With the launch of the Little Help Project 2026 just around the corner, we thought it was the perfect time to catch up with last year’s winner — Steve from Short Batch Co!
The Little Help Project was created to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and the people pushing the boundaries of clothing embellishment. Each year, one standout brand or business wins $10,000RRP in AS Colour blanks to help bring their ideas to life, grow their offering, and take the next step in their journey.
Steve’s winning entry stood out for its strong creative direction, skilled craftsmanship, and clear passion for quality product. Decorated on the 5151 Made Hood, nearly 20 colours of hand screen-printed inks were used - high-density, puff, glow in the dark UV, metallic, and split fountain techniques. Steve and the team also incorporated a wide range of embroidery and patches, such as tatami accordion, 3D embroidery, hand-sewn chenille, and woven twill patches. To ensure no technique was left out, they even added a heat-pressed DTF transfer.
We caught up with Steve to chat about the impact of winning the competition, what the experience meant to him, and what he’s been working on since taking out the top spot.
What did it mean to you & the team at Short Batch to be selected as the winner of this competition, and how did it feel in that moment?
It meant the world... quite literally. At first, it was a very surreal feeling but after taking a moment to digest the result the overwhelming feeling was pride. I was and always will be extremely proud of my crew for the mammoth effort in bringing this crazy mad scientist thought into reality. More than a couple top shelf whisky's were consumed that day ;p
How have you used the prize since winning, and what impact has it had on your business or community?
We've been able to use the prize for good. We said from the start that the prize money would be used to help local not for profit groups doing amazing things in our local Community. We work very closely alongside these organisations and always try to give them a leg up where we can. To be able to assist even more groups and see first hand the difference it makes to the people they help directly, never gets lost on me.
Did winning the competition change the way you see yourself or your potential as a creative leader in the industry? If so, how?
If I'm being honest it didn't really change too much, but rather given us a little confirmation that the high standard of work we do here is valued as much as we deem it to be. I certainly don't claim to be a "leader" in this industry by any stretch. There are a tonne of print shops I look up to both locally and abroad doing incredible things I'm inspired by daily.
What inspired you to enter the competition in the first place, and what would you say to someone thinking about putting themselves forward next time?
As most will no doubt relate, it can get pretty monotonous sometimes printing day in day out for others. It's a great gig don't get me wrong, one I wouldn't change for the World but we rarely make the time to print our own shop tees for ourselves. This was the perfect opportunity to flex our creative muscle and go full throttle! I'd encourage everyone to enter, there is literally nothing to lose! We honestly used the competition as an opportunity to push our boundaries and try new techniques that we've secretly always wanted to explore - so if not for the competition (& World's best bragging rights) do it for yourself!
Looking ahead, how has this experience motivated or shaped what you and the team want to create next?
Seeing all the incredible entries was a massive motivation booster in itself. We recently purchased our first embroidery machine and are keen to explore the hectic world of thread.
Short Batch Printing Co.
📍Perth, Western Australia.
@shortbatchco
