Every year, we take a step back and ask a simple but important question. What do we really want to see change or improve in the garment and product decoration industry?

In this annual tradition, Aaron, Erich, and Terry share their list of 10 things they hope to see in the year ahead. From meaningful innovations and smarter processes to shifts in mindset and industry culture, this conversation is about progress that actually helps shop owners run better businesses. And as always, this is not a one-way conversation. We want to hear your ideas, your frustrations, and your hopes for the future. Join us live and add your voice to the discussion.

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News

If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to info@2regularguys.com. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”

https://youtu.be/F-uPGvItDf0

Dad Joke

Terry: I was going to quit all my bad habits for the new year

Then I remembered that nobody likes a quitter.

10 Things We Would Like to See in 2026

Last year… Here is our update for the first week of 2026

Terry: High School and College Internship Program. Regulators, tell us. What are you seeing?
Aaron: A Focus on Mindset Training for Business Owners. It was pretty much my solo focus, so I hope it came true. Not sure if I was just around it more, or if we are seeing more of it. I’ll keep carrying the flag.
Terry: Promotions Calendar. I’m hopeful. Regulators?
Aaron: Better Eco-Friendly Solutions Across All Decorating Methods. Unfortunately, I feel like AI took the focus off this, and so I feel like we need to get back on track in 2026.
Terry: Think Outside the Box for New Employees. I think the world has changed a bit…
Doug Sobel: My unicorn hope is to see someone creates dtf that would have the softness of dye sub with the color saturation of DTF to be able to do transfers on any type of fabric. no more plastic feeling.
Craig Bradley: Some insight into laser engravers
Simply Embroidery: How to utilize internships
Ramona McKee: White toner might be the back-burner tech, but it is out there, and it does a great job for what it does. Regulators – Any updates?
Terry: Calming Down of the DTF Industry. I’ve seen a calming and more consistent approach in the “how to” of DTF printing. Still early, but I think we’re in a good place.
Aaron: More diversity in the blanks distributors. Unfortunately, it has been less than it feels like. Terry, I know you are going to talk to this later.
Terry: Blue Checkmark as Recognized Authority. I think it’s still the Wild West for a while.
Erich: Embroiders Getting a Seat at the Large Industry Table. At Printing United, I was happy to see embroiderers at the table when it came to the burgeoning world of digital print and fulfillment, as well as simply being more present in the larger conversations. I think that we still have a long way to go as far as really owning our part in the space, though watching large trade organizations recognize our percentage and pedigree in the market was fulfilling.

Terry: Consolidation slow down

It feels like every time we go to a tradeshow or have a guest here on 2RG, we hear about a company that’s been gobbled up by another.
- America West Airlines was awesome
- bought US Air and took their name, and quality of travel went down
- bought American Airlines and took their name, and quality of travel went down again
I feel like we need a scorecard to keep up
Garment and product decoration has always been a personal one-on-one type of interaction.
We’re on track right now to lose a lot of that

Aaron: Strength-Led Business Design – I see a lot of business owners who are focused on their weaknesses, the comparison trap. And the worst trap of all – Trying to be all things to everyone.

Owners building roles, schedules, and offers around what they are good at, not what the industry says they “should” do.
See exhausted business owners because they are trying to build businesses that fight who they are. The comparison trap pushes owners to focus on gaps, weaknesses, and what they think they “should” be doing based on someone else’s success.
Instead of asking, “What am I bad at and how do I fix it?” the better question becomes, “What am I naturally good at and how do I build around that?”
Example – Someone who is highly relational. Love the connection, consulting, and relationships. But they compare themselves to someone who is “successful” in selling online, focusing on transactions. If they focus on strengths = business they love. SVPs
This is exactly what the 13 business owners in the Accelerator are doing. They are not just tweaking tactics. They are redesigning their businesses from the inside out. We are in the first week of a 12-week program and this was one comment I got earlier in the week – The Accelerator helped me throw away the overwhelming to-do list and replace it with a clear road map and three to five achievable actions each day that are already creating momentum.

Erich: Strengthening and Refinement after Industry Democratization

This year, more than any, we saw the bar to entry drop precipitously, but I’ve also seen a wave of used equipment and embroiderers in quick-fail or never-launched situations on the back end of that wave.
The industry needs some structure and thought to help new embroiderers enter the industry with more preparation
We have to intelligently evaluate how this disruption will affect current markets and the place of servicers and vendors in this space.
Education, Education, Education

Terry: Appreciation of screen printing

Yes, DTF transfers are easier, but now everybody and his brother is offering it
Screen printing offers so many decoration options
Puff ink, gels, suedes, multi-media, foil, etc
The more DTF decorators enter the marketplace, the more end customers will crave something new
You don’t have to become a screen printer, but you can offer the services

Aaron: Real Number Literacy for Decorators – I’m still a little in awe of how many business owners I meet who don’t know how much it costs them to be in business. The challenge is – how do y...