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Q. What's new for 2010?
A. Printwear & Promotion (P&P) continues to bring all that's best to the garment decoration market, with fabric and machine technology, in particular, bringing major changes to the visitor. Direct to garment printing has become more affordable and transfer technology offers a low cost, high quality and easy to apply decoration technique. Embroidery machines offer very high speeds and single head machines are probably more popular than ever now that they can be linked together easily to allow a business to expand.
Q. Why is this event a must-do on the business calendar?
A. Printwear and Promotion is the leading UK event in the garment decoration market, covering areas such as leisurewear, schoolwear, sportswear, the latest in embroidery, transfer and digital technology as well as ancillary products to every part of the market.
Q. Which big names are at P&P this year?
A. In addition to UK garment manufacturers and distributors including UKL, BTC, Ralawise, Prestige, Result, United Brands of Scandinavia, Headwear, Pencarrie and Beechfield, we also have major distributor/manufacturers on the machinery side, such as YES, GS UK, Stocks Sewing Machines, D Roper/M&R, Xpres and AJS Embroidery, to name just some.
Q. What about smaller companies and first time exhibitors?
A. Although we have many companies taking smaller size stands, these are not necessarily small companies. Printwear and Promotion has enjoyed regular support from companies such as Teamwear, Kwik Tapes, Pressmech, Majestic Towels, Golden Finishes and many others. Although their stands may not be among the largest, this is usually because their products do not require vast display space. There will be a number of new exhibitors at the event which include The Marketing Worx, Crazy Bags, Transfer Supplies, GK Marketing showing the Anatol range of screen print machines and also iGEM with a new laser/embroidery machine.
Q. The fashion shows are always hugely popular. What can we see this year?
A. The professionally choreographed fashion shows which run during P&P are always popular, revealing all that is new in the garment side of the industry. It's an opportunity for many of the brands to showcase what's new in their 2010 catalogues.
Q. P&P is co-locating with the International Promota Show this year. How will this benefit visitors?
A. The co-location with Promota offers the visitor far more products on the promotional gift side of this industry than has previously been available at Printwear and Promotion. Visitors to these events should note that although Printwear and Promotion opens on Sunday 28 February to Tuesday 2 March, Promota will only be open on Monday and Tuesday. Visitors must register for each show.
Q. Are visitor numbers still increasing every year?
A. Over the last seven years, footfall has increased year on year reaching a record 4,292 in 2009.
Q. The P&P show seems to have something for everyone, doesn't it?
A. I would like to think that all aspects of our industry are covered. This could be everything from a pair of scissors through to the largest screen print and embroidery machines. It is the only UK event where the visitor will see all that is best in their industry, now with the added benefit of the International Promota Show co-location.
Q. Finally, how do people register for the show?
A. Visitors can pre-register for fast track access by visiting the Printwear and Promotion website and clicking on the 'Register for P&P Live' button.
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
Printwear and Promotion seminar programme
Since its introduction three years ago, the seminar programme has provided information rich presentations designed to help delegates take their businesses forward. As such, the area has been renamed the Knowledge Transfer Suite. Here's a preview of the topics featured this year.
Target Transfers
Sunday
Getting started in heat printing
An explanation of how simple it is to get started in transfer printing and how quickly companies can realise profit. An overview of the products and equipment needed, including advice on what to look for and how to ensure that you are getting value for money. The seminar features demonstrations of products and tips on how to ensure perfect results every time. It will also feature advice on how your business can grow and how to make sure the purchases you make will stand the test of time. It will also touch on the importance of workflow and organisation, since dealing with large volumes means every second really does count.
Monday
The versatility of heat transfer printing
A heat press allows the user to decorate garments from dawn until dusk. It also creates a lot of opportunities so this seminar explores the many other revenue streams that are available through a heat press, including some ideas that are not obvious, but are profitable. There will also be advice on how you can achieve the result that your customer is after, no matter how complicated the design. You are not limited by the cutter or equipment that you possess; there is always a way to get the finished product to exact specification.
Tuesday
How to heat apply to difficult substrates and how to achieve different finishes
To make sure that you are getting optimum use out of your heat press, this seminar will feature a range of tips and ideas, looking at 'problem' materials such as coated nylons and demonstrating how to make sure that transfers adhere perfectly every time. In addition, it will examine the different methods available to achieve different finishes with transfers and vinyl, whether it is gloss, matt or multi-layered.
Wilcom
Sunday
A web site or web store?
With over 70 per cent of UK internet users shopping on-line, it's time to think about moving your static brochure website to a sales generating web store. This session looks at the future of on-line shopping and what to think about when considering a web store.
Monday
Back in five: Don't leave your on-line store unattended
The steps involved in setting up an on-line retail store are just like that of a physical retail store. Just like you wouldn't leave your retail store without signage, or unattended, your on-line store needs the same focus. This covers topics like finding premises, point of sale, customer service and admin workflow.
Tuesday
Getting traffic to your on-line store
Unlike a physical retail store that may have passing street traffic or be situated in a shopping complex, your on-line store doesn't! This session will cover some simple ways to drive traffic to your on-line store. Find out more about search engine optimising and other on-line marketing ideas.
Val Mumby
Sunday
How to be PR smart
Founder and managing director of PR agency, Clareville Communications, Val Mumby will cover the following topics:
- Using PR to build your profile and sales
- What is PR?
- Building credibility with your audience
- What do you write?
- How do you get it published?
- Building relationships with the media
- Why use a PR agency?
Clareville has worked in the promotional marketing industry for more than 20 years with clients including P&MM, Senator Pens, the UKGVCA, the BPMA, New Look and on the consumer side, Greenland, Baby Bjorn, National Garden Gift Vouchers and Smartbox.
Gordon Glenister
Monday and Tuesday
2009 was a tough year for the printwear and promotional industry with margins down, costs rising, sales drying up and customers delaying payment. Director general of the BPMA, Gordon Glenister, shares a raft of ideas to add more profit to your bottom line. With a strong sales and marketing strategy you can drive your business forward in 2010.
AJS Embroidery Services
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
Introducing Embroidery i2 for CorelDRAW, a software plug in for CorelDRAW that creates embroidery inside the graphics program with no need for a separate embroidery software application and no need to learn any new programs or interfaces. Create logos, artwork or designs in CorelDRAW and when you are ready to convert to embroidery, simply assign a stitch effect, adjust any embroidery parameters such as density or pull compensation, and the design is ready for the embroidery machine. Embroidery i2 is perfect for screen and digital printers and promotional product companies who want to create amazing embroidery.
How many of your customers have asked about the carbon footprint of your printing service?
