Paper Clouds Apparel
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Paper Clouds Apparel does
Paper Clouds Apparel is a privately held, mission-driven direct-to-consumer apparel and accessories brand that sells print-on-demand products featuring original artwork created by artists with special needs. The company was founded in 2012 by Robert Thornton, was acquired and relaunched in March 2023 by Bobby Paugh and Sophie Brame, and now operates its headquarters in Austin, Texas. Over its history it has featured more than 500 artists with special needs across its collections, with approximately 30 artists currently active and a network of more than 100 nonprofit partners, including flagship relationships with Ruby's Rainbow (active since 2012, with proceeds funding 599 Down syndrome post-secondary scholarships totaling over $2 million) and others spanning autism, Batten disease, Spina Bifida, spinal cord injury, skin cancer, and inclusive education.
Paper Clouds Apparel firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Paper Clouds Apparel
- Legal name
- Paper Clouds Apparel
- Website
- https://papercloudsapparel.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Paper Clouds Apparel industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ethical Apparel
- NAICS
- Apparel Manufacturing (315), Textile Bag and Canvas Mills (314910)
- SIC
- Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail (CRAMAAAI), Sports, Outdoor & Adventure Packs Manufacturing (Backpacks/Duffels) (IMAOAHAE)
Keywords
Where Paper Clouds Apparel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Paper Clouds Apparel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales: One-time purchase revenue from selling apparel and accessories featuring artwork by artists with special needs. Products include t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, tote bags, and toddler/baby apparel. 50% of profits are donated to nonprofit partners supporting the special needs community.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | T-shirts and Tops ($22.50-$35.00) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hoodies and Sweatshirts ($35.00-$38.00) |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards ($10-$100) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Drinkware ($12.99) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories ($16.00-$26.00) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Paper Clouds Apparel product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Paper Clouds Apparel designs and sells ethically produced apparel and accessories—including t-shirts, hoodies, long-sleeve tees, mugs, tote bags, laptop sleeves, baby one-pieces, and gift cards—featuring original artwork created by individuals with special needs. The company commits 50% of its profits to nonprofits serving people with disabilities and runs outreach programs for artists, ambassadors, and nonprofit partners.
Product overview
Paper Clouds Apparel is a mission-driven e-commerce platform offering a diverse portfolio of apparel and accessories featuring original artwork created by artists with special needs. The core product line includes T-shirts (men's, women's, youth, toddler, and baby sizes), hooded sweatshirts, long sleeve tees, ceramic coffee mugs, eco tote bags, laptop sleeves, and baby one-piece garments. The company also operates a nonprofit partnership program that creates limited-edition collaborative campaigns (with 50% of profits donated), an ambassador affiliate program, and an artist submission program. All products are print-on-demand and ship within 5-7 business days. Gift cards are available in denominations from $10 to $100.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- T-Shirts Ethically produced t-shirts featuring original artwork by individuals with special needs, sold to consumers and through nonprofit bulk channels.
- Hoodies and Sweatshirts Hoodies and sweatshirts made from cotton or cotton-polyester blends printed with art from special-needs artists, offered to consumers and nonprofit partners.
- Long Sleeve Tees Long-sleeve t-shirts printed with artwork by artists with special needs, sold via the Shopify storefront.
- Baby One-Pieces Baby one-piece garments printed with art from special-needs artists, intended for parents and gift buyers.
- Ceramic Coffee Mugs Ceramic coffee mugs featuring artwork by individuals with special needs, sold as everyday-use merchandise and gifts.
- Eco Tote Bags Eco-friendly tote bags printed with artwork by artists with special needs, sold as reusable accessories and gifts.
- Laptop Sleeves Laptop sleeves featuring artwork by individuals with special needs, offered as tech accessories with a cause-driven message.
- Gift Cards Denominated gift cards redeemable on the Paper Clouds Apparel Shopify storefront, enabling recipients to select their own mission-driven apparel or accessories.
Quantifiable outcome
- 599 scholarships totaling over $2 Million granted by Ruby’s Rainbow since 2012
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Paper Clouds Apparel
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Paper Clouds Apparel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Paper Clouds Apparel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- BDSRA FoundationmajorThe Batten Disease Support, Research, and Advocacy Foundation is the largest support and research organization in North America dedicated to families affected by Batten disease. The Love Is Blind campaign featuring braille artwork by Daxx (a child with Juvenile Batten disease) raised $300 for this foundation. Supports research, family programs, and advocacy efforts.
- Spina Bifida Association of Greater New EnglandmajorSBAGNE empowers and supports individuals and families living with Spina Bifida across New England, serving over 4,400 families. Features artwork by Shiloh created in tribute to their sister Pippa who has Spina Bifida. Supports peer mentorships, educational workshops, and adaptive activities.
- Ruby's RainbowcoreRuby’s Rainbow is a nonprofit organization that grants scholarships to people with Down syndrome for higher education. Ruby, the artist behind the designs, inspired this organization founded by her parents. Ruby’s Rainbow provides college scholarships for students with Down syndrome attending post-secondary programs in the U.S. They have granted 599 scholarships totaling over $2 Million since 2012. Paper Clouds donates 50% of proceeds from Ruby's design collection to support these scholarships.
- Cloud Covered StreetscoreCloud Covered Streets is a nonprofit founded by Robert Thornton (original Paper Clouds founder) dedicated to serving individuals experiencing homelessness through mobile showers, laundry services, haircuts, and essential resources. Supports artists whose artwork appears on apparel benefiting this cause.
- Camp Kostopulos (Camp K)coreCamp Kostopulos provides inclusive camp experiences and year-round recreational programs for individuals with disabilities, helping them build confidence, friendships, and independence. Since 1967, Camp K has been providing life-changing recreational opportunities. Multiple designs support this nonprofit through 50% of proceeds donations.
- Equally DifferentmajorEqually Different promotes inclusion and acceptance for individuals with disabilities through education, awareness, and community programs. Supports individuals on the autism spectrum. Paper Clouds features Cameron's 'Bee Yourself' design benefiting this organization.
- Autism Alliance of Northeastern NYmajorThe Autism Alliance of Northeastern NY promotes awareness and support for individuals with autism, providing resources and community programs. The mission of AANENY is to enhance the lives of individuals with autism and their families in Clinton, Franklin, and Essex County, NY. Supports artist Ethan whose artwork features on the 'Fluffy Man' designs.
- AZ Cancer Foundation for ChildrenmajorThe AZ Cancer Foundation for Children provides support and resources to children battling cancer and their families in Arizona.
- Jack Trottier FoundationcoreThe Jack Trottier Foundation is dedicated to fostering independence for individuals living with spinal cord injuries. Proceeds from Sean's Sun designs benefit this foundation, funding advanced mobility devices, adaptive sports programs, and community integration support.
- Spencer's PlacemajorSpencer's Place is a coffee shop that employs individuals with special needs. Artist Emma works there and her 'Coffee Dragon' designs support this organization. Provides job training and social skills development for adults with special needs.
- Miami Learning Experience SchoolmajorMiami Learning Experience School provides education and life skills training for individuals with developmental disabilities. Features David's 'You Are Loved' design which supports this school through proceeds donations.
- Skin Cancer FoundationminorThe Skin Cancer Foundation receives 50% of proceeds from Griffin's 'What Would Love Do?' design. Provides education, prevention, and early detection resources for skin cancer.
- Us Too ClubminorA free platform created by Paper Clouds owners Bobby and Sophie that serves as a comprehensive directory connecting parents and individuals with special needs programs and organizations. Features advanced search and filter options based on specific needs, categories, and locations.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Paper Clouds Apparel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Custom Ink: Custom Ink operates a custom apparel platform used heavily by nonprofits, schools, and teams for fundraising and awareness campaigns. It is comparable to Paper Clouds' nonprofit and community-apparel fundraising use cases, though it serves a broader customer base.
- Society6: Society6 is an artist marketplace that prints independent artwork on apparel, home goods, and accessories. It is comparable to Paper Clouds in leveraging artist-created designs on consumer products, though Society6 operates a broad marketplace model rather than a curated special-needs mission.
Broad incumbents
- TOMS: TOMS pioneered the one-for-one cause-marketing apparel model and sells shoes and apparel globally. It is comparable to Paper Clouds for its donation-linked product proposition and consumer-facing mission narrative, though at far larger scale and brand recognition.
- Redbubble: Redbubble is a global print-on-demand marketplace for artist-designed apparel and accessories. It overlaps with Paper Clouds' print-on-demand artist-apparel model, though at much larger scale and with no special-needs mission or nonprofit donation component.
- Bombas: Bombas is a much larger apparel brand built around a one-for-one donation model (one item donated for every item purchased). It is comparable to Paper Clouds as a donation-anchored apparel company, but operates at significantly greater scale across multiple product categories.
Direct peers
- Sevenly: Sevenly sells apparel and accessories through cause-marketing campaigns, donating a portion of proceeds to nonprofit partners each week. It shares Paper Clouds' model of pairing limited-edition apparel with nonprofit-driven storytelling and community-led growth.
- Cotopaxi: Cotopaxi designs and sells outdoor apparel and gear while funding poverty relief and sustainability initiatives through its 'Questival' events and brand activations. It is comparable to Paper Clouds as a purpose-led apparel brand with embedded social-impact storytelling and a multi-channel DTC presence.
- Bonfire: Bonfire is a custom apparel fundraising platform that lets nonprofits, schools, and teams launch apparel campaigns with proceeds going to their cause. It directly overlaps with Paper Clouds' nonprofit-partnership and fundraiser use cases, though it is platform-oriented rather than a single brand.
- Spring (formerly Teespring): Spring is a print-on-demand platform that lets creators launch and sell custom apparel with no upfront inventory. It is comparable to Paper Clouds' print-on-demand, artist-driven apparel model, though Spring is platform infrastructure rather than a single mission-led brand.
- Love Your Melon: Love Your Melon is a mission-driven apparel brand that has donated millions to pediatric cancer and gave away an item to every child battling cancer in the U.S. Its cause-led apparel model, ambassador/crew program, and premium DTC positioning closely parallel Paper Clouds' approach.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Paper Clouds Apparel social profiles
Digital presencePaper Clouds Apparel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Paper Clouds Apparel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Paper Clouds Apparel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Paper Clouds Apparel M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Paper Clouds Apparel
What does Paper Clouds Apparel do?
Paper Clouds Apparel designs and sells ethically produced apparel and accessories—including t-shirts, hoodies, long-sleeve tees, mugs, tote bags, laptop sleeves, baby one-pieces, and gift cards—featuring original artwork created by individuals with special needs. The company commits 50% of its profits to nonprofits serving people with disabilities and runs outreach programs for artists, ambassadors, and nonprofit partners.
Is Paper Clouds Apparel a public or private company?
Paper Clouds Apparel is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Paper Clouds Apparel founded?
Paper Clouds Apparel was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Paper Clouds Apparel based?
Paper Clouds Apparel is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Paper Clouds Apparel make money?
One revenue line is on record: direct Product Sales.
Who are Paper Clouds Apparel's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Custom Ink and Society6. Broad incumbents are TOMS, Redbubble and Bombas. Direct peers are Sevenly, Cotopaxi, Bonfire, Spring (formerly Teespring) and Love Your Melon.
Does Paper Clouds Apparel have an API?
No public API is recorded for Paper Clouds Apparel.
What industry is Paper Clouds Apparel in?
Paper Clouds Apparel's product category is Ethical Apparel. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAAAAI, Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers, with a secondary code of CRAMAAAI, Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail. Its NAICS code is 315 and its SIC code is 2300.