Like most trade shows, PRINTING United, the massive exhibition connecting the global printing industry and hosted by Promo Marketing’s parent company, moved to an online format due to the pandemic. But the show must go on, as they say, and PRINTING United is going big with three weeks of all-digital cross-segment programming and new product launches beginning Monday, Oct. 26.
The PRINTING United Digital Experience has something for everyone, but for anyone already decorating apparel (or looking to start), there’s an entire day dedicated to screen printing and other apparel decoration topics. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, the event will roll out a full day of programming that includes education sessions on screen printing and driving profitability, a panel discussion on thriving in screen printing during the pandemic, and product demos on a variety of equipment and garments.
It’s free for attendees, and registration grants access to all 14 days of digital programming, including days dedicated to direct-to-garment, wide format, digital textile and other areas related or adjacent to the promotional products industry. Where else can you learn this much about apparel decoration while wearing your pajamas?
Check out the full Apparel/Screen Decorating Day lineup:
10:00 a.m.
RESEARCH: INDUSTRY OUTLOOK FOR SCREEN AND DECORATING
Presenter: Andy Paparozzi, Chief Economist, PRINTING United Alliance
This session reviews how deeply the COVID-19 recession has affected apparel decorators and the indicators that point to improvement ahead. Additional topics include the steps apparel decorators are taking to build competitive advantage, which of the steps have been most effective, and the products and end markets they identify most frequently as growing.
10:15 a.m.
KEYNOTE: ESTABLISHING TODAY’S SUCCESSFUL SCREEN PRINTING BUSINESS
Presenter: Marshall Atkinson, Owner, Marshall Atkinson Consulting
Today’s screen printers are a far cry from the screen printers of a decade (or more) ago. What does it take to build a successful screen printing business today? What pitfalls and opportunities must all business owners be aware of?
10:45 a.m.
PRODUCT DEMO: ROQ NEXT AUTOMATIC PRESS, ROQ FOLDING, PACKAGING, AND LABELING AUTOMATIC MODULAR SYSTEM, ROQ FIT AUTOMATIC PRESS, AND LOTUS HOLLAND EVO COMPACT SCREEN RECLAIMING SYSTEM
The ROQ NEXT automatic screen printing presses chain-drive system enables go-to pallet features for simple setup, print-from-screen functionality for quick strike offs, and faster indexing for cycles up to 1,200 pieces per hour, and future digital expansion. The ROQ Automated Packaging & Labeling Modular System presents a comprehensive automated pre-shipment solutions suite. The versatility of the modular system empowers you to build your premiere folding, packing, and labeling solution one step at a time. With a Lotus Holland EVO Compact Auto Screen Reclaim System, screens are automatically and completely cleaned for reuse. The ROQ Fit is not only fast, but has a smaller footprint than other autos and is super easy to learn.
11:00 a.m.
PRODUCT DEMO: HANES BEEFY-T AND NANO
Hanes Beefy-T was the first T-shirt ever developed for screen printing. For more than 35 years, it has set the standard for T-shirt comfort and quality. Today, it’s better than ever, offering even greater durability and fit. Hanes Nano is a 4.5-oz. 100 percent ring-spun T-shirt that features a lighter weight and a more modern fit.
11:15 a.m.
PANEL DISCUSSION: SCREEN PRINTING SUCCESS AMID COVID-19
Moderator: Justin Lawrence, Owner, Oklahoma Shirt Company
Panelists: Amy Baker, Owner, Threadbare Print House Rich Santo, CEO, Culture Studio
Though the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the screen printing industry and the markets it serves, there are shops continuing to thrive. This informative and inspirational panel features screen printers sharing how they have pivoted their businesses and strategies to remain successful.
12:00 p.m.
PRODUCT DEMO: NAZDAR
PRE & POST-PRESS AUTOMATION
Beth Kerfes, portfolio manager, Textile Screen Inks and Equipment; and David Bolding, textile equipment sales manager, Nazdar SourceOne, walk viewers through evaluating their operations with an eye for where software automation can help improve efficiency, from prepress all the way through postpress.
12:15 p.m.
SESSION: DRIVING PROFITABILITY AND EFFICIENCY IN APPAREL DECORATION
Presenters: Justin and Erin Moore, Owners, Barrelmaker Printing
For apparel decorators, there are two choices for increasing profitability: one is to do more business, the other is to minimize costs. Join these leading apparel decorators as they discuss the essential steps every company must take to keep costs low and production on-point. Each step outlined—
if implemented faithfully—can add true profitability to your bottom line.
12:45 p.m.
PRODUCT DEMO: NAZDAR DS-4000 (DIGITAL SQUEEGEE)
M&R’s DS-4000 Digital Squeegee is setting the standard for hybrid printing. At production rates of 400-plus prints per hour, the DS-4000 bridges the gap between direct-to-garment (DTG) printing and screen printing.
1:00 p.m.
PRODUCT DEMO: NAZDAR AND M&R COBRA
The new M&R COBRA shares the traits of the reptile of the same name—it’s sleek, quiet and super-fast. The COBRA series of automatic screen presses is the newest product evolution from M&R. They set the standard in combining quality components, durable craftsmanship and high-speed production, all in one machine.
In the coming days, we’ll have recaps of some of these sessions coming in our Headlines and Threads e-newsletters. But if you want to see them in real time, click here to register for Apparel/Screen Decorating Day (Tuesday, Oct. 27) or click here for more information on the PRINTING United Digital Experience, including Apparel – Direct-to-Garment/Direct-to-Substrate Day (Monday, Nov. 9). The PRINTING United Digital Experience runs from Oct. 26 through Nov. 12 and is free to attend.
