Our Story · Built For Decorators

Built for decorators. Evolved through partnership.

Story Index

Chapter 01 · The Problem

Great decorators deserve great production partners.

Every decoration business depends on consistency. When transfer quality
varies, deadlines slip, or support falls short, the decorator absorbs the
consequences.

Decorators deserve a production partner
they can depend on.

Chapter 02 · Where It Began

A small operation built on a clear belief.

Apex started as Apex Embroidery — founded by Brian and Sandy Hill on the
conviction that decorators deserved suppliers who treated them like partners, not transactions.

Decorators deserve a production partner
they can depend on.

Archive 02 · Apex Embroidery · Brian & Sandy Hill

Chapter 03 · The Evolution

From legacy to next chapter.

Never rebranded. Never acquired. Same family, steadily adding what decorators asked for — and investing in the equipment to do it properly.

Era 01 · Founding

The Apex Embroidery Years

1998 – 2003 · Foundation

Where It Started

Brian Hill started Apex in February 1998 — alone, providing embroidery digitizing services. No staff, no production floor. Just converting designs into files an embroidery machine could stitch.

In fall 1999, Sandy Hill joined and Apex added applique cutting as a second service. For four years it stayed a two-person operation, building customer relationships by being the supplier that actually picked up the phone. The first non-family employee was hired in 2003.

Feb 1998

Apex Founded

Brian Hill begins offering embroidery digitizing services, solo.

Fall 1999

Sandy Joins. Applique Cutting Added.

Apex’s second service — and the beginning of the family running it together.

2003

First Employee

The team grows beyond the two founders for the first time.

2009 – 2016 · Becoming A Transfer Manufacturer

From Digitizing Shop to Production Floor

Decorators kept asking for more. In 2009 Apex added vinyl transfers and wholesale material sales — the first step toward becoming a full transfer manufacturer. In 2011, Apex acquired Starbird specifically to free Brian’s time to focus on growing the business rather than running daily operations.

What followed was a run of new products: rhinestone transfers in 2014, screen-printed transfers developed the same year and launched in 2015, and Ultra Ink in 2016. Ultra Ink — a hybrid digital and screen-print heat transfer — was a process Apex was the first company in the US to develop. It remains one of the most distinctive products in the line.

2009

Vinyl Transfers & Wholesale Materials

First product expansion beyond embroidery and applique. Decorators could now source transfers and raw materials from one supplier.

2011

Acquired Starbird

A deliberate move to give Brian time to focus on growing the business — directly enabling the product expansion that followed.

2014

Rhinestone Transfers Added

Another product line decorators were asking for, added to the catalog.

2014 – 2015

Screen-Printed Transfers Developed & Launched

Development began 2014. Product launched to customers 2015.

2015

First in Minnesota — Direct-to-Screen Imaging

One of the earliest companies in the state to adopt this imaging technology for transfer production.

2016

Ultra Ink Launched — First in the US

A hybrid digital and screen-print heat transfer. Apex was the first company in the United States to develop this process. Still one of the most technically distinctive products in the Apex lineup.

2017 – 2022 · First in North America

Four Press Lines, Built Before They Were Needed

Apex moved into its current building in July 2017 — the same month it installed its first automatic screen press. That press made Apex the first company in North America to install an automatic press for screen-printed transfers. The decision wasn’t reactive; Apex invested in the equipment before the volume demanded it.
What followed was six years of deliberate infrastructure building: four press lines, two laser imaging systems, automatic screen developing and reclaiming, water recycling systems, and an 11,000 sq ft building addition in 2022 — again, built for future growth rather than in response to current capacity pressure.

Apex moved into its current building in July 2017 — the same month it installed its first automatic screen press. Apex became the first company in North America to implement this specific automatic press system for screen-printed transfer production. The decision wasn’t reactive; Apex invested in the equipment before the volume demanded it.
What followed was six years of deliberate infrastructure building: four press lines, two laser imaging systems, automatic screen developing and reclaiming, water recycling systems, and an 11,000 sq ft building addition in 2022 — again, built for future growth rather than in response to current capacity pressure.

Jul 2017

Moved Into New Building

The physical foundation for the production expansion that followed immediately.

2017

First Automatic Screen Press — First in North America

Apex was the first company in North America to implement this specific automatic screen press technology for transfer production, creating a significant early competitive advantage

2018

Second INO Press Line + Systems

A second automatic screen press was installed. The company also added automatic screen developing and reclaiming systems, along with the first water recycling system for screen processing water.

2018

Sales Manager Hired

First dedicated sales hire as production capacity and product range expanded.

2019

Third INO Press Line

Production capacity growing in step with demand.

2020

Switched to Laser Direct-to-Screen Imaging — First in Minnesota

Apex was the first company in Minnesota to make this switch, upgrading imaging precision and efficiency ahead of the industry.

2021

Fourth INO Press Line

Four automatic screen press lines now running — all installed before capacity became a constraint.

2022

11,000 Sq Ft Building Addition

Built for future growth. Alongside upgraded screen developing and reclaiming systems, a new water recycling system, and a second laser direct-to-screen imaging unit.

2023 – 2024 · The DTF Era

The Newest Product Line — Same Pattern

In March 2023, Apex added DTF transfers to the product line — the same pattern as every product before it: decorators were asking for it, Apex built the capability to do it properly. The longtime sales manager retired the same month; Apex hired its first dedicated marketing manager as part of that transition.

By 2024, Apex had added three DTF imaging systems to meet demand. After 26 years and a product line Brian and Sandy couldn’t have imagined when Brian started alone in 1998, the company was in the strongest position it had ever been in.

Mar 2023

DTF Transfers Added

DTF added as a new product line — suited to smaller-run orders that don’t need a full screen-print setup. First marketing manager hired the same month.

2024

Three DTF Imaging Systems

Apex added three DTF imaging systems to meet demand for the new product line.

December 2025 · The Next Chapter

Paisley Capital Acquires Apex. John Meyer Named CEO.

On December 1, 2025, Apex Embroidery Design, Inc. was acquired by Paisley Capital — a private investment firm focused on acquiring and building lower middle market companies with strong competitive positions and long-term growth potential. True North Mergers & Acquisitions served as exclusive financial advisor to Apex through the process.

Paisley Capital appointed John Meyer as Chief Executive Officer. Brian and Sandy Hill, who built Apex over 27 years, made a deliberate choice in selecting who would carry the company forward. In Brian’s words: “Apex has been our life’s work, and choosing the next steward of the business mattered deeply to us. We believe Paisley Capital and John Meyer will continue what Sandy and I built and take Apex even further.”

Sandy added: “We are grateful for the employees and customers who shaped Apex over the years. We transition to the next chapter of our lives knowing Apex’s future is bright.”

For Apex’s customers, the fundamentals don’t change — the same production standards, the same product line, the same team. What changes is the capacity to invest: in technology, in capability expansion, and in the infrastructure to serve more decorators at the standard Apex has held since 1998.

Dec 1, 2025

Acquired by Paisley Capital

Paisley Capital is a private investment firm that brings hands-on operating support, strategic resources, and a partnership-driven mindset to the businesses it invests in. Its approach centers on collaboration with management teams to unlock potential while preserving what makes each company unique.

Dec 2025

John Meyer Named CEO

“Our reputation for quality, precision, reliability, and exceptional service is unmatched in the industry. With Paisley Capital’s support, we will invest in technology, expand capabilities, and continue delivering the craftsmanship and speed our customers depend on.” — John Meyer, CEO

Legacy

Brian & Sandy Hill — Founders, 1998–2025

27 years. One digitizing business became a leading national manufacturer of screen-printed and DTF transfers. The Hill family’s legacy is the foundation the next chapter is built on.

Chapter 04 · Milestones That Matter

The moments that changed what we could do for decorators.

Not the moments that mattered to us. The moments that mattered to the
decorators who rely on us. Every milestone framed by what changed for
them.

Production

Expanded Production Capacity

Products

Launched New Product Categories

Tech

Technology & Systems Investment

Education

Decorator Basecamp Launched

Formation

Acquisition & Apex Transfers Formation

Chapter 05 · Growing Alongside Decorators

Our growth followed their growth.

Apex didn’t grow because we built bigger. We grew because the decorators we partnered with grew — and we kept investing in what they needed at each stage. Their journey shaped ours.