ImagesMagUK_August_2021

www.images-magazine.com 04 images AUGUST 2021 Published by: 360 Communications Ltd images magazine, 360 Communications Ltd, 58a Livingstone Road, Hove, BN3 3WL, UK 01273 748482 | www.images-magazine.com Advertising: advertising@images-magazine.com Editorial: editorial@images-magazine.com Subscriptions: subscriptions@images-magazine.com | Images is available free of charge to UK subscribers Subscribe online: imagesmag.uk/register | Update your subscription/contact details online: imagesmag.uk/subs-update Publisher/advertising: Jonathan Vince | jonathan@images-magazine.com Features editor: Rachael Glazier | rachael@images-magazine.com Features writer: Mark Ludmon | mark@images-magazine.com Publishing assistant: Gaby Bowring | gaby@images-magazine.com Design/Production: ATG Media | production@atgraphicsuk.com Printing: Stephens & George Ltd | Goat Mill Road,Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 3TD ( issn 0966 7512) Opinions expressed by contributors in this magazine are not necessarily shared by the Publisher. Editorial contributions are invited, on the understanding that the Publisher has the right to alter or abridge all such material as he sees fit. While the greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy, the Publisher accepts no liability for either errors or omissions. AUGUST 2021 | VOL.30 NO.8 EDITORIAL W hat does it mean to be professional? That’s the question Marshall Atkinson poses in his column this month. (Spoiler alert: it isn’t about rocking a swanky suit, or knowing the latest marketing speak, or even simply making money from what you do – it’s a little more complex than that.) You can read about Marshall’s ten basic tenets of professionalism on page 74 and gauge how you shape up. Top of Marshall’s list of professional attributes is ‘curiously interested’. He argues that professionals are notable for investing in themselves with the aim of improving constantly; they are interested in learning, trying out different things to see whether they will work. The emphasis is on “How we can...” rather than “Why we can’t...”. We have plenty in this issue to pique the curiosity of even the most professional amongst you. Fresh from How pro can you go? its recent acquisition by Avient, MagnaColours walks you through a fabulous step-by-step guide to burn- out (devoré) printing. If you’ve never experimented with this creative screen print application, head straight to page 87 where Paul Woodward of Magna shares the secrets of how it’s done. In this month’s Anatomy of a print feature (page 30), Sarah Fielding of Heck Print breaks down her approach to printing a striking tee, complete with bold, green, halftoned gradient, for Liverpool doom metal band Conan. Look and learn. Struggling with embroidering small type? Dominic Bunce of digitisng specialist David Sharp explains how to master small text in another of his excellent advice articles, on page 86. Meanwhile, Erich Campbell explains why you should be layering stitches rather than punching out holes in your embroidery designs. Intrigued to know more? Then turn to page 90 for all the details. Marshall also points out that professionals are defined by the fact they both ‘know their numbers’ and ‘love their customers’. What everyone who wants to know their numbers better, or love and connect with their customers more, should be using is a CRM. A CR what? If you’re not already using customer relationship management software (and even if you are) then help and guidance is at hand in the shape of CRM expert Lindsey Pickles of Bright Dials, an independent agency specialising in helping businesses get the very most out of their CRM and automations. Lindsey spells out the main benefits of running CRM software – from data management through to marketing automation, efficient data entry and personalised messaging – in this month’s Business Clinic on page 26. One thing is certain, being professional and exhibiting the qualities that Marshall outlines in his article have been more important than ever over the past 18 months. So, how professional are you? Jonathan Vince Take the Marshall Atkinson professionalism test , page 74 REGISTER Subscribe now to receive your own free monthly copy of Images: imagesmag.uk/subscribe UPDATE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS Working from home? Moved to new premises? Update your details online: imagesmag.uk/subs-update