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Relaxed, unisex fit. Three panel hood. Cotton only print surface. Refined drawcords. DECORATION DESIGNED FOR
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www.images-magazine.com 02 images OCTOBER 2026 R160XJY STORMDRI 6000 RECYCLED COAT 04 Editorial 08 Print Shop Pooches # 131 Ralph from Totally Branded 12 Readers‘ choice Adam Ellena of Printing on Sea 16 Love it, loathe it Michelle Allan of The Embroidery Shop 20 Decorated product of the month Embroidered cap by Puffy Corbin 72 Up close & personal Natasha Searls-Punter of ETC Supplies NEWSHUB 06 Industry news AWDis launches College Hoodie 2.0, Nova Chrome UK to supply the Polyprint FilmJet Mini DTF series, Mimaki unveils the TxF330-800 DTF system, and Parently Group introduces a new trade portal KNOWLEDGE BASE 22 The Lynchpin: A masterclass for garment decorators In the second part of his ‘Beyond the webshop’ series, John Lynch reveals why he thinks the future of merchandise is hybrid 24 Business clinic How to start succession planning, and solving the skills challenge 28 The Schoolwear Show 2026: Organiser Preview It’s the community which makes The Schoolwear Show so valuable, says Mark Woolgar, show director and The Parently Group’s MD. He highlights why this year’s event should be in your diary 34 Knowledge transfer It doesn’t feel like 12 months since our 2025 assessment of the DTF market, yet it’s time for the sixth annual Images DTF report. Manufacturers and suppliers all agree the market has hit maturity as the “explosive” early growth begins to calm down and the focus starts to switch to boosting quality, efficiency and productivity 60 Seeing red Paul MacNamee of Embroidery Training has developed a guide to creating production-ready redwork embroidery 62 Hardwear Jamie Hood of David Sharp shares two methods for embroidering logos designed for tough work environments 63 Talking trends: Jackets andgilets Shaun Rolfe, director of sales at Stormtech for the UK and Europe, discusses layering, retail-inspired designs, and the power of samples 68 Tony‘s travels Tony Palmer takes a closer look at the faraway third-party screen room used by Live! in Brazil and offers some advice and options for bringing screen-making in-house 69 Custom AI fonts Marshall Atkinson helps you put your best font forward with some Midjourney help PRODUCT FOCUS 29 A class act We’ve done your homework for you, gathering together a class of brandable schoolwear that is ideal for the 2027 back-toschool season. And we’ve highlighted the not-to-bemissed products that will be on display at The Schoolwear Show this month 46 Easy as 1, 2, 3 Discover how easy it is to create a print-ready DTF file from scratch – with zero design skills – using Merchu, the new AI service from 1ClickPrint 50 Direct growth From heat-press carousels to printers via new consumables and innovative techniques, the DTF transfer printing market continues to evolve. Read on for the latest developments 64Layerup Whether your customer wants a practical winter layer that can transition from work to leisure, a cosy, breathable jacket designed for outdoor living, or a retail-ready vest, our annual winter jackets and gilets showcase has it (warmly) covered INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT 21 Schoolwear Association updates Catch up with the latest news in the schoolwear world 47 Direct approaches This month, as part of our DTF feature, we talk to two DTF print shops – Identity Printing and Bolt Uniforms – about their operations and how they are using transfers inverydifferent yet equally successful ways 26 29 60 34 50 SHOPTALK 64 06
DTF Inline Mini Pro 600 & 900 Small in size. Big on performance. Engineered to deliver exceptional throughput without compromising performance or reliability, the Mini Pro Series combines premium finishing touches and dependable output with an ultra-compact footprint for ease of installation, ensuring you have the perfect solution for your DTF production. Your versatile, space saving curing solution for all roll-to-roll DTF production environments. +44 1332 85 84 30 sales@adkinsmachines.com Find your local dealer at adkinsmachines.com With decades of experience in producing high quality engineered heat transfer solutions, Adkins is a trusted brand worldwide. NEW
www.images-magazine.com 04 images OCTOBER 2026 Published by: 360 Communications Ltd Images, 360 Communications Ltd, Suite 4, Floor 6, Vantage Point, New England Road, Brighton, BN1 4GW, UK 01273 748482 | www.images-magazine.com Advertising: advertising@images-magazine.com Editorial: editorial@images-magazine.com Production: production@images-magazine.com Subscriptions: subscriptions@images-magazine.com Publisher/advertising: Jonathan Vince | jonathan@images-magazine.com Features editor: Rachael Glazier | rachael@images-magazine.com News Reporter: Mark Ludmon | mark@images-magazine.com Design/Production: ATG Media | production@atgraphicsuk.com Printing: Stephens & George Ltd| Goat Mill Road, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 3TD(issn 0966 7512) Opinions expressed by contributors in this magazine are not necessarily shared by the Publisher. Editorial contributions are invited, on the understanding that the Publisher has the right to alter or abridge all such material as he sees fit. While the greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy, the Publisher accepts no liability for either errors or omissions. SIGNUP! Register now to receive your ownFREEmonthly copy of Images magazine: imagesmag.uk/sign-up OCTOBER 2026 VOL.35 NO.10 DIGITAL / SOCIAL 1-31 August, 2026 Impressions: 7,380 It seems impossible that it is now five years since our first ‘State of the DTF Market Report’. Back in 2021, DTF (directto-film) printing was still an emerging new technology with untold promise. Unlike previous new garment decoration processes, however, the DTF revolution was driven not by the large established printing equipment brands, but by Chinese manufacturers and agile domestic suppliers working closely with forward-thinking print shops that grasped DTF’s potential early. It is fair to say that some of that early technology was, to put it mildly, a bit rough and ready. And yet the incredible pace of development saw equipment and machinery making giant leaps forward – not on a traditional annual basis, or even on a quarterly basis, but month by month. Each year and in every report we saw radical changes in the DTF landscape. Fast-forward five years and we are now faced with a very different DTF environment. Diego Ramella, marketing manager at consumables manufacturer B-Flex, sums it up: “The gold rush phase is behind us: DTF is now an established technology, and the conversation has shifted from ‘how do I get in’ to ‘how do I print reliably, every day, at consistent quality’... Growth is becoming quality-driven rather than novelty-driven.” You can read Diego’s other comments, along with insights from Jim Nicol of The Magic Transfer Company, Resolute’s Colin Marsh, Encarna Luque of Roland DG, Jamie Turner of 1ClickPrint, Epson’s Phil McMullin and Ben Richichi of Xpres (amongst others) in this year’s report, starting on page 34. As well as surveying equipment manufacturers and suppliers, we also Readers: 593 Views: 18,293 digital edition INDUSTRY EVENTS interviewed two print shops – Identity Printing and Bolt Uniforms – which have adopteddifferent, yet equally successful, approaches to the business of DTF transfers (page 47). As Identity’s Harry Matthews points out, “There are now a lot more suppliers in the market, so simply being able to print DTF is not enough anymore. Customers are increasingly looking at quality, consistency, colour, turnaround time, specialist products and service.” What all the contributors agree on, however, is that demand for DTF transfers shows no sign of slowing down, while the market is becoming ever more competitive. For anybody involved in the supply of schoolwear there is one industry event that you simply have to attend this month – The Schoolwear Show at Cranmore Park in Solihull (11-12 October). As Mark Woolgar, show director and Parently Group MD, explains in our event preview (page 28), a visit will deliver more than just the chance to view the latest schoolwear styles from the industry’s main suppliers; it will also offer an invaluable opportunity to educate yourself on the wider issues affecting the industry and to share experiences with other schoolwear businesses. We preview some of the products you will be able to find at this year’s event in our Schoolwear Showcase (page 29). We also bring you up to speed on The Schoolwear Association’s work around the uniform cap, which came into effect on 1 September, plus how it is responding to current government schoolwear policy and further proposed changes to statutory school uniform guidance (page 21). Jonathan Vince Views: 4,158 Pageviews 1,528 The DTF gold rush is over EDITORIAL OCTOBER 11-12, 2026 The Schoolwear Show, Solihull UK theschoolwearshow.co.uk/ OCTOBER 15, 2026 The Big New Products Trade Show & Wearables Trade Show, Heathrow, London, UK thebigpromotionaltradeshow.co.uk OCTOBER 20, 2026 Print & Stitch, Esher, London, UK printandstitch.org OCTOBER 22, 2026 Print & Stitch, Liverpool, UK printandstitch.org DECEMBER 16, 2026 PenCarrie Presents, Exeter, UK pencarrie.com/pencarrie-presents JANUARY 12-14, 2027 PSI 2027, Cologne, Germany psi-messe.com/en-gb.html JANUARY 21-23, 2027 Impressions Expo, Long Beach, US longbeach.impressionsexpo.com FEBRUARY 2-4, 2027 CTCO & C!Print Lyon, Lyon, France salon-ctco.com/en FEBRUARY 21-23, 2027 Printwear & Promotion Live! 2027, Birmingham, UK printwearandpromotionlive.co.uk MARCH 3, 2027 The Big Promotional Trade Show & Wearables Trade Show, Dublin, Ireland thebigpromotionaltradeshow.co.uk MARCH 11, 2027 The Big Promotional Trade Show & Wearables Trade Show, Glasgow, UK thebigpromotionaltradeshow.co.uk APRIL 6-9, 2027 Fespa Global Print Expo 2027, Munich, Germany fespa.com/en/events Impressions: 14,034
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INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 06 images OCTOBER 2026 Follow the links to the news stories online www.images-magazine.com Machine manufacturer Mimaki has unveiled the TxF330-800, its new direct-to-film (DTF) printer. Developed to support stable, high-quality garment decoration in demanding print environments, the system combines automated maintenance, expanded white ink capacity and advanced production capabilities to streamline workflow. The new TxF330-800 promises a production speed that is one and a half times the speed of Mimaki’s previous model, the TxF300-75. It has an expanded 16-cartridge ink system, with up to eight white ink slots to provide up to four litres of capacity, while the brand’s UISS (Uninterrupted Ink Supply System) allows users to replace cartridges without stopping production. Other features include Mimaki Feed Tension Technology (MFT), which Mimaki says improves film transport without applying additional tension. “This reduces the risk of misalignment during high-speed and long-duration printing and supports stable, precise image quality,” says UK and Ireland distributor Hybrid Services. To improve print head maintenance, the printer includes rotary wipers, which also minimise ink splatter while wiping. Also included is MCT2 (Mimaki Circulation Technology), which is said to help to prevent ink blockages, which can slow down production. The expanded colour gamut includes sky blue and pale pink inks, resulting in a “more vibrant output, smoother gradients and more accurate colour reproduction – particularly important for applications requiring high colour fidelity, such as workwear and corporate merchandise,” explains Hybrid. “These inks are also Eco Passport-certified and packaged in an environmentally friendly, ecocartridge.” The TxF330-800 is also compatible with a broader range of films for increased flexibility. imagesmag.uk/mimaki-TxF330-800 Mimaki’s new DTF system improves productivity and stability The TxF330-800, Mimaki’s new direct-tofilm printer, made its debut at The Print Show last month Vastex adds new RedFlash flash cureunit Vastex International has introduced an infrared flash cure unit designed to make high-performance flash curing of screenprinted garments more widely accessible. It has developed a new 120-volt/1,950-watt version of its RedFlash Infrared Flash Cure Unit to complement the existing 240-volt/2,600-watt model of the same size. Mark Vasilantone, Vastex president, said: “With the new 120-volt RedFlash, customers lacking a 240-volt receptacle need not forgo high-performance flash curing of screen-printed garments.” The RD-18-120 features a low-profile 7cm head, digital temperature control for precise, repeatable settings, an integrated cooling fan, and a heavy-duty floor stand. An optional AutoFlash upgrade can connect directly to the unit and adds user interface controls that rotate the head into place above the pallet at the touch of a foot pedal, then rotate it away automatically after a user-adjustable dwell time — preventing over- and under-flashing of garments. Also available is a rotary pallet adapter with two vented steel pallets, enabling drying as well as flash curing. All RedFlash Infrared Flash Cure Units carry a five-year heater warranty and come standard with a head leveller for parallel alignment to the pallet, extra-large side handles, heat controls with power indicator lights, and a vertical adjustment collar allowing 360-degree rotation. imagesmag.uk/vastexlower Vastex’s new 120-volt RedFlash Infrared Flash Cure Unit New studio showcases garment decoration for start-ups A new creative studio has been opened in Nottinghamshire providing support to people looking to start up garment decoration businesses and side hustles. Supplier SWF Sunny UK’s studio in Mansfield – located alongside sister company YES Group – was officially launched in September with three days of free, hands-on workshops. The Sunny Studio is designed to give visitors the opportunity to try machine embroidery and heattransfer applications in a friendly environment before deciding whether the technology is right for them. Featuring SWF’s new Sunny range, it has been set up to “bridge the gap between crafting at home and investing in professional garmentdecoration equipment”. The range of equipment includes the sevenneedle Sunny embroidery machine, the 12-needle Sunny Pro and the Sunny Press for printing film and transfers. The launch event was aimed at complete beginners and existing crafters as well as startups and people interested in developing a creative side hustle. imagesmag.uk/sunny-pro The Sunny Pro from SWF Sunny UK
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INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 08 images OCTOBER 2026 Follow us on Facebook: @imagesmaguk #131Ralph Whether it’s pedigree pups or mangy mutts, decorators’ dogs are valued members of staff at embroidery and print shops from Barking to Furness. This month we have Ralph from Totally Branded in Swaffham, Norfolk Fullname: Ralph Tassie Breed: French bulldog Age: Five years old Time at company: Since puppyhood, bringing energy, enthusiasm, and absolutely no understanding of personal space. Jobtitle: Head of emotional support Job description: Responsible for maintaining office morale through strategic tail wagging, surprise cuddle deployments, and enthusiastic greetings. Ensures all team members receive emotional support when required, particularly during stressful deadlines, Monday mornings, and Zoom calls. Consistently exceeds expectations despite frequent naps during working hours. Special skills: Unconditional positivity, expert-level listening, advanced treat negotiation, quality assurance testing, and the ability to improve any meeting simply by being present. Favourite colour: Pantone 476 C – Artisan Frenchie Output. A shade he proudly produces on a near-daily basis and ranks among his most regular achievements, much to the delight of absolutely nobody except himself. totallybranded.co.uk PRINT SHOP POOCHES As head of emotional support, Ralph always makes time to listen I caught Mommy kissing SantaPaws Print Shop Pooches is sponsored byPortman & Pooch– ‘a brand’s best friend’ portmanandpooch.com Norty holds team-building dayfor staff Norty hosted a corporate team-building event for its staff this summer at its HQ, Spindle House in Livingston. The company – which is behind a number of well-known apparel brands including AWDis, Pro RTX and Henbury – brought together its brand ambassadors from across the country as well as the Spindle House team. “The event offered colleagues time away from their usual day-to-day responsibilities to connect, collaborate and engage with one another,” explained Norty. “Split into seven teams, staff threw themselves into a series of fun, high-energy team challenges, with external facilitator Fiona Dewar serving as guest host for the afternoon. Friendly competition and good humour prevailed throughout the games, culminating in prizes for members of the winning team.” Following the activities, attendees gathered in the Spindle House grounds where local pizza and Greek gyros food trucks were set up, alongside a popular ice cream van. “It was a fantastic afternoon and people genuinely had a blast,” said James Homan, head of marketing and business development at Norty. “Best of all, it was wonderful to see colleagues from across the country gather in one place, connect and have some fun together as one Norty team.” imagesmag.uk/norty-team-day Staff threw themselves into the highenergy and fun team challenges FIT-Shirts powers through to raise £4k for charity A team from FIT-Shirts conquered the London to Brighton Bike Ride in September, raising an impressive £4,210 for Cancer Research UK. Director Alastair Wilson, account manager Brian Cook, production manager Jason and senior printer Bright from the London print shop took part in the 54-mile event from Clapham Common to Brighton seafront on 13th September. “Had an early start, kicking off from Clapham at 6am – we made pretty good progress despite one flat tyre and one broken chain and managed to get up the infamous Ditchling Beacon in one go, which we were very proud of!” said Alastair. “We also had a few well-earned Guinnesses at the finish line!” Donations are still being accepted at imagesmag.uk/ fit_charity_ride. imagesmag. uk/fit-bike-ride [L-R] Brian, Bright, Jason and Alastair smashed the London to Brighton Bike Ride in September
www.images-magazine.com OCTOBER 2026 images 09 INDUSTRY NEWS NH Rudy Marrerohas taken on the role of head of sales covering the UK and the rest of Europe at Siser, the Italianbased manufacturer of heat transfer vinyl (HTV). Rudy, who is well known from training days and other industry events in the UK, has been appointed to the role after more than seven years with the company. He will be covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Properly known as Rodolfo Marrero Jr, Rudy has been in the textile and heat transfer industry sector for 15 years. He was previously export sales manager for Siser, having joined in 2019 from garment decoration group Stahls’ where he was sales manager for South America. In July, Stahls’ announced that it was acquiring Siser. imagesmag.uk/siser-rudy Mimi’s Embroidery and Print has taken onChloe Wardleas production assistant. Amy Clarke, founder of Mimi’s, which is based in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, said Chloe is a skilled graphic designer, screen printer and embroiderer, and she is excited to see the two of them work and grow together. A customer of Mimi’s, Chloe runs her own small business called Fruit Salad Apparel, offering embroidered and printed garments and accessories that she sells online and at local market stalls. Calling the hire “one of the biggest business decisions I have made but very much needed”, Amy said: “She asked if I was open to having her for part-time work and we decided to give it ago! “She has been an absolute godsend and she couldn’t have come along at a more perfect time in the business’s growth.” imagesmag.uk/chloe-wardle Soyanghas announced the promotion of Damien Martinto the position of wideformat manager for the UK & Ireland. Damien, who joined the manufacturer and distributor of wide-format hardware and consumables in April 2024, will be responsible for the sales of Soyang’s 1.6m-wide printing equipment portfolio, which includes Mimaki printers and cutters, Graphtec cutting plotters and the VeloBlade range of die-cutting systems from Vivid Laminating Technologies. Damien will help print service providers to identify the most effective technology for their businesses. A key part of his role will include overseeing machinery showcases at Soyang’s new demonstration facility in Altham. “The wide-format portfolio within our hardware department continues to go from strength to strength, and I’m looking forward to working closely with our partners and supporting customers across a broad range of markets,” he said. imagesmag.uk/damien-martin DanRoynonhas joined corporatewear provider Disley as business development manager. Dan brings with him “plenty of industry experience, an almost unhealthy enthusiasm for good product and a firm belief that business is better when it feels less like business”. Having previously worked with many of the same distributors during his time at Ralawise, Dan reports that he is looking forward to getting back out on the road, catching up with familiar faces and meeting plenty of new ones across Scotland, the northeast, and Wales. “Disley has a great history and a strong reputation, but what really appealed to me is the opportunity to help shape where the brand goes next. There’s a lot we can do to build on that heritage, bring fresh energy to the range, and show customers what Disley is capable of today.” imagesmag.uk/dan-roynon CHANGING FACES Rudy Marrero Chloe, Wardle Damien Martin DanRoynon Hobkirk introduces new Ricoma embroidery machines to the UK Garment decoration equipment manufacturer Ricoma has introduced a new range of embroidery machines into the UK. The Swift 2, Marquee 2 and Creator models have been developed to provide enhanced performance, improved user experience and the advanced features that today’s embroidery businesses demand. As an authorised Ricoma dealer, Hobkirk Sewing Machines has brought the new models to customers across theUK. The Swift 2 commercial machine has a digital presser foot, a slimmer cylinder arm for versatility and ease of use, increased speed of up to 1,300 stitches per minute, and an even bigger embroidery area of 800mm by 500mm. The Marquee 2 is a new range of multi-heads, ranging from a twin-head to a six-head machine that operate at a speed of up to stitches per minute. The Creator is a 10-needle semiindustrial single-head machine with an embroidery area of 380mm by 210mm, capable of up to 1,000 stitches per minute. imagesmag.uk/ricoma-swift t can o 1,350 Ricoma Marquee 2 embroidery machine ranges from twin- to six-head
INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 10 images OCTOBER 2026 CorelDraw update expands AI capabilities New AI tools have been added in an update to CorelDraw Graphics Suite. The September 2026 Update promises expanded AI capabilities, including Text-to-vector AI, allowing users to create scalable, editable vector art from scratch using text prompts or existing artworks. Other new capabilities include Enhanced PowerTrace, which offers “smarter bitmap-to-vector conversion that is up to four times faster. With improved object structure, better colour handling, precise AI-powered background removal and more, PowerTrace delivers cleaner results with fully editable shapes.” In addition, subscribers and maintenance customers can now use custom, brand, and system fonts in CorelDraw Web, “for endless typographic possibilities”. They can also export DWG and DXF files directly from the browser for accurate and productionready output. The update also promises enhanced stability and performance. imagesmag.uk/corel-sept26 Follow us on Threads @ImagesMagUK New Parently Group trade portal promises faster, simpler ordering The Parently Group has introduced a new trade portal that allows users to explore and order across its entire portfolio of children’s brands in one place. The new portal replaced the group’s current system on 16 September, and can be accessed at parentlygroup.com. From one account and a single login, retail partners can browse and buy products from every brand in the group. These include David Luke, Juco, Term, Grass & Air, Lelli Kelly Schoolwear and Little Classmates. “At the heart of the portal is a new Retailer Dashboard, giving partners complete transparency of their account — order history, invoices, credit and everything they need to know about their account in one place,” explained the company. “Retailers also gain greater visibility across every brand and of the schools and clubs they supply, backed by improved service, plus direct access to brand collateral and marketing assets through a central media hub.” Other new developments are set to be introduced over the next 12 months. The Parently Group is planning to introduce “seamless integration” with retail partners’ own EPOS systems — connecting stock and ordering straight through to the shop floor; faster, self-serve answers to retailers’ most common questions via BDM Connect, freeing up business development managers to support retailer growth; and greater visibility of embroidery and enhancement stock available to order. imagesmag.uk/trade-portal The new portal from The Parently Group brings all its brands together for easy browsing and purchasing The CorelDraw Graphics Suite September 2026 Update includes Text-to-vector AI Epson releases small-format dye-sub printer Manufacturer Epson has launched a desktop A3 dye-sub printer that promises a compact, user-friendly workflow. Unveiled on 16 September, the new SureColor SC-F300 printer provides a step-up from A4 to A3-size applications, such as decorating larger garments and a wider variety of personalised items, says Epson. The printer is designed for straightforward operation, with features including a 2.7” colour touch panel and flexible sheet feeding via front and rear cassettes. To support convenience and day-today usability, the SC-F300 uses a CISS ink tank system to reduce the frequency of ink changes, and supports mobile printing (including AirPrint and Mopria). “The SureColor SC-F300 is ideal for customers who are expanding into personalisation and short-run production,” said Chris Davies, head of product marketing C&I and BS, Epson Europe. “It’s built to make it easier for growing businesses to step up to A3 dye-sublimation with confidence – combining simple operation, flexible handling and the dependable performance users expect from Epson.” imagesmag.uk/epson-sc-f300 The new desktop SureColor SC-F300 from Epson
KK331 Engineered for modern layering, this refined full zip sweatshirt combines contemporary styling with functional detailing. Constructed from 100% cotton-faced brushed back jersey, it delivers an exceptional comfort, durability and ease of decoration. Strategically positioned quilted woven front panels provide targeted insulation while preserving a lightweight, unrestrictive fit. A brushed silver YKK zip and discreet slash pockets elevate both the design and performance. Effortlessly smart and embroidery-ready, this versatile piece transitions seamlessly across corporate, hospitality, and retail environments. KUSTOM K I T® BUY LESS BUY BETTER BUY KUSTOM KIT QUILTED FULL ZIP SWEATSHIRT BTC Activewear: 0800 0124 542 · PenCarrie: 0800 252 248 · Prestige Leisure UK: 0800 652 1234 · Ralawise: ralawise.com www.kustomkit.com
INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 12 images OCTOBER 2026 Adam Ellena is clear about the style he wants to nominate: “ At the moment, my favourite is the Heavyweight Hoodie from Just Hoods.” As the managing director of Printing on Sea, a print and embroidery business based in Clacton, Essex, he has plenty of experience when it comes to selecting the right garment. “We specialise in high-quality custom gear for businesses, teams, and other organisations, as well as retail merchandise. Established in my spare room back in 2015, we’ve grown into a business capable of handling all types of orders – from one-off singles to runs of thousands!” His reason for choosing the Just Hoods Heavyweight Hoodie is straightforward: “For the price, the quality is fantastic. It fills a huge gap in the market for heavyweight hoodies – most other options out there are very expensive by comparison, so this is something we’ve needed for a while. From the second we got our sample, we knew it was a winner. We’ve already sold hundreds to clients looking for a premium, heavy-duty feel they can offer their members or customers at a really reasonable price. “Like all Just Hoods gear, it’s really easy to decorate, but its ultrasmooth surface makes it particularly brilliant for direct-to-film (DTF) printing – you get an incredibly crisp, clean finish every time.” It’s ideal for the merchandise market, he says. “It gives brands, clubs, and creators that high-end retail look and feel that buyers love, without pushing the price out of reach.” printingonsea.co.uk Want to know what your industry colleagues really think of the garments and accessories they decorate? Each issue, one reader tells us why they rate a particular product READERS’ CHOICE Adam of Printing on Sea says the Heavyweight Hoodie from Just Hoods is fantastic quality Connect with us on LinkedIn @ImagesMagUK Wilcom rewards loyalty with new programme Embroidery software company Wilcom has introduced a new loyalty programme called Wilcom Thrive. Free for embroidery professionals to join, Thrive rewards users with points that build up to move the users into different tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Each tier unlocks a new set of benefits, including money off subscription renewals. “The tasks are things you are very likely doing already,” the company explained. “Finishing an Academy lesson or a full course. Attending a webinar. Leaving a review. Writing a few lines about how your business uses EmbroideryStudio. Giving us feedback on a beta feature. Every one of them is worth points, and every point counts toward your tier.” Over the coming months Wilcom says it will be adding challengers, point multiplier campaigns and an expanded benefits catalogue. Those wishing to join need to be a Wilcom commercial user and have a Wilcom account. imagesmag.uk/wilcom-thrive Images columnist co-authors book on disability inclusion Marshall Atkinson has co-authored a new book that aims to give garment decoration companies a practical roadmap for building disability-inclusive workforces while improving business performance. INKclusivity: Company Benefits of Disability Inclusion & How-To Implementation Guide is now available for free download, giving organisations a step-by-step roadmap to recruit, train, retain, and empower individuals with developmental disabilities. Authored by Jed Seifert and Vince Bartozzi of Stakes MFG, Patrick Bardsley and Tim Howe of Spectrum Designs, and Marshall Atkinson of Atkinson Consulting andanImages columnist, the book draws on decades of real-world experience building businesses and inclusive workforces to show companies how an often-overlooked talent pool can become a competitive advantage and redefine what businesses think is possible. Readers will learn how to launch and scale inclusive hiring programs for people with disabilities; access free support services to source, train, and retain neurodiverse talent; empower teams to move from false assumptions to meaningful action; and experience the measurable ROI (return on investment) of building an inclusive organisation. INKclusivity can be downloaded for free or you can purchase a hard copy on Amazon at INKclusivity.com/book. imagesmag.uk/inkclusivity-book INKclusivity offersa practical roadmap for building disabilityinclusive workforces Wilcom userscan join its ewloyalty rogramme ne pr
www.images-magazine.com OCTOBER 2026 images 13 INDUSTRY NEWS NH Dae Ha UK unveils ‘highest-build’ puff HTV Dae Ha UK has launched 3D Supa Puff, calling it “the garment industry’s highestbuildpuff HTV”. Manufactured by the Korean company Dae Ha, 3D Supa Puff promises “an exceptional dimension ability of up to 1cm”, creating “an awesome 3D effect”. “Whether you are looking for striking height, a bulletproof-smooth finish, or stable performance on stretch fabrics, our SupaPuff has it all and will take your designs beyond the ordinary,” says distributor Dae Ha UK, which introduced the new HTV to the UK on 2 September. It offers a heat-activated foaming layer, creating a bold, raised 3D effect, along with the ability to adjust the height of the puff by changing the heat press conditions. It is available in both matte and metallic finishes, is said to be compatible with stretchable fabrics “without cracking”, and has an adhesive backing to support clean cutting and easy weeding. It is ideal for logos and visual graphics that require visual depth, reports Dae Ha UK, andoffers “stable performance with consistent expansion results”. 3DSupaPuff is available now. imagesmag.uk/3d-supa-puff Dae Ha UK has launched 3D Supa Puff intheUK Charterhouse looks to the future with staff event Charterhouse Holdings brought colleagues from across the company together on 21 August for a company day designed to build on a series of workshops exploring how the team can work together even moreeffectively. Business management consultancy Culturev8te was chosen to lead the programme, using its Insight Discovery approach to help people at Charterhouse understand their own personalities and working styles, as well as those of their colleagues. The sessions encouraged some honest conversations about how different strengths, personalities and perspectives can complement each other. The workshops also provided an opportunity for the whole Charterhouse team to step back from the day-to-day running of the business and focus on its values, strategy and shared ambitions for the future – particularly as the company prepares for its next phase of development across its four brands Kustom Kit, Vanilla, Xpres and Adkins. The day was rounded off witha barbecue, drinks and games. “It was a brilliant day and a great opportunity for everyone to spend time together,” commented Rachel Sisson, head of culture and engagement at Charterhouse. “Of course, there was plenty of fun, but there was also a serious purpose behind it – making sure we understand our people, get the best from the talent we have and create a team that is ready for the next stage of Charterhouse’s journey.” imagesmag.uk/charterhouse-co-day Thestaff at Charterhouse enjoyed a team-building day in August Madeira launches recycled chenille thread Embroidery consumables company Madeira has launched Chenille 12. Launched on 1 October, the new thread is “the first purpose-made chenille thread produced from recycled polyester,” notes the company. “Developed specifically for chenille embroidery, Chenille 12 combines a unique looser twist with an open filament structure to create velvet-soft, uniform loops and a perfectly smooth, flat finish.” Designed for reliable, consistent production, Chenille 12 is compatible with size 90/14 needles, helping to minimise fabric damage across a wide range of materials. Its soft, durable construction makes it ideal for patches, caps, fashion details, accessories and interior applications, says Madeira. It is initially available in a choice of 34 colours, with the palette ranging from bold neon to subtle pastels, with the full range set to expand to more than 60 colours. imagesmag.uk/chenille-12 The new Chenille 12 from Madeira is currently available in 34 colours
IT ALL STARTED IN FLORENCE, ALABAMA... TEE JAYS was founded in 1976 by Terry Wylie. For 50 years, we’ve been driven by a passion for quality, craftsmanship, and timeless design. My dad, Georg, who brought TEE JAYS toEurope.
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF CRAFTSMANSHIP IT´S ALL IN THE DETAILS For more than 50 years and three generations, we have designed and engineered our products with one clear vision: to create perfectly fitted garments of uncompromising quality. Every detail, from fabric selection to construction, is considered for comfort, durability, and timeless design. CONTINUES IMPROVEMENTS The majority of TEE JAYS products are made using traceable sourced materials, including certified organic cotton and certified recycled polyester, combining premium performance with a responsible approach. The premium choice
INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 16 images OCTOBER 2026 LOVE IT! LOATHE IT! Working on one-off bespoke orders. Customers telling me they have been referred from another customer. Customers paying on time. Working for 10 years with my husband who completes the printing. Getting to know our customers. What do you love about working in the garment industry? What gets you out of bed in the morning and working late into the night? And what do you loathe? What sets you grinding your teeth and climbing the walls in frustration? Michelle Allan of The Embroidery Shop shares her pet likes and dislikes Michelle has all the thread she needs and the delivery companies are doing their job – it’s a good day! Love it! Customers that supply tops that already have a logo printed and ask us to cover up the existing logo – but their logo is mainly text. Getting asked to rush an order and the customer then does not collect until days later. Delivery companies not delivering next day as instructed. Having a panic attack when I think I might just run out of thread. Customers bringing in AI-generated images and wanting us to print them up. Loathe it! www.theembroideryshop.co.uk Would you like to share what you love and loathe about working in garment decoration? Then we'd like to hear from you. Contact us via social media (@ImagesMagUK) or email (editorial@imagesmagazine.com) using 'Love it' as the subject line. Find our trade events calendar online: www.imagesmag/events-calendar Westcoast Workwear named Southport Business of the Year Westcoast Workwear has been named Southport Business of the Year 2026. The inaugural Southport Business Awards, organised by One Media Solutions, was held on 21 August. “We were encouraged to enter by some of our customers,” said MD Tom Mills. “We always see other companies winning awards but we never really think to enter. We have always just stayed in the background and got on with things quietly. “There were around 150 nominations and we were actually entered for customer service award – it was the judges who chose the nominees for the Business of the Year Award. The judges said we continuously go above and beyond for our customers and make a huge contribution to local charities. “To win was a huge honour, we were up against some really big, well-known companies. It is our first-ever award in 30 years of trading – it’s really nice to now be the ‘awardwinning Westcoast Workwear’.” The free-to-enter awards, which were held in the Ladies Day Marquee at the Southport Flower Show, had 15 categories for local businesses to enter, along with the Business of the Year Award. imagesmag.uk/westcoast-award [L-R] The winning team: general manager Kevin Rea, distribution manager Carly-Jane Hartley, print production operative Ruby Jones, operations and digital manager Katie Ryan, and owner Tom Mills Oeko-Tex responds to new, ‘greenwashing’ rules The global organisation behind the Oeko-Tex standard has strengthened transparency and independence to be ready for stricter rules including a crackdown on “greenwashing”. It announced a reorganisation, with a clearer separation between the setting of the standard and assessment of conformity. A key trigger was the new EU Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (EmpCo, EU 2024/825) which came into effect on 27 September. The EmpCo directive strengthens the protection of consumers against greenwashing, ie misleading environmental claims. It also requires sustainability labels to be based on certification schemes with verification by independent third parties. The directive’s requirements were addressed, and adjustments made, at an early stage by the Oeko-Tex standard, which is used by the garment and textile industry to ensure transparent sustainability in manufacturing. imagesmag.uk/standard-greenwash
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INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 18 images OCTOBER 2026 Stay in the picture with our Instagram profile and stories: @imagesmaguk Garment decorator expands with direct-to-object technology Northern Irish garment decorator Cuchulainn Workwear has expanded its in-house printing capabilities by investing in Inkcups direct-to-object printing technology. It has brought promotional product production back in-house so it could offer a one-stop shop for items such as cups, pens and travel mugs as well as customised clothing. The company, based in Jonesborough, invested in two Inkcups direct-to-object machines: a Helix One benchtop cylindrical UV inkjet printer and an X5-T flatbed UV inkjet printer. They represent a “significant” investment for Cuchulainn Workwear and a major step in broadening its in-house printing capabilities. imagesmag.uk/workwear-object Travel mugs printed on the Inkcups X5-T flatbed UV inkjet printer at Cuchulainn Workwear Distributor Nova Chrome UK has expanded its direct-to-film (DTF) range with the addition of the FilmJet Mini 30/60 all-in-one DTF systems from Polyprint. The printer, powder shaker, curing unit and filtration are integrated into one platform, together with an embedded mini PC, touchscreen and RIP software, offering a complete DTF production workflow in a compact footprint. The FilmJet Mini 30 made its first UK trade show appearance on Nova Chrome’s stand at The Print Show 2026 at the end of September. “What particularly appealed to us about FilmJet Mini is how much of the DTF workflow is integrated into such a compact footprint,” commented Ryan Connolly, Nova Chrome’s business development manager. “But compactness alone is not enough: customers increasingly expect reliability, a complete system warranty and matched inks, film and powder. FilmJet Mini brings those elements together in a professional, easy-to-manage solution.” Designed to support professional DTF production from entry-level through to mid-range applications, the Polyprint FilmJet Mini is available in 33cm and 60cm versions. Both models are available with dual Epson i1600 or i3200 print heads and include automatic white-ink circulation and agitation, wet capping, media and ink sensors and anticrash protection. imagesmag.uk/nova-polyprint [L-R] Polyprint service engineer George Marsonis and Ian McDowall and Ryan Connolly of Nova Chrome UK with the FilmJet Mini Nova Chrome UK adds the Polyprint FilmJet Mini DTF series More than half of fans ditch merch sales because of queues and stockouts 97% of fans want custom merch when they go to live events, but 63% walk away from merch purchases because of long queues and outof-stock items, new research reveals. The study, carried out by digital identification specialist Avery Dennison, also revealed that 52% of fans are willing to pay upwards of $15 (£11) more for personalisation of merch during a live event. However, the research also revealed that only 20% of fans would queue for longer than 20 minutes for merch to be customised during an event. According to Avery Dennison, digital solutions are being introduced to streamline the ordering process and enhance the fan experience at live events, including its product Custom Studio. Custom Studio’s self-service ordering kiosks allow fans to browse, personalise and order merchandise in minutes. The findings from the survey of 1,400 people across the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Benelux, Italy, Spain and Portugal are published in a free-to-download white paper, From the Stands to the Store: Unlocking Untapped Revenue in Live Event Retail [imagesmag.uk/avery_ white_paper]. imagesmag.uk/avery-custommerch Research by Avery Dennison reveals that 97% of fans want custom merch when they go to live events q f
www.images-magazine.com OCTOBER 2026 images 19 AWDis creates new College Hoodie 2.0 ‘from the fabric up’ Apparel brand AWDis has expanded its collection with the addition of the College Hoodie 2.0. Built on the brand’s 18 years of garment manufacturing knowledge, the new hoodie has been “thoughtfully designed from the fabric up” and “delivers the smooth, reliable print performance decorators expect, alongside lasting durability and a comfortable fit that feels just right from the first wear”, said Andy Brown, senior brand lead at AWDis. The 280gsm hoodie uses the brand-new PurePrint501 fabric, which has been developed specifically for this style. It has the same 100% cotton face as the original College Hoodie, but uses a 20% finer yarn. This gives the garment a smoother, softer surface that provides an more even base for ink distribution, while its three-needle construction gives it a thicker, more premium hand-feel. The new hoodie’s shape has also been refined for an improved overall fit, and details have been added such as a locker patch for extra design space, a size pip for easy rebranding, and newly upgraded drawcords. The latter are made from the same yarn as the face of the fabric and are finished with metal tips in either gunmetal or silver to complement the hoodie colour. Aimed at all sectors,the College Hoodie 2.0 has already received “excellent” feedback, reports Andy. imagesmag.uk/college-hoodie-2.0 The new College Hoodie 2.0 features the brand’s also-new PurePrint501 fabric, which has 20% finer yarn for a smoother, softer surface
INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 20 images OCTOBER 2026 DECORATED PRODUCT OF THE MONTH In a time where all the talk seems to be of AI and automation, it was glorious to stumble across the comfortingly low-tech and definitely quirky golfer cap from PuffyCorbin. Founder Elizabeth Corbin had been doing machine embroidery and digitising for three years when she had a thought last year: “What if I could make designs interactive?” She opened a store on Etsy where she listed her first interactive design, a hat featuring a book with a cover that opens. “Very soon after opening the store one of my designs went viral on TikTok and the orders were coming in faster than I could fulfil, so we reinvested the money into an industrial six-head embroidery machine. I am constantly experimenting with new ways to bring thread to life so stay tuned. “The ideas really come to me in a flash, usually while I’m in the middle of something quite mundane and I then scramble to write them down in my notes app before I forget.” The joy of digitising For the golfer cap, Elizabeth did the digitising herself. “When stitching on a cap a design that looks good in the software may warp and bend when stitched, so this needed to be accounted for when digitising the golf design. “For instance, the pole in my software is really bent to the right but it doesn’t stitch out that way. Also planning the stops to lay down the string requires a bit of thought. “It’s part of the creative process that I enjoy and for this I don’t think I will ever outsource it.” The cap is a Beechfield Low Profile Vintage Cap in bottle green. She always uses Beechfield: “The quality is so good.” Alongside the six-head ZSK machine, which is a 2010 model, she also uses a modern single-head Brother. “It’s useful having the two machines in case I need to do a oneoff cap or beanie,” she explains. “I always use Madeira thread, specifically the Rayon 40 as it has a lovely shine to it, which is really useful for creating the illusion of different shades by changing the stitch angle.” The response to her caps is, she says, “always one of delight, which I love. I always find it funny that people are messaging me from their pocket-sized super-computer to tell me how clever my bead and string design is.” @puffycorbin The golfer cap from Puffy Corbin with its bead and string design Watch our latest videos on Vimeo: @imagesmaguk Girls Who Print reports on progress and opportunities for women More women are building careers and businesses in the print sector but there is still much that the industry could be doing, according to a new report from Girls Who Print. The industry network, which champions women in print around the world including the UK, has highlighted progress and opportunities in a new 2026 Industry Insights Report. It found that mentorship has become a strategic tool for retaining talent, technology fluency is becoming a leadership differentiator, and clear career pathways are essential to attracting new talent. The report revealed that more women are building businesses and pursuing entrepreneurship and reshaping what that looks like, adding: “Women-owned and women-led print businesses bring new ideas, broader leadership perspectives and innovative approaches to serving customers and growing the industry.” It identifies 10 industry insights centred on mentorship, technology, leadership, entrepreneurship, workforce development, career advancement and the emerging opportunities women see across print and graphic communications. Deborah Corn, executive director of Girls Who Print, said: “The findings point to an industry where women are embracing technology, pursuing leadership opportunities, building businesses, expanding professional networks and investing in their own career growth. “At the same time, women are looking for employers who intentionally invest in mentorship, create visibility opportunities, provide clear career pathways and actively support professional growth. “These findings represent opportunities for employers, educators, associations and industry leaders to strengthen recruitment, retention, leadership development and long-term business success by investing in people as intentionally as they invest in technology.” imagesmag.uk/girls-progress Deborah Corn, executive director of Girls Who Print
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