How garment decorators can network with impact

There’s a fabled saying in business, ‘it’s not about what you know but about who you know.’ Networking is a key component to company growth and shouldn’t be overlooked, as the Online Print Coach, Colin Sinclair McDermott, explains.

Colin Sinclair McDermott

Building strong relationships and nailing your pitch can unlock growth in even the most competitive markets. The one thing to remember is that all marketing, even whether it’s B2B or B2C, people still buy from people. You might have the best DTF setup, the latest embroidery machine, or a well populated online store, but if you’re not visible, active, and building genuine relationships, you’re missing opportunities.

Networking is not a ‘nice-to-have’, it should be a key part of your business development strategy. Combine it with a sharp elevator pitch, and it becomes a powerful way to open doors, spark referrals, and boost your visibility in a crowded market.

Why networking still works

Decorators thrive on repeat business, recommendations, and trust. Too often, we rely on orders landing in the inbox rather than creating the connections that generate new work.

Whether you’re attending a business expo, joining a local business breakfast, or engaging in an online group, networking gives you access to:

Warm referrals

Strategic partnerships

Market trends and insights

Brand awareness

Faster, more confident sales conversations

Buyers are more likely to choose decorators they know and trust. Networking helps build that trust faster.

Not just face-to-face

While in-person events are valuable, online platforms shouldn’t be ignored. LinkedIn, Facebook groups, and decorator-focused forums are full of potential collaborators and clients.

Something as small as commenting helpfully on a post, answering a question, or sharing a behind-the-scenes look at your process can lead to a conversation and that’s often the first step towards a new client.

The elevator pitch that sticks

Here’s where many decorators fall flat: someone asks, “So what do you do?” and the response is, “I do T shirts.” You’ve just blended into the crowd.

Now imagine this: “Hi, I’m Alex from Stitch & Style. We help eco-conscious brands and events stand out with ethically sourced, screen-printed garments that people actually want to wear. Just last month, we helped a local brewery double their merch sales with a limited-run T shirt drop.”

That’s a pitch that sparks interest and a structure I have used for many years.

Build your pitch with these five elements:

Who you are
“I’m Jo from Inkspire Apparel, we help bands and creatives bring their merch ideas to life.”

What you do (and why it matters)
“We focus on high-quality DTG prints for indie brands who want retail-ready results without the minimum order headaches.”

What you’ve done recently
“This week, we printed 300 pieces for a charity campaign that sold out in 48 hours.”

What you’re looking for
“I’m looking to connect with marketing agencies who need a reliable fulfilment partner.”

A memorable CTA
“We make merch people queue up for, let’s chat about how to create your next sell-out drop.”

Don’t wing it. Tailor your pitch depending on the audience and the setting and practise it so it feels natural.

Make it work for you

If you want networking to drive real results for your garment decoration business, try this three-step approach:

Identify three networking opportunities this month – one local event, one online group, and one industry show or webinar.

Craft and refine your elevator pitch using the five-step formula.

Show up, add value, and follow up – every time.

One decorator I’m working with started attending local creative meetups after refining her pitch. Within three months, she’d partnered with a graphic design agency that now sends her monthly print work.

That’s the power of connection.