Each year, Impressions invites decorators from around the world to enter their most impressive work, compete alongside their peers and show off their talents to the industry in the Impressions Awards decorating competition. The 39th-annual competition showcased entries ranging from complex embroidery pieces to photo-quality screen prints and vibrant, digitally decorated submissions from decorators of all experience levels and shops of all sizes.
One particularly exceptional entry, submitted by Gelisim Tekstil, Istanbul, Turkey, stood out among the other submissions hung on the show floor at the Imprinted Sportswear Shows (ISS) event in Fort Worth, Texas, which was held this past Sept. 22-24.
Aptly called “Dream,” the submission featured impressively intricate detail embroidered on a light-as-air garment. It was not only named this year’s overall Grand Champion, but also received Grand Champion: Embroidery honors. The judging panel, which included embroidery, digital-decorating and screen-printing experts, collectively thought the design was an outstanding representation of the industry’s finest work.
While Dream took the top spot, there were many notable entries from all categories that wowed the judges. Once again, Impressions was excited to see work from many new decorators, as well as such a variety of innovative embellishment techniques.
All of the Impressions Awards winners are featured in this issue, but they will continue to be showcased throughout the year. They also will be displayed at every ISS event held across the country this year, as well as online in the Impressions Awards and Design Galleries.
Additionally, each contest entry will be featured online so that decorators whose designs did not make the winners’ podium will get much-deserved recognition for hard work and excellent design execution.
We already are anxiously awaiting this year’s 40th-annual competition. The official entry form will be available on the Impressions website this spring, but if you are interested in entering early, please contact Managing Editor Lauren Mitchell Volker at [email protected] for more information.
Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to all participants and judges. We’re honored to showcase the talent and creativity this innovative industry has to offer.
