Shirtworks Looks to Grow Sustainable, On-Demand Fulfillment Operation

Oxford, United Kingdom-based Shirtworks looks to grow its sustainable, on-demand fulfillment operation by adding a Kornit Digital direct-to-garment (DTG) production system to its facility. Additionally, Shirtworks purchases the DTG manufacturer’s workflow software to streamline the production process.

Shirtworks services brands and consumers on five continents and prides itself on being one of the first European print shops accredited “organic” by the Soil Association for both embroidery and screen printing, using “fair trade” materials, and paying all employees the “real living wage.” The company offers a wide variety of personalized apparel and workwear, including sportswear, sweatshirts, caps, jackets, childrenswear, and other pieces.

“Shirtworks supplies decorated garments to all industries,” says Arron Harnden, the brand’s managing director. “We have a very diverse customer base, from consumers ordering one-offs to small brands and ethical-conscious B2Bs needing up to a thousand pieces or more. We are known as an ethical decorator, GOTS-approved for both screen and embroidery.”

Having supplemented its screen printing capabilities with embroidery, Shirtworks believes the addition of Kornit equipment and software will help them produce lower volumes of garments it would traditionally screen print. Harnden expects the new DTG system to help reduce wage costs while meeting quality control standards.

“We turned to Kornit because it offered a one-process solution, and its inks are GOTS-approved, which is very important to us,” says Harnden. “Being able to match Pantones is also very important to us and key to moving our screen print clients over to DTG. We also wanted a retail-ready product that would enable us to expand into dropshipping.”

“Shirtworks was one of the first screen print shops to establish their own website, and it’s that spirit of looking forward and anticipating customer needs that led them to supplement their production capabilities with efficient, eco-friendly Kornit systems,” says Chris Govier, KDEU managing director. “We’re proud to give Shirtworks the capabilities they need to grow their operation in the on-demand eCommerce marketplace while staying true to their mission and reputation.”