ImagesMagUK_March_2021

www.images-magazine.com 06 images MARCH 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. MARCH 2021 | VOL.30 NO.3 EDITORIAL L ockdown drags on, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel. At the time of going to press, pupils in Scotland were scheduled to return to their classrooms in just a few days, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson was pointing to an 8 March return for pupils in England, together with a staged exit from the current lockdown which, he stated, should be the last. The Schoolwear Association has reiterated the key role that school uniform can play in the safe reopening of our schools, due to the benefits they offer in regard to safety, discipline and mental wellbeing (imagesmag.uk/SA_uniform ). We’ve received overhelmingly positive feedback on the work of the association in its support of its members and the schoolwear sector in general since the pandemic struck. It’s worth repeating, then, that any business which is involved in the supply of school uniform would be well advised to become a member and lend its voice to the association’s lobbying and educational activities (imagesmag.uk/ SA_membership). In this issue, we speak to Matthew Easter, co- chair of the Schoolwear Association and MD of Trutex, along with representatives of other leading Back to class schoolwear suppliers, about the current state of the sector and their optimism for the future (‘The state of the schoolwear sector’ , page 27). Leavers hoodies are a big part of the UK school and collegewear market these days and a great sales opportunity for Images readers. We also speak with Geoff Thorne of transfer printers Jester Prints, and several businesses that are established and successful suppliers of leavers hoodies, about the impact the pandemic has had on demand in this sector (‘Lockdown leavers’, page 50). Also playing a role in boosting the health and well- being of the population over the past year, cycling has seen a boom in participation with Sport England estimating that a million extra cyclists have taken to the nation’s roads and cycle paths since March 2020. The jump in demand for cycles, which saw many suppliers running out of stock in the middle of last year, has come with an increase in demand for appropriate cyclewear. We address this trend in our cyclewear showcase (‘Cycling a-tyre’ , page 58) which includes everything from Beechfield’s Softshell Sports Gloves to Spiro’s anatomically fitted Bikewear Long Bib for the dedicated road warriors out there. One of the messages that we regularly bang on about concerns the benefits of using your existing equipment to diversify your product offerings. Being agile and able to switch production quickly to meet changing customer demand and keep those printers and embroidery machines working has never been more relevant than at this time. In this issue we look at two potential avenues that any garment decorator who owns a DTG or sublimation printer might want to consider: in ‘Digital helpdesk’ (page 32) Alex Mighall of R A Smart outlines how to pivot your business towards the home décor, market, while in ‘Finding your feet with DTG’ (page 36) Brother’s Giulia Gallo shows you how to create a stunning pair of high-top trainers using your direct-to-garment printer. Happy decorating! Jonathan Vince Follow Brother’s step-by-step guide to DTG printing on footwear, page 36 Check out your March Just Ts brochure insert...