Explore Discover Expand
It is no secret that printed clothing represents a huge opportunity for sign-makers. Establish yourself in this market and secure partnerships with long-term valuable clients, and you will likely be set with business for many years.
But how do you go about either entering this area or growing your business if already active in the sector? Sign-makers looking for these and similar answers would be well advised to drop in on this year’s Printwear & Promotion LIVE! event, which runs from February 26th to 28th in hall 20 of the NEC in Birmingham.
Printwear & Promotion LIVE! 2023 will again take place at the NEC
The annual event features exhibitors from across the industry, as well as related markets in this promotional sector. From high-end and high street brands, to workwear and sports clothing, the event seeks to cover all areas of the garment market.
Ideal opportunity
Last year, more than 4,500 people passed through the doors to visit Printwear & Promotion LIVE!, and with interest in this market continuing to increase over the past 12 months, organisers are hopeful that this number will increase for the 2023 edition.
“The 2022 exhibition in April took place against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic and despite this, support from exhibitors was fantastic,” organisers say, adding: “Although visitor numbers were lower than usual, the 4,500 who attended came along with real intent and purpose.
“Moving back to February, which is generally a quieter time in the garment decorator’s busy calendar, will be better suited to enable many more to attend.
"A survey conducted after the 2022 exhibition revealed that a huge 77% of visitors attended the exhibition to find and source new suppliers, new equipment, or new garments, thus exploring and discovering all in the same visit, while around 42% of visitors attended for educational purposes, with a view to expanding their own horizons.”
With this in mind, this year’s event will run under the tagline of ‘Explore. Discover. Expand’ and feature a number of both new and returning exhibitors from all corners of the market.
There will be more than 100 stands for attendees to visit across the hall, while a number of special, in-show features will offer further insight into certain areas of the industry.
The Decoration Advice Suite and The Knowledge Centre, the two main seminar suites at the show, will cover a host of key talking points and topics such as social media advice and tips on transfer printing.
In addition, a returning feature for 2023 will be the popular Video Wall. Situated opposite a coffee area, visitors can take a break from walking the aisles of the hall for a while and watch some of the latest promotional videos from key suppliers from across the industry.
“The 2023 show aims to deliver more of what you have come to expect from the annual exhibition,” organisers say, adding: “Expect to see familiar names such as Amaya Sales UK, Ralawise, Xpres, and Stanley/Stella all ready to showcase their new and exciting products to you.
“New names signed up to exhibit for the first time include BeSmart Pro, a manufacturer of custom-made clothing, and Transworld Trophies, a supplier of trophies and awards.
“Direct-to-film printing was definitely the main attraction at Printwear & Promotion LIVE! 2022, with more than 15 exhibitors showcasing this up-and-coming method on their stands. This emerging technology was in its infancy at the exhibition in April, and a year on we expect more advancements in this market sector to be on display.
“All of this presents Printwear & Promotion LIVE! 2023 as an ideal opportunity to see the latest innovative product launches, to meet all of the major suppliers from all corners of the industry and if you’re new to the garment decoration industry to learn more from the industry experts.”
Who’s who?
So, what companies are set to appear at the event this year? Organisers have already confirmed the identities of a host of new exhibitors that will be in attendance for the first time.
Inkfuse DTF is a business start-up looking to share its expertise in direct-to-film (DTF) print with visitors. The team will be showcasing a range of leading DTF printers, which Richard Mitchell from Inkfuse DTF, says produce DTF transfers that really stand out from the crowd.
“It’s natural for the DTF people to want to ask questions about the printing process and we are looking forward to answering the diverse queries we will receive,” Mitchell says.
Also new at Printwear & Promotion LIVE! in 2023 are Trade Embroidery and Sock Monkeyz, as well as both TWT – Transworld Trophies and BeSmart Pro outlined earlier by organisers.
Tony Ellis of TWT – Transworld Trophies, comments: “Having visited several times in the past, and seen the array of exhibitors, I can see a potential new audience that could be interested in exploring the world of trophies.
“Visitors should visit our stand to explore awards and trophies as a possible new revenue stream for their business. We are there to show how easily this can be done with minimal outlay and minimal expertise required.”
In terms of returning exhibitors, after the cancellation of the event in 2021 and subsequent postponement to April in 2022, organisers will be welcoming back a number of exhibitors, many of which last exhibited in 2020. These include; Advance Apparel, Permaset Ink, The Outdoors Company, and Trendsetting Awards.
Plenty of brands familiar to sign-makers and printers will be in attendance at the event
“These varied companies are looking forward to exhibiting on the lively exhibition floor and getting their products and services in front of the thousands of visitors that Printwear & Promotion LIVE! attracts on an annual basis,” organisers say.
“As the UK’s only exhibition dedicated to the garment and product decoration market, Printwear & Promotion LIVE! provides the perfect platform for companies new to the market to introduce their products and services to decorators and to meet with potential new customers.
"It is also the ideal place for previous exhibitors looking to reengage with a captive audience and to grow their already successful businesses.
“The floor plan continues to grow, with an array of exciting new exhibitors joining the exhibition floor for the very first time.”
Stretch the boundaries
Among the other familiar names exhibiting at the show this year is dye-sublimation print specialist Nova Chrome. Ian McDowall, technical support manager at Nova Chrome UK, says that the event is one of the most widely known platforms for equipment, consumables, and networking and knowledge transfer in the UK, and is certainly worth a visit for sign-makers.
“The offerings go far beyond simple garments and garment decoration, with each successive year bringing new suppliers and processes into the fold,” McDowall explains, adding: “The benefit here doesn’t need explaining – whatever you’re visiting the show for, you’re bound to find it.
The offerings go far beyond simple garments and garment decoration, with each successive year bringing new suppliers and processes into the fold”
“The variety of resources available at Printwear & Promotion LIVE! means that whatever direction sign-makers need or want to drive their business in, there will be something on display that fits the bill. In our experience as well, it’s the systems and processes that weren’t on the ‘shopping list’ that tend to fire the imagination and result in successful, profitable additions to established businesses.”
With this in mind, what will Nova Chrome be showing at the event and what can visitors look forward to on the company’s stand in the NEC?
McDowall reveals those attendees that drop by the Nova Chrome booth will be able to enjoy first-hand, live demonstrations on the Mutoh XpertJet 1341 WR-Pro 54” dye-sublimation printer. The device has a top production speed of 29.2sq m/hr and features the AccuFine 1600 extra-wide printhead.
Nova Chrome will offer live demonstrations on the Mutoh XpertJet 1341 WR-Pro 54” dye-sublimation printer
Also on display at the exhibition will be the new Craft Express Laser Engraving unit and a number of associated products that McDowall says will allow visitors from a wide range of backgrounds access to exciting and profitable new opportunities across a host of markets.
“Of course, we’ll still be displaying products and supplies for desktop sublimation and offering advice and live demonstrations to visitors,” McDowall says.
Crossover markets
Another company known to many sign-makers that will feature at the exhibition this year is Axzyra, which specialises in digital printing technology. Steve Woods, managing director of Axzyra, says printwear is a natural progression for digital print companies looking for new markets, while there is also some crossover with promotional marketing.
Axzyra will showcase a new high-speed rotary printer aimed at the decoration and personalisation of drinks bottles, cans and cups
“Many promotional businesses have been purchasing from specialist garment printing businesses, as up to now in-house garment decoration has not been easy to enter,” Woods explains, adding: “Plenty of sign-making businesses do business with businesses who are looking for garments, hats, sports shirts all personalised.
“Now, with fully digital solutions, such as direct-to-film print and powder machines offered by Axzyra, vibrant designs can be easily heat pressed onto garments. To put it simply, short run, high quality work at a competitive price can easily be achieved in-house.”
Based on Stand G22 at this year’s event, Axzyra will use the show to launch a new high-speed rotary printer. Full details of the machine are being kept under wraps for the time being, but Woods did reveal that the printer is aimed at the decoration and personalisation of drinks bottles, cans, and cups.
Axzyra will also be showing a range of samples from its collection of direct-to-film print and powder systems, while visitors will also have the opportunity to learn more about the ‘Print Head Doctor’ inkjet head flushing system that is aimed at giving a second life to water-based garment printing systems.
O Factoid: Printwear & Promotion LIVE! 2023 will take place from February 26th to 28th in hall 20 of the NEC in Birmingham O
With such a wide array of exhibitors from all corners of this expansive market, there will almost certainly be something for everyone at Printwear & Promotion LIVE! 2023.
When you also take into account that this is the first major print-focused event of the year, and the first real opportunity for manufacturers and suppliers to connect with customers in 2023, then there will be plenty to see for attendees at the NEC in February.
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