INDUSTRY ISSUES
The Desktop Revolution: How xTool is Democratizing Industrial-Grade Apparel Printing
| May 1, 2026
In the traditional apparel manufacturing landscape, the bridge between a creative concept and a finished garment has long been guarded by high entry barriers, complex industrial workflows, and prohibitive costs. However, a seismic shift is occurring. xTool, which has rapidly ascended to become the world’s second-largest DTF (Direct-to-Film) brand by GMV, is dismantling these barriers.
New Ball Game for Speedo
Swimwear maker Speedo, a division of Warnaco Group’s Los Angeles–based Warnaco Swimwear Inc., has landed a threeyear licensing deal with AVP Pro Bea...
Quota-Free Category Clarified
Last year, the ski pants industry had a problem....
2009 Might Not Be the End for Apparel Quotas
U.S. apparel manufacturers and importers have high expectations that 2009 will be the year of free trade with China....
It's Not Easy Being Small
For many in the local design community, small business means big opportunities, as well as big risks ...
Patagonia Focuses on Surf, Environment
Patagonia Inc., a Ventura, Calif.–based outdoor apparel maker, will open its first surf-specific store in May and underwrite a magazine’s commitment to use recycled paper....
Sea Change at Fish Bowl
Fish Bowl, a division of Second Generation Inc., a Los Angeles–based manufacturer, is in the midst of a makeover....
Consumer Group Attacks Levi's RFID Program
An advocacy group for consumer privacy has asked San Francisco–based Levi Strauss & Co. to put an end to its item-level RFID (radio frequency identification) pilot program, which has sever...
No Day at the Beach
Swimwear maker Beach Patrol put into receivership ...
Manufacturers Prepare for Worker Walkout
The organizers of the “Day Without Immigrants” demonstration scheduled for May 1 have promised to offer legal advice to workers who may lose jobs for participating in the protest....
Watch Your Back
Litigation surrounds denim back-pocket designs...
Sourcing in Central America Has Many Advantages
David Gren used to travel all over the world to buy fabrics and find factories that could convert them into stylish clothing for teenagers and younger children....
Other Side of Grass May Be Greener
Grass, a contemporary denim label launched in 2003, has been sold to Larry Hansel, the man who started Rampage Clothing Co. many years ago in Los Angeles....
Designers Use Diffusion Lines to Widen Their Appeal
Diffusion lines, a popular method for designers to pave avenues to new customers and retailers’ doors, have become so common that some brands are taking on a life of their own....
Paul Frank Executives Respond
After weeks of keeping relatively mum, executives at the embattled Paul Frank Industries (PFI) have broken their silence to tell their side of the story....
New Digs for Denim Label
A premium-blue-jeans maker has changed addresses in Vernon, Calif....
