Screen printing could be older than the Egyptian pyramids.
Do you know that screen printing has been traced back to about 3,000 BC in Ancient Egypt? Not only is it a long-established but famous people in more recent times, like Andy Warhol, have given it prominence as an art form? Now this is something to keep in mind as you sweat over your press!
Do you know that company pets (usually dogs) are very common in the textile screen printing industry? Image Magazine is still doing a regular feature on print-shop pets in Britain. They’re up to about 30 by now. However, pets lack discretion in a business setting — that part is up to you to manage.
Keep that blade sharp.
Do you know that a good sharp edge on a squeegee shears off the ink better? When last did you sharpen your squeegee blades? Don’t have the equipment to do it? Look up a service or ask Stanley’s about it.
Employees brainstorming
Do you know that employees are a valuable source of good ideas? One way to tap into are brainstorming sessions. Just do some research first on how to conduct a successful brainstorming session.
Do you know that a lot of plastisol inks can be a bit “thick” and difficult to work for manual printers. The answer is curable reducer. It makes the ink flow better without affecting the curing qualities.
Print at a studio for occasional and small printers.
Do you know that screen printing studios exist in Britain? For £100 you can get 50 hours of access. They have all the stuff you need for a screen printing project. Small independents and online T-shirt retailers use the service extensively. When will we have something like this in some of our bigger centres?
Do you know that while some DTG equipment and ink manufacturers claim that you can print directly onto white without pre-treatment, some printers say that without pre-treatment the colours are no vibrant enough? And on darks, pre-treatment is essential.
How much corporate-wear are you printing?
Do you know that the world corporate-wear market is worth over CAD20 billion at wholesale value, and expected to keep growing. What are you doing about gaining access to some of that in your local market?
Award ceremony
Do you know that experts advocate that if you’re going to reward an employee it should not be done in private. For maximum effect it should be done publicly — at least in front of his or her colleagues.
I’m glad I called you.
Do you know that fibrillation (that pesky condition where small fibres stick up through the print and make it look dusty or furry) need not be a problem? There are various remedies to deal with this. Ask Stanley’s in Cambridge at 1 877 205 9218 or Calgary 1 877 661 1553. .
Do you know that it’s only a couple of months before the kids head back to school? There’s a lot of textile screen printing business associated with the beginning of a new school year. Are you out looking for your share of it?
What’s going on? These colours matched before . . .
Do you know that “metamerism” is the term used to describe colours that match in one light source and not in another? This is why, when colour matching, a light box with different light sources is useful in recognising metameric pairs and in developing a standard method of colour evaluation.
See, feel and discuss the new fabrics.
Do you know that Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada 2018 is going to be at the International Centre, Toronto on August 20th to 22nd? This show exposes you to many local and foreign apparel textile suppliers. See, feel, and discuss the latest fabrics on the market.
Do you know that website homepages usually receive the least attention when sites are updated? But why? It’s after all the face of your business. When last did you update your homepage?
Mixing the exact quantity of ink required for a job.
Do you know that by using the Wilflex™ ink mixing system (IMS) you can make exactly the quantities you need and keep more of your money in the bank and less in your ink inventory?
Do you know that a concept known as the Wilflex™ Colour Kitchen was developed as a comprehensive tool to improve ink management and guarantee a clean, effortless ink room solution? Ask Stanley’s or check out the Wilflex™ website.
Do you know that sending a gift certificate to an employee’s spouse with a think-you note for his or her support during a busy period of overtime, could do wonders for staff morale and your reputation?
Do you know that Geoffrey James (Business Without the Bullsh*t) writes that if you want to be successful, it’s in your best interest to maintain a positive attitude?
I’ve been waiting for this white for years!
Do you know that Wilflex has a non-phthalate white plastisol that’s good for multiple fabrics (polyester to cotton), is low-cure, non-ghosting, soft-hand, fast flashing, and has great stretch? It’s designed to simplify the supply chain and reduce inventory carrying costs (one-white-fits-all). It’s Epic Single LC White and is available from Stanley’s Cambridge branch. Call Craig at 1 877 205 9218.
Business books – a great source of ideas and help.
Do you know that business authors can be your best and least expensive source for great ideas on how to run every aspect of your business better? Visit your local book stores or search an online bookseller like Amazon.
Expose your shop’s products at fashion trade shows.
Do you know that one of the best ways to expose your shop is to go where buyers, brand owners, and trend setters gather? Go to trade shows.
Retail ready means paying attention to small details for that professional look.
Do you know that the term “retail ready” means being properly prepared to approach retailers with your T-shirt line? This means paying attention to details such as hang tags, packaging (poly bags, tubes, boxes etc.), custom shirt tags (printed or transfers), and any other small detail that will convey a professional image. Be retail ready!
Check your business plan once in a while to make sure you’re on track.
Do you know (of course you do!) that your business plan isn’t meant to line your desk’s bottom drawer? Get off the treadmill once in a while and check progress against your plan. It’s a necessary reality check.
Market one great feature; don’t confuse your customers with too much information.
Do you know that your marketing message should focus on just a few features (say, one or two) to avoid confusing customers and make it simple for them to justify using your product. Better still if that feature differentiates you from your competitors.
Ordering online from Stanley’s.
Do you know that Stanley’s will soon be launching a new online service? The launch will be announced here and by email. Coming soon!
All it needs is a matching design on the cap and tee.
Do you know that offering a matching cap and shirt combo might be a profitable idea for your shop or to suggest to your contract customers?
Do you know that local bylaws about chemicals in the sewer system can change in response to pressure prompted by ecological concerns? This means that you should check occasionally to ensure that your shop is compliant.
Do you know that if you’re going to print caps, the most production-friendly way is to use transfers on a special cap heat press? Trying to do it by using a regular heat press is clumsy and time-consuming.
No more peeling nylon prints!
Do you know that most nylon jackets are treated with waterproofing and that plastisol ink will therefore not properly adhere to it? Rub the print area with rubbing alcohol on a clean rag to remove the waterproofing treatment.
Do you know that medium rather than heavy squeegee pressure will give you better prints, particularly on darks? if you want brighter prints on dark, you don’t want to drive the ink deep into the garment.