Lifestyle

Graphic T-shirts Grow in Popularity

Published

2 years ago

February 16, 2023

Everyone wears them – kids, adults, women, and men – but nobody really thinks too much about them.

Sales of printed graphic t-shirts are increasing. Customers in industries such as hospitality, logistics, construction, industrial, and medical, are increasingly providing custom-printed t-shirts to their employees as a marketing tool. Not only that, but the use of custom-printed t-shirts to raise social awareness and support a cause have made graphic tees particularly popular among the younger generation. This coupled with the ability to print a wide range of colors, patterns, words or images onto shirts have driven the demand for custom tees through the roof! .

Here are just a few of the reasons graphic tees never go out of style:

Easy to wear. It probably goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway. T-shirts are probably the most comfortable and casual clothing anyone can own. They are cute, simple, and comfortable for tasks such as running errands or meeting friends for a quick lunch or drink.
Something For Everyone. As we age, the gap between age-appropriate clothing thins. The versatility and combinations of the graphic T-shirt make it an attraction for people of all age groups and body types. Children can use these shirts to showcase their winning teams in miniature football. Students may use them to represent their favorite artists, songwriters, and authors. Adults can use them for job marketing strategies. Each age group can define what a shirt like this will mean to them.
A Source of Positivity. The world is filled with its fair share of challenges. Sometimes something as simple as our clothing can provide comfort and compassion to those around us. Sarcastic T-shirts continue to offer solace in times of intense worry. These quirky statements can act as icebreakers and help to foster empathy in times of crisis.
A Powerful Statement. Graphic tees can play a significant role in spreading awareness and powerful messages. In protests, crowds often wear shirts with messages on them to show solidarity. They can make statements that anyone can understand instantly just by looking at them. Wearing these powerful messages can make you feel empowered and can make the people around you feel supported.

Humans expressed themselves with tees long before tweets, Facebook statuses, or even messages, but today t-shirts have achieved a whole new level of artiness. From everyday casual looks to special events, you can make any graphic tee look awesome if you pair it with other accessories and clothes. Whatever your interests are, there’s a shirt for you out there.

Ricoma International

Ricoma International is the custom apparel industry’s leading manufacturer of embroidery machines and apparel decorating equipment. Founded on the mission of providing quality equipment that’s both reliable and affordable to apparel decorators, Ricoma has grown into a multi-national business serving apparel decorators in more than 160 countries. Along with manufacturing top-quality equipment, Ricoma prides itself on offering expert training, round-the-clock technical support and free educational resources to help new decorators hone their craft and make the custom apparel industry more accessible for everyone.

Follow Henry Ma & Ricoma on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook on @RicomaHQ

Get some business inspiration and tips on Ricoma’s YouTube.

Lifestyle

Why Derik Fay Is Becoming a Case Study in Long-Haul Entrepreneurship

Published

1 week ago

July 2, 2025

Michelle Langton

Entrepreneurship today is often framed in extremes — overnight exits or public flameouts. But a small cohort of operators is being studied for something far less viral: consistency. Among them, Derik Fay has quietly surfaced as a long-term figure whose name appears frequently across sectors, interviews, and editorial mentions — yet whose personal visibility remains relatively limited.

Fay’s career spans more than 20 years and includes work in private investment, business operations, and emerging entertainment ventures. Though many of his companies are not household names, the volume and duration of his activity have made him a subject of interest among business media outlets and founders who study entrepreneurial longevity over fame.

He was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1978, and while much of his early career remains undocumented publicly, recent profiles including recurring features in Forbes — have chronicled his current portfolio and leadership methods. These accounts often emphasize his pattern of working behind the scenes, embedding within businesses rather than leading from a distance. His style is often described by peers as “operational first, media last.”

Fay has also become recognizable for his consistency in leadership approach: focus on internal systems, low public profile, and long-term strategy over short-term visibility. At 46 years old, his posture in business remains one of longevity rather than disruption a contrast to many of the more heavily publicized entrepreneurs of the post-2010 era.

While Fay has never publicly confirmed his net worth, independent analysis based on documented real estate holdings, corporate exits, and investment activity suggests a conservative floor of $100 million, with several credible indicators placing the figure at well over $250 million. The exact number may remain private but the scale is increasingly difficult to overlook.

He is also involved in creative sectors, including film and media, and maintains a presence on social platforms, though not at the scale or tone of many personal-brand-driven CEOs. He lives with his long-term partner, Shandra Phillips, and is the father of two daughters — both occasionally referenced in interviews, though rarely centered.

While not an outspoken figure, Fay’s work continues to gain media attention. The reason may lie in the contrast he presents: in a climate of rapid rises and equally rapid burnout, his profile reflects something less dramatic but increasingly valuable — steadiness.

There are no viral speeches. No Twitter threads drawing blueprints. Just a track record that’s building its own momentum over time.

Whether that style becomes the norm for the next wave of founders is unknown. But it does offer something more enduring than buzz: a model of entrepreneurship where attention isn’t the currency — results are.