MADE IN USA

Per the Federal Trade Commission, 'Made in USA' means that “all or virtually all” of a product has been made in America. That is, all significant parts, processing and labor that go into the product must be of U.S. origin. 

The purpose of this label is to inform consumers that the cost, labor and production of this item is more beneficial to the United States and her People than any other Nation. In the sections below we'll talk about our dedication to this label as well as how others pervert and twist its meaning and where and how we as a people can improve things.

First we'll talk about ourselves. Simply everything we ever sell you is Made in USA. Not assembled in, not designed in, no half-measures, at a MINIMUM everything we offer is 100% Made in USA. Our 
Apparel is produced using exclusively Made in USA Tools and Equipment and everything we sell you comes in American Made packaging.

The majority of our apparel is Made in California. Some is made in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.

Our American Cotton comes from all over the US and is dependent on the year, batch and company doing cut and sew. Texas and Georgia are usually high on the list with lots of Supima from California & Arizona. 

Fabrics are likewise made all over the USA but most often in the Carolinas and California. Never Abroad.

Our Inks are manufactured in California.

Our Printing Equipment, Tools, shipping supplies and warehouse supplies are manufactured in Washington, Arizona, Missouri and Georgia.

All supporting chemical products are produced at various US Chem plants.

Our patches are Made in Louisiana.

Our Stickers are Made in North Carolina.

Our Shot Glasses are Made in Wisconsin.

Our Blankets are Made in North Carolina.

All of printing, shipping and warehousing is done in Arkansas.

Most of our media and advertising is done in Texas, with some from Arkansas and Alabama or submitted by customers across the US.

Our internal corporate structure and operations are handled from Alabama.

A quick look at intentionally misleading labeling and advertising that is designed to make you think something is benefiting America and Americans and what it actually means.

"Assembled in USA:

This can mean a wide range of things depending on the company but at its core it means this is a foreign made product. At worst it is entirely foreign materials being quickly slapped together by a visa holder. At best it's an actual factory employing Americans who are building a product with foreign materials. Check the company and look for published details. The worst ones typically blast the slogan everywhere with no background details, the better ones typically are very open and love to talk about their product and workers.

"Made in USA with Global Materials"

What it means: Same as 'Assembled in USA'

"Designed/printed in USA"

Every single part of this product is foreign made with foreign materials. Someone put very minimal effort into the very start or end of this product and somehow thinks this entitles them to brag about it benefiting us as a Nation.

"Made in the Americas"

This is made in Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America. One of the most disingenuous labels we've seen. AVOID.

"USA Strong"

Same as 'Made in the Americas'. This is just a branding trick with no substance and minimal benefit to National Capability or the American Worker. It hits harder because they are intentionally attempting to make you think it's extra Patriotic. AVOID.

"Packaged/Assembled in the USA" 

Everything about this product is foreign made, including the packaging. This is a worse version of 'Assembled in'. This is almost always foreign workers as well.

"Made in USA Collection" 

Now some companies do maintain robust 'Made in USA' collections but for the most part this label is a massive bust. Anyone who says this and doesn't let you sort specifically by product this way or is "sold out" in all options is just a scam. Companies that have dedicated pages for their Made in USA products and have lots of options are legit and usually making significant effort.

"Made in USA Options" 

Same as 'Made in USA Collection' but usually worse. These are companies trying to ride Patriotic waves when it's popular but have no conviction when there isn't quick money to be made.

 "We are working towards Made in USA"

This is almost always a load of crap. These are usually companies in the Patriotic sphere who know what their customers want but went foreign anyways. There is literally nothing stopping anyone from having Made in USA right out the gate. For the one's who are legit look for published detailed plans with set dates and real numbers. Anything else is just pandering.

'The bait and switch quote'

This is a crazy common occurrence with custom merch. Sites will advertise 'Made in USA' and then send you a quote for a Chinese made version without mentioning or saying so anywhere. ALWAYS always clarify when getting a quote that their number is specifically for 'Made in USA'.

'The 50% Rule'

This is another one that comes up ALL THE TIME. People label their products as Made in USA because they are at least 50% Made from American Materials. This fallacy comes from the 'Buy American Act'. Essentially this law compels the US Government to buy American Made when applicable BUT for its purposes American Made means 50% made in USA. This law ONLY APPLIES TO US GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT. It DOES NOT apply to commercial businesses labeling their products. This is fraudulent labeling and stems from ignorance of the law. Companies that spout this number should be avoided because they can't be bothered to know the most basic information about their duties to American Consumers.

Well the entire point of the label is meant to show you a product of your homeland and one that it is contributing more significantly to our economic prosperity and American Workers than any other country or workforce.

Here are 4 simple steps we would take.

1. Clarify the ‘All or virtually All’ language. Far too many companies interpret this comically loosely, slap a % on it like 95% and add ‘by volume, quantity, weight & cost’ for materials used.

2. Add a ‘By American Citizens’ requirement. It’s frankly disgusting how many Made in USA brands use exclusively visa workers and foreigners to manufacture their products. This flagrantly goes against the very purpose of the label and is directly detrimental to American workers.

3A. Crackdown on misleading language.
‘Assembled in USA’ ‘Designed in USA’ ‘Made with American Materials’ ‘Made in the Americas’ ‘USA Strong’ these all mean the same thing ‘NOT Made in USA’ and are slogans explicitly designed to make you think otherwise. This type of advertising needs to be banned for the label to ever live up to it’s purpose.

3B. The paragraph above said, not every company that labels this way is the same. There are some companies that do contribute a lot to the American economy and American worker with significant manufacturing lines stateside that employ a lot of American Workers. Although this does not qualify them to use the ‘Made in USA’ label because they use foreign materials it would be helpful to have an official/defined ‘Assembled in USA’ label to show that these companies are still contributing significantly to National capability and the American Worker.

4. An improved FTC. A better dedicated national .gov page with clear and easy definitions and examples. More avenues of communication, community involvement and proactive education/engagement on social media. Spotlights (like that recent one on Liberty Tabletop would also be hugely supportive of vetted/proven companies). Easier fraud reporting and more teeth to go after violators. 

The ‘Made in USA’ label is a fantastic tool to let Americans know just how much of their purchase is going back to support their own Country and Countrymen. Rampant deceptive practices entirely invalidate its purpose and undermine its effectivity. 
Let’s give the label the respect, love and honor it deserves.

Demand American Made 🇺🇸