The Big Interview
Next door in the Inspiration Suite is where visitors will find all the heat presses, sublimation and transfers printing options available from Xpres. “Garment decorators sometimes don’t realise the potential of the gifting market. This market boomed during the pandemic and it’s so easy to get involved with,” says George.
Providing inspiration
As the name suggests the showroom has been designed to provide inspiration to decorators, those who may be stuck in a rut and looking for a new direction to take their business. Inspiration and advice is available in spades from a team of experts.
“If you’d asked me 10 to 15 years ago if we would have such a broad range of solutions in our portfolio, I would not have believed you,” says Ryan.
Upstairs, decorators can seek even more inspiration in the Apparel Lab. Decorators will find on display numerous T shirts all decorated with different print methods, vinyls, transfers and inks, showcasing exactly what is possible by just switching media.
Buy less, buy better
The upstairs is also home to the Kustom Kit and Vanilla showrooms.
This year has seen Kustom Kit focus on the ‘buy less, buy better’ mantra to drive home the message that the brand’s garments are built to last.
“All aspect of garment construction is considered during the manufacturing process,” explains Clare Dwyer, product manager. “We test every piece of the fabric to ensure the garments are built to last and fit for purpose. I am really proud of this brand.”
This is evident in The Klassic Polo (KK403 and KK703). This is the brand’s original and first polo shirt. The style and quality has remained unchanged since it was introduced more than 20 years ago. To the point where Clare says that some customers still wear a polo shirt, they purchased over a decade ago. The superior quality of this polo shirt, coupled with its superior wash performance, means this garment really is built to last and ideal for work forces of all shapes and sizes.
The same can also be said of The Premium Oxford Shirt (KK105). This shirt arrived on the scene two years after the KK403 and is also built to last. It’s one of the brand’s best-selling shirts because of its timeless
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk The Apparel Lab and Vanilla showroom
design. Back in the day this shirt was available in 15 colours, but to fit with today’s corporate styling it is available in eight shades.
Answering demand
Vanilla joined the Charterhouse Holding’s brand portfolio in 2018 to answer the demand for more fashionable T shirts suitable for print. Traditionally sublimators were stuck with a basic white polyester T shirt, but this is no longer the case. The design team behind the creation of Vanilla have since injected some much-needed style into sublimation Ts and created a collection that provides the perfect print surface. This style injection can be seen in products such as the innovative Subli Pocket Tee (VAN105 and VAN405). This style combines a 100% cotton tee with 100% polyester pocket and neck yoke, allowing sublimators to truly get
creative. “This tee was definitely a world exclusive!” exclaims Clare.
The range has evolved since 2018 with customer feedback fuelling new designs. New products for 2022 include the Retro Tee (VAN107), the Sweat Short (VAN301) and Sweat Pants (VAN302). Organic cotton options are also available for decorators looking to take a more sustainable approach to their prints.
The same level of quality and attention to detail that has made the Kustom Kit collection so successful, has been applied to the Vanilla range, so customers can expect the best.
Whether you’re new to the industry or have a little bit more experience and not sure where to turn next, given their unique position in the industry the knowledgeable teams at Xpres, Kustom Kit and Vanilla will surely be able to help you along the way.
September 2022 | 43 | The display wall in the Apparel Lab
A wide range of sublimation possibilities on display in the Inspiration Suite
The Kustom Kit showroom
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
