I picked up the hat platen from Fernando at Stitch City, several months ago. I never actually used it, because I lacked the proper cap press to cure them. Well, that, and I was a little intimidated by all the little tabs, pinchers and clips on this little metal contraption!!! I remember, quite some time ago, hearing Fernando tell someone that they would literally be an expert at loading caps, after they print ten or so, on their own. Well, after securing a cap press from Fernando a few days ago, I printed my first run of a dozen caps for a local event. I started out a bit rocky, but by the end of the order, I was having a blast!
Cap printing is a simple add-on product that many of my existing customers are interested in (having seen the samples around the shop for the past several months). I walk by the cap accessory every day, and I can't help myself when I walk by; I always load up a cap real quick, just for fun. haha. It is so nice to be excited about printing, again, and to be confident that I will be able to produce top quality product, literally EVERY time I step into my shop!
If you are looking for a great product to supplement your existing offerings, consider caps. I didn't really push the envelope with this order, but not every client is looking for groundbreaking new style; some people like the basic look of a full color design, printed on the front of the cap. However, for those who are into the more edgy designs, I will be playing around a lot more with all the new sample caps I bought, last week. When I get a chance, I will post some pictures of how we use the platen, and some of the more interesting products that we are making.
Re: As it turns out, hats are a lot of fun to print!
Those came out really nice Justin Do you think this platen would be able to be used with the HM1? Do you see a good way to be able to use on the regular print-bed? I am sure with a little innovation it could be done Can't wait to see your experiments.
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Re: As it turns out, hats are a lot of fun to print!
Thanks for the comments, guys! I have seen Fernando (from Stitch City) demonstrate the Jumbo platen, and I was impressed. The design, and indeed the concept itself, is ingenious! Being able to offer premium, short run products such as that (and caps!) are exactly the kind of thing that I want to build my business around.
Hmmm... Converting the cap platen for use on the HM1.... Interesting idea! And you know me; always down to try new things! Here is a video I made, today, of the cap platen being loaded. I wanted to demonstrate just how easy it really is, since it is tough to describe in words. Personally, although I have always been interested in printing on caps, I have always been slightly intimidated by all the little snaps and clips on the highly specialized platens. However, once I dove in, I realised that it really wasn't that big of a deal. If you are looking for new products to add to your current offerings, or if you have been on the fence about whether or not cap printing is for you, I hope this short video will help answer some questions you might have!
Re: As it turns out, hats are a lot of fun to print!
Very kool i remember seeing a video they made as well but yours look easier ha
I notice they advertise printing on shoes or something? I see it possible on canvas shoes, you have any insight on this?
Now that is a great maket to get into, custom shoes.. big profit margin I bet
Re: As it turns out, hats are a lot of fun to print!
Personally, I have not done any visor printing, yet, but I have seen several samples that Fernando has done.
As for the Converse; I have not seen the platen in person, but I have seen countless shoes that have been printed on it. I believe that will be my next purchase; many of my clients would flip out over the idea of custom printed Converse!
When I do get that platen, I will post pics and video.
Re: As it turns out, hats are a lot of fun to print!
Before now, I have never really pushed caps, at all. I did an order a couple years for a guy, but I had to outsource it, because we don't do embroidery. It was a nightmare trying to find a reliable contract embroiderer, so I never pursued it. Now that I have been printing with the Brother for awhile, I have been looking for new ways for my clients to express their creativity. When I saw the digitally printed samples, I decided to give it a try.
I just recently started printing samples for my clients when they order a run of digitally printed shirts, and putting a single hat in each order that goes out. Usually, I just shrink their artwork and slap it on there. I include a price list, and away we go. My customers are treated to a surprise when they open their boxes, and I have been getting calls or e-mails, shortly after. So far, so good, from my limited experience!
I am still going to find a place for embroidered caps, now that I am getting into this (I know there will be some customers who want a dark cap, regardless of the decoration method), but I need to figure out a way for it to be reliable AND profitable for me, since I have no intention of getting into embroidery in the future. Once I accomplish this, I am sure I will be able to foster both decoration methods into very profitable ventures. So far, every cap order I have received since I started doing this, has been for the digitally printed caps.
Re: As it turns out, hats are a lot of fun to print!
Quote:
Originally Posted by martinwoods
Hey Justin
Is there a certain brand cap that works best with the platen and the brother, how do you price the caps?
Thanks and glad to see you are doing well with it
While I'm not Justin, I've done pretty well with cheapo Port & Co from Sanmar. A few customers prefer the Flexfit caps from Port Authority (also purchasable from Sanmar). A few shows ago we were told by Stitch City that Otto was developing a special cap just for DTG. They gave us a brochure or something for it as well that listed the cap's model, but forget what we did with it. When I stopped by Otto's booth at ISS this year they didn't really point me to a particular model though, they just showed us the different caps that were DTG'ed.
The main problem I've had with caps is remembering to set unidirectional mode and getting the sizing just right so that all the ink ends up on the front of the cap and not in the recess that's created. Pricing wise, we have quite a markup on the caps, as you usually don't use a whole lot of ink, however there is more chance of a misprint than with a shirt if it's a new design in my opinion.
Re: As it turns out, hats are a lot of fun to print!
Thanks Joe
That is what Fernando had told me sa well that is why I was curious as to what Justin was using, I didn't realize you had the cap platen also
As it turns out, hats are a lot of fun to print! 
However, for those who are into the more edgy designs, I will be playing around a lot more with all the new sample caps I bought, last week. When I get a chance, I will post some pictures of how we use the platen, and some of the more interesting products that we are making.
