Spectrum Designs, a nonprofit custom apparel and promotional products company dedicated to creating meaningful employment for adults on the autism spectrum, proudly announces its inclusion for the first time on the prestigious PPAI 100 list. This significant achievement ranks Spectrum Designs among the top 100 promotional product companies globally, distinguishing it from over 15,000 industry peers.
Published annually by the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), the industry’s largest nonprofit trade association, the PPAI 100 is the highest measure of leadership in the promotional products industry. Companies are evaluated based on eight categories: revenue, growth over a three-year period, corporate responsibility and sustainability, digital transformation and security, employee development and satisfaction, marketing reach, industry faith (credit scores), and SAGE Ratings.
Spectrum Designs, debuting at number 70, secured particularly high marks in categories of Industry Faith, reflecting strong credit ratings, and Employee Happiness, underscoring the company’s inclusive hiring practices, exemplary workplace culture and extremely low turnover.
“We’re incredibly proud to be recognized among the leading companies in our industry on the PPAI 100. This achievement underscores not only Spectrum Designs’ commercial success and operational excellence but also the immense value neurodiverse individuals bring to the workforce,” said Patrick Bardsley, CEO and Co-Founder of Spectrum Designs. “Our model validates that diversity and inclusivity drives innovation, boosts employee satisfaction, fuels local economic growth, and sets a meaningful benchmark for our industry.”
The company joins elite industry leaders on the PPAI 100, including global brands such as 4Imprint, Staples, VistaPrint and ProForma, positioning Spectrum Designs as a significant and impactful player in the graphic design and promotional products industry.
Spectrum Designs experienced a series of transformative successes and growth this year, cementing its position as a leader in autistic employment and innovative business practices, underscored by its placement on the PPAI 100 list.
Since its inception in 2011, Spectrum Designs has grown from a small startup to a multi-million-dollar enterprise, recently surpassing $1 million in monthly sales. The company now employs over 80 team members across its locations in Port Washington and Pleasantville, NY, nearly 70% of whom are on the autism spectrum, redefining inclusion in the workplace and challenging outdated perceptions about the capabilities of individuals on the Autism spectrum, a community that faces an estimated 85% unemployment rate in the US.
Sustainable Green Printing Partnership Certification:
Among Spectrum’s recent achievements is another prestigious industry title. The organization recently earned the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership certification, becoming one of only two apparel companies in the U.S. to achieve this honor. This recognition highlights Spectrum’s commitment to eco-friendly practices, exceeding environmental and labor standards, and fostering a more sustainable supply chain.
Inaugural Licensing Agreement:
In alignment with its core values, Spectrum Designs is leveraging its proven success by developing licensing opportunities designed to replicate its inclusive employment model nationwide. The team is currently finalizing plans to establish its first presence in Florida, with an official announcement expected fall 2025. This turnkey licensing model aims to empower organizations to integrate more neurodiverse employees effectively, providing training, best practices, and operational support.
“We are committed to expanding our impact through innovative approaches, such as licensing, which enables other organizations to adopt our model and further our mission across the country,” added Bardsley.
For more information about Spectrum Designs and its mission to redefine inclusion in the workplace, visit:www.spectrumdesigns.org.
About Spectrum Designs
Spectrum Designs is a nonprofit custom apparel and promotional products company committed to creating employment and vocational training opportunities for autistic adults and those with other disabilities. Headquartered in Port Washington and Pleasantville, NY, Spectrum Designs has rapidly expanded since its establishment in 2011, actively challenging outdated notions about disability and employment.
About Promotional Products Association International (PPAI)
Promotional Products Association International is the promotional products industry’s largest not-for-profit trade association, uniting over 15,000 companies globally. Dedicated to advocating for and advancing the industry, PPAI’s flagship annual research project, the PPAI 100, recognizes outstanding leadership across key areas such as innovation, responsibility, and employee satisfaction. For more information, visit PPAI.org.
