The Orders That Come Back First After New Year (And How to Be Ready)
The pace may slow after Christmas, but it rarely stays quiet for long.
For many garment decorators, January doesn’t bring completely new types of work, it brings familiar orders returning with fresh urgency. The difference between a smooth start to the year and a stressful one often comes down to how prepared you are when those first enquiries land.
Knowing what tends to come back first makes all the difference.
January is a common reset point for businesses.
New starters join teams, worn garments are replaced, and companies take the opportunity to refresh uniforms after a busy year. These orders usually come with clear expectations around consistency, durability and turnaround.
Decorators who can quickly match previous logos, colours, and placements make these jobs straightforward, and often turn them into repeat work throughout the year.
As sports clubs and teams restart training and competitions, teamwear orders often follow.
Whether it’s replacing lost items, adding new players, or updating kits, these customers expect everything to match what they’ve ordered before.
Being able to reproduce the same result consistently builds trust and keeps these customers coming back season after season.
January is also a popular time for new brands to launch.
These customers are often organised, focused and looking for a decorator who can help them start strong. Initial runs may be small, but expectations are high.
Consistency, communication and attention to detail matter here just as much as the finished garment. Many long-term partnerships begin with a carefully handled first order.
Corporate apparel and promotional merchandise tend to reappear early in the year as businesses plan events, exhibitions, and internal launches.
These orders usually prioritise clear branding and uniformity across garments.
Reliable processes and predictable results make these jobs efficient, and help decorators position themselves as trusted suppliers rather than one-off providers.
Repeat Customers Ordering “The Same as Last Time”
Some of the first January orders are the simplest, and the most telling.
Customers returning with a request for the same garments, same logo, same placement.
Being ready for these orders means having artwork organised, settings noted and confidence in your process. When reorders are easy, customers notice.
January doesn’t usually demand reinvention.
It rewards decorators who can deliver familiar results quickly and confidently.
By anticipating the orders that return first, decorators can start the year feeling organised rather than reactive, setting the tone for the months ahead.