Newspaper Advertisement of Embroidered Polo Shirts and Caps from 1985
I remember the embroidery prices in 1985 when we could sell caps for $4.00 each. It was fun, it was in 1985 that Northwest Custom Apparel (Northwest Embroidery) installed the first cap embroidery machines in the Pacific Northwest. They didn’t have automatic trimmers. We had to trim all our caps by hand. We devised interesting ways to digitize (we called it punching in those days) the designs to minimize thread jumps. We made jump stitches nice and long so we could trim them with embroidery scissors.
Northwest Embroidery offered screen-printed caps for $13.50 per dozen. Can you imagine caps retailing for $1.25 each? This same cap retails for more than $20.00 today. Can you even find a screen-printed cap today?
We offered polo shirts of good quality for $7.50 each, including embroidery. We offered blank polo shirts for $4.75 each.
Remember, the minimum wage was $3.35 an hour in those days. If an operator could do 24 pieces an hour, our cost was 14 cents for the embroidery. Caps we imported for 95 cents each. The cost of making a cap was less than $1.50 with embroidery. We were competitive with the Asian manufacturers.
What changed everything was communication. In 1985 we purchased a new office equipment called a fax machine. We threw out our telexes and were no connection to the world. We could send a one-page fax for $3.47 to Taiwan. We learned how to make that 8 x 11 piece of paper a lot of information. We used the fax machine to process emblem orders. Writing an order and sending it to Taiwan for manufacturing was much easier. We were ahead of the game with our fax machine.
Our story continues, but I just wanted to muse about the good old days. Northwest Custom Apparel will reach 45 years in business this year. We are learning to adapt and change in this new crazy environment. No more fax machines everything is high-speed internet. Orders are completed in days rather than weeks. Transportation delivering from the factory floor to the consumer.
I remember the embroidery prices in 1985 when we could sell caps for $4.00 each.
Jim Mickelson sits behinds his desk and reflects on his 45 years in the embroidery industry.
Jim Mickelson, Owner of Northwest Custom Apparel since 1977
The kiddos at Little Giggles Daycare are brainstorming ideas for their customized t-shirts. There’s excitement, there’s suspense, there’s brilliance! Watch and see!
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Dominic Nguyen recently joined our Direct-To-Garment department. He says he loves the family work environment at Northwest Custom Apparel. In his free time, Dom likes to listen to music, hangout with friends, and play video games. He comes from a very big family which can be very chaotic at times, but is always exciting.
Erik Mickelson
Manager
Erik Mickelson’s position as Manager is more than a job, it’s a passion. It’s always fun and exciting because he enjoys marketing, computers, and coming up with innovative ideas to help NWCA grow. He majored in accounting and finance at Washington State University, graduating in 1996, and returned to school to obtain his Master of Business from WGU, graduating in 2016. Erik continually strives to advance his education through podcasts, audiobooks, and industry tradeshows. He is married to a remarkable and caring wife named Wendy, a Registered Nurse, with whom he shares his many hobbies and a love for the outdoors.
Ruth Nhoung
Production Manager
Ruth Nhoung is our Production Manager and Northwest Custom Apparel is lucky to have her. Thanks to her vast knowledge of machine embroidery and dedication to creating a comfortable and supportive work environment, the production plant runs smoothly and customers are pleased with our work. She is a loving mother and grandmother and enjoys spending quality time with her siblings. She says, “I love everything about Northwest Custom Apparel: the people, the atmosphere, the work, and the customers. I love what I do and I embrace all of NWCA’s core values”.
Steve Deland
Art Director
Steve Deland has been our amazing Artist since 2017. He loves working at Northwest Custom Apparel because he appreciates the goal-oriented, progressive-thinking management style. He is most passionate about his art, which includes scroll saw woodwork, and his five grandchildren.
Taylar Hanson
Sales
Taylar Hanson is a highly acclaimed Saleswoman at Northwest Custom Apparel. She has a BA in Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles from Washington State University. “Go Cougs!” The best part of Taylar’s job is getting to work with longtime customers who trust us to do the best work and take care of their needs. She is passionate about appreciating nature, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Nika Lao
Sales
Nika Lao is very knowledgeable in how the business is ran because she began as an Embroidery Machine Operator and has worked hard to become the excellent and personable saleswoman she is today. She enjoys the stress-free environment and the many chances to connect with her co-workers over potlucks, BBQs, and bowling parties. Nika is a proud sister of two highly successful brothers and can boast mastering three languages herself: Khmer, Thai, and English. She is an avid camper, enjoys going to farmer markets, and loves cooking.
Bradley Wright
Accountant
Bradley Wright has been a vital team member of NWCA since 2017. As our accountant and knower-of-all-things, Bradley is proud to work closely with his wonderful colleagues. He studied at the University of Washington. These days he dedicates his free time to his new house.
Alicia Wada
Shipping Clerk
Alicia Wada is passionate about helping her co-workers at Northwest Custom Apparel in any way that she can. She works in our Shipping and Logistics department. Alicia, who goes by Ali, has a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics. She lived in Japan for ten years and recently brought her family to America in 2019. She is interested in learning crafts and textile art from around the world.
Brian Beardsley
DTG Supervisor
Brian Beardsley has been with Northwest Custom Apparel since 2018. He is our DTG Supervisor. Brian loves that he gets to work with high-tech machines in a fun atmosphere. He has a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. He said, “I always wanted to create visually interesting assets in a variety of mediums”. In his free time, he enjoys building and painting models, playing video games, designing, and playing his guitar.
Antonio Massey
Production Team: Folder
Antonio Massey recently joined NWCA in June of 2022. His role on the Production Team has greatly improved our processes and productivity. Antonio is always willing to lift heavy boxes or help his co-workers during busy times. In his free time, he enjoys playing with his dog and mastering video games.
UT Tri Tran
Embroidery Machine Operator
UT Tri Tran loves Northwest Custom Apparel so much that, although she has already retired after a long career in machine embroidery operations, she is happy to return part time. She says, “I love the family style work environment and how everyone shares food, laughter, and fun on a regular basis.” In her free time she is dedicated to living a healthy and peaceful lifestyle with her friends and family.
BunsereytheavyHoeu
Embroidery Machine Operator
BunsereytheavyHoeu, who goes by Theavy, won our Operator of the Year in 2021. She takes on many roles in the production team. She says, “These are not my co-workers, these are my family! I cherish all the memories we make together”. When she goes home to be with her family, she makes the most of her time with them by holding family get-togethers and even karaoke competitions.
Sreynai Meang
Embroidery Machine Operator
SreynaiMeang is a hard-working Machine Operator. She is most passionate about helping people. Sreynai, who goes by Nai, likes to exercise in her free time and talk with her family in Cambodia.
Kanha Chhorn
Embroidery Machine Operator
Kanha Chhorn has been an Embroidery Operator with Northwest Custom Apparel since 2018. She is delightful and always makes everyone smile and laugh. Kanha takes on additional tasks that allow us to exceed our customers’ expectations. In her free time, she can be found at her local temple or spending quality time with her family and friends.
Savy Som
Embroidery Machine Operator
SavySom is one of our Machine Operators who is passionate about embroidery and sewing. She enjoys working at NWCA because of its flexibility. She has two teenage sons and loves spending time with her family on the weekends.
SorphornSorm
Embroidery Machine Operator
SorphornSorm has been a Machine Operator since 2011. One of her four sisters works here as well. Her other relatives are in Cambodia. In her free time, Sorphorn studies English, listens to music, and enjoys exercising.
Sothea Tann
Production Team: Trimmer
Sothea Tann recently joined the Production Team in 2022. She finds Northwest Custom Apparel to be a good working environment with helpful and friendly staff. In her free time, Sothea spends quality time with her family and, overall, focuses on a peaceful and happy lifestyle.
Jim Mickelson
CEO
Jim Mickelson, after a successful career with a major oil company, founded Northwest Embroidery in 1977. This was the first commercial embroidery in the Pacific Northwest. Over the years, Jim has become the guru of embroidery never refusing to answer a question or offer advice to his fellow embroiders. Jim and his wife Leeanna raised four wonderful children who went on to successful business careers.
