[100percentcotton]

Does anybody have any advice as to what to say to a customer when they request a sample shirt? I have recently been plagued with this question a lot more lately. We usually do samples when there is an significant amount of shirts being bought. However as you all know, there is set-up for the sceeen press. So if a customer wants to see their logo which could be like a 5 color front with a four color back and only wants 100 shirts. What are you susposed to say to something like that?? I mean, I understand where they are coming from in wanting to see a finished product and all but that is just so much work to be done for just one shirt........


Please Help!! AHHHHH!!!!

 

[Rodney]

Hi Rick, while you're waiting for more answers in your thread here, you might want to check out this past thread on the topic of samples that might give you some suggestions: http://www.t-shirtforums.com/screen-printing-pricing/t122417.html

 

[awksc]

You can go two routes. 1. When they place the order, you can give them a pre-production sample. 2. Sell them a sample for $50 or whatever you deem fair, if they place the order within a reasonable time frame apply it to the cost of the full order. If they don't like the options, offer them a digital sample.

 

[TshirtGuru]

I tell them I'm too busy, go away. Then they usually come back begging me to print their stuff.

But one thing to consider is, if they are local and you have enough time allow them to come by the shop 20 minutes before running the entire order, a press proof works. But I've run into problems where they either show up late, or they are out of state customers (where it doesn't make sense to set up the press, print one shirt and ship it out for approval, then reset everything up.) I am ashamed to say I've done this before when I first started business because I didn't know any better.

Now I say no to samples and makes my life tons easier.

 

[binki]

$100 per color per location for a sample shirt. Apply it to the order if they make one.

 

[splathead]

Send them here: ShirtMockup.com - Upload your art. Mock it up. Download your image for FREE!.

Otherwise, give them your quote, take half down, non refundable, and give them a sample.

No one else is stupid enough to do it without money up front, neither should you.

 

[robtex]

try charging them 15-20$ per screen.that should cover your time and cost.they will either go away or pay it.if they pay it you will end up printing the job,if they dont then you have saved yourself a headache.this is a way to seperate the serious customers from the pretenders.

 

[CNClark]

I charge $25 per color for preprod strike-offs. If one is needed we will print it last during the day and leave it setup. Garment is sent via UPS overnight early AM. Customer must approve by 10:00 AM...If it is not approved by 10:00AM we charge $25 per 15 minutes until it is approved. If no changes are made, the price if the preprod proof is credited toward the bill, but idle shop rates are non refundable.

 

[Spot_Worker]

Thats a hard one.Times are hard and money is tight for everybody. 50% of the people who come in an ask for prices and the minimum tell me they only want one or two. They say to get the other people's approval. We have a minimum.....but ........but..... Sorry we have minimum. Other times I get the person at proofing want one or the exact number of people who work at the place. for those I say 2 shirts or the minimum its going to cost the same. So, go ahead any order the others. I then give them the print out of their work to show the boss. Most of the time they come back to do the job. Yes its harsh but you are there to make money not friends. They think you are hurting so you will do anything to get the job. The numbers are low thank goodness. In all just be nice, try to help your customers best way you can, stick to your guns. Most of the bad, even if you did every thing they want, will not come to you later anyway.

 

[PrintsCharming]

I have a minimum of 12 shirts. If they want a sample, they must buy 12. Otherwise my sample is digital. If they don't like my offer I am happy to direct them to another local printer in the area that may be able to assist them better.

 

[sgsellsit]

I have been in the game 30 years. I have had more than my fair share of "I will be ordering 100's or 1000's of shirts". I was new and young and stupid once and it only took one "SAMPLE" that didn't produce an order for me to change my policy. I charge a flat fee of $100 for one plastisol printed sample up to 3 colors and 2 locations. I charge $200 for one plastisol printed sample for 4 colors and up. If there are oversized prints, specialty inks, more than 2 locations etc., I charge more. I charge this with the understanding that this cost will be deducted from the total "WHEN" they place their order. I also only make changes to digital art proofs and "WILL NOT" print an inked sample until the customer approves the final art. Unless I have an order in hand I even charge an art deposit with limited changes and I do not send native files or high quality or images that aren't watermarked. I had more than a couple of instances where we did art and sent proofs only to see the shirts around town. If they want changes after the sample is printed, it starts all over. These policies eliminate tire kickers, scammers, people who want a custom one off and customers who intend on only ordering a few shirts. This sounds terrible but in my years in business I found out real quick that the general public will try to take you every way they can and the all have a one sided view. I have had some tell me my price and policy was ridiculous. My reply has always been (Not that I even owe an explanation) this is my job and my livelihood. I expect to be paid for the hours I put in. If you expect me to do my work for free it is the same as if you went too your job and the boss told you that you would not get paid for that job. Simply, you would quit. You are also telling me that my time is not worth anything. Nine times out of ten when you put it in that perspective, that is when they understand.