[johnnyb57]

Well hope everyone takes a minute out of there day, and wishes Cathie all the best... If I'm correct tomorrows her grand opening on goin main street with a brick an mortor business establishment... I know some days will be like running over hot coal barefoot, and others will be like skating over ice (or those rides you never wanted to end)... All the tools are in place, nows the time to make your vision a reality, you got this...

 

[23spiderman]

go get 'em, Cathie! your NeoFamily is behind you with all the support you need!

 

[twistinthewick]

Thank you Johnny and Sean. Nerves have the best of me this morning a million things running through my mind overnight. Didn't sleep too well. But I am ready I still have a few things to finish up at the shop but I am getting ready to go in. The local newspaper is coming at 11:00 to do a story on the car lot next to me and Twistin' The Wick because we are finally bringing life back to a building that has been vacant for a long time.
Have a fantastic day everyone!!!

 

[allamerican-aeoon]

Cathie,
You are the girl.
I have no doubt on your success.
Cheers! Inks are on me always.

 

[twistinthewick]

My sign for the shop.

 

[allamerican-aeoon]

Missed,
Underwear, Bra, Pat wear sample display is the must. Not yours though.
Cheers! We will have Champaign! And it's on me.

 

[treefox2118]

Congrats on the retail storefront! That's always the most exciting day of being in business: when you become "official" enough to move to a B&M. Take some photos of the shop, unless you have trade secrets of course.

How is your sample wall? Have you driven past your shop at all hours and from all directions to see if your open sign and logo sign is visible? Don't forget to have some glossy postcards printed with your information (and maybe a small first purchase coupon) for other customers to grab on their way out!

 

[allamerican-aeoon]

Platens for above will provide by Brian or Jeff soon. That was what they said. I even post how to make them easy and cheap. Anybody who is handy and fast will cashin some. We are talking about big numbers.. Think about how many NeoFamily are on world wide.
Cheers! Your Success is Our Success.

 

[treefox2118]

Off-topic a bit: I am ready to make the platens! We ordered a bunch of acrylic last week. I'd be happy to send a few out free to Neofamily to test out and give feedback on. All I need now is to source some blanks so i know what to design around. I'd be happy to send some first ones to @twistinthewick if she wants to offer some non-shirt items.

Also, one thing you HAVE to try, if you cater to restaurants or bars, is wooden signage with a vintage look. These are GREAT for bars to write their rules on, or seasonal menus, or whatever. Here's a video of someone doing it on a Kornit, but the Neoflex will allow you to do amazing 16" x 40" signage on wood: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0bdGxzw8ik[/media]

Put a sample of that up in your store (hey, put some prices on there!) Use a vintage/antique font, and watch some additional sales show up. Also good for trophies or plaques or commemorations.

 

[johnnyb57]

Peter, what kind of numbers, I've built a 16 3/4"x 20" already, with no hoop. Seems the hoop isn't needed.... I can build more, and lots of "em

 

[johnnyb57]

Had to find the pic of the completed one..

 

[johnnyb57]

Can be revised...

 

[twistinthewick]

Brian,
For the wood printing are they solvent inks? I am up for being a BETA platen tester.

 

[allamerican-aeoon]

Take my advice do hoop. You do need them than none. Way less chance Printhead hit garment. I showed you the picture how to build.
Wood? Ohhhh maybe, because wood is alway alive and it moves by weather and more. Can sell for money unless use yourself.
Number? Lol. Make solid platen first. You cannot put cart front of horse.
Cheers! Beers are on me always.

 

[allamerican-aeoon]

Brian,
For the wood printing are they solvent inks? I am up for being a BETA platen tester.

Cathie~~~~.
Guy who is in Aus print with Kornit. Waterbase ink and un coated wood. You can do better all day long with your NeoFlex. See what Jeff did on his bar.
Cheers! Good luck to your store front.

 

[treefox2118]

Brian,
For the wood printing are they solvent inks? I am up for being a BETA platen tester.

Awesome. Once our Neo is up and running, we'll spend a few weeks with our test platens, then post them here for comments, make adjustments, and aim to ship beta ones out first week of April! Acrylic. With hoops. Nice build.

As for printing on wood, it requires nothing. Load wood. Print. Air cure. Seal with a paint sealer. Easy, easy, easy. I've done coasters. They're gorgeous.

If you only print shirts, you're missing HUGE profits. Who else prints wooden signs? Plaques for awards? Don't make them rainbow colors, make them conservative or classy or vintage. Add a distress to the artwork even. Wood is cheap. Cheaper than cotton.

 

[johnnyb57]

I don't get it ? That's a simple vinyl job, no... As far as doin restaurant old school style, really is not the norm for a mom an pop small town restaurant, it's the franchises that go after that look ? Good luck getting a foot in the door there... The mom an pop work mostly off of cheap style (they simply don't get image is everything)... Sorry just don't see a market in that, buy doin it that way... Stick to garments, phone cases, golf balls, lighters, and whatnot, oh and lets not forget peters input on the under garments...

 

[johnnyb57]

Don't be fooled, wood is not cheaper than cotton...

 

[johnnyb57]

Brian, your tryin to make a printer a signwritter ?

 

[treefox2118]

We pick up reclaimed wood for relatively cheap, sometimes free. Small pieces. People love that kind of stuff. Mancave signs are a great father's day gift. A small piece of wood (flat), with their mancave name on it. Kids pay $20. Costs $2? $3? Unique gift that dads love.

Sure, doing it on vinyl makes sense, but DTG ink brings out the beautiful woodgrain underneath. Finding customers is not for me to guide on -- opening options on what to offer customers is.