Industry News
New roster of winners nominated for Printing Charity’s Rising Star Awards
N
ominations for The Printing Charity’s Rising Star Awards have
officially closed as the group gets ready to announce its winners for the 17th year. The awards provide young people looking to progress a career in all aspects of the print industry with £1,500 of funding for training and skills development to further their careers.
This year, the awards are open for people aged 18-35, with the extended age range designed to support those who have made a career pivot to join the sector, or who are looking to upskill to prepare for changing professional growth opportunities. 78 budding starlets came away as winners last year, including Positive+’s Jade Sullivan and Tradeprint’s Marc Farmer. Ms Sullivan said: “I began applying what I learned straight away in my role. The course has given me the confidence to speak with colleagues and management, knowing that solid,
Rising Star Awards 2025 winners
evidence-based theories back my ideas and suggestions.”
Mr Farmer also said: “It’s led to new conversations, networking opportunities, and industry involvement that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
Having closed nominations on March 29, the charity is now working to work out its winners.
Printing Charity CEO, Neil Lovell,
New black ink formula for International Coatings Company
I
nternational Coatings Company has introduced a newly reformulated version of its popular Ultimate Black 717 screen printing ink, designed to deliver improved performance, easier handling on press and better overall value for garment decorators. The California-based manufacturer says the upgraded ink has been reformulated from the ground up with a focus on how printers actually experience the product during production.
The new version features a creamier consistency and smoother texture, allowing for faster setup, fewer press adjustments and more consistent results during long runs. According to the company, improved rheology enhances flow and recovery, helping printers achieve cleaner prints and sharper edge definition across a wide range of mesh counts. Visually, the ink delivers a deeper black with a controlled satin finish and reduced gloss, providing a more professional appearance under different lighting conditions.
Newly
formulated Black 717 ink
Mark Brouillard, International Coatings’ product manager, said: “This update makes Ultimate Black easier to work with, more consistent across jobs, and visually more pleasing on the garment while also delivering better value.
| 14 | April 2026
commented: “Each year, the Rising Star Awards celebrate exceptional individuals shaping their careers in an industry we are proud to represent. “As our flagship programme, the Rising Stars attract and support emerging talent, highlighting the breadth of opportunity print offers and the many paths to success within our sector.”
TBF Bags secures Vegan Certification
T
BF Bags has achieved Vegan Certification for most of its tote bag styles.
The certification applies to a defined range of tote SKUs and confirms the absence of animal-derived materials or testing under Vegan Action’s Certified Vegan programme. The approved products can carry the
certification mark across packaging and marketing materials.
For print shops,
TBF Bags secures Vegan Certification
merch brands and distributors, the move simplifies product selection and sales messaging, particularly when responding to growing demand for clearly verified sustainability credentials.
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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