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DECORATOR INTERVIEW
jacket, inflatable products such as
“Mike’s most challenging and extremely successful
– Intricate detail, different colour
saturation and hues are all achieved
armchairs, beachballs, and so on. It is
creation was screen printing six-inch depth puffa
with screen printing using traditional
achieved through basic screen
methods by Native Promotions, on
printing techniques, but the trick in is
jackets in metallic silver for a well known drink every conceivable textile, including
how it is applied, ensuring you use
brand. ”
jackets, inflatable arm chairs, beach
balls and of course, T’s.
the right mix of additives, correct ink, for instance you can really only such as Gazebos, but the majority of
and that it is cured properly.” produce 250 printed jackets a day.” our work is for the pormotional and
incentive industry.
Mike also explained, “We made a And as to how he has perfected
concerted decision not to automate the technique, “By simply messing
What’s in a name
our screen printing process,” and in about and trying various methods
fact, his Hopkins Carousel is as good until we perfected the craft,” he said. Based in rural Essex, Native
as it was when he purchased it some “Honestly, the ink suppliers all Promotions, reflects not only the
25 years ago. “You do get what you provide information on how to print expertise of Mike but also the name
pay for, although today you can buy with their products. Details on of his company was derived from the
less expensive equipment that will various techniques are all available, well known Oysters, Natives, found
still produce the exacting quality we have simply developed our own in abundance in West Mersea. An
demanded by our industry.” techniques over the years by trial unrivalled delicacy which could be
and error.” said equals that of his craft.
In fact, Mike’s Carousel still looks Although he is very quick to point
as new as when he first purchased it, Mike has without doubt perfected out that his designs and the fabrics
and this is down to service and the technique, since it is not they are applied on can be achieved
maintenance – caring for the tools of uncommon for other printers to by any experienced printer.
your trade is just as important as the contact him when jackets haven’t
work you create from it. printed as well as required. “We often “We have found our niche, and our
repair problems, cleaning off the work is generated by reputation. Not
The introduction of digital transfers initial inks from the jackets and only with the quality of work but I
have also helped grow the industry, reprinting to the exacting standards believe customer service also plays a
particularly with short runs. However, required by the customer.” major role. At the end of the day I
Mike is quick to point out, “I still am a printer, with good connections
believe that at the end of the day, It is also not uncommon, for Mike in the industry and tend to work
screen printing is far more versatile to be recommended by brands (such with those who we trust and build
than any method on the market. Yes as Result as mentioned earlier) to good relationships with - after all
there is definitely a place for digital provide advice to other printers who you have to enjoy work to create the
for short runs however, as explained are either concerned about the best results.”
earlier, we decided not to automate decoration properties of the fabrics.
and do all of our work by hand using Mike has worked for most of the
traditional methods. Ok, so we can’t Highlighting some of his many consumer brands over the years,
compete with the Far East, but we great achievements over the last 25 although not fashion. And creates
continue to achieve great results for years, it was during 1998, when Mike many of the designs, “I studied
all of our customers.” was awarded the contract to produce graphic art and can produce designs
10,000 jackets for the ‘98 World Cup if required using Corell and
Experience in technique
(Football) - here he excelled printing Photoshop. I guess you could also
Quite frankly, Mike has achieved six, seven and eight colours on nylon say I was a frustrated artist, since I
some amazing designs over the years jackets - thought unachievable by gain huge satisfaction from
and in words of many of his industry some garment decorators. producing the designs created by
colleagues, is ‘bloody good at jackets’ local artists and photographers onto
yet he remains very modest and His ability doesn’t simply lie with T-Shirts, jackets and so forth. I love
unassuming. “I agree that printing garments either, in fact, Mike said, re-creating the work of many of my
jackets is not as easy as printing T’s, “There isn’t anything we can’t print colleagues.”
and it is far more time consuming, on. We have even printed large items
All in all, Mike is without any
shadow of a doubt an expert in his
“The name Native Promotions, is derived from the field, and his humble approach only
name of the oysters found locally, ‘Natives’ an
re-inforces his passion and expertise
unrivalled delicacy. ”
in this very demanding but satisfying
craft.
www.mayerhousebusinessmedia.co.uk AUGUST 2007 P R I N T W E A R T O D A Y 17
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