Textile Image Magazine Oct 2024

OCTOBER 2024

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MEET AUSTRALIA'S NEWEST "ROQ STARS" TURNING THE SCREEN PRINTING INDUSTRY GREEN

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QTCO BLAZES A TRAIL TO ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE WITH STEADY STEPS

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UPPAREL’S RILEY AICKIN SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON WAYS TO COMBAT TEXTILE WASTE

Act now, order before Xmas

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Great deals for high-volume print shops too

For print shops ready to take your business to the next level, the Brother GTXpro B is designed with your mass production dreams in mind.

For more information scan this QR code or visit dtg.brother.com.au

THIS ISSUE

OCTOBER 2024

COVER STORY

CONTENTS

MEET AUSTRALIA'S NEWEST "ROQ STARS" TURNING THE SCREEN PRINTING INDUSTRY GREEN

05 LATEST NEWS LATEST PRODUCT RELEASES FROM AUSTRALIA AND AROUND THE WORLD

04 FROM THE TEAM PUBLISHER'S LETTER

12 CASE STUDY KOTON KRAFT INSTALLS THE EPSON ML8000 PRINTER

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14 COVER STORY MEET AUSTRALIA'S NEWEST "ROQ STARS" TURNING THE SCREEN PRINTING INDUSTRY GREEN

FEATURE ARTICLE QTCO BLAZES A TRAIL TO ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) WITH STEADY STEPS

22 FEATURE SISER LAUNCHES WORLD'S FIRST COMPOSTABLE HEAT TRANSFER 30 FEATURE LEADING THE WAY WITH KORNIT DTG TECHNOLOGY

26 FEATURE ARTICLE UPPAREL’S RILEY AICKIN SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON WAYS TO COMBAT TEXTILE WASTE

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FROM THE TEAM

PUBLISHER'S LETTER

THE HEADLINE ACTS: ROQ ECO

ROQ YOU

Screen Printing Machine

Screen Printing Machine

SCREEN

SCREEN

ROQ E

ROQ SAHARA

Screen Printing Machine

Tunnel Dryer

SCREEN

DRYING

EXPLORE THE ENTIRE ROQ RANGE

GJS Group Australia

OCTOBER 2024

Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane sales@gjs.co

1800 457 888

go.gjs.co/ROQ

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MEET AUSTRALIA'S NEWEST "ROQ STARS" TURNING THE SCREEN PRINTING INDUSTRY GREEN

26

QTCO BLAZES A TRAIL TO ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE WITH STEADY STEPS

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UPPAREL’S RILEY AICKIN SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON WAYS TO COMBAT TEXTILE WASTE

PUBLISHER Janet Maitland Image Publications Pty Ltd

JANET MAITLAND PUBLISHER

W

elcome to the October issue of Textile Image Magazine. It was great to see and catch up with so many people at the industry's most recent events, Visual Impact Brisbane and the GJS / ROQ Open House in Sydney last month.

Since our last issue, there has been a major change in Australia's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) landscape, with the Australian House of Representatives voting to introduce mandatory climate-related reporting requirements for large and medium-sized companies, including disclosures on climate-related risks and opportunities, and on greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain, starting as soon as 2025 for the largest companies.

Reporting requirements will apply to all public companies and large proprietary companies required to provide audited annual financial reports to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) that meet specific size thresholds visit asic.gov.au.

The majority of Australian small and medium businesses will not fall within this category. This means that those

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businesses are not expected to have any direct reporting requirements in the immediate future. However, many small businesses form part of the supply chain of larger businesses, which means they may need to engage with climate reporting considerations over time, even if they do not have any direct climate reporting obligations. This is because the 'scope 3' emissions of a large business with reporting obligations may include the emissions of its small business suppliers. Scope 3 emissions are those emissions that occur up or down a company's supply chain.

In this issue, we catch up with Sam and Darren Fraser of QTCO, who share some of the programs they are implementing in their ESG journey. We also speak with Riley Aickin, Partnership Manager at UPPAREL, who shines a spotlight on some of the initiatives other countries are using to combat textile waste.

As always, we love to hear and share your stories, so please reach out to us at editor@imagemagazine.com.au. To stay up to date with the latest industry news and events, visit imagemagazine.com. au, register for our weekly newsletter, including our industry-leading classifieds, and follow us and tag us @imagemaganz on social media. We look forward to connecting with you and seeing you at upcoming events.

Best Regards, Janet Maitland

OCTOBER 2024

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 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 2025 Booking & material deadline: Friday January 24, 2025 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 MIMAKI RELEASES TWO NEW TEXTILE PRINTERS

Mimaki has announced two new printers for textile printing applications. TS3303200DS, a hybrid direct and transfer sublimation printer and Mimaki’s latest direct-to-film (DTF) solution, the TxF3001600, will be commercially available in Europe in November 2024. They have been developed with new features, print formats, and higher speeds to support customers ready to expand and futureproof their business.

“At Mimaki, we are committed to driving innovation that meets the evolving needs of our customers and also anticipates future trends in the printing industry,” comments Arjen Evertse, General Manager of Sales at Mimaki Europe.

“These new printers were created to offer the industry new ways to expand and diversify print businesses with the confidence a high-quality, highly efficient Mimaki solution provides.

for the soft signage and home textile markets.

TxF300-1600: Higher Productivity in Custom Fashion and Interior Fabrics

With its increased width and dual modes, the TS330-3200DS supports various applications. In addition to producing vibrant, large-format fabric signs, it can also print interior fabrics like curtains, carpets, and bedspreads. The TS3303200DS's hybrid nature allows seamless switching between direct fabric printing and sublimation transfer printing, which is easily achieved by attaching or removing a platen.

The TxF300-1600, the latest addition to Mimaki’s Direct-to-Film (DTF) line of printers, is designed to meet the growing demand for high-productivity custom fashion and interior fabric printing. This latest model increases productivity by an impressive 30% compared to the TxF300-75. With a maximum print width of 1.6 metres, the TxF300-1600 is ideal for custom garment printing and extends its application to large-scale interior fabrics, such as curtains and floor mats.

This printer is equipped with Mimaki’s latest 330 Series engine and can print up to 150 sqm/h at a print resolution of 600 dpi. Whether for short-run productions or high-mix orders, the TS330-3200DS ensures high-quality results quickly, making it a versatile tool for today’s fastpaced textile industry.

The TxF300-1600 incorporates Mimaki’s core technologies to ensure stable and uninterrupted operation. Furthermore, the printer uses OEKO-TEX ECO-PASSPORT certified inks, meeting stringent chemical safety and environmental responsibility criteria.

TS330-3200DS: Versatility for Soft Signage and Home Textiles The TS330-3200DS is a 3.2-metrewide hybrid printer capable of direct sublimation printing on fabric and sublimation transfer printing on paper.

This dual capability allows users to choose the most suitable printing method based on the fabric and the application, making it an excellent choice

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NEWS EPSON UNVEILS WORLD-FIRST SURECOLOR F9560 DYE SUBLIMATION PRINTER The SC-F9560 integrates with the company's free Cloud Solution PORT service. This advanced management platform provides web-based access from any desktop and app-based access for mobile devices and includes various reporting, tracking and costing tools. It enables users to optimise productivity and profit while ensuring maximum uptime with enhanced Epson support.

This model allows for users' selfreplacement of the printhead.

The SC-F9560 also works seamlessly with the optional Epson SD10 ultra-compact high-precision spectrophotometer, which enables easy spot colour matching with an additional Auto Table for enhanced work, including profiling.

In a world first, Epson Australia unveiled the company's new SureColor F9560 dye sublimation printer at Visual Impact Brisbane.

The new model replaces the previous SC-F9460 and SC-F9460H with a more compact package that offers outstanding image quality, significant speed improvements, extended colour support, and more convenient consumables management.

The SC-F9560 offers easy operation with a large touch panel display complete with integrated help and is supplied with Edge Print software that shows users on-screen what they can expect to get on paper.

It also offers users high productivity levels with heavy-duty motors and a large 2.64" PrecisionCore printhead that delivers production output at low pass rates.

There are further production efficiencies, too, with support for a wide range of media types, widths and thicknesses on rolls up to 45 kg and a bulk ink system

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that uses convenient pouch-based ink with dual sets and hot swap.

The SC-F9560's new compact design features include a low profile with a flat top, integrated heater and high precision auto take-up, and it is supplied with a roll loader to enable single operator management.

The 6c SC-F9560H model can be configured with LcLm ink for fine gradation and an extended gamut, OrVi for maximum gamut or FyFp fluorescent ink for maximum brightness. The fluorescent ink can be applied as spot colour and process colour.

The printer also offers lower running costs with low power consumption, support for cost-effective media and self-maintenance features. This leads to an overall low total cost of ownership, including a durable printhead covered under a comprehensive 12-month warranty that includes the printhead and is extendable up to five years via Epson's CoverPlus.

OCTOBER 2024

Finally, the SC-F9560 conforms to Epson's corporate environmental goals with reduced packaging, incorporation of recycled content and use of consumables that contain less plastic and produce less waste.

Epson SureColor F9560 other key features • Produces quality output at up to 80 m2/hr and sellable output at up to 147 m2/hr • User replaceable PrecisionCore printhead features 6400 micro-fine nozzles on the 4c model and 9,600 nozzles on the 6c • Variable dot sizing enables optimal colour expression with minimum grain and reduced ink consumption • Ink-less nozzle status monitoring, user adjustable nozzle replacement and auto head cleaning for reliable and consistent operation with minimal wastage • Supports media as thin as 0.04 mm thick in widths up to 1625 mm wide in rolls up to 250 mm diameter • Quiet at only 59 dB when operating

NEWS RICOH LAUNCHES RICOH RI 1000X DIRECT TO GARMENT (DTG) PRINTER prints on a wide range of materials from cotton, blends, and canvas to wood.

Key features of the enhanced RICOH Ri 1000X printer include: 1. White ink: The new ink enables the production of brighter, more vibrant colours and delivers a softer hand feel.

2. Dark garment capabilities: A new single input to print media type setting enables smooth switchovers between white and dark garments.

Ricoh has announced its latest innovation in direct-to-garment printing technology, the new RICOH Ri 1000X, saying that the new printer is an advancement in apparel decoration and customisation.

The RICOH Ri 1000X is designed to empower businesses of all sizes, from small custom apparel operations to large-scale production facilities, to create high quality, sharp, vibrant, and durable

3. Optimised print modes: A new print mode supports direct-to-film (DTF) printing.

4. "Extra Fine Mode" added: The new feature uses 9-pass bidirectional printing to maintain high image quality without sacrificing productivity.

5. Improved performance: The quick-tochange magnetic platen now features lower detection limits for peace of mind.

It ensures consistent results by alerting the user when the platen height is not set

within the correct range following manual adjustment when swapping between thicker and thinner materials.

6. Elevated results: The platen has suppressed vibration to enable greater colour evenness and faster production.

7. Easy maintenance and online support: Maintenance guidance and remote support can now be easily accessed via a QR code on the interactive touchscreen.

8. Safe and sustainable products: Ricoh's inks meet ECO PASSPORT safety standards, ensuring they are suited to sustainable production and are safe for adults, children and babies to wear.

The RICOH Ri 1000X is equipped with the latest ColorGATE Textile Productionserver software, enabling user-friendly perfect colour matching and streamlined production for colour-rich graphics in under 27 seconds.

KISSEL + WOLF BRING AGP|TEXTEK DTF PRINTERS TO AUSTRALIA Kissel + Wolf Australia has announced an exclusive partnership with AGP|TEXTEK. The DTF printing solutions boast highquality heat transfer pigment inks that comply with the international OEKOTEX® ECO PASSPORT textile safety standard, ensuring safe and sustainable printing practices.

DTF printing solutions to our clients in Australia and New Zealand,” said Jamie Weller, Managing Director at Kissel + Wolf Australia. “This collaboration

underscores our commitment to providing the best, most affordable products and solutions, backed by our exceptional local service and support.”

Kissel + Wolf Australia is also introducing AGP|TEXTEK’s affordable solutions for promotional products. UV DTF printers that create versatile stickers—ready to adhere to plastic, wood, metal, glass, ceramic, and a host of other hard surfaces.

“We’re honoured to partner with AGP|TEXTEK, bringing their cutting-edge DTF and UV

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NEWS GJS INKS DEALS WITH COLTEX AND SECABO The Secabo MultiCut Pro transforms the DTF transfer process by autonomously feeding roll-based printed material and executing precision cuts, thereby eliminating the need for manual cutting.

With a rapid cutting speed, a 600mm x 880mm area of DTF transfers can be processed between thirty and sixty seconds.

Once cut, the DTF transfers fall into the catching belt at the end of the machine, ready for pressing.

GJS has announced two new strategic distribution partnership deals designed to expand its reach further and broaden its direct-to-film (DTF) market offering.

The first partnership deal is with Coltex, and GJS will bring its second generation DTF printer and powder shaker solution, the D604+, boasting 60cm in width with up to 24sqm per hour, to the Australian market. The second deal is with Secabo for its range of cutters, specifically its automatic DTF transfer cutter, the MultiCut Pro. After a year of internal testing, the Coltex D604+ is the first all-in-one DTF printer and powder shaker solution with an integrated dryer/curer offered by GJS. “Not only is it the most advanced, second-generation solution on the market, but it is also quite possibly the fastest with speeds of up to 27.5 linear metres per hour in dual CMYK+W configuration,” said Greg Stone, managing director, GJS.

whilst ensuring minimal wastage. “This innovative feature revolutionises DTF printing, enabling continuous operation for a full 10-hour shift without powder replenishment—a significant upgrade from the traditional need for refills every 30 minutes, boosting efficiency and productivity,” Stone added.

Available in two configurations, depending on your production requirements, the Coltex D604+ can be purchased in either an eightcolour setup, including orange, green, fluorescent yellow and fluorescent magenta, or in an ultra-fast, dual CMYK + white configuration. This flexibility gives digital decorators the ability to expand your DTF transfer production with the widest possible colour gamut and capitalise on lucrative markets such as sportswear thanks to the incredibly vivid colour reproduction.

“Its roll-to-roll printing capability means our customers will be able to easily tackle projects of any size and scale up their production as DTF continues to increase in popularity,” Stone continued.

The Coltex D604+ is fitted with an autoshaking DTF powder feature, resulting in perfectly distributed DTF powder. It also features a reclaiming and recycling system, minimising powder usage

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OCTOBER 2024

“The Secabo MultiCut Pro is not only perfect for DTF textile transfers but also UV DTF adhesive films, heat transfer vinyl and dye sublimation paper making it the ideal solution for various media handling,” Stone added. The Secabo MultiCut Pro also features a high-performance CCD camera capable of reading registration marks and QR codes and automatically loading the corresponding cutting data.

This innovative technology drastically reduces human error, resulting in flawless cuts every time. Both the Coltex D604+ and Secabo MultiCut Pro are powered by the industry-leading Digital Factory Apparel DTF Edition RIP software, with a pre-loaded licence included with the purchase of the Coltex D604+.

“These two new exclusive partnership deals with Coltex and Secabo further expand GJS's already comprehensive range of DTF printers, accessories and consumables available to Australian digital decorators—all backed by GJS’ renowned service and support,” Stone concluded.

NEWS POLI-TAPE HAS LAUNCHED AN INNOVATIVE ADDITION TO THE FLEX FILM FAMILY POLI-TAPE COLOR UP is a 0.14 mm thick film, which allows any design or motif to be transferred to various surfaces. This versatile vinyl can be decorated with a wide range of common pens and paints, including watercolours, markers, fine liners and felt-tip pens, making it the ideal canvas for creative projects.

Photos taken with a smartphone can also be transferred onto a T-shirt or hoodie using POLI-TAPE COLOR UP. Simply

print the photo onto the film with a desktop inkjet or laser printer and press it onto the fabric.

It has excellent cutting and weeding properties and a very smooth and matte surface.

“Whether printing, painting or drawing, with POLI-TAPE COLOR UP, the only limit is your imagination,” says Renée Kruit, Business Unit Manager at POLI-TAPE. “We are excited to bring this innovative product line to market and look forward to seeing the unique designs and ideas our customers will create.”

After printing or painting, the design can be cut with a standard plotter, transferred to the fabric using a transfer tape, such as POLI-TACK 870, and pressed at 160°C for 15 seconds. Simple designs can be transferred using silicone paper or Teflon paper without transfer tape.

POLI-TAPE COLOR UP boasts excellent wash resistance and durability, ensuring the designs remain vibrant after numerous washes. Its pleasant, softtouch fabric surface provides additional comfort when worn.

POLI-TAPE COLOR UP is certified under the OEKO TEX STANDARD 100.

It contains no PVC, plasticisers, heavy metals or formaldehyde, making it an eco-friendly and safe choice for all your creative projects.

POLI-TAPE COLOR UP is available in boxes of DIN A4 and A3 sheets and a convenient DIN A4 bundle that includes POLI-TACK 870 transfer tape.

NEW WATER-BASED SCREEN-PRINTING INK WITH ACCELERATED CURE TIME US-based Avient has released a new ink, announcing the addition of MagnaPrint Hybrid Fusion Vibrant White to its MagnaColours portfolio of inks for the textile industry. This new ink offers screen printers a sustainable, waterbased solution for digital hybrid printing, featuring an impressive cure profile and eliminating the need for a top coat.

“MagnaPrint Hybrid Fusion Vibrant White is an exciting, PVC-free addition to the MagnaColours portfolio, offering a curing time that is half as long as the leading competitor’s water-based ink,” says Jake Ojeda, Global Marketing Director and Americas Sales Director of Color, Additives, and Inks at Avient.

“This efficiency not only allows for reduced energy consumption during printing but also enhances overall throughput, giving printers even more versatility in achieving their screenprinting sustainability goals.”

Hybrid screen printing, also called digital hybrid screen printing, combines traditional screen printing with digital printing technology. This method is versatile and suitable for printing on various fabric types for a wide range of screen-printing projects. MagnaPrint Hybrid Fusion Vibrant White offers a flexible, soft, high-opacity, water-based ink printing experience that can be used as a base for hybrid digital screen-

printing systems. This ink provides impeccable detail, vibrancy, and strong wash fastness without needing a topcoat or additives.

MagnaPrint Hybrid Fusion Vibrant White is certified to ECO PASSPORT by OEKOTEX with ZDHC Conformance Level 3 and GOTS approval.

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NEWS IT'S ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY AT THE ROQ/GJS OPEN HOUSE EVENT

Back L-R Sasa Zarkov, Daniel Rim, Dylan Gourlay, Middle L-R Oliver Cation, Jodie Taylor, Bottom Row L-R Ian Stone, Joel Taylor, Greg Stone

More than sixty apparel and merchandise printers attended the ROQ/GJS Open House held at Make Merchandise's new flagship production facility in Sydney recently.

The event featured a panel of speakers who shared their experiences of the industry and partnership with ROQ. There was also plenty of opportunity for networking and technical advice with a number of industry experts on hand to share their knowledge.

Greg Stone, Managing Director of GJS, said, "We are really pleased to see so many familiar faces sharing stories about their businesses and getting advice on some of the shared issues they face as

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business owners. It's great that everyone here sees themselves not as competitors but as part of a larger community."

Sasa Zarkov, Export Manager, ROQ International, who flew to Australia to attend the event, said, "We launched in Australia in October last year in partnership with GJS, who have achieved excellent growth to now have significant install sites in Brisbane, Sydney, two in Melbourne and one in Adelaide. It is great to see so many talented screen printers in one place, sharing opinions and ideas and wanting to learn about the new technologies available."

When asked about future events, Lukas Stone, General Manager of GJS, said,

OCTOBER 2024

"We are definitely planning to hold these types of events more regularly.

We believe that bringing together the community for sharing knowledge and information is really important."

"GJS has been running events for decades, especially screen-printing events, and so community is important to us, and it's a core value that we share with the team at ROQ International. We love to see the variety of people here, including some who dealt with Graham Stone, who founded the business 45 years ago, and the next generation of young people who are curious about technology and want to learn more and participate in the industry," concludes Stone.

NEWS

L-R, Dylan Gourlay, Daniel Rim

L-R, Greg Stone, Sasa Zarkov, Lukas Stone

L-R, Ian Stone, Dean Harper

L-R, Renee Mason, Sally Jeffery

L-R, Dylan Gourlay, Matt Whittard

L-R, Phil Reynolds, Rayna Gourlay

L-R , Danny Zachariah, Greg Stone, Sasa Zarkov, Chris Thorburn

L-R, Cobey Seward, Jamie Han, Van Han

L-R, Francesco Quagliato, Wayne Constain

L-R, Troy Lenton, Brad Steyn, Jason Ince

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NEWS KOTON KRAFT INSTALLS THE EPSON ML-8000 PRINTER ten hours to print. This means major cost savings within the production process.”

Koton Kraft’s purchase of the Epson ML8000 printer resulted from commercial requirements and the desire to grow their business. As Mehroke explains, “Artists needed a faster turnaround on their orders. They demanded higher quality products printed on a wider variety of materials and a machine that could make colours pop. The finished products also needed to do justice to their art. In addition, we were looking to grow our business into new areas whilst reducing our costs and making the production process easier for our machine operators. After doing a full assessment and review of all available options, we concluded there was only one printer that meets all of these requirements, and that is the Epson ML-8000.”

Koton Kraft, based in NSW recently installed the Epson Monna Lisa ML8000 direct-to-fabric printer. The company specialises in providing printed homewares for Australian small businesses and artists. Their team collaborates with designers, helping them transform artwork into textile and paper giftware ranges. The new Epson printer allows them to take their offering to a new level in the printing of napery, yardage, home textiles and fashion.

Koton Kraft’s Karan Singh Mehroke explains, “We value the craftsmanship, dedication, and time invested by our creative customers, and we reciprocate this by applying the same level of care and attention to their projects. Our previous fabric printers were particularly

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slow and inefficient compared to the ML-8000, which is a reference standard for the textile industry. The flexibility and productivity this printer provides made it the right choice for us in an increasingly dynamic market, which demands swift responses to shifting needs.”

Mehroke continues, “The ML-8000 makes it possible to cost efficiently print directly onto fabric and do short run customised fabric printing in Australia.

This opens many doors for artists and creatives to market their designs and garments as 100% Australian-sourced, designed and printed. There is no need for costly offshore printing any longer.

It’s also an incredibly efficient machine taking only two hours to print what two of our older machines would take over

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Koton Kraft also had strict production requirements regarding colour vibrancy, speed of output, the ability to handle diverse materials and roll-to-roll fabric, print quality, ease of use, and agreeable ergonomics.

“The Epson ML-8000 printer is an 8-colour machine that is easy to use and requires very little maintenance. There is reduced wastage of media compared to existing printing machines and the colours are great on finished products.

We print our designs onto fabric and cut out our products as per order specs.

The ML-8000 enables us to test and prototype new ranges of products for clients, and when we do, the artwork looks amazing due to its superior print quality,” concludes Mehroke.

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

COVER STORY

Meet Australia’s newest ‘ROQ stars’ turning the screen printing industry green IT HAS BEEN A HUGE YEAR IN THE WORLD OF SCREEN PRINTING. IN OCTOBER 2023, GJS ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAD PARTNERED WITH ROQ INTERNATIONAL TO BRING THE FULL RANGE OF ROQ HIGH-PRODUCTION SCREEN PRINTING, HYBRID SCREEN/DIGITAL, FULL-DIGITAL PRINTERS AND GARMENT PACKAGING AND LABELLING SOLUTIONS TO AUSTRALIAN SCREEN PRINTERS.

L-R Daniel Rim, Oliver Cation, Dylan Gourlay

S

ince this partnership was made public, the response from Australian screen printers has been phenomenal.

Today GJS and ROQ has significant

install sites in Brisbane, Sydney, two in Melbourne and one in Adelaide. All are screen printing customers that have

joined #TeamGreen and are embracing

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unparalleled levels of automation, ease of use, low maintenance and most importantly high-production output thanks to the ROQ products they have purchased.

Dylan Gourlay, one of the directors of Adelaide-based Uniform Me sums up his experience integrating the ROQ YOU automatic screen printing

OCTOBER 2024

machine into his business perfectly.

“Customisation jobs that would previously have taken six or seven days to complete are now only taking three.

It has gotten to the point now that we are actively going out and seeking more work to expand the business because the ROQ YOU has given us additional production speed and efficiency so we have the capacity to do much more.”

COVER STORY A key component and differentiator with all ROQ products is the automation offered by its products and exceptionally high-output and quality. For example, its flagship automatic screen printing carousel, the ROQ ECO, is capable of producing up to 1,400 garments per hour and features independent controls for each of the printheads but can be operated by a central control panel with 15-inch touch screen.

As reported by this publication in May of this year, Melbourne-based company DMND opened the doors to its new Thornbury production facility, selecting ROQ as its primary equipment partner including two automated ROQ OVAL screen printing systems and an integrated packing line, capable of finishing up to 800 garments an hour.

DMND has hit the ground running and has already turned around merchandise for global sports brands and high-profile projects, including musician Pink’s 2024 Summer Tour.

It’s easy being [ROQ] green In July, GJS further announced that it had installed Australia's first ROQ E electric screen printing machine with Melbourne-based custom apparel printers, The Colour Cartel who had previously relied on manual screen printing for its primary screen print production.

The ROQ E is ROQ’s first selfcontained, automatic screen-printing press that does not require an external air supply or compressor, only needing an electric connection to operate.

“We identified the need for a ROQ E as the demand for extra volume capabilities arose. We were on the search for a compact and capable automatic screen-printing press that could improve our hourly output and the ROQ E proved the best solution on the market. Additionally, the support from GJS and ROQ made this decision a no brainer,” said Daniel Rim, Director, The Colour Cartel.

The Colour Cartel now use the capabilities of the ROQ E, specifically the increased production speeds of up to 900 garments per hour to uphold its commitment to delivering high-quality apparel with quick turnaround times to its customers.

Continuing the momentum, Sydneybased promotional product and garment decoration powerhouse, Make Merchandise became the most recent Australian business to join #TeamGreen with the installation of a flagship ROQ ECO 20-pallet/18-colour carousel and ROQ SAHARA tunnel dryer.

Not content with simply installing one of the world’s most significant pieces of screen printing equipment, Make Merchandise also decided to move its entire production facility from Chatswood to new, larger premises in Silverwater in order to accommodate its new ROQ ECO and ROQ Sahara and to future-proof its growth and expansion plans.

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COVER STORY with a team with more than a hundred years’ combined screen printing experience located around the country, there’s no other equipment provider that can provide the same level of support as GJS.

Bridging the digital divide into DTF Not content with dominating the world of screen printing, in the last year ROQ has also released a slew of products that bridge the digital divide and are specifically aimed at high-production digital garment printers using direct-tofilm (DTF) as their preferred method of decoration.

For example, the ROQ IMPRESS is redefining the DTF market by automating and streamlining the transfer process with an impressive maximum pressing speed of up to 500 garments per hour. Not limited to DTF however, the ROQ IMPRESS can handle any type of garment curing, from direct-to-garment (DTG), heat transfer vinyl (HTV), screen prints, and speciality decorations such as twill, rhinestones, foil, and more.

Director of Make Merchandise, Oliver Cation commented on his choice to add a ROQ machine to the businesses existing fleet saying, “I was always interested in the ROQ machines, and as the time came to make the choice on our next machine, having ROQ as a viable option in Australia meant I could take the time to investigate what they had to offer. In comparing the company culture, technology and functionality to others in the market, it was the hardest and easiest decision to make and the love from ROQ has reinforced that choice. It was a leap of faith, but one I feel will be pivotal in creating the business we want to be long term.”

Make Merchandise’s significant investment in ROQ products makes

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it Sydney’s flagship install site and it will also act as a ROQ showroom and demo facility. It has already thrown open its doors to its new facility and hosted a screen printing industry night that was packed with screen printers, high-volume digital decorators, local and international ROQ executives as well as industry representatives from AS Colour, Gildan, Wilflex and more.

Key to local screen printers adopting ROQ products has been creating confidence in the market that GJS can support these complex, highproduction solutions that are forming the cornerstone of screen printing businesses around the country. With its origins firmly embedded in the screen printing industry for over 46 years, and

OCTOBER 2024

Most recently ROQ announced the ROQ FEED and ROQ PEEL, two fully automatic DTF transfer loading devices that integrate seamlessly with the ROQ IMPRESS and removes the requirement for an operator to manually place and then remove each DTF transfer from the garment.

Pressing onwards With such a momentous year under its belt, the GJS team is already looking forward to the next 12-months.

Recently announced partnerships with EXILE Technologies, specialising in applications such as computer-toscreen (CTS) printers and exposure units, and Black Body Corporation (BBC) an industry leader in heating technology, heating components, drying equipment and systems, GJS continues to reaffirm its position as Australia’s premier supplier of products, services and support for the screen printing and digital garment decoration industries.

The Visual Connections Board (from left): Ian Martin, Andrea Trumble, Luke Wooldridge, John Wall, Russell Cavenagh, Mitch Mulligan and Mark Canavan. Alex McLelland absent.

Visual Connections: Delivering Value WHILE ITS NAME IS PROBABLY KNOWN TO MANY, EXACTLY WHAT VISUAL CONNECTIONS DOES – APART FROM ITS FLAGSHIP PACPRINT AND VISUAL IMPACT TRADE SHOWS – IS PERHAPS LESS WELL UNDERSTOOD. WE GRILLED ITS EIGHT - MEMBER BOARD ON WHY A SUPPLIER ASSOCIATION IS NEEDED, AND WHAT VALUE IT DELIVERS.

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or Board President and founding Director, Mitch Mulligan, it’s about bringing together the industry’s suppliers with a united approach, to ensure they can make well-considered, meaningful contributions to the industry.

to their business success. Visual Connections provides the platform for such endeavours, whether that be trade shows, conferences and seminars, or through education, best practice information, or new ideas and technologies.”

Mitch, who is Managing Director of Böttcher Australia, says, “As suppliers, we have a responsibility to our customers to engage with them and identify ways we can contribute

Pulling these kinds of initiatives together in a way which benefits the entire print, sign and visual communications sector demands a varied group of Directors to direct strategy and planning. The

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OCTOBER 2024

Visual Connections Board delivers, with representation not just across the breadth of the sector, but from global OEMs to local, family-owned supply businesses.

Alongside Mitch, long-term Directors include John Wall, MD of Roland DG, Ian Martin, General Manager – Trade for Ferag Australia, Luke Wooldridge, National Product Manager for HVG Graphics Media and Russell Cavenagh, MD of Mutoh Australia. Vice President

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Andrea Trumble, Marketing Manager for Pozitive Sign & Graphics Supplies, joined two years ago, while Mark Canavan, Marketing & Vendor Relations Manager at Graphic Art Mart, and Alex McLelland, MD of ORAFOL Australia are the most recent additions.

“Bringing together the variety of backgrounds and experiences allows us to provide important guidance and a single, representative voice,” Ian says. John agrees. “The Board acts as an important industry sounding board, where we can address the ever-changing needs of the industry on a level playing field, to deliver value across the whole sector.”

And deliver they do. As well as trade shows and events, Visual Connections supports a range of other industry initiatives, including sponsoring many key industry events, contributing to training and graduate development, and, most recently, establishing the Sign & Print Career Connections initiative to attract new talent to the sector.

For Andrea, this focus on the future was a key driver to join the Board.

“I appreciated the work Visual Connections does with expos, events and education, and the way they collaborated so closely with other industry associations – I firmly believe working together on projects which benefit all is the only way to build a strong and successful industry into the future.”

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By combining the collective experience of the Directors, and being willing to seek insights from related sectors and associations, the Board has a broad perspective, with the kind of sharp focus that only comes from being closely involved in the ‘day to day’ challenges of the industry.

“It’s an ‘open forum’ for frank discussion, strategy development and planning,” Russell says, “but whatever we are working on, it’s all with one aim – and that’s to ensure industry businesses can meet the challenges they face and take full advantage of emerging opportunities.”

Peter Harper, CEO of Visual Connections, says the united approach is impressive.

“These are all industry leaders, with their own personal and professional priorities,” Peter says, “but they leave their individual interests at the door and focus solely on the good of the industry, even when a decision may be to the detriment of their own business.”

In Luke’s words, "you have to be prepared to take off your 'competitors hats' and work together if you’re going to act in the interests of the whole sector.”

It’s a remarkable level of commitment, particularly when you consider these Board positions are voluntary, so it’s perhaps not surprising that the idea of ‘giving back’ came up a lot in our interviews.

OCTOBER 2024

“For me, being on the Board of Visual Connections is an optimal way to give back and contribute to the future of our industry,” says Mitch, while Ian adds, “You only get back what you put in.”

“Sitting on a Board can be hard work,” John concedes, “but I would recommend it to anyone who wants to make a contribution – new blood is vital to prevent complacency, keep Boards relevant as the industry evolves, and bring important new ideas and perspectives.”

On that note, perhaps it is latest to join the Visual Connections Board who should have the last word.

“I feel fortunate to be part of a dynamic, successful, and constantly evolving entity in which technology and creativity work in tandem to lead the way in helping industry businesses meet emerging trends and challenges as we move into the future,” says Alex.

“There has never been a better time than now to inspire contribution, influence and innovation for our incredible industry!”

Siser launches the world's first compostable heat transfer material

AS THE INDUSTRY-LEADING PRODUCER OF HEAT-TRANSFER MATERIALS, SISERANZ® PROUDLY ANNOUNCES THE GLOBAL LAUNCH OF PUREHT™ THE WORLD'S FIRST COMPOSTABLE HEAT TRANSFER MATERIAL. Born from a five-year collaboration between Siser and the University of BioTechnology of Padua - Italy, PureHT represents a paradigm shift in the heat transfer materials industry, offering a compostable alternative to traditional heat transfer options.

harmful residue and has no negative environmental impact in its end of life. Compliant with both US and EU compost standards, when paired with ethically made natural textiles, PureHT is a conscious way to begin redefining industry standards.

While conventional materials may take upwards of 20 years to break down into microplastics, polluting water sources and soil, microorganisms in a compost environment naturally break down PureHT within just 6 months. This process leaves behind no

The innovative technology behind PureHT has resulted in a product made up of several layered materials, each playing a crucial role in achieving optimal product stability and performance. These layers collectively contribute to strong adhesion to the

base textile and the creation of 9 earthy shades of colour. Importantly, each layer is fully compostable, made possible by modifying the chemical structure of the materials to render them palatable to microorganisms.

“Visualise traditional heat transfer materials as a bullet train - sleek and straight. Microorganisms struggle to latch onto it. However, PureHT’s architecture resembles that of a local train, composed of carriages.

Microorganisms can bite the first carriage, and move through the whole

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chain, breaking it down, digesting it and transforming it into organic matter” explains Alessandro Canacci head of Research and Development at Siser, Italy.

PureHT also stands out for its mechanical strength and durability, offering reliable performance for a wide range of applications, “We achieved compostability without compromising on the technical durability of the product, it can be stretched and stressed without losing shape or cracking, you can offend it, but it won’t get angry” continues Alessandro Canacci.

“PureHT™ is the most recent step forward in our journey towards the development of the next generation products” adds Ciro Visone, CEO of Siser, “Previous steps include recyclable polyurethanes and waterbased resins. In recent years, our research and development department, alongside our partners and suppliers, has been heavily invested in redirecting the future trajectory of our industry, conscious of and motivated by, the many challenges ahead”.

Having recently won a Pinnacle Product award in the Media – Heat Transfer Material, Cuttable 2024 Category at Printing United, the Siser team are excited to continue to experiment with other colours, to expand the range of available hues. For more information on PureHT, visit www.siseranz.com or contact sales@siseranz.com.

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OCTOBER 2024

PureHT™ THE WORLDS FIRST COMPOSTABLE HEAT TRANSFER THE WORLD’S FIRST COMPOSTABLE MATERIAL HEAT TRANSFER MATERIAL Key Features Naturally decomposes in a compost environment within 180 days Available in 9 earthy tones with a matte finish for a natural look 90 Micron thickness, soft to touch and wear Layerable for versatile customisation options Washing temperature of 40°C to ensure durability and long shelf life Recyclable polyester carrier

Neutral Tones

Colour Guide

Suitable fabrics Organic Cotton

PU 0018 Stone Grey

PU0019 Black

Earth Tones

PU0001 White

100% Cotton

100% Poly/cotton Polyester Blends

Elastane

While PureHT™ can be applied on polyester, it is intended to be recycled or composted to fulfill its purpose of addressing environmental sustainability issues in the industry.

As such, we encourage the use of PureHT™ on natural textiles.

OUR CERTIFICATIONS PU0133 Moss Green

PU0134 Amber Yellow

PU0135 Autumn Orange

DIN EN 13432:2000-12 DIN EN 14995:2007-03 ASTM 6400:2023-03

The compostability of the product is compliant with both US and EU standards

PU0136 Paprika Red

PU0137 Russet Brown

PU0138 Ultra Marine Blue

www.siseranz.com

Leading the Way with Kornit DTG Technology interest in our business,” says Fraser.

“Their proactive, organised approach mirrors our own.”

"QTCo’s success story is a great example of how Kornit's advanced technology, supported by our local expertise, can empower businesses to achieve exceptional results," says Phil Rennell, National Manager – Industrial Equipment & Apparel Solutions. "We're proud to support their growth and look forward to seeing them continue to lead the industry."

OWNED BY SAM AND DARREN FRASER, QTCO (THE QUEENSLAND T-SHIRT CO) HAS BECOME THE LARGEST DIRECT-TO-GARMENT (DTG) FULFILLER IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION. WITH OVER 75 STAFF AND SHIPMENTS TO 14+ COUNTRIES, THEIR SUCCESS STEMS FROM AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO PRINTING TECHNOLOGY. A CORNERSTONE OF THEIR OPERATIONS HAS BEEN KORNIT DTG TECHNOLOGY, WHICH HAS BEEN A TRUSTED PARTNER SINCE 2014.

“We have been DTG printing for over a decade,” says Darren Fraser. “Back in 2014, Kornit was the only high-volume option that met our needs.” Even with new competitors entering the space, the company continues to rely on Kornit for its reliability, speed, and local service support from Ball & Doggett in Australia.

“Their technology keeps evolving, helping us deliver a premium result to our customers,” Fraser adds.

QTCo’s bespoke technology plays an integral role in their production processes. Their barcode scan-to-print workflow integrates seamlessly with the Kornit machines, allowing the team to maintain their renowned speed and

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quality. Recently, four new Atlas Max Plus machines were added to meet the rising market demand. “These new machines have been game-changers in helping us manage the increasing volumes,” Fraser notes. Innovation remains a priority, with the Kornit DTG system and QTCo’s production system working together, enabling a seamless workflow and fast turnaround times.

The partnership with Ball & Doggett has already proven valuable in supporting the company’s growth. Local support is critical, from technician assistance to the consistent supply of consumables and parts. “Although it's early days with Ball & Doggett, they’ve shown real

OCTOBER 2024

Looking ahead, Kornit DTG technology will continue to be a vital part of future growth. As Fraser explains, “Kornit will play a major role in our future.

Technology is essential to what we do, and sometimes we feel more like an IT company than a fulfilment business. But in today’s market, if you stop evolving, you stop growing. Our business will always reflect our drive to lead and innovate in the fulfilment sector.”

DIRECT TO FILM FULLY AUTOMATED SYSTEM

APPLICATIONS

Direct-to-film (DTF) printing is growing in popularity as a solution for t-shirt and garment customisation. By printing designs onto film, the ink can be heat pressed onto the desired substrate, making it possible to produce items with highly intricate graphics quickly & easily. Prints can be applied to Cotton, Polyester, Nylon, Denim and much more.

DTF is an alternative printing process to DTG (Direct to Garment), White Toner Transfers and HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl). Once heat pressed the water-based ink is transferred to the garment in just seconds. No Weeding, pre-treating and not being limited to certain substrates.

• T-Shirts/ Shirts • Canvas • Backpacks • Shoes • Baseball Caps • Sweaters • Hoodies • Denim/Jeans • Hoodies • Lanyards • Gift Bags • Fabric Gift Boxes

1300 713 567 ballanddoggett.com.au service@ballanddoggett.com.au

FEATURE

QTCo blazes a trail to Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) with steady steps

FOR THE PAST DECADE, AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST APPAREL DIRECT-TO-GARMENT PRINTER, QTCO, HAS BEEN MAKING STEADY PROGRESS IN ITS ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) JOURNEY. THIS HAS BEEN A NATURAL PROGRESSION FOR THE QUEENSLAND-BASED COMPANY, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1980. IT TAKES ITS COMMITMENT TO CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY AND EMPHASISES SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS IN EVERY ASPECT OF ITS OPERATIONS. DIGITAL IMAGE MAGAZINE SPOKE TO SAMANTHA FRASER, CO-OWNER OF THE COMPANY, ABOUT THE PROCESS, INCENTIVES, RESOURCES, (AND MORE) INVOLVED IN THIS IMPORTANT INITIATIVE. Samantha believes that QTCo’s sustainability journey has been an ongoing transformative experience.

“With more focus, definitely in the last 10 years, we have allocated extra resources and taken proactive steps to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of our operation through improved processes and team collaboration,” she explains.

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Samantha says that the company was motivated by its drive towards corporate citizenship and sustainable print fulfilment leadership.

“We also wanted to reduce the impact that print has on the environment we live and work in, whilst encouraging our supply chain to also take the necessary steps forward to safeguard our planet,”

OCTOBER 2024

L-R Sam and Darren Fraser

FEATURE she adds, pointing out that that the rewards have far outweighed the costs in terms of employee and community engagement.

At the start of the initiative, Samantha says it was important for QTCo to choose a company to assist them on their sustainability journey.

“We chose to work with an environmental, social and governance business that is an expert in their field. With their assistance, we initially established a baseline assessment and have further improved our in-house sustainability programs. Because we recognise the continuous nature of our sustainability journey and remain dedicated to innovation, this partnership will obviously continue, keeping QTCo at the forefront of our field,” she points out.

from the materiality assessment to guide QTCo’s Sustainability Strategy.

Through this documentation and the reporting of our impacts, for example, emissions (scope 1, 2 and 3), we have seen an increased enthusiasm from our team to take part in our internal reduction strategies,” explains Samantha, confirming that these proactive steps have helped create a culture of sustainability while reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

QTCo houses an impressive fleet of Kornit printers, including five HD6 models and, more recently, four Atlas Max Plus models.

“These improved solutions further enhance our sustainable production and provide alternatives that are better in terms of material waste, pollution, emissions, and even biodiversity,” says Samantha.

Despite the fact that this step required a sizeable commitment in terms of spend and time, Samantha said it was a necessary and responsible investment and turned out to be a very smart move indeed.

Initially, QTCo focused on reducing waste through recycling and reuse, which laid the groundwork for a more circular approach.

“As we have progressed, we have conducted risk assessments on our supply chain, implemented energy efficient solutions, made use of renewable energy sources (solar panels), widened our recycling capabilities and streamlined our production processes. We now collate social data for internal sustainability reporting purposes on the material topics that represent QTCo’s most significant impacts on the economy, environment and people,” she explains.

Samantha says that other beneficial results of the initiative have led to conducting a thorough Materiality Assessment, which has helped the company better understand the needs and sustainability expectations of key stakeholders.

“Through the stakeholder engagement process, surveys and reviews, we have been able to use the insights gathered

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FEATURE The company also has an in-house automatic Cyclone screen printing machine and a DTF (direct-to-film) manufacturing hub. It can print sublimated drinkware and socks with its sublimated, automated sock printer.

“Other successful initiatives include packaging choices, as we have managed to move all customers from plastic mailers to mailers made from 100 per cent recycled ocean-bound plastic pollution,” adds Samantha.

Samantha encourages those printers looking to become more sustainable in

their print to take the jump and start now.

“Small steps are easy to introduce.

Look at your everyday processes, consumables, and the general work environment to analyse where improvements can be made.

Consider your supply chain and only partner with suppliers who share your goals.

“Don’t take shortcuts; consider the long-term gains where sustainability choices are an integral part of all business decisions,” she concludes.

QTCo’s steps towards sustainability Solar Panels

QTCo’s Kedron building has 120 solar panels which drastically reduces its power usage.

Eco-friendly Inks

Reduces the impact on the environment and less potential for OH&S issues, all whilst creating positive brand perception with customers

Community Support

QTCo gives back to the community where they live and work. Charitable giving via donations of surplus inventory, branded merchandise or monetary assistance are key components of the company’s overall corporate sustainability strategy.

Recycling

QTCo focuses on reducing waste by aiming to eliminate, reuse or recycle.

Where possible, cardboard and paper items are recycled in dedicated bins or reused, while ink wastage is stored in supplied tanks that are safely collected by an environmental agency.

Equality

QTCo’s strength is its people. QTCo continues to be committed to the successful delivery of products from inception to completion, maintaining outstanding communication with its customers and whenever possible it goes a step further to offer its customers the 100 per cent ‘care’ factor that the company is famous for.

Sedex and Ecovadis

QTCo is a member of Sedex, the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange, which provides member companies with a secure web-based platform for storing and sharing information on four key pillars: Health and Safety, Labour Standards, Business Ethics and The Environment.

Similarly, EcoVadis is a platform that manages ESG risk and compliance, helping identify and manage sustainability risks in the supply chain.

Being a member of both platforms is a sign of QTCo’s willingness to share information and use this information to help manage and improve ethical standards within the supply chain.

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EVENTS IMPRESSIONS EXPO: FORTH WORTH

impressionsexpo.com 24-26 October 2024 Forth Worth Convention Center, Forth Worth , Texas, USA

ASGA SOCIAL BOWLS NSW

sign.org.au 24 October 2024 Rosehill Bowls Club, Sydney

FESPA AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE

fespaaustralia.org.au 25 October 2024 Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney

ASGA SOCIAL BOWLS WA sign.org.au 25 October 2024 Mount Lawley Bowls Club, Perth

PRINT & PROSECCO VICTORIA

womeninprint.com.au/network 30 October 2024 Village Belle Hotel, St Kilda

Trade Shows Events Seminars Exhibitions Open Days Conferences Training

PRINT & PROSECCO SOUTH AUSTRALIA womeninprint.com.au/network 7 November 2024 The Archer Hotel, North Adelaide

PRINT & PROSECCO WESTERN AUSTRALIA womeninprint.com.au/network 8 November 2024 Sassy Cocktail Bar, Perth

PRINT & PROSECCO NEW SOUTH WALES womeninprint.com.au/network 13 November Boulevard Brasserie, Sydney Olympic Park

IMPRESSIONS EXPO: LONG BEACH

impressionsexpo.com 23-25 January 2025 Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, Long Beach, California, USA

IMPRESSIONS EXPO: ATLANTIC CITY

impressionsexpo.com 20-22 March 2025 Atlantic City Convention Center, New Jersey, USA

Photo Credit: Jonny Gios (Unsplash)

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FEATURE

UPPAREL’s Riley Aickin shines a spotlight on fashion and textile waste IN THE LAST ISSUE OF DIGITAL IMAGE MAGAZINE, WE FEATURED UPPAREL’S MOVE TOWARDS CREATING A CIRCULAR FASHION SOLUTION. HERE WE EXPAND ON THIS, AS RILEY AICKIN, THE COMPANY’S PARTNERSHIPS & UPTEX MANAGER, DISCUSSES HIS VIEWS ON FASHION AND TEXTILE WASTE, AND LOOKS AT OVERSEAS TRENDS IN CIRCULAR FASHION, POTENTIAL BARRIERS TO RECYCLING IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND, AND THE ROLE THE GOVERNMENT IS PLAYING IN THIS ARENA. “The program was going to impose a 4c levy on each garment, or package of multiple garments such as socks, sold. However it is yet be legislated and doesn’t address the need for

“New Zealand faces many of the same challenges as Australia, with textile recycling solutions still in the early stages of operation and a lack of legislation and onshore processing solutions slowing progress.”

I

nternational textile recycling programs and trends are rapidly evolving as awareness of, and solutions to the environmental impacts of the production, transport and end-of-life for textile items, particularly fast fashion, increases amongst consumers.

Two Government textile recycling programs that stand out for Riley are being run in China, which plans to recycle 25 percent of all textile waste into 2 million tonnes of recycled fibre by 2025, and in France, where advertising ultra-fast fashion companies, such as Shein and Temu, will be banned under

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a bill that was unanimously passed, while each item will come with a penalty of 5 euros which will rise to 10 euros by 2030.

“But closer to home, in Australia and New Zealand, textile waste continues to be a massive problem,” he says.

The Australian Fashion Council recently launched the National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme Seamless, which aims towards improving the design, recovery and recycling of clothing in Australia and transitioning to a circular fashion economy by 2030.

OCTOBER 2024

onshore and end-of-life solutions, instead focusing heavily on reuse and consumer awareness,” he says, pointing out that it is difficult to see how 4c per garment could cover the cost of transport, sorting and remanufacturing the volume of textiles that Australians consume, let alone support new research and development into future solutions for textile waste.

Riley is of the opinion that a levy similar to France’s would be far more realistic and could not only help support textile recyclers and newcomers to the space, but would likely reduce the number of new items Australian consumers purchase each year, as Australia has recently overtaken the US as the largest consumer of textiles per capita globally, due in part to the low cost we pay per item.

FEATURE UPPAREL’s impact on the environment: 14,849,843 TOTAL ITEMS SAVED

This figure, made up of clothing, linen and shoes, shows how many items UPPAREL has been able to save from landfill, and it’s regularly increasing!

7,757,381 KG GASES PREVENTED

He believes that New Zealand faces many of the same challenges as Australia, with textile recycling solutions still in the early stages of operation and a lack of legislation and onshore processing solutions slowing progress.

Riley says that the main challenge for textile recycling in Australia, other than the industry being in its early stages, is a lack of collective direction.

“The fashion industry will likely have different goals to recyclers, recyclers will have different goals to consumers, and consumers different expectations for both,” he anticipates, adding that there needs to be decisive action from the government, where all parties are involved in discussions rather than only one side of the equation.

“Only then can we begin to address this issue with real solutions and joint progress,” he cautions.

“Consumers have shown that there is an appetite for brands who offer transparency and garments with less environmental impact, and UPPARELs output products, fluffUP, fillUP and

For every single kilogram is sent to UPPAREL will prevent 3 – 4 kg of greenhouse gases from polluting our atmosphere.

2,216,394 TOTAL KG DIVERTED “We need to bring all the stakeholders together to create a solution that’s straightforward for everyone involved and not hedge our bets on a single solution to a very complex issue.”

UPtex, have shown that materials made from end-of-life textiles have commercial value as viable alternatives to traditional virgin materials.

“We need to bring all the stakeholders together to create a solution that’s straightforward for everyone involved, from manufacturers through to end consumers, and not hedge our bets on a single solution to a very complex issue,” he concludes.

This is the amount of kilograms of textiles UPPAREL has been able to save from landfill.

9,503,90 IITEMS REUSED

The majority of the items collected

by UPPAREL are fit to be reused by those who need it most and support circular fashion. The company and over a thousand of its visionary partners create opportunities to reduce and reuse waste with clothing donation bins, online solutions and more.

80,000+ UPCYCLING PIONEERS

The amount of support that UPPAREL as received, as they join the company in its journey so far towards textile landfill eradication.

Textile waste crisis “On average, Australians purchase 27kg of new textiles and discard 23kg annually. About 7 percent of these items get recycled and the rest is left to decompose in landfills over hundreds of years.

“This needless waste releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and leeches dyes into the waterways and the soil – contaminating crops and

safe drinking water. It’s clear that the linear fashion economy we currently use is unsustainable and change is well overdue.

“The world is in a textile waste crisis and the need for a circular economy has never been more important – let’s stop landfills becoming landfilled!”

Riley Aickin Partnerships & UPtex Manager, UPPAREL

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