Live event printing · London, United Kingdom
Live printing for London events
Custom merch printed on the spot at ExCeL stands, Shoreditch launches and Fashion Week pop-ups. Merch Troop is based in Southern California, and we bring the crew and the process to London.
The London scene
Why live printing works in London
London is a brand-launch city. In a single week you can have a tech conference at ExCeL, a trainer drop in a Brick Lane warehouse and a members' club party in Mayfair, and each of them wants guests leaving with something worth wearing.
That's what a live station does. Guests pick a design, watch it go onto the shirt or tote, and walk off with it still warm. It holds a crowd on a stand far longer than a giveaway table ever will.
US-based, travels worldwide
How we run a London job from the US
Presses and heat equipment travel on an ATA Carnet, so they come in for the event and leave again without import duty. Blanks are usually sourced in the UK so we aren't flying cartons of T-shirts across the Atlantic.
Power is 230V on UK plugs, so the equipment plan gets confirmed with the venue's electrical contractor before anything ships. ExCeL and Olympia both run tight build schedules, so we book our build slot through the organiser rather than turning up and hoping.
The crew flies in two days early. That gives a full day to build, test-print and fix anything before doors.
Merch Troop is based in La Habra, California. We run live printing across the US and travel internationally when the event is right, and London jobs get the same crew and the same process.
Where we set up
London venues we plan around
ExCeL London
The big trade shows and fan conventions in the Docklands. Long aisles and a lot of competition for attention.
Olympia London
Exhibitions and consumer shows in West Kensington, with a strict build schedule.
Old Truman Brewery
Brick Lane pop-ups and brand launches, where a live press fits right in.
Tobacco Dock
Agency events and conferences in Wapping, in a historic warehouse.
The O2
Concerts and sponsor activations on the Greenwich peninsula.
Business Design Centre
Design-led trade events and conferences in Islington.
Event calendar
When London gets busy
Book these weeks early. International freight needs lead time.
- February & SeptemberLondon Fashion Week pop-ups and after-parties
- May & OctoberMCM Comic Con at ExCeL
- JuneLondon Tech Week sponsor activations
- SummerHyde Park concert series and festival brand villages
- DecemberAgency and corporate Christmas parties
Stations
What we print live
For London we usually suggest a screen press for the hero design plus live DTF for full-colour artwork. Tote bags do especially well here.
Live screen printing
Real presses, plastisol ink, and a print guests watch being pulled.
Live DTF
Full-colour artwork heat-pressed in under a minute.
Hat bar
Patches and heat-applied designs on caps and beanies.
Live embroidery
Names, initials and logos stitched on the spot.
Totes & hard goods
Bags, bandanas and other non-apparel pieces.
Brands that have trusted us with their guests:
- Riot Games
- Sony
- Coca-Cola
- Hyundai
- Xbox
- FIFA
- Gap
- Foot Locker
- Rivian
- Live Nation
More at merchtroop.com: live event printing, live screen printing, and live DTF printing.
Questions
Good to know
Do you actually travel to London from the US?
Yes. Merch Troop is based in La Habra, California, and we travel internationally for events. The crew flies in, the equipment comes on an ATA Carnet, and blanks are usually sourced in the UK.
How far ahead should we book a London event?
Give us eight weeks if you can. International freight and the carnet paperwork take time, and ExCeL and Olympia lock their build schedules early.
Can you print on UK-sourced garments or our own merch?
Yes. We can source blanks in the UK to your spec, or print on stock you already hold as long as it's suitable for the method.
How do we get a quote?
Send your date, venue and rough guest count through the form, or call (562) 614-4800. You'll get an itemised quote that includes travel.
Get a quote
Tell us about your London event
Date, venue and a rough guest count is enough to start. You'll get an itemized quote, travel included, within 24 hours.