ImagesMagUK_August_20

IS DECORATOR PROFILE www.images-magazine.com 38 images AUGUST 2020 We’re just three guys working hard to get it out the door merchandise with its own designs. The company’s survival owes much to the reputation that VinoSangre has built up, Mikee points out. “Because we are not a conventional print shop, people were wanting to support us as we are an independent. Our whole ethos has been about supporting the bands and we’ve been doing that for years and years. People were really lovely and giving back to us.” Mikee is proud that, despite its growth, VinoSangre still has the “DIY culture” of the independent music scene. “We provide a slightly different service from a more formal print shop. It’s just myself, Sam and Max being ourselves, being as good printers as we can, but being as approachable and informal as possible. That has been our ethos. Everyone is equal. That’s the reason people like to print with us.” Because of its reputation, people often expect VinoSangre to be a bigger operation with a team of back-office staff. “There’s been a common misconception we are a big business, but we’re just three guys working hard to get it out the door,” Mikee says. “Even though it is stressful at times, it doesn’t feel like a conventional job. I work hard but I also get to hang out with two friends.” For him, the “punk rock” attitude comes from running a successful business “on your own terms”. Sustainable ethos Being sustainable and eco-friendly has been core to VinoSangre from the start. “It was always something that’s been important to me personally, as a human being and a vegan,” Mikee explains. “It’s been pivotal to me throughout my life and I’ve transferred that across into the business.” Only eco-friendly inks are used, sourced from specialist supplier CCI, and there are no “crazy chemicals” that would harm the environment. The business uses carbon-neutral companies for shipping and recycles wherever possible. Its suppliers include Ralawise, BTC and Gildan, and it also offers sustainable ethical brand Stanley/Stella, plus the No Sweat range Max Oughton Mikee Parker of shirts and hoodies. The latter is produced in Bangladesh as part of No Sweat’s work to fight sweatshops and support workers’ cooperatives. “We’re trying to help people be aware that there are alternatives to the norm,” Mikee explains. “It’s about educating people and raising awareness.” Requests for sustainable garments have grown over the past two years, especially on the punk scene where bands have long been hot on ethics, including the Punks Against Sweatshops campaign. “You are paying more money for the shirt, but the quality is better and you can sell them for more money. It means it’s less throwaway than it used to be.” While Covid-19 makes the future uncertain, Mikee hopes VinoSangre will continue to grow, expanding to larger premises with bigger machines, possibly split across one site, with one set-up working on long runs and quicker turnarounds and another doing more technical, specialised jobs. But he does not want to lose what makes the business special. “We don’t want to branch out into embroidery or DTG. We are a screen print shop and want to focus on that. We don’t want to become a huge 50-person team like some of the other print shops. That works for them, but it’s hard to have that personal approach that we have when you have lots of staff doing lots of different stuff. We know all our customers. It’s not a robot system where you get an automated response. I wouldn’t want to jeopardise that by turning into a huge business. We just want to focus on being really good printers.” www.vinosangre.co.uk A print for tattoo artist Kyle Shields