ImagesMagUK_December_2021

www.images-magazine.com 04 images DECEMBER 2021 Published by: 360 Communications Ltd images magazine, 360 Communications Ltd, 58a Livingstone Road, 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 online: imagesmag.uk/register | Update your subscription/contact details online: imagesmag.uk/subs-update Publisher/advertising: Jonathan Vince | jonathan@images-magazine.com Features editor: Rachael Glazier | rachael@images-magazine.com Features writer: Mark Ludmon | mark@images-magazine.com Publishing assistant: Gaby Bowring | gaby@images-magazine.com Design/Production: ATG Media | production@atgraphicsuk.com Printing: Stephens & George Ltd | Goat Mill Road,Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 3TD ( issn 0966 7512) Opinions expressed by contributors in this magazine are not necessarily shared by the Publisher. Editorial contributions are invited, on the understanding that the Publisher has the right to alter or abridge all such material as he sees fit. While the greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy, the Publisher accepts no liability for either errors or omissions. DECEMBER 2021 | VOL.30 NO.12 EDITORIAL Y ou don’t require a crystal ball to predict that climate concerns and sustainability issues will continue to be hot topics in our industry throughout 2022. With the world’s political leaders having failed to fully demonstrate their commitment to meeting the 1.5°C target on global warming at the recent COP26 summit in Glasgow, we’re determined to continue our focus on what garment decoration businesses can do to contribute to a more sustainable way of working for the future. In this issue, we are privileged to speak with two print shop owners who are setting the pace in terms of sustainable garment decoration and addressing climate concerns head on. For ‘Walking the walk’ (page 32), we travelled (by train) to Rockaway Park in Somerset to visit Si Atkin of Carry on Screening, who has fully embraced sustainable T-shirt printing, including making the (sometimes difficult) switch from plastisol to water-based products. He speaks candidly about the challenges – and benefits – of moving away from plastisol and why he Sustainable season’s greetings likes Permaset and Permatone inks. Heading north, we caught up with Phil Millar of Creative Apparel whose ambition – to build the most eco-friendly garment decoration facility in the UK – is matched only by the scope of his vision for the company’s new factory in Stockport... complete with living walls, roof gardens, solar power, wind power and ‘mega fans’. It’s a hugely impressive undertaking and promises to provide a ‘greenprint’ for future print and embroidery factories. We’ll be tracking Phil’s progress with regular reports throughout 2022 on how the new factory is shaping up. In ‘Sustainable viewpoints’ (page 36) we asked leading apparel brands to share the main message they would like to convey to Images readers about sustainability, while this month’s Business Clinic (page 24) provides some practical advice on simple measures that any garment decoration business can take to reduce its digital carbon footprint. You’ll also want to check out this season’s must- have garment styles in eco-focused fabrics from the likes of Mantis, Neutral and Result in our Ecowear showcase (‘Go green!’, page 38). Have you considered adding a laser system to your garment decoration armoury? If not, now could be the time. Trotec’s step-by-step guide to using laser systems (page 54) shows just how simple it is to create high-quality, high-perceived-value leather patches with a laser cutter/engraver, while in ‘Lasers: a beginner’s guide’ (page 56), experts in the field, including Graphtec, GS UK and CSI Manufacturing (Epilog lasers), share advice and product information for anyone looking to profit from this versatile and increasingly popular decoration process. I hope you enjoy our final issue of 2021, and from me and the rest of the Images team, we wish you and yours a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, prosperous and sustainable 2022. Jonathan Vince Wishing all Images readers a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, prosperous and sustainable 2022 REGISTER Subscribe now to receive your own free monthly copy of Images: imagesmag.uk/subscribe UPDATE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS Working from home? Moved to new premises? Update your details online: imagesmag.uk/subs-update