Sustainable and environmentally friendly fast drying water based material with a low temperature application
Sparkleprint
Contains small thin flakes which give a pearly glitter effect to any design. The sparkle finish makes the print shinly with a smooth touch
DigiBrick
750 Micron thick printable film designed to give a raised three dimensional effect to your designs
Class 1 or 2
www.grafityp.co.uk
PHONE: 01827 300500
EMAIL: sales@grafityp.co.uk
Nigel Bean: e: nigelbean1@aol.com
EDITOR, DESIGN, MARKETING & EXHIBITION SALES
Jane Soones: e: janesoones@aol.com or janesoones@hillmedia.com
Colin Gallimore: e: colingallimore@hillmedia.com
Sheena Burrus: e: sheenaburrus@hillmedia.com
Main Office Telephone: +44 (0) 1442 826826
Hill Media Ltd, Marash House 2-5 Brook Street, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 5ED, United Kingdom.
NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR POPULAR CO2 LASER RANGE. 2
A NEW SURVEY REVEALS WASTE AND COST TO PARENTS OF LOST SCHOOL UNIFORM ITEMS. 4
EFX
AWARD INSPIRATION: OUR FAVOURITE STAR AWARDS. 6
AMAYA SALES UK ICOLOR 540 - WHITE TONER PRINTER. 10
CRYSTAL GALLERIES CRYSTAL GALLERIES - AWARDS AND CORPORATE GIFTS. 12
GRAVOTECH JOINS TROPHEX 2023 ALONGSIDE MR FIX IT WHOLESALE. 14
TEN
(6
6 digital issues) a year by Hill Media Ltd.
material published
Media Ltd – 2021 ISSN 2632-5373
TEN Magazine is available on subscription: UK £35.00 Mainland Europe £45.00 Other Countries £55.00
TEN
THE BEST DESIGN SOFTWARE FOR LASER ENGRAVING AND LASER CUTTING. 16
GRAPHTEC GB GRAPHTECH GB PODCAST. 20
TEN magazine is published by Hill Media Ltd, organisers of Trophex and Euro Trophex.
UK HIP FLASKS SHOULD I SELL HIP FLASKS? WHOLESALE HIP FLASKS FOR GIFT SHOPS. 22
TROTEC LASER BEAT THE CHRISTMAS RUSH WITH TROTEC WOOD SHEETS. 24
AMAYA SALES UK THE POWER OF EMBROIDERY. 26
TRYUMF TRYUMF - UNITED FOR VICTORY. 28
TROPHEX 2023 & EURO TROPHEX 2023 10 GREAT REASONS TO EXHIBIT AT TROPHEX 2023 & EURO TROPHEX 2023. 30
SUPPLIES & SERVICES 34
Tel: 01642 225799 email: sales@crystalgalleries.co.uk www.crystalgalleries.co.uk
22nd & 23rd January 2023 - The National Conference Centre & Motor Cycle Museum Trophex 2023 is expected to be a very busy event, so register your interest and get reconnected with your industry, call 01442 826826 or email janesoones@aol.com
Boxford are continually making improvements and adding new features to their machine range, making their CO2 lasers one of the most competitively priced laser cutting and engraving machine packages on the market.
Earlier this year a 4K camera was added, for design positioning, image tracing and live monitoring, as well as Lightburn laser software as standard. Lightburn is an easy to use, industry standard interface, allowing users to easily transfer files to the laser cutter. Whether you’re a PC or Mac user, or if you design using Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, 3D CAD or 2D Design, Lightburn is compatible with most operating systems and file types, making the design to manufacture process as simple as possible.
Boxford laser cutting and engraving machines can also be used in conjunction with Purex filtered extraction systems, for safe and effective fume management. An automatic start/stop function has now also been added to the machines, helping to further improve workflow speed and efficiency.
Boxford CO2 lasers come in various work area and power options, from 500mm x 300mm, 50W to 1300mm x 900mm, 150W. All machine packages come with an integrated water chiller and air compressor for air assist as standard. All machines also have auto-focus and a motorised Z-axis, with plenty of depth to not only allow the cutting of sheet materials, but also the engraving of much larger 3D objects.
Some of the most popular materials to laser cut or engrave are: laser plywood, MDF, acrylic, glass, rubber, slate, foam, textiles, laser engraving laminate and many more! Boxford lasers are extremely precise, allowing you to produce professional results, on even their smallest and lowest power machine package.
Laser cutting and engraving machines can be used in variety of different industries, from sign making and engineering, to architectural model making and personalisation. Having the option to cut and engrave so many different materials, means the possibilities are quite literally endless. Boxford have many customers who have purchased one or multiple machines for a particular application, but find they can use their machines for so many other projects.
If you would like to see a machine in action and try before you buy, Boxford have a dedicated showroom in their factory in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Here you can see a range of their machines working, bring your
own materials and designs to try and also ask their team any questions you may have.
All machines come with 12 months UK mainland on-site parts and labour warranty. They also have engineers who service the whole of the UK mainland.
The full Boxford range including CO2 lasers, fibre marking lasers, fibre metal cutting lasers and CNC machines can be found on the their website, boxford.co.uk. Their friendly team are on hand to provide more information and answer any of your questions.
Telephone: +44 (0)1422 324 810
Email: info@boxford.co.uk
Visit: https://www.boxford.co.uk
With the rising prices prices on nearly every item. How does a small trophy business cope with the need to save money or how can they make extra money to get them through these tough times?
They could cut energy costs by closing some days a week. But this will not make any extra money. So is there a way they can improve their income?
K.T. Labels Ltd have come up with a great solution to this question. Their new idea is to add something extra to your range of items that you sell.
Something that is really helpful not only to the customer, but also helpful to you the trophy shop. In fact this idea is so good it’s called a no brainer!
K.T. Labels for the whole month of October are offering a free printer. This printer, a TSC TE210, can print all your plates and circles.
It comes with a stand-alone key board and back roller. Included in the deal is a free copy of Label Direct Basic software.
Well its able to print a new revolutionary type of label. One that is washing machine proof, dishwasher proof, micro wave proof and oven proof.
A label that can be printed instantly of the same printer. You may ask “what is the purpose of this new label?”. K.T. Labels will tell you:
A recent survey has revealed that on average, 75% of primary school children lose 1-2 items of uniform per year. Furthermore, 21.5% of those lose 3-5 items.
There are 5 million children currently in primary education in the UK, which equates to 13 million lost items each school year. Both the cost of replacing these and the waste implications on the environment are far from ideal.
The survey uncovered that 17% of parents asked have spent between £26 - £50 replacing lost items; 4% have spent £51£100, and 5% of those questioned spent over £100. Across the 5 million children in primary education, parents could be anything of
expenditures from £42 - £65 million between them to replace all the lost items.
The incredible savings a name tag applied to these items of clothing can make to children’s schools and parents finances mean a constant flow of business for you. A lost item can be reunited to its owner by being identified and returned!
But better still the you can make extra money by offering this new service to your customers. K.T. Labels offer you a great add on to your business that is cost effective and highly rewarding.
K.T.Labels are offering readers of TEN magazine a great deal. If you bulk buy 5 rolls of the new revolutionary AdTag labels you will then receive the TSC TE210 printer for FREE! This is ideal for the new AdTag super adhesive name labels.
Each sheet of labels costs you £1. On each sheet of there are 20 individual name labels. A perfect amount to label each childs uniform items.
On 1 roll of labels there are 300 sheets of 20 labels. This is 6000 labels per roll. Purchasing 5 rolls, plus the TSC TE210 printer included for free = £1500 plus Vat. (A roll is sold seperately for £300 plus VAT).
In return if you only sell one roll of labels at £5 per sheet you will get your initial £1500 layout back.
Better still you also have your four extra rolls! If you also sell these at £5 per sheet. Then your return will be £1500 x 4 = £6000, on top of the first roll sold.
But remember you still have this extra printer for printing your trophies when needed. This is an offer not to be missed! Call the Kwik Tapes team today to order your kit and start making extra money for your business.
Telephone: 0121 689 2211
Email: info@kwiktapeslabels.com
Visit: www.kwiktapeslabels.com
Check out this video: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=IjLG0sgRsI0
Stars are always a popular trophy shape, so when you’re thinking about creating your own star shaped award, it can help to get a little inspiration from other designs.
We’ve put together a round-up of our favourite star trophies, to give you some ideas for your own unique award design.
Star awards can come in a huge range of shapes, sizes and colours, but you should also think about the right trophy material.
Each different material brings its own unique style and finish to an award, so here are some of our favourites in a wide range of materials, from acrylic to crystal.
Acrylic is always one of our favourite materials for creating trophies of any shape! That’s because it’s incredibly versatile to work with, so you can create all sorts of different shapes and designs.
sustainable award options, but also because wood has its own unique texture and finish.
One of our favourite wooden star awards is the Colworth Award. This trophy is wonderfully tactile, and really celebrates the beauty of the wood it’s made from. Another thing we loved about it, was the fact that there were also mini star trophies to go along with it!
Of course a golden star award is always going to be a winner. The Now That’s Entertainment trophy is one of our favourite designs, as it incorporates a wide range of elements – and an awful lot of stars!
That’s particularly true of the Makers & Shakers Award, celebrating excellence in film and TV production. What we love about this award is its unique star shape – a 3D creation that gives the award texture, shine and originality.
Wood has become more and more popular for trophies over the last few years. That’s not just because people are looking for more
The main central star is 24kt gold plate, and when you consider the trophy stands at 410mm, it means that the shine and gloss of the gold really makes an impact.
Crystal star awards are probably one of the most popular styles available, and we’ve got a big range of star glass trophy designs in our off the shelf range.
But one of our favourite glass star awards is this BIFM award. With the angled star and frosted accents, you can see just how you can turn a simple style into something spectacular.
There are lots of different ways you can take inspiration from a star shape for your award, so don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.
Creating an award in the actual shape of a star is probably the most popular design, but a “star shape” can actually come in a lot of different styles.
There’s everything from your classic 2D pentagram star as used in the TV Choice Award, to starbursts, or even complex 3D designs with unique accents and variations.
Of course you don’t need to make your entire award into a star –using it as a highlight or accent to your award can be just as impactful, and sometimes can inspire a little more creativity.
Take the Adidas Award, the stars in this trophy aren’t the main focus, but make it feel as if the unicorn itself is made from stars.
Or to take a different angle, this IET Award uses a shooting star to create a really elegant, unique design based on its trail.
Cut-out stars are a common feature and accent on awards, giving that little detail that elevates the entire design.
You can see some great examples on our Build Your Stack Award, and the C21 International Drama Award.
Another popular way to create star trophies and awards is to create a graphic design that can be printed onto your award. This means you can explore graphical star designs as well as physical shapes.
Some of our favourite printed star designs include the Apetito Award and the Haymarket Employee Award.
Both these designs take very different approaches, with the Haymarket trophy using additional geometric elements to create almost a 3D effect. The Apetito award takes a totally different approach, creating the star from blank space.
There are so many different ways you can incorporate star shapes into your award design. From 3D shapes to graphical prints, there’s a unique style to suit everyone.
If you’ve been inspired by our favourite star shaped awards, we’d love to talk to you about creating your own! Just get in touch for more details or to get a quote for your new star trophy.
Get a quote for your bespoke award: https://www.efx.co.uk/get-a-quote/
Visit: www.efx.co.uk
The NEW A4 IColor 540 is a Toner-Based Digital Transfer Printer from Uninet, featuring full colour combined with white overprint™ and underprint™ capabilities in a single pass.
The A4 IColor 540 is a unique, low cost and versatile on-demand printing solution for short to mid-run transfer production of garments, labels, stationary, banners, hard surfaces, marketing customisation and much more! The IColor 540 is like having a professional print shop on your desktop, incorporating professional quality image printing capabilities, as well as optional speciality toner upgrade kits such as dye sublimation, fluorescent and metallic toners.
Use the IColor 540 for five different uses:
White overprint™ for heat transfer printing
White underprint™ for card/paper stock
CMYK for regular office printing
Optional dye-sublimation printing
Optional fluorescent printing
The IColor ProRIP Software gives you total control of your workflow, allowing you to resize, rotate, change and remove colours in your graphics efficiently and easily.
The IColor SmartCUT Software allows you to increase your designs from A4 to A3, enabling you to produce larger graphics with your IColor 540 Printer. This software creates an intelligent split in your design, masking the join between artwork with no visual separation.
Expand your business opportunities and tap into a wide variety of market segments by producing personalized garments, trophies, accessories and more. Produce graphics with both colour and white for application to virtually any dark coloured textile or substrate. The printed image will result in soft, bright colours and the garment can be washed over and over without significant wear of the transfer.
The IColor 540 provides cost-effective fabric transfer production without the constant maintenance associated with direct-to-garment or silk screening systems. Get outstanding image quality results when combined with the correct transfer media to transfer images onto all fabric types whether light or dark!
• Print A4, A4XL and A3 using the Included SmartCUT and ProRIP Software.
• Ability to print white as an underprint™ and an overprint™ in the same machine, in one pass, using the IColor ProRIP software.
• The white opacity of UNINET’s unique blend of toner is double that of any other brand, giving you the brightest whites and solid background to bring out the vibrancy of your colours.
• The true black cartridge is included with the printer, allowing you to switch to CMYK mode to print items such as paper, card media and CMYK transfer papers.
• Lowest cost and most flexible machine in the market.
• Exceptional 1200 x 1200 dpi resolution.
• No maintenance associated with the IColor 540 as it is a toner based system.
• Easily swap back and forth between regular and speciality cartridges, eliminating the need to purchase separate machines to accomplish each function.
Our gold award winning ‘Executive Product of the Year’ Clear & White Optical Crystal Square Column Award is also a popular choice for. Perfect for variety of decoration options.
A consistent all-rounder, the Jade Glass Faceted Octagon award is a firm favourite thanks to its large engraving area. It comes in three different sizes and falls within a range of budgets, depending on the decoration technique. The modern facetted shape of the award looks great and is sure to take pride of place when put on display at home or at work.
Our extensive range of Desktop gifts includes crystal paperweights, pen holders and coasters amongst many other items that are great for executive gifts, recognition items or personalised presents.
With hundreds of products available, there is sure to be something that is suitable for any award, presentation or corporate gift.
For a full list of products visit www.crystalgalleries.co..uk
The range of awards that we offer is extensive and covers a variety of categories including star awards, globe awards, plus many more.
Gravotech and Mr Fix It Wholesale understand thyat trade shows are a valuable resource to promote your company to a wider target audience where you benefit from meeting prospective customers face-to-face at one venue, saving you time and money.
show how your product helps them solve their problems, wants and desires is therefore crucial in the sales environment.
All in all, success in B2B sales means using all the methods available to you and using them well. Technology should, of course, be used when it is sensible to do so, but the value of face-to-face interaction can never be understated. At a time when the world is opening up again, embracing in-person meetings is sure to yield success.
Trade shows are a valuable resource to promote your company to a wider target audience where you benefit from meeting prospective customers face-to-face at one venue, saving you time and money.
The human brain is wired for connection and appreciation. To build relationships and close deals, it is essential to understand what makes each person tick. Businesses need to take into account that face-to-face sales are often the first time a customer gets acquainted with your brand, products, and services.
A recent report from Stellar Global discovered that 85% of customers would be encouraged to buy a product after a product demonstration, while 73% want a product demonstration to give them an understanding of how that product works.
These findings highlight the importance of taking the time to demonstrate your product, educate prospective customers about its advantages and answer any questions they have. Using face-to-face meetings to
Trophex is a major well established trade event for the Trophy, Engraving, Awards, Medals and Personalisation industry. The aim of the next show in 2023 is to re-connect the industry, creating a space where you can network, build new business relationships, and catch up with current customers and suppliers personally.
With this in mind Trophex is returning to its all-time preferred venue, The National Conference Centre and Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, and will be held on Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd January 2023.
Join an industry trusted show, incorporating over thirty years of experience, with the infrastructure to target prospective new business, from a wider audience than ever before, on your behalf.
Take advantage of a revised low-cost pricing structure to put yourself in front of prospective customers in a well-known fit for purpose venue. Exhibitors can show their full range at the right price on the right days at the right venue.
The National Conference Centre and Motorcycle Museum is ideally located, in the heart of the Midlands on Junction 6 of the M42 and only 5 minutes from Birmingham International railway station and airport, travel could not be easier. Combine this with over 1000 free parking spaces and 4 electric charging points.
The shows media partner TEN Magazine, the only magazine in the UK for the industry, and show organisers Hill Media Ltd, have a proven track record and the infrastructure to bring visitors to the show.
Exhibitors can meet potential customers face-to-face to discuss their requirements, offer new ways to support their business and create valuable new relationships. Use Trophex in 2023 to secure your position in the marketplace as the industry recovers. Can you afford not to be there.
Trophex now offers the lowest rates for exhibitors seen at the show for many years. Call Nigel on 01442 826826 or send an email to nigelbean1@aol.com or to Jane at janesoones@aol.com
Many people ask us “what is the best design software for laser cutting?”
Just like many questions we’re asked, there are a number of variables. Even so, the answer is highly dependent on job requirements and personal preference. Budget, experience, and hardware also have a big influence.
Throughout this page the terms ‘vector’ and ‘raster’ are used a few times. These are two different types of graphics that can both be used for laser applications.
Vector graphics use precise paths made from lines between two or more points. They can be scaled up or down without losing quality. They are used for cutting through materials, as well as engraving very thin lines (scoring).
Raster graphics are made up of small pixels e.g. digital photos. This means they lose quality when scaled up. Therefore, high resolutions must be used for effective results. Raster is preferred for engraving larger areas e.g. filled letters and shapes, and images. Raster graphics are also referred to as
bitmap images. For more information check out Graphic Files Explained.
Many laser machines come with Lasercut software (or similar), which is essentially a communication platform allowing a design to be sent to the machine. It is not intended for design, other than simple shapes and text. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular design programs used for laser cutting.
Photoshop is the most well-known of these programs. It’s that widely used that “photoshopped” is now in the English dictionary… This software has expanded massively since its release in 1990, and is now the industry standard of digital arts. It’s a raster graphics program frequently used for image retouching and processing for laser engraving.
Excellent for retouching images
Free 7-day trial available
Although it’s raster based, you can export files to be converted in a vector based software when necessary
Official tutorials online
Monthly subscription (around £20) Fairly high RAM usage
Illustrator is the industry standard in vector graphics. It’s an extremely popular and versatile piece of software. It can be quite overwhelming for a graphics beginner but, it has just about everything you could ever need for working with vector graphics. Without listing every feature, you can trace images, design business cards, create topography and even design a website, all in this one program. You can find deeper look at its features in this Finances Online review.
If you use Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro or any other Adobe software you can save by subscribing to an Adobe CC package.
Can link to Adobe CC
Image tracing feature
Free 7-day trial
Official tutorials online
Monthly subscription (around £20)
Can take some getting used to for beginners
CorelDRAW is a powerful vectorbased software available for Windows and macOS. It is extremely popular throughout the laser industry, and is one of Illustrators biggest competitors. Although quite expensive, there are various buying formats covering different packages, subscriptions and lump sum payments. It has a large range of features and a highly customisable interface, you can even change to an Illustrator layout if you’re more familiar with that.
Similar to Illustrator
Image tracing feature
Offers free 15-day trial – no card required Official tutorials online
Some macOs users report slightly ‘laggy’ response
Expensive (around £40 monthly, £300 annually, or £500+ outright)
PhotoGrav is an image processing software predominantly used to process raster images so they can be laser engraved onto material whilst sacrificing minimal detail. However, PhotoGrav is also compatible with vector graphics. It’s incredibly easy to use, even with little or no graphics experience, this can save you a lot of time processing images in various other programs. One huge perk of PhotoGrav is the simulation mode, providing you an example of what your design is likely to look like on various materials, from anodized aluminium to painted acrylic and woods. Although not 100%, it gives you a very good indication of how your engraving will look.
Easy to use
Job simulation
Telephone support
Can be used along with Color Clipart from CorelDraw
Pretty expensive as far as software goes – that being said, its function and ease of use are unparalleled
Not compatible with macOS
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is an open-source graphics editor compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux. It’s a raster graphics program used for photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It’s free to download, so makes a good place to start for a beginner or simply to keep money in your pocket.
Multi-platform
Lightburn is rapidly becoming one of the most popular programs for laser cutting and engraving, and for good reason. Not only does it have some clever features that can be used for editing, arranging, image tracing and creating on a blank canvas, Lightburn also acts as the communication platform to the laser machine itself. This means that some users might not need to use a more expensive full design package depending on their requirements. It’s great for both vector and raster work, and is incredibly easy to use.
It is worth noting, Lightburn video tutorials are ridiculously easy to follow, enabling you to effectively use the program very quickly.
It’s compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux and comes with 12-months of updates. You can pick up the DSP license key from HPC Laser for £80 +VAT. You are also entitled to technical support from our expert team. Alternatively, it can be purchased directly from Lightburn (without support from HPC).
User-friendly
Relatively cheap
Free 1-month trial
Works with most Ruida, Trocen, TopWisdom and GCode based controllers
Image tracing features
Excellent video tutorials
Not compatible with Leetro controllers – although you can design with Lightburn, export as .dxf and transfer to the machine via Lasercut
Inkscape is an open-source vector graphics software. It’s free, compatible with Windows,
macOS and Linux, and only uses 82mb of storage, making it ideal for anyone who wants to dive into the world of graphics without forking out for new software and hardware to do so. There are a number of great free plug-ins available that can be useful and save time, go to fixthephoto to check some of them out.
Completely free
Works well on weaker computers
Tutorials are easy to find
Can be slow when working with large files
Be sure to save your work very regularly – some users report it crashing quite often Choosing software can be daunting, especially as a beginner. Yet, each of these programs offers either a free trial, money back guarantee or is completely free, giving you a great opportunity to try out as many as you like. As a beginner, it certainly makes sense to trial a couple of programs to see which you feel the most comfortable with. You can always try another program in the future.
If you are already used to one of these programs, you’re likely to stick with it, particularly premium software such as Adobe and Corel. That being said, we highly recommend trying out Lightburn. It’s a great all-rounder, costs significantly less, and is fast and easy to use. For those who aim to engrave top quality images, PhotoGrav is the way to go.
Telephone: +44 (0) 1422 310800
Email: sales@hpclaser.co.uk
Visit: www.hpclaser.co.uk
Available in a choice of four different-sized models, WID Laser engraving/cutting machines set a new benchmark for quality and reliable performance at a truly affordable price.
They come packed with performance-enhancing features normally found on more expensive machines, including an autofocus CCD camera for optimum material alignment and cutting accuracy.
Graphtec GB have introduced their Cutting Matters weekly podcast that is available on their YouTube and various social media channels and all major podcast providers. The project has been 8 months in production and is the only one of its kind in the industry. The podcasts are presented by Ellen Wain (Business Development Executive) and Alastair Evens (Digital Marketing & Ecommerce Executive) from Graphtec GB’s HQ in Wrexham. Each week they will be focusing on different products and aspects of the industry. In conjunction with the podcast Alastair has created dedicated Facebook and Instagram The Cutting Matters accounts.
MAKES THE CUT 01978 666700 | graphtecgb.co.uk
Designed for both entry-level and seasoned professionals, dedicated multi-tool software enables even the most complex applications to be completed at speeds of up to 90,000 mm/min and with outstanding precision on finely detailed work.
The first podcast in the series is an introduction to Graphtec GB and the range of brands, products and services that they offer. Graphtec GB are the main distributor for Graphtec, Silhouette, NBS Technologies, Sai, WidInovations, Brother and Colour & Shape. Also covered is the new innovation hash tag “Test before you invest” that Alastair created. You can try out any of the machines in the range either at Graphtec resellers or at Graphtec themselves before you buy. This gives the customer the perfect opportunity to use their own cutting files and samples of media to fully assimilate themselves with the machines.
There will be interviews with resellers who will discuss topics within the industry from how it is evolving to the latest technology and media and also end users sharing their experiences with machines products and customers. Along with new product news such as the latest release in their WidInovations range. Graphtec GB want to encourage their subscribers to rate and comment on their podcasts and to have as much participation as possible. Their wish to make this a valuable educational tool for the cutting and printing industry.
WID Laser machines will handle virtually any material, including stainless steel and other non-ferrous metals, alloys such as brass, bronze and copper, acrylic, plastics and laminates, marble, glass, slate and solid woods.
Save time, save money
Alastair & Ellen want to encourage their viewers and listeners to contact them at marketing@graphtecgb.co.uk if they have any questions or subjects that they would like to see covered, Graphtec GB want to make it as interactive as possible. Each week there will be an “Ask Ellen” section where Ellen will answer any queries that end users may have. They want to explore how the products are helping businesses develop and to interview both resellers and end users to educate in the opportunities that the Graphtec GB portfolio of products can offer.
Eliminate the need for expensive secondary tooling with one all-embracing powerful production tool at a fraction of the cost.
Telephone: +44 (0)1978 666700
Email: sales@graphtecgb.co.uk
Visit: https://graphtecgb.co.uk/
Most people know what a hip flask is and what they’re for, but a lot of people might not think of flasks as a great gift idea. Traditionally, hip flasks have been given to young men and women for reaching milestones such as an 18th or 21st birthday, graduation or other events, and wholesale hip flask gift sets are great as a gift for someone reaching retirement. Over the past few years, steel hip flasks have soared in popularity, even being seen as a collectible by some. So, should you stock hip flasks if you own a gift shop?
Hip flasks are primarily made from stainless steel or pewter, though there are some flasks made of glass! These materials are durable and robust, and they’re a gift that keeps on giving. It’s incredibly easy to keep a hip flask clean and in good condition, and they should last a life time if cared for properly.
Over the years, hip flasks can get scratched if not cared for, but there are alternatives to regular stainless steel flasks. Such alternatives are wholesale leather flasks, wooden wrapped hip flasks and even flasks wrapped in vinyl. The material wrapped around the exterior of the hip flasks means that they’re protected from scuffs and other marks that might damage a regular flask – but stainless steel is a durable enough metal that scratches are unlikely.
Another great benefit of buying cheap flasks in bulk is that they can be personalised. Add an extra touch of magic to your customer’s order by offering engraving on their stainless steel hip flask. This is an extra selling point that makes flasks great for gift shops. Our line of stainless steel hip flasks can be engraved by both laser and diamond drag engraving, and the vast majority of our other items can be engraved, too.
Our leather and wood range can also be engraved, so there really is a flask for every taste and style. Because there are so many different flasks on the market, you can cater to any number of different events or occasions. We find that 1oz and 3oz hip flasks are great for bridal parties or giveaways, and our gift sets (such as our black 6oz gift set with cups) are wonderful for all occasions! Here at UK Hip Flasks, we can also hot foil print the lids on gift boxes which adds an extra personal touch.
We also offer UV printing here at UK Hip Flasks. Printing is a rather unique method of branding, and we can offer excellent colour matching and screen accuracy without sacrificing detail in the print. Whilst engraving is still incredibly popular, offering printing to your customers is certainly a way to make something truly personal.
Whilst there is still high demand for standard hip flasks in assorted colours, there are also a myriad of bulk hip flasks that come in unique designs. Some such flasks include jerry can hip flasks, which are very popular amongst car shops and are a quirky addition to any product line! There are also mini hip flasks in a keyring form, and two-tone leather hip flasks that offer a striking contrast colour when engraved. Overall, there are many reasons why you should opt to stock hip flasks in your gift shop.
Flasks are a great gift that people rarely think to buy for themselves, and they can be engraved to cater for any event or occasion. Hip flasks are also great for the drinks industry and for bars looking to promote themselves in a new way. Hip flasks can also be very affordable, and buying cheap flasks in bulk is a great way to get started with your gifts business.
Why not check out our range of affordable wholesale hip flasks and wholesale gifts? We also offer engraving and printing on our range, please do get in touch with us if this is something that you are interested in. For more information please visit: https:// www.ukhipflasks.co.uk/
The National Conference Centre, Birmingam, UK Sunday 22nd & Monday 23rd January 2023
Meet and connect with prospective customers
Strengthen your bond with existing customers
Learn about new developments in your industry
Meet new companies that can help your business
Close deals with new customers during the show Strengthen or establish your brand
Learn what your competitors are doing right
Rapidly expand your database of sales leads Speak directly to your target market
Optimise your sales and lead generation strategy
Trophex is a well established trade event for the Trophy, Engraving, Awards, Medals and Personalisation industry. The aim of the next show in 2023 is to re-connect the industry.
The dates for Trophex are Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd January 2023. The show is predicted to be very busy after a four year wait for its return.
Trophex will be hosted at The National Conference Centre and Motorcycle Museum. The move to the new venue has ensured Trophex can offer a competitive revised rate to exhibit, making it even more affordable.
Trophex 2023 is expected to be a very busy event, so register your interest and be a part of your industry’s recovery, just email: janesoones@hillmedia.com
Unbeatable quality and performance
Available in a choice of four different-sized models, WID Laser engraving/cutting machines set a new benchmark for quality and reliable performance at a truly affordable price. They come packed with performance-enhancing features normally found on more expensive machines, including an autofocus CCD camera for optimum material alignment and cutting accuracy.
Designed for both entry-level and seasoned professionals, dedicated multi-tool software enables even the most complex applications to be completed at speeds of up to 90,000 mm/min and with outstanding precision on finely detailed work.
WID Laser machines will handle virtually any material, including stainless steel and other non-ferrous metals, alloys such as brass, bronze and copper, acrylic, plastics and laminates, marble, glass, slate and solid woods.
Save time, save money Eliminate the need for expensive secondary tooling with one all-embracing powerful production tool at a fraction of the cost.
Trotec, a market-leading supplier of laser technology and engraving materials, is offering a huge 15% off across all solid and veneered wood sheets throughout September.
Beating the Christmas rush is now a priority for many businesses as they race to have stock ready to hit the shelves, this offer allows customers to bring high-quality laser cut and engraved products to market, or simply increase their stock for other projects by taking advantage of the offer.
Wood is one of the most diverse creative materials available, used in a variety of ways from Christmas decorations to signage, decor and even packaging. These high-quality wood sheets are perfectly suited for laser cutting and laser engraving different designs, which can be brought to life in a matter of minutes with unbeatable results.
Both solid wood and veneered product ranges include popular finishes, like cherry, walnut and maple, with other finishes such as alder and bamboo also available. All of these woods are specially selected for the high-quality laser processing results whether cutting simple shapes or engraving detailed designs, the output is highquality lasered products.
Trotec consumables manager, Dan Wilkinson, said: “Our wood sheets remain a staple within our materials range. The high-quality finish of each sheet provides customers with the optimal material to create high-quality products. This is the perfect time to stock up on these sheets.
“Our dedicated consumables team are always available to advise businesses, large or small, about which products are right for their application.”
This promotion will run from 1st – 30th September 2022. For more information about Trotec’s range of engravable materials, visit www.engraving-supplies.co.uk or contact Trotec on +44 (0)191 580 1182.
Trotec is a leading international provider of laser systems for a wide range of applications, from laser cutting and engraving to industrial marking. The company’s extensive line of quality laser engravers, cutters and markers, coupled with its unmatched service and support offerings, have made Trotec one of the industry’s leaders. Trotec offers also software, a line of exhaust systems and engravable materials. Trotec’s machines are currently in use in over 90 countries around the globe.
It seems that embroidery is on trend for 2022. At Amaya in recent months they have seen record sales of embroidery machines both to existing embroiderers, and to new start-up accounts.
Aside of the pandemic, something none of us were expecting or have experienced before, it is fair to say that trends and fashions repeat themselves. Take the t-shirt shape for example, we saw the oversized baggy t-shirt’s everywhere back in the 80s and having come through the fitted styles in recent years, the comfort fit is back again but just under a different name.
So, is it the same with embroidery? Is the demand for it cyclical and affected by fashion or is it here to stay and consistently grow over the years?
I’d say the latter. However you shop, online or at your local shopping centre, embroidery and application detail in women’s fashion is everywhere for 2022 – Zara, Mango,
M&S or Boden –they are all featuring highly detailed embroidered patterns for this season, and it doesn’t stop with female fashion.
It’s there in mens, childrenswear and home accessories as well.
The fashion recognition of this decoration method drives demand across the board and creates an enhanced buoyancy in the field that we are all experienced in, garment decoration.
The most established market sectors are probably workwear and schoolwear. Embroidery is traditionally seen as higher quality, more durable, more washable, and simply better, and this will take a lot to beat.
As the workwear market grows exponentially,
with more and more businesses and sectors opting for uniform, naturally the demand for embroidered decoration will continue to grow.
Sportswear and athleisure are another sector experiencing massive growth, and embroidery is often the failproof way to decorate a stretch performance fabric. Visit www.amayauk.com or call the team on 02392 590 281 to arrange a visit to their permanent exhibition centres.
Melco EMT16X modular embroidery machines give you outstanding embroidery production, increasing your profits and giving your customers unparalleled high-quality products they will keep coming back for!
Around 17 years ago, Melco redefined efficiency with the first networkable modular embroidery system. The Melco EMT16X is the latest generation of the most efficient, productive embroidery system in the world.
The Melco EMT16X is a multi-tasking modular embroidery machine that outperforms every other multi-head in the industry. More and more large multi-head customers have proved that the Melco EMT16X modular machines not only drastically increased their production on smaller orders but can double production on bulk orders.
Thanks to enhanced Melco stitch dynamics, the frequency of “thread issues” is minimized. This means more run time per machine and greater ROI (return on investment) potential.
Please call us now on 02392 590281 to find out more about the many benefits for your business on the new Melco EMT16X modular embroidery machine or arrange for a full demonstration at one of our showrooms.
Life is a journey towards victories. We fight for them every day - at school, at university, at work, in sport, as well as in private life - overcoming weaknesses or learning to celebrate every moment before it flies away.
Sometimes we fight for them alone - at other times motivating others to fight. The road to victory usually starts with dreams and courage to reach it. Alongside this there is hard work and overcoming your own limitations. And when we stand on the podium - the real one or the one in the imagination, we look at the road behind us, the experience gained and the people with whom we have travelled on
the journey with and feel huge appreciation for all of our effort.
Tryumf have been rewarding you for over 25 years, providing trophies for winners in various areas. They know how important the moment of victory is, and that is why every year, with great passion, they prepare a new offer of trophies and awards for all those who want to fight and win.
Tryumf make sure that their trophies and awards are diverse, unusual and available in a wide range, right away, through hundreds of partner stores in Poland. They are a Polish family company in which the passion of creation is combined with the ethos of
Tryumf have been producing trophies for over 25 years. They have delivered to customers over 50 million trophies in 40 countries around the world. They know how to produce truly good trophies and use this knowledge every day, with every order.
Tryumf has over 3,000 trophies dedicated to winners in sport, business and hobby. They also have trophies and awards for those who win in life for attitude, experience and achievements - for the meritorious in the field of education, family and friendship.
As a manufacturer, Tryumf guarantee the highest standards that they watch over personally. Thanks to the latest technology and their experienced specialists, every detail is perfect. The rate of complaint for their products is only 0.2%, which is just 1 product per 500 sold. And if a complaint happens - they’ll deal with it efficiently using easy procedures.
Take advantage of the widest range of technology to decorate trophies through single and multicolor printing, engraving 2D, 2.5D and 3D, engraving in metal and laser - thanks to these techniques you can let your imagination run wild and get innumerable effects - from typical to quite unusual.
Tryumf have designed their online shop to make your purchases easier and intuitive. With this new platform you can prepare your own artworks or even design a trophy out of available components.
Tryumf specialists offer a well-coordinated team ready to provide help and offer support whenever you need it - they can assist with the design of your trophies, advise how to choose a solution, and guarantee delivery of the highest quality, directly to you.
To find out moreEmail: office@tryumf.com Visit: https://tryumf.com
If your business is attracting new customers from advertising and word of mouth, it can be very tempting to write trade shows off as something that you don’t need to do to attract new customers. But trade shows can be one of the most rewarding forms of marketing when approached with the right strategy. Trade show veterans will attest to the fact that the ROI (return on investment) achieved from a successful trade show is often impossible to match in comparison to other forms of marketing.
So before you write off trade shows as secondary to your current marketing tactics, it pays to learn about their benefits. Here are ten reasons which explain why trade shows should be at the top of your list.
One of the greatest advantages of exhibiting at a trade show is that it allows you to meet and connect with prospective customers in person instead of communicating with them over the phone. Research has shown that in-person meetings are 34 times more successful than those made via email or by phone. When meeting in person, you become someone that they know, recognise, and want to connect with.
Another advantage is the trade show host uses their database to invite prospective customers to the event, using various marketing tools on your behalf to get footfall through the door. Where else can you meet
hundreds of prospective business opportunities all under one roof?
Just like trade shows give you the opportunity to better connect with prospective customers, exhibiting at a trade show also allows you to meet your existing customers face-to-face. While most of today’s business is conducted over email or phone, face-to-face meetings are undeniably a fantastic way to do business.
Trade shows are often a place for customers to approach you with their long term plans and big orders – orders that can be incredibly lucrative for you as an exhibitor. Utilising your attendance to plan meetings at the show will save you valuable time and money, rather than trying to see each in turn at their place of business.
When your business attends an industry event, it puts you at the centre of the action. Trade shows are a place for businesses to announce and display their latest innovations and developments.
In a competitive industry, would you rather be aware of your competitors or out of the loop?
Exhibiting at a trade show doesn’t just give you the opportunity to make new sales and connect with existing customers, it gives you the chance to look at cutting edge developments in your industry and the opportunities they also create for you.
When you are at the show take a few hours out of your stand and see what other
exhibitors are doing, this helps to keep you up to date with new technologies, techniques, products and industry trends.
Your attendance gives you the chance to network with both prospective customers and prospective vendors. This makes a trade show more than just an opportunity to expand your distribution, but a chance to expand your supply chain.
While your sales and marketing team focus on connecting with prospects to make new sales, your Purchasing Manager can connect with new vendors and contractors that can help your business grow. This makes a trade show a two-sided opportunity for your business –to expand sales, and to expand supply chains.
There are few situations more tense than the average outbound sales call. From the endless objections of the prospective customer, to the stress of losing a valuable sale, it’s natural to face rejection and nervousness as a salesperson.
At a trade show, however, the atmosphere is different. Almost half of trade show attendees make purchases at trade shows. A staggering 91 percent of all trade show attendees claim that shows are ‘extremely useful’ to their product and service sourcing efforts.
When you speak to a Purchasing Manager or Director on the phone, you’re often dealing with someone that’s already juggling a variety of obligations and deals in their mind.
The National Conference Centre, Birmingam, UK 22nd & 23rd January 2023
A complete return of confidence for visitors and exhibitors attending the show after Covid-19.
Perfectly timed to allow the industry to recover.
New areas of business which compliments the industry to be introduced to widen the audience of the show.
Travel restrictions in and out of the UK have now been lifted.
Competitive events and social activities have now completely returned to normal.
Returning to the all time prefered venue, The NCC, to improve the visitor experience.
New businesses invited to attend reflecting the increase of independent at home start-ups during the pandemic which could bring potential new customers directly to you.
To create a show for the entire trophy, engraving, awards, medals and personalisation industry all under one roof over two days.
A place to network, build new business relationships and catch up with current customers and suppliers face to face.
Trophex 2023 is expected to be a very busy event, so register your interest and be a part of your industry’s recovery, call 01442 826826 or email janesoones@aol.com
As such, they’re understandably disinterested. At a trade show, you’re dealing with prospective customers that have made the journey to fulfil a requirement they currently have.
Unlike traditional outbound marketing, in which rejection is the norm, trade shows are one of the few environments in which your sales team benefits from an audience of prospective customers that are genuinely interested in buying your products and services.
Trade shows are one of the few environments where you have the same amount of access to prospective customers as your larger competitors do. This makes them a valuable opportunity not just for direct sales and marketing, but for strengthening your brand and positioning your business as a leader in its industry.
From free giveaways to trade show displays, there’s no better opportunity to give your brand a sizeable boost than a trade show. If you create an exhibition stand that attracts the right type of attention, a single exhibition can be all it takes to change your brand from up-andcomer to an established industry leader.
In the world of business, it pays to keep your customers close and your competitors closer. Exhibiting at a trade show allows you to observe what your competitors are doing right and apply their tactics to your own business.
Is there a particular competitor in your industry that seems to be growing at a rapid
pace? While your sales team uses the trade show as an opportunity to meet existing customers and connect with prospective ones, spend a moment looking at the other exhibitors to see what they’re doing differently from you.
Great businesses are aware of their competitors, and trade shows are one of the best opportunities to connect with competitors and understand their sales strategy, their pricing, and the reasons for their success.
While skimming through the phone book might give you thousands of unqualified phone numbers, nothing gives you qualified leads quite like a trade show. While cold calling and online marketing might not have the same initial expense as a trade show, there’s no greater way to fill your contact book with prospects than a successful trade show effort in a much shorter time frame.
Email surveys are a fantastic way to learn more about what your customers want and don’t want. Unfortunately, their low response rate makes them useful only to businesses with a large enough email list to tolerate very few responses.
Trade shows allow you to solicit a huge amount of feedback by talking directly to visitors that have been invited to attend from various avenues within your industry. You can then use this valuable information after the show to help your business expand and improve.
A great way to get useful feedback and valuable sales leads at the same time is by conducting a short survey on your exhibition stand, and rewarding participants with vouchers or gifts from your business. Where else but a trade show can you generate new leads and valuable feedback at the same time?
Trade shows are an excellent opportunity to expose your sales team to hundreds of different prospects in a short period of time. A perfect opportunity to test new sales tricks and marketing strategies in a very responsive environment.
If you want to test and optimise your lead generation strategy, you’ll find no better place than a trade show. Try several different sales pitches on prospects and you’ll quickly learn which ones work and which ones don’t, allowing you to perfect your sales strategies in just a few days. You can then use these honed skills when out on the road or at future trade events.
The next Trophex is to take place on 22nd & 23rd January 2023 at The National Conference Centre in Birmingham. Reservations are already being taken.
The next Euro Trophex is taking place on 20th & 21st October 2023 in Barcelona, Spain.
If you are interested in exhibiting at either show, please call +44 (0) 1442 826826 to discuss your requirements. Or you can send an email to Nigel Bean - nigelbean1@aol.com, Jane Soones - janesoones@hillmedia.com, Colin Gallimore - colingallimore@hillmedia.com.
Gravograph M20 small desktop engraver complete with software £2750
Gravograph IM4R inside ring engraver complete with software excellent condition £POA
U-Marq Universal 300 flat engraving machine, can engrave cups and glasses up to 200mm diameter with Visual Toolbox 8 software £5500
U-Marq RX GEM with Visual Toolbox Gem software, excellent condition £2250
Signature 8080 Mini complete with software and many attachments in excellent condition
... £2750
U-MARQ VX4 406 x 304mm engraving area 140mm diameter cup engraving, Visual Tool box 8 software vice unit mint condition ... £3500
Vision MAX Pro flat and cup engraving, series 4 controller, software lovely condition £6000
Vision 1624 610 x 400 engraving area series 3 controller and software, excellent condition £4000
Suregrave Mini ME desk top engraver Engravelab 10 software as new £2250
Gravograph IS7000 610mm x 815mm engraving area 200watt spindle motor complete with stand & Gravostyle software, mint condition
£POA
Gravograph IS400 flatwork engraver up to 300mm x 200mm Engravlab 10 software superb condition £4750
Mastergrave / U-Marq compact, flat and tankard / glass engraver Visual Toolbox software lovely condition £3750
Gravograph M40 300 x 200 engraving area, Gravostyle software, excellent condition. . £POA
Roland EGX 400 400 x 300mm engraving area Engravelab 10 software immaculate condition. £4500
Signature 8080 Plus 230 x 400mm engraving area cups and glassware upto 230mm diameter, hot foil blocking attachment, inside ring engraving attachment plus many more accessories, lovely condition £6500
Suregrave Rotation S flat & cup machine up to 200mm diameter Hi-Drive 2 controller Engravalab 10 software mint condition £4500
Suregrave Wizzard St 300mm x 300mm engraving area, Hi Drive 2 control, Engravelab 10 software, as new £3,500
Roland EGX 20 with Engravalab software 200 X 150 engraving area POA
Gravograph IS 200 TX 225 x 80 engraving area and 200ml diameter cups, superb condition, on-stand gravostyle software
POA
Signature 8080 engraving machine Superb giftware and cup machine, several attachments, PC and software £4,500
Gravograph IS900 450 x 450 engraving area, Gravostyle software, mint condition POA
Newing Hall Milgrav, Apex AMC 2 Controller, lovely condition POA
Roland Metaza MPX 70 complete with Roland software, virtually unused £650
Gravograph TX3, motorised flat and cup machine, cups/rosebowls to 12” diameter, cutters and diamond form
£1750
Gravograph VXM, 200 x 150 engraving area, superb condition £1950
Dahlgren Wizzard 2000 St, 300mm x 300mm engraving area, ‘T’ slot table, surelab software, mint condition £2750
Mastergrave MK5 cup engraving machine, 10” cup diameter, complete with copy set, cutters and diamond marker, late machines immaculate condition £1100
Gravograph VX2B computer engraving system 650 x 490 engraving area complete with 3D controller and Engravelab 10 software £4000
Roland PNC 2300, 200 x 150 engraving area, nice compact machine, complete with Engravelab 8 software
£2500
Gravograph Unica complete with keyboard and screen star programme as new £1950 Cipher 1410, 14” x 10” engraving area, complete with controller, high drive, hand set, Surelab 8 software, good condition £3000
Gravograph IM3 or similar POA
Gravograph IS800 650 x 490 engraving area with Gravostyle software POA
Gravograph VX 300 x 350 engraving area complete with 3D controller and Engravelab 10 software
£3400
Newing Hall 350 work station. 350mm x 300mm engraving area. Cup/Tankards upto 250mm diameter. Complete with Apex controller + Software. Superb condition POA
Gravograph TXL motorised cup attachment, cups up to 200mm diameter, letter set, cutters diamond, mint condition £1350
Suregrave Dalhgren 14” x 10” 350 x 250 mm engraving area complete with Suregrave high drive controller Surelab software mint condition £3000
Roland EGX 300 300 x 200 Engraving area Surelab 9 (Engravelab Software) Excellent condition £2750
Suregrave 2516 Surelab 9 heavy duty flat engraving machine complete superb condition
£4500
Suregrave 2516i Hi-drive 2 controller, Surelab 9 software excellent condition POA
Newing Hall Pamtocut PNC 4E Apex AMC2 Control single phase with Engravelab 10 software superb condition £6500
Gravograph M40G 300 x 200 engraving area flat and cup machine, laser pointer Gravostyle software mint condition POA
Suregrave 4824I HD2 Controller Engrave Lab 9 Software New Condition £8000
Mastergrave Universal Flat machine and cups up to 200mm diameter, superb condition
PX WELCOME
Email: sales@ronamachines.co.uk
£4250
