The garment decoration industry is in the middle of a major shift, with more print shops and embroidery businesses switching to DecoNetwork to streamline how they operate. For years, decorators have juggled multiple systems for quotes, orders, production, and online stores, often relying on a patchwork of spreadsheets, mockup tools, and outdated shop management software. The result? Slower turnaround times, missed deadlines, frustrated staff, and unhappy customers.
Now, forward-thinking garment decorators are discovering that DecoNetwork’s all-in-one business management software eliminates these headaches by uniting quotes and orders, supplier catalogs, product mockups, e-commerce websites, artwork approvals, and production workflow automation in a single platform. From screen printing and embroidery to DTG and DTF printing, decorators are finding that switching to DecoNetwork doesn’t just simplify daily operations; it future-proofs their business for growth.
This article explores why more decorators are making the move, looking at real-world experiences, technical advantages, and the bottom-line benefits of choosing DecoNetwork over fragmented systems.
Lessons From Vinosangre: Why Switching To DecoNetwork Paid Off
One of the clearest examples of print shops successfully switching to DecoNetwork comes from UK-based Vinosangre, featured in Images Magazine (August 2025). Earlier this year, the team made the leap from Printavo to DecoNetwork after realizing their old system could no longer keep up with the demands of modern garment decoration.
Co-owner Sam Currie explained that while Printavo worked for a time, they had reached a tipping point: manual processes, spreadsheet reliance, and disconnected workflows were slowing jobs down and frustrating staff. “We switched from Printavo to DecoNetwork in February of this year… The production team picked up the new system really fast and we had tested it thoroughly by this point in the sandbox mode so when we went live it made sense,” Currie said.
By switching to DecoNetwork, Vinosangre immediately gained:
- Integrated supplier catalogs for faster, more accurate product selection.
- Production scheduling and job tracking that kept workflows organized.
- Online ordering capabilities that gave customers the freedom to place jobs directly without back-and-forth communication.
- Artwork approvals and mockups managed in one place, reducing errors and saving hours each week.
The business impact was clear: fewer delays, happier customers, and more time for growth-focused projects. As Currie put it, “The ability for clients to order online has been the biggest advancement of the new system.”
For garment decorators weighing their options, Vinosangre’s story demonstrates that switching to DecoNetwork is not just about replacing outdated shop management software; it’s about adopting a fully connected platform that makes production smoother, customers more satisfied, and the business more scalable.
Frustrations with InkSoft: Poor Communication And Forced Integrations
Many apparel decorators are driven to give up on business management software after experiencing frustrations, most notably InkSoft. A recent Reddit thread titled “Goodbye InkSoft” captured raw, unfiltered feedback from shop owners explaining why they chose to leave.
The biggest issues decorators reported with InkSoft included:
- Weak mockup tools – Decorators complained that mockups were limited and time-consuming, making it harder to present design consistently to customers.
- Product management problems – Users felt the system wasn’t reliable for managing catalogs, creating delays and inefficiencies.
- Add-Ons and Integration Challenges – Many shops felt frustrated when told they need to purchase and integrate Printavo for features InkSoft lacks.
- Lack of support and communication – One user shared, “When I tried to cancel I was ignored by my product support rep and original AE for weeks. Very frustrating experience.” Poor customer service left shops stranded when they needed help the most.
These frustrations show why more garment decorators are actively moving away from InkSoft. Unlike InkSoft, DecoNetwork provides:
- Accurate supplier product catalogs directly integrated with vendors.
- A built-in online designer for mockups that makes it simple for customers to visualize products.
- Centralized admin and operations tools that reduce the need for extra staff or patchwork systems.
One Reddit user summarized the difference clearly: “We fled InkSoft to DecoNetwork. We found InkSoft to not be entirely honest in terms of what didn’t work, like mockups, products editing and so on. Deco has a great backend that replaces one dedicated admin person.”
For shops weighing a change, this feedback underscores the point: switching to DecoNetwork is more than just adopting new software, it’s about eliminating roadblocks that hold decorators back from scaling, improving customer satisfaction, and staying competitive in a fast-moving industry.
The Case For Switching To DecoNetwork
The stories from Vinosangre and the wider decorator community reveal a consistent theme: the limitations of fragmented or outdated systems make it harder for shops to grow, while switching to DecoNetwork unlocks both technical efficiency and business scalability.
Technical Advantages
- All-in-one platform – Instead of juggling separate apps for quotes, orders, production, and e-commerce, DecoNetwork centralizes everything in a single dashboard.
- Integrated supplier catalogs – Shops gain access to accurate, up-to-date product data without the manual errors of importing files or copying SKUs.
- Online designer & mockups – Customers can personalize designs instantly, reducing back-and-forth emails and streamlining artwork approvals.
- Production workflow automation – Built-in job scheduling, order tracking, and fulfillment calendars keep teams aligned, eliminating bottlenecks.
Business Advantages
- Time savings and error reduction – With fewer manual tasks, staff can focus on higher-value work such as customer service, sales, and creative design.
- Improved customer experience – Features like online stores, instant quoting, and seamless approvals give clients more control and transparency.
- Scalability – Whether you’re a small screen-printing shop or a large embroidery business, DecoNetwork grows with your operation without the need to re-platform.
- Reduced overhead – As one Reddit user put it, DecoNetwork’s backend “replaces one dedicated admin person,” cutting costs while improving performance.
For garment decorators, these combined benefits mean that switching to DecoNetwork is not just a software decision, it’s a business strategy. By unifying production management, e-commerce, and supplier integrations, shops position themselves to serve customers faster, scale more efficiently, and compete at a higher level in a crowded marketplace.
The Takeaway: The Future Belongs To Shops Switching To DecoNetwork
From Vinosangre’s streamlined workflows to the frustrations voiced by decorators leaving InkSoft, the message is clear: the garment decoration industry is evolving, and the shops that thrive are those switching to DecoNetwork. By consolidating quotes, orders, product catalogs, online stores, artwork approvals, and production workflows into one platform, DecoNetwork gives decorators the tools they need to eliminate errors, save time, and deliver a superior customer experience.
In an industry where speed, accuracy, and scalability determine success, switching to DecoNetwork is more than an upgrade, it’s a competitive advantage. Print shops, screen printers, embroiderers, DTG printers, and sublimation businesses are discovering that DecoNetwork doesn’t just replace outdated systems, it future-proofs their operations.
Ready to see the difference for yourself? Request a free DecoNetwork demo today and discover why so many garment decorators are making the switch.
