Impressions - January 2013 - (Page 22)

34th For the ﬁrst time ever, two co-Grand Champions are named in the 34th annual Impressions Awards competition. By Marcia Derryberry, Michelle Havich and Lauren Mitchell, Impressions Staff t here’s always something new to see when the Impressions Awards competition stages, and this year was no exception. From screen printed production pieces to fashion items, such as a sublimated bikini and embroidered jeans, the 2012 Impressions Awards competition offered an array of unique and detailed designs from all of the apparel decorating processes. Judged this past September at the Fort Worth Imprinted Sportswear Shows (ISS) event, the competition is our annual showcase of the industry’s best designs from decorators of all sizes and experience levels. The 34th annual competition’s big surprise was the designation of two entries as Grand Champions (the ﬁrst time we’ve ever had a tie in the contest). Running neck and neck was a high-density screen printed piece from ETF Tekstil A.S., Istanbul, Turkey, and an embroidered backpack from Sunshine Digitizing, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Both are stunning examples of the creativity this industry has to offer. We were again pleased to see the increased number of ﬁrst-time decorators entering the competition, with some gaining top honors and being recognized for the ﬁrst time. The creative drive of the decorators who 22 Impressions | January 2013 entered, combined with the array of categories for the different processes, means everyone had a shot at winning. We also were glad to see so many different innovative decorating techniques used — we even had a sublimated pizza T-shirt presented in a delivery box, as if it was fresh from the restaurant. Winning an Impressions Award is just the beginning for the designs featured in this article. In addition to coverage in our January print, digital and mobile app editions, we’ll showcase all of the winners at every ISS event this year — in six different regions of the country. The Impressions booth is always abuzz at ISS trade shows, with attendees checking out the awards display to get their own creative juices ﬂowing. Additionally, we’ll be presenting the 2012 winners in our Impressions Awards & Design Galleries — located online at impressionsmag.com — throughout 2013. Check that portion of our website often for new galleries as we update it at least once a week. And once the winners have been uploaded, we’ll present additional Impressions Awards entries in the galleries starting in February. This is an opportunity for decorators whose great designs that did not make the winners’ podium to get much- deserved kudos for hard work and excellent design execution. It’s never too early to start thinking about this year’s competition — we take entries year round. We’ll have the ofﬁcial rules and entry form available on our website in May, but if you are interested in entering early, please contact Jamar Laster at jlaster@impressionsmag.com for more information. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all who entered last year. We’re proud to showcase the talent and creativity that this innovative industry has to offer. Thank you to our judges! Richard Bloedow GS USA Lee Caroselli-Barnes Balboa Threadworks Dane Clement Great Dane Designs Deborah Jones MyEmbroideryMentor.com Jimmy Lamb Sawgrass Technologies James Ortolani Stahls’ DFC Jeff Proctor Lancer Group Intl. Charlie Taublieb Taublieb Consulting impressionsmag.com http://www.impressionsmag.com http://www.MyEmbroideryMentor.com http://www.impressionsmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - January 2013

Impressions - January 2013
Table of Contents
First Impressions
From the Show Director
FYI
Product Gallery
ISS Conference
Sharing the Spotlight
Tracking Today's T-Shirt Trends
Tees: Tried and True
How to Shop a Trade Show
Shop Spotlight
Embroidery Production
Screen Printing Technique
Digital Decorating
Online Directory
Business to Business
Classifieds
Ad Index

Impressions - January 2013