Discuss the process of getting your t-shirt line into brick and mortar stores and selling offline. Topics include industry tradeshows, events, line sheets, sales reps and other retailing tips and advice.
If so, what's the best day to go? I'm doing the Exhibits only at this time.
I was approved off work for two days to attend The Printwear Show in Charlotte, NC in June of this year. The days I have off are Thursday and Friday, and the show is Thurs, Friday and Saturday. I am planning to go one of the three days only.
Which should it be? The first, second or third day?
I'm thinking the first day, but if the experts here say otherwise, please share why since this conference is new to me.
I went last year to the one in Long Beach (it was my first time attending an industry tradeshow).
I only went one day (Saturday I think) and it seemed to be fine. Lots of information to be had. The show I went to was Fri-Sun, so Saturday was the middle day. I think that might be one of the best days unless you want lighter traffic, then the first day might be better.
I attend every trade show I can. If I walk away with just one bit of new information, it was worth it. There's a lot of vendors at the Printwear show that are worth meeting with. It's better to go on the first or second day rather than the last. Many times they have free samples to give away and by the last day they're gone. Also, you'll find that the exhibitors are tired from the previous days and want to tear down their sites as soon as possible.
Thanks guys for your input on this. The first day it is then!
I was thinking the same about the last day SC with vendors packing up, not having many samples available.
I used to attend Networld + Interop seminars in Atlanta (for the IT industry) and it was best on the first two days as well. Came home with heavy bags of goods.
this will be the first year we wont be going....but how we do it. Arrive, and scope out everything Thursday before they close. Then arrive early friday with my questions, hit those booths you want answers from first. Then browse from there. Always works great for us.
Yes, there will be some screen printing equipment set up. The trick is some inks are specifically designed for certain types of fabrics. So, if the ink the exhibitor is using is not designed for your fabric, than it will not work. Also, remember some ink is cured at different temperatures and asking them to change their existing settings might be too much.
I would strongly recommend visiting the website of the show (NBM Shows: Where People and Business Connect!) and contacting the exhibiting companies that sell printing equipment in advance. Talk to a rep and tell him / her what fabric you are working with and what you are trying to print. Depending on the application, some people even bring their own graphic to be printed so they can compare it to the current items being produced.
I will caution you. Some exhibitors have a policy not to change graphics or settings. Don't be offended by this. They spent a lot of money for a short period of time to speak with companies like yourself. Depending on what setup / artwork changes need to be made, it could consume valuable time that they could be talking to other companies. Ask them if they will print your fabric / graphic after the show is over when they have more time. Most of them will do this.
If you make it to the show, stop by The Paper Ranch's booth and say hi. I will be helping my friends out at this show. Always good to meet people in person. Best wishes.
Just to add on to what Mark said, I think those shows and the vendors of screen printing equipment are gearing their presentation to the actual screen printers who will buy the equipment, but not as much to the end customer of the printer who will be getting shirts printed.
That's not to say they won't help you, just trying to put it in perspective
You may be able to find the right machine that's needed to get your shirts done and the equipment supplier could give you a lead on one of their customers with that equipment.
Just to add on to what Mark said, I think those shows and the vendors of screen printing equipment are gearing their presentation to the actual screen printers who will buy the equipment, but not as much to the end customer of the printer who will be getting shirts printed.
That's not to say they won't help you, just trying to put it in perspective
You may be able to find the right machine that's needed to get your shirts done and the equipment supplier could give you a lead on one of their customers with that equipment.
Valid points you have too, thanks! I could definitely make use of that info as well on who's using the equipment to get my forthcoming jobs done.
Free Pass - Re: Have You Attended The Printwear Show?
Just want to briefly mention, if anyone wants to attend the Charlotte NC Printwear Show next week, I've attached a free Exhibitor's pass for you to print and use.
This also grants access to the Awards and Custom Gifts Show, as well as the Sign Business and Digital Graphics Show.
Location:
Charlotte Convention Center - Hall A
501 South College Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 339-6000
Exhibit Hours:
Thu, June 7, 10am to 5pm
Fri, June 8, 10am to 5pm
Sat, June 9, 10am to 4pm
Education Hours:
Wed, June 6, 11am to 6:30pm
Thu, June 7, 9am to 6:30pm
Fri, June 8, 9am to 6:30pm
Sat, June 9, 9am to 3pm
Registration Hours:
Wed, June 6, 8am to 5pm
Thu, June 7, 8am to 5pm
Fri, June 8, 8:30am to 5pm
Sat, June 9, 8:30am to 4pm
Is there a lot of sample shirts on display at the Printwear Shows?
I'm thinking about going to the Long Beach Show in August.
I'm a designer still trying to figure out how and if I should print my own shirts or have a printer do it for me. I basically want to see and feel shirts before I decide.
What type of application are you considering using for printing your designs? There are usually a couple of screen printers printing shirts, but they are not printing non-stop. So samples may be limited on the screen printing side and they will not be your designs. As for any type of digital transfers, you have a better chance of getting your own designs printed - which is the best case scenario. However, you should contact the different companies that sell that equipment in advanced and try to start a relationship with them. Most of the time, the will not stop what they are doing to print your designs. Remember, the Exhibitors pay a lot of money to get on to the show floor and want to touch as many people as possible. If you talk to them in advance, you can either get your sample sent out to you in advance to do some wash tests before seeing the equipment or you can schedule an appointment to watch them print / cure your design right in front of you. In rare cases, an Exhibitor might even get you on to the show floor before it opens to other buyers. But, don't expect them to do this.
So, my recommendation is that you do a little research in advance and upfront work and you will find you will get more out of a trade show. Hope this helps.
Hi Mark,
It doesn't have to be my designs, I just want to see and especially feel the different combinations. I am sure I have to go to the Print Show, I can only learn something.
I have thought about how to go about it for awhile, but I sometimes feel like the more I learn, the more questions I have.
On that note, I want to thank everybody in this forum. So much knowledge here.
Have You Attended The Printwear Show? 
