feb17_images_digital

PF

PROMOWEAR

“Nowadays the expectation is incredibly high: quality, supply, range of garments, colour and printing ability are all equally im- portant,” adds Jon. “There’s no time to stand still – our customers expect the latest thing in fashion available in the promo world, so we need to adapt with the trends.” He adds that today’s customers focus on style, fabric and colour plus new and exciting ways of branding using different decoration processes. Modern tech , such as emails and instant artwork transfer, has also led to reduced lead times, says Peter, with same day turna- round becoming the norm. “Software advances have given us the ability to react to these customer requirements,” he explains. Suppliers are also now expected to have all the relevant accredi- tations, points out Mark: “ISO, Sedex etcetera are all now a neces-

sity. Direct Textiles has just been awarded Pillar 4 Sedex, which is a fantastic achievement and does give us a USP over some of our competitors.” And that’s not all: He says: “Customers also expect the correct packaging, individual bagging, barcoding, pallets to the correct specification to a certain height and dimensions and so on. The ability to move multiple pallets across Europe quickly is also vital.” While each promotion is different, Mark believes that customers are now more intent than ever on getting the most from their investment. “There will always be the one-off promotion but I would suggest multiple wear is now more common. The brew- ery market is massive for promotional T-shirts and I often see garments that we produced months ago still in use.”

Snickers: 40th Anniversary Hoodie The 40th Anniversary Hoodie from Snickers sold in the tens of thousands in 2016. It has an adjustable drawstring hood plus kan- garoo handwarmer pockets at the front, and has pre- washed for a comfortable, pre-shrunk fit. It features Snickers embroidery on the front and a 40th anniversary logo on the arm, and is available in a range of sizes in black. w www.snickersworkwear. co.uk

United Brands of Scandinavia: Clique Three- Layer Softshell Jacket United Brands of Scandinavia’s bestselling 2016 product was its Clique Three-Lay- er Softshell Jacket. Available in nine vibrant colours, a wide size range and a male and female fit, “This is the perfect softshell range for the promotional market,” says the brand. “Sleek and modern with a soft contemporary design and always supported by great stock levels, this jacket caters for every promotional request.” w www.united-brands.co.uk

Just Hoods by AWDis: College Hoodie “As one of our core styles, the College Hoodie (JH001) is a favourite with printers and decorators,” reports Just Hoods by AWDis. “The unique cotton/polyester construc- tion of this hoodie gives the ultimate printing surface and this smooth fabric creates the perfect canvas for all types of printing and embellishment.” The College Hoodie comes in a choice of 57 colours and, new for 2017, it is now available in sizes XS-3XL. w www.justhoodsbyawdis.com

Ralawise: 2786 Contrast Lightweight Jacket According to Ralawise, the 2786 Contrast Lightweight Jacket (TS011) is perfect for all types of promotional events: “This great value, unisex jacket is one of our most popular styles.” With a multitude of contrast colour options, endless personalisation possibilities, and tag-free, the jacket is an ideal choice for re-branding opportuni- ties. 2017 sees the introduction of three new on-trend camouflage colour options. w www.ralawise.com

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