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Custom Apparel StartupsAuthor: Custom Apparel Startups
The Custom Apparel Startups podcast was started simply because we love both the apparel decorating business and the idea that almost anyone, with a small investment and a little dedication, cannot only start their own business but thrive! Our goal in starting CAS is to help educate apparel entrepreneurs about the business of the business, something often overlooked by people with an idea and a budget, but no business plan or experience behind them. Well be talking with the biggest names in the apparel decorating about things that are interesting and useful for all of you. Below are just a few topics well be covering: Marketing Ideas Finance and Taxes Social Media eCommerce and Shopping Cart Software Pricing your work Managing inventory Equipment and Software Uses Language: en-us Genres: Business, Education, Entrepreneurship Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Episode 204 - Merch People Actually Wear ( Next Level Apparel)
Episode 204
Monday, 19 January, 2026
Episode 204 - Merch People Actually Wear ( Next Level Apparel)What’s the difference between a shirt people wear to brunch and one they use to wash their car?That’s exactly what Marc Vila from ColDesi tackles in this episode of the CAS Podcast, joined by Melissa Commanday from Next Level Apparel.It’s a deep, no-fluff dive into why the quality of your blank apparel can make or break your brand, your print quality, and your customer retention.This episode is for you if:You’re tired of selling shirts that don’t get wornYou’ve ever had a customer disappear without complaining — and don’t know whyYou want to charge more for your work but can’t justify it with cheap blanksYou’ve invested in great printing equipment and still wonder why your output looks averageHere’s what you’ll take away:👕 Why “freebie-quality” blanks ruin premium designs: No matter how good your artwork or printer is, cheap shirts kill the final product. Marc breaks down how using low-end blanks leads to poor wash performance, bad drape, and print issues — all of which your customer blames on you.💰 Cost-per-wear logic that boosts your margins: Melissa explains why premium shirts — even if they cost more up front — lead to repeat wears, brand visibility, and more referrals. That $1 difference per shirt? It’s likely your most profitable upgrade.📉 The silent killer of small business growth: Not all unhappy customers complain. Many just never order again. Learn how to gather meaningful feedback and turn “meh” into loyalty.🎯 Real talk on rebranding and customer perception: Want your brand to be taken seriously? Then the tearaway tags, soft fabric, and retail-level fit of your blanks matter. Whether it’s your own brand or a client’s, people judge the final piece — not the price sheet.👚How better blanks = easier selling: If your customers wear the shirts proudly, they become walking billboards. Marc shares how a personal trainer literally gained new clients just by wearing a well-fitted branded tee.If you’re a print shop, designer, or brand selling merch — and you’ve been choosing your blanks based on what’s cheapest on the distributor site that day — this episode will challenge that thinking hard.Because shirts are more than just products. They're emotional. They're identity. They're walking reviews.Listen now if you're ready to stop selling forgettable merch — and start delivering apparel people actually love.
