flamingo print design

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In: Inspiration

If you follow us on Instagram, you already know how this story goes. A girl goes to the nail salon for a fresh mani pedi, gets some simple nail art, and a few hours later is inspired to create a print design. View this post on Instagram A post shared by JLD-Studios (@jld_studios) on Feb 18, 2020 at 9:27am PST We love this story as it shows you never know how or where inspiration will strike. Of course this print design didn’t start with the results you see. Some creative brain spiraling through Florida, diner seats, and neon signs. Flash on flamingos and pop! ARead More →

2021 print trends

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In: Fashion Articles, Inspiration

Looking immediately ahead we’re excited for Spring to blossom and hopefully tamp down this virus. But in fashion, we must look much further ahead, to the bright and sunny Spring and Summer of 2021. Today we’re diving into the print trends we expect to see flourish. We might be showing you tiny snapshots here, but Go Big or Go Home is the top take away for next Spring. Once the sun comes out, it should be shining off the biggest boldest prints you’ve seen in a decade. See something you like? Send us an email and arrange a virtual showing of the collection. This isRead More →

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In: JLD News, Small Business

If you set a goal at the beginning of this year to finally start your own legging brand, there is still time! Finish the decade off strong by bringing your dreams into focus. We have available legging silhouettes or can custom design leggings to meet your brand needs. If you want to be crushing your sales goals at this time next year, getting started now is ideal. Check out the ways we can help you get started. Available Legging Customization Options waistband stitching material printed or solid branding Request info Here! Custom Legging Options You tell us! Pockets? Mesh Cutouts? Booty Scrunch? Send us anRead More →

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In: Designer Education, Designer Tips and Info

Textile and print design can take on many forms. One of the most common is repeating patterns. This can also be called a seamless design. In it’s simplest form, it’s a motif that can be repeated vertically and horizontally, forever, without a break in the design. Repeating patterns can be seen in everything from leggings to wallpaper. The key factor to consider when designing into this format is how your design will look once repeated out. If the fabric will be cut into multiple small pieces, the seam may not be an issue. But in larger formats, hiding the seam creates a much more fluidRead More →

polyester fabric printing

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In: Designer Education, Designer Tips and Info

Last month at the LA Textile Show we highlighted our sublimation printing services. One of our biggest takeaways, other than amazing new contacts, was that polyester fabric still has a bad rap. We aim to change that with more education on today’s polyester. This is not the fiber your parents, or grandparents wore. Polyester has come a long way in the last 50 odd years. Wicking in Polyester I’m sure you’ve heard of it, but for those needing a refresher. Wicking, in fabrics, is the act of moisture being pulled through the fiber of your leggings to the surface of the fabric where it canRead More →

color matching

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In: Designer Education, Designer Tips and Info

We love working with clients remotely, it’s the digital age after all. One area that can get a bit tricky is color matching. Why? (and) What does that mean? Basically, getting the color you’re envisioning to print out, or match, your example image, swatch, or idea. One way to do this is with Pantone Color Systems. The only downfall is you really need to have the physical books. Here’s why: We visited their website and utilized the handy “Find a Pantone” Tool. This snapshot is what we could see on our screen versus the physical Living Coral page from our Pantone book. See the difference?Read More →

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In: Fashion Articles

In our last post, Why do I need Legging Development, Part 1, we discussed how seemingly simple details can get lost in concept sketches and why tech packs are so important. Today we’re going to tackle garment patterns and prototypes. The next two steps in the development of leggings. The big question, How do you take that sketch and turn it into a legging? The garment pattern is the template we use to do just that! While we use a laser cutter to transfer the information, this picture gives a clearer visual of the process. It’s illustrating the pattern pieces laid out on fabric forRead More →

standout leggings

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In: Designer Tips and Info, Fashion Articles, Small Business

Dropshipping can be a great way to start up a new brand or website. But let’s face it; it’s a crowded arena! How do you standout in a Dropship Marketplace? Give your customers what they want! If you’ve been in the dropshipping business for a while, you have customer feedback. Mine that data! Start to categorize the comments good and bad, and see where you should make changes. If you’re just getting ready to launch, we can give you some tips. Though we should warn you, we will be a bit biased toward what’s happening in the legging marketplace. 1- Fabric Consistency One of theRead More →

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In: Designer Education, Designer Tips and Info

Yes, the sublimation printing process requires polyester. No, it doesn’t have to be gross! But more on that later. In answer to your burning question: How does sublimation printing happen? Simple, right- So why do you need polyester fabric? In step 2 there is a bit more happening than meets the eye. The paper and fabric are being run through a heat press. This is essentially an oven heated up to 400 degrees. While they travel through the rollers a chemical reaction is happening. The water based sublimation ink evaporates from the paper into a gas. The molecules in this gas bond to the polyesterRead More →

concept for legging development

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In: Designer Education, Designer Tips and Info

While producing a legging may look simple there is quite a lot that happens between concept and production. We came across a great example this week of why the legging development process is needed. One of our artist sketched up some leggings for marketing purposes. I was so impressed, I said, “Let’s make them!” Then it happened, the series of unanswered questions that a concept sketch can leave up to interpretation. This is where we jump into the first part of legging development. Usually, the more interesting the seaming, the more questions we have. Then there’s the question of materials, pockets and stitching. It takesRead More →

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In: Fashion Articles

JLD-Studios will be at Premiere Vision New York January 15-16th,  Pier 94, booth i8 in the Design Section. Featuring a fresh collection of prints focused on the latest textile trends in saturated and micro florals, updated scarf layouts, bold geometrics and patterns for a variety of markets. Here’s a sneak peek into the textile trends that inspired our designers. This is just a hint of what we’ll have to show for textile prints at Premiere Vision New York. Stop by and see us in booth i8 to see the full collection.Read More →

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In: Fashion Articles

This months Women in Business series features Cathy, founder of Ivalieu Pettipants. We met Cathy almost 5 years ago when her brand was just an idea.  We’ve loved watching and helping the idea turn into a business allowing women to be more comfortable and confident when life lifts their skirts.  Read on to learn more about the Ivalieu journey. How did the Ivalieu brand began? Need! After my second child I realized that I had been avoiding wearing skirts and dresses, especially so during the summer. It was too bad, I thought, as a skirt or dress instantly makes me feel more pulled together andRead More →