ImagesMagUK_January_2022

www.images-magazine.com 04 images JANUARY 2022 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. JANUARY 2022 | VOL.31 NO.1 EDITORIAL F irst things first - Happy New Year! At the time of writing (before Christmas) the situation regarding Omicron and the tightening of Covid restrictions is changing fast and there is no way of knowing where we might find ourselves by the time this issue drops through your letterbox. However, I sincerely hope that you and your families were able to meet, celebrate, and enjoy a well- earned festive break, and that you are returning to your print and embroidery shops fired up and ready to build your businesses to greater heights this year. 2 022 represents a significant milestone for everyone at Images magazine: we launched our first issue in February 1992, publishing six bi-monthly issues that year. It was an exciting time for anyone involved in garment decoration, coinciding with the advent of UK multi-brand distributors and the age of just-in- time, next-day blank garment deliveries, and coming hard on the heels of the revolution in digital machine embroidery in the ‘80s. It is traditional on occasions such as this to revisit the past, learning the lessons history has to teach us, reminiscing about successes and generally revelling in (hopefully) a job well done. We’ll certainly be taking the opportunity to indulge in a few trips down memory lane over the next 12 months; however, given the current circumstances and the rate at which the industry (and the world in general) has changed and is changing, it seems more appropriate Looking forwards to be focusing on the present and looking forwards rather than backwards right now – concentrating on the best strategies for not only surviving, but thriving in these challenging times. That’s what we’ve set out to do in this first issue of our anniversary year. If there is one company that embodies the modern face of (digital) garment decoration it is Snuggle. Cousins Akil Thathia and Shabbir Maimoon have grown their business at an astonishing rate, keeping pace with an exponential rise in demand by constantly investing in the very latest digital printing technology. There’s much that can be learned from Snuggle’s ongoing success, which is why we despatched Mark Ludmon to Peterborough to talk DTG, expansion, recruitment and the future with Akil and Shabbir (page 32). Speaking of the latest products, our annual Supplier Focus: What’s New feature brings together new and newsworthy garments, accessories, equipment, software and consumables from the cream of the UK’s industry suppliers (page 35). If you are planning your brandable garment portfolio for the coming year, or looking at new investment in plant and machinery ahead of the financial year end and busy summer season, do yourself a favour and turn to page 35 – there’s no better place to begin. From Brother’s latest DTG printer to SF’s new sustainable garment styles, there is something for everyone. Just as January is when we race to the gym to get ourselves fit for the year ahead, so now is also the time for garment decoration businesses to get in shape. Fortunately, Tony Palmer is on hand with his 10 top tips for improving your T-shirt printing in 2022 (page 84), while our regular embroidery columnist Erich Campbell has the perfect ‘workout routine’ to help you flex those digitising muscles and build up your stitching stamina (page 86). Enjoy this issue and very best wishes for a healthy and successful 2022. Jonathan Vince We celebrate our 30th anniversary in 2022 and will be marking this milestone with some special treats throughout the year 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 1992-2022