Such is the life of a small business trying to push the envelope with better (and more defensable) technology then any larger competitor and/or VC financed upstarts. CafePress was spawned because of the new direct garment printer that Brother and T-Jet invented.  leverage the technology for screenprinting someone else invented and hype it until they go public, then fade away on the backs of small retail investors.  such is the game of Venture Capital.

Anyway, i'm getting off the subject, cafePress, Zazzle, customink and spreadshirt are 'hot' right now in the screenprint world because they have gobs of money to spend on being hot.  There should be 200 of these businesses in the next year with better design studios and stores with great features because of the direct garment printers.  unfortunately....but fortunate for us, no one will break the embroidery barrier because its not a direct art-to-art transfer.  We've (really chris) developed a direct embroidery studio (so folks can design the final product) and I don't imagine anyone will catch up fast.  We'll have our hot run soon when the leads from distributor/content partners and the orders will pour in.  Also, folks will soon realize that embroidering 300k hats overseas is a waste and they seek just-in-time production state-side..