ImagesMagUK_October_2023

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www.images-magazine.com 04 images OCTOBER 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 chargeto UK subscribers Publisher/advertising: Jonathan Vince | jonathan@images-magazine.com Features editor: Rachael Glazier | rachael@images-magazine.com Features writer: Mark Ludmon | mark@images-magazine.com News reporter: Lisa Burn | lisa@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 marketplace. The same goes for HTV and transfer printing. While Wizard and others have decided to go all in on DTF – and, it has to be said, are making a huge success of it – there are countless other print shops that continue to profit from printed transfers and cut vinyl. Indeed, Roland has just announced the launch of the BN2-20 and BN2-20A printer/cutters to cater for this continued demand. This is a topic we will be returning to in the very near future; in the meantime, you can catch up on all that’s new across all aspects of heat-applied decoration in our Heat Transfers, Vinyl and DTF showcase (page 64). Away from print equipment and consumables, we turn our attention to garments for the impending colder weather with our annual Jackets & Gilets showcase (page 42). We also interview Tyler Riley of TJR Garden Maintenance & Recycling Services about why he chose Custom Stitch & Print to supply Result Recycled’s Compass Padded Softshell Gilets for his company’s staff uniform (page 40). Plus, Erich Campbell goes large with his tips on embroidering back-of-jacket designs (page 54). October also means schoolwear. The sector’s flagship event, the annual Schoolwear Show, returns at the beginning of the month, with all roads leading to Solihull on 8 and 9 October. We interview Mark Woolgar, David Luke’s MD and the show’s director, about what visitors can expect at this year’s exhibition (page 92). We also preview what all the best-dressed pupils will be wearing in our Schoolwear showcase (page 94), complete with a focus on new styles from key Schoolwear Show exhibitors One+All, Trutex, David Luke and William Turner. For an added splash of colour, Tony Palmer tackles screen inks and Pantone colour matching (page 108), while Jamie Hood of David Sharp documents the company’s journey into the world of Coloreel single-thread embroidery (page 107). And speaking of journeys, Marshall Atkinson returns with another look at how to use Midjourney AI in your shop (page 104). I hope you enjoy and benefit from this month’s bumper issue. And if you could spare a moment, let us know what you like (or don’t like!). Thanks. Jonathan Vince SIGNUP! Register now to receive your own FREE monthly copy of Images: imagesmag.uk/sign-up UPDATE CONTACT DETAILS Moved to new premises? WFH? Update your details online: imagesmag.uk/subs-update OCTOBER 2023 VOL.32 NO.10 IMAGES DIGITAL STATS 1Aug-31 Aug, 2023 Users: 28,888 Impressions: 3,172 Reach: 1,897 Reach: 2,101 Read our third annual DTF market overview for up-to-the-minute insight into this gamechanging print tech (page 56) [Credit: Adelco] A closer look at DTF Is there really anything left to say about DTF? Judging by our third annual DTF market overview (page 56) the answer is an emphatic: “Yes, plenty!” It seems remarkable that it is already three years since (digital) DTF printing forced its way into the industry’s consciousness and kickstarted what can only be described as a revolution in the way that many garment decorators now do business. In the case of Wizard Printers, one of six Telling it... DTF user profiles in this issue (page 78), adding DTF to its production facilities prompted the sale of all of its screen print and vinyl cut transfer equipment. As has been mentioned previously, the pace of new DTF product development has been phenomenal. In last year’s market overview, predictions for the coming 12 months included the entry into the market of the big Japanese brands – Mimaki, Brother and Roland (check); faster printing speeds (check); printers with more print heads; higher quality and more consistent consumables; and automated cutting solutions (check, check, check). Last month, we looked at DTG printing and discovered that in spite of all the hype surrounding DTF, it remains a popular and profitable decoration process that still ‘owns’ particular sections of the Users: 7,640 / Page views: 29,325 digital edition

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INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 06 images OCTOBER 2023 New era for DoomsdayCo Garment decorator and streetwear brand DoomsdayCo is back in business after independent clothing abel High Dive Apparel purchased its assets from administrators. New owner and High Dive Apparel founder Jamie Norton said he felt the DoomsdayCo brand was so strong he could help. “So I made an offer to Corey [Smith-Wilkes, the founder] to get this done together and put an offer to the administrators and by the end of June it had gone through and we now owned all DoomsdayCo’s assets and branding,” he said in a statement on Doomsday’s website and both companies’ Instagram accounts. Corey had been forced to call n liquidators in June. Increased shipping costs following Brexit and a decline in the effectiveness of argeted online marketing campaigns both played a role in the demise of the company, according to the joint administrators’ report. For now DoomsdayCo is focusing on a limited clothing range, including T-shirts, hoodies, headwear and accessories, but hopes to expand this over the coming months. imagesmag.uk/Doomsday-High New compact printer/cutters from Roland Roland DG has launched the new VersaStudio BN2 series of printer/ cutters, which incorporates new features and four-fold faster print speeds. The BN2-20 and the BN2-20A, which have a compact design, are ideal for decorating T-shirts, bags and other accessories. The advanced print-andcut technology allows for complex shapes in a seamless automated workflow, while the high-definition print heads, inks and software promise professional results. Both models come with the Flexi Designer VersaStudio Edition and VersaWorks 6 design and output software included. The BN2-20A is a CMYK printer, while the BN2-20 offers CMYK+white (or metallic). “Since the first model was introduced, over 25,000 units of the BN Series have been sold, encouraging the taking on of new challenges by many different customer segments,” said Tony Miller, president of Roland DG’s Global Sales and Marketing Division. “With further advances in productivity and usability, the BN2 series opens the door to greater creativity and business success for even more people.” [For information on Roland’s BN-20D DTF system, head to page 66.] imagesmag.uk/Roland-BN2 Follow the links to the news stories online www.images-magazine.com Roland’s VersaStudio BN2-20 (CMYK+white) and BN2-20A (CMYK) printer/cutters were launched last month DoomsdayCo’s assets and branding have been bought by High Dive Apparel New environmental, social and governance report from Gildan Gildan Activewear has published its latest Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report highlighting the company’s performance against key targets in 2022. It shows the company reduced its absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 10.9%, and its water intensity by 18.4% (compared to 2018), and that it sourced 21.7% of its cotton supply from verified US-grown cotton suppliers (USCTP) and Better Cotton. The report also states that Gildan contributed $1.1 million to community initiatives. This latest report from Gildan marks 19 years of public ESG disclosures and the first year of the company’s Next Generation ESG strategy. imagesmag.uk/ESG-Gildan Gildan has published its 19th ESG report e w a s b in s a ta b o R l d’ V St di BN2 20 (CMYK+ hit ) d BN2 20A G b b la a f D h t t

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INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 08 images OCTOBER 2023 #95Poppy 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 Poppy from Excel Plymouth in Devon Fullname: Poppy Breed: Staffy/Frenchy mix Age: Four years. Time at company: Since she was a puppy. Jobtitle: Greeter Job description: Letting us know customers and delivery drivers are coming into the premises. Special skills: Snoring under the desk whilst we work. Favourite colour: Cool grey because that’s the colour of her dog bed and sofa cushions. www.excelplymouth.co.uk PRINTSHOP POOCHES Poppy’s snooze is interrupted by the arrival of yet another customer Follow us on X @imagesmaguk Down & Out Press These striking T-shirts were screen printed by Down & Out Press near Bangor, North Wales, for Black Bear Firewood. imagesmag.uk/DOP-Bear DECORATOR REPORT nickers Workwear Hybrid Jacket ickers Workwear has released its est jacket – the Hybrid – ready for tumn’s cooler weather. The Hybrid is made from flexible, wicking jersey fabric with Repreve fabric insulation, which is made from recycled materials, at the upper body area and shoulders. The design allows great freedom of movement for all types of work, and provides ventilation as well as warmth when needed. imagesmag.uk/SWW-Hybrid-Jkt Sn H Sn late aut w The new Discoverer softshell jacket from Stanley/Stella’s AW23 collection The new Hybrid jacket from Snickers workwear Stanley/Stella launches autumn winter range The new autumn winter range from Stanley/Stella has been revealed. Featuring the slogan ‘Live differently’, the collection includes a new range of softshells, additions to the Dry range and a revised Drummer 2.0 hoodie. “It’s a collection that encourages us to look beyond the status quo and seek new perspectives, new opportunities and new solutions,” said the company. The Discoverer and Navigator softshell jackets, which are available in both women’s and men’s fit, are waterrepellent, breathable and windproof. They’re made from 100% recycled polyester and their stretch fabric allows for freedom of movement, so they are ideal for hiking, cycling and other outdoor activities. Unisex Jammer jogger pants have been added to the Dry range and the colour palette has been extended, while the popular Drummer hoodie has been upstyled with premium detailing, an improved finish and additional colours. imagesmag.uk/SS-AW23

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 10 images OCTOBER 2023 Premier Workwear launches new Onna brand Uniform specialist Premier Workwear has launched a new brand for the health and beauty industry. Onna by Premier, which debuts this month, is a collection of trousers, tunics and underscrubs described by the company as “active care wear” and is designed for professionals in a range of sectors, including medical, veterinary, spa and aesthetic practices. “As a team, whilst attending our own beauty and healthcare appointments, we noticed that, despite these industries being built on trends and new technologies, the uniforms hadn’t changed in decades,” explained Onna and Premier brand manager Ceri Challinor. “It occurred to us that it was time for this sector to get a revamp. We understand people in these industries need something that will allow them freedom to move whilst always looking professional.” The new brand’s garments are made from recycled, four-way stretch fabric for ease of movement, with comfort ensured by their breathability and wicking properties. There are eight key styles for men and women – including two women’s tunics, a men’s V-neck tunic, cargo trousers, joggers and underscrub base layers – with more items to be added to the collection in coming months. The tunics and trousers are available in six colours, while the underscrubs are in black and white, plus two extra colours in the women’s range. The underscrubs are also impregnated with peppermint extract for a natural deodorising finish. All of the items are crease-resistant and easy care. “The feedback on the range has already been amazing,” said Ceri. “There is definitely a gap in the market and massive amounts of potential for resellers to convert existing accounts, but also to acquire new business in sectors they perhaps hadn’t previously thought about.” imagesmag.uk/Premier-Onna Premier launches its new, modern Onna “active care wear” brand for the health and beauty industry this month MyWorkwear has added to its team with three new appointments: Becky Homersley has joined the company as marketing manager, JulieSaletakes on the role of business development manager andTara Payne-Mcloughlin becomes account manager. Becky brings more than a decade of marketing and PR experience to her new role and she will focus on further extending the brand’s reach through both online and offline marketing. Julie has more than 20 years’ sales experience and will concentrate on increasing the customer base, while Tara, who also has over 20 years’ sales experience, will work with existing customers on their accounts. Other recent changes have seen Gayle Parker promoted to the role of commercial director after four years with the company and Lauren Chandler take on the role of sales office manager with responsibility for the internal sales team. imagesmag.uk/MyWorkwear-TJB Sportswear and corporate clothing supplier Lynkahas appointedSylwia Lichońas its new marketing and special markets manager. Sylwiahas more than 15 years’ experience in sales and management, including 10 years working in London. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge in the promotional merchandise and print industries, with previous roles at companies including Propaganda and screen printer APLA. imagesmag.uk/Sylwia-Lichon Essential Embroidery Design & Print has welcomed two new staff members to its team: Jasmine LeonandTom McGovernhave both joined the Dunstable-based company in the position of account managers. Their roles at Essential will focus on managing key accounts, working with sales and other internal teams, and building customer relationships. “Customer service is everything to us, we really try to focus everything we do around the customer and making sure they receive the best experience possible,” commented operations director Louis Georgiou. “As our client base continues to grow, these new additions to our sales teamwill ensureour service levels stay at the standard and speed required coming into the autumn busy period.” imagesmag.uk/Jasmine-Tom CHANGING FACES [L-R] Julie Sale, Tara Payne-Mcloughlin and Becky Homersley Sylwia Lichoń Tom McGovern and Jasmine Leon View daily news updates at: www.images-magazine.com

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INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 12 images OCTOBER 2023 Lynka introduces Vansport Zen Pullover Sportswear and corporate clothing supplier Lynka has launched the Vansport Zen Pullover from Vantage. Made from 94% polyester and 6% spandex, the Zen is durable and incorporates advanced moisture management technology to wick away sweat, keeping the wearer cool and dry. It features a covered quarter zip, set-in sleeves and a stand-up collar, and allows for freedom of movement during exercise. There’s also plenty of space for personalisation, whether using DTF transfer print or an embroidered logo. It’s available in black and dark grey in a heather jersey with sanded finish. Lynka is the sole supplier of the Vantage brand in Europe. imagesmag.uk/Lynka-Zen Lynka has launched the Vansport Zen Pullover in Europe Follow us on Facebook: @imagesmaguk Result launches new mini brochure and announces new products for 2024 Outerwear specialist Result has launched a new A5 brochure for its softshell and fleece ranges, which includes information on the company’s new products for 2024 – its first new styles in more than three years. They include the R911M&F Recycled 3-Layer Printable Hooded Softshell and the R939X Recycled Fleece Blanket. The latter is made from 100% post-consumer PET recycled plastic bottles and features a self-coloured stitch edge and a compact dense knit. Further new products for next year include recycled padded jackets, recycled children’s printable softshell and recycled headwear. “Result has hugely benefited from increased demand for product, which has enabled us to reinvest in up-to-date machinery at several of our main offshore production sites, resulting in greater and more efficient increased output,” said managing director David Sanders-Smith. “It has been crucial for Result to keep customers assured of price and stock stability so we strategically concentrated all our production on delivering current styles. We removed slow-moving styles and reacted to customer requests by introducing new colours, but new styles were put on hold until we could justify the need for them. We believe now is the time for Core value however, and Result is pleased to be introducing new recycled styles for 2024 for which there is a genuine market need at fabulous price points.” imagesmag.uk/Result-2024 Result is to launch new styles for the first time since 2020 Major contract win for Direct Corporate Clothing Uniform supplier Direct Corporate Clothing (DCC) has won a major contract to supply protective clothing and footwear to Network Rail after an extensive tender process. Under the multi-million-pound contract, DCC is to supply flameretardant and arc-protection clothing, waterproof foul-weather garments, hivis polycotton T-shirts, trousers, vests and footwear for Network Rail staff. “This is an important and significant contract win, highlighting our position as a leading supplier and top-to-toe solutions provider in the market,” said DCC managing director Rebecca Jones. “It was an in-depth tender process with extensive wearer trials and to secure this contract is a fantastic achievement.” Direct Corporate Clothing is part of the Workwear Uniform Group Ltd (WWUGL), which offers a one-stop solution to customers for the sourcing, design, manufacture and distribution of technical workwear, PPE and bespoke corporate uniforms. imagesmag.uk/DCC-NR Direct Corporate Clothing has won a major contract from Network Rail

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 16 images OCTOBER 2023 Walking to raise funds for cancer charity A director at Perfect Colours, a large-format printer supplier, has completed the West Highland Way challenge and raised more than £14,000 for charity. Darren Walker, who has a rare type of cancer called Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP), undertook the 96-mile challenge with his wife Amanda, daughter Courtney and sister Joanne. They were raising funds for The Christie, a charity that supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, which specialises in providing care to cancer patients. “I can honestly say without any doubt it is the hardest thing I have ever done and will ever do, truly the best and worst week of my life,” said Darren. Anybody wishing to donate can still do so through Darren’s Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/page/darren-walker-1689339888878 imagesmag.uk/Darren-Walker Mirical Emblems celebrates 30 years with a trip to the races Garment decoration manufacturer Mirical Emblems has celebrated its 30th anniversary with a night out at Nottingham dog track. Forty staff and their partners attended the event, with the highlight being the 30th Anniversary Stakes, sponsored by the company. “Sponsoring a race made the night that little bit more special and gave everyone a chance to come together for a group photo, as well as to meet the winning dog and present the trophy to the winning owner,” said managing director Jonathan Dul. Further celebrations are planned later this year for staff in France, Germany and Austria. imagesmag.uk/ME-30 Mirical Emblems celebrated 30 years in business with a staff night out at Nottingham Greyhound Stadium Sigma Embroidery and Printing This vibrant logo was printed and embroidered by Sigma Embroidery and Printing in Ely for The Good Guys Racing. imagesmag.uk/Sigma-Good-Guys DECORATOR REPORT Darren Walker and family trekked the West Highland Way to raise money for charity Kustom Kit’s Kevin Farmer retires One of the longest serving members of the UK decorated apparel industry has entered into well-earned retirement. Kevin Farmer joined Charterhouse Holdings PLC in 1982 following a career in professional football that was cut short by injury. He held several positions across the business but is best known in his role as executive director for the Kustom Kit brand. Kevin was directly responsible for creating the Kustom Kit brand back in the mid-nineties and was the driving force behind its rapid growth and continued success. The brand’s best-selling Oxford shirts and Klassic polos were all developed under Kevin’s stewardship. Reflecting on his time with the company, Kevin said: “It’s been a wonderful journey and a great pleasure working within the printwear market for the past 30 years. From humble beginnings the industry has grown into a hugely successful market. I have shared many great moments and it’s been a privilege working with so many wonderful customers, many of which have become great friends too. I would like to say thank you to you all for making my career both enjoyable and rewarding”. Miles Carter, CEO of Charterhouse, added: “Kevin has been instrumental in the development of this company and in particular the Kustom Kit business. He is quite rightly regarded as a legend within the industry, he seems to know everyone! I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him, a view that I know is shared by all of his customers too. He’ll be dearly missed by everyone at Charterhouse but he leaves with our sincere gratitude and best wishes for a very much deserved long and happy retirement.” imagesmag.uk/Kevin-Farmer Kevin Farmer Read our full-length Decorator Reports online: www.images-magazine.com

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 18 images OCTOBER 2023 One of the world’s longest running street parties, Notting Hill Carnival, is held in north-west London each year over the August bank holiday with an estimated two million people joining in the fun. This year marked the event’s 55th anniversary, so it seems only fitting to include the T-shirts worn by Chocolate Nation Mas, one of the mas (short for masquerade) dance groups that took part in the three-mile long parade. “For Chocolate Nation Mas, the challenge was to print just under 2,000 T-shirts to meet their deadline,” explains Ricardo Mohammed, owner of Custom Workwear Direct, a garment decoration business based in Chigwell, Essex. The artwork for the three designs used was supplied Chocolate Nation Mas; 60% of the tees were screen printed and the rest were direct-to-film (DTF) printed. “To ensure exceptional results, Custom Workwear Direct partnered with a reputable screen printing company,” explains Ricardo. “Using two MHM machines – an S-Type Plus and an XTreme – they employed standard plastisol inks to bring the carnival T-shirts to life.” He adds: “Our partner boasts the capacity to print an impressive 10,000 T-shirts per day, a feat that would be challenging for most businesses to match. By outsourcing screen printing, we can focus on our core strength – providing a great service for custom workwear solutions across the UK.” The Custom Workwear Direct team used Fruit of the Loom Valueweight Ts in azure blue, sunflower yellow, fuchsia pink, lime, and black. “The response was amazing!” confirms Ricardo. “We now have two new carnival groups who will be using our services for Notting Hill Carnival 2024 after they saw our post on social media and five potential groups who have also been in discussion to supply their carnival tees.” www.instagram.com/ customworkweardirect Stay in the picture with our Instagram feed: @imagesmaguk New HQ for The Uniform Room Personalised uniform and workwear specialist The Uniform Room is preparing for further growth with a move to larger premises. The West Midlands-based company has more than doubled its space with the relocation from Cradley Heath to Kingswinford at the beginning of September. It currently has nine members of staff and intends to employ another two by the end of the year – one to work in the embroidery department and the other within marketing. “We are also looking to bring on another two six-head embroidery machines, meaning we will then have a total of 36 heads,” said managing director Jordan Crumpton. “The new space will give us the space we need now and is flexible enough for us to add a mezzanine in the future to take the total space to over 9,000 sq ft,” he added. The Uniform Room supplies clothing to a number of sectors, including construction, beauty, healthcare and catering. It counts the NHS, Coca-Cola and the BBC among its customers. imagesmag.uk/Uniform-Rm-HQ DECORATED PRODUCT OF THE MONTH Notting Hill Carnival 2023 – complete with T-shirts produced by Custom Workwear Direct EaglesCreative This smart workwear was printed and embroidered by EaglesCreative in Northampton for Canine Company. imagesmag.uk/EC-Canine DECORATOR REPORT The Uniform Roomhas more than doubled its operational space Fruit of the Loom T-shirts in five colours were used for the Chocolate Nation Mas order

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INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 20 images OCTOBER 2023 Mimaki to launch faster direct-to-film printer A new direct-to-film (DTF) printer is to be launched in the UK by Mimaki Europe towards the end of this year. The TxF300-75 promises new levels of productivity with print speeds that are three times higher than the RxF150-75, catering to a diverse set of printing demands, including larger companies requiring higher volumes of high-quality output. Andrew Gregory, sales director of Hybrid Services, exclusive distributor for Mimaki printers in the UK and Ireland, said the new printer was a welcome addition to the range. “Since its launch, the TxF150-75 has been an overwhelming success, receiving a very positive response from the market.” He added: “It’s exciting to be able to announce the higher production machine joining the range, and we look forward to seeing it later in the year.” The new printer will include core Mimaki features such as the nozzle check unit and nozzle recovery system for stable, uninterrupted print production. Reliability is also assured through the built-in ink circulation system that prevents white ink clogging, and a degassed ink pack, lowering the risk of poor ink jetting. [For more information on Mimaki’s RxF150-75DTF printer, turn to page 68.] imagesmag.uk/Mimaki-TxF300 Find our digital editions online: imagesmag.uk/digital-issues StuGriffiths, owner of Stootz Workwear in Cambridge, Gloucester, says his favourite product to decorate is the Pro Polo (RX101) from Pro RTX. This is a good, all-round polo shirt that does the job, says Stu. “We use it mainly with businesses and workwear, but also for a lot of teams, clubs and schools/colleges.” The RX101 has a nice fit and wears well, with a good range of colours and sizes, he adds. “It’s also easy to decorate with minimal issues — no snags or pulls with embroidery, and DTF prints apply well, and last!” When embroidering the RX101 on his Merlin Pro 1502 embroidery machines from GS UK, Stu says he always uses Mighty Hoops embroidery frames from ETC Supplies as they ensure the “best placement, with no burn marks”. imagesmag.uk/Oct23-RC www.stootzworkwear.co.uk READERS’ CHOICE 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 Pro RTX’s Pro Polo is a great option for both embroidery and DTF prints, says Stu Saburadds fluorescent inks with latest DTF printer launch Sabur has launched a DTF printer that offers fluorescent inks. The SD70-3 DTF features three print heads for “exceptional graphic output”, a wider printing width of up to 600mm, Ergosoft RIP software and a printing speed of 8sqm/hr. “The new three-head solution combines CMYK + white with fluorescent inks, light cyan and light magenta to increase print quality alongside widening the colour gamut with the addition of fluorescent colours,” explained Aaron Burton, Sabur’s digital development director. “This solution is an excellent production DTF printer offering users additional benefits over other models currently on the market. All of this comes fully supported by Sabur’s in-house engineering support team and field engineers.” [For more information on Sabur’s DTF printers, head to page 72 and for a Sabur DTF customer case study, head to page 84.] imagesmag.uk/Sabur-Fluor Sabur’s SD70-3 promises printing speeds of 8sqm/hr The new TxF300-75 DTF printer from Mimaki will be available later this year

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INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 22 images OCTOBER 2023 Check out our Instagram Stories for the latest industry news @imagesmaguk New outerwear from Tee Jays Tee Jays has released its latest outerwear catalogue, showcasing the company’s AW 2023/2024 collection, which includes additions to the All Weather and Mountain ranges. They include the All Weather Winter Jacket, which has a removable hood and chin protection, tapes seams, Velcro wrist straps for an adjustable fit, two hidden front pockets and a chest pocket with SBS zippers. The polyester/spandex jacket is also water-resistant and features DuPont padding. It is available in both men and women’s sizes. A hooded fleece has been added to the Mountain collection. The thick polyester fleece features reinforced ripstop polyester at the shoulders and elbows; it has two large front pockets, elastic banding on the sleeves, SBS zippers and an adjustable hem with drawstring. imagesmag.uk/TeeJays-AW23 Tee Jays has launched a new outerwear brochure Just Hype charity backpack donation Streetwear brand Just Hype has donated 100 backpacks to the Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust (FTCT). Just Hype is offering the backpacks in 10 designs as part of the charity’s School Uniform Campaign. The bags will go to youngsters whose families receive a grant from the FTCT, an industry charity that supports financially vulnerable children of people working in British fashion and textiles. imagesmag.uk/Hype-FTCT Just Hype has donated 100 bags to support FTCT’s School Uniform Campaign First-ever BTC Activewear Premium Product Showcase hailed a success BTC Activewear hosted its firstever Premium Product Showcase in London on Thursday 7 September, at the Hilton Hotel, Wembley, where more than 50 invited guests enjoyed an entertaining and informative evening of presentations given by four of BTC Activewear’s premium distributed brands. Guests were split into four groups, with each group spending half an hour with each of the brands – Craft, Tee Jays, Beechfield Brands and Stormtech. BTC Activewear area sales manager Andrew Kouroushi outlined the advantages of Craft’s ‘choose to wear’ brandable performancewear. Commercial director Neil Pitcher reported that the Craft Core Unify Polo Shirt, with recycled polyester, was one of the biggest hits of the evening. “It offers great performance attributes, at a great price for a recycled garment.” Jenna Bradley, brand ambassador UK, talked an engaged audience through the quality and sustainability messages inherent in the current Tee Jays product lineup. Ashford Blake and Luca Conte, senior commercial executive and commercial manager for Beechfield Brands respectively, delivered high-energy presentations on how to create colour and product stories using complementary accessories from across the Beechfield, BagBase, Quadra and Westford Mill ranges. UK and EU sales manager Shaun Rolfe, newly arrived in the UK from Canada, dispelled some common misconceptions about the Stormtech brand while illustrating the breadth and value of the current collection. Commenting on the event, Neil Pitcher said: “This event gave us a fantastic platform to share some new concepts with key customers ahead of the autumn/winter season. We were very pleased with the attendance numbers and quality of reseller Everyone seemed engaged and genuinely excited to see, touch and wear some of these premium products. “We will use this format in the future and take this concept on to other key destinations in spring 2024.” imagesmag.uk/BTC-PPS Andrew Kouroushi highlighted Craft’s ‘choose to wear’ brandable performancewear Ashford Blake and Luca Conte of Beechfield Brands discussed creating colour and product stories

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 24 images OCTOBER 2023 Follow us on Threads: @imagesmaguk Better Cotton releases 2023 India Impact Report The latest impact report from Better Cotton shows significant reductions in pesticide and water use in India with regards to cotton production. The report shows a dramatic reduction in the use of pesticides and highly hazardous pesticides by Better Cotton farmers across India. Overall pesticide use reduced by 53% from the 2014-17 seasons – used as a three-season average – to the 2021/22 season. Water usage for irrigation was reduced by 29% during the same time period and nitrogen application – which drives greenhouse gas emissions in cotton production when used excessively – decreased by 6% per hectare. The organisation’s network of farmers has expanded from tens of thousands to almost one million since its launch in India 12 years ago. imagesmag.uk/BC-India23 Better Cotton farmers in India have reduced their pesticide and water use [Credit: Better Cotton/Vibhor Yadav] New directto-bagUV printer from Inkcups Digital inkjet specialist Inkcups has launched a digital printer for directto-bag applications. The Xjet Switch is the first UV flatbed printing machine formulated with high-quality bag decoration in mind, says the company. It produces full CMYKWW (highly opaque white) images directly onto a variety of bags and hard goods, making it an ideal solution for decorating reusable bags made from a wide range of materials. Features also include four customisable rotating platens, instant UV light curing capability with two 16W adjustable lamps, continuous printing design for loading and unloading while the machine is printing, and automatic purging, wiping, and capping stations. imagesmag.uk/Inkcups-DTB TuffStuff is supplying workwear to Belle Vue Aces speedway team Inkcups says its new Xjet Switch is a ground-breaking digital printer for direct-to-bag applications TuffStuff teamsup with Belle Vue Aces Workwear specialist TuffStuff has partnered with speedway team Belle Vue Aces as its official workwear supplier. TheSuffolk-based brand, which is part of Castle Clothing, is to supply a range of apparel to the Aces, including bodywarmers, joggers, trousers and polo shirts, as well as its Elite Flyknit Safety Trainers. “This collaboration represents an exciting chapter for TuffStuff as it allows us to extend our reach into the thrilling world of speedway racing and we are incredibly proud to join forces with the club,” said managing director Rob Ansell. The partnership is set to last until the end of the 2024 season. imagesmag.uk/TuffStuff-Aces

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 26 images OCTOBER 2023 Madeiraofficially opens new UK headquarters Distributors, suppliers and industry guests joined embroidery specialist Madeira at its new headquarters in Ripon on 15 September for an official opening ceremony that also celebrated 40 years for the company in the UK. Martin Müller, the head of global finance and HR who is based at the company’s head office in Germany, honoured the occasion by cutting a multi-coloured ribbon, a ‘stocking’ woven from Madeira thread that included the colours of the German flag. UK chairman Karen Burrows told the assembled guests that the construction of thenewoffices had taken rather longer than expected, due first of all to the pandemic, then to the outbreak of war in Ukraine, which had affected the supply chain. “It’s not been an easy time at all, but we did it,” she told guests, adding that during the move they had closed for just one business day. Commenting on Madeira’s new premises, UK managing director Andrew Maylor said: “The new building is going to provide a foundation in which to grow further. “We are blessed that the German owners have invested so heavily in the future of the UK business,” he added. Also attending the official opening was Sebastian Schade, the company’s head of global sales and marketing, who had travelled with Martin from Madeira’s headquarters in Freiburg, Germany. Madeira’s new premises include a 2,327sqm warehouse that has two and a half times the stock capacity of its predecessor, with space for further expansion in the future. The building also includes a training room for trialling new products and hosting embroidery courses, two board rooms, a staff hubandoffices. imagesmag.uk/madeira-new-HQ The Outdoors Company delivered fleeces to local charity The Hubb Foundation Watch our latest videos on Vimeo: @imagesmaguk Just Branded This colourful logo was printed by Just Branded in Bristol for Julie Gazzard Swim Academy. imagesmag.uk/JB-Swim DECORATOR REPORT Charity donation from The Outdoors Company A children’s charity in Stoke-on-Trent has benefited from a donation of fleeces from The Outdoors Company. The Hubb Foundation received the Berghaus Prism PT IA Fleeces from account manager Barry Walker – Barry is a scout leader in the city and has worked with the charity in the past. The foundation supports families and communities through a number of different initiatives, including coordinating school holiday activities for disadvantaged children and running local projects for families. imagesmag.uk/Hubb-Fleece Sublimation cotton T-shirts from Graphics One California-based Graphics One is gearing up for the launch of its Go Fuze sublimation cotton tees this autumn, which it says are set to transform the sublimation industry. The T-shirts incorporate patentpending technology to enable sublimation on cotton, a technique that is usually only possible on polyesterrich garments. By using standard dye sub ink and dye sub paper, users can transfer their designs in the usual way. “Our Go Fuze sublimation cotton T-shirts represent a game-changing advancement in the sublimation industry, combining ease of use, design versatility, comfort, and durability,” said Graphics One VP Dan Barefoot. The cotton T-shirts are Oeko-Tex certified and are expected to launch later this year. imagesmag.uk/GO-Sub-T L-R: Andrew Maylor, Martin Müller and Karen Burrows, UK chairman at the opening of Madeira UK’s new headquarters

Embroidery Threads & Consumables Embroidery Threads Sulky Rayon Polyester 40wt&60wt Cotton Metallics Poly Fire (fire retardant) Glow in the Dark Filaine Poly Flash & Sparkle Underthreads Needles Stabilisers & Backings Cut Away, Easy Tear & Iron On Stabilisers Filmoplast Solvy Solvy Fabric Stick Protect Thermofilm Thermofoil Adhesive Sprays Oil Pens Aboutus Established since1988,wehave developed an extensive knowledge of all aspects of the embroidery industry and are the UK suppliers of Gunold threads & supplies. Orderat: www.gs-ukdirect.com or contact: sales@gs-uk.com 0115 844 8000 www.gs-uk.com GS UK Limited 5 Crocus Street Nottingham NG23DE We are the UK suppliers of

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT www.images-magazine.com 28 images OCTOBER 2023 How does income tax work for the self-employed? Self-employed individuals are responsible for calculating and paying their income tax on their own because, unlike employed individuals, these are not deducted from a wage. Instead, they need to report their income and expenses to HMRC and calculate their tax liability. Register for self assessment Firstly, you need to register for self assessment with HMRC. This is a relatively straightforward process that you should complete soon after starting your business. At the latest, you should register by 5 October in your business’s second tax year. If you register later than this, you won’t get a penalty as long as you send your self assessment tax return and pay your bill on time. You simply complete the online form via HMRC (imagesmag.uk/register-forHMRC), supplying information such as your National Insurance number, name, date of birth, postal address, and other personal details. You need to keep accurate records of income, expenses, and other financial information for when the time comes to complete and file the return. HMRC’s online Self Assessment service can be used to complete your return, or you can use software that’s compatible. The deadline for filing is usually 31 January following the end of the tax year. For example, for the tax year ending on 5 April 2023, the deadline for filing your tax return would be 31 January 2024. HMRC will calculate the amount you owe. It’s important to pay this on time to avoid penalties or interest charges. Keep a record of all your tax documents for at least six years as HMRC can request these as part of compliance checks in future. How is income tax calculated? The starting point will be a profit and loss account, which is effectively the sales that the business has made minus the business’s costs and overheads. Allowable expenses are those which can be deducted from any taxable profit, and can include things like office supplies, travel, and any equipment. However, some of these costs, although perfectly allowable for accounting purposes, are not allowed as expenses for tax purposes. The rules here are complicated and it is important you get it right, so it is worth paying a professional for advice. Your personal allowance is taken into account, which at the moment is £12,570. You do not pay income tax on any income up to this amount unless you earn more than £100,000. The basic rate of income tax (20%) is payable on earnings between £12,571 and £50,270; a higher rate of 40% is payable on earnings of £50,271 to £150,000. NIC information If you’re self-employed, you will contribute to National Insurance as well as tax. NIC (National Insurance contribution) is a system of contributions paid in order to qualify for certain benefits, including the state pension. As a sole trader you will pay National Insurance: if you’re 16 or over and self-employed, making a profit of £6,725 or more a year you’re liable for Class 2 and Class 4 national insurance. Both of these contribution classes are calculated as part of the self assessment process. Payment on account Many self-employed individuals are under what is known as the payments on account regime, meaning they make two payments, estimated using last year’s tax bill, towards this year’s tax liability. If you’re newly self-employed, it’s important to remember that your first payment covers your previous year’s income as well as an upfront payment of six months ahead. For example, if you owe £1,000 for the year ending April 2023, you’ll also pay an additional £500 in January 2024 for the first half of that year. Then, another £500 will be due in July 2024. A tax and NIC example Here’s a working example of tax and NIC based on £30,000 net pay: The standard tax-free Personal Allowance (for 2023/2024) is £12,570. That means you won’t pay any tax on these earnings. The remaining £17,250 will be subject to the basic rate of tax at 20%. ■£12,570-£50,270 = 20% (basic rate) ■£50,270-£125,140 = 40% (higher rate) ■£125,140+ = 45% (additional rate) That means you’ll pay approximately £3,450 in income tax on your £17,250 of taxable earnings. You’ll also have to pay National Insurance as your earnings are above the Class 2 (£6,725) and Class 4 (£12,570) threshold. ■Class 2 = flat rate of £3.45 per week ■Class 4 = 9% on profits between £12,570-£50,270 and 2% thereafter That means you’ll pay £179.00 in Class 2 National Insurance and £1,552.50 in Class 4 National Insurance. Deducting these amounts, your total take-home pay will be £24,818.50. There are other elements which will come into play such as student loans and allowable expenses, but this example should give you an idea as to your tax liability. Expert advice on the business of running a garment decoration company Q&A HuwMoxon, is marketing manager at Informi, a small business advice service backed by AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians). Informi is a free-to-use website that provides tools and guides on all aspects of running a business. www.informi.co.uk

www.images-magazine.com OCTOBER 2023 images 29 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT If you want to influence online consumers and guide their buying decisions, content is key. Blog posts, infographics, photos, videos both short and long… all of these different types of content can help to attract new customers to your business. That said, it’s easy to go overboard. A website can absolutely have too much content, and this in turn can have a detrimental effect on that site’s SEO and traffic. Excess content is overwhelming In today’s society, where information is accessible at the tap of a finger, the amount of content that we consciously (and subconsciously) consume can be overwhelming and, quite frankly, exhausting. As a business owner, exhaustion is the very last feeling you want to evoke in your target audience. If you find yourself posting updates 10+ times a day, uploading five blogs at once, or retweeting every news article that’s even remotely relevant to your industry, your audience could easily get overwhelmed and turn away from using your website, product or services. Meaningless content won’t serve customers Customer retention is an incredibly profitable tool for business owners. According to customer service software company Hiver, existing customers are likely to spend 30% more on a new product than a first-time customer, leading to greater profits and lifetime customer value. When customers decide to repeatedly buy a product or service, it’s usually from a brand or business that they trust. One of the best ways you can build that rapport with your target audience is through high-quality content. Can a website have too much content? Tax is a minefield. From calculating it to actually paying it on time, it’s a complex and stress-inducing task that can be a huge burden. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) tax team is always on hand to help our members, who can take advantage of our app designed to help entrepreneurs become Making Tax Digital compliant. However, when it comes to specific account-related questions, that’s when you need to talk to HMRC. Phone services So, when HMRC suddenly decided to cut back on its phone services, it was quite a surprise. First, it paused the selfassessment helpline for the summer, leaving taxpayers in a tough spot. Then, it shared plans to reduce phone services completely. That’s puzzling, especially when around 74% of small firms say they prefer to speak to HMRC on the phone. We should always aim to improve our tax system, but this online-first strategy will make things worse. Now people might end up spending valuable time searching for answers online and trying to decipher the results, when they could have just talked to someone on the phone for a couple of minutes. That’s not going to help the productivity and growth of our small business community – if anything, it’s going to stunt it. Savings – but at what cost? HMRC, however, seems to think otherwise. It believes its plan to cut services by 30% before 2025 will save £10 million each year. That money will then be used to support its online services. We understand that budgets are tight, and HMRC must be efficient with its £6.2 billion annual budget. But entrepreneurs have budgets too, and why should theirs have to be collateral here? We know tax can get confusing, and Taxing matters mistakes happen. Without the right guidance, these mistakes could become bigger. And if business owners can’t talk to theofficials, they might end up worried about whether they’ve done everything right. With more honest mistakes than fraud cases, HMRC needs to respond with understanding and not assume the worst. Small firms spend around 52 hours and £4,100 each year on tax paperwork. If HMRC really wants to make cuts, it should start by reducing these numbers. Then, business owners can spend more time and money on running their business instead of getting stuck in paperwork. Quick and easy help shouldn’t be hard to find. HMRC’s cuts feel like a step backward when we should be supporting those who keep our economy going. Tina McKenzieis the policy and advocacy chair at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which offers members a wide range of vital business services, including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government. Its aim is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions. www.fsb.org.uk JoelDear is from ETrader, one of the industry’s leading suppliers of websites to garment decorators across the UK. www.etraderwebsites.co.uk But you have to give your content meaning and purpose. As mentioned above, we’re all drowning in an endless deluge of meaningless content on the internet. So, what are you doing to make your content stand out? If you start providing your audience with helpful, useful, and memorable content, they’ll be more likely to return to your business again and again. Not only for your products, but for your unique industry insights, and for your individual brand personality that stands out from other businesses in your niche! Quality will impress customers, not quantity Ultimately, quality is more important than quantity when producing online content. Google has frequently stated that one of the main ranking factors for website visibility is purposeful content that genuinely aids, influences or impacts the user in some way. So, next time you go to share that link or post an update, maybe take a second to ask yourself whether it’s actually useful to your audience… or whether you’re just posting for the sake of posting!

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