[Rabecca]

I'm an embroiderer who can't say no to a job or a friend. I have a friend who wants shirts for his team, and I quoted $20 per shirt. I have a good Hotronix press and have done transfers using my HP printer and JetPro SoftStretch papers. For some reason this guy feels a transfer isn't good enough and he wants silkscreen or vinyl.

I'm going to use screen printed transfers on the back, where I've got names and numbers (easy stuff.) On the front, they want a 4" logo in 2 colors. To do just 12 of these with Transfer Express would cost me at least $160, which is unreasonable. I'm looking for other ideas. Here's what I have so far:

• Use the inkjet transfers, which IMO would be fine for a season of use (8-10 games) and would look good.
• Go ahead and buy the minimum 20 pcs. at $8 each, hoping that I can sell additional shirts (the wives have expressed interest in coordinating tees.) Lose my shirt, so to speak, but keep the customer happy. Dislike this idea!
• Digitize and embroider the front logo while still printing the back. This takes time but not money, and will enhance perceived shirt value. Cons: one small line of text in logo won't look good. This line is very important to the team.
• Just realized I have an unused Epson printer still in the box. Fire this up, print the transfers, and hope for the best. No experience with Epson but have heard this is the best option with inkjet tranfers.

So after writing all this out, I have a few questions: is it reasonable to expect transfers, applied properly, to last through the next 6 months with appropriate care? Would it be better to use the Epson than the HP? Anyone have long-term feedback on JetPro with Epson ink? What's a reasonable lifespan expectation?

Too many questions, sorry--wisdom and advice much appreciated!

Rabecca Larson
Spot-On Embroidery

 

[Flagrant-T]

I hate to say sub it out...but sub it out. Or at least find someone who will cut the vinyl for you. I don't think ink-jet transfers a suitable for sports shirts. Thats just my opinion, but usually uniforms are the one type of printing where my customers want a nice heavy print, and don't want the soft hand. With the 20 price you quoted, I'd bet you could sub the whole thing out and still make some $$$.

Good luck...Nick

 

[Stitches]

I agree with Flagrant, sub it out. You won't make as much money but you will still make some. The quality will be better and your customer will be happy.

 

[American logoZ]

Since you have the heat press I would either have the logo printed onto vinyl or cut from vinyl (depends on the design) - then you press it.

Ace Transfer has several options, too. Kay is very helpful if you give her a call. Custom Screen Printed Transfers, Digital Transfers, Heat Machines, Banners, Signs, and more! | Ace Transfer Company (I don't work for Ace - just suggesting a vendor I have found to be easy to work with.)

 

[Rabecca]

Another possibility I hadn't thought of. I'd rather do it that way and spend my time on embroidering their hats. Because I know what I'm doing when it comes to embroidery!

Anyone in the Seattle Eastside area who wants to help me out, feel free to send me an e-mail! Thanks!

Rabecca Larson
Spot-On Embroidery

 

[femma]

Sub it out, and use this as a valuable lesson; never quote a job before you have all the specs in place. I would never quote someone on a job if i didn't know all of the details; what if i quoted him $5.00 a shirt, and it turns out he only wanted one and its a simulated process job? When anyone, especially friends, as me to do a job, i ask them to email me all the details before i quote them. And if any are missing i ask them to fill in the holes. The worst thing in the world is having to tell a customer (especially a friend) that you can't do something, or have to charge them more for it, which can come off as unprofessional. Its a really important step, and as proven above, can help you avoid any losses, monetarily or friendship wise.

 

[Flagrant-T]

Another bonus with subbing it out...find a local screen printer that doesn't do embroidery. Explain the situation. If you establish a good relationship, you might be able to add screen printing to your offerings without having to add any equipment or time! Also, I bet you get some new embroidery business.

 

[Rabecca]

Oh--I had all the info, I just took a wild guess on the price! The information I thought I had turned out not to work for this job. I had initially quoted him a little more ($22) but I caved instantly when he said he had another guy offering him a price of $20. Normally I don't respond to this type of pressure at all. Honestly don't know what came over me! Yes, I'm kicking myself right now!

Sub it out, and use this as a valuable lesson; never quote a job before you have all the specs in place. I would never quote someone on a job if i didn't know all of the details; what if i quoted him $5.00 a shirt, and it turns out he only wanted one and its a simulated process job? When anyone, especially friends, as me to do a job, i ask them to email me all the details before i quote them. And if any are missing i ask them to fill in the holes. The worst thing in the world is having to tell a customer (especially a friend) that you can't do something, or have to charge them more for it, which can come off as unprofessional. Its a really important step, and as proven above, can help you avoid any losses, monetarily or friendship wise.

 

[tfalk]

Another possibility - have the design sublimated onto a piece of polyester fabric, then sew it on the front like a patch? Haven't tried this yet myself, I got a sample of the material from Johnson Plastics a couple of weeks ago but haven't had time to try it.

 

[Rabecca]

Thanks so much for this referral. I called and they immediately put me at ease. Problem solved. And I can still make money.

As a bonus, I talked to some of the players' wives, and they want to order shirts of their own. I'll be able to use the extras from my minimum order and make some money from those as well. Hooray!

Custom Screen Printed Transfers, Digital Transfers, Heat Machines, Banners, Signs, and more! | Ace Transfer Company[/URL] (I don't work for Ace - just suggesting a vendor I have found to be easy to work with.)

 

[Rabecca]

Another possibility - have the design sublimated onto a piece of polyester fabric, then sew it on the front like a patch? Haven't tried this yet myself, I got a sample of the material from Johnson Plastics a couple of weeks ago but haven't had time to try it.

I'll keep this idea in mind for future projects. Report back to us how it works for you! Thanks!