Images_June_2020_Digital_Edition

www.images-magazine.com 04 images JUNE 2020 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 / unsubscribe / update contact details online: www.images-magazine.com 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. JUNE 2020 | VOL.29 NO.6 SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 The Big Promotional Trade Show – Dublin The Ballroom, Red Cow Moran Hotel, 22 Naas Rd, Fox-And-Geese, Dublin 22 thebpts.co.uk SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 Print & Stitch - Castle Donington Donington Park Circuit, Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2RP printandstitch.org SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 Print & Stitch - Manchester Village Hotel Ashton, Pamir Drive, Ashton- under-Lyne OL7 0LY printandstitch.org SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 Promotion & Branding Show – Chester Double Tree by Hilton Hotel - Chester, Warrington Road Hoole, Chester, CH2 3PD promobranding.events SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 TBPTS – Heathrow The Buckingham Suite, Heathrow/Windsor Marriott Hotel, Ditton Rd, Slough SL3 8PT thebpts.co.uk SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 Promotion & Branding Show – Croydon Hilton Hotel - London Croydon, Purley Way, Croydon, CR9 4HH promobranding.events SEPTEMBER 27-29, 2020 The Print Show NEC Birmingham North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT theprintshow.co.uk SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 TBPTS – Manchester Manchester United FC Old Trafford, Sir Matt Busby Way, Stretford, Manchester M16 0RA thebpts.co.uk SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 Print & Stitch - Strathclyde DoubleTree by Hilton Strathclyde, Phoenix Crescent, Bellshill ML4 3JQ printandstitch.org OCTOBER 1, 2020 Print & Stitch - Newcastle Newcastle Marriott Hotel MetroCentre, Marconi Way, Gateshead, NE11 9XF printandstitch.org EDITORIAL DIARY H ow can I help? What do you need? Are you okay? As Marshall Atkinson explains in ‘Connecting with customers now’ (page 48), these are the questions we should be asking people at present. He discusses how you are likely to be working, communicating, marketing, interacting, and serving your customers in the future, and shares seven tips to help you start planning for the ‘new normal’. Will Pearson also has suggestions for how you can use this opportunity to reconfigure the way you run your business. The second instalment of his guide to one-piece flow production explains how to introduce this system to your own shop. I like the fact that Will doesn’t attempt to sugar-coat the pill – following the Toyota Way isn’t for the faint-hearted, but the more you delve into the details, the more it makes sense. Turn to page 45 and see for yourself. If you’re still in lockdown, furloughed, working away from your shop, or business is simply a lot quieter than usual, now is the perfect time to polish your software skills. In ‘Low resolutions, high expectations’ (page 28), Corel’s Roger Walmbolt explains how to get the most out of low-res images, such as logos taken from a customer’s website, using the new AI-powered features in CorelDraw Graphics Suite 2020. Spoiler alert: Roger’s guide is a surefire productivity enhancer. Erich Campbell also turns his attention to software in this issue with a look at what it takes to become a skilled digitiser in ‘Learning digitising during downtime’ (page 41). He addresses the knowledge that any would-be digitiser needs to acquire, and reviews the available online education resources. Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen face masks emerge as the new, hot brandable product. In ‘Face the facts’ (page 34), we take a look at the current options, while in ‘How to decorate face masks’ (page 39), Andy Rogers of Target Transfers guides you through the printing of masks using heat-applied transfers. Last month, in ‘The industry steps up’, we showcased the work of Images readers in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. In ‘Messages of hope’ (page 22), we are again proud to feature a gallery of your superb decorated products. Much of this work is helping to raise funds for the front line workers who are battling the virus and working tirelessly to keep us all safe and healthy, as well as the many charities and voluntary organisations that are supporting the most vulnerable among us. Westford Mill has stepped up to join you all in your fundraising efforts. The brand is donating 50 Rainbow Packs of W101 Bags for Life for Images readers to decorate and sell to raise further funds for your chosen charities and causes, while also generating work for your own business. Turn to page 24 to find out how to bag your W101 Rainbow Pack and let’s start printing and embroidering our way to a brighter future. Jonathan Vince The new normal