It's the final countdown! Well that year went quickly. As I write, we are on the threshold of yet another action-packed Printwear & Promotion Show - with the added dimension, this year, of the International Promota Show co-locating with us in Hall 12 at the NEC on the second and third days.

Octi-Tech Ltd, a leading developer of creative substrates and solutions for the sublimation transfer and digital decorating industry, has launched the Sublideck Surface Decoration System, a new range of specialty heat presses engineered to yield superior results in dimensional digital decoration.

B&C has launched a new workwear range – the B&C Pro collection.

The range includes professional T shirts, polos, sweatshirts and a bodywarmer.

Leicestershire-based company The marketing Worx have announced that as well as exhibiting at this year’s Printwear & Promotion Live at the NEC (February 28-March 2) they will also be the sponsor and suppliers for the show's lanyards this year.

Geoffrey Bouchier and Paul Clark of MCR have been appointed joint administrators of Nipson Digital Printing Systems plc (NDPS).  

Founded in 1992, the company is the majority shareholder of Nipson SAS, a French incorporated company specialising in producing state-of-the-art high-speed digital printing systems.

Thanks to the generosity of Russell Workwear, PenCarrie’s warehouse staff have a new uniform.

Each outfit is personalised with individual staff names embroidered in full (in white, on left chest) on the various tops they now wear. These are: 599M Polo, 013M Sweatshirt, 010M T-Shirt (all in classic red) and the 8700M Fleece (in bottle).

Distributor UKL opened their doors for two days in December for their popular Trade Show event.

The event was a hit, attracting many visitors to UKL's Swindon HQ.

The Durst Rho 1000 wide format printer has won a prestigious Angel Award 2009.

The Angel Awards are published annually by Image Reports Magazine. They are the top ten products launched throughout the year.

The 2010 anniversary jacket range from Result has every angle covered. Reflecting the latest in design and fabric technology, Result garments are designed for those who demand high performance and environmental credentials from their clothing at work and leisure.

Ian Strudwick, Technical Manager at the UK's leading textile testing laboratory, Shirley Technologies (STL), has been appointed chairman of an important industry body.

Ian Strudwick, 43, based at STL in Manchester, has been named chairman of the BSI Committee TCI/81 (Colour Fastness and Colour Measurement of Textiles). He said: "TCI/81 is an important committee which organises the UK's position on standards relating to colour fastness and colour measurement testing of textiles in relation to global standards." 

The Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA) has announced that its annual Autumn trade exhibition will be renamed Print for Business – LIVE! and will take place at the NEC on September 21-22.

UK-based, Madico Graphic Films has re-launched the dedicated on-line portal for its growing range of environmentally-friendly, UV and eco-solvent inkjet, and thermal transfer printable window films.

Premier Print & Promotions Ltd has announced the recent purchase of Almalad Ltd t/a TransWorld Incentive Gifts based in Colchester Essex.

The well respected business re-located to Premier's site at Threshelfords Business Park in Kelvedon, Essex mid December.

For more than 15 years, Result have had a passion for headwear. Be it for promotions, leisure, fashion, winter, school or college, Result’s 15 year anniversary collection of more than 60 uncompromising styles will fulfil all your needs.

Challenger revolutionized screen printing in the 1980s, and Challengers have dominated the industry ever since. Now, M&R’s all-new Challenger III expands on that tradition by combining innovative patented and patent-pending features, such as M&R’s Ink-Dip Ink Retrieval System and Optical No-Shirt Detector.

With hip styles and snazzy colours, James & Nicholson reveals its true colours in a business world dominated by black and grey.

The products are equipped with practical easy-care finish or they are non-iron. An overview of the whole collection is given in the latest James & Nicholson Workbook 2010.

Theatre Tokens, the national theatre voucher scheme currently celebrating its 25th anniversary, has appointed Natasha Ryton to the position of business development manager.

Natasha, who has extensive experience in new business, customer relations and team management, worked for Red Letter Days for five years as the corporate sales manager for its IT, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and electronic sectors.

The £168million publicly-quoted 4imprint Group plc has mounted a major brand alignment programme which will see three 4imprint-owned promotions companies merging to form Brand Addition, a £50m marketing communications agency.

Coolactive the performance leisurewear brand has introduced Thermocool technology into its 2010 collection.

Thermocool is a multi-functional and ecological evolution born from Advansa’s technological experiences of modified cross section fibres and is being used by the likes of Asics in the performance sportswear market.

The New Kornit Breeze direct on garment digital printer was due to be launched at the ISS show in Long Beach USA as Printwear & Promotion went to press.

According to Adelco, it is the first digital garment printer to enable the printing of under base white and CMYK colours at the same time from a single print head array. This greatly increases the print output of the machine while reducing the floor space required.

TUI UK - parent company of Thomson and First Choice - is introducing a new promotional products strategy for 2010 and has appointed branding consultancy BrandInc to create, design and manufacture a completely new collection of branded merchandise for its Summer 2010 consumer promotions.

Over the past 12 months TheMagicTouch have been monitoring the revival of the “crystal effect” on to garments and fabrics.

Many high street chains have introduced garments emblazoned with different logos all of which have been mass produced in the Far East. The real challenge has been to enable the same idea but to be made available in the short-run, on demand, personalised market.

Earth Day Network has chosen Anvil Knitwear as its official T shirt and knitwear partner for Earth Day on April 25, 2010 and for the 40th anniversary events leading up to Earth Day.

Anvil is also developing an exclusive new apparel line for Earth Day Network's The Green Generation campaign.

New research from Premierline Direct reveals that SMEs are "keeping it real" when it comes to business, abandoning their dreams because they lack the necessary skills to fulfil them and prefer to make money instead.

Waypoint Exhibition and Event Group, has announced the launch of a new national exhibition to support the marketing sector.

Incentives & Promotional Marketing – Live! will co-locate at Birmingham’s NEC, alongside established trade events Call Centre Expo, Event UK and Service Management Expo, on September 21 and 22, 2010.

Prestige Leisure are pleased to announce the arrival of their 2010 Brochure Collection.

Prestige have expanded their range of 45 leading brands to include Adidas Golf, Craghoppers and Lee Cooper Workwear.

Mimaki have launched a new large format direct and dye-sublimation printer – the 3.2m wide JV5-320DS.

The new machine enables direct printing on polyester substrates at high speeds and with excellent results.

The highly acclaimed productivity and quality features of JV5 have been merged in this model to produce outstanding print on textiles on a super wide scale. The JV5-320DS, available from the New Year, commands a slight premium over the current solvent version due to the additional features.

Clive Lewis, head of enterprise at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW), offers a number of practical steps that businesses can take to ensure that they face 2010 on a positive note.

Communication, lest we forget, is a two-way street: I tell you and you get it, first time; you tell me and I provide just what you want. Understanding is central to this, but much marketing and sales material appears to be designed to show off the genius of the producer, rather than to create that understanding make a sale.

Based on primary research and expert analysis, The Future of Digital Print for Textiles: market forecasts to 2014, breaks down the global market by end-use sector, print process, region and country, with five-year forecasts to 2014. The study also provides an up-to-date overview of the latest technology developments, analysis of the competitive landscape and identifies specific market opportunities for raw material and print technology suppliers.

1850s

T shirts were originally worn by workers in various hot environments and were a by-product of the humble all in one Long John garments that had been around for centuries and were separated into a two piece affair.

The 2010 Blue Max portolio has plenty of news to report on the T shirt front with two new line introductions to complement the existing Champion T shirt.

First up is the brand new ladies' tee.

Helly Hansen has introduced the 50589 Logo T shirt which is available in two colours and sizes S-2XL. Made from soft touch poly/cotton with a branded front it is Ideal for all leisure activities.

New for T shirts is the Coolactive range with six T shirt options available, including the TA019 Coolactive Thermocool Men's Base Layer Short Sleeve T shirt and the TA022 Coolactive Thermocool Ladies Base Layer Long Sleeve T shirt. Both contain elasthene to enable their use in heavy training and/or as muscular support.

T shirts are real all-rounder products, whether used as a casual outfit, high performance sports garment or combined with a chic jacket. The latest James & Nicholson Workbook shows the whole range of top T shirts and smart promotional wear.

Finden+Hales know teamwear and they know it well. The brand has gone from strength to strength with its range of mix’n’match men’s, women’s and kids teamwear.

Armed with more fantastic customer information than ever before, the brand looks set to become the benchmark for those seeking a personalised look for their team, club or organisation.

Fruit of the Loom’s Valueweight Ts are the definitive promotional T shirts. With options for men, women and children, plus a huge range of colours, they provide the best value option for the widest variety of volume requirements.

Hanes Tagless collection combines superior fit, fabric and design with the guarantee of great choice, excellent quality, reliable service and the rapid availability Hanes is known for.

Hanes Tagless Crew Neck sports T (product code 7700) is made of 100% breathable polyester fabric with Cool-DRI technology.

For quality, innovation and care, always check the label. At Henbury we take pride in our products and strive to deliver garments which are a delight to decorate and provide an ideal opportunity to promote your brand or kit our your workforce.

I.S.E. supplies garment decorators with a vast range of quality T shirt options from well-known brands such as Fruit of the Loom, Gildan and Workwear, suitable for a variety of printing needs.

Popular with decorators, the organic Fruit of the Loom range includes the F61188M New Organic Cotton T, a 100% certified organic cotton T shirt which is completely unbleached and undyed for a natural finish. It also features a 1 x 1 rib binding on the neckline and is available in men’s, ladies and children’s fit in a natural colour.

The Larkwood Baby and Toddler Collection offers the cutest range of young kidswear around. Our garments are styled softly and made out of the comfiest most wearable fabrics with lovely little details to make them extra special. For children, it is especially important to let them express themselves and have fun doing so. That means the fabrics we use must meet all the demands of these little busy bees.

Mumbles Bears are perfect for any occasion and dressed in their T shirts they are a perfect vehicle for any message or brand.

Cute and collectable, they are an extremely cost effective way of offering a gift or promotion.

Even though the use of organic cotton T shirts is still relatively new in the promotional clothing industry, the demand for ethically produced tees has increased due to the influence of high street fashion, designers and celebrities that have brought environmentally friendly fashion from the corner to the spotlight.

PenCarrie’s huge choice in T shirts includes industry stalwarts plus a host of new designs for 2010. All categories are catered for – men’s, ladies’ fashion, children’s, sports, workwear, even casual corporatewear.

T shirts are a staple in every decorator's offering year after year and 2010 will be no different.

Prestige Leisure stock a huge range of T shirts in many styles from lady-fit feminine styles, to teamwear and performance options.

The T shirt has always been a popular garment for decoration and promotion. T shirts can also be worn as is or with other clothing, complementing a bespoke uniform or design to perfection. Whilst offering a great solution for uniforms, T shirts also offer an excellent cost effective option for promotions, campaigns and events.

When a customer calls for a quality product on which they can emblazon their message, their decorator has invariably turned to us.

It’s Russell’s attention to detail that makes us stand out; the simplicity and elegance of our designs, the fact that our garments are designed to be decorated and the fact that we test our garments over and over again to ensure they stand up to the rigours of the most vigorous promotion, demanding playground or working environment. If your customer has invested good time and money in their identity or campaign then the last thing they need is for it to fall apart on the spin cycle.

Skinnifit are known for their T shirts and their collection is still at the heart of their offer. The new Perfect T (SK201) is a flawless partnership of quality and value for money.

It’s in 100% cotton, incredibly smooth single jersey, is available in four sizes and six colours including the new Hot Pink, Spring Green and Bright Purple, has a longer body length in keeping with market demand and also has one of the most interesting cost proposals the brand have ever produced.

A new highlight for 2010 is a 210 g/m heavyweight T shirt in Stedman quality.

The Prime ST6000 is made from 100% ring-spun cotton, single jersey tubular fabric, taped shoulder to shoulder.

The T shirt world has changed dramatically over the last few years with a wide variety of styles both for men and women now being openly available.

The Tour Collection range of T shirts offers the difference you need. The styles have specifically been designed to show off the emblem, flags, colours and designs of specific countries as well as a wide range of party T shirts which will really catch the eye.

Tombo is all about teamsport and what could be more central to many teams and indeed most sports than the T shirt? The T shirt stands out as being the most popular item in our wardrobes; easy to wear, comfortable and suits a multitude of purposes.

Fruit of the Loom’s Valueweight Ts are the definitive promotional T shirts. With options for men, women and children, plus a huge range of colours, they provide the best value option for the widest variety of volume requirements.

I catch up with Roger McHugh at the tail end of a strong November and an incredibly successful year. He is finalising Beechfield's edgy-looking 2010 brochure as we settle down for a chat at his Bury HQ.

Beechfield was founded in 1992 and, after almost two decades, it is still turning heads, with a huge following in both the UK and Europe. Roger describes how the brand hit the ground running, with a range of 12 contemporary headwear styles and a million pieces in stock. Since then Beechfield has developed the most popular and complete collection of promotional headwear on the market.

Beechfield’s latest race-day favourite is the new B159 Grand Prix Cap. Based on the same design template as the best selling B15 Ultimate 5 Panel Cap, the new style has no front seam for easier embroidery and to ensure more visually appealing decoration.

25% for 2010 and carries the full Formula Racing range.

New additions for 2010 include the KK956 Formula Racing Le Mans Soft Shell Jacket, which is available in three colours and sizes S-2XL. The garment has contrast colour sections and elasticated cuffs. It is breathable, windproof and shower proof with a microfleece inner for added warmth – ideal for a day at the races!

Finden+Hales know teamwear and if you’re into all things motorsport, karting or motocross, then teamwear is for you. The contrast panelling, piping detailing and bold key colourways make teamwear garments perfect for use in the motorsports sector.

Front Row is all about detail. We design promotional and corporate garments that compete with the best on and off the high street circuit.

Whether it is the touch of the fabric or the carefully chosen trims we are sure that our products will make you and your business stand out from the crowd.

Gamegear Formula Racing is a collection of motorsport inspired teamwear designed to excel on the circuits of Europe. 

This range will appeal to motorsport teams for support crew, mechanics and drivers' casual wear, but it is equally at home in commercial garages or retail environments where a smarter yet distinctive look is desired.

Fruit of the Loom’s College Jacket and Windbreaker and the company’s Outdoor Fleece styles are great value choices for any motorsport promotion.

The College Jacket and Windbreaker offer maximum value for volume outerwear customers. The garments are competitively priced yet finished to an impressively high standard. For example, all trims, including zips, eyelets and drawcords, are precisely colour-matched. The jackets’ shower-resistant 100% nylon 210T outer shell, (74 gm/m2) has also been extensively tested for use with the leading screen printing inks for nylon fabrics.

Motorsport fans line up in team colours of red, black, white and grey. The Henbury series of polos, Ts, hoodies and sweats are professionally engineered to be a breeze to decorate and will not disappoint.

I.S.E., the Essex based promotional clothing supplier, offers a range of garments suitable for a motorsports environment.

The Kustom Kit collection offers a vast array of garments available in a choice of team colours.

Tombo are passionate about all team sports and motorsport is no exception! Tombo present a fabulous range of inspired garments which feature distinctive motorsport style colours and panelling. Pick Tombo’s range of coordinated garments for your team and you are guaranteed to zoom ahead of the crowd.

PenCarrie believes that motorsport will be an even bigger earner than usual for UK garment decorators in 2010.

Andrea Charteris, PenCarrie’s customer services manager explains: “Now that Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton are both driving for McLaren, the British are going to be more interested than ever in Formula One.”

Sports and competitive activities have proved an increasingly popular avenue for business for customers over recent years, with plenty of opportunities available.

One such competition is motorsports, with a range of options available for customers to promote and sell into. Ralawise offer a number of key products ideal for this emerging market, with brands such as Gamegear Formula Racing and Beechfield providing a multitude of essential garments and accessories.

Last year proved a good year for motorsport with more and more people showing an interest after Jenson Button’s prestigious win in the 2009 Formula One Championship. 

And 2010 is also expected to be a good year with even more choice available in the 2010 Prestige Leisure Brochure Collection.

We're on Henbury's home territory. Our meeting in an Edinburgh hotel is not a million miles from Henbury HQ – a former funeral parlour.

Henbury's portfolio more than doubled overnight when it took on the former Lea Sportswear brands last Autumn.

The countdown to this year's exciting Printwear & Promotion LIVE 2010 show has begun. Editor, Debbie Eales puts Exhibitions Manager, Richard Smith, in the hot seat and asks him what's in store at this year's action-packed event.

Our prestigious line-up of printwear and promotions experts will make our new Knowledge Transfer Suite the hottest ticket in town. Here's a look at our fascinating seminar programme for Printwear & Promotion 2010. If you don't want to miss out, be sure to register online at www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk

Direct to product ink jet printing opened up a whole new market when it was introduced only a few years ago. Up until then it was just not economical to print small numbers of full colour prints but companies like DTG and Your Embroidery Services Ltd were among the first to introduce us to this new technology which, at last, made the uneconomical affordable.

If you have not already registered to visit, now is the time to do so. Pre-registration is still open - simply log on to the show website www.show.promota.co.uk and register for tickets following the visiting link.

And to make sure you don’t miss out on anything we’ve come up with some top reasons to visit this year’s show.

Q: What is the difference between polyester and rayon thread? Which type should I be using?

A: Polyneon, the brand name of Madeira's high sheen polyester thread, is recommended when you need a yarn which will be heavily stressed, for embroideries on industrial textiles or any that are to be washed extremely frequently. It also has high resistance to chlorine, bleaches and artificial whiteners this is why it is often recommended on work wear.

A dream-come true technology, Embroidery i2 for CorelDRAW®, is a software plug in for CorelDRAW® that creates embroidery inside the graphics program. No need for a separate embroidery software application, no need to learn any new programs or interfaces.

Having recently seen a huge demand for consumables in recent times, Ralawise are delighted to announce stocks of Royal Threads and Madeira Embroidery Threads are now available.

Ralawise customers now have access to two of the industry’s leading thread ranges, offering the complete package to equip businesses with all they need to decorate garments for the end user.

RSK NetShirt proves there’s more than a grain of truth in the old adage that a stitch in time saves nine. Campbell Cameron, sales and marketing director with RSK Tech explains why.

More and more these days, your website is the first thing your customers will see of your company and your wares, and as we all know first impressions count for everything.

It's been a busy few months for Europe's biggest embroiderer, Slick Stitch.

eBOS – the new electronic ordering system has been an outstanding success both customers and internal account managers, with positive feedback from all users.

YES Ltd offer the full package when it comes to embroidery from machinery to software as well as a full range of consumables.

The SWF range of machines includes unique products such as the amazing Dual Function models and, as with most things in life, it is very often support for the process and not the machine that is needed. This is where YES Ltd have excelled over the years.

British Promotional Merchandise Association chairman, Gill Thorpe, shared her vision for 2010 at the trade body's annual Christmas lunch at the Guoman Tower Hotel, London on December 17.

More than 190 members and guests attended and helped to raise £6,230 for Different Strokes, a charity which helps stroke survivors.

Fat vs fit

Since a fairly large part of printwear is associated with exercise in one shape or form, this is going to be upsetting. It is virtually religious faith that exercise contributes to weight loss. Unfortunately, there is a mass of research which shows that diet is critical to weight loss and exercise only a marginal contributor at best. In children especially, obesity makes you inactive, not the other way round.

Jill Granger, director, I.S.E.

"I predict the new Result Air Down range will be a top seller. The idea behind this range is completely innovative and a totally new concept for the company.

“The Result AirDown range quite literally takes your breath away. Simply blow into the provided mouthpiece to inflate as the temperature drops to keep body heat at an optimum level.