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Where has the year gone? I know we all say that at the end of every year, but having joined the magazine in March, that now seems a lifetime ago – the best part of a year in fact by the time this issue comes out. So what has happened in the garment decoration industry in the past year?
One thing’s for sure, it seems to have been in the headlines quite a bit, if not directly then indirectly. The ethical debate has really hotted up in the past year, with a growing focus on avoiding sweatshop and ‘slave’ labour.
This has impacted our industry in several ways, and we have seen a growth in the number of companies venturing into the Fairtrade and ethical markets. In the schoolwear market, reports of major supermarkets selling cheap clothes (including uniform) ‘but at what price?’ have given the schoolwear providers an even stronger case for their offering.
Most recently the ethical issue has come to the fore again with the issue of child labour in Uzbekistan. A Newsnight programme last month drew attention to the problem, which here in the printwear industry is already being tackled by Continental Clothing. In fact the programme featured Continental’s head of products Mariusz Stochaj, who spoke about the company’s work to ensure none of its cotton is sourced from Uzbekistan.
It was an enlightening, not to mention shocking, report and can only serve to help garner support for the work companies like Continental are doing to prevent this situation – and will hopefully encourage others to follow suit. See the news story on page 8 for more information. This subject will also form the basis of next month’s ethical production feature.
This year has also seen some technological advances, with even faster and more efficient machines; growing interest and more developments in the digital printing market; and some revolutionary advances in the transfer market too. The move away from a totally pricedriven market and more towards quality has also continued.
But that’s enough about the past for now... Looking to 2008, one of the things the magazine intends to do is carry out a reader survey. This is to ensure we meet all the needs and expectations of our readers and will help us build an even greater understanding of the market.
Ultimately, it will also help build the lines of communication between you, the garment decorators, and your suppliers, the distributors and manufacturers. So, your help in this would be greatly appreciated, not to mention helpful to you and us in the long run. Please get in touch if you have any suggestions for questions.
There is just enough space for me to remind you about the inaugural Printwear & Promotion Excellence Awards – full details in last month’s issue – which promise to be a great new addition to the event calender.
As for the rest of this issue... you know what to do!
Rebecca Green
- Introducing the Sublideck 3D Sublimation System
- Gildan secures deal to buy Anvil Holdings
- New OKI 920WT white toner printer now available...
- Resolute DTG launches 45 second production curi...
- FDM….launch of a new brand by Fundamental Appar...
- MHM Direct now a UK dealer for Brother Digital...
- Prestigious business award for Regatta
- Printwear & Promotion Live 2012
- Inspiration and innovation from Ralawise
- Garment Decoration Award winners announced at P...
