This may seem a little off the wall- aren't we talking about a screen print shop here? Well, yes we are. But something you should know about the custom merch game is that many "printers" aren't doing any of the printing themselves, and the same goes with embroidery. Many of the companies you see advertised are simply brokers. What that means is they handle the logistics of getting your merch made, but they aren't actually the ones producing the merch, which means you are essentially paying a "broker fee" to have them make those arrangements for you.
Ask outright if the company you are considering partnering with for your custom embroidery or screen printing is doing the work in-house, or is simply the middleman for your order.
The reason this is so important is that when dealing with the high volume of production, as you are when making custom merchandise, it's important to know who exactly you are dealing with and have a good grasp of their operations in case something doesn't go as planned. This comes into play when we are talking about production, but also fulfillment and shipping times. When you deal directly with a print house, you know who you are dealing with and where the merch is being produced.
We highly recommend partnering with a vertically integrated company. Which is a fancy way of saying that they handle everything in-house. From the concept of the design, printing, packaging, and ultimately fulfilling the orders out the doors to customers.
This allows for the business owner to stay on task with day to day operations of their business without having to take time out to handle broker nightmares or runs to a storage locker to package and ship out orders.
Most reputable printers are going to have an easily accessible portfolio, showcasing their past projects and what the shop has to offer. This is a great way to see the overall quality of the shop, and what kind of printing they are capable of. In addition to the portfolio, getting a feel for the way a company operates is a very important step in the process. What is their response time? Have you gotten a good feel from the customer service team?
For most companies, the way you are treated as a new customer is where the customer focus is, so if you aren't having much success with the first few interactions, it may be a red flag that you aren't going to get much cooperation further down the line.
Customer reviews are a great way to get the nitty gritty on a shop's reputation. Simply looking at the lowest reviews can at least give you a heads-up on a few of the things that the shop might struggle with. Of course, there are always negative reviews out there with no basis, but if thirty out of fifty reviews mention poor customer service, buyer beware!
On the other side of the coin, look at the good reviews to reveal a company's strengths. Past customers are a great source of information about what kind of shop you are working with.
Insider Tip: Keep these in mind to make it easy for your print shop to work with you (it'll keep the experience better all around).Don't bombard your screen-printer with a thousand requests. In the industry it can feel like death by a thousand cuts when changes are made continuously and at the last minute. This is why the design step is so crucial. Work together to create a great design, pick the right blank, and then let the shop you partnered with get to work.If at all possible, be ahead of schedule. By supplying what the shop needs, before they need it, you ensure a smooth production and a much easier process.Understand how the screen printing company works. Most business owners are familiar with building and maintaining standard operating procedures (SOP's). Get to know how the shop you've partnered with operates. Just understanding the general flow of things will help the production process go smoother.Communicate. As in any relationship, communication is the lifeblood of the screen-printing ecosystem. Communicate clearly and directly. By keeping the channel open to ask questions or confirm details, you ensure a more seamless experience.
If sustainable practices are top of mind for you as you shop for a screen-printing partner, then asking about vendors and sourcing is a HUGE priority.
While a shop can be "green", meaning they as a shop have adopted sustainable practices with regards to the actual shop itself, that is only the tip of a much larger iceberg.
The more important question surrounds who they are partnering with for blank garments. By knowing the source of their garments, and having the shop be transparent about their suppliers, you have the opportunity to do your own research. This can validate the claims that the garments are indeed sustainably sourced, and produced with fair labor.
When making merch, we all have a huge responsibility to be a part of the change we want to see in the apparel industry, not add to the problem. By knowing who the shop you are working with partners with to get the t-shirts, hoodies, and other blanks you know that not only are your garments going to be sustainable to make, but also that they will last a long time.
This adds to your brand's reputation as you build your apparel line, and will ultimately be helping the earth. Yep, it's that important.
There is nothing more frustrating than waiting on something that was supposed to arrive weeks ago, only to receive a defective or wrong item. Unfortunately, in the industry, it can be a bit of overpromising, and underdelivering.
Turnaround time- In ideal conditions, a typical turnaround time is about two to three weeks, depending on the shop. If a company offers a one-week turnaround it could be a red flag that the shop is either desperate for work, or is setting itself (and you) up for failure. Often superfast turnaround times result in inefficiencies that affect the end product. There is always the exception, but if they can get it to you lightning quick, it may be a signal to ask a few more questions.
In busy season, the best-organized and most reputable companies might see their usual two-week turnaround stretch to four or five weeks due to high order volumes. This is where planning and preparation come in to ensure a great experience on both sides of production.
Think of it like buying a Maserati. You may be able to get a Honda Civic and drive it off the lot today, but if you want heightened quality, you need to be prepared to wait longer. But of course, when you are driving your Maserati, the wait all seems worth it.
Volume and Deadlines- When planning a screen printing project, understanding the scope and volume of your needs is crucial. It's the perfect time to look for a screen printing company that can comfortably handle the volume you require. Most top-tier printers have minimum order requirements, and these thresholds are often in place to ensure efficiency and quality. High volume capabilities are typically a marker of a high-quality printer, as they indicate the ability to manage large orders effectively. However, it's important to recognize that high volume does not automatically guarantee superior quality.
As you search for the right printer, consider both your volume needs and the quality expectations of the finished products. It’s super important to choose a screen printer that can deliver on both fronts without compromise. When evaluating potential screen printing partners, ask about their equipment and processes. Understand whether they can maintain high-quality outputs even when scaling up to meet large orders. This is especially important if your project involves complex designs or requires a specific type of material or ink.
Furthermore, deadlines play a significant role in your choice. Ensure that the printer you choose not only meets your volume and quality requirements but also aligns with your timeline. A good screen printing partner will be transparent about what is feasible and will work with you to find solutions that do not sacrifice the quality of either the blanks or the printing.
Ultimately, the goal is to find a screen printing company that you can rely on to handle the specifics of your project with precision. This means they should not only meet your volume and quality needs but also respect your deadlines, ensuring that the entire process is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
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