STAHLS'

STAHLS': apparel decoration supplies and equipment since 1932

STAHLS' is an American company based in Detroit, Michigan, dedicated to manufacturing and distributing materials and equipment for apparel decoration. Its catalog includes custom DTF transfers, heat transfer vinyl, emblems and patches, vinyl and twill transfers, letters and numbers, and heat presses. The company states that most of its items ship the same day.

Materials and products for customization

The materials offering includes CAD-CUT® heat transfer vinyl, DTF transfers, emblems and patches, vinyl and twill transfers, letters and numbers, and sublimation transfers. Featured lines include UltraColor MAX™, for full-color jobs with no minimums and one-step hot-peel application; LIQUID 3D®, which adds textures and patterns with depth and realism; and Sport-Stitch®, which replicates a sewn embroidered look without stitching. The company also sells products from other brands, such as Roland® and 3M™.

Heat press equipment

STAHLS' manufactures and distributes heat presses under the Hotronix® brand, including the Hotronix® Carousel, which according to the company can process up to 300 shirts per hour with a single operator; the Hotronix® 16” x 20” Auto Clam; and models such as 360 IQ®, Fusion IQ®, A2Z™ Swing Away, and ProPlace IQ®. The company also offers related accessories and supplies, such as the Caddie Stand™.

Solutions for print and customization businesses

The company has developed STAHLS' Fulfill Engine, an all-in-one solution for print shops that covers everything from order capture to fulfillment, with the goal of streamlining production and reducing costs. It also offers the STAHLS' Dealers authorized dealer program and the opportunity to become a reseller.

Applications in sports and official customization

STAHLS' states that it provides sports personalization at various levels, from players to fans. The company has collaborated with professional sports leagues: it worked at the NHL draft and participated in officially licensed MLS customization.

History and innovation

STAHLS' history dates back to 1932, when A.C. and Ethel Stahl started the business in the family garage in Detroit, Michigan, under the name Commercial Art Products. One of their first products was hand-cut chenille lettering sewn onto felt; A.C. Stahl later developed die cutting and pressing. The company presents itself as an innovator and leader in precut and custom sports numbers, letters, and logos.

Among its technical milestones, the company cites Thermo-FILM® (1967), a patented combination of polyester and polyurethane adhesive that gave rise to the first free-form copolymer film, a lightweight and durable alternative to PVC; Letter Perfect strips (1977), which introduced rotary cutting for mass production of small lettering; computerized waterjet cutting (1979) for on-demand custom designs and lettering; CAD-CUT® (1992), the first use of cuttable heat transfer films on a mylar carrier; CAD-COLOR® P-60 Roland (1996), the first use of printable digital media with eco-solvent printers for full-color transfers; and STiX 2 adhesive (2014), a family of universal films that adhere to materials such as leather or performance wear, with high stretch, low-temperature application, and sub-block properties.

Brands and international structure

The group operates with several brands and divisions, including Stahls' Canada, Stahls' (Spanish), Stahls' DFC, CadworxLIVE®, Clothing ID Label, GroupeSTAHL, Hotronix®, Transfer Express®, Stahls' Asia, Stahls' Europe, Stahls' International, Stahls' TPT, and Stahls' UK. The company also maintains a network of authorized dealers and offers educational resources such as Stahls' TV, webinars, in-person events, and blogs.