Monster Press wins FESPA Award for Avengers and Star Wars special effect t-shirt

Monster Press proudly won a FESPA Gold award at the FESPA Awards 2023 for the award for 'Special effect on t-shirts, garments, and other textiles' with its entry 'No More Hope. We speak to Will Petersen, Operations Director at Monster Press about this project, the materials used, the importance of the FESPA Awards and their future business plans around sustainability.

About Monster Press

Founded in a small unit in Westbury by Ziggy and Will in 2008, Monster Press began its journey with an old press from eBay and minimal training, learning everything through trial and error. Over the years, the company has invested in cutting-edge equipment and built a strong reputation for high-quality screen prints, mainly serving fashion brands and quality-conscious small to medium-sized businesses. Recently, Monster Press expanded its services to include DTG and embroidery, aiming to provide a full service for high-quality garment decoration.

The Winning Project

The award-winning project featured a design by Hard Times Clothing, one of Monster Press's longest-standing customers. The design featured a combination  of the Avengers and Star Wars and referenced an original vintage Star Wars poster. This project was chosen as it perfectly showcased Monster Press's expertise in producing soft prints, high-detail halftones, and subtle colour blending.

Materials

For this project, Monster Press utilised an MHM S-Type 10/12 press and an Adelco Ecotex dryer to ensure precision and quality in their printing process. The garments used were Earth Positive Classic, known for their eco-friendly and high-quality fabric. The under base consisted of a mixture of 20% Magna discharge white and 80% Magna discharge base, providing a strong foundation for the top colours. The top colours were printed using Wilflex MX plastisol, which offers excellent durability and vibrancy. To achieve the intricate details of the design, Monster Press used 55lpi dots for halftones with Wasatch Soft Rip precision halftones. Additionally, they used 77T mesh screens, stretched to 25n/m, and Alkemi Lava emulsion for screen preparation. The squeegees used were triple durometer 65/90/65, ensuring consistent and high-quality prints.

The project was part of a live production run, showing the typical quality Monster Press delivers daily. Despite the complexity, no significant challenges were encountered, reflecting the team’s expertise and efficiency.

Significance of the FESPA Award

Monster Press stated that winning a FESPA Award holds immense value for them, recognising their dedication to quality and innovation within the industry. Monster Press believe the FESPA Awards are crucial as they set a benchmark for excellence, encouraging companies to push boundaries, promote creativity, and focus on sustainability.

FESPA Awards are important to the industry because they set a benchmark for excellence, encouraging companies to push the boundaries of what is possible. They promote creativity, innovation, and sustainability, helping to elevate the overall quality of work in the industry. 

Winning the Awards

Upon receiving the award, Will Petersen, Operations Director at Monster Press stated: "Winning an award and receiving recognition for our work feels amazing. It’s a testament to our team's hard work, dedication, and passion for what we do. It motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of our craft and striving for excellence in every project."

Sustainability Initiatives

Monster Press are currently exploring solar energy options to enhance their sustainability efforts. Additionally, they are committed to being responsible with waste management, energy usage, and water consumption.

Join us in 2025 for the next edition of FESPA Awards, alongside the FESPA Global Print Expo in Berlin. Applications are now open, apply here!  If you are interested in visit FESPA Global Print Expo 2025 taking place from 6 – 9 May at Messe Berlin, Germany register your interest here.