September 2026

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www.images-magazine.com 02 images SEPTEMBER 2026 Merchu.ai We already know your next bestseller. SHOPTALK 04 Editorial 08 Print Shop Pooches # 130 Oscar from TKing Associates 12 Readers‘ choice Alex Franklin of AM Custom Clothing 16 Love it, loathe it Shaun Barritt of Barritt Garment Printing 20 Decorated product of the month Embroidered jacket by Eagl-s Embroidery and Print 64 Up close & personal Michael Conway of Clothes2order NEWSHUB 06 Industry news HTV supplier Siser becomes part of Stahls’, Brother launches GTX300 hybrid DTG and DTF printer, Xpres introduces new dual pneumatic heat press, and One+All expands stock ranges with more colours and sizes KNOWLEDGE BASE 24 Business clinic How to get the most out of mentoring, and the Growth Guarantee Scheme expansion 26 The Lynchpin: A masterclass for garment decorators Beyond the webshop: why John Lynch believes company stores are only the beginning 31 Featured product: Sabtex cap presses Dual Heat Slide-out Cap Press and Commercial Pneumatic Dual Station Heat Press 32 Stop blaming your printer It‘s time to make peace with your digital printer – your colours aren‘t ‘off’, they‘re out of gamut, explains Jamie Turner of 1ClickPrint 33 Tony‘s travels Tony Palmer heads to Pakistan to visit ‘the engine room’ of UK high street fashion 36 Talking trends: Sweatshirts and hoodies The evolution of the oversized fit along with heavier weight fabrics and retail-quality styles are leading product development in the hoodie and sweatshirt world, reports Jonny Thomson, Gildan‘s marketing director for Europe 46 Going direct It would appear that news of the demise of direct printing methods in the face of DTF has been greatly exaggerated. We talk to manufacturers bringing new DTG systems to the market, as well as decorators that are investing in this technique 48 Views from the print shop floor Five decorators reveal why they‘ve recently invested in DTG and how it fits into their future plans 58 A better edge Maria Potter of Madeira UK demonstrates a badge-making technique that promotes quality and efficiency 60 Video star One of the most underutilised methods of brainstorming an art concept is to use video, says Marshall Atkinson. It is not underutilised because it doesn’t work, he says – it’s underutilised because nobody is talking about it 61 Wood you believe it? With Christmas fast approaching, it‘s a good time to expand your range of embroidered gifts. Jamie Hood of David Sharp explains how to branch out by stitching on to wooden items PRODUCT FOCUS 27 Profit boosters If you‘re only selling tees to your customers, you‘re missing a trick. Cross-selling – where you suggest additional, complementary products to the one a client has asked for – is a simple way to boost sales and show customers you understand their needs. From caps and beanies to socks and zipper pulls, our collection of accessories will help drive extra sales 38 Work up a sweat Innovation in sweatshirts and hoodies continues to surge, with new styles, features and colours constantly being added to these decorator favourites. Our annual showcase brings you the best out there, from boxy hoods and quilted designs to unionmade styles 52 Inkjet innovators The direct-to-garment print world has seen a steady flow of new products over the past year – with more in the pipeline – as printers continue to opt for the technique thanks to its soft hand-feel, high output and vibrant colours. Here’s a round-up of the latest buzz-generating systems 57 The end of the line Automated folding and packing equipment is a valuable yet often overlooked addition to the garment decoration process. We review three machines that will help you despatch perfectly presented orders at speed, every time 58 61 34 52 48 32 36

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www.images-magazine.com 04 images SEPTEMBER 2026 Published by: 360 Communications Ltd Images, 360 Communications Ltd, Suite 4, Floor 6, Vantage Point, New England Street, 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 SEPTEMBER 2026 VOL.35 NO.9 DIGITAL / SOCIAL 1-31 July, 2026 Impressions: 10.086 Walking the exhibition floor at the Fespa Global Print Expo in Barcelona in May, and talking to exhibitors and visitors, both during and after the show, I was left with the distinct impression that directto-garment (DTG) printing is back on decorators’ radars. (I say ‘back’; for many print shops DTG has never gone away.) “But everybody knows that DTG (and just about every other garment printing process or so it would seem!) is history – or soon will be – blown away by the unstoppable adoption of all-things DTF,” I hear you cry. Er, no. As we discover in ‘Going direct’ (page 46) and ‘Views from the print shop floor’ (page 48), DTG is alive and kicking, and could even be said to be enjoying a mini renaissance. Yes, DTF has undoubtedly eroded demand for DTG over recent years, but what we are currently seeing is what both suppliers and print shops describe as a more balanced view of what each process has to offer. The ‘DTF does it all’ mindset is slowly but surely giving way to an acceptance that DTG and DTF are complementary processes and, depending on the type of work you do, that both have a place in your business. What also struck me when we spoke with the print shops that are investing in DTG was that some of them had tried DTG before, failed to get on with it, but had been won over by the current technology. In the opinion of Zsolt Petrik, MD of Fifth Column, “Modern DTG technology has improved enormously compared to where it was even five or 10 years ago. Printers who dismissed DTG back then would probably be surprised by what today’s machines are capable of.” Readers: 500 Views: 15,798 digital edition INDUSTRY EVENTS Nic Simons, director of Shirt Monkey, goes even further: “If I were starting again from scratch and had to choose where to invest, I would choose DTG every time, with DTF added alongside it to handle the jobs where it offers a clear advantage.” Is it time, then, to take another ‘more balanced’ look at what DTG has to offer your print shop? Let me have your thoughts. At the time of writing, we are in the midst of yet another heatwave, with government emergency warnings lighting up our mobile devices. But autumn and a return to cooler temperatures is just around the corner (surely?), and with it a shift of focus to stylish mid-layers. Our annual sweatshirts and hoodies feature (‘Work up a sweat’, page 38) brings together the latest and best fleece styles for all applications, while Gildan’s Jonny Thomson provides expert insight into the latest trends in this sector – including the evolution of the oversized fit, adoption of heavier weight fabrics and the rise of retail-quality styling (page 36). Also in this issue, Tony Palmer visits a ‘production powerhouse’ in Pakistan, where he gets involved in a shoot-out between a new laser-to-screen system and the print shop’s pre-reg system. Turn to ‘Tony’s travels’ (page 33) to discover which process was left standing when the smoke cleared. We’re also delighted to have Jamie Turner, of 1ClickPrint (this month’s cover star), share his thoughts on why you should ‘Stop blaming your printer’ when colours are ‘off’ (page 32). Meanwhile, his namesake, Jamie Hood of David Sharp, gets in the Christmas spirit with a helpful guide to embroidery on wooden gift items (page 61). Jonathan Vince Views: 3,112 Pageviews 1,678 Is DTG having a moment? EDITORIAL SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 The Big Promotional Trade Show & Wearables Trade Show, Manchester, UK thebigpromotionaltradeshow.co.uk SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 Print & Stitch, Exeter, UK printandstitch.org SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2026 Printing United Expo 2026, Las Vegas, US printingunited.com SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 Print & Stitch, Birmingham, UK printandstitch.org SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 1, 2026 The Print Show & The Sign Show, Birmingham, UK theprintshow.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 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 APRIL 6-9, 2027 Fespa Global Print Expo 2027, Munich, Germany fespa.com/en/events

INDUSTRY NEWS g g 06 images SEPTEMBER 2026 Follow the links to the news stories online www.images-magazine.com Siser, the producer of heat transfer vinyl (HTV) dating back over 45 years, has become part of the Stahls’ family of companies. Based in Italy, Siser will continue to operate as a “trusted brand” after the acquisition by Stahls’, which supplies transfers, HTV, heat presses and cutters. While operating as a separate brand, Siser will collaborate with Stahls’ to “advance innovation, strengthen customer support and drive growth across global markets”. Alongside its large portfolio of HTVs, it also supplies cutters and presses. Stahls’ added that the relationship “brings together complementary expertise in materials, decoration technologies, equipment and application solutions”. Stahls’ and Siser are yet to confirm if there will be any implications for Siser’s network of distributors. imagesmag.uk/siser-stahls Siser’s headquarters in Vicenza in Italy HTV supplier Siser becomes part of Stahls’ Brother launches GTX300 hybrid DTG and DTF printer Brother has announced the launch of the GTX300 hybrid garment printer for both directto-garment (DTG) and directto-film (DTF) printing. Engineered as a “true hybrid solution”, the professionalgrade GTX300 machine allows garment decorators to switch seamlessly between DTG and DTF workflows. It was due to be launched in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at the start of September. As a hybrid, it means decorators can print onto cotton and natural garments with DTG capabilities while using DTF for customisation on polyester, blends, performance fabrics, oversized graphics and non-traditional print locations. Brother promises that the new GTX300 provides highresolution output with sharp detail, vibrant colour and durable results across both printing methods, with advanced ink flow technology for smooth gradients and precise detail. Its compact footprint of 1,295mm by 1,670mm by 583mm is intended for fitting comfortably in shops and small production spaces without sacrificing performance. The GTX300 is supported by the Brother At Your Side commitment including guided installation and onboarding tools, access to training resources and a one-year limited warranty that includes print heads. Brother’s GTX range of printers is distributed in the UK through MHM Direct GB. For more on the new Brother GTX300, turn to pages 46 and 52 of this issue. imagesmag.uk/brotherhybrid-300 The new Brother GTX300 hybrid DTG and DTF printer One+All expands stock ranges with more colours and sizes Schoolwear supplier One+All has expanded its stock colours and sizes across several key product lines in response to customer feedback. It has added ‘ink’ as a stock colour for blazers in unisex and girls styles. In addition, unisex jackets in black are now available in sizes of 26”, 50” and 52” from stock. In its popular Woodbank Sweats range, One+All has added forest, burgundy, light royal and light navy as stock colours for crew neck and cardigan styles. Its Woodbank Zipped Hoodies range has expanded with the addition of bottle, jade, maroon and purple as stock colours. Marigold has been added to the Woodbank Polos range as stock colour. All plain One+All stock garments canbe ordered today and delivered thenext working day imagesmag uk/one-allfeedback www.images-magazine.com k s a g. One+All’s blazers are now available in new stock colour, ink

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INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 08 images SEPTEMBER 2026 Follow us on Facebook: @imagesmaguk #130Oscar 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 Oscar from TKing Associates in Buckingham, Buckinghamshire Fullname: Oscar Breed: Labrador Age: 12ish (He’s a rescue so we don’t know for sure!) Time at company: Nine years Jobtitle: Senior treat quality inspector Job description: Responsible for boosting team morale and ensuring no snack goes untested. Also provides emotional support during stressful meetings and maintains strict standards for lunch breaks. Special skills: Can detect the opening of a treat packet from three rooms away. Favourite colour: Pantone 107c – our brand colours and it reminds him of his fave people! www.tkingassociates.com PRINT SHOP POOCHES Oscar waits patiently for the snack to be handed over Xpres introduces new dual pneumatic heat press Xpres has introduced a new dual pneumatic heat press to help garment printers avoid bottlenecks and make continuous production more achievable. The new Xpres HPD Dual Pneumatic Heat Press has twin platens with a smooth manual sliding heat element that lets users press one platen while loading the other. The Teflon-coated heat plate, measuring 40cm by 50cm, delivers even heat distribution across the full platen for consistent, professional results. It features positioning lasers to take the guesswork out of placement, which is especially valuable when moving quickly between garments. The pneumatic pressure adjustment makes it easy to adjust and hold consistently job after job. An increased plate-tobase gap makes loading awkward garments faster and easier. Quick-change platens are available so the same press can flex across different jobs and substrates for a broad range of products. Its safety features include a safety guard on the heat element, an emergency stop and an anti-scald plate cover. imagesmag.uk/xpres-new-dual Xpres HPD Dual Pneumatic Heat Press Small businesses seek support for revenue-boosting AI Small business owners have called on prime minister Andy Burnham to introduce measures to help companies to implement AI responsibly and boost the UK economy. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is calling for a government-backed certification scheme for responsible AI use, vouchers providing support for AI adoption, and clearer guidance and training. The FSB supported its case to Burnham and AI Minister Kanishka Narayan with a new report called The Confidence Code: The Challenges and Opportunities of AI for Small Firms. Its proposals emphasise responsible use of AI, including calls for standardised AI model cards so businesses can understand how providers use their data and who is responsible when things go wrong. imagesmag.uk/fsb-ai-use i Business owners seek support to use AI with confidence [Credit: Pexels/Bertelli Fotografia] Print Shop Pooches is sponsored byPortman & Pooch– ‘a brand’s best friend’ portmanandpooch.com

www.images-magazine.com SEPTEMBER 2026 images 09 DTF Transfers www.dtflab.co.uk Sales@dtflab.co.uk £6 Per Metre Next Day Delivery - Amazing Quality - Easy Application FOR SCHOOLWEAR SPECIALISTS THESCHOOLWEARSHOW Register Apply REMINDER: The Schoolwear Show is closer than you think. Register now. Scan to register

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 10 images SEPTEMBER 2026 Michael Conway reflects on Chris Dart’s article last month [imagesmag.uk/chris_dart] on new models of working and the benefits of outsourcing Iagree with Chris on thepressures he describes. The old growth model of adding more equipment and labour has become harder to sustain, and customer expectations have genuinely shifted toward speed, flexibility and easy repeat ordering. Where I part company is on his conclusion. Customers should care about capacity, because capacity is what actually delivers on those promises, and I am not convinced DTF (direct-to-film) is the gamechanger he presents it as. The bigger disagreement is on outsourcing and control. We have built Clothes2order around inhouse production for nearly three decades, and I do not accept that process and visibility can substitute for owning production. In my experience the businesses with the strongest resilience are the ones that keep control of what matters most to quality, turnaround and cost, not the ones that hand it to a connected chain of suppliers. Michael Conway, CEO of Clothes2order READER’S LETTER MP champions print industry after garment decoration visit Labour MP Michelle Welsh has championed manufacturing and the print sector after visiting a garment decoration supplier in Nottinghamshire. Michelle, who is MP for Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, was given a tour of Mirical Emblems in Blidworth, which employs more than 40 people. She learned about the company’s business printing heat-applied emblems, transfers and decals for businesses worldwide. “Companies like Mirical are the backbone of the economy, both locally here in Sherwood Forest and on the national stage,” she said. “The government needs to do everything in its power to make it easier for small businesses to employ, invest and grow and I will continue to champion them across Sherwood Forest and with my colleagues in Parliament.” Sporting her own personalised hi-vis safety vest printed in-house, she was joined on her visit by Mirical MD Jonathan Dul and Darren Shepherd, national membership development director at the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF). imagesmag.uk/miricalwelsh L-R] Mirical head of sales Steven arker, BPIF’s Darren Shepherd, ichelle Welsh and Jonathan Dul coll v w M a n d B F w [L Ba M Rising Star award winners celebrate at House of Lords ceremony People from across the print industry celebrated being named Rising Stars by the Printing Charity at a ceremony at the House of Lords. Lord Black of Brentwood, the charity’s president emeritus, hosted the ceremony in July for 82 winners, who between them represent the broad range and diversity of career paths and roles available within the print sector. They included Jude Corless, digital content and marketing executive at Hybrid Services, the UK and Ireland distributor for Mimaki printers. She is using funding from the Rising Star programme for professional qualifications. Now in their 17th year, the Rising Star Awards provide people aged 18 to 35 in print, paper, packaging, graphics and publishing with help so they can invest in training and development to build their skills and capabilities. Visit the Printing Charity’s website, theprintingcharity.org.uk, for a full list of Rising Star winners. imagesmag.uk/ stars-winners-2026 Lord Black of Brentwood (centre) with the 2026 Rising Star Awards winners at the House of Lords Follow us on Threads @ImagesMagUK

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INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 12 images SEPTEMBER 2026 Connect with us on LinkedIn @ImagesMagUK Choosing a favourite product is tricky, confides Alex Franklin of AM Custom Clothing, as there are lots of great brands out there which the company has a really good relationship with, such as AS Colour, Neutral, Stanley/Stella and Gildan. “However, this summer the Anthem AM010 T-Shirt has been really popular among clients,” notes Alex, who co-founded the sustainable print and embroidery company. “This product works well as it’s a good all-rounder. Stock levels are generally good and it’s at a price point that makes it accessible to the wider market. Combine that with the fact it’s organic cotton, it resonates really well with sustainability conscious customers, who are actively looking for organic options.” Another top point is its versatility. “It’s great for almost every production method, whether you need to screen print, DTG or anything else, it holds up. We especially like it for DTG printing.” As for its target audience, Alex explains: “With a more fitted silhouette, we’ve found this to be really popular for band merch and brands kitting out teams where they want something a little more fitted.” amcustomclothing.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 Alex with his top choice this summer, the Anthem T-shirt Soyang Europe launches paper-based alternative to PET DTF film Soyang Europe has expanded its direct-to-film (DTF) range with paper-based transfer media offeringan environmentally conscious alternative to conventional PET transfer film. Named Soyang DTF Paper, the new product is a singlesided release-coated transfer paper featuring anti-static treatment and a hot-peel release. Designed for use with digital inkjet DTF printers running water-based pigment inks, the media can be recycled through standard paper waste streams, helping print businesses reduce plastic waste. Developed to slot seamlessly into existing DTF production environments, Soyang DTF Paper promises the same reliable transfer performance and high-quality print results that users expect, while offering a more sustainable option for garment decoration. The material is Oeko-Tex certified, confirming it has been independently tested against internationally recognised standards for harmful substances. Available in 60cm by 100m rolls, Soyang DTF Paper is suited to a wide range of applications including d garments, sportswear otional esmag.uk/ ng-paper Soyang Europe’s environmentally conscious transfer paper for DTF printing g pp personalised workwear, s andpromo clothing. image soyan Gildan upbeat as sales rise despite ‘economic uncertainty’ Blank garment manufacturer Gildan Activewear has stated it will continue to “control what we can control” as it navigates global “economic uncertainty”. The Canadian group reported that net sales from continuing operations in the three months to 28 June were US$1.58bn (£1.18bn) – up 72.3% over the same quarter in the previous year. The uplift followed its acquisition of garment supplier HanesBrands in December. It updated in July that integration is going well and it is ready to sell HanesBrands Australia (HAA) for around AUS$700 million (£365 million) to BBFIT Investments Pte Ltd. Combined with the first quarter, Gildan’s net sales from continuing operations for the first six months to 28 June were up 68.6% to $2.75 billion (£2.1 billion). imagesmag.uk/gildan-control Gildan Activewear offers a range of brands internationally

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 14 images SEPTEMBER 2026 Find our trade events calendar online: imagesmag.uk/events-calendar YESoffers free workshops in garment decoration innovation Supplier YES Group is running three days of free innovation workshops this September. The print, embroidery and apparel innovation workshops will take place at YES Group’s headquarters in Mansfield in Nottinghamshire from 8 to 10 September. They will showcase the latest developments in commercial embroidery, direct-to-film (DTF) printing and UV printing through live demonstrations, practical workshops and expert advice. Each day will focus on a different area of the industry, giving visitors the opportunity to see new technology in action, learn techniques to improve productivity and profitability, and speak directly with engineers, manufacturers and industry specialists. The event will also see the launch of Sunny Studio, a new initiative designed to support crafters and startup businesses looking to enter the embroidery industry. A number of industry partners have already confirmed their attendance, including Absolute Apparel, Embroidery Academy, HPC Laser and the East Midlands Chamber. Attendance is free, but registration in advance via store.yesltd.co.uk is required. imagesmag.uk/yes-workshops A previous training day for garment decorators at YES Group DecoNetwork garment decoration platform adds Absolute Apparel Absolute Apparel has become the latest wholesale garment supplier to partner print shop management platform DecoNetwork in the UK. The new integration gives UK garment decorators and resellers an easy way to add, sell, quote and manage Absolute Apparel’s comprehensive range of products inside DecoNetwork. It joins a growing roster of suppliers and brands integrated with DecoNetwork, including AS Colour, BTC Activewear, Cottonridge, Gildan, Orn, PenCarrie, Prestige Leisure, Ralawise, Stormtech, TheMagicTouch UK, Uneek and United Brands of Scandinavia. imagesmag.uk/absolute-deco Garments from Absolute Apparel are now available through DecoNetwork DTF ink specialist Inkloft launches with roster of DuPont Artistri inks Inkloft, a new specialist digital printing business, has announced its entry into the direct-to-film (DTF) market after being appointed as a distributor of DuPont Artistri DTF products, including P1600 inks and Artistri Jettable Adhesive JA1100. The company, which has been founded by Gary Weyman and Andy Hancock, has been established to provide customers with access to “high-quality digital printing inks, backed by genuine industry knowledge and experience”. Inkloft says its launchoffering will focus on the DuPont Artistri P1600 range, “providing DTF printers and businesses with access to a proven ink technology from a specialist supplier”. Co-founder Gary Weyman brings decades of experience working with DuPont and extensive knowledge of its digital printing ink portfolio. Andy Hancock brings a wealth of experience from an ink perspective as owner of Mexar, a specialist inkjet development company, since 2007. “Inkloft has been created because we believe there is an opportunity to offer an open approach to the DTF market – genuine product knowledge, straightforward advice and easy access to high-quality inks,” said Gary. “Having spent decades working with DuPont, I know the goal of the Artistri business is to deliver innovation to customers and we can’t wait to promote the latest technology aimed at improved workflow and softer hand-feel: Jettable Adhesive from Artistri.” The launch represents the first step in Inkloft’s ambition to build a specialist online destination for digital printing inks, combining convenient online purchasing with knowledgeable, industry-focused support. Artistri P1600 inks will be available to purchase directly through the Inkloft website, inkloft.co.uk. imagesmag.uk/inkloft-launch DuPont’s Jettable Adhesive is available from Inkloft, a new specialist digital printing business

FREE PARKING 9am-4pm LIVE demonstrations Expert advice B2B connections Exclusive offers Upcoming Shows Order Tickets Online www.printandstitch.org FREE ENTRY | FREE PARKING | FREE REFRESHMENTS THE UK’S LEADING Branding & Promotional ROADSHOW 22 SEPTEMBER 24 SEPTEMBER 20OCTOBER 22OCTOBER EXETER BIRMINGHAM LONDON LIVERPOOL SandyPark Cranmore Park Sandown Racecourse Aintree Racecourse

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 16 images SEPTEMBER 2026 Stay in the picture with our Instagram profile and stories: @imagesmaguk LOVE IT! LOATHE IT! Owning a business in the local community. Working for and by myself. I love being able to listen to whichever music or podcasts I like during work! The creativity of working in the print industry Thedifferent array of clients I get to work with day in, day out. Seeing photos of my work in action. 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? Shaun Barritt of Barritt Garment Printing shares his pet likes and dislikes Shaun is happy the mock-ups are in and his music is on Love it! Fake orders from scam email accounts. People being confused as to why local businesses can’t price things as low as Temu. January blues! Last-minute customers who don’t confirm design mock-ups in time. When tricky customers don’t get why ordering one print isn’t the same price as when they ordered 20prints. Loathe it! www.barrittprints.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. Daiber unveils new styles in sportswear and activewear catalogue Garment supplier Gustav Daiber has added a range of running gear as p of its latest sports and activities catalogue. The company has expanded its range of functi styles with Ladies and Men’s Running Tank Tops, the Ladies’ and Men’s Running T-Shirt, and the Ladies’ and Men’s Running Long-Sleeve Shirt. They are all made with Global Recycled Standard (GRS) materials and feature Climactive technology for intelligent climate regulation and reliable performance. Other new products with GRS materials include the Ladies’ and Men’s Sports Structured Fleece Jackets and the WeatherResistant Ladies’ and Men’s Sports Softshell Jacket. The range also features a new Ladies’ and Men’s Running Jacket. Also new are some Ladies’ and Men’s Running Shorts, Ladies’ and Men’s Running Pants, a Seven-Panel Sports Cap, a Unisex Raincoat, and a Ladies’ or Men’s Three-In-One Jacket with GRS materials. The sportswear and activewear catalogue available as a free download at daiber.de/en/catalog/and is also available in printed form in English and German. imagesmag.uk/daiber-activities e s art s onal ’ and Daiber’s 2026 sportswear and activewear catalogue Atlantis Headwear enlists Pal to support brand Atlantis Headwear has created a new brand character, called Pal, who will appear across digital content, events and other communications. The headgear supplier came up with the cartoon figure, wearing a large yellow cap, to “make the stories behind our work easier to understand at a glance”. Pal will appear across Atlantis Headwear’s communications as a guide helping customers understand materials, processes, sustainability, collaborations and product choices. He is described as “a simple, versatile and recognisable character designed to make what we do more immediate and the way we tell it more accessible. “His role is to make what happens within the Atlantis Headwear world easier to follow adding a narrative layer that bri continuity, recognisability and c imagesmag.uk/atlantis-pal Atlantis Headwear’s new character, Pal d w, ngs clarity.”

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 18 images SEPTEMBER 2026 Watch our latest videos on Vimeo: @imagesmaguk Fespa Awards open for entries from garment decorators Industry association Fespa is calling on garment decorators to enter the print and signage sector’s 2027 Fespa Awards, which have now opened for entries. It has announced all 18 categories for 2027 including an award for excellence in printed garments, including screen printing, direct-to-garment printing, transfers, and dye-sublimation printing on pre-made garments. Another category seeks the best in special effects on T-shirts, garments and other textiles, and there is also a category for excellence in roll-to-roll printed textiles, plus the the Young Star Award, which celebrates the next generation of print professionals aged 16 to 25 either working as an apprentice or a student. The closing date for entries via fespaawards.com is 2 December. Physical entries need to be sent in for judging between 1 November and 5 January 2027. The awards are open to work completed between December 2024 and December 2026. All shortlisted entries will be displayed throughout Fespa Global Print Expo 2027 in Munich in Germany from 6 to 9 April 2027. The winners will be announced during the Fespa Awards ceremony held alongside the exhibition. imagesmag.uk/fespa27-entries The Fespa Awards ceremony in Barcelona alongside Fespa 2026 The Big Trade Shows change venue as they head to Manchester The Big Wearables Trade Show and The Big Promotional Trade Show return in September to Manchester. The venue will be The Point at Emirates Old Trafford, home of Lancashire County Cricket Club – not Manchester United as originally announced due to circumstances beyond the organisers’ control. Taking place on Thursday 17 September from 10am to 3pm, it will feature new products plus new ranges and catalogues being launched in the fourth quarter of 2026 by 60 exhibitors including garment suppliers and brands. The BPMA will host a series of talks on key industry topics throughout the day. Other show features include “Meet the Boss”, where visitors will have a chance to put questions to the business owners and senior leaders from the exhibiting companies. At 2pm, the exhibition floor will pause for the Lunch‘n’Meet networking buffet where visitors and exhibitors can connect, catch up with industry peers and spark new business conversations. imagesmag.uk/wearable-trafford Emirates Old Trafford is the new venue for The Big Trade Shows this month Kornit reports revenue rise amid shift from analogue to digital Kornit Digital has reported “clear momentum” in the shift from analogue to digital in garment printing as it reports increasing revenues. The digital equipment manufacturer increased total revenues by 11% to US$55.3 million (£41 million) in the three months to 30 June 2026, with recurring revenues up by 79% to US$33.8 million (£25 million). This has followed growth for Kornit’s pay-perprint All-Inclusive Click (AIC) pricing model and increasing usage of its systems by customers as well as continued positive cash flow generation. CEO Ronen Samuel said: “We enter the second half of the year with a healthy pipeline and continued momentum across both new customers and our existing installed base.” imagesmag.uk/kornit-momentum Kornit Digital CEO Ronen Samuel

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 20 images SEPTEMBER 2026 View daily news updates at: www.images-magazine.com DECORATED PRODUCT OF THE MONTH Left-chest designs might be one of the most popular orders at Eagl-s Embroidery and Print, but owner Gary Thornton decided to extend his wings recently by creating this stunning eagle design. “I like to push this process from time to time,” he says. “To create a unique design to showcase what our machinery can do.” Designed to demonstrate how embroidery can be great artwork as well as a workwear staple, the stitched jacket also doubles as a great conversation starter, Gary explains. “I follow a few embroiderers on socials, Mr Tees being one, and saw a recent post he made: imagesmag.uk/mr-tees. I thought it would be amazing to create an Eagl-s version to showcase our skills and wear when networking so potential clients can see a little of what we can do – to let the embroidery speak for itself. “I wanted an eagle for obvious reasons and a Yorkshire Rose, with us being from Doncaster.” Gary used AI to help create the image and the result was a design with more than 220,000 stitches, 14 colours, more than 1.5km of thread and a five-hour run time. “The Tajima TMEZ, which I ran the design on, ran absolutely faultlessly. No needle or thread breaks, no pull outs, just consistent running for five hours. This is down to the machinery (obviously), quality Madeira threads and a well digitised file.” It was stitched onto a Navigate Hybrid Hooded Jacket from Regatta Professional. eagl-s.co.uk It took five hours to run this 220,000-stitch embroidery Garment decorators invest in digital thanks to Made Smarter Garment decorators and suppliers are investing in digital technologies to boost productivity and create jobs through grants from the government-backed Made Smarter programmes. JFM Workwear, based in Huyton in Merseyside, invested £22,000 in a bespoke customer portal to digitise and automate the customer journey, supported by an £11,000 Made Smarter grant. Branded clothing and merchandise company Involution, based in Leeds, invested £20,000 in automated printing and cutting machines, supported by a £10,000 Made Smarter grant. They are among a swathe of small and medium-sized businesses to receive grants and other support from the Made Smarter digitaltransformation programmes in the north-west, south-east and Yorkshire. The customer portal project at JFM Workwear is forecast to create three new jobs and upskill two existing roles while improving efficiency and enhancing the customer experience. Director Kevin Maloney, who runs the business with co-owner Josh Maloney, said: “The support from Made Smarter gave us the confidence to invest in technology that will help us scale, create new employment opportunities, and equip our team with valuable new digital skills.” imagesmag.uk/smarter-digital Josh Maloney, co-owner of JFM Workwear Extreme heatwave in Pakistan and India hits cotton prices Garment manufacturers face a potential rise in the price of cotton because of record-breaking temperatures in Pakistan and India. According to media reports, an extreme heatwave and a lack of rainfall in cotton-growing parts of Pakistan and northern India, such as Punjab and Sindh, have led to a fall in crop yields. The heat has caused wilting as well as pest infestations such as mites and lice, which have stunted plant growth. The Punjab Agriculture Department issued emergency advice to farmers to reduce water usage, urging them to curb the amount they irrigate their crops. Pakistan Cotton Ginners Forum reported that because of the drop in yields, cotton prices surged by more than 5% in the space of just one week in July to 19,000 Pakistani rupees (£51) per maund (40 kilograms). imagesmag.uk/pakistan-heatwave Workers on a Better Cotton farm in Pakistan [Credit: Better Cotton]

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 22 images SEPTEMBER 2026 Follow us on Bluesky @imagesmaguk.bsky.social David Sharp has announced two senior leadership appointments designed to support the group’s continued growth across digitising, production and online fulfilment services. One of its directors, Dominic Bunce, has been appointed managing director of David Sharp Digitising and sister company David Sharp International. With 26 years’ experience in the garment decoration industry, Dominic will lead the group’s embroidery digitising and vector artwork operations. At the same time, he will lead on expanding production support services including direct-to-film (DTF) transfers and David Sharp’s consumables range. JamieHood, who remains a director within the David Sharp Group, has become managing director of Disgu. com – the complete store-management service for trade customers. Bringing 21 years of industry experience, he will lead growth of Disgu providing webstore set-up, garment printing, embroidery, order fulfilment and direct delivery for the print-on-demand and embroidery-ondemand sector. Jamie has played a central role in David Sharp’s development, combining technical embroidery expertise with a strong focus on efficient, commercially practical production, and he will continue this role alongside his Disgu appointment. imagesmag.uk/sharp-leadership Corra Anderson has been appointed to the role of communications executive at garment supplier Prestige Leisure UK. In her new role, she is working closely with customers, turning their feedback, ideas and experiences into resources that help businesses stay informed, solve challenges and spot new opportunities. These conversations will influence the content that Prestige Leisure UK creates across blogs, emails, product guides and marketing resources. By listening to customers, it can make sure everything it produces is practical, relevant and designed to help them grow their businesses. imagesmag.uk/prestige-corra Garment brand AS Colour is continuing its growth in the UK with the appointment of James MacDonald asUK sales representative for northern England. He joins from a background across fashion, sport, retail and fitness, with a focus on business development, key account management and building long-term partnerships. The expansion of the UK team will allow AS Colour – headquartered in New Zealand – to further grow relationships with trade partners across the country. AS Colour is also expanding in retail internationally and now has 31 retail locations across the globe, including new UK stores in Bristol, Newcastle and Leeds alongside its original site in Shoreditch in London. imagesmag.uk/as-james Print equipment supplier Soyang Europe has appointed a new commercial director to help drive the continued growth and development of its hardware. AndyWebbhas joined the company after a career spanning senior roles with major print technology manufacturers that included Fujifilm andCanon. His team has also added a new wideformat print specialist, Ian Windebank, who brings extensive print experience including 11 years with InkTec Europe. Mark Mashiter, group CEO of Soyang Europe, said the appointments would significantly strengthen the company’s hardware business while enabling it to provide an even higher level of support to customers. imagesmag.uk/soyang-webb CHANGING FACES Dominic Bunce JamieHood Corra Anderson James MacDonald AndyWebb Garment decoration group renews ties with football club Charterhouse Holdings, the group behind Xpres, Adkins, Kustom Kit and Vanilla, has renewed its historic ties with Shepshed Dynamo football club. Luke Clayton, executive chairman of Charterhouse, has become the new chairman of the Leicestershire club, following in the footsteps of his father, Maurice. Maurice, the founder of Leicestershire-based Charterhouse, backed the club during a successful period in the 1970s and 1980s and was at one time chairman. The partnership means the equipment and garment supplier will be Shepshed Dynamo’s main shirt sponsor for the forthcoming season. Luke said: “It’s an exciting time for everyone at the Shepshed Dynamo. We want to help build an even stronger, selfsustaining pillar of the community. “Charterhouse Holdings and Shepshed Dynamo both share deep local roots. By aligning the two, we aim to bring fresh energy, boost local funding and make this club a true centre of gravity for the 15,000 people of Shepshed.” imagesmag.uk/charterhouse-shepshed Charterhouse Holdings chairman Luke Clayton (right) with outgoing Shepshed Dynamo chairman Mick Sloan

www.images-magazine.com SEPTEMBER 2026 images 23 INDUSTRY NEWS NH These shows are closed trade events. Only bona fide distributors and resellers of business gifts, promotional merchandise and printwear may attend. Suppliers, manufacturers and their affiliates and all service providers must exhibit to be able to attend. *Last admission 1 hour before close. Nothing compares to real life and live events, so register now and get engaged! The BIG Promotional Trade Shows arethe promotional merchandise and wearables events to get to this autumn. REGISTER NOW! www.thebigpromotionaltradeshow.co.uk incorporating thePromotional, Wearables andNew Products Trade Shows. SHOWS VENUES IDEAS Experience the future ofmerch •MORETHAN60KEY SUPPLIERS & BRANDS • SEE ALL THE LATEST PRODUCTS • SAMPLES, CATALOGUES, & IDEAS • REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED ALLDAY • CONVENIENT LOCATIONS • FREE TO ATTEND • FREE PARKING INTERESTED IN EXHIBITING NEXTYEAR? We’re fully booked for 2026, but you can showcase your products at the pre-eminent regional exhibitions for the promotional merchandise & printwear industry in 2027. enquiries@thebpts.co.uk 0333 77 22 312 PROMOTIONAL MERCHANDISE WEARABLES BUSINESS GIFTS PRINTWEAR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS HEADWEAR SYSTEMS & MORE Your Brand Ambassador HEADLINE SPONSOR SUPPORTED BY SPONSORED BY 17 SEP 2026 10AM-3PM* CHANGE OF VENUE! MANCHESTER Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire CC, M16 0PX LONDON HEATHROW Marriott London Heathrow, UB3 5AN 15 OCT 2026 10AM-3PM* Lunch’n’Meet Have a chat and a bite to eat, from2pm Meet the Boss Graduates celebrate training achievements at BPMA ceremony Professionals working in garment decoration and promotional merchandise celebrated their training achievements at a graduation ceremony run by the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA). They came from across the UK to an event at the House of Commons in London after completing the BPMA’s Trained in Promotional Merchandise (TPM) and Certified in Promotional Merchandise (CPM) courses. The event, which took place in July, provided graduates with a chance to connect with fellow learners, colleagues and industry peers. imagesmag.uk/bpma-grads Events specialist partners Avery Dennison to enhance garments Eventshop, a specialist in technology for sports and music events, has teamed up with digital identification company Avery Dennison to enhance garments with interactive labels. Through their new strategic partnership, fans can now interact with a label with nearfield communication (NFC) technology by simply tapping their smartphone on it. This launches the Eventshop online platform to unlock personalised exclusive experiences in-stadium and beyond. This interactive journey can include exclusive content such as behind-the-scenes footage, interactive polling, VIP early access to exclusive offerings and personalised perks featuring hidden rewards. The collaboration draws on Avery Dennison’s Embelex embellishments with connectivity technology using NFC and QR codes. imagesmag.uk/ eventshop-label Eventshop’s partnership with Avery Dennison uses the mem-re platform TPM and CPM graduates at the BPMA ceremony at the House of Commons

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT www.images-magazine.com 24 images SEPTEMBER 2026 Expert advice on the business of running a garment decoration company How can I get the most out of mentoring? I had spent over £100,000 on coaching, masterminds, courses, and frameworks before I had a conversation that changed anything real. After eight years in the British Army Intelligence Corps, including four deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, I was trained to read people and situations really well. But, ironically, I wasn’t trained to understand myself. I could perform composure under pressure better than almost anyone, which meant the fear underneath stayed hidden. By every external measure, I was doing well, following the advice I was given. Yet I was quietly hollowing out, and nothing I was spending addressed the root of it all. Then I met my first real coach. Instead of offering another formula, they asked who I was and why I was here. Later, they told me something no one else had: “You’re operating from fear. Nobody makes good decisions from fear.” That single observation created a bigger shift than £100,000 of personal development ever had. What it actually is The coaching industry is enormous and inconsistent. At its worst, it is someone selling you a framework for a problem they have never personally solved. At its best, it is someone who has genuinely been where you are, found the path back, and is willing to hold you accountable to the real version of yourself. A mentor shares direct experience. A coach creates the conditions for you to find your own answers, and the best relationships contain both. The most important thing either can offer is not information, but precision. The ability to name what is actually happening underneath the thing you think is the problem. Why it matters Most high-performing people already have enough information. The gap is the distance between knowing something intellectually and actually changing the way you operate. The founders and leaders I work with can describe their own patterns with considerable precision. What they cannot do is change them, because the conditions for genuine change have never been created. Research by Harvard Business Review found that coaching can deliver an ROI of up to 5–7 times the initial investment, particularly in leadership contexts. The person running a business is a major part of the business, and when they change, everything downstream changes with it. How to find the right person Be suspicious of anyone who sells the outcome before understanding the problem, and look for credibility from lived experience rather than certification. You can feel the difference in the first conversation. On referrals: they are useful but can be curated. If you are unsure, ask to speak directly to previous clients and ask them specifically about results, not just the experience. Be alert to anyone who has been coached into believing the programme was sound, but they personally weren’t ready or capable enough to benefit from it. I have met people who have sold programmes on behalf of others, which they had never even benefited from! That framing is one of the industry’s oldest deflections, and it is a red flag, not a disclaimer. Watch how a coach conducts themselves from the very first interaction. A coach with genuine confidence in their work does not need your business badly enough to compromise their standards to get it. If they are texting you at midnight or chasing you repeatedly, that neediness will show up in the work. The best coaches have clear boundaries from the start. Not because they are cold or indifferent, but because someone with no boundaries cannot help you find yours. How to get the most from it Arrive honestly. The most expensive thing in any coaching relationship is the performance you put on in the early sessions while you decide whether to trust the process. The sooner you drop it, the faster things move. Be willing to be wrong about what the problem is. In my experience, on both sides of the table, it is almost always something underneath what you came in thinking it was. On the cost and the time I understand why both are off-putting. But consider the alternative: continuing to operate from the same state, making the same decisions, and watching the same things stay stuck. I spent years assuming I would figure it out myself. The months I spent believing that had a cost I only calculated later, in the relationships that drifted and the decisions I made from anxiety dressed up as confidence. The investment in the right person, at the right time, is not a cost. It is the highest-leverage decision available toyou. BenPrice, founder of The Kingmaker development programme, works with founders, business owners and leaders, helping them improve decision-making, build resilience, navigate growth challenges and avoid the isolation that often comes with running a business. Through mentoring, he supports SME leaders to develop the confidence, clarity and leadership skills needed to grow sustainable businesses. coachbenprice.com Q&A

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