Wilcom Introduces New Software

Wilcom has introduced a new version of Business Advantage, a business management tool designed for small and medium-sized companied involved in embroidery, screen printing and other decoration processes.

Wilcom Business Advantage is designed to work with QuickBooks Premier Manufacturing and Wholesale edition, an accounting package for small and medium-sized businesses.

"We're excited about this partnership," says Jeff Derouz, SanMar information technology manager. "Many of our customers use QuickBooks to operate their businesses, and Wilcom’s product is a great asset because it allows them to manage their decoration processes, as well as easily search and purchase from … over 800 apparel and accessories."

With the new software, businesses will only need to enter information once, as customer details and requests flow through to a sales order, purchase, production worksheet and finally the invoice. Other features include easier instillation, improved Sales and Order Management functionality and compatibility with Windows Vista and QuickBooks 2008. A list of garment catalogs from Alpha (asi/34408), Broder (asi/42090), Bodek and Rhodes (asi/40788) and SanMar (asi/84863) is also provided.

Wilcom and SanMar have partnered to create an electronic integration of SanMar orders and product purchasing directly from within Business Advantage.

The U.S. version of Business Advantage (third edition) is available for a suggested retail price of $995. For more information, visit www.wilcom.com.au.

Unimark Acquires Oeko-Tex Standard Certification

Unimark announced it has been granted the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certification -- an international eco-label indicating Unimark will voluntary text its products to assure they are free from harmful levels of 100 substances detrimental to human health.

"As concerns about textile safety grow, we're determined that the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certification was the best method to reassure our customers that our products are safe," says Steven Anderson, global sales and marketing manager for Unimark USA.

Unimark secured the Oeko-Tex Standard for its major product lines: the Easy Series transfers for stretch fabrics, the Comfort Series of stretch transfers for tagless labels and Tuff Text transfers for sports uniforms.

Unimark will display its Oeko-Tex certified products at Interfilire 2008 in Paris.

More information about Oeko-Tex and Unimark can be found on company Web sites:  www.unimarkusa.com and www.oeko-tex.com.

SWF Embroidery Goes to Louisville

SWF East is hosting the Embroidery Extravaganza and Direct to Garment Showcase 2008 in Louisville, KY, in September. Attendees will see demos and learn about embroidery machines, hooping, direct-to-garment digital printing and automatic rhinestone equipment.

This year, two free seminars will be offered before the Embroidery Extravaganza starts. Day 1 targets start-up shops and offers a seminar titled "How to Start Your Apparel Decorating Business and Realize your Dream." Day 2 targets existing shops and discusses how to market an apparel decorating business.

Additional classes and seminars will be held during exhibition hours. Demonstrations will also be conducted. Participating suppliers include SWF East, Stahl's ID Direct, Colman & Co., Bomark Sportswear, Custom Leasing, Dakota Collectibles, Fast Frames, Garment Graphics Network, Hoop Master, National Network of Embroidery Professionals, Sierra (asi/47700), ProTowels (asi/79750) and DTG Printers.

For more information including pricing, and hotel registration visit www.embroideryextravaganza.com.

PPAM Wins Best Showmanship Award in Atlantic City

PPAM, decked out in The Wizard of Oz costumes, won the Best Showmanship category at this year's Taste of the Regionals held in Atlantic City.

Dorothy, Toto and the gang were on hand to greet and serve attendees who traveled down a "yellow brick road" to toasted raviolis from St. Louis and pulled pork BBQ from Kansas City. At the company table, Dorothy could be heard saying, "There's no place like PPAM; there's no place like PPAM!"

"We had the most fun we've ever had at the Taste of the Regionals," says Joe Keely, PPAM president. "It was worth the smiles and 'courage' it took to dress up."

Boxercraft Announces Green Campaign

Boxercraft (asi/41325) recently announced a green campaign to make the company more environmentally friendly.

On Earth Day, April 22, employees received a recycling bin for paper and a mug to use instead of paper cups. Also, printer cartridges will be recycled to save plastic and oil. With this new initiative, the company will save 96 trees, 2370 gallons of oil and 450 pounds of plastic per year.

Boxercraft has also partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waste Wise program by committing to a waste reduction program. Employees are encouraged to use public transportation and carpooling through a partnership with the Clean Air Campaign. Employees also will receive e-newsletters with eco-tips. Customers can join Boxercraft’s go-green campaign in purchasing their organic apparel.

For additional information, visit www.boxercraft.com.

Spandex Installs New Printer at Alpha Sign Systems 06/19/08

Spandex has announced the first European installation of its Gerber Solara ion flatbed/roll-to-roll, wide-format, UV inkjet printing solution at Alpha Sign Systems.

John Teteris, Managing Director at Alpha Sign Systems, says a favorable price/performance ration, which he believes will reduce production by a third, impressed the company. The new printing solution has GerberCAT cationic UV inks cured at room temperature which can easily print on heat sensitive plastic, vinyl, fabric and paper based materials. Another feature that led Alpha Sign Systems to select the Gerber Solara ion was its ability to produce high print quality at faster speeds.

The Gerber Solara ion also can manage certain applications like vehicle graphics, which can only currently be produced on the company’s solvent printer. Mr. Teteris says, “… We have the peace of mind that, if increased production demands called for it, the Gerber Solara ion could handle vehicle graphics with ease.” He continues, “We are confident that both our service offering and competitive advantage will be greatly increased as a result of this installation and look forward to introducing its capabilities to our customers.”

For further information about the Gerber Solara ion printing solution, visit Spandex online at www.spandex.com.

(Left to Right): Steve Pridham, Spandex; John Teteris, Alpha Signs; and Derek Yuill, HR with the new Gerber Solara ion flatbed/roll-to-roll, wide-format, UV inkjet printing solution.

Imprintables Warehouse Hosts Anniversary Giveaway 06/19/08

Imprintables Warehouse is celebrating its third-year anniversary with a scavenger hung giveaway.

The contest includes a chance to win a Pheoniz Phire 16-inch by 20-inch heat press with digital timer, automatic popup and pressure gauge.

To enter the contest, visit www.t-shirtforums.com, complete the registration and accumulate 25 posts within the forum by responding to someone’s question, sharing an experience, or posting your own question. Next, enter the scavenger hunt and complete the questions to be entered into the contest.

Entries will be accepted until July 31. For more information, look online at www.imprintables.com or call (800) 437-0068.