New York City’s exhibitive tattoo scene is a melting pot of styles and talents, but few artists have embarked on a journey as unique or achieved recognition as rapidly as Sumok Kim. Originally a South Korean children’s book salesman, Kim transformed a burgeoning interest in drawing into a mastery of realist tattooing, now leaving a distinguished mark on clients and conventions alike from his NYC base.
Kim’s path into the world of ink began unexpectedly in 2015. Working at a publishing company, interactions with illustrators sparked a passion for art fundamentally different from his day job. Rather than pursuing traditional artistic education, Kim took a self-taught route, leveraging online resources and learning from fellow artists – a testament to his dedication and inherent talent. This foundation quickly evolved into a specialization in realist tattooing, particularly in striking black and grey.
What defines Kim’s work is his exceptional eye for detail, creating photorealistic pieces that possess a timeless quality. His early focus on the natural environment and animal portraits allowed him to hone his skills in rendering intricate textures and depth. While these remain integral, Kim is now exploring Eastern-themed subjects, weaving cultural narratives into his art. This evolution underscores his philosophy, as he shared in an interview: “I appreciate that there is no limit to improvement in tattooing; there is always something new to learn.”
Kim’s technical expertise and artistic scope have not gone unnoticed. He is a celebrated winner on the competitive tattoo convention circuit, recently dominating categories at the NY Empire State Tattoo Expo and the Vancouver Tattoo Show with multiple first and second-place awards for large realism and black and grey work, including “Best of Show” in Vancouver 2024. His standing is further cemented by accolades such as being named among the top 10 tattoo artists in New York City by Ink On Sky for 2025
Having worked globally in significant tattoo hubs like Toronto, Vancouver, and Seoul before settling in New York, Kim offers insights into cultural differences within the craft. He notes a distinction between a focus on aesthetic coolness in Korea and a greater emphasis on meaning and storytelling in the West – a perspective he seems to embrace as he delves into subject matter rich with symbolism, such as Eastern mythology and the powerful imagery of Samurai.
Now as an ambassador for Mast Tattoo Needles’ Pro Team and with a significant online following exceeding 60,000 on Instagram, Sumok Kim is not resting on his laurels. His plans for 2025 involve traveling across the US to attend more conventions, sharing his award-winning work and continuing in his relentless pursuit of artistic growth. From an unconventional start, Sumok Kim has undoubtedly become a key figure in the contemporary realist tattoo landscape, proving that passion, dedication, and a commitment to lifelong learning that can redefine the boundaries of art on skin.
From Wrocław to New York City, Polish-born designer Paulina Raczkowska has forged a remarkable global path, one deeply rooted in empathy, cultural awareness, and an unwavering commitment to social impact. Her journey, which began with a solid foundation in interior and stage design at the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Art and Design in Wroclaw, Poland, continued with further studies in Valencia, Spain, is a testament to her dedication to both artistic excellence and profound human connection.
Following her formal education, Raczkowska relocated to Berlin, Germany, where she honed her creative direction and branding expertise through roles at prominent companies like Viacom, Rocket Internet, SinnerShrader (now Accenture), and Highsnobiety. She also collaborated with major brands such as Henkel, Signal Iduna, CoteetCiel, Beets & Roots, and Match Group. These formative experiences sharpened her visual language and honed her storytelling skills through the medium of design.
Her design philosophy is centered around people: “I design with people in mind, always asking: Who is this for? Whose story is being told? And how can design truly serve them?” she asks. “That level of empathy and intention is something I strive to bring into every project.”
It was her decision to live and work across the globe, in Mexico, Kenya, Brazil, South Africa, and the Dominican Republic, that truly transformed her perspective and redefined her approach to design. Immersed in vastly different cultures for nearly eight years, she witnessed the kaleidoscope of human experiences and the persistent inequalities that divide our world.
This is what makes her stand out as a designer. “What makes my work unique is the fact that I’ve lived and worked in a wide range of places; from Wrocław to Berlin, from Nairobi to Santo Domingo, and now New York,” said Raczkowska. “Each of these places has shaped not only how I design, but why I design. This exposure to different cultures, aesthetics, and ways of thinking has given me a global design practice rooted in cultural fluency and social consciousness.”
Some major career highlights include working for global brands which require big picture thinking. “Early in my career, working with global brands like Viacom, Henkel, Signal Iduna, Match.com, and Highsnobiety taught me how to build clear, scalable design systems within large teams and commercial frameworks,” said Raczkowska. “It was a great training ground for creative leadership and understanding the business side of design.”
These experiences, which have spanned across five continents, have equipped her with the unique ability to design with context, compassion, and a truly global consciousness. Raczkowska’s work increasingly gravitated towards issues of women’s health, safety, and empowerment, a passion that solidified when she moved to New York City.
“Design is a visual language, and language, at its core, is a tool for connection,” said Raczkowska. “Thoughtful design can bridge cultures, reduce barriers, and create shared understanding. I’ve seen firsthand how design can give voice to marginalized stories, simplify complex ideas, and build spaces, physical or digital, that invite people in. In our globalized world, design that is well done and done with intention helps us communicate across differences with clarity and compassion.”
“My style also carries a multicultural lens, influenced by the textures, traditions, and visual languages I’ve encountered while living and working across the world,” said Raczkowska. “It’s a design approach that’s clean and useful, but still emotionally resonant and culturally aware.”
In New York City, Raczkowska found her niche at Ahoy Studios, a women-founded design agency specializing in branding and creative development for non-profit organizations and mission-driven enterprises. Ahoy’s work spans a wide range of global causes, including environmental protection, social justice, peace and security, gender equity, education, and cultural exchange.
At Ahoy, Raczkowska discovered the ideal environment to seamlessly blend her global insights with purpose-driven design, contributing to campaigns and identities that support meaningful change on both local and international scales.
She emphasizes the impact of her current work: “The most meaningful highlight has been my work at Ahoy Studio in New York, where I design purpose-driven campaigns for nonprofits,” said Raczkowska. “The studio’s small size allows for more creative ownership and impact, and I find it far more rewarding to use design as a tool for change — supporting causes like gender equity, climate action, and community empowerment.”
Simultaneously, she began collaborating with Dames New York, a women’s fashion brand based in New York that focuses on mental health, safety, and empowerment. Through photography and creative direction, Raczkowska helped the brand cultivate a visual identity that empowers women to feel safe, beautiful, and strong while wearing Dames New York.
The brand fosters a supportive community through events like meditation sessions and self-defense classes – reinforcing the powerful idea that design can be a vehicle for healing and empowerment. Remarkably, Raczkowska’s collaboration with Dames is built entirely on a volunteer-driven, skill-sharing model; a collective endeavor where creativity and knowledge are exchanged freely, without any financial transactions, fostering a deeply collaborative and purpose-led process.
Looking ahead, Raczkowska is planning to co-found a creative production studio with fashion designer Katlyn O’Malley and a collective of international creatives from cities like Warsaw, Berlin, and the Dominican Republic. This exciting initiative will focus on producing socially responsible content, spotlighting sustainability, women’s rights, and equity within the fashion and media industries. The collective aims to challenge industry norms by embedding respect, inclusivity, and ethical practices into every project.
With a career that spans continents and encompasses a multitude of worthy causes, Paulina Raczkowska continues to demonstrate that design can be a powerful tool for cultural dialogue, social transformation, and global solidarity. Her work is not only visually striking and aesthetically pleasing but also deeply informed by lived experience, guided by core human values, and driven by a clear and unwavering mission: to make the world a more beautiful, equitable, and safe place for everyone.
Raczkowska emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural nuances: “Over time, I’ve learned that what resonates visually in one part of the world might feel completely abstract or disconnected in another. A design approach that feels natural in a New York studio might not translate at all in Nairobi — and even between the U.S. and Europe, there are subtle but important differences. Being aware of those nuances helps me create work that is contextually grounded and respectful of its audience.”
She acknowledges the responsibility that comes with visual storytelling: “I’m also deeply aware of the responsibility that comes with visual storytelling. I actively work to avoid stereotypes, especially those embedded in Western perspectives, particularly when it comes to representing places like Africa.
For example, too often, NGOs and media focus solely on narratives of poverty, overlooking the complexity, beauty, and pride within African cultures. “When we rely too heavily on standard visual frameworks, we risk flattening diverse experiences and seeing the world only through our own lens,” said Raczkowska. “My goal is to design in a way that resists that, to celebrate difference, challenge assumptions, and make space for authenticity.”
Raczkowska defines her design aesthetic with three different principles. “My aesthetic is defined by clarity, restraint, and purpose,” she said. “I approach design as a form of communication, not decoration, so I always prioritize function over form. Every element I use has a reason to be there. The result is a minimal, intuitive style where bold typography meets human-centered visuals, and where the message is never lost in the medium.”
She adds: “Even though my work is visually pared down, it’s rooted in narrative. There’s always a story underneath which is shaped by the audience, the context, and the message I want to convey.“
While Raczkowska started out in interior design and stage design, it clearly prepared her for a career in visual design. “Studying interior and stage design gave me an early understanding of how humans interact with space, light, and atmosphere; how the environment shapes emotion,” said Raczkowska. “Stage design taught me storytelling through physical form; interior design taught me functionality and flow. That background sharpened my spatial thinking and made me deeply attuned to the emotional side of design. It also gave me a natural foundation for branding and creative direction — where the goal is often to create an entire world or identity around an idea.”
Raczkowska’s unwavering dedication to socially responsible design serves as an inspiring example of how creativity, when coupled with empathy and a global perspective, can become a powerful force for positive change in the world. Her work not only connects people but also empowers them, amplifying voices and fostering a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
Having recently signed to Ghostly International, TOPS – Jane Penny, David Carriere, Marta Cikojevic, and Riley Fleck – have announced their next album, Bury the Key. The follow-up to 2020’s I Feel Alive arrives on August 22. It includes the previously released single ‘ICU2’, as well as a new song, the infectious and nostalgic ‘Chlorine’. Check it out below, and scroll down for the album cover and tracklist.
“At one point, I was caught in a cycle of going out to the bar hoping that I would cross paths with a certain person who was not good for me but who I felt irresistibly drawn to,” Penny said of ‘Chlorine’ in a press release. ” I grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, where it’s very cold, and I used to go to the pool a lot in the winter. It’s also where I first started going to bars to drink with my friends. I was thinking about alcohol and chlorine both being poison, thinking about all the people that I’ve tried to be close to that have ended up being bad for me, how I still love them all, and I wrote the song ‘Chlorine’.”
Penny described the new album as “evil TOPS,” adding, “We’re always kind of seen as a soft band or like naive or friendly in a Canadian way, but we made it a challenge to really channel the world around us.”
Bury the Key Cover Artwork:
Bury the Key Tracklist:
1. Stars Come After You
2. Wheels at Night
3. ICU2
4. Outstanding in the Rain
5. Annihilation
6. Falling on my Sword
7. Call You Back
8. Chlorine
9. Mean Streak
10. Your Ride
11. Standing at the Edge of Fire
12. Paper House
The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die are back. Their new single is called ‘Beware the Centrist’, and it’s appropriately ferocious. It was co-produced by Chris Teti (Fiddlehead, Anxious) and Greg Thomas (END, Misery Signals), with mastering by Will Putney (Knocked Loose, END). Check it out below.
In a press release, the group said:
Oppressors call rebels terrorists. Terror is a last resort tactic when speech, boycott, and protests are crushed and declawed. There are breaking points when average citizens are forced to embrace chaos and destruction, a reason to cause damage for a cause or a name to be remembered. When the dominant strategy commoditizes and annihilates us, it’s appropriate to fight back with violence.
Look past the arrogance that we are safe in the US from what happens in other countries and what has happened throughout history. We have less and less time every day to change the world, as fascism cements itself into our infrastructure. Take a hammer to the world.
Sure, post on social media, spread awareness, raise funds to aid the beaten, but do not let that be the end of the struggle. They will try and often succeed in taking away our words, banning our books, dispersing our rallies. They will encourage in-fighting amongst us. Do not pretend that the way things are are the way they must be.
Learn from Willem Van Spronsen, Adam Curtis, and David Graeber. If your coworker reports you for your beliefs, destroy his tools and spoil his food.
TWIABP’s latest album, Illusory Walls, came out in 2021.
Thom Yorke has released ‘Dialing In’, an eerie, mesmerizing track that grew out of his unreleased song ‘Gawpers’. It serves as the opening theme to Apple TV+’s upcoming crime-drama series Smoke, and you can listen to it below.
“Working with Thom Yorke was as much an honour for me as working with Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese or Richard Price,” Smoke creator/executive producer Dennis Lehane said in a press statement. “I’ve somehow been blessed with collaborating with living legends who were also formative influences on my own creative life. Thom is definitely that. In addition, he took a basic concept I gave him and delivered a song that perfectly embodies the show and absolutely crushes.”
Earlier this month, the Radiohead/The Smile frontman released his collaborative album with Mark Pritchard, Tall Tales.
Online gambling has created a huge buzz among many people in the United States. It could mean spinning a reel or placing a bet on a big game. There are even modern options like diving into a virtual table game with a live dealer.
People are logging on in bigger numbers every year. For many, it has become a favorite form of entertainment, and it’s available for players right there, on a phone or laptop.
With so many options out there, a bit of guidance can go a long way. The digital casino floor is huge and knowing how to navigate it helps make the whole experience smoother.
A look at the online gambling scene in the US
Online gambling in the US has taken off in recent years. What used to be limited to brick-and-mortar casinos in some parts of the country has now expanded into living rooms and just about everywhere else.
People now have wider access to online gaming in the US, where they can play casinos with giant games libraries, and sportsbooks cover everything from football and basketball to darts and table tennis.
Sweepstakes casinos also deserve a mention. They use a unique model where players can bet with virtual coins that can be redeemed for prizes. It’s a mix of gaming and prize redemption that has become a popular alternative for those looking for a different kind of play, and has helped it to spread around the US.
The gambling scene has been intrinsically linked to other forms of gaming in recent years. People who play console games like the GTA series will know just how far the game has come since its early days, and that new features continue to be included in this kind of game.
Picking the right casino platform
With so many online casinos out there, it can be tempting to just click on the first one that pops up, or search for one you’ve heard of. But not every platform is built the same.
Some focus heavily on slot games, offering hundreds of titles with all manner of themes and features. Others lean more toward classic table games or even live dealer rooms that stream real dealers from real casino setups.
When choosing where to play, it’s worth spending a few minutes looking at the game selection. Is it easy to browse? Are there demo versions to try before spending? Is the platform mobile-friendly or does it feel clunky on a phone screen? All of these are things people might consider.
User interface matters, too. Some sites feel clean and modern, with easy navigation and clear categories. Others might feel outdated or hard to use. This makes your decision a whole lot easier.
Choosing the right games
Once you’ve picked a casino, the next question becomes: what to play? Well, that is if you haven’t picked a casino because of a certain game!
Slots are a common pick, mostly because they’re easy to understand and are packed with variety.
Then there are the table games. Blackjack, roulette, baccarat and poker all make appearances online, and people have been familiar with these games for the past few decades. They’re Vegas staples! For players who enjoy more interaction or a bit of structure, these games might be a better fit. They offer more pace and sometimes a stronger rhythm than the fast spins of a slot.
Trying different games is the best way to figure out what fits. Some people enjoy the fast and random, while others look to games where they can try to use strategy.
Sports betting advice
Not everyone wants to spin reels or flip virtual cards. For sports fans, betting on games is where the real fun is. People who watch sports usually get an inkling of what is going to happen, or just bet on players that they like to back.
The biggest tip? Don’t dive in head first. It helps to start by picking a sport you actually know. Understanding the flow of a game or the form of a team gives a better sense of what to look for in the betting markets.
Most sportsbooks let players bet on more than just winners. There are loads of markets and betting options that can change as the game goes on. Some people like to follow stats and trends, while others focus on big matchups and rivalries. Analysis is easier with all of the statistics out there. The big sports leagues like the NBA have a huge number of stats that are collected on every single game.
Browsing around the platform is helpful. Some sportsbooks do a great job of laying out upcoming games, while others might feel overwhelming. Some offer quick insights or betting tips right on the page.
Odds can vary slightly from one sportsbook to another. Checking a few sites before locking in a bet can mean better returns in the long run.
Picking a reliable sportsbook or casino
Living in the age of choice is great. However, it does mean that people need to do a bit of research.
Reading reviews can help sort the good from the not-so-great. Players are quick to point out bugs or limited game choices. On the flip side, the top platforms usually get praise for their design and features like support or bonuses.
Some casinos or sportsbooks also offer players bonuses or reward systems. These can be a fun way to try new games or get a little extra value, but they’re not all created equal. Sometimes the terms are confusing or hard to meet. It’s always good to check the details beforehand.
Payment methods are another thing to look at. Whatever the choice, smooth deposits and fast withdrawals make everything easier for players.
Responsible gambling
This is the number one tip that we will share with you! Responsible gambling is essential to keep everything fun and enjoyable. Taking breaks and setting limits on time or funds can help keep things enjoyable. Platforms often have built-in tools for that, like session reminders or play history features. Whichever you prefer, always bet responsibly.
For decades, cannabis existed on the cultural fringe—shared between friends in smoky basements, referenced in coded song lyrics, and associated with rebellion rather than refinement. But over the past 10 years, weed has undergone a dramatic image makeover. No longer just a countercultural symbol, cannabis is being rebranded as a luxury product—a lifestyle choice that’s as much about aesthetics and wellness as it is about getting high.
So how did we get here? And what does the rise of high-end cannabis say about where culture is heading?
From Illicit to Iconic
Back in the day, cannabis culture was largely underground. While it featured prominently in pop culture—think Cheech & Chong, Bob Marley, or even early Snoop Dogg—it was always framed as subversive, illegal, or taboo. That started to change with the wave of legalization across North America in the 2010s. As more states began regulating cannabis for medicinal and recreational use, the stigma began to fade.
Suddenly, cannabis was a business—and not just any business, but one ripe for branding, packaging, and premium positioning.
Celebrities Are the New Strain Curators
One of the biggest forces behind cannabis’s rise into the lifestyle mainstream is celebrity influence. Cultural icons have not only endorsed cannabis—they’ve built entire empires around it.
Mike Tyson launched Tyson 2.0, a luxury cannabis brand that leans into his personal story and transformation, offering premium flower, edibles, and merchandise.
Snoop Dogg, a long-time weed advocate, co-founded Leafs by Snoop, one of the earliest celebrity cannabis ventures, elevating strain branding with sleek design and California cool.
Seth Rogen, alongside creative partner Evan Goldberg, launched Houseplant, a company that blends cannabis with mid-century design sensibilities and curated smoking accessories.
Willie Nelson, a legend of outlaw country and cannabis culture, launched Willie’s Reserve, celebrating legacy growers and ethical cultivation.
Wiz Khalifa released Khalifa Kush, a signature strain and brand built on his persona and passion for pot.
These celebrities are more than figureheads—they’re brand builders shaping the visual language and values of modern cannabis. Their involvement has helped position weed as a lifestyle choice that spans design, music, wellness, and identity. By aligning themselves with carefully crafted aesthetics and premium quality, they’ve set a new benchmark for what cannabis can be.
Weed Meets Wellness
Alongside celebrity-driven branding, one of the biggest shifts toward luxury cannabis has been its crossover into the wellness industry. Microdosing edibles for anxiety, CBD-infused serums for your skin, and THC teas for sleep made cannabis palatable to an entirely new demographic: the wellness-conscious urbanite.
This shift wasn’t accidental. Cannabis brands began using minimal, clean packaging, eco-friendly messaging, and a softer design language that mirrored that of boutique skincare or organic food companies. It was weed reimagined for the Whole Foods generation.
Aesthetic Overdrive: Cannabis in the Age of Instagram
Just like fashion, cannabis now lives and breathes on Instagram. Sleek jars, gold-accented grinders, matte-black rolling trays, and designer stash boxes are part of a new visual lexicon. Influencers post “shelfies” of their curated strains next to artisan candles or crystals. In this world, your weed isn’t just for smoking—it’s for styling.
Brands like Sundae School, House of Puff, and Pure Beauty have embraced this ethos, blurring the line between dispensary and design house. Even cannabis packaging has been elevated to match the expectations of high-end consumers. The result? Weed is no longer just a product—it’s an accessory.
Grow-Your-Own Goes Luxe
Interestingly, this premium rebrand hasn’t been limited to commercial products. Even home growers—once seen as hobbyists or outlaw botanists—are getting in on the luxury cannabis game.
Take MSNL Seeds, for example. As one of the most established cannabis seed banks in the world, they’ve embraced the evolution of cannabis culture by offering premium genetics that allow anyone to grow boutique-quality weed from the comfort of their own home.
And just like high-end coffee drinkers who grind their own beans or sourdough aficionados who cultivate their own starter, today’s cannabis enthusiasts are rediscovering the joy of growing as part of a curated lifestyle.
The Price of Cool
Of course, with luxury comes cost—and criticism. Some argue that premium cannabis branding has edged out the very communities who built the industry under prohibition. There’s also concern that slick marketing masks the ongoing legal and social disparities around cannabis use and access.
But for better or worse, high-end cannabis is here to stay. As the plant continues to be normalized and legalized globally, the competition to create aspirational weed products will only grow. Expect to see more collaborations between cannabis brands and fashion houses, more curated product drops, and more efforts to make cannabis not just a substance—but a status symbol.
Conclusion: Blunt Objects with Sharp Design
What was once rebellious is now refined. Weed has evolved from a taboo topic to a cultural centerpiece—at home in curated Instagram feeds, stylish apartments, and luxury gift guides.
Whether you’re rolling up a joint in a handcrafted ceramic ashtray, buying celebrity strains, or tending your own plants with genetics from a premium seed bank, one thing is clear: cannabis culture isn’t just growing—it’s thriving, one aesthetic puff at a time.
New Zealand plans to introduce a new gambling regulation system in 2026. This will transform the gambling market. Currently, there is access to various types of gambling services through top recommended NZ casino sites, but this list will soon be completely transformed and adapted to the new requirements. The new structure will allow for up to 15 licensed operators in the market. This will provide a healthier and safer environment for New Zealand players.
Key Changes in the 2026 Licensing System
There are a number of changes expected to the New Zealand online casino licensing system in 2026. These are all listed in the table below:
Changes
Description
Introduction of licensed operators
New Zealand to issue up to 15 licenses, providing a regulated iGaming environment.
Stronger compliance requirements
Operators must meet responsible gaming standards and ensure fair play policies.
Tax obligations for operators
Licensed casinos will contribute to the economy through gambling taxes, benefiting public services.
Improved player protection
New rules include data encryption, secure payments and fraud prevention for safer gaming.
Restrictions on marketing and advertising
Casinos must adhere to ethical advertising standards to prevent gambling-related harm.
Fines for non-compliant operators
Fines of up to NZ$5 million for casinos failing to comply with regulations.
Focus on local market growth
Licensed platforms are expected to help grow the domestic gambling sector by reducing the risks of offshore gambling.
The changes are aimed at creating a safe and transparent gaming environment in New Zealand. Users will be able to choose only licensed operators to play with.
Impact on Existing Online Operators
The new licensing system will change the existing gambling market. These features are as follows:
Licensing compliance. Operators need to apply for a license. They must meet strict parameters. Failure to do so will result in fines
Transition to a regulated market. The new system will direct players to licensed casinos. This will reduce dependence on unregulated sites.
Taxation and financial obligations. Licensed operators are required to pay a 12% tax. The state plans to collect other fees to ensure the functioning of the market.
Advertising and marketing restrictions. The new rules will limit gambling advertising that is misleading. Ethical marketing standards will be developed.
Competitive environment and market growth. The licensing system will open up opportunities for new market participants and increase the competitive environment.
The licensing system is aimed at regulating the market. It will ensure transparency and protection of players. Existing operators must be ready to implement the new rules.
Opportunities for New Market Entrants
The new gambling licensing system opens up opportunities for new entrants. New operators will be able to legally offer services to New Zealand users. The licensing system will provide full consumer protection. Strict responsible gaming measures will increase player engagement.
Operators who obtain licenses early will have an advantage by gaining market share. Limited number of licenses will increase competition and quality of services provided. New operators will be able to tailor their offerings to local market requirements.
The regulated market is expected to generate millions of New Zealand dollars in annual revenue. Licensed casinos will ensure local player retention and provide new tax revenue.
The new licensing system is aimed at attracting responsible operators. Once licensed, casinos will gain trust and provide innovative services to fans.
Compliance and Enforcement
The government aims to reduce the risks of offshore gambling by enforcing regulations that protect players and maintain the integrity of the industry. The Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for oversight. It will monitor that operators operate in accordance with set standards.
Operators must ensure transparent gaming practices, ensuring fair odds and preventing manipulation. Operators must also provide safe play, self-exclusion and limit setting tools.
Players will have access to dispute resolution services to combat unfair practices. The program includes public education campaigns aimed at promoting safe gambling.
To sum up, the new New Zealand legislation is aimed at protecting players and making gambling legal. This will ensure revenue for the budget and improve the quality of the gambling market.
A stylish t-shirt can be a game changer for your wardrobe. But the way your design is printed matters just as much as the design itself. Different printing methods affect how your tee looks, feels, and lasts.
In this guide, we’ll explore 8 of the best t-shirt printing techniques that combine quality and style. Whether you want bold colors or soft prints, big batches or small runs, you’ll find the right method to bring your fashion ideas to life.
8 Best Methods for Printing T Shirts
Print on Demand
Print on demand services let you print fashion designs only after an order is placed. Most POD providers use DTG or similar printing methods, making it easy for small brands, designers, or fashion enthusiasts to create and sell custom apparel without needing to hold inventory.
As a form of printing on demand, it offers great freedom in testing fashion ideas, though it may come with lower profit margins and limited quality control.
Pros:
No upfront inventory
Easy to start online
Good for custom and niche designs
Cons:
Lower profit margins
Less control over print quality and shipping
Direct-to-Garment (DTG)
Direct-to-garment printing uses a specialized inkjet printer to apply ink straight onto the t-shirt. It allows for full-color designs and works well for detailed images.
This is a great option for small runs or even single shirts, especially if your design has lots of color or fine details. However, it may not hold up as long as screen printing over many washes.
Screen printing is one of the oldest and most popular t-shirt printing methods. It works by pushing ink through a mesh screen onto the fabric. Each color in the design needs a separate screen, which means it’s best for simple graphics with few colors.
This method delivers vibrant, long-lasting prints that hold up well on fashion basics like graphic tees or branded merchandise. Due to the setup time, it’s best suited for larger orders such as seasonal collections or event apparel.
Pros:
Colors come out strong and vibrant
Great for large orders
Designs last through many washes
Cons:
Not cost-effective for small batches
Limited color detail and not ideal for photo prints
Heat Transfer Printing
This method prints designs on special transfer paper and applies them to fabric with heat and pressure. It’s a simple way to produce fashion pieces at home or in small batches. Heat transfer works well for vibrant photos or custom graphics often seen in trendy streetwear.
While accessible and affordable, prints might crack or peel over time, so careful washing is essential to keep your stylish looks fresh.
Pros:
Easy to learn and do at home
Works with many types of images and photos
Affordable setup cost
Cons:
Not as durable as other methods
Can feel stiff or plastic-like
Vinyl Cutting
Vinyl cutting involves cutting out designs from colored vinyl sheets and then heat pressing them onto the shirt. Each color is layered individually.
It’s a good option for simple, bold graphics like text or logos. However, it’s not the best method for detailed or multi-colored images.
Pros:
Great for bold text and graphics
Durable and doesn’t fade easily
Good for small runs and custom names
Cons:
Not ideal for complex designs
Can feel thick or heavy on the shirt
Dye Sublimation
Dye sublimation turns dye into gas that bonds with polyester fibers, creating soft, all-over prints that don’t fade or crack. This technique is excellent for fashion-forward pieces like performance wear or bold statement tees, where vibrant, full-coverage designs stand out.
Discharge printing removes the fabric’s dye chemically to reveal the original color or add new pigments. This results in a soft, vintage-style look that is popular in retro fashion and high-end cotton tees.
It works best on dark cotton fabrics, delivering a smooth, no-feel print that feels like part of the garment.
Pros:
Very soft, no-feel print
Good for vintage or faded looks
Ideal for dark cotton shirts
Cons:
Limited color options
Can be inconsistent with some dyes
Plastisol Transfers
This is similar to screen printing, but the design is first printed onto a special transfer paper using plastisol ink. Then it’s heat pressed onto the shirt.
It combines the quality of screen printing with the convenience of heat pressing. Great for storing prints ahead of time and applying them as needed.
Pros:
High-quality results
Can be stored and used later
Good for detailed graphics
Cons:
Requires a heat press
Not as eco-friendly due to plastisol inks
Which Type of T-Shirt Printing Should You Choose?
Consider Your Design Complexity
Choosing the right printing method starts with the kind of design you have. If your design is colorful and detailed, Direct-to-Garment (DTG) or dye sublimation can capture all the fine elements without losing quality. For simpler, fewer-color designs, methods like screen printing or vinyl cutting work great by creating bold and clear images.
Think About Your Order Size
How many shirts you want to print matters a lot. If you’re ordering in large quantities, screen printing is usually the most cost-effective option because setup costs spread out over many shirts. For smaller runs or single shirts, DTG or print-on-demand are better since they require little setup and no minimum orders. This makes them perfect for testing designs or selling custom pieces.
Match Printing to FabricType
Different printing methods work better with certain fabrics. For example, dye sublimation works best on polyester or light-colored shirts, while discharge printing fits dark cotton shirts perfectly. Using the wrong method on the wrong fabric can make your design look faded or feel rough.
Focus on Durability and Feel
How long your design lasts also influences your choice. Screen printing and vinyl cutting create prints that handle many washes and stay vibrant. DTG prints look great but might fade faster if not cared for. Heat transfers are less durable and may crack or peel with time.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect t-shirt printing method really comes down to your style and goals. Consider the fabric, how many shirts you need, and how long you want your design to stay fresh.
If you prefer flexibility and low risk, print-on-demand lets you create without stocking up. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution—finding the right method means your tees will not only look stylish but also feel just right for you.
Sometimes, the most telling visions of our era don’t announce themselves in grand gestures — they blink softly from behind tempered glass, lacquered in baby pink, silicone-smooth and screen-ready. Yanran Chen’s Neon Dreamland, her first solo exhibition in China, isn’t a debut — it’s a simulation of one. Hosted in the new immersive art space ART FOCUS, nestled in Beijing’s 798 Art District like a glowing node in the city’s nervous system, the show feels less like stepping into a gallery and more like logging into someone else’s subconscious — someone raised on anime, speculative fiction, and the ambient dread of being terminally online.
Chen, born in 2005, doesn’t make work that suggests influence — her sculptures, installations, and illustrated avatars breathe the language of the posthuman without needing translation. She doesn’t channel the digital age — she excretes it. The exhibition opens with her personal work — The Mechanical Lifeform, Dinner, pieces that first turned heads at ComplexCon LA, though even that setting now feels quaint compared to the eerily calm, ultra-designed zone in which they’re currently housed. These works don’t explain themselves — they glisten. A fork, maybe, or a vaguely humanoid torso, all curves and chrome and impossible softness, hovers under white lights like a sentient gadget that never got past prototype. They’re beautiful in the way a rendered apple in an ad might be beautiful — smooth enough to resist touch, clean enough to distrust.
Everything is suspended in a dream logic that isn’t quite dreamlike — more like a lucid hallucination curated by a marketing algorithm. The colours buzz — not garish, but insistently saturated, like an overexposed emotion. Pink, blue, green — not pastel but hyperreal, the palette of a world built for likes. And through it all there’s an absence — not silence, exactly, but a vacuum where moral certainty might once have lived. The bodies — if they are bodies — are often unfinished, or mutated, or decorative. The question isn’t what happened to them, but whether they were ever whole to begin with.
The exhibition then shifts — or rather, mutates. The second zone, a collaboration with WaarWorld based on Liu Cixin’s The Supernova Era, introduces the Players Series, a suite of collectible character sculptures and their chibi “Q-version” companions. It’s not a critique of commercialisation — it’s the aestheticisation of it. These figures don’t just sit still — they pose. Engineered to seduce, to be bought, to be posted. They are not avatars of a future — they are the decorative remnants of a future already lost. Their cuteness is clinical, their blank stares more uncanny than empty. One gets the sense they’d smile, if they could find a reason.
Here the space becomes more theatrical — fog machines, ambient drones, pulsing lights that seem more intelligent than necessary. One sculpture appears mid-transformation, its limbs somewhere between mecha and mollusk. Another stands triumphant, though over what is unclear. It feels like watching the trailer for a show that never aired — slick, evocative, vaguely mournful. Every surface polished, every emotion proxied.
ART FOCUS, the venue itself, is complicit in this sense of synthetic immersion. It’s not a space built for paintings or bronze — it’s an interface, an update. Rooms curve subtly. Screens flicker. The air hums as though always anticipating something just about to load. There’s talk of interactivity and outreach, but the real interaction here is internal — a quiet negotiation between nostalgia, repulsion, and awe.
And then there’s Chen. At twenty, she already moves with the fluency of a brand. Collaborations with GUCCI and Balenciaga, her own studio ACCRO (French for “addicted” or “hooked”) — not an artist in the traditional sense, but a content engine that breathes art. Her practice doesn’t gesture towards the digital — it is digital, even when it’s made from resin or steel. Her figures don’t speak — they load.
There’s something unresolvable at the core of Neon Dreamland — a sweetness that doesn’t satisfy, a horror that’s too smooth to be feared. It doesn’t ask what it means to be human — it assumes you’ve already forgotten. And maybe that’s the point. This isn’t art for contemplation — it’s art for a generation who feels most alive when half-dissociating in front of something beautiful.
You leave Neon Dreamland with a sense that you’ve been entertained, maybe even moved — though it’s hard to say by what. The feeling is like waking from a dream you can’t remember, but keep thinking about anyway. A world where bodies are toys, emotions are effects, and the only thing real is the sheen.
If this is the future, it’s already been merchandised — and it’s stunning.
