luxury stretch polo OUTSTANDING QUALITY SINCE 1976
A C 0 0 4 J KIDS Academy Polo Fabric Content: 50% Cotton/ 50% Polyester Fabric Weight: 220gsm Size : XS-XXL KIDS A C 0 0 1 J kids Academy Raglan Sweatshirt Fabric Content: 80% Ringspun Cotton/20% Polyester Fabric Weight: 280gsm Size : XS-XXL Green Navy PENCARRIE: 0800 252248 | PRESTIGE LEISURE: 0800 6521234 RALAWISE: 0800 212180 | RALAWISE IRELAND: 1 800 599599 White @awdisacademy
@justcoolbyawdis J C 0 4 0 J KIDS COOL POLO Fabric Content: 100% Polyester Fabric Weight: 140gsm Size : XS-XL J C 0 0 1 J k i d s c o o l t Fabric Content: 100% Polyester Fabric Weight: 140gsm Size : XS-XL Purple Sapphire Blue Sun Yellow J H 0 0 1 J KIDS HOODIE Fabric Content: 80% Ringspun Cotton / 20% Polyester Fabric Weight: 280gsm Size : XxS-XL J H 2 0 1 J KIDS Organic HOODIE Fabric Content: 80% Ringspun Cotton / 20% Polyester Fabric Weight: 280gsm Size : XxS-XL Baby Pink Burgundy Bottle Green Orange Crush @justhoodsbyawdis www.awdisbrands.com
www.images-magazine.com 02 images MAY 2023 SHOP TALK 04 Editorial 08 Print Shop Pooches #90 Angel and Loki from BS Embroidery Plus 12 Decorated product of the month 20 Readers’ choice 72 Up close & personal Karen Sutton of PenCarrie NEWS HUB 06 Industry news Adelco launches its first DTF printer, Target Transfers takes over Jester Prints production, and a tribute to Mick Minster KNOWLEDGE BASE 26 Fespa Global Print Expo 2023: Preview Take our whistle-stop tour of the must-see stands at the Fespa show in Munich 28 Promotion & Branding 2023: Preview The popular roadshow returns this month. Annette Sucharewycz of GS UK lists the reasons you should attend 30 Business Clinic What’s the best way to handle an employee dying, and is a brochure or ecommerce website better for your business? 34 Anatomy of a print Will Petersen breaks down how Monster Press created this detailed screen print with its delicate shadowing 52 Cool for caps Get a head start in embroidery on caps with Erich Campbell’s top decoration tips 54 Press ahead Heat press suppliers advise on what to look for when buying a new heat press, the key specs that every press should have, and which machine is best suited for your business 64 Ask Tony Craig Swanston, print manager at Custom Planet, asks: “What is the best mesh tension for garment printing and why is it so important to use the right tensions?” 65 The easy way to build badges Jamie Hood of David Sharp reveals how you can make badges in-house without investing in new machinery 66 ‘Viva’ la difference Learn how the team at MagnaColours used multiple special effects inks to create a unique screen print celebrating viva magenta – the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2023 68 Are your shop habits killing your business? Habits can be broken – especially if they are bad ones. Marshall Atkinson explains how to assess and change habits around the workplace PRODUCT FOCUS 40 Club together From student unions to college clubs and societies, bring the whole team together with these stylish, brandable wearable options from top industry suppliers 47 Jump in head first Get the heads up on the latest brandable headwear and footwear styles that will help your customers to put their best (and most stylish) foot forward this season 58 Hot under the cover From versatile conveyor and tunnel dryers to entry-level calender and heat presses, we turn up the heat on the current innovations in drying and curing systems INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT 36 Fit for business Katie Chedotal tells Images how she fulfilled her goal of turning her passions into a successful garment printing and embroidery business, Found on a Curb CONTENTS luxury stretch polo OUTSTANDING QUALITY SINCE 1976 38 38 47 36 34 40 66 54
ection. NEWFOR 2023 PUColle Matte BG330 Matte PU Accessory Pouch BAGBASE.COM PENCARRIE 0800 252 248 | RALAWISE 0800 212 180 BTC ACTIVEWEAR 0800 012 4542 | PRESTIGE LEISURE UK 0800 652 1234 © 2023 – Beechfield Brands Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
www.images-magazine.com 04 images MAY 2023 Published by: 360 Communications Ltd Images, 360 Communications Ltd, Citibase Brighton, 95 Ditchling Road, Brighton, BN1 4ST, UK 01273 748482 | www.images-magazine.com Advertising: advertising@images-magazine.com Editorial: editorial@images-magazine.com Subscriptions: subscriptions@images-magazine.com | Images is free of charge to UK subscribers Publisher/advertising: Jonathan Vince | jonathan@images-magazine.com Features editor: Rachael Glazier | rachael@images-magazine.com News editor: Mark Ludmon | mark@images-magazine.com Publishing assistant: Gaby Bowring | gaby@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. EDITORIAL As an item of promotional merchandise, headwear is pretty much unrivalled in terms of visibility – even in a crowd, a logo or message on a cap or hat will be seen, simply by virtue of being worn on your head. Favoured by everyone from professional sportspeople and music artists to tradespeople, fashionistas and kids in the playground, decorated headwear represents the perfect marriage of functionality and street cred; visibility and affordability. It’s with impeccable timing, then, that we showcase the latest headwear (and footwear) styles (page 47). What’s more, Erich Campbell provides some cool tips and expert advice on how to achieve the best embroidered results on caps (page 52), while headwear specialist Beechfield shares a simple step-by-step guide to printing DTF or HTV transfers on its popular Circular Patch Beanie (page 50). This beanie features a built-in badge on the front that is specifically designed for ease of printing: clever. Speaking of badges, Jamie Hood of digitiser David Sharp gets with the programme and explains how to make sew-on badges the easy way, and without having to invest in new machinery (page 65). Once you’ve picked out your preferred cap and hat styles from the headwear showcase pages, and picked up some handy pointers on how to decorate them from our contributors, then all that remains is to decide on the design you are going to print or embroider. Given that every royal event attracts mass interest and attention, why not start by putting together a Coronation-themed collection, if you haven’t already, using the official Coronation emblem, which is free to download and use? (Download link: imagesmag.uk/coronation-emblem.) The good news for your customers is that, unlike their new King, they will get the pleasure of wearing their own Coronation headwear for years to come! Jonathan Vince SUBSCRIBE Register now to receive your own monthly copy of Images: imagesmag.uk/subscribe UPDATE CONTACT DETAILS Moved to new premises? WFH? Update your details online: imagesmag.uk/subs-update MAY 2023 VOL.32 NO.5 IMAGES DIGITAL STATS 1 March-31 March, 2023 www.images-magazine.com Users: 27,952 Page views: 33,694 Top post: 290 views @ImagesMagUK Impressions: 5,178 Top tweet: 506 impressions Profile visits: 260 @ImagesMagUK Reach: 3,386 Page visits: 328 @imagesmaguk Reach: 2,723 Profile visits: 332 Businesses are encouraged to use the official Coronation emblem, which is freely available for download, for commercial purposes Crowning glory This month promises to be an especially exciting, not to mention historic, one for fans of the British Royal Family, as loyal subjects throughout the land celebrate the Coronation of Charles III. In keeping with tradition, Charles will wear the St Edward’s Crown when he is officially declared King during the Coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May. This crown, which was made for the coronation of Charles II in 1661, is fashioned from solid gold, weighs 2.26kg and is encrusted with no fewer than 444 gemstones. After the Coronation, it will be returned to the Tower of London until Charles’s heir is crowned – 6 May is the first and last time King Charles will ever wear it. Unlike his majesty, most of us won’t ever get to wear such a splendid item of headgear, and you won’t find any solid gold headwear on the garment distributors’ shelves either. However, what you will find is the humble baseball cap and beanie, the value of which to the garment printer and embroiderer (and their customers) should not be underestimated.
www.justcoolbyawdis.com @justcoolbyawdis JC013 Mint JC088 Jet Black JC013 Mint JC005 French Navy JC005 Kelly Green JC013 WOMEN’S OPENBACK T NEWSTYLE Fabric: 100% Polyester Weight: 140gsm Size: XS-XL PENCARRIE: 0800 252248 | PRESTIGE LEISURE: 0800 6521234 RALAWISE: 0800 212180 | RALAWISE IRELAND: 1 800 599599 Mint Jet Black Arctic White Digital Lavender JC005 WOMEN’S COOL T Fabric: 100% Polyester Weight: 140gsm Size: XS-XXL Sky Blue Jade Hyper Pink Digital Lavender NEW COLOURS
INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 06 images MAY 2023 Follow the links to the news stories online www.images-magazine.com Adelco unveils its first DTF printer system Screen print specialist Adelco has unveiled its first direct-to-film (DTF) system with four print heads and an automated feeding powder shaker. For use with pigment inks, it prints high-definition designs onto 600mmwide PET transfer film and passes it through a one-metre heating tunnel for drying and finishing. With an easy-to-use touchscreen and a high-aluminium milling frame, Adelco’s DTF printer comes with an advanced mechanical control system that ensures stable printing. Features include a precision paper pinch roller to ensure accuracy and stability of the paper, an advanced capping station to keep ink flow fluent, and an ink alarm system to avoid problems caused by ink shortage. It has an anti-collision device to prevent any collisions between the Epson print heads and the trolley, an Siser targets crafters planning a business via Hobbycraft Arts and crafts retailer Hobbycraft has introduced Siser’s new Juliet digital cutting machine alongside other products that could help turn hobbies into a business. The state-of-the-art high-definition Juliet cutter is up to 60% faster than other desktop cutters and almost twice as quiet, capable of precision cutting of heat transfer vinyl and other materials such as adhesive vinyl, cardstock and craft foam. Hobbycraft has also introduced a craft heat press and a range of vinyl and accessories from Siser, which specialises in heat-transfer materials for application onto garments and other textiles. Selling through more than 100 stores and online, Hobbycraft announced the introduction of the Siser products saying: “The possibilities are endless and can even help makers launch their own small business.” Well established in the garment decoration industry, Siser’s products are distributed in the UK by Grafityp UK. imagesmag.uk/hobbycraft-siser Adelco’s new DTF printer and powder shaker machine industrial motor drive for highspecification efficiency and a built-in air purifier. It is capable of printing 27sqm/ hr at four-pass, 17sqm/hr at sixpass and 13sqm/hr at eight-pass. imagesmag.uk/adelco-dtf Siser’s Juliet digital cutting machine is now available at Hobbycraft Melco adds web service for embroidery customisation Melco has launched a cloudbased service that generates product previews and embroideryready files using data submitted by users via ecommerce websites. The embroidery machine manufacturer has developed Melco Fusion to allow decorators’ customers to personalise and customise garments with embroidery in a web shop, providing up to four visualisations of a design from different angles. It creates production-ready files for all embroidery machines. For Melco machines, settings such as the embroidery hoop and colour information are sent to the machine. It provides a fully digitised OFM file that can be exported. A QR code on the production file can be scanned directly to a Melco embroidery machine. It can be integrated into web shops, or a Melco customer can use one of the plugins that the company has developed for Shopify and Shopware. imagesmag.uk/melco-fusion
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© 2023 – Beechfield Brands Ltd. All Rights Reserved. W285 Organic Natural Dyed Maxi Bag for Life inspired by WESTFORDMILL.COM PRESTIGE LEISURE UK 0800 652 1234 | PENCARRIE 0800 252 248 RALAWISE 0800 212 180 | BTC ACTIVEWEAR 0800 012 4542 nature.
INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 10 images MAY 2023 Read our full-length Decorator Reports online: www.images-magazine.com Cottonfrog This vibrant logo was embroidered onto workwear by Cottonfrog in Plymouth for Grow 4 Good, a local charity based at Dartmoor Zoo. imagesmag.uk/Cottonfrog-Grow DECORATOR REPORT Sabur Digital appoints UK reseller for iEcho Sabur Digital has appointed Your Print Specialists (YPS) to resell the iEcho range of digital cutting tables in the UK. The new partnership adds a “high-quality, great-value” finishing machine to YPS’s comprehensive range of large-format printing solutions alongside equipment from Mimaki, Epson and Roland. Sabur Digital is the UK distributor for the iEcho range of digital flatbed cutting systems which have a variety of uses for sectors such as textiles, leather and signage. There are already more than 50 iEcho machines installed in the UK. Together, Sabur Digital and YPS will provide full UK onsite warranty, with parts held in stock in the UK. imagesmag.uk/yps-iecho Epson collaborates with fashion students on DTG and DTF Fashion design students at De Montfort University in Leicester have been getting creative with direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-film (DTF) technology in collaboration with Epson. Epson challenged the students to bring their imaginations to life on T-shirts using an Epson SureColor F2100 DTG printer along with a heat press, pretreatment peripherals and T-shirts supplied by Xpres. Aimed at championing digital textile printing within the university’s fashion curriculum, the competition required students to base their designs around heritage, culture and activism. They were asked to print onto both a new T-shirt and a used/secondhand T-shirt to demonstrate a more circular economy in fashion production. To celebrate their designs and the sustainable, onsite production process behind it, the students are uploading examples of their work onto Instagram under the hashtag #DMUgetcreative. imagesmag.uk/epson-montfort Sabur Digital managing director Dean Sanger and YPS managing director Georgia Brown Friends and colleagues have paid tribute to Mick Minster, who died in March. With more than 40 years in the print industry, he was known for his engineering knowledge, especially in screen machinery. He worked for M&R Screen Print Equipment as an international service technician for well over 30 years, installing and repairing machinery across the globe. Dave Roper, MD of Screen Print World, supplier of M&R screen printing presses, has written this tribute to his friend and colleague: “Mick was a character who always had a smile or bad joke just to cheer you up. He was at his most happy in his natural environment installing a press, sat on top with supersize drink in one hand and spanner in the other. He would be either plugged into his house music or helping another customer out on the phone. He was just that type of guy. In fact he made his own stickers to put on the machines he installed which said ‘Mick Minster’, his telephone number and then the word ‘Anytime’ – he meant that you could call him anytime, and many did. “Over my last 35 years in the industry I was fortunate enough to carry on working with Mick and I recall one of the many trade shows we did with M&R in Europe. I turned up to the show a day early to help with install and couldn’t find our booth in the chaos of a large show. As I walked into this huge hall, Mick glided past in his shorts on his roller blades, Bluetooth speaker blasting out house music, back-pack on with the trademark ponytail flowing in the wind, yelling, ‘Follow me!’ “Mick wasn’t just about the print industry. He leaves a loving family in Jane and Linton. He was a talented photographer, loved all music and played harmonica. He taught hundreds of kids to skate. His other passion was motorbikes and he loved his two dogs which he would walk regularly in Camberley.” imagesmag.uk/mick-minster OBITUARY: MICK MINSTER Mick Minster Fashion students at De Montfort University in Leicester work on an Epson SureColor F2100
INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 12 images MAY 2023 Follow us on Facebook: @imagesmaguk Those with an appetite for the popular Channel 4 TV show, The Great British Bake Off, have been able to satisfy their craving for all things cake-based by seeing the hit musical of the same name in London. Taking place at the Noël Coward Theatre, the show received a delivery from NPW Printing & Promotion at the end of March of very sparkly hoodies for its cast, crew and chaperones. The Doncaster-based printing company created the attentiongrabbing design using a combination of Ultra Colour transfers and Stahls‘ glitter vinyl from Target Transfers. Each hoodie was printed on the back, front and arms www.npwprinting.co.uk DECORATED PRODUCT OF THE MONTH NPW Printing & Promotion decorated hoodies for the Great British Bake Off Musical Wombat is back and ‘born to be worn’ Wombat has returned to the printwear market with a range of new shorts styles for 2023. Exclusive UK distributor Ralawise has introduced nine styles in the new Wombat range, including men’s and women’s denim shorts, which are made from 100% cotton and finished with brass features and a washed denim effect complete with contrast stitching. For men, the range also features denim drawstring shorts, recycled jersey shorts, drawstring chino shorts, dip-dye shorts, palm print shorts, drawstring cargo utility shorts, camouflage cargo utility shorts and printed swim shorts. Originally launched in 2004, the Wombat brand was inspired by the “laidback Australian lifestyle” and named after the Australian wombats “which spend their lives sleeping, grazing and sunbathing”. The new shorts collection is described as “born to be worn, with styles made for the every day… We want our looks to reflect the people that wear them so have created fashionable yet comfortable styles that will cover you work to weekend.” imagesmag.uk/wombat2023 International Coatings revamps white ink for cotton International Coatings Company (ICC) has launched a new formulation of its Blaze Cotton White ink. Coded 7038, the new version of the ink is designed to be easy to print and deliver fast-flash, low-tack, high-performance and superior print on cotton fabrics. ICC has improved the body and coverage and formulated a more matt finish, developed to provide “excellent” coverage on dark garments and print easily on manual and automatic print machines. With the new formulation, Blaze is now part of the company’s FlexCure line which means it can be cured at temperatures ranging from 143°C to 160°C. imagesmag.uk/blaze-white Blaze Cotton White gives excellent coverage on dark garments Wombat’s new Mens Palm Print Shorts
PREMIUM BRAND DTF SOLUTIONS FOR UNRIVALLED RELIABILITY AND PRINT QUALITY DTF® /") 0<:8 ,?AA)<,!DQ "!$"F5?Q7A) 6/N 8<D@:')< :L:8)A !@ D 8<7) *):R8?> '?<AD8 !: ")<)% ! PD:L 8? 7:) <)DQ ><?*7,8!?@ 6/N 8<D@:')< ><!@8!@$G $)@)<D8!@$ -#H M +CH 8<D@:')< :"))8: !@ A!@78): O!8" ?78:8D@*!@$ ,?Q?7<E ! ; QD<$) (C M &C,A ><!@8DBQ) D<)D O!8" 7@!=7) 8!A) :D5!@$ 5D,77A >QD8)@E ! - L)D< OD<<D@8L ! P7<?>)D@ 6):!$@ DTF® /DR!@$ 8") ><!@8 ?@ *)AD@* AD<R)8 BL :8?<AE /") <)5?Q78!?@D<L .><): 6/N 3-F/ 2?QQ 8? 2?QQ 4<!@8)< "D: D O"?>>!@$ ?78>78 :>))* 8"D8 !: 7> 8? 05) 8!A): 'D:8)< 8"D@ A?:8 ,?A>D<DBQ) $D<A)@8 *),?<D8!?@ ><?,)::):E ! ;QQ !@ ?@) <?QQ 8? <?QQ ! 17>)< ,?A>D,8 *):!$@ ! 4<?*7,8!?@ :>))*: !*)DQ '?< A)*!7A 8? "!$" 5?Q7A): ! 97!Q8 !@ KP4; 0Q8)< :? @? @))* '?< )M8<D,8!?@ ! N!8: 8"<?7$" D :8D@*D<* *??< '<DA) JB)'?<) !@:8DQQD8!?@I ! - L)D< OD<<D@8L ! P7<?>)D@ 6):!$@
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INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 16 images MAY 2023 View daily news updates at: www.images-magazine.com The pre-production prototype of Brother’s new DTF printer at Printwear & Promotion Live! 2023 Flasks and bottles customised using Trotec laser engraving technology The Stitch Lab This fantastic logo was embroidered onto clubwear by The Stitch Lab in Burwell, Cambridgeshire, for Newmarket Cricket Club. imagesmag.uk/Stitch-Lab-Newmarket DECORATOR REPORT Trotec adds laser engraving to Print & Stitch roadshow for 2023 Trotec has joined the line-up at the Print & Stitch garment decoration roadshows in 2023 to demonstrate how laser engraving can add value to garment and textile businesses and provide a way to diversify into new areas. Visitors can see Trotec’s Speedy 100 laser engraver in action, processing a wide range of materials including acrylic, wood and plastic laminates alongside Trotec’s synthetic leather. The Print & Stitch roadshows run through the year across the UK. They started at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Strathclyde hotel on 20 April and will next be at the Delta by Marriott Newcastle Gateshead hotel in Newcastle upon Tyne on 23 May and the Holiday Inn Barnsley in South Yorkshire on 25 May. imagesmag.uk/trotec-stitch Kornit unveils new ‘smart’ curing and pallet technology Kornit Digital is extending its range of machines for garment printing with “smart” new curing and pallet technology to speed up production. It unveiled its new Smart Curing system, for accelerating the drying process, and the Rapid SizeShifter, which enables pallet adjustments in seconds, at trade show TecStyle Visions 2023 in Stuttgart in Germany at the end of March. For use with Kornit’s direct-to-garment (DTG) printers, the innovations are designed to “help customers accelerate textile production processes, streamline time-to-market and grow their business faster with state-of-the-art ‘smart manufacturing’ capabilities”, especially in on-demand production. The Smart Curing system follows Kornit Digital’s acquisition of curing and drying equipment specialist Tesoma over a year ago. It is powered in part by Tesoma technology. imagesmag.uk/kornit-curing The larger Kornit Smart Curing Titan Arco cuts plastic use with more sustainable packaging Workwear and safety specialist Arco has reduced its carbon emissions and plastic use by adopting a more “circular” approach to the packaging used for sending out its products. It has introduced new mailing bags made from 80% recycled polythene, which in turn is widely recyclable in the UK. This has secured a 35% reduction in the amount of plastic used across its operations. The bags’ production has also been relocated from China to Europe, resulting in an estimated carbon emission saving of 38%. Hull-based Arco, which uses around 400,000 mailing bags per year, came up with the solution in collaboration with its packaging supplier, Hazel 4D, based in Leeds. imagesmag.uk/arco-packaging Arco staff present the company’s new packaging for mailings
© 2023 – Beechfield Brands Ltd. All Rights Reserved. qd650 Heritage Waxed Canvas Holdall quadrabags.COM THE HERITAGE COLLECTION PRESTIGE LEISURE UK 0800 652 1234 | PENCARRIE 0800 252 248 RALAWISE 0800 212 180 | BTC ACTIVEWEAR 0800 012 4542
www.images-magazine.com 18 images MAY 2023 INDUSTRY NEWS Stay in the picture with our Instagram feed: @imagesmaguk Logo International prepares for growth with bigger premises Logo International, the Nottinghambased specialist producer of workwear and promotional clothing, has moved to bigger premises to prepare for further growth. The business has relocated to a new 10,000 sqft building with purpose-built internal offices and showroom – its fourth site within the Colwick Industrial Estate area over the past 20 years. Founded in the late 1970s, Logo International provides workwear and promotional clothing solutions with added embellishments of embroidery, screen print, transfer printing, labelling and packaging. Director Sue Antcliff said: “Our new building gives us a better, more suitable home than we’ve ever had. Our production capabilities have increased along with our stock holding capacity and the space to grow as a business.” imagesmag.uk/logo-move Girls drop out of sports due to sportswear concerns, study finds Around 70% of women said they dropped out of sport while they were at school because of concerns around sportswear, according to a new study. The research, compiled by England hockey international Tess Howard, found that many quit because of links between sportswear and anxiety about body image and some felt “sexualised” by what they were forced to wear. She said girls should be able to wear shorts or leggings when playing sports such as basketball, tennis and gymnastics. Based on responses from over 400 women aged 18 and over, the study was carried out by Tess at Durham University. It was published in the peer-reviewed journal, Sport, Education and Society. Her research has already led to new inclusive playing kits regulations being introduced at the beginning of the UK hockey season. imagesmag.uk/girls-sportswear Call for action on garment waste and emissions Climate action organisation Wrap has published a new report on behalf of the UK government on how the fashion and textiles industry can cut waste and carbon emissions. Its Textiles Policy Options paper, supported by a cost benefits analysis, calls for a combination of actions needed to address sustainability at every stage of a garment’s lifecycle. Announcing the publication of the report and analysis, Wrap concluded that “no single policy measure will suffice in isolation, and a combination of options is necessary to address every stage of a product’s lifecycle. “We also know through industry engagement that businesses are keen that any new policy measures work in harmony with developments in international policy such as the EU Strategy for Sustainable Textiles.” Both documents are available to read and download on Wrap’s website, www.wrap.org.uk. imagesmag.uk/wrap-options Inside Logo International’s new premises Cover image from Wrap’s Textiles Policy Options report Roland launches VersaObject printers for 3D surfaces Roland DG Corporation has launched the new VersaObject range of machines that could be just the answer for garment decorators looking to diversify through printing on three-dimensional surfaces. The line-up adds six models to Roland’s series of largeformat UV-LED flatbed inkjet printers – four with fixed flatbed tables and two with belt systems. They can be used for interior decoration and signage and for printing onto surfaces such as synthetic leather, felt and rubber mats. The new VersaObject CO inkjet series is equipped with UV inks that cure by ultraviolet irradiation and can print directly on various materials such as leather, cloth, plastic and wood. imagesmag.uk/roland-versaobject The new Roland VersaObject CO series Women playing hockey. Photo: Pexels/Pixabay
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INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 20 images MAY 2023 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 Lauren Chandler, account manager at MyWorkwear in Telford, Shropshire, says her favourite product to decorate is the Anthem T-Shirt (AM010) from Anthem Clothing. Available in 22 colours, this tee has a great modern fit and feels incredibly soft, says Lauren. “Being either 100% organic cotton or mixed with recycled polyester [for marl colourways], and with a long list of certifications, the AM010 also really appeals to those who want to ensure their workwear meets any sustainability targets for their business. “Plus it’s tagless — a real bonus!” From haulage to engineering, customers from a wide range of industries find this T-shirt ideal for their work as it’s so hardwearing, adds Lauren. “And for decorating, the world is your oyster — DTF, DTG, embroidered — the AM010 works well for all!” imagesmag.uk/may23-readerschoice www.myworkwear.co.uk READERS’ CHOICE Find our digital editions online: imagesmag.uk/digital-issues Next Level Apparel strengthens cotton traceability Next Level Apparel has announced a new partnership that will help enhance its efforts to ensure the cotton fibres used in its products are fully traceable. The US-based blank garment supplier has linked up exclusively with Oritain, which uses forensic science to verify the origin of all kinds of products and raw materials. It allows Next Level Apparel to conduct scientific verification of its cotton products. By confirming fibre origin, it will help address the global cotton industry’s traceability challenges, including minimising the risk of supply chain partners blending the product with lower-quality fibres. The partnership aims to ensure the integrity, quality and consistency of Next Level Apparel’s cotton textile products as the company expands in the UK market and throughout Europe, including the acquisition of German-based supplier Stedman. imagesmag.uk/nextlevel-trace Pantone updates SkinTone Guide Colour specialist Pantone has launched a special guide to help clothing designers match and complement different skin tones. Drawing on 138 shades, the specialedition Pantone SkinTone Guide aims to helps brands, creators and decorators in the worlds of fashion, beauty and product design to offer more inclusive colour matches. The guide, now in its 10th year, includes 28 new shades in addition to the 110 existing SkinTone Guide shades. These new shades consist of a wider array of darker tones and yellow undertones. imagesmag.uk/pantone-skintone From DTG to DFT, the world is your oyster when it comes to decorating the AM010, says Lauren Corporate Togs This bold design was printed onto T-shirts and sweatshirts by Corporate Togs in Bridgnorth for Hidden Project. imagesmag.uk/Corporate-Togs-Hidden DECORATOR REPORT Next Level Apparel seeks full traceability of cotton from field to garment. [Photo: JD Black/Pixabay] UKFT launches platform to promote industry careers Textile industry body UKFT has launched a new platform promoting careers in the UK fashion and textile industry. UKFT Futures allows users to explore opportunities, from apprenticeships to setting up their own business. Developed with the support of the Textile Livery Group, it features statistics and information to illustrate why a career in the textile industry is a good option. It provides users with stories and profiles from across the industry, with information on subsectors and job roles such as sewing machinist and weaver. It also offers specialist guides and resources to help users find their path into the industry. imagesmag.uk/ukft-futures UKFT Futures is promoting jobs in the fashion and textile industry. [Photo: Michael Burrows/Pexels]
INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com Henbury steps up support for Bangladeshi schools Henbury is giving back to the country where many of its garments are manufactured by supporting schools in Bangladesh. For more than 10 years, Henbury has been steadily increasing sponsorship of an education programme in the Gulshan area of Dhaka, Bangladesh, which was set up to help children from underprivileged backgrounds. With two schools in Dhaka, the Gulshan Literacy Programme (GLP) Foundation has now educated over 450 children, of which more than 50 have subsequently gone on to college and university education. Henbury, based in Livingston in Scotland and supplier of Henbury Brands, hopes that others in the industry will support GLP’s project. Henbury managing director Katie Stewart said: “We started sponsoring children through the education programme and have increased the number we sponsor every year. The cost is so little compared to what can be achieved and the difference it makes to these children and their future opportunities. “The cost to sponsor a child is only $250 [£201] per year and the children receive daily classes in reading, writing and maths in both the local Bangla language as well as English. “They are given nutritional snacks such as peanuts and bananas, as in many cases food can be at short supply in their household. All of the children also receive a uniform to wear to school which they all wear with great pride. “The parents also pay towards their education. However, they are asked for a contribution of only $1 [81p] per month and in some cases the parents cannot afford even this so there are also a number of free places given. “The school is always oversubscribed as you can imagine and with only 30 starting places every year, they often have over 70 applicants.” Many of the children go on to do their secondary certificate and about 40% go on to do their High Certificate – equivalent to A-levels. However, this costs around $12 (£9.69) per month, which many parents cannot afford, so the foundation is working to be able to sponsor more children through its higher education programme. Anyone interested in sponsoring a child or children through the GLF Foundation should get in touch via email: glpfoundation@gmail.com. The team at Henbury has visited the school when travelling to Bangladesh, including a visit earlier this year by Katie and garment technologist Craig Anderson. The pair spent time talking to all of the classes and helping to serve out their mid-morning snack – plus some chocolate. imagesmag.uk/henbury-bangladesh 22 images MAY 2023 Check out our Instagram Stories for the latest industry news @imagesmaguk Gots updated Version 7.0 of the Global Organic Textile Standard (Gots) has been released and has an expanded scope of environmental and social criteria. Launched in March, the new standard now allows recycled organic fibres as additional materials. The social criteria section also now includes a broader human rightsfocused approach as well as a requirement for suppliers to develop a plan to cover the living wage gap. imagesmag.uk/gots-version7 Customised sock maker expands into UK market US manufacturer Sock Club Custom has expanded its operations into the European market including the UK. After establishing itself as a supplier of customised knitted socks in the US, it is building up a network of distributor partners to supply the promotional and branded garment sector in Europe. The company manufactures for the US market at its factory in North Carolina but, for shorter shipping times to Europe, it is sourcing more price-competitive products from factory partners in India and China. Sock Club Custom offers an online user account system which allows clients to access their designs, make changes and order customised socks 24 hours a day, seven days a week. imagesmag.uk/sockclubcustom Custom socks from Sock Club Custom Katie Stewart helps out at snack time Children at GLP’s schools, supported by Henbury
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INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 24 images MAY 2023 Fruit of the Loom leads list on supply chain engagement Fruit of the Loom is among clothing brands and retailers on an international leaderboard of companies engaging with their suppliers on climate change. The garment manufacturer is in the top 8% of the Supplier Engagement Rating list compiled each year by CDP, which is a not-for-profit organisation that runs a system for environmental impact disclosure. Based on data from nearly 20,000 companies in 2022, the leaderboard also features brands such as Asos, Gap, Guess, Hanesbrands, Hugo Boss, JD Sports, Levi’s, LVMH, Moncler, Puma and Superdry. imagesmag.uk/fruit-cdp Garment decorator adds AI to generate designs A garment decorator in the US has launched new technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically turn text into images for its customers. BlueCotton, a screen printing and embroidery business based in Kentucky, has added the new option to its online Design Studio which helps people create customised T-shirts. The AI text-to-image generator enables customers to describe their design using only words and then they instantly receive a variety of AIgenerated options to choose from. BlueCotton has highlighted that it “eliminates the need for expensive graphic design fees and long wait times, making custom T-shirt design more accessible and affordable than ever”. imagesmag.uk/bluecotton-ai Check out our videos on Vimeo: @imagesmaguk Kingly’s upcycled socks SMEE Designs Embroidery & Print This intricate design was embroidered onto hoodies and polos by SMEE Designs Embroidery & Print in Droitwich for Wymsicals Theatre. imagesmag.uk/SMEE-Theatre Fruit of the Loom is committed to tackling climate change in the production of all of its garments including its Original T (pictured) Kingly gains OekoTex certification for upcycled socks European branded garment producer Kingly has announced that it has achieved the OekoTex standard 100 certificate for its upcycled socks. The accreditation confirms that the socks have not been made using any harmful substances, building on the company’s efforts to ensure it has accredited materials from its suppliers. Kingly’s upcycled socks are composed of 85% upcycled cotton, 12% recycled polyamide and 3% elastane. The accreditation follows Kingly’s development of a “sustainability calculator”, empowering its clients to work out the environmental impact they would have with each one of their orders of upcycled products. imagesmag.uk/kingly-oeko FOL International has announced the appointment of a new senior marketing manager to look after the marketing and product design for its garment brands, Fruit of the Loom and Russell Europe. Christian Lanvermann has been promoted from brand manager for Russell Europe. He has more than 15 years’ experience in the industry and has held various marketing roles at international fashion retailers. In his new job, he is responsible for the entire marketing division as well as product design and product management for Fruit of the Loom and Russell Europe. FOL International has also promoted Marthe Kazur to junior marketing manager for Fruit of the Loom, focusing in particular on the brand’s product and sustainability campaigns. imagesmag.uk/fruit-christian CHANGING FACES Christian Lanvermann A T-shirt design generated in BlueCotton’s online Design Studio using ‘French bulldog in clown’s hat and shoes with ice cream’ as the prompt DECORATOR REPORT
www.images-magazine.com 26 images MAY 2023 INDUSTRY EVENT Take our whistle-stop tour of the must-see stands at Fespa later this month Fespa Global Print Expo 2023: Preview This year’s Fespa Global Print Expo is shaping up to be another memorable event with a good mix of big European and global brands making the trip to Munich. Running from 23-26 May, the 2023 event includes the brand-new Personalisation Experience which Michael Ryan, head of Fespa Global Print Expo, says is “a personal highlight” for him, and will include an exhibition space and conference programme. “The possibilities for customised textiles are huge and manufacturers who have embraced personalisation have sharpened their competitive edge. In Munich, our delegates will hear realworld business cases and get close to the disruptive technologies that are making customisation easier than ever.” He notes that the growing consumer demand for sustainable and customised garments has resulted in a huge shift towards digitally produced applications. “Textile printing remains a core part of Fespa’s proposition and, this year, hundreds of leading international suppliers, including Brother, Mimaki, Polyprint and Textile-Flex, will showcase the latest technological innovations in direct-to-film (DTF) and directto-garment (DTG) printers, garment embellishment, dye sublimation, and much more.” He encourages readers to attend, pointing out that they will be able to connect with more than 500 industry suppliers in one place over four days, making it “a highly efficient way to explore new technology and innovations and shape investment decisions”. Michael adds: “The beauty of a live event is that you never know what you’ll come away with. It could be a new product that enhances your business or a new application opportunity you learn about by speaking to an expert on the show floor.” B-Flex reports that its Five Print Top digital printing film, which can be seen at Fespa, resolves the issue of heat-transfer vinyl (HTV) cracking and distorting on stretchy garments. “It offers remarkable elasticity that can keep up with stretch garments without any damage. The special formulation and a mere 60-micron thickness make this heat transfer vinyl unique.” It comes in two finishes: matte and glossy. At Brother’s booth, various DTG, DTF and software solutions will be demonstrated. “Together with our experienced employees, you can develop solutions and concepts that are individually optimised to your requirements. As one of the market leaders in industrial DTG printing, we have not been passive in recent months and are proud to present several new developments to you.” Released in March, the latest updates to CorelDraw Graphics Suite – a design solution for vector illustration, layout, photo editing, typography, and realtime collaboration – can be seen at the show. “Designers can create seamless curves effortlessly thanks to the all-new Variable Outline tool, and ensure colours are accurate for print with integrated access to Pantone’s latest colours, at no extra cost,” explains CorelDraw. Exile Technologies will be demonstrating its FreeStyler2 and flagship Spyder II computer-to-screen systems. Bi-directional printing and new micro-weaving options allows the FreeStyler2 to deliver improved print speeds – typically, T-shirt screens can be imaged in three to four minutes, explains Exile, while the Spyder II produces screen stencils in under a minute. Exile also produces the Liberator and TechSetter2 thermal film imagesetter solutions. Michael Ryan, head of Fespa Global Print Expo B-Flex’s Five Print Top is ideal for stretchy materials Brother has a 400m2 booth at Fespa The new Variable Outline Tool from CorelDraw Graphics Suite for Mac The FreeStyler2 from Exile
www.images-magazine.com MAY 2023 images 27 INDUSTRY EVENT Roland will be showing its TrueVis line-up After the success of its award-winning socks, Kingly has begun manufacturing other garments, including T-shirts, polos, boxer shorts and aprons. The items are all European-made with Gots organic cotton, Euro Cotton and recycled polyester according to the Global Recycled Standard. Kingly, which has a zero-waste knitting facility, has also recently obtained Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certificate for upcycled socks. A gold sponsor of the Expo, Mimaki will be displaying its flagship printers and cutters, including the recently announced TxF150-75 DTF machine, the 330 Series and the entry-level 100 Series. “Providing an easy and affordable process for decorating apparel, most commonly T-shirts, the TxF150-75 responds to the market need for a reliable, stable DTF technology.” Also on display will be Mimaki’s latest cutting plotter, the CG-AR series. Pigment.Inc will exhibit its suite of Q Series DTG/DTF printers and consumables under its DTG Digital brand. “Attendees can also look forward to its recently launched Merch Factory QO-T DTF printer – a first-ofits-kind desktop sheet format DTF system paired with Kodak consumables for best-in-class DTF transfer production.” Roq will be presenting new products and solutions for the screen and DTG industry at Fespa, including a brand-new packaging machine. “In addition, we will have our bestselling machines operating live (circular machines and dryers). During the event, presentations and demos will be performed at the Roq booth. Our product specialists will be happy to answer any questions that may arise.” Stahls’ will be showing its Hotronix Fusion IQ heat presses, designed so print businesses “can work smarter, not harder”. This digital heat transfer machine has stored application instructions, an “ultra-responsive” interface, and self-diagnostic capabilities. Also on show will be the Hotronix 360 IQ Hat Press, the Dual Air Fusion, and the Hotronix Auto Clam. Fespa Global Print Expo is being held on 23-26 May 2023 in Munich, Germany. For more information and to register, visit www.fespaglobalprintexpo.com. Kingly is now producing garments made from eco-friendly materials The new TxF150-75 DTF machine from Mimaki In addition, Pigment.Inc will be exhibiting its finishing equipment by PPS Innovations. DTF and DTG solutions from Ricoh will demonstrate the fast creation of on-demand prints and how local, sustainable production can be completed efficiently and costeffectively, avoiding over-production and unnecessary transportation. “Ricoh will bring these capabilities to life with the company’s collaboration with Fruit of the Loom and Russell Europe. Before travelling to the Munich show, attendees can design their own T-shirt and collect it in person on the stand.” A brand-new line up of Roland DG machines will make their Fespa debut at Munich, says the company. “Printers on display will include the recently launched TrueVis range, including Roland’s first-ever resin printer, the AP640, the MG and LG series, and the VG3 and SG3 series.” Roland DG’s first DTF transfer desktop inkjet printer, the VersaStudio BN20D, targeting small to mediumsized print shops, will also be on display. The recently launched Merch Factory QO-T DTF printer from Pigment.Inc Ricoh is collaborating with Fruit of the Loom and Russell Europe at Fespa to demonstrates its DTF and DTG printers Roq will be demonstrating a new packaging machine at this year’s show The Hotronix 360 IQ Hat Press from Stahls’
KB INDUSTRY EVENT www.images-magazine.com 28 images MAY 2023 B&C Collection, Next Level Apparel, Sol’s, Native Spirit and Tee Jays. What industry trends will be reflected at the roadshows? There are so many industry trends around right now that we’ve pretty much covered all bases! Sustainability is a subject that we’re all talking about and many of the brands have taken this on board and are showcasing some exciting products that fit this bill. Which bit of the show are you most excited about? We always get very excited to meet and greet our visitors, whether they are new or existing customers. We spend so much of our time calling people and sending emails that it’s always great to be able to follow up and have a faceto-face conversation. It’s exciting to chat to prospective buyers and offer them advice about how they can start up a new business, as well as help the more established businesses to grow and expand. How will visiting a Promotion & Branding show benefit our readers’ businesses? The Promotion & Branding roadshows are so versatile in what they offer business owners. The knowledge and experience of the exhibitors and brand ambassadors is unrivalled. Visitors are guaranteed that, whether they are a new business or an existing business, they can get the answers to any How would you sum up the Promotion & Branding trade shows for anyone who is new to them? The Promotion & Branding shows are a fantastic way for people to come along and meet a range of experts from more than 20 leading companies within the textile industry. There is a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere surrounding these shows, with plenty of opportunities for people to spend time discussing products, services and catching up with like-minded people. How do your shows differ from other industry events? The Promotion & Branding roadshows are unique compared to other industry roadshows because we have an incredibly diverse range of companies who exhibit. We cover all areas of the textile garment decoration industry from business management software and embroidery machines and consumables to garments, headwear and accessories. We also have transfer machinery, heat presses and dye sublimation supplies. The list of companies is extensive and certainly enables the Promotion & Branding roadshows to stand out from the crowd! Which exhibitors can readers see at the 2023 roadshows? We have 20+ exhibitors taking part in the 2023 roadshows representing over 40 different brands! This is a record number for the Promotion & Branding shows and demonstrates the popularity of the roadshows and how the positive feedback and business received has been proven year after year. New participants for the 2023 season include The long-established Promotion & Branding trade shows return later this month. Annette Sucharewycz of organiser GS UK lists the reasons readers should attend Promotion & Branding 2023: Preview questions they may have. In addition, visitors can see products, new colour ranges, feel garments, see machinery in action and even walk away with product samples and goodie bags. To gather information and knowledge from such industry experts will always benefit a business, old or new. What is the best feedback you’ve had from a visitor? We get many positive comments from visitors, but when people come to us with issues that they may be experiencing with a particular job or product, we can take the time to explain what can be done to rectify this. For example, we had a visitor last year to the Barnsley show who was experiencing their embroidery ‘sinking’ into garments and was unable to achieve the quality they wanted. A chat with the GS UK sales team sorted out their issue by recommending alternative options and showing them products that will stop this from happening. They were overjoyed with the results from the sample they took away with them and even more pleased that they took the time to attend the roadshow. These comments are always the best! www.promobranding.events Annette Sucharewycz The first Promotion & Branding show of 2023 will be on 16 May at Basingstoke, followed by Bristol on 18 May. It’s free to enter the shows, just register online on the Promotion & Branding website. Last year’s Promotion & Branding show at Manchester
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