How Many Hands Are Involved in Your Order?
At Threadbird, we're not just a run-of-the-mill merchandise & apparel printing company. We take pride in our meticulous apparel printing process, ensuring that each and every product we create meets the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. Multiple departments work seamlessly together to bring your vision to life from the moment your order is placed to the instant it's delivered!
Place Your Order.
When you hit that "submit" button on our website, your order doesn't just disappear into the void. Our Threadbird team immediately receives it and carefully reviews all of the details of your order.
Customer Specialist Connects with You.
Once your order lands in our system, we assign it to a dedicated Customer Account Specialist. Think of them as your personal guide through the world of apparel and merchandising. They'll help you with every step, from choosing the perfect garments to selecting the ideal decoration type to create your artwork and easily finalizing your order.
See Your Designs Come to Life.
After your order details are locked in, our sales team passes the torch to our team of skilled designers. Your artwork files are in good hands as our designers craft high-quality vector mockups of your decorated products, to show you what they will look like. Within 24 hours, you'll receive this sneak peek of your decorated products to review and approve before production kicks into high gear.
Digital Mockups of Screen printed T-shirts (Adult & Youth), Diner mugs & Enamel Pins we created for Ragamuffin Bakery.
Sourcing & Production
After we get your thumbs-up of approval on the mockups, our design team notifies our sourcing & production and gives them the go-ahead to start producing your products. From screen-printing & embroidery to patches & more, every detail of your order is meticulously executed. Plus, we don't stop at just printing and stitching. Apparel finishings like custom clothing tags add that extra touch of professionalism to your creations.
Fulfillment Finale
Once your order is a masterpiece, our fulfillment team steps up to the plate. They fold, package, and ship your goods directly to your doorstep—or even straight to your customers if you prefer to do so via your e-commerce platform. Sit back, relax, and wait for that exciting moment of your Threadbird boxes arriving!
At Threadbird, we understand the importance of every step in the process. From the initial spark of inspiration to the final flourish of packaging, each hand involved in your order plays a crucial role in bringing your vision to life. So next time you slip on that custom tee or admire your embroidered logo, remember the journey to get there—because at Threadbird, it's not just about apparel printing or creating merchandise; it's about elevating your brand!
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!
Choosing the Best Decoration Type for Your Artwork
We understand the importance of choosing the right decoration type firsthand, which is why our Threadbird team is here to guide you through the selection process! From screen printing to embroidery, patches to sublimation, we offer a wide range of decoration options to suit every style and preference. Together, we’ll find the ideal decoration type to give life to your designs!
SCREENPRINTING
Screen Printing is our most popular and standard decoration type and is ideal for designs with bold outlines & capturing vibrant artwork. This method allows for multiple ink colors, but each color requires its own screen and setup, so keep that in mind when designing your artwork.
- Best Products for Screen printing: Apparel garments such as t-shirts, hoodies, and bottoms, and flat canvases like tote bags and posters.
- Decoration Outcome: Screen prints produce a buttery-soft, smooth texture. The prints are super durable, which makes them ideal for everyday wear.
- Print Styles: We offer a range of high-quality ink types such as, Premium Standard, Plastisol, Discharge, Waterbase, Vybrasol, Speciality Inks (puff & glow ink) & Metallic Ink.
- Location & Scale: Screen printing is versatile and can be applied to various garment locations such as the front, back, sleeves, pockets, and leg.
- To prep your artwork for printing, we first print it out on a screen pallet (see left image below), in which we apply ink & press it onto the garment. We have two screen sizes: Standard screen (14” x 17”) & Jumbo screen (18”x 23”).
Every garment has what we call a ‘safe zone’. This safe zone, marked by the red lines (middle image), outlines the surface area on the garment where the design will be printed to avoid running over any seams of the garment.
EMBROIDERY
Embroidery is another popular decoration method and is ideal for recreating simple designs with defined lines and shapes. Embroidery is typically applied to surface areas with sufficient space for stitching, such as the garment's chest, sleeve, or back.
- Best Products for Embroidery: Heavy-weight fabric garments, such as t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, and polos. Embroidery is also suitable for accessories like five & six-panel hats, beanies, backpacks & duffel bags.
- Decoration Outcome: Embroidery lends itself well to classic, traditional designs, but it can also add a touch of sophistication and dimension to modern artwork.
- Styles: Flat/Standard, 3D, 3D + Flat Embroidery.
PATCHES
Patches are compatible with a wide variety of designs, from simple logos to intricate illustrations. When designing your artwork, consider the size and shape of your patches, as overly intricate designs may not translate well to patch form.
- Best Products for Patches: Patches can be attached to almost any fabric type, including denim jackets, hoodies, button-up shirts, backpacks, beanies, hats, and more.
- Decoration Outcome: Can add personality & dimension to your designs and gives durability to your garments with custom patches.
- Styles & Attachment Locations: Embroidered, Woven, Printed, Rubber/ PVC. Patches can be attached or sewn onto various locations on the garment, such as the sleeve, chest, back, and leg. They also work great on the crown of hats.
HEAT PRESS
Heat press decoration works well with vector or high-resolution raster images, as it relies on digital printing technology. Heat press decoration is a great way to add a personalized touch to garments, such as names, initials, or small logos.
- Best Products for Heat Press: Heat presses are suitable for decorating a variety of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and poly blends. They work well on foam trucker hats, garment neck tags, and apparel like windbreaks and rain jackets
- Decoration Outcome: Heat press decoration produces a smooth look and feel similar to screen printing.
- Print Locations: Works best printing on small surface areas such as sleeve, chest, inside neck tag, or hat crown.
Choosing the best decoration type for your artwork is crucial for creating custom apparel and products that truly stand out. Whether you opt for the bold colors of screen printing, the timeless elegance of embroidery, or the full-color brilliance of sublimation, Threadbird has you covered. So unleash your creativity, experiment with different techniques, and let your imagination run wild—because the branding capabilities are endless with the right decoration type!
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!
Exploring the Spectrum: Your Guide to Apparel Printing Ink Types
Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting with apparel printing, understanding the various ink types available is essential. Each of our ink types produces a different look and feel, depending on which ink and fabric type you choose to print on. Some ink types produce better print results for printing certain styles of artwork or garments than others.
Need help figuring out where to start? No problem! This guide will equip you with the knowledge! Not to mention, your customer specialist is also here to help you with anything along the way. Let’s talk about print outcomes!
Traditional Style Print
Interested in creating a vibrant, timeless print?
Plastisol Ink will allow you to achieve just that! Plastisol ink lays on top of the fabric, adding a thicker texture and feel to the print. This ink type is known for replicating artwork with radiant colors and for its consistency in creating prints with a classic style. Plastisol Ink is ideal for printing artwork with Pantone-matched colors. Plus, it's also compatible with printing on almost all garment types, which is why it's our most popular and go-to ink type!
Ideal for Printing:
- Printing opaque graphics onto dark fabrics
- On small print areas
AS Colour 5916 Shorts & Bella+Canvas 3001CVC Tee
printed with Plastisol Ink
Ultra Soft & Vibrant Print
Striving for prints that offer both softness and vivid color?
Premium Standard Ink is the best way to option if your artwork is very bright and colorful. Premium Standard produces a smooth print that will feel like it's a part of the garment rather than printed on top of it. This style gives the print a super silky yet robust texture. A bonus feature of Premium Standard Ink is that your printed apparel will continue to get even softer each time you wash it!
Ideal for Printing:
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On 100% cotton garments
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Artwork with more than 5-6 different ink colors
Bella+Canvas 3413 Tee & Next Level 3600 Tee
printed with Premium Standard Ink
'No-Feel' Print
Want a lightweight, eco-friendly print that won't fade?
Waterbase Ink is a great choice in many cases, especially for printing intricate and detailed artwork. Given its lightweight nature, Waterbase ink produces an extremely soft, no-feel texture that makes the print feel airy and breathable.
When printed on light-colored garments, this ink type will make your designs look and feel wholly blended into the garment fabric. Or if you're striving for a more muted, i.e., retro print style, you can also achieve this with Waterbase ink by printing on dark-colored garments.
Ideal for Printing:
- On light-colored garments
- Artwork with detailed designs
Comfort Colors 1566 Sweatshirt & Bella+Canvas 3413
printed with Water-based Ink
Discharge Ink is another popular choice for those seeking a smooth, yet aged-style print. This ink type is absorbed into the garment fabric, creating a satin-like print texture. Discharge ink produces a strong, fade-resistant print that won't peel, crack, or split with normal wear and tear.
This ink type can produce different print outcomes depending on the fabric type it's printed on. To get the best results for a 'pre-faded' look, Discharge works best on 100% cotton garments.
* If you're looking for a more vibrant print outcome, Discharge Ink can produce those results as well. Our Threadbird team is here to provide you with garment recommendations for accomplishing that style!
Ideal for Printing:
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On 100% cotton garments
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Multiple ink colors on dark garments
Bella+Canvas 3413 Tees
printed with Discharge Ink
Hyper Vivid Print
Want a vibrant print that captures your artwork's colors?
Vybrasol Ink is our go-to ink type for printing artwork with vivid and luminous colors. This ink type is a versatile option in that it works for printing on almost all fabric types. You may be wondering, is Vybrasol ink consistent in accurately capturing design colors? Yes! Vybrasol Ink is known for its vibrancy, along with its allowance for more ink coverage (surface area for printing on garments) compared to other inks.
Vybrasol is nice because it's lightweight, resulting in a delicate, soft finish!
Ideal for Printing:
- On 100% cotton garments, dual & tri-blend fabrics
- Patterned garments (camo, tie-dye, etc.)
Hanes F250 Sweatshirt & Next Level 6210 Tee
printed with Vybrasol Ink
Speciality Print
Are you looking for ways to make your printed designs genuinely unique?
Our specialty types include metallic ink, glow, puff ink, and four-color process printing. These special techniques create a unique effect and style of print, and produce a distinct texture that sets them apart from other ink types.
- Metallic Ink: creates a shiny, reflective finish on the print that makes it pop! It is available in gold, silver, and bronze.
- Puff Ink: raised ink that gives the print a 3D effect. Puff is ideal for printing artwork with solid, bold details.
- Full-Color Process Printing: blending of standard spot ink colors, which results in accurately captures vivid design details with high amounts of color.
- It is ideal for printing artwork with high color counts or gradients and photorealistic designs on both light and dark-colored garments.
In the dynamic world of apparel printing, choosing the right ink type is crucial to achieving the desired look, feel, and style of print. Every kind of ink we offer has unique properties, advantages, and considerations. A basic understanding of the different ink options allows you to expand your creative ideas and design various exceptional prints.
By exploring and having a base understanding of the diverse ink options Threadbird offers, you’ll be able to expand your creative vision and create exceptional prints that capture your audience!
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 15+ 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!
Cut & Sew
Custom Products: Cut & Sew
Has your brand’s image and vision outgrown the same old standard, stock garments everyone else is using? Take your brand to the next level with our custom Cut & Sew program. We work with you to design and construct one-a-kind custom products – from a mere idea to wearable reality!
Introducing Our Cut & Sew Program
From ideation to the specific cut, style and stitch of your desired garment, we’re here to guide you through every step of the custom cut & sew design process. Whether you're new to cut and sew or uncertain about your preferences, Threadbird offers a variety of design presets for you to explore and choose from!
Get to Know Our Cut & Sew Process
We've simplified the cut & sew process into six simple steps, facilitating a swift journey from concept to completed garment
1. Ideate & Explore
Our Cut & Sew Options
Use Our Pre-Built Templates
Utilize our pre-designed cut-and-sew templates to streamline the process and bring your fully customized product to market quickly and effortlessly. Take advantage of our meticulously crafted tech-packs, sparing you the need for extensive development. If you don't find exactly what you're looking for, you're welcome to customize any part of the product and make it your own.
Go Full Custom from Scratch
Every creator envisions their product uniquely, sometimes requiring a start from the ground up. Share your vision or idea with us, and we'll offer expert guidance, granting you full control over fabrics, construction, and finishings. Together, we'll bring your vision to life, crafting products & merchandise that's meticulously tailored to your needs.
Explore Cut & Sew Products
Think outside of the box, and create one-of-a-kind products that will set your brand apart from the rest. Explore the custom design potential for your brand!
Starting @ $12.80
Min. Order Quantity: 100
Starting @ $25.20
Min. Order Quantity: 150
Starting @ $39.70
Min. Order Quantity: 150
Starting @ $12.80
Min. Order Quantity: 100
Starting @ $5.85
Min. Order Quantity: 50
Prices may vary depending on product and other variables.
Don’t See What You Need?
We're Here to Help Make Your Ideas into Reality!
Didn’t find what you're looking for on our explore section? Don't worry! We can still help you create your unique retail-ready product. Simply share your inspiration with us, whether it's a custom tee with new decoration styles or full-on custom plushie for your merch store and we'll collaborate with you to bring your vision to life!
2. Tech Packs
Get Production Ready
Get from Idea to Samples in No Time
In the garment industry, a tech pack is the blueprint for your final product. It includes all the technical details and design features that make your product special. This document usually contains flat or 3D sketches, material specs, measurements, sizes, colors, and more.
Need Help?
If you have art and tech packs ready to go - great! If not, our creative team can help you build out the assets needed to create a garment from scratch.
Tech Packs: Your Product's Guide and Blueprint
What's included in a tech pack? It encompasses everything from precise measurements and sizing charts to details on decoration types and fabric specifications which ensures a streamlined production process without missing a beat.
Fabrics
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Choose Your FabricSelecting the right fabric is crucial for achieving the desired look and feel of your custom garment. We offer a wide range of fabric options and colors to suit your needs, from soft and breathable cotton to durable and moisture-wicking polyester blends.
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1 & 2. Polyester/Spandex (4-Way Stretch) |
8. Cotton Pique 9. Polyester 10. Canvas 11. Cotton/Polyester Fleece 12. Acrylic Knit |
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Construction
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Edit Your Garment ConstructionWith our cut and sew program, unleash your creativity like never before. Print seamlessly over seams and other unique locations that can only be achieved through cut and sew, and experiment with paneling and color blocking. Choose unique stitch colors, add pockets, adjust the waistband ribbing size, and fine-tune every aspect of your garment's measurements and exact print locations. The possibilities are endless—let your imagination run wild! |
Decorations
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Try a New Array of DecorationsExplore a myriad of decoration options through our cut and sew program. From versatile heat press transfers to textured rubber transfers and velvety flock printing, the possibilities are endless. Elevate your designs with intricate embroidery or bold screen printing, or opt for a unique touch with various types of patches. Add a modern flair with HD silicone transfers, or make a statement with all-over printing. With Threadbird, your custom apparel will stand out with unparalleled style and quality. Discover the diverse range of decoration options showcased on the left image.And remember, our offerings extend far beyond what's shown here. If you don't see a decoration method listed, simply reach out to inquire |
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| 1. Heat Press Transfer 2. 3D Rubber Transfer 3. Flock Print 4. Embroidery 5. TPU Patch 6. Iridescent/Holographic Patch |
7. Silicone Transfer 8. Chenille Patch 9. Felt Patch & Screen Print 10. Woven Patch & Embroidery 11. All Over Print |
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Finishings
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Add the Finishing TouchesCut and Sew offers more than just printing and decoration—it's about enhancing every detail to create truly unique garments. With finishings options and customizable hardware details, you have the utmost control. Update zippers and add branded touches, incorporate bungee cinch cords, or add distinctive labels to elevate your branding. From drawstrings to buttons, every finishing touch can be tailored to your specifications, ensuring your garments stand out with exceptional quality and style. Certain hardware and finishing options may have higher minimum order quantities (MOQs) depending on the specific item. For more details, please don't hesitate to reach out to us! We're here to provide you with all the information you need. |
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| 1. Zipper Pulls 2. Zipper Cap Options 3. Drawstring Cap Options 4. Buttons |
5. Neck Tags 6. Custom Molded Zipper 7. Bunjee Cinch 8. Sewn-in Woven Label |
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3. Sampling
Our Sampling Process
When it comes to sampling, there are two options: photo approvals or physical samples.
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Photo Sample* Photo approval is free of charge, and allows you to review your product digitally and suggest changes before mass production begins. |
Physical Sample* Physical Samples require a fee (to be determined based on the product), yet they offer you the opportunity to examine the product firsthand before committing to full production runs. |
*Sampling can take between 3 to 8 weeks. It is very important to note that the first round of samples is rarely entirely accurate and may require some adjustments. If revisions are needed after sampling, additional fees may apply unless a bulk order is ready to proceed.
Upon delivery of the first round of samples, there are two paths we can take towards approval and bulk production
Good to Know:
- Samples are limited to 1 size (1-5 pieces, priced/unit).
- Once edits are finalized on the one sample unit, bulk production begins.
Additional sample fee incurred for re-do requests without a bulk order.
4. Finishings & Packaging
Get Your Products Retail Ready
In cut and sew, you have endless possibilities with finishings. From unique placements to custom care labels inside to hang tags, there are no limits to your creativity.
Every cut and sew garment is neatly folded and packaged in a clear polybag by default, but you also have the option for custom packaging. With branded packaging at the factory level, your product is ready for retail as soon as it arrives.
5. Production
Full Send on Production
Once samples are approved, bulk production usually takes 4 to 8 weeks (depending on the item).
We leverage our extensive network of manufacturers and suppliers worldwide, ensuring that we have access to a diverse range of options to meet your specific requirements. By partnering with these trusted entities, we are able to offer you the best possible products and prices, regardless of your needs.
6. Order Delivery
From QC to Your Front Door
Before shipping out your products, we conduct a final quality check (QC) to ensure everything meets our standards.
We use two main methods of delivery, air and sea. Air shipments typically arrive within 2 weeks after completion. For a more cost-effective option, sea shipments are available, taking 4 to 6 weeks on average.
Get Inspired
Our cut & sew service enables you to create a completely unique, fully custom-designed product from scratch. This method provides you with the most flexibility for creativity in designing your one-of-a-kind products. Get inspired by the variety of items that you can build fully custom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a quick question? Check out our most commonly asked cut & sew questions below.
The minimum order varies based on your garment requirements but typically falls between 100 to 300 units.
The turnaround time varies between 7 to 16 weeks, depending on the sampling process and product requirements.
We're known for our versatility—there are virtually no limits to what we can create. Whatever your vision, we're here to help bring it to life. Reach out to us for more information!
Certainly! Physical samples can be arranged for a fee, which will be quoted upon request. In the event that no order is placed or if an order is cancelled, Threadbird will invoice you for the sampling cost based on time and materials.
For the ultimate personalized touch, provide references of any garment styles you want us to recreate. Whether it's a quick link with fabric details and size charts or a mailed sample for precision, we're here to ensure your vision comes to life. Our team will expertly match the style, and don't worry, you'll receive your original garment back once we're done!
Yes, we offer fulfillment (pick, pack, ship and more) for online stores, kits, companies stores, and anyone who might need it. Please visit our Fulfillment page for more information.
No, our extensive experience and strong partnerships with overseas facilities enable us to provide some of the lowest MOQs available for custom garments. If you are unable to meet the minimum requirement, we recommend discussing alternative options with your CAS team member.
No problem at all! We're well-versed in split and drop shipping. Just provide us with detailed instructions when placing your purchase order, and we'll ensure everything is packed and shipped out accordingly.
Our website doesn't showcase our complete selection of customizable apparel products. If you don't see what you want, simply let us know, and we'll collaborate with you to bring your ideas to a retail ready product. We specialize in manufacturing high-quality, customizable products precisely according to our clients' specifications.
Our cut & sew garments are manufactured overseas, primarily in China. It's important to note that the Chinese New Year (CNY) timeline, along with other occasional 3-day to 1-week holidays throughout the year, can significantly impact our production schedule and affect our ability to meet certain timelines. We strive to communicate effectively with our clients regarding potential delays and work diligently to minimize any disruptions to your project.
Brand Your Customers Today!
Choose from our extensive range of products, inks and finishing options and develop a beautiful product that is perfect for your customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a quick question? Check out our most commonly asked Custom Products: Cut & Sew questions below.
Cut and sew refers to garments made from scratch using fabric panels, allowing for full customization of fit, shape, and features.
It gives you control over stitching, colors, fabric, labels, and trims—ideal for premium streetwear and private label collections.
Yes! Threadbird works with growing brands and helps develop custom pieces even if you’re just starting out.
MOQs vary by item, but Threadbird offers flexible batch sizes depending on complexity and garment type.
Yes, their team can help create tech packs and patterns to bring your custom garment ideas to life.
Promotional Products
Create Bulk Custom Promotional Products
Promotional items are branded items such as keychains, pins, tumblers, and other small giveaway products. Promotional products are perfect for trade shows, employee giveaways, or care packages for online events.
What are Promo Products?
Think of the free hand sanitizer, pen, or branded keychain you got as a gift with purchase or when you were at your last trade show. Promotional business products are small branded goodies. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, let us know! We can source a variety of custom promotional products (more than we can fit on our site) so we can help you find the perfect thing you’re looking for.
Explore Promotional Product Offerings
Get an idea of custom promotional products and pricing for your brand.
Customer or Employee Goodies
Need that special branded gift that is just right for your customers or employees. Bulk custom promotional products are an easy solution to expanding your product line and marketing your brand to the masses:
- Vinyl stickers are great for all kinds of advertising
- Buttons allow your customers to badge your brand everywhere they go
- Drinkware is a branded solution that will have people wishing they had one too!
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a quick question? Check out our most commonly asked Promotional Products questions below.
Threadbird offers custom mugs, pens, notebooks, tote bags, stickers, drinkware, and more for branding and giveaways.
Corporate gifts are usually higher-end and meant for relationship building, while swag is affordable and designed for mass distribution.
Yes! Threadbird offers full-color printing, screen printing, and embroidery depending on the item.
A useful, well-designed item like a tote bag or notebook with subtle, on-brand printing is more likely to be kept and reused.
Many products have low MOQs (minimum order quantities), especially popular for startups and smaller activations.
Brand Your Customers Today!
Choose from our extensive range of products, inks and finishing options and develop a beautiful product that is perfect for your customers.
Get Inspired
Look through examples from the Threadbird sample store and our customers. Find new ideas, new techniques, and get inspired for your next launch!
Customer Feature: Kabuto
It all began with tigers and friendship three years ago. One day, David Lui walked into Chameleon Arts & Tattoo Shop with a vision for the half sleeve tattoo he wanted. He was soon blown away by the Tebori style of design he was given by tattoo artist, Horikei.
“This was the beginning of my passion to learn more about Japanese culture, history, and fables depicted in traditional Japanese tattoos.”
As two hardworking, tattooed fathers- David and Horikei quickly bonded over their shared values of family life and the samurai spirit. Their mutual interest and appreciation for Japanese engraved tattoo art, not only sparked their connection, but it's ultimately what led them to their passion project.
Like many people during the global pandemic, David and Horikei recognized that they had a common need for an outlet for their creative energies. One day when David was visiting the tattoo shop, the two friends talked about how cool it would be to start their own streetwear label. This idea escalated into a creative brainstorming session between the two, in which they exchanged ideas about how they could,
“bring Horikei’s authentic, Japanese motifs to life- in the form of t-shirts & other streetwear items. Mimicking the scale, shock, and awe of full-body Japanese tattoos."
In researching existing streetwear brands, they found that many offered Americana tattoo-inspired clothing, but very few focused on Japanese tattoo art. David and Horekei decided to change this, and go big or go home.
Despite growing up on opposite coasts, Horekei and David were heavily influenced by their past experiences amidst the skate culture. The Kabuto founders knew they wanted to start with high-quality t-shirts, in hopes that they could reflect their relaxed attitude, creativity, and willingness to take risks.
The first step in getting their idea off the ground was to find someone to make their t-shirts. This was no simple task, in that
“We were determined to work with a reliable and experienced printer for discharge screen printing. It’s important for us to use discharge printing and soft, water-based inks that soak into the fabric, rather than just sitting on top of the fabric like traditional screen printing.”
After a long process of visiting i.e talking to more than 10 screen printers, David and Horikei finally found the ultimate solution, Threadbird.
The initial idea behind the Kabuto brand was to
“recreate that powerful feeling after finishing a tattoo, confidence, strength and determination, for each person when they put on one of our rad Japanese tattoo t-shirts."
The first two designs they created for their streetwear collection were the ‘Raw Power Tiger’, and the ‘Boss Dragon’. The fierce, ‘Raw Power Tiger’ design symbolizes strength, courage, and tenaciousness. In creating the digital mockup, they
"maximized the print of the design, and the tiger roared to life."
This design instantly became Kabuto’s “big and bold” signature design style.
Given Horikei's past experience in printing t-shirts, the two partners were relatively new to the apparel design scene. T-shirts seemed like an excellent canvas for the partner's brand, in that they invite dialogue, and reflect their own personal values and a shared admiration for the inclusive, Japanese collectivist culture.
The Kabuto partners launched their first collection, featuring the ‘Shodai Tiger’, and the ‘Imposing Dragon’, at the Boston Tattoo Convention, where they were able to see how people responded to the brand. To their surprise, their collection was a huge hit, as they sold out of almost all of their inventory, and customers
“raved about our original and fresh designs, how super soft the shirts were, and that they could barely feel or notice the water-based ink that was printed onto the fabric.”
“Love people. Love tattoos.”
This simple motto is the driving force behind the Kabuto brand. Rooted in the founder's love of tattoos, and people, their designs celebrate their brand values of independence, strength, and authenticity. Each of their designs holds symbolic meaning for not only the Kabuto brand but the wearer of the shirt.
Since the first batch of t-shirts they ordered from Threadbird, the Kabuto brand has continued to blossom. Within less than a year, the partners reprinted their first two designs, and also released a third t-shirt design. This koi fish design is named ‘Gaman-Goi’, and is a symbol of courage and overcoming adversity to achieve a goal.
For Horikei and David, finding high-quality t-shirts was their top priority. Their favorite brands to print on are Bella +Canvas 3001, AS Colour, and Champion in selecting blank garments.
“Bella +Canvas have beautiful fabric blends and shirts with a high thread count of at least 30, which gives them a buttery soft, stretchy feel and vintage effect.”
Their designs are printed on color variants of the Bella +Canvas 3413 tri-blend tee. Blended with 50% polyester, 25% airlume combed, and ringspun cotton, they are silky and extremely comfortable.
In the early stages of developing the Kabuto brand presence, the partners utilized Instagram to promote their brand and sell their products. In hopes of sparking organic growth,
“We get out and talk to people, - tell our story, laugh together, and get their valuable feedback on how we can continue to improve our designs and products.”
By exchanging stories with people, they’ve built deeper connections with people and ultimately, their brand. As their selling demands have continued to increase, they transitioned into primarily selling products their products on their website.
Today, Horikei and David are working on more fresh designs to complete their first t-shirt collection. Following this, the partners are hoping to move on to other types of apparel, exploring new mediums to print their designs on kimonos, skateboards, etc.
“We enjoy pushing the boundaries of our designs and have even more cool surprises up our sleeves.”
The Kabuto partners are excited about their brand's future as they continue to introduce new and cool products and are looking forward to the next Boston Tattoo Conference in September 2022.
To find out more about their story and journey, find and follow them on Instagram: @kabutobrand
For more information about traditional Japanese-style tattoos, check out @Horikei617 and his artwork collection!
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 12+ 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.
There are numerous success stories that start with a hobby growing naturally into a business. Many aspire to follow a similar path, just like this cowgirl from Texas. Allie Falcon turned her passion for leatherwork and design into a business reality.
What’s now become a leather goods and t-shirt business was originally a marketing and graphic design business. Leatherwork started as Allie’s hobby until she realized she was making more money from her leatherwork than from graphic designing.
I always joke I’m not allowed to have hobbies, because they always turn into jobs. :)
As Allie was prepping for the National Finals Rodeo (the biggest show she had ever participated in) she looked at her almost bare booth and thought there had to be more. Driving home one night, Allie’s husband suggested making t-shirts. Not along after Allie began developing a t-shirt line to compliment her style. Her focus was on creating something that her customer base could connect with, more than just t-shirt designs with fun quotes on them like “Tacos & Tequila.”
I just didn’t see anything in the western market that was art on its own. There were quotes on everything. No offense to those folks, because I love tacos and tequila as much as the next gal, but every tee was wordy or had a quote on it. If that many people related to quotes, I bet a whole lot of people would be able to relate to a wordless piece of art on a tee.
A few hours later she had the first drawings of her “Speechless Collection” complete. Allie wanted her collection to represent every western woman. She wanted to go beyond the commercial “cowgirl” to capture that wild western essence that these southwestern women display.
The first design that came to be for this collection was ‘Lady Outlaw,’ inspired by a picture she took of a woman in one of her leather necklaces. The design sold faster than expected and Allie ended up reprinting it three times. Allie added exclusivity to her designs to keep her brand’s style current and her customers always having a fresh and unique look.
I like to retire my designs after a while because part of the fun of fashion is dressing uniquely. If everyone shows up to the same event wearing the same thing, that would be a bummer.
Allie’s t-shirt business stemmed from her passion for leatherwork. Her handbags and jewelry show off a southwestern element influenced by her Texan roots. Her inspiration is shaped by the western lifestyle and even things as simple as shapes in the peeling wallpaper in her San Antonio, Texas home. Allie’s designs are her essence in its purest form.
To this day Allie is at home with her ranch lifestyle. “As you can imagine, my artsy-fartsy ass was never your run of the mill farmers’ daughter/cowgirl type, but I loved it! Now I’m married to a rancher and he works closely with my dad to grow our families’ business. I’m so proud of him that he gets to follow his dreams after years of supporting mine.”
Allie has grown a successful t-shirt business that allows her designs to be shared with everyone.
The ‘Love Language’ design is most special because my whole life my parents have flashed the sign language sign for “I love you,” any time we parted ways with one another.
Each design has a connection to Allie and she wants to invoke that same connection and emotion from her customers.
When it comes to choosing blank garments, Allie is a Bella + Canvas fan. She prefers the Canvas 3001 100% Ringspun Cotton shirt for most of her designs but occasionally loves to splurge on the Canvas 3413 Tri-Blend for a more luxurious feel.
Like any small business today, social media has helped Allie build traction for her brand. Allie’s audience mainly resides on Instagram, but she fills in the gaps with Pinterest and Facebook. However, Allie doesn’t just limit her brand to social media alone. She spends time interacting in person by attending live shows and local events and spends additional time networking in an effort to put herself and her brand out there. Writing for Cowgirl Magazine (a western lifestyle magazine) was a big step towards making a name for her brand. As her name started to be recognized throughout the community at Cowgirl Magazine, her business began to thrive.
Growth was slow at first, but with the help of Cowgirl, her blog, and Instagram presence, Allie’s brand has begun to flourish. “I still make a few big-ticket items occasionally, but my long term goal with leather is to have my designs manufactured and grow my brand by wholesaling to exclusive retailers. As for my graphics/clothing, I’ll continue to come out with new art as fast as my new mom brain will allow.” Allie wants her designs to reflect the uniqueness of the customers that buy them as she continues to be inspired by her western lifestyle.
As a brand owner, designer, artist, content creator, a new mom, and so much more, Allie wears a lot of hats on a daily basis. She offers this advice to others looking to start their brand:
Be yourself. Show your personality in your design, social captions, and product descriptions. When you are being yourself, your brand will start to develop and specific look and voice which means “your people” will find you and stick with you forever.
And...
Be your biggest advocate. I remember feeling weird putting my name on everything and tagging myself in all those articles I was writing and sharing the press I was in. It can feel a little like, “Hey, look what I did! See how cool I am?” But honey, ain’t no one going to do that stuff for you in the beginning! LOL!
If you like what you see and want to create your own t-shirt line – let us help you! Click here to get started with Threadbird.
Creating Designs - Where to start
Developing an iconic brand starts with creating eye-catching designs. Even with little to no design experience, there are ways to make your ideas reality. From phrases to complex artwork, you can turn almost any concept into a t-shirt design.
Idea Conception
The first place to start is with an idea, whether it’s a saying, logo, or design. Once you have an idea, think about how you want to present it to your customers and begin to visualize what product you see that design working on.
Finding Design Inspiration
Collecting inspiration for designs can come from anywhere, whether it’s in your real life or online. There are many resources online to help gather inspiration. Create a vision board and gather a collection of images and design styles to cohesively bring your ideas together. A few sites that are perfect for thought gathering:
Image from Comics in France
This image-based platform allows you to create boards and add images to (these are called Pins) that are linked to a source (typically a blog or guide). You can search through a variety of pins from their 291 million users. Search by using specific keywords to gather relevant content.
Image from Porototypr
Dribbble
Dribbble is a designer’s paradise where you can see a portfolio of work from real designers. Not only can you see artwork that is one of a kind, but Dribbble also allows you to keep up on trends with the people that are actually creating them in real-time.
Image from Web Ascender
Design Inspiration
This design-based platform features ads, fonts, digital illustration and more to help inspire your next t-shirt design. A super unique feature available on Design Inspiration is the ability to search by hex color code. This helps you create a board full of color-coordinated inspiration.
Sketching with Pencil & Paper
If you are not ready to take on full graphic design yourself, try taking the non-digital route and sketch out what you’re interested in creating using a pencil and paper. That first sketch is often going to be the starting point when it comes to establishing your design.
Bringing it to Life Digitally
Once you have an initial idea of your design, it’s time to transfer it into a digital format.
There a few ways to create digital files using design programs:
- Photoshop - Scan your designs into Photoshop. Here you can trace, clean up lines, and adjust the colors to be more vibrant. You can export your design to a vector file so you can manipulate for so much more.
- Canva - A free and easy to use online design service that’s perfect for those who may not be as familiar with graphic design. The service you can build logos, posters, and so much more by using drag and drop functions.
Or maybe you want to hire a professional…
Your sketch also becomes a map if you explore hiring a professional designer. At Threadbird we offer art design services starting at $50 per hour. Our team of designers can help you create just a logo or a full product line with t-shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs, and more!
Search for a graphic designer that matches your style. Fiverr and Dribbble are two websites that allow you to browse artists' work and reach out for potential hire. Fiverr is an online marketplace for a variety of freelance services and a great resource when building your business. Find everything from designers to developers all in one place. Many freelancers even offer a 24-hour turnaround time (depending on the project). If you’re looking for a specific style of design, Dribbble’s online platform is a collection of portfolios from designers all over the world so you’re sure to find someone with a design style that matches your brand.
Creating Designs - The Foundations of Color
Color Choices and the Color Wheel
When choosing colors for your designs you should try to create asymmetry between your brand, your customers, and your goal. The colors of your brand will come into play when it comes to your designs.
For example, Filthy Casual uses its logo in contrasting colors of black and white depending on the garment color to create their Essentials Collection. But some of their best sellers showcase the fun ways they use color to change up their logo.
Consider your customers and their needs. What else are they wearing and what do they want to wear? If your end customer is more likely to wear muted tones, maybe choose shirts that are natural colors and designs that do not overpower the entire shirt. If you’re on the opposite end with an audience that loves bright colors, it’s important to tailor your choices to them. Brands like walk in love. use muted tones in their designs, and have stayed consistent with that look over the years.
Colors can evoke a multitude of emotions from those seeing or wearing them. Color Psychology (the study of colors) helps us understand why colors make us feel the way they do. Specific colors bring up different feelings, like how green can be calming and make us think of nature but red is very passionate and fiery. So, how does color relate to your goal and how can you better reach your goal with color?
Besides just choosing colors based on emotions, a color wheel can be a useful guide to picking complimentary colors and making sure they don’t clash. The wheel splits up colors into three categories:
Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary
- Primary - Colors used to make other colors: Blue, Red, and Yellow
- Secondary - Colors mixed from the primary colors: Green, Purple, and Orange
- Tertiary Colors - Colors in between primary and secondary colors. (Most colors fall into this category)
Ways to Use a Color Wheel:
Complementary Colors
Colors that fall on opposite sides of the color wheel. For example, blue compliments orange, yellow compliments violet, and red compliments green.
Triad Colors
Three colors can be linked by making an equal triangle on the color wheel. Red, yellow, and blue make a perfect triad, providing an additional complimenting color.
There are other ways to choose a color palette that flows with your brand.
Here are some additional terms that relate to color:
- Hue: What color something is, like blue or red
- Chroma: How pure a color is; the lack of white, black or gray added
- Saturation: The strength or weakness of a color
- Value: How light or dark a color is
- Tone: Created by adding gray to a pure hue
- Shade: Created by adding black to a pure hue
- Tint: Created by adding white to a hue
Understanding and determining what colors look good with one another can be a challenge. A color tool can be a useful aid in building a unique color palette.
Adobe Color
A free Adobe color wheel generator that allows you to find colors, generate palettes, and create a gallery of color palettes for some colorful inspiration.
Coolors
This color palette generator will help you build a color from one to five different colors. It selects colors that compliment your choice and display them as an easy to view graphic.
Colormind
This color generator automatically generates color schemes and it’s an excellent way to score design ideas. Plugin the color of your favorite t-shirt to see what colors would look best with it.
Creating Designs - Fonts that Will Make You Fly
Text-based designs require additional thought when selecting a font. It’s important to choose fonts that are representative of your brand and the statement you’re creating.
Finding Fonts
When it comes to exploring fonts, start by asking these five questions:
- What is the purpose or mood of your font? - Fonts can evoke emotions. It’s crucial to match the message of your design.
- Serif or Sans Serif? - Serif refers to the “feet” on the end of a letter stem. Serif fonts are with feet and sans serif are without.
- Bold or sleek? - Bold font for greater impact or a normal font for a modern look.
- Contrasting or complementary? - Putting two fonts together of different styles creates a contrasting look. Two fonts of similar look or style complement each other.
- Stay safe or break the rules? - Using a safe font like Times New Roman or something wild like Carnivalee Freakshow!
Look back to your vision board to see what fonts were used for font-spiration!
Combining Fonts
Combining fonts a way to create a unique and recognizable design utilizing only fonts, especially if your brand is drawn to sayings.
If you are looking for fonts to combine, try these websites:
- Canva Font Combinations
- Bold Font Combinations - great for web design too!
- Mixfont
- Type Connection
- Typotheque
- Fontjoy
Where to Find Fonts
To download and purchase fonts, try these resources:
- Google Fonts
- Fontspring
- Adobe Typekit - If you’re using Adobe products to create your designs.
- MyFonts - This is a great place to go for unique fonts.
Fonts can show off your personal style and your brand's message. The typography trend has become more popular in the past few years and is a simple way to deliver your brand’s message.