d like! You have the freedom to customize products as simple or complex as you are comfortable with, whether you want to decorate existing blank products like pocket t-shirts, socks or hats or design apparel from scratch.
You may have an inspo product in mind, or you’re dreaming up a product that may or may not already exist..our team will help you get the ball rolling! Our cut & sew page is a great resource and guide to use to get a better sense of how the process of customization flows. We also have several pages that are designed to walk you through the basic steps of designing and creating different types of custom products:
How does the process work?
1. Discussion & Ideation:We meet & discuss your vision, project needs, budget, designs, and specifications for your custom product. We look at any examples or visual references (photos, brands, etc.) you have for inspiration.
2. Design & Mock-Up: Our designers incorporate that information into a digital mock-up of your custom product. This vector mockup includes your artwork decoration and outlines the unique features of your custom product.
Camp Button Up
We created this digital vector mockup & transformed into a wearable reality!
3. Approval & Sampling: Once you approve the digital mockup, we will order a sample of your custom product to quality check everything. Doing this allows us to assess the fabric quality, decorations and ensure that all of the custom specifications & features align with your vision.
4. Production & Delivery: Your custom items move into production and come to life! Then we package, ship and deliver your products directly to your doorstep!
Custom Leggings Page
(Left) Cross Waistband, (Middle) Straight Waistband with Interior Pocket, (Right) Straight Waistband with Side Pockets
Leggings are a popular fashion trend that continues to get more & more attention these days. So, our Threadbird team did a deep dive into the various styles, fabrics, and noteworthy characteristics we’ve seen with the different styles. We took notes on which fabrics and features we liked most and which ones we wanted to avoid.
Our vision was to create three different silhouettes of leggings, each of which would have it's own distinct style features. We designed our custom leggings with Nylon fabric to give them maximum comfort & flexibility. Customers can choose a silhouette to build & personalize, or design a unique pair from the ground up.
Details Matter.
The smallest of details can make the biggest impact. Products that have cool and noteworthy features make your products far more desirable and memorable compared to others.
Dare to be DIFFERENT?
Your products, your rules—let's turn ordinary into extraordinary. Through Threadbird's cut & sew program, you can design branded apparel & merch that's both functional, stylish and comfortable all in one! Adding unique features like hidden pockets, versatile straps, or branded zipper pulls to your products are just a few ways that you can make your products distinct from others.
When designing your products, it's super important to consider the utility of the products. The more functional your products are, the more likely they will be useful & memorable to your customers.
For example, we added this hidden pocket pouch to our Diagonal Rain Jacket
that can store all of the everyday items like wallet, phone, keys so you can be handsfree. We added a microfiber cloth to the inside seam of our Standard Button Up to clean your glasses on the go!
Crafting Experiences, Not Just Products.
Think beyond the tangible and consider what purpose your products can serve for your customers. Our custom program enables you to invent products that spark memorable experiences and cherished moments. Whether it be for recreational activities, gaming, or day-to-day routines, these frequent experiences with your products ultimately work to enhance your brand awareness and loyalty along the way.
Elevating your products goes beyond customization— it's about embracing your individuality and making your brand products stand out from your competition. Why settle for ordinary when you can create extraordinary? Let your products tell a story and inspire experiences! Discover the customization capabilities that are possible with Threadbird. Your creative adventure awaits! 🚀
Hey, It's Threadbird, here to be your expert guide with printing, apparel, and merch. Our brand has been in the custom merch game for 14+ years. We know the ins and outs of all of your favorite products. We are here to help your brand fly high with our knowledge and expertise!
The Screen Printing Process
Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Screen Printing But Were Too Afraid to Ask
But really... what IS screenprinting? For us, screenprinting is undoubtedly an art form (note: the hipster undertone there is unintentional, we swear). The attention to detail that goes into the screenprinting process is crucial - and because we understand the importance of that, we know how to deliver superior quality products. There are a lot of moving parts to the screenprinting process that must fit perfectly together in order to achieve the best end result - take it from us, we know a thing or two!
Screenprinting is...
- Not an exact science
- Best for vibrant designs
- Done in bulk
- Manually handled
How Does screenprinting Work?
Ink + screen (mesh stencil) = screenprinting! Luckily, the screen printing process itself has very little limits on what surfaces can be used to print on. Staying on trend is easy-peasy with this screen printing process, considering all of the awesome ink types available that can manipulate the “look” of the final print. Expert printers (enter Threadbird!) understand the relationships between the various inks, shirt materials, and shirt colors - with this knowledge, we’re able to help achieve the look you’re going for.
Screenprinting - Technically Speaking
One screen (mesh stencil) is used for each color to be printed - screens must be lined up (or registered) and printed on test sheets to ensure that all of the colors line up correctly. Inks are then pushed through the screens one color at a time onto the apparel. Finally, each piece is run through a large dryer to cure the inks.
The Benefits of Screenprinting
More than just shirts. Many people think screenprinting is limited to shirts only - this couldn’t be more false! Here’s the lowdown on what can be screen printed - tote bags/purses, jackets, mouse pads, flags, banners, signs, bandanas, and more.
Achieve custom results. You can get the results you want by manipulating the screenprinting process - we strive to guide our customers through the entire order process in an effort to ensure your expectations are met! Need a faded print on a specific shirt? We’ve got you covered. Need to color match the inks to a very specific color you have in mind? Super easy.
Explore different options. Think you’re limited to a plain old cotton shirt for screenprinting? Think again! There are a ton of great synthetic fabrics out there that work great with screenprinting - polyester, silk, viscose, and more.
Screen Printing Templates
T-Shirt Templates
Business Cards
Postcards
8.5" x 11" Brochures
11" x 17" Brochures
Digital Posters
Hang Tag Templates
Buttons
Screen Printed Posters
- 8.5" x 11" Posters
- 9" x 24" Posters
- 11" x 17" Posters
- 12" x 36" Posters
- 18" x 24" Posters
- 24" x 36" Posters
Square Stickers
Circle Stickers
- 2" x 2" Circle
- 2.5" x 2.5" Circle
- 3" x 3" Circle
- 3.5" x 3.5" Circle
- 4" x 4" Circle
- 4.5" x 4.5" Circle
- 5" x 5" Circle
- 5.5" x 5.5" Circle
- 6" x 6" Circle
Rectangle Stickers
- 2.75" x 1.75" Rectangle
- 3" x 2" Rectangle
- 4" x 2" Rectangle
- 5" x 2" Rectangle
- 5" x 3" Rectangle
- 5" x 4" Rectangle
- 6" x 2" Rectangle
- 6" x 4" Rectangle
- 10" x 3" Rectangle
Oval Stickers
Discharge Printing
Discharge printing is the process of bleaching the dye out of the shirt, leaving its natural color showing through (usually a tan color). We can also PMS match discharge ink, however results vary depending on shirt color & brand. The only major downside with the discharge printing process is that you must wash the shirts before they take their "no feel" state. How do we know that - we have been working with discharge inks for over 10 years now!
Examples of Discharge Printing
What is Discharge Printing?
Discharge printing is the process of using water-based inks to bleach the manufacturer’s dye out of a shirt and replacing it with whatever dye color you choose. This kind of discharge screen printing is done with water-based inks that soak into the fabric, instead of just sitting on top of it. Typically this is done with cotton tees that are black, gray or darker in color.
Discharge Printing Advantages
There are a few great advantages to choosing discharge printing for your custom apparel printing.
Softer look and feel. Everybody loves those super soft cotton tees that make groggy Monday mornings just a little less terrible. Custom t-shirts made with discharge printing have a softer look and feel than t-shirts made with plastisol ink.
Lighter weight. Discharge printing is also great for big prints, so you can have that huge design you want, without all the heavy weight. Large print design and plastisol ink don’t mesh very well, especially if you prefer lightweight, airy clothing.
Vibrant colors. Want bright, vibrant colors for your custom t-shirt design? Although discharge printing is typically done with darker materials, you can still get those bright, awesome colors your design needs to pop.
More detail. If your design is super epic and you don’t want to miss out on any of that amazingness, discharge printing will maintain the integrity of all those important details.
So you’re probably reading this thinking, “Wow, this is awesome! But there has to be a downside to discharge printing.” Well, you’re right. The only major downside with the discharge printing process is that you have to wash the shirts before they take their "no feel" state (by “no feel” we mean you won’t be able to feel the ink sitting on top of the fabric of the shirt). Although not all colors will discharge, our design experts at Threadbird can help you determine the best printing method for your custom apparel.
Why Choose Threadbird for Your Discharge Printing?
We’ve been working with discharge inks for over 10 years now and we know the ins and outs of making your design look its best with discharge printing or any other style of printing we offer. Contact us today to place an order or to learn more about discharge printing.
Waterbase Printing
Water-based printing features inks that are soft, breathable and able to soak into the fabric of the garment, rather than sitting on top. When water based screen printing is done correctly, they result in crisp, bright prints that you can't feel to the touch!
When to use Waterbase Printing:
- For super-soft, no-feel prints
- On white or light-colored garments
- On dark-colored garments for a strong faded/vintage look (color of garment impacts the ink)
Can waterbase inks be printed on dark garments?
Absolutely. When waterbase inks are printed on dark garments we typically call this Discharge Printing, since we need an extra element to bleach the original color out of the shirt before printing the super soft waterbase ink. However, we can also print straight Waterbase onto dark garments in order to achieve a faded/vintage effect or a tonal effect.
Examples of Waterbase (Water-Based) Printing:
Premium Standard Printing
At Threadbird, there's nothing "standard" about our standard screen printing process. You should not have to pay extra to get great quality apparel printing. We have won multiple awards for our quality with this style of premium screen printing and it's something we offer at no additional charge to you.
Examples of Premium Standard Printing
What exactly is Premium Standard Screen Printing?
We use a special hybrid style of printing in which we use a discharge underbase with our special soft inks on top. This allows us to create a strong print with bright colors while keeping the printing really soft (even on dark colored shirts). And it only gets softer after you wash the shirts!
Are there any fees or restrictions with Premium Standard Printing?
Absolutely no fees! We offer this amazing quality of printing at no charge. Please consider the following restrictions when choosing Premium Standard:
- Only works on 100% Cotton garments (Unless you are trying to achieve a particular effect!). Our Customer Account Specialists can help you determine the best way to print your garments based on your desired outcome.