Branding Together: Unveiling Our Special Merch Project, With Stanley/Stella
We talk about working with industry suppliers and decorators to create custom podcast merch and welcome Jeremy Morillo of Stanley/Stella to learn more about the sustainable merch company.
To kick off 2026, co-hosts Theresa Hegel and Cassie Green, of Apparelist and PRINTING United Alliance, get into the details of the Branding Together merch project, highlighting the importance of creativity and collaboration in the print and promo industries. The co-hosts tasked a handful of decorators to create mini-collections of branded merch, each focused on a different decoration technique, to spread awareness for the podcast.
Stanley/Stella (asi/89011) provided T-shirt, hoodie and tank top blanks for the project, and Jeremy Morillo, a regional sales manager for the brand, talks about its sustainable ethos, the challenges of entering the U.S. market and why transparency is key.
Mentioned in this month’s episode:
- PRINTING United Alliance Celebrates a Year of Major Wins in 2025
- Retail Market Shifts Its Promo Spend Among Layoffs, Struggles
- Ryonet Becomes Exclusive Distributor of Screen ALGAE INK
- Babybel Phases Out Plastic Packaging for Paper for Eco-Conscious ‘Unboxing’ Experience
Key Takeaways
• Stanley/Stella (asi/89011) has built its business around sustainability since its founding in 2012, using certified organic cotton from the start rather than treating sustainability as a trend.
• Supply chain transparency is central to the company’s approach, with direct relationships spanning farmers, spinners and manufacturers to ensure ethical practices and verifiable certifications.
• High-quality, durable garments are positioned as a sustainability solution, helping reduce waste by encouraging longer product life and stronger emotional connection from end-users.
• The company’s expansion into the U.S. followed several years of research, aligning with growing demand for premium blanks and increased awareness of sustainability among American buyers.
• One of the biggest challenges in the U.S. market is simplifying complex sustainability data into clear, digestible messaging that resonates with decorators and distributors.
• Stanley/Stella prioritizes decorators through its in-house Deco Lab, where garments are rigorously tested for printability across multiple decoration methods before being released.
• Looking ahead, transparency and circularity, including recycled and regenerated garments, are expected to play a larger role in defining sustainability within apparel and promo.