Just kinda have a general off the wall question for all of you.
How do you store and file your customers film and info, after you are done with the job?
How long do you keep their images on file? (I know that you can keep them stored on the computer, but what about the film you used for burning the screen?
Thanks - Krista
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Krista - Unique Ink Screenprinting
We use over sized clasp envelopes from Staples. We keep them on file until we are 100% sure the customer won't be back - like if they go out of business. Otherwise, the day you throw the file out after not hearing from the client in 3 years, they will call you that following morning.
Same thing here...we store the films, sample prints, info sheet w/ ink colors, invoice, etc. in an oversize envelope for each customer. We fold & secure the flap over a regular wire clothes hanger, and hang the envelopes on a clothing rack(s) in our art "closet". Each envelope is assigned a job number, which corresponds to a file in our computer system. So when Joe's Bar & Grill calls & wants more shirts, we look up his name in the computer, get the job #, and go to the rack.
Also we write on the envelope (with films & other stuff removed) the job # in big numbers, date(s) of production, & customer name, address & phone number, contact info and other info needed to let the next person coming along know anything uunusual about this particular job.
Generally, depending on how much space you have, if you have not printed a job for 3 years or more, then good chance it's "dead", and the envelope file can be removed & eithier discarded, or moved to a storage area. That way, at least you hanging files are 3 years or less old.
We also store films in an oversized envelope. We write all the job info (placement, ink colors, printed pellons of the job, etc) on the envelope and store in boxes upstairs. We keep the digital files on our computers or back up to disk. We keep films and files for ever. I have films from 20+ years ago.
I was placing them in hanging file folders and storing them in a file cabinet...but some of the film did get folded over and will have to be replaced if the customer orders again.
Thanks for your input...seems you are all on the same page!
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Krista - Unique Ink Screenprinting
All my films and a photograph of the finished shirt go into an oversized envelope also. As for how long to store them, I will keep all for the rest of my production life. Some times you never know when you can pull out a defunct design and use it for personal gain fashion wise.
Storing past jobs? 
