The Advertising Specialty Institute® today announced T Productions of Mishawaka, IN, was named the winner of the Grand Prize in Wearables magazine’s Top Decorator contest, which recognized creativity and technical skill in apparel decoration.
Winners competed to design an apparel solution for a fictional restaurant, taking a client-provided logo and transforming it into a cohesive apparel solution. The Wearables editorial team created a logo for the restaurant and provided it to contestants, who were challenged to incorporate the logo (in some form) on at least two garments to outfit the eatery’s staff in style.
“Top decorators go way beyond simple logos by transforming T-shirts and other apparel into creative showcases for a client’s unique brand,” said C.J. Mittica, editor-in-chief of ASI’s Wearables and Advantages magazines. “We’re thrilled to honor the promo industry’s top decorators in a contest that celebrates the very latest decorating styles, along with technical know-how and artistry.”
In its winning entry, T Productions used simple, durable plastisol prints on a soft, lightweight crewneck in vintage pine and a contrasting black waist apron. T Productions is a national contract screen printer opened in 2000 by artist and screen printer Tony Kozlowski.
The top prize earned T Productions a RICOH Ri 100 DTG printer with bundle from AnaJet (asi/16000), valued at $4,950; a $500 gift certificate from Allmade (asi/34341); and a travel prize pack from Hotel Engine and Hertz.
Other winners were:
- First runner-up: RushOrderTees of Philadelphia, PA, which used high-resolution imagery, simulated-process printing and a modern, stacked design to convey the client’s fresh, hip vibe. The prize was a $500 gift certificate from Allmade; a $250 gift certificate from Madeira USA; and a $250 gift certificate from Vantage Apparel (asi/93390).
- Second runner-up: Culture Studio of Chicago, IL, whose all-over, soft-hand print created a subtle pattern that would resonate with a retro-modern restaurant. The prize was a $250 gift certificate from Madeira USA and a $250 gift certificate from Bella+Canvas (asi/39590).
- Honorable mention: Country Hillside Embroidery of Ryder, ND, which used chalkboard vinyl to add a touch of whimsy to a professional-looking button-down uniform. The prize was a one-year complimentary ESP license from ASI.
For the contest, Wearables editors evaluated all submissions based on technical skill in decoration, design and functionality. The editors chose eight finalists, which were then posted on ASICentral.com and voted on by Wearables readers through an online poll.
Wearables will become all digital as of January 2020. ASI will continue to produce a Wearables electronic newsletter and provide marketing services to apparel suppliers, such as Content Marketing and EmailExpress. Counselor and Advantages magazines, in print and online, will anchor ASI’s media offerings and will become the industry’s source for expanded and consistent apparel coverage.