My printer likes to only use the Tees and products that they offer. There argument is that it is some kind of liability issue using blanks provided by us. My problem is that I would like more choice in the types of t-shirts and other products we offer. Does anyone else run into this proble. Are their printers that will use blanks not provided by them?
Most printers will use blanks not provided by them, with a disclaimer indicating that they are not responsible for print durability on customer-supplied garments. Some printers add a surcharge per-print if they use customer's blanks as well.
You could ask them to test other shirts that you might want to use?
I can understand them being wary about printing on anything that comes through the door, but if you are willing to take liability...
Or get another printer.
There are all kinds of screen printers with all kinds of ways they run their shops. First off is the fact that they can't control the shirt if it is supplied by you. A customer can want to be sure all shirts are really preshrunk and add softeners, brighteners and other stuff that can cause the screen print process to turn out not as good/durable as what they are regularly putting out and don't want that possibility happening to them. Others just want the profit markup and if they are keeping their equipment relatively busy, then you taking money out of their pocket. There are all kinds of reasons. If you want a particular brand shirt for your designs, you should find a screen printer that will work with you to get what you want. There can be a lot of situations in life where you may have to settle for something other than exactly what you want but this is not one of them. Its is your name and reputation thats riding on the fit and quality of this product and if you want a shirt that has certain qualities, you should get it.
Thanks everyone. I really like printing co we use - they do quality work and its a well run business. I will try to see if we can work out an arrangement, if not I think I will look elsewhere. Although they offer huge catalogs of items, there are some items I would like that do not carry.
If your printer is good and doesn't like printing on any bit of cloth that comes through his door, then he may have a point. You will have to talk to him and see what he will use. You can always go elsewhere for a different range, it never hurts to mention that you have two suppliers...
There are a lot of reasons but here is the primary reason printers do this... buying from one supplier they get larger discounts which allows more profit from the job. Most printers still use the method where they sell the shirts for say $4.00 each + printing + screens + films, etc. So if bring your own shirts they are losing about $2.75-3.00 profit per shirt. This is why they are charging you extra if you supply your own shirts, to make up the lost profit. If you want a high quality shirt it messes up their pricing system and makes the printing very expensive. Yes, it is easier dealing with one supplier but as long as the shirts come from a wholesaler the quality control excuse is mostly hot air. Occasionally you'll get cheap customers who bring in a bag full of thrift store/yard sale crap and want it printed which is a big pain in the butt. Some printers also feel that if they mess up one of your shirts they are obligated to replace it or compensate you; I don't do that. If I mess up one of your shirts then you eat the loss. If I mess up all your shirts you eat the loss. If I mess up my shirts then I eat the loss.
The screen printing shop should be able to tell you exactly why they won't except customer supplied garments and if they won't then you should definitely look elsewhere.
We are a contract screen printer and here's how we do it. If you supply the shirts we are not responsible for counting them or size mix. We count the total printed and bill accordingly. If we misprint or burn one its on you. (most don't send any extras) Our prices are for printing, not marking up the shirt. We have better pricing on shirts because of volume and if we supply shirts we pass that along. Get a quote both ways, you might be surprised. I don't know why someone who's in the shirt printing business wouldn't print your shirts no matter what brand. We also have a DTG and a promotional products co. sent us 3 dozen 100% polyester shirts they wanted printed. We told them the wash ability would be zilch, they said they didn't care it was for a photo shoot. We tell the customer ahead of time what to expect, hope this helps. John
Question about my screen printer 
