Winter is coming. Actually, judging by the frost on the ground and buzz of the boiler, it’s very much already here. For us Northern Hemisphere residents, that means cold weather, chilly winds, icy patches and the ever-looming threat of snow. Going outside is often the last thing on our minds, instead, we just want to bunk down, keep cosy and enjoy the winter weather from the safe and warm inside our homes.

To keep warm you could of course install a fire burner or add a wall mounted electric radiator, however doing so would be a waste if you don’t first attempt to keep the cold out. Indeed, our homes, however, aren’t always the protectors they promise to be and sometimes our properties can invite too much of that winter weather in. Stay for a cuppa while you’re here? Not only does this threaten that cosy feeling you covet, but it can also lead to increased energy bills, leaks and even damp. If you’re looking to keep the heat in, then read on; our 4 IDEAL ways to keep the cold out of your home this winter. 

DRAUGHT EXCLUDERS 

Ever been sat on the sofa watching a good winter movie and suddenly felt a chilly draught dancing around your ankles? While you might just go and put some socks on, this draft could indicate you have expensive heat leaking to the outside world, making your boiler work harder for longer and making the floors feel cold. 

Draught-proofing is an excellent way to seal up all the gaps without closing off your house ventilation entirely – simply add some draught-proofing to letterboxes, pet doors, at the bottom of doors and around your windows. There are plenty of temporary options that can be installed and removed for the summer and that don’t require a huge investment either. 

PLASTIC SHEETS FOR WINDOWS 

If you have single pane glass windows, these can let out a lot of heat without the insulating layer of air found in double and triple-glazed windows. However, you can reduce the issue using sheets of plastic that are attached to the window frame, covering the full face of the window. There are some off-the-shelf options that also allow for heat shrink-wrapping, helping to fit the plastic to the window and providing a cold insulating barrier. 

DAMP PROOFING 

Damp proofing your house requires a bit of ongoing maintenance to ensure that no damage has occurred to your property between seasons that could lead to issues with damp patches and wood rot. Firstly, check and maintain gutters and downpipes, clearing out any leaf litter or mulch that could block drainage and cause it to spill over, ensuring downpipes are situated over a clear drain. 

Make sure that these downpipes are maintained regularly, preventing any water leaking from joins and checking that the metal/plastic downpipe is still intact and not leaking water down the brick face. Then, potentially with the help of a professional, check your roof for damage or wear, paying attention to lose, missing or broken roofing tiles that may need to be replaced or repaired. 

If you have already noticed damp patches on your walls, skirting boards or ceilings, do your best to find the source of the damp – whether a leaking pipe, penetrative damp from damaged brickwork or rising damp from a compromised damp-proof course, and then seek the advice of a professional damp company for the best next steps to take for your home.

HEATING MAINTENANCE 

When was the last time you bled your radiators? Or had your boiler serviced? If you can’t confidently say you’ve had this done in the last year, then now is the time to get it sorted. Radiators naturally collect air in the top as water expands and contracts during heating and cooling, so you should absolutely be checking your radiators and their ability to heat up fully between seasons to prepare for colder periods. 

Your home is your castle and it’s your best defence against the cold weather season, but without regular maintenance and care, it can quickly start to let the cold in. As such, your boiler should be serviced a minimum of once a year by a qualified professional engineer. The summer is the best time as often engineers are very busy with repairs in the winter but if you haven’t already booked your boiler service, now is a better time than before we fully enter the coldest part of the season.  Just make sure to get around your winter jobs before the temperatures reach their lowest and all you want to do is stay in bed with a nice hot cup of cocoa. 

Without wishing to put you off before the first paragraph is done, running events is no easy task. Indeed, throwing a party of any size or scope of ambition involves coordinating a huge number of moving, interconnected parts. From finding the perfect venue to hiring the right catering company, organising a successful, financially sustainable event can be a stressful process.

Whether you’re hosting a business conference or an award ceremony, a corporate bash or something more lowkey, you’ll need to hire a professional photographer to capture all the key moments, necessary to keep a record of the event, for social media platforms, publicity and more.

Though you can employ interns to snap pictures with their iPhones, there is no promise of consistency or quality. So, with that in mind and with the help of James Robinson, a well-known professional commercial photographer for corporate events, conferences, sporting events, award ceremonies and celebrations, here are 8 IDEAL tips for selecting the right event photographer.

GET RECOMMENDATIONS

Before reaching for the laptop and asking Google for help, see if your family, friends and colleagues can recommend anyone. Word-of-mouth has always been a powerful marketing tool for any business, and if someone you trust is willing to recommend a photographer, the chances are it’s because they did a great job previously.

LOOK AT SPECIALITIES

Whilst many photographers are versatile and capable of working on a diverse range of projects, ideally, you should look for one who specialises in your type of event. For example, a wedding photographer will have a different approach than a product photographer. Make sure you choose one with the right skill set for the event you’re hosting. As the guys at LW Studios tell us, it’s essential you seek out a photographer or studio who has experience across a broad range of styles and events.

CONSIDER PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE

Just like a writer, painter or any other creator, every photographer has their distinct photography style. So, when you’re comparing photographers, take their style into account. Do you need documentary-style images? Do you need more commercialised pictures for publicity? Do you want something artistic and abstract? That photography style should align with your requirements for the type of party you’re throwing.

FOCUS ON EXPERIENCE

Ideally you want to find a photographer with several years of experience in the industry. Whilst it can be nice to give an up-and-coming photographer a chance, there really is no substitute for experience – the skill of finding the perfect shot, managing the guests/attendees to get the best pictures possible, the aftercare and finessing of the pictures post-event…yep, it’s invaluable.

ASK FOR A PORTFOLIO

The best way to gauge a photographer’s skills is by taking a look at their portfolio. Professional photographers will always make a collection of their past works available, as it’s the best marketing tool for finding new business. If a photographer is hesitant to share their portfolio, allow those alarm bells to ring loud, and move on to other options.

SCRUTINISE REVIEWS

Thanks to the internet, consumers have a platform to freely express their opinions on products and services. Reading customer reviews will give you a good idea about a photographer’s professionalism and talent. Make sure to read them all – good and bad – and remember that sometimes a bad review is just personal opinion, not necessarily a sign of poor service. Make sure you do the scrutinising on a trusted platform with a proven track record of verification for reviewers, or you might just be reading the views of a load of bots.

ASSESS COMPATIBILITY

It’s important to have a certain level of compatibility with the photographer you decide to hire. You have to coordinate and work with this person throughout the course of the event. Are they easy to talk to? Will they accommodate your artistic input? Do they liaise quickly, efficiently and professionally? Hiring someone who’s difficult to work with will only add to the stresses of managing an event.

DISCUSS BUDGET

The amount charged by a photographer depends on a number of factors, including experience, equipment, the scale of the event and more. Before hiring a photographer, discuss your budget at length. You don’t want to end up paying hidden charges later on.

Maybe you’re a budding fashion entrepreneur, or you’re simply looking to get some t-shirts printed for an event? Or perhaps you’re fed up with what you wear being dictated by huge corporate brands? Whatever forces drove you to this article, with a little time, tons of creativity, and a helping hand from online t-shirt printing services like TeeJunction, you can design unique, one-of-a-kind t-shirts exclusively for you. 

Indeed, with cutting edge technology, creating your own t-shirts has never been easier. Before you embark on this journey, it’s best to familiarise yourself with the different printing methods and decide which one is best for you. With that in mind, here are 5 IDEAL techniques for t-shirt printing.

SCREEN PRINTING

The most popular technique in the t-shirt making game is without doubt screen printing. To make the most of this method, you need a professional t-shirt printing machine, which is quite expensive. Thus, this method only pays off in cases of t-shirt mass production. On the one hand, it gives you excellent, consistent quality of graphics, with a huge range of precise colours available. On the other hand, to use this method you’ll need to create a template. 

Therefore, it’s profitable only when you’re working on a large number of the same product. Otherwise, one-offs and smaller quantities will require the change of a template more often, which makes the whole activity time-consuming and uneconomic. 

DTG (DIRECT TO GARMENT) & DTF (DIRECT TO FILM)

Direct To Garment (DTG)

Direct To Garment, commonly referred to as DTG, is a popular technique in the t-shirt printing industry. This method involves printing directly onto the fabric using specialized inkjet technology. The process is similar to using a standard home printer, but on a much larger scale and designed specifically for textiles.

To use DTG, you simply upload your desired image to a computer, and the printer – usually an Epson F2270 hybrid printer or similar – applies the ink directly onto the garment. This technique is particularly effective for producing high-quality, detailed prints on a variety of fabrics, especially cotton. DTG is ideal for small to medium-sized production runs and is perfect for businesses that require personalized t-shirts with intricate designs.

One of the main advantages of DTG is its ability to produce vibrant, full-color prints without the need for extensive setup or screens, making it a cost-effective option for custom orders. However, the initial investment in a DTG printer can be high, and the process can be slower compared to other methods like screen printing.

Direct To Film (DTF)

Another interesting technique used in the t-shirt printing industry is known as Direct To Film, usually shortened to DTF. Unlike DTG, DTF involves printing a design onto a special film first, which is then transferred onto the fabric using a heat press. This method allows for more versatility in terms of fabric types and colors.

DTF has seen an enormous surge in popularity recently. A study by A.M. Custom Clothing revealed that since 2020, search interest in DTF printing has skyrocketed, with a mind-blowing growth of 7420% between 2020 and 2024. This surge makes it clear that DTF is on the rise and here to stay.

DTF works exceptionally well on both light and dark fabrics, providing vibrant and durable prints. The process involves printing the design onto a PET film, applying a powder adhesive to the print, and then curing it. Once the design is ready, it is transferred onto the garment using a heat press.

Although the initial cost of the machine is high, producing a single item is fairly inexpensive. If you run a business not dedicated to clothes production, but on which requires making personalised t-shirts with some regularity, DTF is a worthwhile investment.

For those looking into producing vibrant, detailed prints on a variety of fabrics, exploring the capabilities of DTF printing is highly recommended. Not only does it offer flexibility in design, but for a more in-depth exploration, you can click for 62 uv dtf transfers, which showcases a wide range of potential and the quality achievable with this technology. This method proves especially useful for businesses seeking to maintain high-quality output without the need for large-scale production facilities.

Alternatively, you can find companies offering DTF transfers wholesale, with bulk purchases bringing the price down significantly.

DYE SUBLIMATION 

Dye sublimation is also a frequently used technique in the T-shirt printing business. Again it works better on light fabrics, but one critical condition must be met, namely, the material is polyester. 

In other cases, disappointment will likely prevail. The dye used usually takes the form of a special liquid, which dries up when it touches the T-shirt, and this doesn’t occur effectively if a different material is used. This technique works best if you want to achieve a more complete design on your T-shirts, rather than just simply an image on the front. Again, this requires the purchase of a dedicated printer.

TRANSFER PAPER METHOD 

This method is quite simple in use as it refers to transferring a given graphic from a transfer paper to the surface of your garment, and is more commonly used for arts and crafts rather than it is in any business setting. The paper transfer method uses heat and pressure (usually in the form of an iron) similarly to dye sublimation, but in a more domestic setting and for more domestic demands. However, it shouldn’t be used on materials with high-heat sensitivity levels. Interestingly, this technique was initially used for decorating ceramics. 

VINYL CUTTING

Vinyl cutting, also known as CAT cut vinyl, is often used in sportswear production, as well as when adding small graphics and slogans to T-shirts, since it’s adaptable and adept at printing numbers and names onto clothing items. The technique harnesses the use of specialist software and a computer controlled blade to cut the design intricately out of vinyl prior to application. Unlike some of the other methods mentioned, vinyl cutting is suitable for dark clothing.

First things first and before we get down to it, since you’re here then can we assume congratulations are in order? Thanks for telling us before your friends and family, too, it’s a privilege and an honour! And seeing as Christmas is a time when family and friends are gathered in one place, it’s also a succinct, seamless and celebratory time to admit you’re getting hitched.

Indeed, according to leading online retailer Angelic Diamonds, the Christmas period is one of the most popular times to get engaged (it must be all that mulled wine and good cheer in the air). Accordingly, it’s also a great time to tell loved ones your great news. With that in mind, here are 4 IDEAL and festive ways to announce your engagement this Christmas.

ENGAGEMENT BAUBLES

Get creative and announce your engagement with a personalised Christmas bauble; could there be anything more festive. There are plenty of personalised bauble services out there, where you can design yours and your fiancé’s name and the date of engagement onto the decoration.

If you’re feeling playful, and we certainly are, you could create a bauble for your tree at home and leave it hanging in full frontal view and wait for guests to notice; a fun and exciting way to catch your friends and family off guard. Just make sure the bauble doesn’t suffer the fate of so many others, and fall from the tree and smash; an omen for things to come in your marriage, perhaps?

CHRISTMAS CARD ANNOUNCEMENT

Another creative and endearingly traditional way to announce your engagement is through Christmas cards. You know when your parent’s friends used to send that ‘round robin’ letter each Christmas, reporting on their life’s developments in painful detail? Well, this is similar but much more succinct.

Create your own and print a picture of you as a couple looking resplendent onto Christmas cards. Inside, sign off the card as “love from future Mr and Mrs _____”; subtle and classy, we think. Just make sure that the people you send these cards to are people you’d want at your wedding, or that will be awkward!

CHRISTMAS GAMES

This is probably one of the most unique ways to announce your engagement that we’ve come across, and it involves a Christmas day favourite. Here goes; make sure to invite both of your families over for Christmas and suggest a game of charades. Act out the concept of being engaged and wait for family and friends to put the pieces together. This is bound to get everyone excited and emotional as they realise what you’re acting, and the announcement becomes an evolving act as the game wears on. If charades doesn’t take your fancy, how about a game of Pictionary?

FESTIVE SOCIAL MEDIA POST

Maybe you don’t want lots of attention and want to announce your Christmas engagement in an easy way that doesn’t involve lots of screams, hugs, and manic family members crying with happiness. Those are tears of happiness, right? 

Or maybe you simply cannot wait and want to rake those Facebook and Instagram likes in. Either way, light up your social media post with some Christmas spirit to make the announcement properly festive.

Snap a picture of you and your fiancé sharing a kiss under a piece of mistletoe, with your hand on their shoulder or hand outward towards your camera so everyone can see your diamond engagement ring. Make the background feel Christmassy too — stand at your Christmas tree or your front door with a wreath hanging in the background. Or, if you’re lucky enough that it snows, get out in nature to capture the perfect picture. Just lovely.