Printwear & Promotion The Total Promotional Package
In this industry, there is always something happening. Innovations are a monthly, if not weekly, occurrence, and sometimes it’s tricky to keep up. But Andy Rogers, senior marketing manager at Stahls’ UK, explains five key areas all garment decorators should be looking into to increase their portfolios in 2026.
The garment decoration industry never stands still. Customer expectations keep changing, retail trends influence what people want to wear, and businesses are always looking for new ways to make their apparel stand out.
For decorators, this is great news. When clients start looking for something a bit different, it creates opportunities to offer new decoration ideas and increase the value of an order at the same time.
Of course, classic left-chest logos will always pay the bills. But adding a few fresh print options can spark new conversations and make garments feel more like retail products rather than basic promotional items.
The team at STAHLS has worked with leading brands for decades, giving us a front-row view of the trends shaping 2026. Here are five decoration ideas worth adding to your offering.
- Vintage-style prints
Retro never really goes away. Vintage-inspired graphics are everywhere right now – from streetwear brands to band merchandise and corporate apparel that wants to feel a bit more lifestyle-focused.
One of the easiest ways to create this look is with plastisol transfers. They can replicate the slightly faded, soft look of traditional screen prints while still giving decorators the flexibility of heat-applied graphics.
From our experience, decorators often turn to plastisol transfers for retro looks, and small-batch production on demand without wasting stock.
- Puff and raised prints
Flat prints are great, but sometimes adding a little texture can completely change how a garment looks and feels.
That’s where puff prints come in. During the application, the transfer expands slightly, creating a soft 3D effect that adds subtle depth to even simple logos.
From our experience, puff prints are one of the easiest ways to make a standard logo pop while keeping production simple. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big visual impact.
- Glow for the summer
Summer events, festivals, and promotional campaigns often go from day to night. That’s where glow prints really shine.
Specialty inks allow graphics to light up in low light or reflect under flash or sunlight. A simple logo, pattern, or fun design can suddenly transform a standard T shirt into something playful and memorable.
For decorators, it’s a fun way to combine creativity and functionality. Even simple designs suddenly feel premium and event-ready.
For the biggest impact try using Neon Glow finishes like pink and orange.
- Retro football shirts as corporatewear
Football culture continues to influence fashion, and retro football shirt aesthetics are appearing in corporate apparel and promotional merchandise.
Instead of standard polos or T shirts, some companies are designing garments that look like classic football jerseys – bold chest logos, sleeve branding, and player-style numbers.
Silicone transfers are especially effective for this style. They create a raised, flexible finish that feels very similar to professional football kit badges. The slightly dimensional effect gives logos a premium appearance while maintaining durability and stretch.
It’s also the sort of idea that gets clients excited when you show them a mock-up. Suddenly, a standard T shirt order turns into something much more interesting.
With a World Cup this summer, this is a great time to create custom football shirts.
- Combining transfers and heat transfer vinyl
Sometimes the smartest decoration solutions come from mixing techniques rather than sticking to just one.
For example, a full-colour printed transfer can be used for the main logo, while heat transfer vinyl is applied separately for names, numbers, or additional text. This approach works especially well for sportswear, school apparel, and corporate uniforms with personalised details.
If done correctly, it will only add a small increase to the time taken to print a shirt. And with a higher perceived value, you will get this extra operator time back through a higher unit cost.
Decorator takeaways
If you’re looking to refresh your offering in 2026, a few creative print ideas can make a big difference.
Small decoration upgrades can dramatically increase the perceived value of a garment. By showing customers different print styles, decorators can turn a standard order into something memorable.
