Textile Image Magazine October 2023

ROQ solutions available now exclusively from

OCTOBER 2023

12

AUSTRALIAN GARMENT DECORATION MARKET READY FOR MASS PRODUCTION AND AUTOMATION

20

TRADEMUTT CREATING INNOVATIVE WORKWEAR TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH

22

GRATEFUL REMNANTS SHOWCASE INDIGENOUS TEXTILE ART ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

BY

NOW AVAILABLE: SISER® EASYPSV® BY AVERY DENNISON® Introducing a game-changing range of pressure sensitive vinyls from Siser by Avery Dennison.

Featuring outstanding durability and longevity, EasyPSV® Starling™ is dishwasher safe up to 80 washes.

EasyPSV® Glitter is is easy to weed, super comformable - great for complex and curved surfaces.

Shop the Range at Graphic Art Mart

WIN 1 OF 10 JULIET CUTTERS WITH SISER & GRAPHIC ART MART Every Siser purchase over $100 will put you in the draw to win one of 10 Juliet Cutters. Visit gamart.com.au for more details. Offer ends 10th of November, 2023

1300 426 278

sales@gamart.com.au

gamart.com.au

THIS ISSUE

OCTOBER 2023 CONTENTS

COVER STORY

04 FROM THE TEAM PUBLISHERS LETTER

AUSTRALIAN GARMENT DECORATION MARKET READY FOR MASS PRODUCTION AND AUTOMATION

05 LATEST NEWS LATEST PRODUCT RELEASES FROM AUSTRALIA AND AROUND THE WORLD 12 COVER STORY AUSTRALIAN GARMENT DECORATION MARKET READY FOR MASS PRODUCTION AND AUTOMATION

12 FEATURE ARTICLE

20 FEATURE TRADEMUTT CREATING INNOVATIVE WORKWEAR TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH

TRADEMUTT CREATING INNOVATIVE WORKWEAR TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH

22 FEATURE GRATEFUL REMNANTS SHOWCASE INDIGENOUS TEXTILE ART ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

20 FEATURE ARTICLE GRATEFUL REMNANTS SHOWCASE INDIGENOUS TEXTILE ART ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

22 imagemagazine.com.au

3

FROM THE TEAM

PUBLISHER'S LETTER

FULL RANGE OF ROQ SOLUTIONS NOW AVAILABLE ROQ NEXT

ROQ SAHARA

Automatic Screen Printing Carousel

Tunnel Dryer

SCREEN

DRYING

ROQ GO

ROQ OUT

DTG Printer

Automatic Folding, Packaging and Labelling

DIGITAL

PACKAGING ROQ solutions available now exclusively from

GJS Group Australia

OCTOBER 2023

Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane sales@gjs.co

1800 457 888

go.gjs.co/ROQ

12

AUSTRALIAN GARMENT DECORATION MARKET READY FOR MASS PRODUCTION AND AUTOMATION

20

TRADEMUTT CREATING INNOVATIVE WORKWEAR TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH

22

GRATEFUL REMNANTS SHOWCASE INDIGENOUS TEXTILE ART ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

PUBLISHER Janet Maitland Image Publications Pty Ltd PO Box 613 Brighton SA 5048 E info@imagemagazine.com.au P 1300 001 393 W imagemagazine.com.au EDITOR E info@imagemagazine.com.au P 1300 001 393 ADVERTISING

showcasing a range of homewares featuring indigenous artwork which you can read more on page 22.

JANET MAITLAND PUBLISHER

Welcome to the October issue of Textile Image Magazine. Big news for apparel decorators this month, with European industrial printing behemoth ROQ announcing a new Australian distribution partnership with local company GJS. ROQ offers a wide array of equipment for textile printers, including screen printing, digital printing, digital Web2Print, hybrid printing, packaging, and dryers. I visited their stand at the ITMA trade show in Milan in May. In an environment where skilled labour is in short supply in Australia, I was particularly impressed by the level of automation that was on display. Also at ITMA, I met Suzanne Philpot, owner of Grateful Remnants, a studio located in the Pilbara. She has the only roll-to-roll textile printer between Perth and Darwin and attended ITMA as part of a collaboration with Mimaki,

4

October is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in this issue, we meet Dan Allen, co-founder of TradeMutt.

TradeMutt is a social enterprise workwear company by tradies for tradies. They make funky, eyecatching workwear designed to start conversations about mental health, making an invisible issue impossible to ignore. Their innovative use of apparel to create conversations and connect people who need support with a dedicated counselling service that TradeMutt created and funds is truly amazing (read more on page 20).

As always, we love to hear about your latest projects, so feel free to reach out to us at editor@imagemagazine. com.au. You can also subscribe to our weekly newsletter for all the latest news and events, and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

OCTOBER 2023

Janet Maitland P 1300 001 393 E info@imagemagazine.com.au SUBSCRIPTIONS Available FREE to all IMAGE MAGAZINE subscribers DEADLINES TEXTILE IMAGE is published 3 times per year.

Next issue: February 2024 Booking & material deadline: Friday January 26, 2024 DISCLAIMER The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this magazine no responsibility is accepted by the publisher for any omissions, inaccuracies, typographical errors or printerʼs errors. No responsibility will be accepted for any changes to information after publication.

NEWS

THE LATEST NEWS AND VIEWS STAY INFORMED REGARDING THE LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS, NEW APPOINTMENTS, INDUSTRY TRADE SHOWS, EDUCATION AND INDUSTRY TRENDS.

MIMAKI LAUNCHES DTF TXF300-75 PRINTER In line with Mimaki’s sustainability goals, the TxF300-75 utilises Mimaki’s PHT50 pigment inks which are ECOPASSPORT certified – validating their lower environmental impact and meeting the requirements for OEKOTEX certification.

The Inline 800 DTF Powder Shaker Cure Unit, developed by heat transfer technology manufacturer Adkins is compatible with the new TxF300-75.

Mimaki Europe has introduced a new direct-to-film (DTF) printer, the TxF30075. The new system incorporates the already well-received stability and functionality of Mimaki’s first DTF printer, the TxF150-75 while delivering new levels of productivity with print speeds that are three times higher.

Mimaki entered the DTF market earlier this year to offer customers a stable, efficient DTF platform that incorporates Mimaki’s quality standards. Demand for this system was higher than expected, and the company increased capacity.

“We believe in giving customers a choice and anticipating their needs, which is why we are expanding our DTF printer line-up hot on the heels of the inaugural system. The TxF300-75 has been designed to offer even greater productivity. The innovative 80cm width

introduced with our first DTF printer remains a feature of this new system, enabling customers to print more efficiently. It also retains the Mimaki technologies that overcome the common ink ejection and ink sedimentation issues of the other DTF printers in the market,” explains Arjen Evertse, General Sales Manager, Mimaki Europe.

Mimaki’s DTF printer series has built-in ink circulation system to prevent white ink clogging and a degassed ink pack, lowering the risk of poor ink ejection.

The new printer includes core Mimaki features, such as the NCU (Nozzle Check Unit) and NRS (Nozzle Recovery System) for stable, uninterrupted print production. The DTF process also enables customers to print on a broader range of fabric, such as cotton, mixed material, polyester, and dark-coloured fabrics.

“Our customers’ profitability and business success are always at the forefront when Mimaki develops new technologies. We consider the total solution when it comes to installing our printers and look for ways to make the entire print production process as seamless as possible. As such, our collaboration with Adkins as a finishing partner in this space will continue as we develop our portfolio of DTF printers and further strengthen our position in this sector,” concludes Evertse.

The new printer will be commercially available in the EMEA region in Q4 2023. Jason May, National Sales Manager for Mimaki Australia confirms that the printer is expected to arrive in Australia from mid-October. It will be distributed into New Zealand by Total Supply.

imagemagazine.com.au

5

NEWS INKCUPS NEW XJET SWITCH, DIRECT-TO-BAG UV PRINTER. Inkcups has announced global availability of the XJET Switch globally, a groundbreaking digital printer for direct-to-bag and hard goods applications. This state-of-the-art addition to the XJET line is the first UV flatbed printing machine formulated with high-quality bag decoration in mind.

As the ‘Switch’ title indicates, the new machine boasts flexible capabilities for both pliable and hard goods, manual load and automated load and index either 180 or 90 degrees if pretreatment is required.

“The XJET Switch made its trade show debut at PRINTING United in 2022, and we were thrilled to witness its immediate success. This direct-to-bag printer generated a tremendous amount of excitement among our customers, who have been eagerly seeking a consistent and sustainable way to decorate reusable bags. This innovative machine serves as the perfect solution to their needs, for tote bags and beyond, and we hope to exceed their expectations.

We enthusiastically anticipate the creative possibilities that our customers will bring to life with the XJET Switch,” says Benjamin Adner, Inkcups CEO. The XJET Switch sets a new standard in swift and high-quality UV flatbed printing, producing high-quality, full CMYKWW (highly opaque white) images directly onto a variety of bags and hard goods. Its exceptional capabilities make it an ideal solution for decorating reusable bags made from a wide range of materials and colors, and it is capable of handling even the most challenging substrates such as clear and thin bags.

• XJET Switch Feature Overview • Decorates reusable bags, totes, and hard goods • Full CMYK + two Highly Opaque Whites • Four rotating platens: two on each side, customizable • Continuous printing design for loading and unloading while the machine is printing • Instant UV light curing capability with two 16W adjustable lamps • Automatic purging, wiping, and caping stations • Accommodates parts up to 240 mm (9.45”) in height • CE Certified • Automation-ready The four rotating platens of the XJET Switch are a standard feature that optimizes print productivity with two setups simultaneously. Additionally, the system provides customization options that allow for the configuration of platens to meet specific customer requirements, it is feasible to have three-up, four-up, or more within the printable area.

6

OCTOBER 2023

This industrial printer is specifically designed for a 3-shift production setup, enabling rapid prints with exceptional quality. It incorporates cutting-edge functionalities including automated purging, wiping, and caping stations, white recirculating system, servo control indexer, two 16-watt adjustable UV lamps, and numerous additional features that contribute to swift production while ensuring high-resolution images for a premium finished product.

Paired with the highly flexible XFLEXX UV Ink series, the XJET Switch highlights its versatility by decorating an extensive range of reusable bags, eliminating the risk of cracking or distorting as the bag naturally moves with use. Furthermore, among the ink series, the Vivid White ink stands out, delivering a brighter and more opaque white, rivaling the printed white achieved through competing processes.

The XJET Switch will be exhibited at PRINTING United in Atlanta in October 2023.

NEWS JAMIE WELLER APPOINTED MANAGING DIRECTOR OF KISSEL + WOLF Kissel + Wolf Australia, a leading supplier of innovative solutions for the print & packaging industry has announced a significant leadership transition and celebrates the remarkable thirty three year journey of Managing Director, Greig Wood who will be stepping down to a part-time role as General Manager of Metal Decoration.

Reflecting on his tenure Wood said that he is "Incredibly grateful and proud of the tremendous growth and expansion of the business across multiple sectors”. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated colleagues and associates who have shared this extraordinary journey with him.

Jamie Weller will assume the role of Managing Director. “Jamie's vision and dedication to excellence will undoubtedly propel Kissel + Wolf Australia to new heights”, said Wood.

Upon accepting his new role Weller said, “Greig has accomplished an

outstanding feat in bringing the company to its current position, and I am truly honoured to be stepping into his role.”

Working closely with Jamie, and as part of the newly formed Kissel + Wolf leadership team, Jon Field will assume the new role of Executive Director of Sales & Service - Digital along with Vanessa King the company's Chief Financial Officer, both of whom are integral to the current and future growth of Kissel + Wolf Australia.

Field commented, "Working with Greig was a privilege, and I have always had the utmost confidence in Jamie Weller. I wish him every success in his new role."

King adds, “I am delighted to be part of the leadership team, excited about the future growth and I wish Jamie all the very best”. As Kissel + Wolf Australia moves forward into this new chapter, the company remains steadfast in its commitment to pushing the boundaries, driving innovation, and delivering excellence.

DURST ACQUIRES ALEPH With this strategic move, Durst Group further enhances its position in water-based and sustainable printing technologies. For Durst Group, the acquisition also serves as a bridge to Como, Italy, the center for textile design and high-quality applications.

Durst Group, manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production solutions, has acquired Aleph SrL, a pioneer in sustainable digital solutions for textiles and interior and exterior decorations.

Established in 2000 in Lurate Caccivio (Como), over the last 20 years, Aleph has transitioned from a software house and distributor of textile consumables to an independent manufacturer of innovative machines for digital waterbased printing. Today, the company generates over 60% of its revenue abroad in more than 20 countries through products in special applications in both the textile industry and adjacent sectors such as billboard printing.

"We are delighted to welcome Aleph into the Durst family," said Christoph Gamper, CEO and co-owner of Durst

Group. "Their expertise in sustainable, water-based applications, their software for high-end textiles, and their creative solutions for water-based poster printing align perfectly with our vision of pushing the boundaries of digital printing technology. Together, we will strengthen our market position, expand our product portfolio, and enhance value for our global customers."

In recent years, markets for digital printing technologies with water-based ink applications have experienced rapid growth, driven by increasing demand for environmentally friendly and customizable products. To meet this market trend, not only highperformance printing systems with eco-friendly ink systems are necessary but also extensive process knowledge and integrated software solutions, which both companies aim to combine optimally through this merger.

imagemagazine.com.au

7

NEWS GRAPHIC ART MART IN NEW DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP WITH SISER "We are absolutely delighted to be appointed as the master trade distributor of Siser products," said Mousa Elsarky, Executive General Manager at Graphic Art Mart. "Siser's commitment to excellence and innovation perfectly complements our own values and we are confident that this partnership will be much welcome addition to our extensive customer offering.”

Graphic Art Mart has announced its new partnership with Siser, one of the most respected names in the global heat transfer materials industry, becoming the master trade distributor effective August 7 2023.

As Graphic Art Mart celebrates 50 years in business this year, the company notes that the collaboration with Siser marks another exciting milestone.

Siser is internationally recognised

for its innovation and superior heat transfer materials, catering to various creative industries, including textiles, fashion, promotional items, and more.

The partnership will enable Graphic Art Mart to expand its portfolio and provide customers with an even broader selection of cutting-edge materials.

“We are really excited to be working with Graphic Art Mart in the distribution of Siser products nationally as they are known for their ‘Global Brands Local Support’ which mirrors Siser ANZ’s values” adds Nathaniel Howse, Director at Siser ANZ. “With 10 locations around Australia, and a passion for supplying coloured film, they are the perfect fit for Siser ANZ and our customer base.”

GILDAN PUBLISHES ITS 19TH ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) REPORT Gildan has has published its latest Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, marking the Company’s 19th year of public ESG disclosures.

The report highlights Gildan’s 2022 performance against key targets and the strong momentum generated across all of its global operations in the first year of activating its Next Generation ESG strategy.

“Looking back at 2022, I am pleased with our continued commitment to ESG across our operations and our enhanced processes and cross-functional collaboration and accountability,” says Glenn J. Chamandy, President and CEO of Gildan. “ESG is one of the three core pillars of our Gildan Sustainable Growth (GSG) business strategy, and as we continue our journey towards achieving our 2030 ESG targets, we are

8

committed to delivering and reporting on our progress.”

2022 ESG highlights: • Tied 25% of all Gildan’s senior executives’ strategic objectives to their annual short-term incentive plan to support the advancement of ESG targets • Included sustainability-linked terms in its existing $1 billion revolving credit facility

OCTOBER 2023

• Reduced absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 10.9% (compared to a 2018 base year) • Reduced water intensity by 18.4% (compared to a 2018 base year) • Sourced 21.7% of its cotton supply from verified U.S.-grown cotton suppliers (USCTP) and Better Cotton • 14.2% of total SKUs of packaging and trim materials specific to apparel (which include carton, polyester, paper, and cotton-poly trims) now contain recycled materials or have relevant sustainability certifications • Achieved 30.3% gender parity in the collective group representing directorlevel and above employees, up from 26.7% in 2021 • Contributed $1.1 million to community initiatives • Published its first stand-alone Climate Change Disclosure Report

NEWS BALL & DOGGETT PARTNER WITH POLI-TAPE technical expertise and state-based

stock holdings. We will be launching the new POLI-FLEX range by POLI-TAPE on the 13th November. In the interim

we have sufficient stocks of Siser Heat

Transfer Vinyl to ensure there will be no interruption to supply. More information Ball & Doggett trading as Conect Enterprises has announced an exclusive partnership with global Heat Transfer Vinyl manufacturer POLI-TAPE. POLI-TAPE films are used for enhancing artwork lettering on sports and casual clothes as well as advertisements on windows, cars and various other advertising spaces. With nearly 400 employees worldwide, they supply their

customers high quality products in more than 90 countries all over the world.

“The POLI-TAPE partnership is an exciting next step in our growth plans in the signage and craft market providing all existing Conect and Ball & Doggett customers access to a broader range of innovative and market leading heat transfer films. In addition, we will continue to support the market with local

will be provided over the coming

weeks,” says Rob Brussolo General

Manager Ball & Doggett - Sign, Display & Digital.

Luke Wilkinson Ball & Doggett CEO

added, “We are excited to announce this partnership with such an innovative and reputable company in POLI-TAPE who share our commitment to the Signage, Craft and Retail market in Australia”.

FESPA AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES TRAINING FUND amalgamation with the Federal body in 2017.

"FESPA Australia is one of the oldest printing associations, and generations of hardworking volunteers and generous sponsors of the screenprinting industry raised these funds.

We are honoured to take the baton and work hard to apply and preserve these funds. By protecting those funds in our Constitution, we are ensuring that from now into the future, our Association will have a laser-sharp focus on the training needs of our industry,” says Nigel Davies, President of FESPA Australia.

FESPA Australia has announced the launch of the FESPA Australia Training Fund. As mandated by the FESPA Australia constitution, the funds are exclusively used in training and development programs within the speciality printing industry.

Life members and trustees of The FESPA Training Fund presented $94,000 of seed funding at a recent Open House event at Cactus Imaging in two separate presentations.

In the first presentation, Trevor Cunningham, FESPA Life Member

and founder of Allprint Graphics, Bill Porteous, FESPA Life Member and founder of JW Agencies, and Trustee, Paul Smith, presented the proceeds of the Glen Crerar scholarship fund. The scholarship was established in 1990 in memory of past President Glen Crerar.

Cunningham spoke of Glen Crerar’s wish that the scholarship funds would offer opportunities to young people well into the future.

Porteous took to the stage for the second presentation to hand over a cheque for $60,000, representing the NSW region's funds up until its

Davies adds, “There is much to do; the work of other FESPA associations inspires us, particularly FESPA UK's Next Generation fund, which promotes networking among young people and leverages social media to connect young people at scale. Associations must coordinate our approaches and funding to ensure a balanced approach to our industry's needs.”

FESPA Australia launched its 2023 FESPA Future Leaders program earlier this month, and interested applicants can apply for the program here. https:// fespaaustralia.org.au/leadership/

imagemagazine.com.au

9

Bright Star Kids succeeding with EPSON after flood damage the more we realised it was the perfect printer to replace all of our waterdamaged dye-sublimation machines.”

With their high volume of work, Bright Star Kids required a printer capable of handling a significant number of orders in a short period of time whilst not compromising on quality.

“The addition of the Light Cyan and Light Magenta inks sets the F6460H apart. It was always easy to get a great result with deep, vibrant colours; however, when you throw light-coloured printing into the mix, most printers struggle to hit the quality needed to produce a product that sits above the rest. The compact size of the F6460H also allowed us the opportunity to purchase multiple machines to fulfil our workflow. Another defining factor for choosing this printer over everything else is the ease of use. It does feel like a set-and-forget machine that rarely has any issues, and any issues that do arise are fixed with an easy automatic clean that clears clogged nozzles. Overall, the SureColor F6460H printers have quickly become a staple and key part of our production workflow.”

NSW South Coast-based Bright Star Kids (www.brightstarkids.com.au) has installed a SureColor F6460H dyesublimation printer. The business is an e-commerce family-owned business that designs and produces top-quality name labels and school supplies for children.

Bright Star Kids co-founder Nigel Cooper explains, “Initially, we had purchased an Epson SureColor F9460 to replace our old dye-sublimation printers. It gave us a taste of what Epson had to offer in terms of

10

quality sublimation printing, speed and efficiency. Shortly after, a freak rainstorm hit; our production facility was knee-deep in water, and all our machines were write-offs due to the damage.”

Copper continues, “One of the most stressful events of our lives led to a blessing in disguise. It allowed us to not only rebuild but to improve our workflow exponentially. Having heard about the new Epson SureColor F6460H dyesublimation printer, we decided to look into it, and the more we looked into it,

OCTOBER 2023

“The printers have been used constantly since the day of purchase without a single problem. Their unrivalled ability to print and press light colours onto any sublimatable material is astonishing.

Every other sublimation printer we have used has been unable to get the results we see from this printer in terms of pure quality and how solid the colours press.

Any graininess issues we were having with light colour printing are long gone since the addition of these printers,” adds Cooper.

“The Epson SureColor F6460H is simply a class above all the other dyesublimation printers we have used. The quality and speed of this printer produce the ultimate customer satisfaction every day, without fail,” concludes Cooper.

Make the move.

Fabric print on-shore with the reassurance of local support.

SEE IT IN ACTION! Arrange a demonstration today monnalisa@epson.com.au

DTF: A New Standard in Textile Printing Image Quality Born in Italy, perfected in Japan, the Monna Lisa direct-to-fabric series has landed in Australia.

Powered by no less than eight Epson PrecisionCore industrial printheads, the ML-8000 packs power and performance into a single affordable package with full local support, and the Epson GENESTA pigment inks meet global standards for sustainable textile printing, both synthetic and natural. Print on demand is now big business. Are you ready to grow?

Learn more at www.epson.com.au/direct-to-fabric

GJS

COVER STORY

Australian garment decoration market ready for mass production and automation

EVERY NOW AND THEN THE MARKET IN EACH INDUSTRY REACHES AN IMPASSE. A FORK IN THE ROAD WHERE IT MUST CHOOSE A PATH FORWARD BASED ON THREE THINGS; THE MATURITY OF THE MARKET, THE CUSTOMER OPPORTUNITY THAT EXISTS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF TECHNOLOGY TO DRIVE IT FORWARD TO ITS NEXT STAGE OF MATURATION AND GROWTH. Now is such a time for the Australian garment decoration market.

Having been privy to the maturation of the garment decoration market here in Australia over the last 45 years, GJS is in a unique position to comment not only

12

on its history, but on its projected future path and prosperity.

The global pandemic has not only

taught us that we need to rely less on

international supply chains and produce more here at home, but that we can,

OCTOBER 2023

as an industry, grow and thrive when

we have access to the right tools and technology to meet our customer’s demands locally.

If you had told me 15 years ago that we would have customers asking for multi-

GJS

COVER STORY platen, high-production, fully integrated inline printing solutions that are capable of printing, folding, and packing several hundred garments per hour I would have told you that the Australian market was not big enough for one, let alone multiple operators with such installations. But times have changed, and so has the demand.

“After connecting with some Australian printers that visited our booths at US tradeshows, ROQ started to pay close attention to this market and looking for a partner to distribute its products and solutions. As a global leader, with a presence in more than 80 countries, we are looking to replicate our best practices in the Australian market to help the local garment decoration community achieve high efficiency levels,” said João Sá, head of sales, ROQ. There are already three sites around Australia already using ROQ technology, and with the new partnership between GJS and ROQ more Australian garment decorators now have access to highproduction, high-quality, screen printing, hybrid, direct-to-garment (DTG), drying and packaging products.

The proof is in the printing Gold Coast based DRK LBL is one such early adopter of ROQ products here in Australia. From humble backyard beginnings to an award-winning print powerhouse, DRK LBL began its journey with ROQ products back in 2015 with the installation of its flagship ROQ Eco automatic press and ROQ Sahara tunnel dryer.

The ROQ products enabled DRK LBL to move from slow, outdated technology with constant reliability and registration issues to complete confidence in the industry leading ROQ equipment that allowed it to take its business to the next level.

“To build a world class business we knew we had to invest in world class equipment. The industry leading efficiency, ease of use and reliability of the ROQ equipment allows us to grow revenue while having the confidence that our production team can deliver with ease,” said Jodi Taylor, founder and owner, DRK LBL. “After eight years of ownership, sure we can measure our down time in single

figure hours, not days or weeks, but it’s about more than just reliability and build quality, we’ve never worked with such great people. You are literally part of this community they’ve built all over the world, and that’s what we value the most,” Taylor added.

Also on the Gold Coast, another large, multi-brand high-production print house is also amongst the Australian printers who have recently chosen ROQ products as a core part of their print production workflow with installation of a ROQ NOW digital printer.

The market momentum, and demand for ROQ products here in Australia continues to build with a large-scale Melbourne apparel production and fulfilment company selecting ROQ as its primary equipment partner—this exciting start-up venture will be the first installation of its kind in Australia, with two ROQ Oval presses, a ROQ Sahara gas dryer, along with a ROQ Fold, Pack and Label automated fulfilment line providing a complete solution.

“After installing these first screen printing and DTG units, we strongly believe that Australia has the same

imagemagazine.com.au

13

GJS

COVER STORY

DRK LBL production team

potential to grow and the market is ready for the high-quality printing ROQ equipment provides,” Sá added.

Scaling with automation With the costs of doing business continuing to escalate, coupled with a shrinking (or stagnated) jobs market, printers all over the world are looking for ways to scale operations but often looking to do so without the associated overheads of additional human resources.

A key component and differentiator with ROQ is the automation afforded by its products whilst still enabling exceptionally high output. Many of its products, such as the ROQ NOW, a 100 percent digital, high-production machine designed and optimised for web-toprint applications can produce up to 200 photo quality prints per hour with a single operator.

operated by a central control panel with 10-inch touch screen.

M

Y

CM

Those in the web-to-print space, and those with lucrative supply contracts that are looking for the next step up in technology that will enable them to simply print, pack and post can get excited as ROQ has a user-friendly solution for each of these steps of the process.

ROQ’s aim to be its customer’s ‘partner in print’ doesn’t just symbolise synergies between both brands but demonstrates an alignment of methodologies that involves placing the customer at the heart of what both our organisations do, with the ultimate goal of shared success.

It’s just one of the reasons why ROQ has become the fastest-growing automated screen-printing equipment company in the market today.

The entire GJS team is truly excited about this new partnership with ROQ, what it means for the Australian garment decoration market, for our existing customers, and for the new ones that we will undoubtably meet as we help bring the ROQ brand and its innovative, reliable and user-friendly solutions to Australia.

A true partnership approach With its origins firmly embedded in screen printing for over four decades, and with extensive expertise of digital decoration techniques, its GJS mission to be our customers’ trusted partner by

Similarly, its screen printing solutions offer unparalleled levels of automation, ease of use and low maintenance.

Its newest automatic screen printing machine, the ROQ Next is capable of producing up to 1,200 garments per hour and features independent controls for each of the printheads but can be

14

supplying innovative solutions that help them reach their potential.

C

OCTOBER 2023

- Greg Stone, managing director, GJS Group Australia.

MY

CY

CMY

K

MAGAZINES

The Industry Leading Magazines for Signage, Wide Format, Textile and Specialty Graphic Display Businesses FULL RA

NGE OF

ROQ NE

ROQ SO

LUTIONS

XT

Automat ic Carousel Screen Printing

NOW AV AILABLE

ROQ SA

Tunnel Dr

HARA

yer

SCREEN DRYING

ROQ GO

DTG Prin ter

ROQ OU

T

Automat ic Packagin Folding, g and La belling

DIGITAL PACK AG ING

GJS Gro

up Austra

Sydney | Me

sales@gj

lia

lbourne

s.co

ROQ solut

ions avail

| Brisban

able now

e

1800 45 7 888

exclusively

from

go.gjs.co /ROQ

OCTOBER 2023

12

AUSTRAL IAN GARM ENT DECO MARKET RATION READY FO R MASS PRODUC TION AND AUTOMA TION

20

TRADEM UTT CREA TIN INNOVAT IVE WORK G WEAR TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH

22

GRATEFUL REMNAN TS SHOWCA SE INDIGE NOUS TEX ART ON TH TILE E GLOBAL STAGE

STAY INFORMED! SUBSCRIBE NOW FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL Includes Latest News, Events, Industry Leading Classifieds (Jobs, Equipment, Businesses for Sale)

Visit: www.imagemagazine.com.au

Velflex: Your Trusted Global Heat Print Partner

Ben’s extensive heat press knowledge on display at FESPA 2023 in Germany

IN THE WORLD OF GARMENT DECORATION, ONE AUSTRALIAN COMPANY STANDS TALL AS A TRUE INDUSTRY LEADER: VELFLEX. FUELED BY A PASSION FOR CUTTING-EDGE HEAT PRINT SOLUTIONS AND AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES, VELFLEX HAS ESTABLISHED ITSELF AS THE ULTIMATE ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR GARMENT DECORATORS. Powerful Partnership: Velflex and Stahls' When you choose Velflex as your supplier for garment decoration needs, you are not just selecting a vendor; you are forging a partnership with the best in the business. Velflex's commitment to excellence is exemplified through its strategic alliance with Stahls', the global leaders in heat print decoration.

Ben Robinson, Chief Manufacturing Officer of Stahls' Hotronix, reconfirms

that Velflex provides the highest level of support. "We chose to partner with Velflex because their commitment to the success of the customer, as well as their ability to provide outstanding technical support, aligns perfectly with our brand and company values. Plus, they are just great people to work with."

Here's why this partnership should be at the forefront of your mind when seeking a supplier for your garment decoration needs:

1. Industry Expertise on a Global Scale: Velflex's Managing Director, Ben Carroll, played a pivotal role in Stahls' Global Masterclass. Alongside industry experts worldwide, Ben shared invaluable insights into the latest trends and tricks in heat print on demand.

This collaboration keeps Velflex at the forefront of industry knowledge, ensuring customers receive cuttingedge solutions.

imagemagazine.com.au

17

2.Leading the Way with Hotronix Heat Presses: Velflex is proud to be a leading supplier of Stahls' Hotronix heat presses in Australia. In a significant commitment to product excellence, a Velflex team journeyed to Hotronix's Manufacturing and Technology Centre in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania. There, they received extensive training, gaining comprehensive insights into the intricacies of Hotronix heat presses. This expertise enables Velflex to provide unparalleled support to customers investing in their heat presses. Ben Carroll emphasizes, "Our after-sale service has always been a key point of difference for us. We want our customers to know that we're not going to sell to them and disappear.

We are going to support them through installation and the lifetime of that machine." This commitment to mastering machinery ensures every heat press purchase from Velflex is backed by precision and finesse.

One of our product experts demonstrating the features of an STX press at APPA 2023

3.Global Presence at FESPA: Earlier this year, Ben Carroll brought his 17+ years of expertise to the international stage, joining the Stahls' team at FESPA in Germany. As a recognized product expert, he played a pivotal role in representing Hotronix heat presses. This international exposure underscores Velflex's commitment to staying connected with the global garment decoration community and offering its customers the latest innovations and trends.

Hotronix Master Training at their Manufacturing and Technology Centre in Pennsylvania

Your Trusted Heat Print Partner For garment decorators in search of innovative solutions, reliable heat presses, and expert guidance, Velflex and Stahls' emerge as the trusted partners. With a relentless focus on quality products, exceptional customer service, education, and after-sales support, Velflex is the ultimate onestop-shop. Choose Velflex for an unparalleled experience and top-tier solutions in the world of garment decoration.

18

OCTOBER 2023

Velflex regularly run heat press masterclasses at their facility in Brisbane

sales@velflex.com.au

1300 765 414

FEATURE

TradeMutt creating innovative workwear to improve mental health

ACROSS AUSTRALIAN WORKSITES, AMONGST A SEA OF HIGH VIS, THE TRADEMUTT TRIBE IS INSTANTLY RECOGNISABLE DRESSED IN THEIR BRIGHTLY COLOURED, FLAMBOYANT WORKWEAR. BUT TRADEMUTT IS MORE THAN JUST A CLOTHING LINE. TRADEMUTT IS A SOCIAL IMPACT WORKWEAR BRAND, BY TRADIES FOR TRADIES. THEY MAKE FUNKY, EYE-CATCHING WORKWEAR DESIGNED TO START CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AMONG THE BLUE-COLLAR COMMUNITY, HELPING MAKE AN INVISIBLE ISSUE IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE. TradeMutt was founded in March 2018 by friends Daniel Allen and Ed Ross, carpenters who met on a building site in 2014. The catalyst for the business came when Dan's best friend tragically and unexpectedly took his own life in 2015. "Rocking up to the job site in the weeks and months that followed was incredibly difficult, and Ed was my support network who got me through it", explains Dan. "During this time, we had a lot of conversations about

20

mental health and kept coming back to the same glaring issue, which is that mental health is a serious topic with a very heavy tone. We wanted to find a way to reframe the conversation, so we decided to launch a range of loud, vibrant safety shirts with our intention emblazoned on the back of every shirt "This Is A Conversation Starter (TIACS)".

"When we started, we were doing everything at night around our full-time

OCTOBER 2023

jobs", says Dan. "As two chippies, we knew nothing about fashion, clothing manufacturing or branding, so when we finally got our first two samples, we put them on and went to the pub. This was where our luck changed, as sitting at the bar was a journalist, and the shirts got us talking. A week later, we were on the evening news; five days after that, we were cash flow positive and three months later, we were working full-time in the business. We invested everything

FEATURE we had in our first batch of 1500 shirts, which came in three designs, thinking that if things went wrong, the worst possible outcome would be that we would have 750 shirts each to wear to work for the rest of our lives in a range of sizes", jokes Dan. "From then on, we experienced rapid growth. It wasn't long before we had a bunch of foot soldiers on worksites starting conversations, which enabled us to identify another issue. What happens when you've started a conversation and the person needs further help? Where do they go? Who do they call? So in 2020, we decided to set up a TIACS support service,

designed to provide support before the person reached crisis point, and to take the pressure off an already overloaded mental health system which can be expensive and time-consuming to access."

"The TIACS support service comprises a team of 10 professionally trained counsellors available 8am – 10pm Monday - Friday. Clients participate in an established care plan that involves eight structured sessions. 50% of TradeMutt's profits are donated to support this counselling service, and we also have corporate donors. The TIACS service is available to tradies, truckies farmers, blue-collar workers, and family members who care about them."

Since it began in June 2020, TIACS has supported: •17,290 individuals •With 16,900 hours of conversations •$2.85m free professional counselling services "These days, our Brisbane-based team of sixteen are focused on fashion design, marketing, garment personalisation, warehousing and logistics. We launch a new limited design series each month to

supplement our core range. We have embroidery in-house, and more than 20% of our products are personalised with bespoke and custom-printed clothing, a growth opportunity for us.

We focus on sustainable growth while maintaining profitability, as sustaining and supporting the TIACS service is our highest priority. We are doing this by establishing retail distribution points, forming wholesale partnerships, and we also have two national retail activations planned in the next 12 months", explains Dan. "Each product we sell is designed to make starting a conversation as easy as possible, from "This Is A Conversation Starter (TIACS) emblazoned on the back of the shirt to the QR code on the label that you can scan to connect your phone straight to the TIACS service. We hope this can encourage the cultural shift in Aussie blokes that is necessary to effectively lower the rate of suicide in Australia. Finally, the right pocket features the letters YNWA, which is a tribute to my mate Dan, who lived and breathed Liverpool Football Club. In memory of Dan, this is a reminder for anyone wearing one of these shirts: You'll Never Walk Alone", concludes Dan.

imagemagazine.com.au

21

FEATURE

Grateful Remnants showcase indigenous textile art on the global stage fabric for garment manufacturing and produce home textiles for retail sale by consignment or wholesale runs for production elsewhere. They also sell Pilbara-inspired patterns and kits, bespoke textile products and offer a Long Arm Quilting Service. Grateful Remnants supports indigenous artists in maintaining control over the commercialisation of their artwork, including copyright and intellectual property rights.

Suzanne Philpot Director Grateful Remnants. Work of Artist - Lesley Murray

Suzanne Philpot, founder of Grateful Remnants, has been “crafting” since childhood and dabbled in various mediums before settling on textiles over 20 years ago. She is mainly self-taught but has attended many workshops and classes to extend her skillset to include numerous textile techniques, such as textile collage, thread painting, fabric crochet, rag weaving and slow stitching. Suzanne has been sharing her passion for textiles with groups and individuals for many years, and in 2018, she decided

to formalise her “hobby”. This is how Grateful Remnants was born.

Grateful Remnants is a social enterprise providing workshops and textile arts classes with a cultural immersion option throughout Australia.

The Roebourne studio, 1600km north of Perth, includes a Digital Fabric Printer Workshop built in June 2021 and houses the only roll-to-roll digital textile printer and heat press between Perth and Darwin. They provide short runs of local artisan’s

Work of Artist Bobbi Lockyer

22

OCTOBER 2023

Work of Artist Jasmin Cloe

This year, Grateful Remnants and Mimaki collaborated to showcase the work of four indigenous artists on the Mimaki stand at ITMA. Philpot explains, “The opportunity began when WAITOC invited us to showcase some of our products at the World Indigenous Tourist Summit held in Perth in March 2023. What started as a few photos sent to Mimaki Australia evolved quickly into an invitation by Mimaki Europe to showcase products on the stand at ITMA.” Philpott also attended, although that wasn’t the original plan.

She had to take a last-minute flight from Perth to Milan to hand deliver a second set of products, which had to be reprinted and manufactured after customs refused to release the original products in time for the show. “We have some amazing indigenous artists in Australia, and I felt honoured to be able to represent the artists and their work in person”, says Philpot.

Work of Artist Rachael Cooyou

Breaking The Mould

We celebrate our customers' extraordinary achievements, fueled by our collaboration together, and with Cabbage Capital. Take the leap into textile innovation and make your mark in the industry.

Kissel+Wolf Australia in partnership with Cabbage Capital collaborate offer flexible finance solutions tailored for textile industry pioneers, as read in Textile Image Magazine.

Building the future of Australian and New Zealand Print

Contact Us.

Why you should consider finance when investing in your next piece of equipment

FOR SAVVY BUSINESS OWNERS SEEKING TO GROW THEIR BUSINESS, FINANCE IS AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT OPTION. TEXTILE IMAGE MAGAZINE SPOKE TO BRIN HAYDEN, FROM CABBAGE CAPITAL AND JON FIELD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - SALES, SERVICE, STRATEGY, AT KISSEL + WOLF AUSTRALIA, THREE YEARS AFTER FIELD SOUGHT TO FIND THE VERY BEST FINANCE PARTNER IN AUSTRALIA TO ACT AS THEIR PREFERRED FINANCIER AND TO NURTURE THEIR MOST PRECIOUS ASSETS, THEIR CUSTOMERS. Flexible equipment and asset finance is a product that assists businesses

and their cash flows releasing working

capital for other areas of the business.

Why pay an upfront lump sum, when finance payments can be spread out

24

over an agreed timeframe. In some instances, structured payments are offered in consideration of a business’s cash flow forecasts to acquire a revenue generating asset, paid off by the future growth and profitability that the asset generates.

OCTOBER 2023

“Finance is only one important part of the sales process,” Field explained.

“We take partnering with our customers and assisting them with their future growth plans very seriously. Helping our customers to source the most flexible finance tailored to their needs,

is just part of what we do and I wanted a partner who would explore a broad range of finance alternatives”.

Kissel + Wolf sought a partner who has the knowledge and lender relationships that could facilitate finance solutions via multiple financiers. “Foremost I wanted someone who would act with integrity. Next, someone who would represent our brand with professionalism. Someone who would really take the time to understand our customers, their business and financing requirements. Finally, someone who was diligent and responsive, and who would move heaven and earth to secure and tailor the optimum finance deal for all our customers”, Field said. More than three years on from that extensive process “I could not be happier with Brin Hayden and value that Cabbage Capital has bought to our business and provides our customers businesses”.

Brin Hayden, Director of Cabbage Capital, said, “I wanted to partner with an industry leader and saw that leadership in Kissel + Wolf Australia.

Our companies share similar values and business ethics and we always have what is best for the customer front of mind in everything we do. The ability to offer some of the most flexible finance solutions is what Hayden believes sets the Cabbage Capital and Kissel + Wolf partnership apart.

Approaching each deal on its own merits and striking the right balance for all four stakeholders is key, meaning, Customer, Lender, Kissel + Wolf, and Cabbage Capital - all working in synergy together. We have structured some deals for Kissel + Wolf’s customers that delivered outstanding results”, Hayden said.

Left Bank Art Group’s Director Toby Simm, the innovative and entrepreneurial owner of the very first Kornit, Direct to Fabric digital printer in Australia observes, “Navigating equipment finance was a breeze with Kissel & Wolf's preferred financier, Brin Hayden at Cabbage Capital.

Brin took the time to understand my business needs, making the process

feel tailored and straightforward. From our initial interaction, Brin exhibited a genuine interest in understanding the intricacies of my business, and his approach was far from generic, it was personalised and aligned with my business objectives. His follow-up even after securing the right financial solution showcased his dedication to client satisfaction and is a testament to his client-centric approach, which I find to be the cornerstone of his operations at Cabbage Capital.

I can highly recommend Brin Hayden and Cabbage Capital for any business seeking sound financial guidance. With Brin, you're not just getting a broker,

but a committed partner invested in your business's success. And I can honestly say the same for Kissel + Wolf Australia.

Cabbage Capital is a trusted partner of Kissel + Wolf Australia, with Field saying, “Brin always invests the time to understand our customers, their business and the pressures and challenges they face. Importantly, what benefits their investment will deliver their business and bottom line.”

Hayden concludes, ”Loyalty to a lender doesn’t always pay. You don’t know the market until you test it. For an initial 20 minute consultation, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

imagemagazine.com.au

25

They are certified according to the standard 100 by OEKO-TEX®, and free from PVC, heavy metals, and phthalates. All coatings used for the textiles are water-based and they are REACH-compliant which meets the numerous statutory environmental requirements worldwide.

HOW DOES USED PET BOTTLES BECOME A TEXTILE? The yarn for these textiles is obtained from used PET bottles in a Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified process. Approximately 12 used 1.5 litre PET bottles produce one square metre of textile. The changed production process to create greener textiles also requires less energy than conventional polyester yarns which reduces energy consumption leading to an additional reduction of CO2 emissions of approximately 50 %.

PRODUCTS INCLUDED IN THE RANGE

Wide-format textiles of the future IT IS IMPORTANT TO CREATE GREATER AWARENESS OF SUSTAINABILITY, WHILE MAINTAINING THE QUALITY OF A PRODUCT. THE GREENER RANGE OF WIDE-FORMAT PRINTABLE TEXTILES MANUFACTURED BY BERGER IN GERMANY AND SOLD EXCLUSIVELY IN AUSTRALIA BY RICKY RICHARDS DO JUST THAT! Made from 100 % recycled yarn, which

as an alternative to the traditional

reduces the amount of plastic waste

customers. “Now we can support any

is made from PET bottles, not only

but also reduces the required energy consumption.

Darren Best, Ricky Richards National

Sales Manager loves that these wide-

format printable textiles can be offered

26

range providing an added benefit to our business that would like to be greener by offering the greener textiles we distribute here in Australia.”

It is not just the yarn that drives

sustainability in these Berger textiles.

OCTOBER 2023

• be.tex Green SAMBA backlit and Green SAMBA backlit FR • be.tex Valuetex FR • be.tex Outdoor FR • be.tex Revolution

Ideal for advertising signage such as banners, pop up displays, inflatables, media walls or for use within a display frame system, these printable textiles are leading the way when it comes to sustainability in the printing industry.

They deliver the same high-quality print as other printable textiles and can reach a wider market. Consumers— particularly Millennials—increasingly say they want brands that embrace purpose and sustainability.

If you would like further information or a digital version of the Ricky print product catalogue, contact your Print Media experts today on 02 9735-3333 or visit: www.rickyrichards.com.au

TEXTILES OF THE FUTURE

Ideal for advertising signage such as banners, pop up displays, inflatables, media walls or for use within a display frame system; this range of wide-format printable textiles manufactured by Berger in Germany are leading the way for the environmentally conscious. Delivering the same high-quality print and made from 100% recycled yarn manufactured from PET bottles, the range allows you to reach a wider market. Not only do these textiles reduce the amount of plastic waste but also reduce the required energy consumption.

Contact your Print Media expert today Call 02 9735 3333 rickyrichards.com.au

FULL RANGE OF ROQ SOLUTIONS NOW AVAILABLE ROQ NEXT

Automatic Screen Printing Carousel

ROQ SAHARA Tunnel Dryer

SCREEN

DRYING

ROQ GO

ROQ OUT

DTG Printer

Automatic Folding, Packaging and Labelling

DIGITAL

PACKAGING

GJS Group Australia Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane sales@gjs.co

1800 457 888

go.gjs.co/ROQ