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Just wondering what you guys do if a customer wants, lets say, reflective vinyl on a few shirts...Basically, if you can't get the material by the yard and a minimum roll is expensive...Do you just bite the bullet and keep the rest in inventory or do you charge them for a roll or is there a standard addition mark up you put on the price?
We try and see how much of the minimum roll will actually be used in the customers order.. and kind of judge from there. Also if its a material that maybe we haven't used we sometimes will get it just to experiment. Also reflectives make good eye catching examples... The plunge is sometimes worth it.. What kind of vinyl you plan on using?+
I got a sample pack from IW...I had some ideas for the flock but the color reflective really caught my eye, I think the reflectives can be pitched to some of my existing customers...I just don't want to bite off more than I can chew.
We use IW vinyls also. Have you looked into the foils? they are pretty catchy as well. Also we use alot of the megatallics... The reflective is definately a leap pricewise but as you said.. eye catcher.
I've seen the foils, just not in person...I am just starting pressing b/c of the million "can you print me a shirt that says..." requests I get from people who know I screen print but don't grasp the concept.
So I am about to put together some sample presses. But am afraid of getting small orders with specialty materials...
Ya personally I havent used the reflective... mainly because of the price. And also the worry of it sitting on the rack.. Maybe its something to look into further down the road for a large order? I try and go with the glitters and the foil if the customer is looking for flashy or showy. Ya the "i only need one shirt..." i bet you get that alot.. Pressing is definately a nice alternative haha
What I do when a customer wants something special is I let them know up front that I do not stock this special material. So if they want it, they have to order a larger amount or if they just want a small amount it is going to be much more expensive. Just depends on your customer. Just make it so you can still make money and if they are serious they will do it or give them another alternative
I stock many colors and styles but if a customer wants something off the wall, they have to pay, and not just a little. Reflective is nice though, it can be sold to lots of different customers.
We have done aprons and T's with the reflective for outside eateries.
If you deal with one company and build a relationship, you can get samples for free.
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APRONOUTFITTERS.COM - Aprons. American made aprons. Apron blanks. 40,000+ Aprons in stock. 18 colors-11 styles. Custom made aprons with low minimums.
I pretty much only stock vinyls that I use. I try not to get a 1 yard piece for samples if I don't intend to keep it on hand. I'll order the smaller pieces to try something out, and if I like it, I try to order in at least 5 yards of it with my next stock order.
I don't want to find myself in a situation where I have to buy a whole roll of something just for a few pieces. It doesn't pay for itself.
I stock multiple colors, and have reflective on hand, as well as a few glitters, etc. I normally charge ~15 for a single tshirt with a vinyl saying on it. Add ~4dollars for a 2nd color or placement. This is all dependent on quantity, location, sizes, and customer. If it is something glitter, etc I charge an extra 5$. This more than covers the cost of the vinyl 6x6" piece I used.
Specialty vinyl (not stocked)? 
