a Blog from Apropos Promotions

Made or Assembled in the USA…There is more to this simple phrase that we have seen numerous times in our products. Just because something says Made/Assembled/Manufactured in the US doesn’t exactly mean just that. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), an agency charged with “preventing deception and unfairness in the marketplace,” has a main guideline that is quite ambiguous. The FTC states, “Traditionally, the commission has required that a product advertised as Made in the USA be ‘all or virtually all made in the US.”’ The virtually component leaves an unknown. US content must be disclosed on automobiles, textile, wool and fur but there is no law that requires most other products sold here to be labeled “Made in the USA” or have any other disclosure about the amount of US content.

The commission does not need to pre-approve any labels or claims by a manufacturer. But recently, the commission has tightened its definition of Made in the USA to, “exclude items with more than negligible foreign content.” There is no quantitative measure which adds some confusion but it is expected that the majority of components are in fact Made in the USA. This doesn’t mean, however, that anyone can go around placing a USA label onto their products. There are law enforcements in place that catch anyone making false claims.

With this all being said, there are many well-known retailers producing merchandise that is USA made, which is great in boosting our economy. The Row, a line by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Tiffany & Co. have recently provided their consumers with lines that are specifically US made. This is also becoming a growing trend in the promotional products industry. We have recently added a “Made In The USA” section highlighting only a handful of items that are USA Made. So if you are looking for something to be patriotic this coming Fourth of July, check it out.

*Information provided by http://business.ftc.gov and a trusted supplier*

There are many options out there for decorating apparel pieces that are not your standard left chest embroidery and screen-printed logo. Below are some decoration methods you may not be familiar with or may not have known were available.

Embroidery: Decoration consisting of needlework created using a special machine that is programmed to stitch a design combining texture, pattern and color

Sequin Embroidery: A technique in which sequins are embroidered directly onto a garment or cap. Sequins available in Silver Metallic, Transparent, Gold Metallic, Royal Holographic, Pearlized, Black, and Red Holographic

Applique: Decoration or trimming cut from one fabric piece and stitched to another to add dimension or for design techniques. Applique is available in Sparkle, Felt and Twill 

Laser Applique: A laser beam is used to cut single or multiple fabric layers revealing a fine, detailed design

Reverse Applique: A technique that involves placing a piece of appliqué on the back side of the garment fabric. The design is laser cut into the top layer, in this case the garment. The cut pieces are pulled away to reveal the appliqué underneath

Laser Etching: A process that uses laser technology to etch or burn a mark on a fabric surface. This technique allows you the freedom to decorate in different locations. Placement include: Shoulder to Shoulder, Vertical, Left Cuff, Pocket, Back Yoke, Bicep, Split Front Full Chest, Left Chest, Full Back

Screen-printing: The process of printing by squeezing ink through screens allowing color to pass through open areas to create a design. Multi-colored designs are achieved using one
screen for each color in the design

Don’t feel like you are held in picking one method above. Different decoration methods can be combined to create a unique, one of a kind piece. For instance, you can choose etching and applique, shown below. You are only limited by your imagination and the possibilities are endless. Come up with your own ideas or Apropos will be more than happy to help formulating solutions for your logo. *References courtesy of VA*