ImagesMagUK_July_2021

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 10 images JULY 2021 Visit us on Facebook: @imagesmaguk Want to know what your industry colleagues really think of the garments and accessories they decorate? Each issue, one reader tells us why they rate a particular product James Smith, director of Direct Print & Promotions in Sheffield, says his favourite garments to decorate are the Authentic Hooded Sweat (265M/F) and the Authentic Zipped Hood Jacket (266M/F) from Russell Europe’s Authentic collection. “Both hoodies are superb all-rounders – start-ups, trades, schools and charities all love them!” Available for both men and women in 10 colours, the 265/266 hoodies are made from a 80% ringspun combed cotton/20% polyester fabric blend, which at 280gsm offers just the right amount of heavyweight, adds James. “The heavier nature of the garments, for just a bit more money, sits well with our customers, and they brand beautifully, although the colour range could be a little broader, in my opinion.” James’ top tip for decorating the Authentic hoodies: go for embroidery if possible. “The heavier feel deserves a longer- lasting and more detailed finish.” www.directprintuk.co.uk imagesmag.uk/Readers-Choice-DPP READERS’ CHOICE Ralawise offers prizes with Euro football tournament predictor game Ralawise is giving its customers the chance to win prizes with a new promotion celebrating the UEFA European Football Championship. The Ralawise European Football Tournament 2021, where customers are challenged to correctly predict upcoming game results, is running for the duration of the rescheduled Euros 2020, which ends on 11 July. Sponsored by Gildan, Ralawise has put together a suite of prizes for customers including an LG Smart TV, a Bose Portable Smart Speaker and an Ooni Outdoor Pizza Oven, as well as an Apple iPad and Apple SE watch. The tournament is split into five stages: Group Stage, Knockout Stage, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and the Final. Whichever team you get behind this summer, your predictions could land you with the chance of winning throughout the competition, with five runner-up prizes available at each stage. Head to www.ralawise.com before Sunday 11 July 2021 to find out how to take part. imagesmag.uk/ralawise-euro Russell’s Authentic Hooded Sweat and Authentic Zipped Hood Jacket are great for embroidery, says James Syd & Co This fantastic tote bag was printed by Syd & Co in Carlisle as part of its personalised NHS gift collection for doctors, nurses and midwives. imagesmag.uk/Syd-Co-NHS New workers’ rights watchdog will target garment sector A new UK workers’ watchdog is being created, with powers including the enforcement of the minimum wage and rights to holiday and sick pay, with a particular focus on the garment sector. The new ‘one-stop shop’ is being formed by merging three different bodies: the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate and HMRC’s National Minimum Wage Enforcement. The new watchdog, which is still to be given a name, is being created by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy to ensure “businesses that break the rules have nowhere to hide”. It will also enhance the rights of all workers – including agency staff – by providing a single, recognisable port of call for workers so they know their rights and can blow the whistle on bad behaviour. Announcing the plan on 8 June 2021, the government said it would explore further measures to target abuses specifically in the garment sector after “reports of serious problems in the industry”. Options being examined include creating a Garment Trade Adjudicator to investigate companies’ supply chains, or extending the licensing scheme that currently covers employers in the agricultural sector. The new watchdog will also continue the successful ‘Naming and Shaming’ scheme, which calls out companies who fail to pay workers what they are owed and can hit rogue employers with fines of up to £20,000 per worker. imagesmag.uk/workers-watchdog