Gildan's Total Stewardship Program incorporates new technology, innovative practices and strict policies across all parts of the manufacturing process. Its benefits are found in every garment we make...and with over 500 millions units produced last year, that's a big impact.

The clothing manufacturing industry in the UK has, like many other manufacturing industries in this country, taken a hit over the past few decades. With everything seemingly ‘Made in China', you'd be forgiven for thinking that the death knell for British manufacturing has been sounded good and proper.

A chemical engineer and M.B.A with over 13 years' experience in the industry at senior levels, Manas Deb set up Leicester-based Textile & Graphics Solutions Ltd. nearly a year and a half ago, and chose several high profile international companies making sustainable, eco-friendly products to come on board.

Keeping your cool in challenging physical conditions is the key to improving performance, says Coolactive, a new sports and leisurewear clothing brand for the promotional and print wear sector, launched by the group behind the premium performance fabric Coolmax.

The traditional image of a grey-haired woman knitting jumpers for her grandchildren may still hold true for hand-knitted garments (although knitting’s enjoying a resurgence with some young people); however, the knitwear manufacturing industry is a far cry from domestic knitting. With machines able to churn out miles of knitted fabric at a time, and huge markets in fashion, schoolwear, corporatewear and sportswear to supply to, it’s no exaggeration to say that knitwear is big business.

There are hundreds, possibly thousands, of items that can be branded and made into promotional merchandise. Ask any marketing manager about the types of samples they get sent on spec and the chances are they’ll have a list as long as your arm. The British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) lists over 600 products and services relating to promotional goods in the UK alone.

With so many different styles and vast array of technical fabrics now on the market, you might think that clothing technology has come as far as it’s possible to go. Not only can we now get fabrics that protect from elements such as wind, rain, and high temperatures, but sportsmen’s performance can be enhanced by clothes that can maintain body temperature, support muscles and/or keep the body streamlined.

There's no doubting it, the world of printed promotional clothing and products is a global marketplace. Even goods and garments that are decorated in the UK have probably been imported beforehand. And, when the branding's done, they are often exported again, if they are part of a multinational campaign.

Tough, hard working labourers need tough, hardworking clothes – and that’s what we’re talking about here. Protective clothing that can save the wearer and his/her own clothes from dirt, grime, cement, tar or worse.

Think of the food industry in terms of clothing and you're likely to think aprons, chef's whites and those funny cylindrical white hats. There are a lot more garments to consider, however.

Taking a stand at a trade show is an investment in terms of financial and human resources for any company. Properly planned and executed, an exhibit at the right show is an excellent opportunity for interacting with current customers, making contact with new customers and networking with your peers.

Trade shows can be a great way of developing new business and strengthening relationships with existing clients. While we’ve all got used to doing business over the phone or via email, you can’t beat some good old-fashioned networking and face to face contact – particularly in this industry where the feel of garments is a crucial factor. But how can businesses get the most out of exhibitions and turn those enquiries into orders? Over the next few pages Printwear & Promotion will bring you tips, tricks and best practice ideas from some of the leading players in the industry that should ensure blisters aren’t the only things you take home from your next exhibition.

Under the umbrella term of workwear there is a category all of its own for companies whose dress policy needs to be more than purely functional – it needs to say something about the company. This is where corporatewear comes in – it's workwear that presents an image to the outside world. So for this reason, we're leaving out tabards, chef's whites and hi-vis jackets for another time and just concentrating on the image stuff.

If you had a look on Wikipedia, you’d see a jacket termed as “a lightweight, thigh- or waist-length coat that may be worn by anyone”. This is a useful definition to bear in mind when discerning jackets from other coats, since it excludes any outer garment going down to the knee or below. However, in today’s sunnier climes, it seems that the poor old ‘coat’ is fast being superseded by the jacket, as more technical fabrics allow outerwear to become thinner and higher performing in protecting us from the elements.