If you work in custom apparel long enough, you develop a sixth sense for announcements that are bigger than they look. This is one of those moments. The headline is simple: BELLA+CANVAS will eventually no longer be distributed by S&S Activewear following SanMar’s acquisition of the brand. The real story is what this means for…
This question comes up every week. A brand, a nonprofit, a restaurant owner, a travel agent — someone needs custom apparel, they’ve done a little research, and they’ve narrowed it down to AS Colour or BELLA+CANVAS. They want to know which one to use. The honest answer is: it depends on what you’re making, who’s…
Walk into almost any charity walk, fundraiser, awareness event, or volunteer day and you’ll see a sea of matching shirts. Bright pink. Teal blue. Neon green. For a few hours, everyone looks unified and the photos look great. Then the event ends. And that’s where most nonprofit apparel programs fail. Most nonprofits treat apparel as…
MREs are for field logistics, not long-term nutrition policy. This analysis unpacks SNAP reform myths, food insecurity outcomes, and dignity-first alternatives that work.
When choosing a premium blank crewneck sweatshirt, two popular options consistently come up: the Independent Trading Co. SS3000 Midweight Crewneck and the Next Level Apparel 9002 Malibu Crewneck. Both are retail-inspired sweatshirts designed for decoration, branding, and merchandise programs, but they appeal to different customers and use cases. If you’re deciding between the SS3000 and…
Negative space and knockouts are how good screen printers turn the shirt itself into a color. Here’s when to reverse a logo out, when it backfires, and what to ask your printer before you approve a proof.
If you’re running a high school athletic program, a summer camp, or a club sports team in Orange County, you’ve probably spent time hunting for the right blank. Something durable enough to survive a season, affordable enough to outfit a full roster, and consistent enough that a size medium actually fits like a medium every…
The decorated apparel industry woke up to a significant announcement this week: SanMar Corporation is acquiring BELLA+CANVAS, one of the most influential blank apparel brands in the business. If you buy custom shirts, order team apparel, or run a print shop, here’s what this actually means — and what it doesn’t. What Happened SanMar —…
Editorial Note: This piece differs from Breaking Free Industries’ usual content. It’s a personal essay on antisemitism and historical context by the founder. BFI focuses on second-chance employment and decorated apparel—this is a departure. Read it as an individual’s perspective, not organizational policy. October 7: What Happened and What It Means On October 7, 2023,…
The complete history of AS Colour — how a 30-year-old from Auckland built a $1.5B apparel brand on ethics, quality, and the best blank T-shirt in the business. Now in America, and on our press every day.
