ImagesMagUK_Digital-Edition_Nov17

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NOVEMBER 2017

CONTENTS

18

58

39

44

46

54

29

SHOP TALK 05 Editorial

KNOWLEDGE BASE 16 The Business Clinic How to prepare for the introduction of the new General Data Protection Regulation 18 The DTG column Geoff Baxter from M&R on pretreatment application 24 The Schoolwear Show 2017 Review 54 Talking screen printing inks with Mark Colenso Colenso Screen Services’ MD explains how to add value to screen prints 56 LAB mode mojo Marshall Atkinson on easy image enhancement 61 Barking up the right tree Dog walker Emma Smith

46 Pigment power We lift the lid on all the latest printing ink developments 62 Telling it like it is: single- head embroidery machines Six decorators tell us why they chose their machines INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT 26 On the move with award- winning Rowlinson Knitwear We catch up with Rowlinson at the Schoolwear Show 44 Technical trades Snickers Workwear discusses the latest fabric technology for uniforms 58 The special one We zoom in on the high- build masterpieces of Milosj de Groot (aka Mad Specials)

explains how her uniform helps her to stand out from the pack

06 Print Shop Pooches #24 Jackie Perrelli from Pangea Printing 08 AskAdy… 10 Decorated product of the month 72 Up close & personal Sean Barker of GS UK NEWS HUB 06 Industry news Two new transfer presses from TheMagicTouch; M&R launches a raft of new equipment at SGIA 2017; Ricoh’s new DTG printers go on sale in the UK; and Henbury celebrates its 20th anniversary

PRODUCT FOCUS 22 Trendwatch Get ready for the festive season with our Christmas picks 29 Minor matters The latest kidswear styles for babies through to teens 34 Collaring the market Poplins, Oxfords, polka dots and stylish checks: it’s shirt time 39 Featured product Jeans Stitch Denim Shirt from Premier Clothing 41 Have it your way How to benefit from bespoke garment styles

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ST

DIARY

EDITORIAL

Instant impact

T his month, Marshall Atkinson explains how to add some zing to your prints using the LAB mode in Photoshop. I was struck not only by the simplicity of the technique and the quality of the image enhancements Marshall demonstrates, but also by his statement that, “T-shirts are essentially printed billboards. Viewers have only a few moments to get the full impact of what they are seeing...” It wasn’t that Marshall was stating anything we don’t all already know; it was his use of the word ‘impact’ and the welcome reminder of just how much punch a T-shirt can pack. That fact was brought home forcibly by Carmen Yulín Cruz, the mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital city, following the damage caused to the country’s infrastructure by Hurricane Maria. The mayor, frustrated by what she perceived as a slow and inadequate response to the plight of the Puerto Rican people, turned up to a press conference wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with the impossible-to-ignore, ‘Help us, we are dying’ slogan across the front. Follow- ing a spat with President Trump, who claimed that the Democratic party had told the mayor to be “nasty” to him during his presidential visit to Puerto Rico, Mayor Cruz turned up to a subsequent press conference wearing a similar T- shirt printed with the word ”nasty” in bold capital letters. Whatever your political persuasion, or your views on Mayor Cruz and Presi- dent Trump, there’s no denying that these T-shirts had an impact. Not only did they present the mayor’s messages as hard-hitting, easy to digest ‘soundbites’, they ensured that those soundbites were heard around the world. It’s hard to believe that she would have received the huge international coverage she enjoyed without the shirts; indeed, the T-shirts themselves led much of the reporting on these events. They did what promotional clothing is meant to do and what it does best – they ensured the mayor’s message was seen, heard and remembered by the widest possible audience. There has never been a greater choice of media platforms from which to pro- mote a brand, business, message or event, yet a well designed and executed T-shirt print still has the ability to cut through the hubbub and leave a lasting impression. And that’s a message every prospect needs to be hear, and every customer needs to be reminded of, at every available opportunity. If there’s one thing that Milosj de Groot’s T-shirt prints possess it’s impact (with a capital ‘I’). We’re thrilled to be showcasing Milosj’s Mad Specials work in Images (page 58), which provides further evidence, if any were needed, of the attention-grabbing potential of printing ink through a screen on to a garment. And for the same reason we’re delighted to welcome back to the UK imprint market this month’s cover star, a revitalised American Apparel. Creating an im- pact is in the brand’s DNA and we can’t wait to see American Apparel garments flying out of UK print and embroidery shops once again. Jonathan Vince Published by: 360 Communications Ltd images magazine, 360 Communications Ltd, 58a Livingstone Road, Lioncare House, Hove, BN3 3WL, UK 01273 748482 | www.images-magazine.com Advertising: advertising@images-magazine.com Editorial: editorial@images-magazine.com Subscriptions: subscriptions@images-magazine.com | images is available free of charge to UK subscribers | Subscribe / unsubscribe / update contact details online: www.images-magazine.com Publisher/advertising: Jonathan Vince | jonathan@images-magazine.com Features editor: Rachael Glazier | rachael@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) Follow images on social media: ImagesMagUK Opinions expressed by contributors in this magazine are not necessarily shared by the Publishers. Editorial contributions are invited, on the understanding that the editorial director 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 publishers accept no liability for either errors or omissions. NOVEMBER 2017 | VOL.26 NO.11

NOVEMBER 15, 2017 Promotion & Branding Show

Thorpe Park Hotel Leeds, 1150 Century Way, Thorpe Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS15 8ZB promobranding.events NOVEMBER 15-16, 2017 Coactive Newtech Leicester Hilton Leicester Hotel Junction, 21 Approach,

Leicester LE19 1WQ coactiveevents.com NOVEMBER 16, 2017 Print & Stitch

Double Tree by Hilton Southampton, Bracken Place, Chilworth, Southampton, SO16 3RB printandstitch.org JANUARY 9-11, 2018 PSI 2018 Messe Dusseldorf, Messeplatz Stockumer Kirchstraße 61, 40474 Düsseldorf psi-messe.com JANUARY 19-21, 2018 ISS Long Beach Long Beach Convention Center, 300 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, California, USA issshows.com JANUARY 21-23, 2018 Printwear & Promotion Live! Halls 17 & 18, NEC, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT printwearandpromotionlive.co.uk tecstyle-visions.com APRIL 24-26, 2018 Sign & Digital 2018 Halls 17 & 18, NEC, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT signuk.com MAY 15-18, 2018 Fespa 2018 Messe Berlin, Messedamm 22, 14055 Berlin, Germany fespa.com OCTOBER 18-20, 2018 SGIA 2018 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA sgia.org JUNE 20-26, 2019 ITMA 2019 Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain itma.com FEBRUARY 15-17, 2018 TV TecStyle Visions 2018 Messe Stuttgart, Messepiazza 1, 70629 Stuttgart, Germany

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Henbury celebrates 20 years of innovation and reliability

PRINT SHOP POOCHES #24 Jackie Perrelli Whether it’s pedigree pups or mangy mutts, decorators’ dogs are

Clothing brand Henbury celebrated its 20th anniversary on 13 October 2017. The brand was founded in 1997, with its first products launching in January 1998. “From humble beginnings, with the initial offer of five polo shirts, the Henbury brand has evolved into one of the main players in the industry today,” said managing director Katie Stewart. “Known for its quality, innovative designs, stylishly crafted products and high level marketing, Henbury has continued to offer reliability to its customers for the last 20 years.” The scale of Henbury’s evolution will be evident in 2018, with the brand promising an impressive 87 fashionable and contemporary corporate, promotional and workwear styles. These will include new additions, the Men’s Knitted Short Sleeved Polo (H716) and the Ladies’ Longline Open Cardigan (H719). Both are made in a 50% cotton/50% acrylic, 12-gauge knit, and available in black, navy and grey

marl. The styles have a fashionable design with European appeal and are trans-seasonal pieces. Henbury says the new designs offer more flexibility and a casual option for corporatewear, with the polo in particular aimed at a slightly younger customer, while the cardigan will appeal to a wide variety of age ranges and professions. Henbury adds that it values its partnerships and still works with many of the same suppliers it used when it started out 20 years ago, saying that “ensuring continuity is one of the key strengths of the brand”. Katie commented: “On a personal note, I have relished the opportunity to bring such a highly respected brand to the market and to be part of such an innovative business. I have been fortunate to work with some wonderfully inspiring people whom I can now call friends and I look forward to the next 20 years of Henbury.” www.henbury.com

valued members of staff at embroidery and print shops from Barking to Furness (and even further afield)… This month we have Jackie Perrelli from Pangea Printing in Baltimore, USA Full name: Jackie Perrelli Breed: Bassador, which is a basset hound and labrador mix – long and low. Age: Seven-years-old Time at company: Three years Job title: Quality control Job description: Sniffing all of the shirts when they arrive to make sure they’re up to standards and again when they leave printed. Special skills: Sleeping under desks and being the first to greet the postman Favourite colour: Pantone 306 www.pangeaprintingco.com

The newMen’s Knitted Short Sleeved Polo fromHenbury

New for 2018, the Ladies’ Longline Open Cardigan

BMB becomes Banner Blue Max Banner, aka BMB, rebranded as Banner on 2 October 2017. The rebranding for the company – which began in 1987 as Blue Max before changing its name to Blue Max Banner following the acquisition of the Banner and Beau Brummel schoolwear brands in 2010 – is the result of a “customer insights and consumer research programme designed to seek clarity on the company’s branding and brand architecture”. Glenn Leach, who became the company’s new CEO in September, said: “As is often the case with businesses that have grown through acquisition, we have a

lot of brands. Our intention is to create one distinct and recognisable brand. Banner, with its long-standing reputation in the schoolwear sector and its established brand recognition, was the clear choice. The Banner brand portfolio now comprises our renowned stock-supported Banner uniform and Banner sportswear ranges, including our latest Aptus Performance collection. Beau Brummel and Orion Teamwear represent our bespoke uniform and sportswear brands.” www.banner.co.uk

Long, low and the first international canine to grace Print Shop Pooches

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INDUSTRY NEWS

[Below] Sabur’s new three-year Gold Warranty on DGI printers includes head cover as standard

WORKWEAR REVIEW

AskAdy... Adrian Burton of South East Workwear runs the popular AskAdy site, which hosts independent reviews of workwear garments. Now Ady is sharing his expert opinions with the readers of Images. This month, he’s discussing Premier’s range of shirts for the hospitality sector I thought this month I would do something a little different to my normal industrial workwear reviews: this time I’m looking at front of house clothing. If you haven’t already seen the amazing range of shirts and blouses from Premier Clothing, then you are in for a treat. These guys have arguably the most comprehensive colour collections on the market; in fact, I don’t think I have ever come across so many colour and style options from one brand. There are few manufacturers out there that offer clothing that has Pantone-matched fabrics, yet I get asked for this a lot. The range of styles and fabrics are extensive and you can usually find a full set of short- and long-sleeve shirts and accompanying women’s blouses. Their Poplin range of shirts and blouses comes in 30 different colours and in an easy-care material that requires minimal ironing – ideal for the hospitality industry. All of these shirts are perfect for decorating with a client’s logo; however, I would recommend using a thicker backing on the poplin shirts when embroidering due to the weight of the material and the need for some stability. For something different, opt for the 100% Jeans Stitch Denim Shirt (see Featured Product - ed). It looks awesome with its contrast stitching and, again, it’s perfect for the hospitality industry. The Microcheck Gingham Shirt with its soft collar styling offers a more casual approach to workwear. Both of these will work in a modern working environment and will enable you to offer something new and exciting to help you win work. www.askady.com

Epson launches new SureColor SC-F9300 dye-sub printer “We wanted to be able to offer both our existing and new customers total piece of mind when it came to their next commercial investment, and the three-year Gold Warranty certainly does this,” said Aaron Burton, digital development director at Sabur. Sabur has also recruited more engineers to its team, including Andrew Harris, who brings 15 years of experience as an engineer working in the wide format print sector. www.sublimationinks.com Sabur announces three-year Gold Warranty on DGI-FT digital textile printers Sabur is now offering the DGI-FT range of digital textile printers with a full and comprehensive three-year Gold Warranty, which includes head cover as standard. The new warranty covers both the FT-1608/1908 and the new FT-3204x printers.

Other features include: improved reel accuracy even with thin paper (40gsm), a new Epson Edge Print RIP software, an optimised platen shape to reduce cockling, new print head guard to protect against head strike, dust catcher and wiping system to reduce maintenance, large diameter friction roller (SMAP) for highly accurate media feeding, extensive support for third-party RIP software, and LED lighting and lift lever for easier set-up and easy print verification. The SC-F9300 comes with Oeko-Tex Eco Passport certification and has passed Japan’s AZO test for household products. www.epson.eu

Epson launched its new flagship dye-sublimation textile printer, the SureColor SC-F9300 in September. Designed primarily for fast, high-volume printing for clothing, textiles and soft signage, as well as other printed merchandise, the SureColor SC-F9300 replaces the existing SC- F9200 and offers a maximum print speed of 108.6m2/h and high resolution printing up to 720 x 1440dpi. The company states that its new Precision Dot technology for dye sublimation, including halftone module, look-up tables and micro-weave, will help to “make an instantly noticeable difference to print

The Men’s Long Sleeve Microcheck Gingham Shirt from Premier Clothing

quality, and make it easy to get quality results straight out of the box”, while a wide gamut CMYK input profile and UltraChrome DS inks will ensure accurate reproduction of even complex designs.

The new Epson SureColor SC-F9300 dye-sub printer

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Our New Workwear Fleece offers an additional layer of warmth without excessive bulk thanks to its premium 360gsm 100% polyester bonded microfleece. This fabric provides the perfect combination of durability, softness, warmth and breathability. The contemporary aesthetic of this practical fleece makes it suitable for any trade. KK906 WORKWEAR FLEECE WORKWEAR JACKET OF ALL TRADES K U S T O M K I T ®

www.kustomkit.com

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INDUSTRY NEWS

DECORATED PRODUCT OF THE MONTH

This year’s official T-shirt for the SGIA 2017 Expo in New Orleans in October was created by Graphic Elephants/Print This. Designed to capture the spirit of the New Orleans’ French Quarter, it features a saxophone-playing alligator on account of alligators being local to the state of Louisiana and New Orleans being a town well-known for its musical heritage. The team started off with a pencil sketch, which was then scanned in and cleaned up in Photoshop, before colour was added digitally, layering Vastex releases LittleRed dryer aimed at DTG printers Vastex has introduced the LittleRed X3D-54 multi-function dryer with 137cm wide conveyor belt. The company says that the new configuration is capable of curing more than 720 plastisol- printed garments per hour, more than 240 water-based or discharge-printed garments per hour, and more than 100 garments inkjet printed with digital white ink per hour per chamber. It has a high-powered, pre- heating zone that is said to boost ink temperatures beyond 149ºC within the first few centimetres of conveyor travel, maximising the dwell time garments are exposed to optimum, digitally- controlled curing temperatures. “We’ve thoroughly tested the X3D heat curve profile in real time with specialised meters and probes to validate the temperature rise and fall through every minute of conveyor travel, proving it maximises drying rates while minimising Visitor research has resulted in a number of changes for Sign & Digital UK when it returns to the Birmingham NEC in April next year, including broadening its appeal to include textile print. There will be a number of new features added as well as a theme that has been “tailored to meet the changing needs of its visitor profile”, all of which will be announced in detail soon. Rudi Blackett, event director for Sign & Digital UK, said: “We are delighted to announce our 2018 visitors will benefit

the colours to produce optimal results when the finished design was screen printed on to a Fruit of the Loom HD Cotton tee. The colours used included, in order, two white underbases (one soft and a wet hard white), royal, purple, turquoise, green red, magenta, orange, gold and a highlight white. A rainbow foil was used on the pipes of the saxophone, and some gold beads were also applied to provide the finishing touch. www.graphicelephants.com www.sgia.org energy usage,” said Mark Vasilantone, Vastex president. “No other dryer this compact or affordably priced equals its performance.” The dryer’s three 122cm wide heaters are digitally-controlled and height- adjustable. The X3D also offers precision thermal-profiling to match curing conditions to the drying characteristics of each ink type, and the belt is continuously centred by a roller belt tracking system. It comes with a 15-year warranty. www.vastex.com

OBITUARY

Anton Penn Anton Penn, senior vice president Activewear EMEA at Fruit of the Loom, died on 24 September 2017 at the age of 57 following a long battle with cancer. “Anton was a powerful and committed leader and a special person. He worked tirelessly to progress the EMEA business and was proud of the success we shared in the 18 years he was with our company,” said the European Fruit of the Loom Leadership team. “We owe it to his legacy to continue to service our customers with the same energy and passion Anton had. Our thoughts and prayers are with Anton’s family at this time of loss.” www.fruitoftheloom.co.uk

The new LittleRed X3D model from Vastex

Sign & Digital UK 2018 to incorporate textile print following visitor research

from a wider range of learning and networking opportunities than ever before, with new practical demo areas and interactive visitor features. “In addition to focusing on our core sign, print and finishing, and display markets, we will also be broadening the appeal of the show further with an emphasis on the design and creative, textile print, event build and interior décor markets. We will be introducing a programme of engaging show content to highlight the business opportunities in

Sign & Digital UKwill return to Birmingham in April 2018

these growing market sectors.” The show will take place on 24-26 April 2018, and is free to attend. www.signuk.com

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INDUSTRY NEWS

M&R debuted the Sprint 3000 DHZ gas dryer at SGIA 2017 in October

TheMagicTouch introduces new

Hobstar and Insta 256Plus heat presses

M&R debuts new products at SGIA 2017 M&R debuted four new products at SGIA 2017 in New Orleans, the first of which is the Starlight ASO (adjustable spectrum output) UV LED screen exposure system. The new system uses three independently adjustable nanometre ranges to increase screen- exposure flexibility. Light output can be varied from 0-100% to best match each emulsion, and M&R reported that the Starlight ASO has three times as many LEDs per square inch as some competing products, resulting in “the finest detail, the most uniform coverage, and the quickest exposures available”. It has a digital touchscreen controller and promises lower energy costs, reduced screen exposure time, faster production and lower operating temperatures compared to metal-halide lamps. The Photon UV LED Cure System uses cool UV LED lamps that transfer little heat to substrates, consume less power, last for up to 25,000 hours and are said to increase conveyor belt longevity. Its sheet sensor automatically turns LEDs on and off to further reduce power consumption, and it has a touchscreen control panel. Also from the company is the Sprint 3000 DHZ dual heat zone gas dryer. Called a “garment-curing game-

TheMagicTouch (TMT) has introduced two new heat presses, which are said to cater for the needs of both entry-level and established garment decoration businesses. The Hobstar heat transfer press is aimed at those looking to enter the business on a budget. The clam-style A4 press is compact, light and easy to re-position, making it suitable for mobile events and retail locations. It is compatible with all transfer papers from TMT and is also suitable for most sublimation, platen-based print applications. For established businesses there is the new Insta 256Plus manual, swing-away heat press with 40 x 50cm platen. Designed to evenly distribute high pressure throughout the entire platen, the machine has a cast-in tubular heating element that heats the metal from within for a consistent and long-lasting heat. The press also features Quick- Change platens, which allow operators to quickly swap the lower platen with any of Insta’s new accessory platens, such as those for sleeves and bags. A gap opening of 6.99cm allied to easy pressure adjustment facilitates the printing of thicker substrates up to 3.49 cm thickness. www.themagictouch.co.uk

Result releases Ready To Brand Directory 2 Result has released its Ready To Brand Directory 2, an A5, quick reference product directory that includes all current and new 2018 Result, Result Headwear and Spiro garments that have removable labelling or are tag-free. It’s company to be “key to the directory”, is the Core Soft Padded Jacket (R233M). This contemporary-looking, tag-free jacket features a hinged locker patch in the neck, is suitable for embroidery and is available in royal/navy, navy/lime, black/orange, navy and black. www.resultclothing.com available to be downloaded now. New for 2018, and said by the changer” by M&R, it can function as a full width, split belt, 183cm single chamber gas dryer or can be converted ‘on the fly’ into twin 91cm heat chambers. The heat chambers can be set at different temperatures and run in the same or opposite directions, and there’s an option to heat only one zone. Other features include M&R’s Teflon-coated, fibreglass Patriot Belt with SureTrak roller system, the AccuSet retention- time belt-speed controller, Job Recall, and Maintenance Minder System. The final new product from M&R is the TimeSaver Adjustable Pallet System, which the company says eliminates the need to change pallets to accommodate different shirt sizes. The aluminium pallets have dual U-shaped, retractable, stainless steel centring rods attached to the underside of the pallet that, when printing larger garments, can be pulled out from below the pallet face until the distance between the outside edge of the centring rods is wide enough to accommodate the substrate. Each centring rod has a series of built-in notches to make it easy to ensure that the distance extended from each side of the pallet is the same. www.mrprint.com

The new Core Soft Padded Jacket from Result

The new entry-level Hobstar press from TheMagicTouch

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CELEBRATE WITH US Visit TV TecStyle Visions 2018

Ricoh UK launches two new DTG printers Ricoh UK has announced the introduction of Ricoh’s two new direct-to-garment printers, the Ri 3000 and Ri 6000. The machines are available to order now, with UK deliveries starting early December 2017. The Ri 3000 and Ri 6000 are able to print on a wide selection of materials, ranging from 100% cotton and 100% light polyester to mixed polyester garments up to 50%/50% blends. Both systems incorporate Ricoh piezo-electric print head technology and include an automatic ink recirculation system for the white channels for improved ink flow and performance. The automated print head cleaning and ink maintenance features are said to reduce operator maintenance and costs. The AnaRIP software, which is included with the printers, automatically performs colour separation and allows the user to control the ink volume used during production. The Ri 3000 has six ink channels and a speed of 52 seconds (305 x 254 mm, light garment), while the Ri 6000 has 12 ink channels and a speed of 27 seconds (305 x 254 mm, light garment). Both offer a resolution of 600 x 600 dpi, and have a maximum printable area of 35.6 x 45.7 cm. Optional print tables are available for hats, children’s garments and sleeves. Tim Carter, commercial print sales director, Ricoh UK, commented: “The Ricoh Ri 3000 and Ri 6000 models offer the benefit of digitally printing low volume, personalised short run jobs, as well as production volume longer run jobs. We are able to achieve outstanding image quality on both light and dark garments without any limitation on halftones, detailed designs or photographs. These systems deliver colourfast, machine washable prints that last and can stretch without cracking. The new, eco-friendly Ricoh Garment inks give designs a soft touch and vibrant colours.” www.ricoh.co.uk Dave Roper will be holding its two-day Winter Open House at its unit in Kidderminster on 30 November (9am-7pm) and 1 December (9am-5pm). Visitors are welcome to book appointments by email or phone to see new sales team member Nick Walker and managing director Dave Roper, or they can drop in on the day. www.daveroper.co.uk Dave Roper announces dates for Winter Open House

CODE: TV08X050H0118

SINCE 2000

10 th edition

Messe Stuttgart 15 - 17 February 2018

Europe´s leading trade fair for textile decoration and promotion

Ricoh’s new DTG printers are now on sale in the UK

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Changing faces Tony Palmer has joined Essential

online digital marketing and business development in the clothing and promotional sector. Mark is responsible for an area that stretches from the east side of the M1 from Newcastle down to the south coast. www.midwestworld.com

of MagnaColours, said: “Sophie and Sam will be a really welcome addition to the team. As someone who has been in the industry for a number of years, I understand how vital gaining this kind of valuable experience is. Our industry can be a complex one, so the experience they get here will be a great starting point for them, and we can’t wait to pass on our knowledge, experience and expertise.” www.magnacolours.com

Embroidery Design as the Dunstable company’s new production director. He was previously technical sales consultant at MHM Direct GB, and has more than 20 years’ experience in the printing industry.

Mark Harrison

Tony Palmer

Hybrid Services has appointed Brett Newman to the newly created role of chief operations manager. Brett brings more than 20 years of experience working in the sign and graphics industry to his role at the UK and Irish Mimaki distributor, and will be responsible for the company’s day-to-day operations and based at Hybrid’s Cheshire offices. “We are delighted to welcome Brett to the team at Hybrid and look forward to drawing on his many years of experience and industry knowledge,” said Hybrid director, Peter Mitchell. www.hybridservices.co.uk

Dave Roper has recruited Nick Walker to its sales team. Nick joined the company in August having relocated from South Africa, where he had been running his own business with 11 auto carousels. Prior to that he had worked at an M&R dealership where they manufactured their own inks and were agents for other screen print supplies. Dave Roper reported Nick has fitted in perfectly and brings with him “a fantastic amount of knowledge and experience”. Customers can meet him at the company’s Winter Open House on 30 November to 1 December 2017. www.daveroper.co.uk

[L-R] Sam Taylor-Woodhouse and Sophie Howlett

Mutoh Belgium, a subsidiary of Mutoh Industries Co, Japan, has appointed Kenji Yasuhara as its new managing director. He will be overseeing the sales, sales support, logistics, commercial and product marketing, product support and after-sales service activities for Mutoh wide format printing and sign cutting equipment in the entire EMEA business area. He was previously general manager at Mutoh Deutschland, and takes over from Akio Kotake, who had been in the position for three years. www.mutoh.eu

Brett Newman

MagnaColours has welcomed two apprentices to its team at the MagnaLab. Sam Taylor-Woodhouse and Sophie Howlett have joined as full-time apprentices at the Barnsley-based facility and will receive associated structured study as well as hands-on experience in the lab. Helen Parry, managing director

Nick Walker

Mark Harrison has joined Midwest Machinery, supplier of Happy embroidery machines, as sales director. Previously at YES, he has more than 17 years’ experience in garment decoration, and also has expertise in software,

[L-R] Yasuhiko Isobe, managing director international business headquarters (IBH); Akio Kotake, general manager sales operation department IBH; Kenji Yasuhara, managing director Mutoh Belgium; Nobumasa Hayakawa, president and representative director Mutoh Holdings Co

QuickPro ArtWrap canvas kits are now available from Xpres

Xpres partners with Adventa Xpres has partnered with Adventa to supply QuickPro ArtWrap canvas base kits. “These kits make it quick and easy to produce beautifully framed canvas art and require no specialist knowledge or equipment,” commented Xpres. “Simply print on to your chosen material and staple it to the board. The strong construction uses a fold-and-lock method with a premium back board to complete the canvas frame.” They come with pre-cut holes for easy hanging and are available in a variety of sizes. www.xpres.co.uk

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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Expert advice on the business of running a garment decoration company

■ Shoppers are expected to spend £27 billion on purchases made on mobile devices from 2016 to 2017, double that of the previous year. Despite the rise in mobile shopping, a survey by PayPal UK found only 18% of the UK’s small business have mobile-friendly websites. www.paypal.com

■ VisitBritain forecasts that overseas visits to the UK will increase 6% to 39.7 million in 2017, with spend up by 14% to £25.7 billion. With more Britons also holidaying in the UK (their spend hit £4.6 billion between January and June 2017) the tourist market is increasingly lucrative for decorators. www.visitbritain.org.loveenergysavings.com

Q&A

W hat do businesses need to do to prepare for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that kicks in next year? The Data Protection Act 1998 has been providing legal rights and security to individuals whose data is held on a computer or other relevant filing system for almost 20 years. In May 2018, however, data protection is set to get a major overhaul with the introduction of the EU’s GDPR. The new regulation will not only strengthen data protection for EU residents, but also impose significant financial penalties for non-compliance. All businesses and public sector organisations should be aware of the Act and their responsibilities under it, especially because of the financial and reputational risks of non-compliance. What is the GDPR? The GDPR was drawn up to give EU residents back control of their personal data. It extends the scope of the EU’s data protection law to all foreign companies processing data of EU residents. It also addresses the export of personal data outside the EU. There are severe penalties for non-compliance: up to €20 million or 4% of annual worldwide turnover, whichever is greater. While the UK is still a member of the EU, the GDPR will automatically apply to businesses and organisations that have a base in the UK. As for what happens post Brexit, we shall have to see how the negotiations go. At the time of writing, however, a new UK Data Protection Bill is going through Parliament, so businesses and organisations should keep an eye not only on Brexit negotiations, but also on what happens to the Data Protection Bill.

How is it different? One of the differences between the GDPR and the Act relates to consent. Under the GDPR, it will no longer be enough to include a blanket data clause in contracts. Instead, businesses will have to explain clearly why the data is being collected and how it will be used. If relying on consent as a legal basis for processing personal data, consent for the processing of personal information will have to be fully informed and actively and freely given. The GDPR calls for ‘clear, affirmative action’, so getting signed consent is highly advisable. This will have to be carefully documented. Additional consent will be required if the data is to be passed to a third party. Consents already held may have to be reviewed to ensure they meet the terms of the GDPR. The GDPR will also give individuals a host of new rights relating to their personal data. In certain circumstances they will be able to object to certain data processing, restrict how their data is used and to even have their data erased. Individuals will also be able to make data subject access requests without restriction or fee, and organisations must respond within a month rather than the current 40 days. There will also be responsibilities on organisations to check and correct data that is claimed to be incorrect. Organisations that contact individuals for marketing purposes will also have to be careful as specific consent will be needed for contact via email, text message or automated phone call. Another key difference with the GDPR is the role of the data processor. For the first time data processors will have a direct obligation to comply with certain data protection

requirements that previously only applied to data controllers. This means they will also be subject to enforcement by the data authorities, serious fines for non-compliance and compensation claims by individuals. What action should I take? GDPR compliance may sound like an onerous task, but it should be viewed as an opportunity to review current data collection and storage systems and processes and make them as safe and secure as possible. Start with a thorough audit of what data you collect, how it is collected, why it is collected and by whom. Then look at where and how that data is stored and whom it is shared with. Are your storage systems secure? Do you have appropriate contracts in place with third parties? What is the legal basis of your processing the personal data? We have recently launched a digital audit tool, Acuity DataGuard, and support service to help businesses carry out a thorough audit of their data use and identify any potential threats.

Kerry Beynon , partner at Acuity Legal and data protection expert, advises on the changes organisations

should be aware of ahead of next year’s GDPR legislation. www.acuitylegal.co.uk

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KB

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Get found online: 10 quick and effective SEO tips 7. Build content for people, not robots: You are garment decorators, print and embroidery enthusiasts. Write Search engine optimisation (SEO) is vital for the online success of your garment decoration business. Get started today with our top tips.

about your passion, your business, its products and services – hopefully it will then naturally get picked up for many key terms. Often people write ‘out of shape’ content that focuses on keywords rather than being customer-friendly. 8. Create quality links: Inbound links are another thing that can help boost your page ranking in search engines. Collaborate with customers, local schools, sports clubs and businesses by linking to each other; creating a testimonials page is a common way to insert links. 9. Start a blog: Create a blog for your customers’ sake, not for SEO purposes. Produce quality, relevant content frequently and Google will reward you. This can include things like case studies and latest news. 10. Encourage reviews: Ask customers to use Google reviews; this will help give your business more prominence in the search results.

T he recent acquisition of the assets of a leading UK Associates) has caused concern amongst some in the industry, with reports of unpaid debts totalling more than £1 million. Those who subscribed to the BPMA AccountAssyst credit management service managed to avoid much of this pain in part thanks to the early warning system provided by the service, as well as by having access to the Register of Outstanding Invoices. The BPMA has been heavily involved in helping those caught up in the Dukes situation, and will be commissioning an industry-wide credit check with the aim of devices. Speed is playing a larger part in determining how your site ranks; use Google Test My Site to check how your site performs. It will identify performance, areas to improve etc. 5. Make sure you have a page title: Ensure all your webpages have page titles describing what you do as this is the first thing Google bots scan on a page. 6. Use long-tailed keywords: It takes a lot of time and effort to get found for terms like workwear, shirts and polo shirts, so use longer keywords such as ‘branded polo shirts’ and ‘personalised workwear London’. I am often staggered by the scale of average debtor days. One company told me, ‘We only pay our suppliers when they chase us’. promotional merchandise company, Dukes of London, out of administration by distributor BDA (Bensussen Deutsch & 1. Create a ‘Google my Business’ listing: Creating a listing for your business helps your business get found for local searches with minimum fuss. Google my Business provides customers with a whole host of information including opening times, customer reviews, products and services. 2. Join credible online directories: Adding your business to relevant online directories such as Yell and Yelp is a straightforward way to ensure your business gets found online locally. Ensure these are kept valid and up-to-date. 3. Ensure your website is indexed: Use Google Search Console to index your sitemap and ensure that Google bots scan your website. To check how many pages are indexed type site:yourwebsite.co.uk into Google. 4. Test your mobile site speed: There is a growing importance on how websites perform on mobiles/smart

Andrew Langridge is from ETrader, one of the industry’s leading suppliers of websites to garment decorators across the UK. www.etraderwebsites.co.uk

BPMA: BUYER BEWARE supporting those that are in difficulty. When a big distributor goes into administration, it affects all of us. Many in the industry run on tight margins and financial

exposure can be very real. Small and medium-sized businesses rarely have full-time debt collectors, and I am often staggered by the scale of average debtor days. One company told me, “We only pay our suppliers when they chase us.” Big brand end users are often at fault too for using various tactics to delay payment. Do you put customers like this ‘on stop’? Some do as a matter of course, yet others don’t. Sometimes the industry needs a big issue like this as a wake-up call, to say we need to protect ourselves better and be better informed. The BPMA offers its members a zero cost debt recovery service, and a free basic service for AccountAssyst credit management service (members can upgrade to the full package).

If you have any questions or topics for Gordon to address, please email editorial@images-magazine.com with ‘BPMA’ in the subject line.

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TIPS & TECHNIQUES

Each month, leading manufacturers and DTG print shop owners share their know- how in our new DTG column. This month, Geoff Baxter from M&R’s digital division gives the lowdown on pretreatment and the benefits of automated pretreatment application

Geoff Baxter

T here are several misconceptions about pretreating garments prior to direct-to-garment digital printing. Some print shops view it as an optional step – it isn’t, at least not when you’re printing on black and dark shirts. Others believe there’s no difference between manual and automated pretreatment application – there is! So, what is pretreatment, and why is proper application so important? What is pretreatment? Basically, pretreatment enables white DTG ink to be printed on to dark fabrics to create an effective ‘underbase’ that can then be overprinted with CMYK DTG inks. It comprises a chemical solution that’s applied as a spray: The solution contains a small amount of a binding agent, which helps the white ink to adhere to – and stay adhered to – the fabric; and a chemical component that causes the white-ink formulation to gel (or ‘crash’) on contact, forming a semi-solid ink film onto which the low- viscosity CMYK inks can then be printed. The primary purpose of pretreatment is not only to ensure that the white ink ‘sticks’ to the garment, but also to ensure that it achieves maximum opacity – by preventing the ink from sinking into the fabric, and the fabric colour from showing through the ink. An opaque

Automatically applied pretreatment results in a knock-out image

white allows the CMYK DTG inks to produce bright, vibrant, detailed prints. Without pretreatment, the DTG inks would soak into the garment, resulting in muted or muddy images. So what about pastel and white shirts? Pastels may also require a light pretreatment if a white highlight print is being used. White shirts don’t need to be pretreated, but may benefit from it nonetheless. As a rule, the pretreatment solution used on dark garments should not also be used on white shirts: it may enhance the initial appearance of the print, but it can compromise washfastness and the printed image may even yellow over time. There are, however, a number of pretreatment solutions on the market that are

specifically designed to increase image durability and colour vibrancy on white shirts. You would need to determine for yourself whether any resultant improvements in quality and durability are sufficient to justify the additional time and expense of such pretreatment application on your white shirts jobs. Pretreatment application The pretreatment application process plays a crucial role in obtaining optimal results. The process can be as simple as filling an electric or pneumatic paint sprayer with the solution and hand- spraying it on garments. Unfortunately, while this is both a convenient and inexpensive approach, it has two major drawbacks: control and consistency.

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Manual application makes it all but impossible for an operator to uniformly cover the area with pretreatment and there’s likely to be even less consistency from operator to operator. Often, the solution will be applied too thickly in the centre of the designated image area and too thinly at the edges. While it would be tempting to compensate by applying a thicker layer all over, this can result in major printing issues and it’s hardly cost effective to use any more pretreatment solution than is absolutely necessary. You also have to factor in the further waste from inadvertent spraying of pretreatment outside the image area. In addition, the inconsistent application of pretreatment solution makes it harder to troubleshoot printing problems. If some images in the same print run come out looking better than others – or don’t last through as many wash cycles as others – it’s impossible to tell if pretreatment is the issue if there’s no consistency in its application. High quality automated pretreatment equipment solves these problems by allowing operators to dial in a precise amount of solution, apply it evenly and consistently, and confine the treatment zone to only the area where it’s needed. And by keeping close tabs on the settings used for each print run, operators will have the information necessary to fine tune the amount of solution necessary to achieve optimal results. Automated pretreatment systems also limit the amount of chemical spray the operator – and anyone else in the area – is exposed to, and reduce the time and expense involved in cleaning up overspray from adjacent surfaces. Both pretreatment options – manual and automatic – should be followed by heat curing prior to digital printing. Times vary based on ink and fabric types, but 30 seconds under a heat press is a good starting point. In some cases, the operator can position (hover) the heating element over the substrate to drive off some of the liquid prior to pressing the substrate. In order to minimise time spent on trial-and- error testing, operators should keep detailed records of what works best on various ink/substrate combinations. Despite the benefits inherent in automatic pretreatment, I wouldn’t want to discourage people from getting into DTG printing simply because they can’t afford an automatic pretreatment system. While there is no way manually-applied pretreatment can compete with automatic pretreatment application, acceptable – if not exceptional – results can be achieved. But I would always recommend investing in a high- quality automated pretreatment system just as soon as your business’s finances allow. www.mrprint.com

(Left) A print on a pretreated shirt. (Right) The same print on an untreated shirt

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COVER PROMOTION

American Apparel’s TR401W Tri-Blend Crewneck Track T-Shirt delivers an “instant wardrobe update”

American Apparel is back!

American Apparel returns with an impressive collection that reflects its heritage and maintains its unmistakable presence in printwear and retail markets

A merican Apparel is known for bringing fashion into the wholesale arena. Founded as a wholesale company, when T-shirts were boxy and one-size-fits- all, American Apparel created new silhouettes in innovative fabrics, and made basics into everyday classics. Gildan’s acquisition of the American Apparel brand in 2017 has ensured that the brand will continue to evolve. Now that American Apparel is a member of the Gildan family, it is collaborating with a company that shares its belief in combining style and integrity, fashion and ethics, manufacturing and sustainability, product choice and availability. Like

American Apparel, Gildan strongly believes that operating responsibly, treating employees with respect and dignity, providing safe and ethical work environments, and continuously pursuing ways to reduce its impact is critical to success and future growth. As part of the Gildan family of brands, American Apparel promises that it will not only continue to maintain the product attributes that made it a favourite, but will also provide an improved customer service experience through its newly enhanced infrastructure, marketing support and distribution network. “We will work hard to deliver even better value to you, yet

our spirit lives on with the core styles that made American Apparel the go-to brand for fashion basics. We’re staying true to the high-quality, iconic styles you expect from us by continuing to offer cutting-edge finishes and on-trend looks with a modern fit.” A cut above With a wide range of apparel for any occasion, American Apparel’s offering is positioned as a cut above the rest. From collections of T-shirts, tank tops and sweats to unique lines of bodysuits, shorts and leggings, every style is designed to meet the demands of even the most discerning decorator or end-user.

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