This year 2 lucky printers will win a complete dip tank start up package during The Easiway March Dip Tank Package sweepstakes (running March 1-31)! Simply visit www.easiway.com and fill out your survey to enter.

In addition, keep an eye out for specials and promotions on dip tanks and packages offered by Easiway Systems and your nearest Easiway distributor. To find your nearest distributor visit www.easiway.com.

The Easiway Dip Tank System is designed to save you time and money without the mess of traditional reclaiming methods, without hazards and without toxicity. This system will make your screen fabric look like new for only pennies per screen. Easiway’s Dip Tank solutions are drain safe and can be used to clean hundreds of screens without being replenished. Unlike other dip tank systems; this system suspends and traps solids. You will not generate sludge in the tank if used properly.

This year the Expo will be in Atlanta, GA November 4-6. I look forward to this show every fall. Some years I am lucky enough to attend, others I sit back in Minneapolis and live vicariously through the photos and videos sent my way. I get to pretend I’m there and post as if I were. This year is one of the years that I’m staying back. However, when the show is over and the crate returns I get to pour over lead slips and read about all the existing customers that stopped by our booth, and all the new, cool, potential Easiway users that we met.

This year we will be exhibiting in our new (well it was new last year so it still feels new) 20X20 display. We have some awesome new equipment that we want you to see along with our core lineup of performance products. The guys would love to see you again, or meet you if we have not had the chance to meet face to face before. Stop by our booth to see live demos of our products and equipment and if you are lucky-get to shake hands with Eldorado Leon himself.

Maybe I’ll even see you live on Periscope, if we can get John up and running??

Booth #3663 Register today.

Sara Broghamer

Are you on a sustainability journey? Do you know what sustainability means? Will you be at SGIA this November in Atlanta?

Sustainability is one of those terms that is being thrown around town, sometimes accurately, sometimes recklessly. What does it really mean and how can you be more sustainable?

These are great questions and I know where you can find out these answers. I just heard from the people over at SGIA (hopefully you did too). They will be offering inspiration and tools at their Sustainability Zone in booth 4471 at the SGIA Expo in Atlanta, GA November 4-6, 2015.

Check it out https://www.sgia.org/expo/2015/zones/sustainability-zone

This year 1 lucky printer will win a complete dip tank start up package during The Easiway March Dip Tank Package sweepstakes (running March 1-31)! Simply visit www.easiway.com during the month of March and fill out your survey to enter.

In addition, keep an eye out for specials and promotions on dip tanks and packages offered by Easiway Systems and your nearest Easiway distributor. To find your nearest distributor visit www.easiway.com.

The Easiway Dip Tank System is designed to save you time and money without the mess of traditional reclaiming methods, without hazards and without toxicity. This system will make your screen fabric look like new for only pennies per screen. Easiway’s Dip Tank solutions are drain safe and can be used to clean hundreds of screens without being replenished. Unlike other dip tank systems; this system suspends and traps solids. You will not generate sludge in the tank if used properly.

Contact:

Sara Broghamer

Sales & Marketing

Easiway Systems, Inc.

1-800-950-3279

sara@easiway.com

www.easiway.com

@easiwaysystems on Twitter

@easiway on Instagram

www.facebook.com/easiwaysystems

www.youtube.com/easiwaysystems

DAX Show, Chicago, IL – April 22-23, 2016

ISS Nashville, TN – May 19-21, 2016

Printwear Indianapolis, IN – June 2-4, 2016

Printwear Long Beach, CA – July 14-16, 2016

Printwear Baltimore, MD – August 18-20, 2016

ISS Orlando, FL – September 8-10, 2016

SGIA Las Vegas, NV – September 13-16, 2016

ISS Ft. Worth, TX – October 6-8, 2016

Printwear Portland, OR – October 14-15, 2016

Printwear Charlotte, NC – October 27-29, 2016

Printwear Denver, CO – November 11-12, 2016

SGIA New Orleans, LA – October 10-12, 2017

The NBM Show Event Pass!

Your event pass is your ticket to everything happening in the exhibit hall, Training by Exhibitors, and all networking events. The Event Pass includes entrance to the exhibit hall and all Training by Exhibitors (in the classroom and in the hall) for The NBM Show.

Register to Attend

Delano, February 11, 2014 — Easiway will be promoting the 2nd annual Dip Tank Month during March 2014. Start saving money on chemicals and labor in March and join the thousands of existing users!

This year 2 lucky printers will win a complete dip tank start up package during The Easiway March Dip Tank Package sweepstakes (running March 1-31)! Simply visit www.easiway.com and fill out your survey to enter.

In addition, keep an eye out for specials and promotions on dip tanks and packages offered by Easiway Systems and your nearest Easiway distributor. To find your nearest distributor visit www.easiway.com.

The Easiway Dip Tank System is designed to save you time and money without the mess of traditional reclaiming methods, without hazards and without toxicity. This system will make your screen fabric look like new for only pennies per screen. Easiway’s Dip Tank solutions are drain safe and can be used to clean hundreds of screens without being replenished. Unlike other dip tank systems; this system suspends and traps solids. You will not generate sludge in the tank if used properly.

Contact:

Sara Broghamer

Easiway Systems, Inc.

1-800-950-3279

sara@easiway.com

www.easiway.com

@easiwaysystems on Twitter

@easiway on Instagram

www.facebook.com/easiwaysystems

www.youtube.com/easiwaysystems

visit Easiway Systems at the Imprinted Sportswear Show in Atlantic City. Easiway will be exhibiting in booth #510 Friday, March 14-Sunday, March 16th. The show floor opens each day at 10:00 am.

The ISS Atlantic City show features an expo show floor with over 200 exhibitors in the decorated apparel industry. This is the biggest show dedicated to the decorated apparel industry on the east coast for screen printing.

This year Easiway will be featuring live demonstrations of the ‘Original’ dip tank method of screen reclaiming. This unique, ready to use product dissolves ink, emulsion and block out in one easy step. Let us show you how to streamline your screen reclaiming with the safest and most economical products in the marketplace. Don’t forget March is National Dip Tank Month.

Here are a few of the reasons why you should attend:

See live demos in Easiway’s booth #510

Timely and relevant topics

Proven business strategies

Cutting-edge techniques

Expert instruction

Do business and have fun

Mark your calendars and register here today!

When in Atlantic City we recommend the world famous White House Sub Shop located at the corners of Arctic Avenue & Mississippi  for a sub you will never forget.  If you are feeding a group we always like Carmine’s located in the The Quarter at the Tropicana Hotel.  The classic southern Italian dishes are huge and is plenty for 2-3 people per dish.

Stop by and see us in booth #510!

Location:      T & J Printing Supply, Inc.
11461 Allison Court, Unit #7
Huntley, IL 60142

Time:            9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Open House Schedule

• 9:00 AM Registration
  Continental breakfast will be served
• 10:00 AM Simulated Process Seminar
• 11:45 AM Lunch
• 1:00 PM Four Color Process Seminar

Guest Speaker Charlie Taublieb

There will be door prizes!! Enter our door prize drawing for a chance to WIN many amazing door prizes including an M&R Kruzer Manual Press!!!

Make sure you mark your calendars for Saturday March 22! Come see our new facility next door to where we were before!

All Day demonstrations of the M&R I-Image STE, Specialty Materials Heat Applied Films, FDC Graphic Films, Mimaki Printer/ Cutters and don’t miss this years seminar with guest speaker Charlie Taublieb.

Enter for a Chance to Win Many Exciting Door Prizes!

One Grand Prize Drawing

NEW M&R Kruzer Manual Screen Printing Press! A $3,160.00 Value!

All attendees will be given a ticket which will automatically enroll them into the drawing being held at T&J the day of the open house. Must Be Present To Win!!

Please register here.

Graphic Solutions Group
1293 North Post Oak Rd. #190
Houston, TX, 77055
United States

A vendor showcase, equipment demos and giveaways are planned for the Graphic Solutions Group (GSG) Open House scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 13 at the company’s Houston location. Stop by between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and enjoy authentic Texas barbeque and see newest technology and products available to ensure your shop is the most efficient, productive, and profitable it can be. The Houston facility is located at 1293 North Post Oak Road, #190, Houston, Texas 77055. The phone number is (713) 957-0850. RSVP by sending an email to marketing@gogsg.com so GSG can ensure they have plenty of food for all who are coming.

Successful manufacturing companies all have an in depth understanding of their costs. This understanding is one of the primary constituents of their success. Medical device manufacturers, automotive manufacturers, electronic device manufacturers and all others need a precise understanding and control mechanism in place on manufacturing costs. Without this understanding and control, chaos will undermine efficient production and ultimately, the product concept and manufacturing will fail. Screen printing companies are manufacturing companies and are governed by the same rules.

Successful screen printing operations do have a good understanding of the costs involved in printing. Printing equipment, artwork generation, ink , emulsion, screens and labor are generally well accounted for in good screen operations. Good managers know what it costs to generate film (or cts), what printing machine operation costs and capacities are (prints per hour, cost of maintenance), what dryer operational costs are (gas or electric), what emulsion or film costs in screen making are, and the time and cost to set up and print a job. Screen cleaning and reclaiming costs appear to be treated differently and yet, surprisingly, contribute a significant cost to most screen printing operations.

Small Screen Printing Shops

Mark your calendars, if you haven’t already October 23 thru 25 at the Orange County Convention Center-South Building.

This year Easiway will be exhibiting in a 20×20 island booth, #1255! We will be one of over 500 exhibitors in the largest screen printing & digital show in North America.

• Please stop by and say ‘hi’.  It is always nice to put a face with name and we can assist you with any question or suggestion you may have for us.
• See the vast options of on-press cleaners, screen washes, emulsion removers, stain removers, combination ink and emulsion removers.
• Watch live screen cleaning demonstrations.

If your company has any questions regarding environmental rules and requirements for screen chemicals please stop by our booth #1255.

Easiway continues to be leaders in developing better chemistry for faster, safer and more economical dip tank chemicals.

The SGIA hosts the Golden Image Awards.  Browse and view the best work of your peers.  Also the SGIA Expo will have dozens of seminars led by industry veterans & experts.  These are very informative and can be used for personnel training.  At six locations around the exhibition floor are the areas known as Zones that will have continuous demonstrations of the latest technologies, products and techniques.

The SGIA has special room offers on their site.  To plan your nightlife and food adventures try Zagat Guide.

Easiway Systems, Inc., MN, USA, manufacturer of the EasiSolv, elite line of screen cleaning chemicals has expanded globally.  Easiway has partnered with distributors world-wide to expand the availability of their products, allowing printers all over the world access to their premier line of environmentally conscious cleaning solutions.

Over the past 30 years, Easiway Systems continues to evolve, supplying distributors and printers with superior, cost efficient cleaning products and systems for the screen printing and graphic arts industry. The dedication to understanding the needs of a distributor along with the end user’s needs is unparalleled.

Easiway’s reputation is to bring competitively priced, high quality products that work, while making sure these products are safe for the workplace and the environment. These focuses, combined with the industry’s most qualified people have positioned Easiway as the highest recognized provider of cleaning products to the screen printing and graphic arts industry.

Easiway Systems’ Marketing Coordinator, Sara Broghamer says, “The global expansion of our company is truly an exciting move for the screen printing and graphic arts industry. Easiway makes the most premier chemicals in North America and it is a great opportunity to be able to offer these same safe, conscious products to other markets. Now printers all over the world can reap the same benefits as our printers in the United States get to.”

The Easiway Dip Tank System is designed to save you time and money without the mess of traditional reclaiming methods, without hazards and without toxicity. This system will make your screen fabric look like new for only pennies per screen. Easiway’s Dip Tank solutions are drain safe and can be used to clean hundreds of screens without being replenished. Unlike other dip tank systems; this system suspends and traps solids. You will not generate sludge in the tank if used properly.

Also, keep your eyes open for other fun Dip Tank events during National Dip Tank Month.

This complete startup package includes an Easiway Dip Tank, enough EasiStrip SUPRA Ink & Emulsion Remover to fill the dip tank, a gallon of EasiSolv 701 Screen Wash/Stain Remover, a gallon of PlastiSolv 842 Screen & Press Wash and a scrub pad with handle. *This package can accommodate screens sizes up to 30”X36”.

Easiway will be exhibiting in Booth #1307.  Tim Chaffman, Frank Ventimiglia and Bill Christensen from Easiway will all be available for your questions. Easiway will be demonstrating The Original Dip Tank Method- see how our method can speed your screen cleaning, while lowering costs. Easiway will also be exhibiting SoftMark DTS-learn how to streamline your screen making with our Acti Camera Direct To Screen machines.

When in Atlantic City we recommend the world famous White House Sub Shop located at the corners of Arctic Avenue & Mississippi  for a sub you will never forget.  If you are feeding a group we always like Carmine’s located in the The Quarter at the Tropicana Hotel.  The classic southern Italian dishes are huge and is plenty for 2-3 people per dish.

Stop by and see us!

Over 7,000 satisfied customers are saving time and money reclaiming their screens with Easiway’s Dip Tank System, you could be next!

Stop by booth #1455 this weekend at the ISS Long Beach Show to see live demos! If you are not able to visit us there, view our ISS Long Beach 2013 Show Packages here, or view our upcoming show schedule to find out where we will be exhibiting next!

Also on display will be a full lineup of SCAQMD compliant silk screen products. Are you  complying with the most recent South Coast Air Quality Management District requirements? Ask us about our NEW SoftMark DTS line, including textile branding (No Tags) and Direct To Screen solutions (ACTI brand).

This is the largest of the ISS shows, and  is attended very well. See you at the the ISS Show.

We will continue to attend trade shows throughout the year and you can share your ideas for new products, addressing concerns or giving us ideas for better blogs & videos directly at the the shows.  We have also posted a complete list of all the major trade shows for 2013 for easy reference in one place at our calendar page.

The next show Easiway will be attending is the Imprinted Sportswear Show (ISS) in Long Beach, CA January 18-20.  We will be in booth #1455 and we will be demonstrating the ‘Original’ dip tank method of screen reclaiming. This unique, ready to use product dissolves ink, emulsion and block-out in one easy step. Let us help you streamline your shop by showing you how to clean and reclaim your screens for 1/2 the cost.  Our full line of California compliant (SCAQMD) products. Want to know more about ‘Tagless-labeling’ ask us about our NEW SoftMark.

You are invited to join Easiway and Texsource at the Grand Opening of the Norcross, GA location. Texsource will have numerous manufacturing reps there to meet you and answer your questions as well as the latest technologies and equipment for you to see and demo.
Free food will be provided!

Where:
Texsource, Inc. GA
2783 Peterson Place (right off of Jimmy Carter Blvd.)
Norcross, GA 30071

When:
Wednesday, December 12 & Thursday, December 13.
9:00am-4:00pm each day

Contact Texsource:
www.texsourceonline.com 1-888-344-4657

View Invitation Here

Easiway is excited to announce our distributor One Source, in Lansing, MI is offering Screen Printing Classes December 14-15th.

Contact Jack Gould for more information #517-977-0080

Plastisolv 810 has no odor, making the job of color changes and screen reclaiming much more pleasant. It will not “lock in” photopolymer emulsions and films, which allows for quick, easy reclaiming. This product contains no hazardous substances (no TLV’s or PEL’s), which proves a better workplace environment. Plastisolv 810 is California Prop 65 compliant, providing a safe alternative to other non-compliant press washes.

PlastiSolv 810 is conveniently packaged in quarts, gallons, 5 gallon pails and 55 gallon drums.  For more information contact your screen printing supply distributor or Easiway Systems directly at www.easiway.com, 800-950-3279 or sales@easiway.com.

1 –  Create a filing system for your shows.  Many show veterans used to file their loot by shows.  This was merely a different form of leaving it in the bag.  Hoarding a show bag is just a way of not throwing it away, but is it really being used properly?  If your literature is not reviewed and sorted it is lost money.  The preferred file system is to create a folder for each vendor.  Mark each piece noting show and date.

2 – As you review each piece, take a moment to decide if you need to make a follow-up call to that vendor.  Vendors do appreciate a follow-up call and they will note your thoroughness.

3 – Make a special folder for items that you want to review with your staff.

4 – Create a bookmark folder in your web browser, titled with the show name and enter vendor web addresses.  You may choose to do this in lieu of making hard copy folders.

5 – Create calendar reminders for future contact that is not immediately required.

Remember, shows are costly and proper follow-up helps you get more for your show expenses.

1 –  Many calls are from customers that have simply not read the instructions completely.  This is basic to getting the most value from our products.  Each product has the instruction on our products page.  We have also created many videos that will visually show you how to correctly use our chemicals.  They can be found in our video tab at the top of our home page.

2 – Time.  Allow chemicals the correct time to do the job.  When you don’t rush chemicals you will use less.  Using more chemicals to process screens faster is just wrong and with more expense.

3 – Scrub.  When instructed to use a scrubber, use it.  Again, you will need less chemistry to do the job properly, saving money.

4 – Pressure.  When using pressure washers remember the higher the pressure you employ, the less water you will use, while requiring less processing time.

5 –  Review.  Each month observe your entire screen processing area and make sure that all the chemicals are being used properly in the correct amounts.  Employee turn-over will always challenge the proper usage of your chemicals.

Easiway will always continue to develop screen chemicals that will be faster, less expensive and safer to both you and the environment.  You can lower your costs by reviewing instructions and using them in the proper amounts, correctly.

1 – Write a list.  Don’t just grab a badge and bag and start packing it with literature.  Before you go write a list of things that your business needs. Like a better white ink or a source for something and so on.

2 – Check the official show web site.  This is useful not just for directions to the convention center or hotels.  Look and the companies that will be attending.  Match the list you have already made with these companies.

3 –  Map it.  Once you have matched your needs to companies mark the booth numbers on your show map (from the site).

4 – Appointments.  If you are needing to make a big purchase or have a conflict to resolve it will be best to call the company in advance to see if you can get a firm time to visit.

5 – Action.  Go to the companies you have marked first, before you walk up and down every aisle.  Once you have spoken to these companies and made your notes then walk the aisles.  You can then more easily identify companies that match your needs that you didn’t already know.

6 – Follow-up.  Now that you have worked your list and walked the show you have enough time to go back to companies for final discussions.

Everybody loves a show, but especially when you get the most from them.

Las Vegas has long been known for buffets, and you can throw a stone from one to the next.  Over time these have become larger and grander but so have the prices.  Locals know that there is one buffet that is the best but also a great deal.  Every morning the daily newspaper, Las Vegas Review-Journal runs a 1/2 price coupon, good for that day only, to the Feast Buffet at Red Rocks Casino.  It is already ridiculously priced at $16.99 per per person and with the coupon it is a steal.  It is worth the drive (about 20 minutes) if you have a rental car.

If you are on the strip and and want something close, the Hard Rock Casino, is home to Mr. Lucky’s 24/7 with the Gambler’s Special, Steak, three grilled shrimp, a choice of potato or broccoli and a salad for $7.77.

If you want to feel ‘Old Vegas’ hop the trolley and go downtown, its worth the seeing.  Tony Roma, in the Freemont Casino has a Steak & Lobster special for $11.99 from 9 PM to 11 PM each day.

Stop by the Easiway booth #3641 and share your tips to great eats at a great price.

Business cards.  The most important customers are your local contacts.  You will see them everywhere you go.  Have a card ready for these encounters.  Besides the usual information make sure you have an easy to read web and email address on your cards.  With web information on your cards, you are open 24 hours.  One enterprising screen print owner once told us, that it has always been his habit to hand a business card each morning before arriving to work, and one every day after leaving the shop.  He added, ‘over time it really adds up’.

Press releases.  Local TV, radio and newspaper outlets are dying for stories.  Press releases still work great for local markets.  If you hand deliver them they will sometimes even feature you in human interest stories.  The survival of these media companies lies with local companies and reaching out to them is a ‘win-win’ opportunity.

In these times, Don’t Forget the Traditional!

Dressing up a pig.  Do not pretend things are alright when they are not.  Do not fool yourself or stick your head in the sand when things are bad.

Never forget to share or give credit.  Teams are made up of people.  The quicker you share credit with your team mates.

Never let the unknown stop your progress.  Fear of attempting things you have never done will impede your business journey.  Do not let the unknown keep you from trying.

Do not delay.  Opportunities that will come your way when you take responsibility.  Do not delay.

Never resent others’ success.  Learn from others’ success stories and use them to create own successes.

Do not take loyalty for granted.  When you have loyalty of staff and customers, you have advocates working for you far beyond your own time and strengths. Show your appreciation frequently.

Do not pretend mistakes do not happen.  Never miss a chance of openly and freely admitting to mistakes.  Your staff will respect your honesty.

False wisdom.  Never give excuses, blame others or become defensive.  These are the tools of false wisdom.  Accept things they way they are.

Don’t pretend.  Don’t pretend to be someone you are not, or that can do something you can’t.  Be forthright and communicate what you are and what you can do.  People always appreciate frankness above pretension.

Easiway is the original developer of screen dip tanks and it was in direct response to cleaning the area where screens are cleaned.  In developing the tanks it was quickly learned the money was being saved. Truly a win-win for screen printers.

When screens are placed in dip tanks, reclaim chemicals can really do their job quickly since they are in constant contact with both sides of the emulsion.  Spraying chemicals outside a tank is where the mess begins, and this step is replaced with adding a precise amount reclaiming chemicals, like  EasiStrip Supra or EasiSolv 1028.  If you are in California, and require SCAQMD compliant chemistry use EasiSolv C29.  Control and measurement will lead to less reclaiming chemicals being used.  Operators will not have to do any guessing from screen to screen.  Recharging dip tank chemistry can be done weekly and controlled.  Money saved.

When screens come out of the dip tank they are ready to be washed out.  Screens require much less time, and amount of water to finish removal of emulsion.  This will lead to less over spray and much less water usage. More money saved.

The bonus for the dip tank process is when these screens are dry and ready for emulsion re-coating they will not need degreasing.  Easiway will be doing continuous demonstrations of the dip tank method at the SGIA show in Las Vegas (October 18-20) in booth 3641.  Please stop by and see the ease, speed, cleanliness and money-saving that dip tanks will do for your company.

Receiving Feedback checklist:

Listen.  Take a deep breath and take it all in.  People that are willing to provide feedback, even in the form of complaint, have something to say.  Let them say it, before you process it.  Relax, you will get your turn.  This is probably the hardest for people with pride in their products and business to do.  Becoming a good listener will reward you in many ways.

Clarity.  Ask questions and make sure you clearly understand their needs.  This is a sub-set of listening.  Before you process anything, be clear on the intent of the person providing feedback.

Ego.  Check it at the door!  When someone has a complaint and have been bold enough to bring it you or your staff, accept it as a gift, because that is exactly what it is.  When someone makes time to provide feedback, you will have a chance to make improvement not only for them but a chance to improve many things in the future.  Be humble.

Apology.  If mistakes were made, admit them quickly and apologize.  Let that soak in a second and then begin making things right.  The fastest way to improving a complaint is to simply make it right.  Defending what you did will only make matters worse.  Replace it, make it right or simply ask, ‘what would you like me to do?’ and then do it.  No explanations, just do it.  Have you ever been to an Apple store?  They are masters and these things and it is not surprising people just keep coming back.

Show hours are from 10 AM til 5 PM Thursday and Friday and 10 AM til

3 PM Saturday.  This is the premier Southwest show for 2012 with over 170 exhibitors showing the latest in apparel, decorating supplies, screen printing, embroidery, sublimation, graphic design and digital printing.  Workshops and sessions are also provided to showcase new technology and techniques with top industry leaders.  There are 40 different seminars rated by skill level.
The ISS show provides business owners or those thinking about getting into the apparel decoration business with these opportunities:
1 – Networking with other business owners.  Meet people with similar problems.  Trade ideas.  Meet potential contractors.
2 – See the newest equipment, products & technologies.  See live demonstrations.  Ask questions about new or better products.  Get answers directly from suppliers.  Solve problems that you have experienced.
3 – View the awards section and see how you compare.  Get ideas from the winning entries.  Bring a digital camera.
4 – Take advantage of trade show specials available to attendees.
5-  Investigate new new technology possibilities for you company.  Suppliers and manufacturers from embroidery, laser, screen printing, digital printing and vinyl cutting will be showing the latest machines and products.

Easiway will be in booth #3641.  Please stop by and introduce yourself.  It is always nice to put a face with name and we can assist you with any question or suggestion you may have for us.  See our range of screen reclaiming, cleaning, ink and emulsion removers.  We will have continuous demonstrations using our dip tanks. Easiway was the first to introduce dip tanks and we continue to be leaders in developing better chemistry for faster, safer and more economical dip tank chemicals.  We are expecting a large turnout from California, and Easiway has the most complete range of California compliant (SCAQMD) screen chemicals.  If your company has any questions regarding California Compliant rules and requirements for screen chemicals please stop by our booth #3641.

The SGIA has special room offers on their site.  To plan your nightlife and food adventures try Zagat Guide.

Remember..what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but what is learned at the SGIA stays with you forever.

no-cost subscription plans for businesses.  Sign up for either a print version or an e-version.

At the show you will find the very latest in sign making, digital printing, apparel decorating, sublimation, engraving and personalization, all in the same exhibit hall!  By combining three synergistic market segments on one show floor, you can discover the latest developments in your primary industry while exploring new opportunities in closely related markets.  Visit directly with manufacturers and suppliers while watching demonstrations.  Meet directly with suppliers with your questions.  There are over 140 booths exhibiting. Friday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Loews Hotel NBM will be hosting a complimentary cocktail & hors d’oeuvre reception. The Pennsylvania Convention Center located at 1101 Archer Street.

For hotel and nightlife information visit the Philadelphia Tourist Bureau .  Haven’t you always wanted to run up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art just like Rocky Balboa?  Now is your chance.

Printwear also has 35 classes taught by industry professionals.  Register early as these classes fill quickly.  Some classes begin on Wednesday.  The Printwear show is brought to you by NBM (National Business Media Group).  They are the publishers of Printwear, Sign & Digital Graphics, and Awards & Engraving magazines that are available at no cost for businesses in either print or digital formats.

If you are within  3 to 4 hour drive of Long Beach, this show will certainly be worth your time.

#ISSLasVegas

How do you prepare for these events?  A proper back-up strategy and schedule will accomplish this.  It can be done at various budget levels, too.

1. We all know that hard drives fail, so always back-up each file when completed to another hard drive or CD/DVD.  Implement this procedure now.  This simple procedure will protect from a hard drive failure but will do nothing if these files are not stored off site in the event of a flood or fire or break-in.
2. If you are on a budget remove these files from your building each night.  It is a bit of a pain but it is economical.  Do it every night!
3. Implement a scheduled automatic back-up of all drives to other drives.  Again, remove them each night off site. There are many free software programs that will assist you.  For PC a program like Corbiansoft http://www.educ.umu.se/~cobian/index.htm and for Mac, Time Machine is included in the Mac operating system.
4. For companies that have the budget, use a service like Carbonite http://www.carbonite.com/en/.  They have packages tailored to your needs and budget.

In summary, save data as you go, after each job, make duplicates of files and get your data files stored off site.  It is not a matter of if files, hard drives or events go bad, its when!

Best screen printer joke ever!

1 –  Define the products and brands of products you use in your manufacturing process.  Create a checklist for these items.

2 –  Do a weekly inventory of the amount of each product you have with this checklist in hand, each time.  Do not ask employees to do anything but check the quantity and put it on the checklist. If you will do this on Thursday or Friday, these items can be ordered and some of the shipping time will be during the weekend and ready for you on Monday.

3 – Group as many products as possible with fewer suppliers to reduce the number shipments you require.  The reduction of shippers will reduce shipping costs annually.

4 – With this checklist define the quantity that will define when it is time to re-order.  Take into consideration the normal delivery times when defining ‘re-order’ quantities. It is a simple comparison of the weekly inventory, done by the employee to the defined ‘re-order’ quantities you have previously defined.

5 – Work with your suppliers.  Tell them you buy certain items from them and could possibly buy other items if they could work with you on better pricing or shipping cost reductions.

Reviewing inventories each week will reduce emergency orders almost entirely and eliminate those very costly ‘next-day’ shipments.  How many emergency orders did you have last year?  That is your money, gone.  Grouping orders into larger amounts from fewer suppliers will reduce shipping costs from say 7 or 8 different suppliers.  Plan. Execute. Save.

The Information Diet: A Case for Conscious Consumption by Clay Johnson is published by O’Reilly Media and available both hardcover and digital format from Amazon at www.Amazon.com .

The Printwear Show combines these three groups onto one show floor with over 150 exhibiting companies.  There will be 39 classes given by industry leaders complete with demonstrations. Classes start June 20 thru June 23.  For a complete listing of class topics go to Printwear Indy Seminars & Classes .  These classes and seminars are a great resource for employee training or seeing new techniques.   Attending shows is a great investment in your business’ future and is one of the best ways for you to be an industry leader for customers.

Indianapolis is a great getaway weekend destination with hundreds of restaurants, activities and sports events.  The Indianapolis Indians Baseball Club and the 16th annual Indianapolis Air Show is in town. Visit AroundIndy.com for a complete listing of whats happening in Indy.

Easiway will be represented by our very own John Schluter, Tim Chaffman and Bill Christensen. We will be working with  T & J Printing Supply in booth #130, Tech Support Screen Printing Supply in booth #441and Ace Screen Supply in booth #510.  Stop in for a demonstration of a dip tank or an Easiway product demo, get your question answered from a factory rep or just say hello.  See you in Indy!

Why is this business a great resource for your company?

1. Uniforms are mandatory for most businesses. It is important for both service and security purposes that employees are easily identified.
2. Employee turn-over in some businesses is high, so re-orders are a continual part of uniform printing.  The uniform business can be steady throughout the year for this reason.  It is not uncommon for businesses to have seasonal style changes which is additional printing for you.  Outdoor trades will require heavier styles like sweats and jackets, while restaurants and medical offices will require styles for both women and men.  The more flexible your capabilities are, the better the sales opportunity for your business.
3. Employee turn-over can be high in some trades, so quick response will give advantages to local screen printers.  Many screen printers will stock printed apparel for good customers which creates a loyalty factor to keep the business over a longer period of time.
4. Employees will require more than one garment so order sizes are higher.
5. Smaller businesses will benefit from your business being flexible in your offering of garment styles and decoration techniques.  It will benefit your company to periodically show new garment styles to your customers.  Simply giving your customers ideas is not ‘selling’ but helping your customer.  Style sells.

Do you wear apparel advertising your screen printing business?  Set an example by wearing apparel throughout that you can produce for other businesses.  One very innovating screen printer in Florida has a mannequin in the lobby featuring a ‘print of the week’ where they feature prints of local businesses they they produce.  It acts as a ‘see what your business can do’ challenge.  Very subtle selling but very effective.   Remember, what you wear is a powerful statement about who you are!

You can create your own QR codes here .  There are many other sites that will generate your code.  They are royalty free and ISO standard.

When you create a QR code offer some instructions of what you are offering, e.g. ‘25% with this code’ or ‘more information’.  Simply stated, give them a reason to scan your code, then track your scans so that you can build winning campaigns from the scanned data.  QR codes are an interactive medium aimed directly at mobile and information driven people.

Admission is FREE but registration is required.

Some of the classes offered:
All Over Printing
CorelDraw. This is a premium class @$49.95 per person and space is extremely limited, reserve early.
White Ink Printing
Automatic Screen Printing
Discharge Printing
Choosing the Correct Emulsion
Proper Screen Cleaning
Reflective Inks
Heat Transfer Techniques
Sublimation Techniques
There will be Automatic screen printing machines, digital printers, sublimation equipment, embroidery equipment and screen cleaning equipment & dip tanks.  If you are within driving range of Kings Mountain, NC (just south of Charlotte) meet and greet other printers, talk to suppliers and enjoy some good food with the staff of Texsource.

1.  Is your logo so complicated that someone who does not knows you does not or cannot relate to the logo, or simply does not understand it?  Survey a few people that do not know you and ask them what they see.  Clever logos that do not communicate are not for you…even if your child did design it!

2.  Check your font types and limit them to two, maximum.  One font type, excluding the logo communicates better.

3.  Make your email address large enough to read.  It is no longer an after thought.  To make strings of email letters easier to read  increase the spacing.  This is especially important when ‘ i ‘ & ‘ l ‘ are together like, ‘william’ or ‘phillip’.  You can read it, but can a stranger read it?

4.  If you have a web site you regularly update and that visually showcases your work place it prominently on your card.  Again pay close attention to letter spacing so people new to your company can read it.

5.  When you can afford it, die cut shapes, clear coats or heavier card stocks are very eye catching and effective.

6.  Does your card tell some one what you do?  A line or two like: ‘Fast, reliable screen printed garments & uniforms’ will also sell for you after the card is given away.

7.  Arguably the space most debated is the back of the business card.  Some believe that leaving this side open for notes is better.  Progressive companies see the back side as more real estate to sell your company services.

Just because the business card design has been with you for several years does not mean it isn’t time to review your business card design to create a greater sales impact.

Flatten the production mountain by spreading production from peak times into slow times.  Simple answer to a complicated problem to which every screen print shop owner will respond,, “My business is different.”  Start first with your sales department by pre-booking orders from regular customers.  Even with incentives this will even production schedules.  Generic brands sold by major retailers, are packaged in the slower periods of production by the sourcing manufacturers.  Tell your valued customers that you have special offers in your two slowest months of production.  Also, if you have a regular repeat customer, print ahead and deliver later.  The downside is that you tie up inventory dollars, but this is versus lay-offs with unemployment claims and re-training new employees.

Even in custom screen shops, where turnaround is more immediate, two possible options are:

First, review all orders from the previous year.  Focus on customers who ordered in peak times.  Offer a discount or special if they will place an order during better times for you (just like generic products). When selling to other business owners, they can appreciate your dilemma and possibly accommodate you.

With new customers focus promotions and advertising concentrated to your slower times.  For sports teams, create specials for acting early.  Get your uniforms early and beat the rush!

All businesses have unique circumstances, but the problems are all basically the same.  Reviewing this problem, as you review past sales orders will provide insight to reducing over-time or the cycle of hiring and firing employees with all the problems that creates.

The Printwear Dallas show will be May 10 thru 12 at the Dallas Convention Center.  The Printwear show is brought to you by the NBM (National Business Media Group). The Printwear shows are an informative combination of markets; combining sign, apparel,  trophy & awards.  As screen shops become more digital, and digital shops see the versatility of screen printing, markets are merging.

NBM publishes Printwear, Sign & Digital Graphics, and Awards & Engraving magazines that are available at no cost for businesses in either print or digital formats.  If you cannot attend, sign up for one of these great trade publications.  The Printwear show also offers over 30 classes presented by industry professionals with ‘real world’ experiences.  They are great for employee training.  Nothing beats seeing hands-on demonstrations like these classes offer.  Classes start on May 9 and run thru May 12.  For a complete listing of class topics: http://thenbmshow.com/dallas-2012/schedule .

Easiway will be represented by our very own Steve Nelson and he will be doing demonstrations and answering your question in the Texsource Texas booth #209.  Easiway will also be represented by McBee Supply in booth #423.

The DAX show offers all attendees discounts and samples that will easily pay for your trip to the show.  Meet manufacturers and suppliers to get the latest trends or simply answer your specific questions.  Easiway will be represented by T & J Printing Supply http://www.tandjprintingsupply.com/ .  Stop by and meet Syd Tabor and his staff in Booth 314, for the latest screen & digital trends.

Admission to the DAX Show is is $5.
DAX offers a great seminar package of 18 seminars taught by top industry writers, consultants and speakers.  The seminars are affordably priced at $35 each or $125 for a complete seminar pass to any of the seminars you wish to attend. These seminars  were created specifically to address the challenges garment decorators are facing in today’s changing economy. All the DAX Shows have a very interactive feel, and they encourage attendees to lunch and meet with other business owners.

This show is very well managed and DAX attendees return year after year because of the friendly hands-on approach.  If you are within a a drive to the Chicago area the DAX show is a can’t miss event for quality garment decoration education, new product announcements, product demonstrations, save money with special offers and meeting the people & businesses you do business with on a regular basis.  Say hello to Scott and the great people at DAX, too.

The Printwear show offers an excellent  opportunity to learn from industry speakers, meet with suppliers, find products, introduce yourself to other business owners, and see the latest industry developments. Attending shows is a great investment in your business’ future and is one of the best ways to see industry trends, first.

Dallas also provides a great getaway weekend destination with hundreds of restaurants, events and sports events (the Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks and FC Dallas will all be hosting games during the Printwear show dates). View the Visit Dallas site: http://www.visitdallas.com/ site for lodging deals.

In your sales planning research contact not only local candidate offices, but the Super PAC’s that will be supporting candidates you will be calling on.  Super PAC money will probably effect apparel and ad speciality items even more than in years past, because funding has become more unlimited and will not be confined to mostly signs and bumper stickers.

One final but important note:  Always, always, always get paid before or when you deliver your goods.  Screen printers experienced in political work will tell you that even successful campaigns can take forever to pay you.  While unsuccessful campaigns might never pay you.  One of the more infamous cases of delayed political campaign payments was the 1968 Democratic presidential primary candidacy of Robert Kennedy.  Not only did his candidacy ended tragically, the $5 million + campaign debt ($30 million in 2012 money) took many years to settle.  So while there will be record spending for screen printers this election year it is important to get paid for your work on or before delivery.

Local businesses that do buy from you will spread word-of-mouth publicity for your business.   Gift ‘samples’ for these local businesses are especially effective tools.  If you haven’t personally introduced yourself and your business to other neighbor businesses you are not enjoying the ‘buy local’ trend in small towns and neighborhoods across the country.  Just as all politics is local, all business is local too, so meet and greet your fellow business owners today!

1.  If the customer has any voice in the decision, your selection might be simple.  Water based inks can yield a very soft finish or ‘hand’ and if that is what your customer is looking for then the decision might be water based ink.  The limitation for your customer with this choice is that garments are limited to lighter shades, since water based inks do not have high opacity characteristics that plastisols have and will not print brightly and opaque on dark garments.

2.  Economy.  Generally water based inks are cheaper than plastisol inks.  Water based inks clean-up with water while plastisol inks will require a solvent cleaner or one of our PlastiSolv products.  Water based inks however will require photo emulsions that are water resistant.  These emulsions are very difficult to reclaim and will require much more effort and chemicals.  Many water based printers simply do attempt to reclaim the screens. When costing water based versus plastisol inks the economy is not just the cost of the ink.  Additional labor and/or chemicals need to be reviewed.

3.  Curing.  By definition water based inks have as much as 90% water in them and for proper curing and wash fastness these inks require high velocity air for proper curing.  The water based ink cure is a two stage process of first requiring evaporation of water so that the binder (latex) can properly adhere pigments of the garment.  Water based inks can ‘air dry’  over night but the latex will not properly ‘bind’ the pigments compromising wash fastness.  Plastisols are 100% solids that require 325 degrees for proper cure and wash fastness.  Simply, for production printing make sure you have the proper dryer for the ink you are using.

4.  Marketing.  Eco-friendly products and companies provide special marketing opportunities now.  Water based inks like plastisol inks are now manufactured lead-free.  However, plastisol inks have PVC and this might not be what your eco-friendly marketing needs.  There are PVC-free plastisols being offered, but they will be higher priced and still might not have the eco-friendly reputation that you you need.

So like the endless conversations of PC versus Mac or PhotoShop versus Corel Draw there is no ‘perfect ink’ for all garments, customers or situations.

When screen printing Tri-blends the first rule of screen printing always applies, which is: always, always, always test each new style of garment before printing an entire order.  Since most Tri-blends are around 50% polyester ‘bleeding’ may require ‘low-bleed’ plastisols.  Always test each different supplier of your tri-blend, since some manufacturers’ fabrics will not require low-bleed inks while others will.  Discharge printing might not work as well as it does for 100% and 50/50% fabrics.  However, if you want a distressed or vintage look it might actually work better.  Tri-blend fabrics are not designed for sublimation transfers.

Some tri-blend fabrics are also being marketed as ‘environmentally friendly’ using organic cottons and ‘eco-spun’ polyester yarns.  These features might help your marketing and selling, but the screen printing will be same.  Experienced screen printers seem to fall into the ‘been there, done that’ syndrome and fail to pre-test new fabrics.  This won’t be a problem until an entire order is printed and a problem arises, so remember the first rule of screen printing, always pretest any new fabric before running and entire order.

The DAX Show or the Decorated Apparel Expo is the screen printing, embroidery and digital garment trade show of the midwest. The DAX show makes stops in Kansas City (March 2-3), Minneapolis (March 23-24) and Chicagoland (April 27-28).

The DAX show is full of exhibitors offering knowledge, discounts and insight to the latest and greatest of screen printing, embroidery and digital garment decorating

Easiway will be exhibiting with T&J Printing Supply in booth 707.

You can’t pre-register any more, but  you can still get FREE admission!

Simply like DAX on Facebook here and you will receive a coupon code to use for free admission for on-line registration. This is valid until Wednesday, March 21.

See you there!

1.  What defines children’s wear?  Sizes?

2.  What defines ‘lead-free’ and ‘phthalate-free’?

3.  Where are these CPSC approved and certified laboratories? Costs?

4.  Does every print require a test?

5.  Are there exceptions?

6.  What are the penalties?

This is a very serious, but confusing issue that faces all screen printers.  The best source for clarification is the Specialty Graphics and Imaging Association (SGIA).  They have many resources open to the public and others for members only.  Easiway Systems has been a member for many years.  It is very difficult to Google this subject and make a legal decision for your company, and the SGIA provides well researched information that is specific to the screen printing industry.  We believe a membership in SGIA, our industry association, has many benefits aside from understanding complicated and serious legislation.  SGIA membership is well worth the investment.

We always recommend working in well ventilated areas, wearing proper eye and skin protection and using lower VOC products when possible.  Better products are being made to remove mineral spirits and paint thinners entirely from your shop environment when you start looking.

How does that effect your screen printing business?  Plenty.  It is not news that web sites that employ Flash for graphics cannot be displayed on an iPad.  If your web site uses Flash it might be time for a web site tune-up in light of the millions of iPads that are in the market presently and the projected popularity of the new iPad.

Confused?  Do you have a iPhone?  Have you ever pulled up a site (like many restaurant menus for some unknown reason?) and the site just went blank?  Chances are this site  using an interactive menu was written in Flash.  iPhones and iPads are iOS devises that will not read Flash and will never read Flash.  These devises require html5 for motion graphics.  As web sites become more important for your business for both commerce and information make sure your web site is available to the millions of iPhone and iPad users.

Easiway will be exhibiting with Tech Support Screen Printing Supplies in Booth #750 and in the #938 booth with CGS.  Tim Chaffman from Easiway will available for your questions and demonstrating the original one-step Dip Tank.  See how the Dip Tank can speed your screen cleaning, while lowering costs.

When in Atlantic City we recommend the world famous White House Sub Shop located at the corners of Arctic Avenue & Mississippi  for a sub you will never forget.  If you are feeding a group we always like Carmine’s located in the The Quarter at the Tropicana Hotel.  The classic southern Italian dishes are huge and is plenty for 2-3 people per dish.  Try the Thursday special, osso buco over polenta is superb.

Stop by and see us!

Easiway Systems is one of the first to hear about this trend because these inks present special challenges for screen cleaners.  We have thousands of dip tanks in the field filled  with EasiStrip and EasiStrip SUPRA and neither metallics or glitters slow the ink cleaning or emulsion removal.  We hear from many new customers when trends like this pick up because the strippers and ink removers customers were using give them trouble and they start calling new companies for solutions.

Dip tanks with Easistrip and EasiStrip Supra are especially effective for screens that have metal flakes.

The flakes will stick to the removed emulsion in the dip tank and settle harmlessly to the bottom.  If you have ever tried to clean a screen with metal flakes using a manual application of emulsion remover, you know how pressure washing spreads flakes throughout the screen room.  These flakes will stick to everything from clothing, to skin and worse to screens both waiting to be coated and coated screens.  This will translate to pinholes and added touch-up wherever these tiny flakes wind up.

Dip tanks are great for removing the flakes from screens and shop environment and safely keep them from fresh screens.  If you have not seen a dip tank in action visit our Videos Tab and see how this does the job, reduces chemical consumption and eliminates labor.

Fashion trends create opportunities for screen printers, and printing metallic and glitters certainly do for both your customers and your shop saving steps and costs.

It has been documented that the Apple App Store has recently passed over 25 billion downloads.  That is no small feat when there are only about 7 billion occupants on the planet, and there may be a few that are not wired yet!  Apple has stormed the education systems with iPads and MacBooks for both teachers and students, and there are many apps for education.  Education apps make learning more fun and best of all they are self paced learning tools.  Don’t get it correct the first time, go back and do it again.  Learning on your terms.

An app that is designed as a game might be both a teaching tool and screening tool for screen printing companies.  This app is Colorshift from AddSubtract in Nashville, TN.  The game is wordless and asks you to place tiles of color in sequence.  As the game continues the variance of shade decreases making the game increasing difficult. It is both time and accuracy checked.  For screen printing companies color vision acuity is important and this game app might become a tool for determining whether  your job applicant is better suited for printing, color matching or the screen room.  It could possible be used for training.  Either way it is a cool app and apps like this are going to become common for training in all industries in the near future.  Colorshift is available from The Apple App Store or through the iTunes store.

]]> http://www.easiway.com/news/2012/02/when-games-make-a-difference-another-cool-app/feed/ 0 http://www.easiway.com/news/2012/02/germ-warfare-in-a-digital-world/ http://www.easiway.com/news/2012/02/germ-warfare-in-a-digital-world/#respond Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:34:17 +0000 http://www.easiway.com/news/?p=301 Winter is the season of giving, but receiving the gifts of winter often results in sickness.  Here are a few common sense reminders that may possibly save you days of sickness.

The first place of germ transmission in winter is your keyboard.  People cough into their hands than move from keyboard to keyboard and that will transmit germs quickly in an office.  Any school teacher will tell you not to touch your face because this is the circle of infection and transmission in winter.  This is especially true for wintertime hands that touch keyboards in confined office spaces.

Power off all devices first.  Clean and disinfect keyboards using bleach-free wipes.  Clean your mouse and area around your mouse, too.  Repeat.  Wipes work best because you do not want liquids around your digital devices. Never use sprays on keyboards. Use a dry micro fiber cloth (soft cloths) to remove remaining moisture.  Paper towels and cloth will leave lint and can scratch screen surface areas.

CAUTION:  Do not use wipes containing alcohol or ammonia. These chemicals will damage screen surfaces and plastic components.

A new cleaner from Cyber Cleaner are gels that penetrate into small areas and clean.  The gel-ball can be used over and over.  This does an amazing job reaching and cleaning smaller hard to reach areas.

Do frequently use alcohol based hand sanitizers and keep them near your computer.  Always insist that new users to your computer use hand sanitizer before using your equipment.  After a visitor to your computer leaves, clean your keyboard and mouse.

The same practices are also recommended for your mobile devices, especially in winter when it seems everyone is trying to give you something.

Twitter – Hello, I am eating a donut….in 140 characters or less.

Facebook – I like Donuts.  My friends should know I like donuts and they can like me because I like donuts.

Four Square – I am eating a donut here, right in this very spot. In fact I stopped here because this business has a donut special for me.

Instagram – This is a vintage picture of a donut for when I am feeling reminiscent about the golden age of donuts.

Youtube – I will show you how to eat a donut. I will show you how to make donuts.  I will show you things you never dreamt of about donuts both funny and instructional.

Linked In – These are my skills, including eating donuts. Oh by the way did I tell you I can make a mean donut too?

Pinterest – Here are favorite donut recipes, shops that have great donuts.  You will see how donuts fit in my very busy life.

Last FM –  Now listening to ‘Donuts’ by Sibley.  It will also tell me other songs I might also like since I like ‘Donuts’.

Google+ –  I also like donuts but I simply do not want to share that as easily as Facebook allows, so I create the groups of people that I want to share this intimate fact.

Blog –  I will update you and sometimes at great length for my affection of the donut.  I will also post it to my web page so that when someone searches Google for donuts, they can easily find me on the worldwide web and visit my home page.

See isn’t that easy!  Now you know you way around the web!

EasiSolv 415 is our premium haze remover which acts fast, is environmentally safe, and will thoroughly dissolve even the most stubborn haze/stains/ghosts from both solvent, UV and textile printing inks.  EasiSolv GOLD will also work for most haze situations and is a lower odor product.  It too is environmentally safe.  EasiSolv 701 is a revolutionary ink/stain remover which also suitable for most haze problems.  This product does not ship as a hazardous products, is non caustic, it is very gentle and contains degreasers! Easiway has a have remover from most budgets and have problems.

Easiway has always attempted to educate and inform screen printing companies of the best way to use our products and products related to the screen room, even if we do not manufacture them.  We want you to use our products to the standards they are manufactured to so that you not only enjoy great performance but the best economy.  Using any screen chemical correctly with result in saving money and higher production numbers.  So if you have ghosts on your screen mesh first determine if you can change a procedure that will eliminate them and if that doesn’t work use the best product for the stain to insure your best safety, environmental impact and the lowest possible cost.

Show hours are 9 AM to 6 PM Friday and 9 AM to 4 PM Saturday.  This will be the only ISS Show in the Southeast until the fall.

The ISS offers discounts so visit their web site and register early for show admittance, seminars and discounts to area attractions, restaurants, and rental cars.

There are two main causes of stain/haze.  The first type is caused by very aggressive high solvent inks designed for ‘low-surface-energy substrates’ and they are designed to be actively aggressive so that they insure adherence to the substrate, which results in staining of screen mesh.  These require the most aggressive chemicals to remove the ghosting.

The second type is caused by ink trapped in the areas where the individual mesh strands cross each other, also known as ‘knuckles’.   There are several reasons for these ghosts.  One being screen mesh that is not stretched to high tension causing the ‘knuckles’ to slighty move with each flood and squeegee stroke trapping small amounts of inks in the knuckle resulting in a ghost image.  The other primary cause is under exposure of emulsion.  When screens are under-exposed only the properly exposed emulsion remains after exposure and rinsing.  Emulsion that is under-exposed will be on the squeegee side of the screen because it is the emulsion that is farthest from the light source.  When this occurs the action of flood and squeegee strokes will drive ink into the knuckles, even high tension screens.

Most screen printers do not use aggressive solvent based inks so as you can that see many of your ghosts can be eliminated without the need of an extra step and extra haze removers.

Know the cause of your ghost as the fist step in eliminating ghosts.  If you still have problems Easiway makes three different haze removers.  EasiSolv Gold & EasiSolv 415 are the most aggressive while EasiSolv 701 is a fast acting haze remover for lighter stains.

We will also being exhibiting our full range of SCAQMD compliant silk screen products, SoftMark ID your solution for textile and garment branding and our new squeegee and flood bar washing machine!

This is the largest of the ISS shows, and  is attended very well.

We like these great eating establishments when we are in the Long Beach area:
Casa Pulido, 228 Avenue ‘I’ , Redondo Beach Map it HERE
Mexican food is best when prepared by people who know the food and love their customers…not the chain restaurants!  Casa Pulido has been a Redondo Beach standout for years.  We must warn you;  the hand made salsa and chips are so good you might not be able to eat a bite of your main dish.

The Long Beach Cafe, 615 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach Map it HERE
This place is packed every morning and has been for almost 20 years.  Skip your free hotel breakfast and have a hearty pre-show breakfast that will hold you until the end of the show.  In the spirit of Southern California try either the Huevos Ranchero or the enormous Breakfast Burrito with authentic spicy Chroizo topped with green chile salsa.  The large selection of omelets are all great.  You will not be eating lunch after these portions.
Domenico’s Italian Restaurant 5339 East Second Street (Belmont Shores area),
Long Beach Map: CLICK HERE After the show take the quick ten minute ride to Second Street, a six block area that is a slice of commerce from the 60‘s loaded with many cool shops and restaurants.  Head south on Second Street and look for the sign, ‘Domenico’s Since 1954’.  All the dishes are great and affordable, but the locals go for the pepperoni pizza, which is ground pepperoni and covers the entire pizza with not a drop of grease.  It is wonderful!

See you at the the ISS Show.

Other seasonal ideas:

1. Do you know Ad Specialty and Advertising Agencies in your area?  Many of these companies have been selling to customers in your area longer than you may have been screen printing.  They have been using screen print companies for their apparel sales.  Find them, meet them and let them know you may be able to screen print for them.
2. The traditional travel agent, due to web services, is an endangered species.  The ones than have remained rely upon their ability to sell local groups and tours.  Find them, meet them and let them know you may be able to screen print for them.
3. Veteran groups like VFW and American Legion are more prominent today and use screen printed apparel as well as sponsor many fund raising events.  Find them, meet them and let them know you may be able to screen print for them.
4. We are in an election year.  Campaigns use screen printed apparel for staffers in numbers larger than would imagine.  Be sure to collect at the time of delivery.  Campaigns lose momentum and can fold quickly.  Find them, meet them and let them know you may be able to screen print for them.

Many screen printing companies are using pad printing or tagless printers for these prints too.

Simple ideas are over-looked and forgotten by even the most experienced screen print companies.  The key to building sales for a screen printing company is always, find them, meet them and let them know you may be able to screen print for them.

Sometimes the most basic things, no matter the size of shop, gets over-looked.  These tips are 5 quick reminders of some of those steps:

1. If you don’t have a back-lit sink or washout booth, get one or make one.  It is much easier to properly wash exposed screens in a back-lit environment.  It will reduce washout time and therefore prevent screens from weakening when they are over washed.  Half-tones will be washed correctly, easier and will result in less screen re-shoots.
2. Gently wet both sides of the screen and allow to stand for about a minute.  Wash emulsion from the print side of the screen.  Emulsion, when coated properly will be thicker on the print side.  It will also be exposed ‘harder’ on the print side of the screen and resistant to washing outside the image area.  If you wash from the image side, removing emulsion from non-image areas is more likely.
3. Always blot the  screen for excess water removal.  Larger shops use vacuums.  This does two things; Screens dry faster and through-put of screens to press is faster.  Secondly, excess water weakens emulsion before it fully dries.  Remove excess water after washout.
4. If you use a vacuum, make sure the nozzle is designed for removing water (several companies make nozzles designed for exactly this purpose).  When you use a vacuum always inspect the nozzle before each use for ‘nicks’ that could damage emulsion and fabric.
5. When possible accelerate screen drying.  This reduces the chances of an image being blocked by clear residue from water running into the image

These are simple tips, but overlooked.  Review your procedures in this area and screens will process faster and have less break-downs on press.  Even the most experienced shops over time will cut steps!

These are a couple of very simply reminders, and often over-looked that will reduce screen problems.

1. Do you regularly clean the glass on your exposure unit?  Is there even glass cleaner near your exposure unit?  If the answer is no, you probably have additional touch-up to block pinholes that dust specks on the glass, will cause.  If you have a separate frame from your light source clean both sides.
2. Have you tested your light intensity lately?  This simple exposure test will tell you how much (not if, but how much) intensity your light source has lost.  For beginning screen printers:  just because your light source emits light does not mean it has the same strength as when it was a new bulb.  The UV content of the light is the part of the light that exposes the emulsion and it gradually loses UV intensity.  Testing once a month will allow you to increase the time to insure the best exposure of your emulsion.
3. If you change emulsion or use two or three different emulsions in your shop you will need to have an exposure test for each type emulsion so that proper times on each type is used for each type of emulsion.

These basic reminders are forgotten by experienced printers and are sometimes simply not known by beginning printers.  Either way, tune-up monitoring and on-going training procedures and you will have fewer rejected prints, faster screen processing and redue labor and screen chemical costs.

1. Inspect the edge of the scoop coater for any ‘knicks’ along the coating edge surface.  Dropping an emulsion coater will create these ‘knicks’.  Any irregularity will result in an uneven amount of photo-emulsion deposited on the screen.  This will result in exposure times that will be correct in some areas of the design and either under or over exposure in the other areas.  This results in screen breakdown or difficulty in reclaiming without more reclamation chemicals or longer wash-out times required.
2. Make sure that staff is using the correct size emulsion coater for all the screen sizes you currently use in your shop.  You would be surprised how many shops use emulsion coaters that are not wide enough to cover the entire print area.  Using a smaller coater will cause an overlap of emulsion coats, creating multiple thicknesses of photo-emulsion and again creating uneven exposure of the photo-emulsion.
3. We do not like to ask callers, but we need to, in order to exhaust all causes of problems.  What is it?  Is the emulsion coater clean?  Is it cleaned after each coating session?  Is dried and prepared for the next use or is it simply laying in the bottom of the sink being bumped and ‘knicked’?  A clean coater is a must and easily done.  When was the last time you checked on the handling of your coaters?

If you want to to use less silk screen cleaning products, reduce washout and prep times, and want less screen break-downs resulting in rejected prints, review these procedures frequently and impress upon staff the importance of these three simple procedures.  Go back in time, review procedures and improve future performance.

When we return we will be preparing for the Impressions Show in Long Beach, CA January 22-24.  We will be demonstrating our complete line of California Legal(SCAQMD) range of press wash, screen wash, emulsion removers, one-steps and haze removers in booth 1748.  We will also be reclaiming screens using Easiway’s Original Dip Tank System.  Easiway’s SoftMark ID system will also be demoed-your solution for textile and garment branding.  It is a turn-key method for replacing tags and labels in garments.  It can also be used for placement prints on all types of garments.

2012 will also be a year of growth on the Easiway web site.  The Video Page will be adding instructional videos throughout the year.  It is our plan to show all of our products in a ‘how-to’ video along with basic training videos for many basic screen print procedures.  If you have suggestions just pop them into our Contact Page.  We will announce new additions to our product line on Twitter along with special offers so follow us on Twitter @EasiwaySystems or you can find special announcements on our FaceBook Page.

Easiway wants to thank you for a great year and your ideas and suggestions for products and innovations.  We hope be a part of a great year in 2012 for your company. Thank you!

1. use the the correct product for your needs
2. use the product correctly saving handling time
3. use the product in the correct amounts saving your business money
4. reduce waste of materials also reducing costs

This suggestion will also apply to most products in your business.  The majority of calls are from businesses that have added or changed personnel.  Reviewing procedures and matching them to the manufacturer’s instructions is a simple review and should be done periodically.  Even the most experienced businesses slip into patterns, and those patterns are usually incorrect procedures and use of products.  Easiway will always be pleased to assist you and to that goal we will be adding many more instructional videos to our Videos Tab in 2012.  Some of our videos will be common screen printing  procedures that are not directly related to the Easiway family of on-press cleaners, California Legal products, screen washes, emulsion removers, one-steps, and stain removers.  It is our hope that these videos will also help you save time, reduce waste and reduce costs.  Send us your ideas.

Remember…if all else fails read the instructions, or view the videos, it is good for your business health.

Pcalc Lite Calulator (free).  This is a multi-functional programmable calculator that even allows up to date currency conversions.  You can program this calculator for the specifics of your life.

Theodolite (free).  This app serves as a compass, GPS, zoom scope and two-axis inclinometer.  This is worth having just for the compass function and is a priceless tool when traveling out of town.

Words with Friends (free).  This is a Scrabble like game that you can play at your leisure with friends or unknown opponents.  It must me good if it is worth Alec Baldwin getting thrown off his first class flight.  It is addictive.

Just in time for Holiday fun:

Naughty or Nice Detector from http://www.detectomatic.net/.  Just in time for the office holiday parties.  Now you test for who has been naughty or nice.  Laughs for everyone.  Certainly worth the .99 cents.

Text Pics (free).  If you have children who insist that texting as a primary mode of communication this is a must.  The holiday texts are particularly fun.

HeyTell (free). This is our new favorite. It is a quick way to communicate with contacts by leaving them direct voice messages. It is a cross between voicemail and a 2 way radio. Awesome!

And to make sharing apps easier:

Bump (free).  This tool is a must for easy sharing of photos, messages, files, contacts or apps.  You can even share an app that is not free and let your friend purchase from their account.  Bump is great for meetings and parties.

Some common reasons our customers use the dip tank:

1.     Simplicity:  The area with the highest employee turn-over in screen printing businesses is in the screen room.  With a dip tank you simply drop screens (ink and all) in the dip tank and within 3 minutes they are ready to wash-out , dry and reuse.  Simplifying this procedure will reduce turn-over and make it easier to train when turn-over does occur.

2.     Economy:  When you use a dip tank, your chemical solution is utilized to its maximum. The solution is re-used over and over in the tank instead of being rinsed down the drain. This saves you significant dollars in chemical cost. When your screens soak in the tank, you are allowing the solution to do the work instead of an employee. Rinse out a screen while the next screen soaks and repeat. This saves you significant dollars in labor and will cut your screen reclaiming costs in half!

3.     Control:  When you use a dip tank, chemical usage is measured and controlled.  Without a dip tank, stencil removers are applied to each screen individually with some screens using more chemistry wasting money, while other screens use less chemistry requiring more washing time.  Employees do not control the amount of screen chemicals used from screen to screen, but dip tanks do.

4.     Higher production:  The Easiway dip tank system combines ink removal with emulsion removal & mesh degreasing.  Combining these three steps increases your screen through-put.  In one hour you can clean and reclaim 30 or more screens.

5.     No Guessing:  When employee turn-over is higher, managers are teaching over and over and employees fail to properly do procedures correctly or use screen chemicals in proper amounts.  A dip tank makes screen reclaiming a ‘no guess’ procedure.

Streamlining procedures are the center of the Easiway dip tank system and screen reclaiming will no longer be a problem zone in your business.

View a dip tank in action in our Video section: http://www.easiway.com/videos

1. A web presence is part of your business strategy
2. More and more people are using mobile devises, especially younger audiences
3. Making your web offers and content readable and accessible to as many web visitors as possible

Now is the time to verify that your web site will work on this growing number of mobile devises.

Since the show is in California, Easiway will be showing our complete range of California Legal screen chemicals. These chemicals are in complete compliance with no loss of performance.

In Booth 1748, Easiway Systems will be demonstrating the ‘Original’ dip tank method of screen reclaiming.  This unique, ready to use product dissolves ink, emulsion and blockout in one easy step.  Streamline your shop by learning how to clean and reclaim your screens at 1/2 the cost.

Also we will be demonstrating the Softmark ID System.  A solution for textile and garment branding and eliminating unsightly size labels. Now your shop can offer labeling with no tags!!

Plan early and save on rooms and transportation.  Southwest Airlines currently has some flights from as low as $99. to Los Angeles (LAX) from many of its cities.

One of our favorite restaurants when we at the show is Domenico’s Italian. The regulars since 1954 order the ground pepperoni pizza.  The pepperoni pizza is looks like no other pizza and is slightly spicy with absolutely no grease.  It is truly one of a kind.  See you there!

A complete listing of trade shows is located under our News Tab in the Industry calendar section.  We update industry events as they are announced throughout the year.

This all sounds very common sense, right?  Many business owners do not take the time to look at the true value and costs of products.  To further complicate the analysis there are products like the Easiway EasiSolv Supra which not only has better per-screen performance but  the EasiSolv Supra combines two products into one buy removing ink and removing emulsion in a single application.  Now, companies can reduce labor and product, and eliminate entirely a production step by removing ink before reclaiming.  You can see how efficient and easy EasiSolv  Supra is, on our Video Tab.

Don’t just look at the price of a product, know your true cost by knowing your Procedure Footprint.

4 Quick Tips:

1. When comparing, verify the sizes are the same (some products are sold as concentrates and will have lower freight costs)
2. Run production of each item and determine the true yield of each product (per screen)
3. Analyze labor time of each product.  Does a product allow faster production? Lowering labor costs will lower the price of a product dramatically.
4. Look closely at products that eliminate other products, procedures and labor. The true cost of a product like this, has a better Procedure footprint.

Improve your business strategies locally by reviewing what other businesses from around the country are doing with their business problems and successes.  Printwear’s Industry Insider gives you a daily and fast panorama of our industry.  Even if you only get something meaningful once every week or two, it can be the missing piece in your daily business or a product tip that secures that elusive customer.  Either way Easiway likes what Printwear is doing with Industry Insider and we believe that information and continuing education is a valuable resource for a competitive business future.  Give it a month in your morning email review and you will be a believer.

Thank you Printwear.

We have learned to plan early to save on rooms and transportation.  Some of these shows are within an easy drive too.

The largest of these shows is of course is the Speciality Graphic Imaging Association, (SGIA). Its held only once per year.  Next year it will be in Las Vegas October 18 – 20, 2012.  This is only a three day show! Because it is in Las Vegas, with a little planning flights will be among the cheapest available from many places in the USA.

The Printwear shows are in late spring, summer and early fall in four locations.  National Business Media presents the Printwear shows.  They are also publishers of Printwear magazine and several other trade publications in trophy, awards, and signs.  These shows will have exhibitors from these industries, as well as apparel.

Impressions magazine hosts seven regional shows throughout the year.  The largest is the Long Beach show January 20-22, 2012 which kicks off the show season.  These shows are focused primarily for apparel decorators.

Most importantly all these shows give you the chance to meet your suppliers, see new products, see industry trends (before your competitors or customers) and attend educational seminars.  A complete listing of these shows is located in the Up Coming Shows section under our News Tab.  We will be updating other industry events as they are announced throughout the year.  We will also send Tweets for specials related to these shows.  Easiway will be attending these shows with our http://www.easiway.com/company/distributors  and in our Easiway booth.  We hope to see you throughout 2012.

The constant question we were asked through out the show was, ‘do you have emulsion removers in stock?’  This wasn’t a surprise since our phones have been ringing for the last several months with the same question.  The answer remains the same….yes Easiway has plenty of emulsion removers, for every type of screen printing facility.

Sadly, we had several people say they had attempted to use homemade solutions for screen reclaiming to disastrous results, from sickening personnel to ruining mesh.  Many years ago screen printers used a myriad of homemade screen reclaimers and the results were less than optimal.

Easiway has spent 30+ years formulating screen cleaning chemicals that are fast working, safe and economical.  We have several types to match the exact needs of the ink systems you use.  We are continuing to formulate on press cleaners, screen washes, emulsion removers, one steps and http://www.easiway.com/easiway-products/stain-removers to meet current printer challenges and to improve performance.

You can order from us directly or you can refer to our dealer network.  If you are having trouble finding emulsion removers, or safer screen cleaning products, please give us a call.

Thanks again for stopping by the SGIA and thank you for feedback.

Even successful businesses fail to network effectively; or as effectively as they did when they were a start-up business. This is especially true during busy times.

This check list is a reminder for all businesses to not forget or neglect networking in their marketing and promotional mix.

1. Networking is not selling yourself.  Networking is interacting with other business owners or civic leaders.  Mixing with others and sharing their stories and insights will have an positive effect on your business.  Learning from other business owners is some of the best learning available.
2. The most important, and easiest thing to remember is to focus on what you enjoy.

Sounds simple right?  If you enjoy a club or activity you will share the commonality of your passions with others that share your interests.  Conversely, do not interact in social

circles that you do not enjoy,  Simple right?  Yes it is.

1. Be specific.  Relate your insights with ‘real-time’ events (both successful and not so successful) that your business has experienced.   Other business owners will open up and share their experiences, too.
2. Share.  Every industry has unique challenges.  Sharing your challenges will give other business owners a chance to share similar business challenges.  Industry differences will allow you to meet challenges with a different view point.
3. Updating industry trends.  By keeping current of trends in your industry you will be able to update non-industry people, giving them ideas unique to them.  People are attracted to to people that are well informed.  Networking is attraction.

Networking is not just selling or not just marketing, but a mix of staying current with other business owners, keeping yourself well informed, and expanding your business by word of mouth.  If you are persistent and regularly network, business ideas will remain fresh and sales will follow.

‘Grand Re-Opening’ event, and offered specials all month! What impressed us, was that this was an ‘invitation only‘ function and it really made their customers feel special.

This business used the event as a way to invite special customers, city council members, Chamber of Commerce leaders, school principals & club leaders to an afternoon and evening of snacks and a special printed gift.

The function was held at their building and they had pastries and pizzas from 3PM until 9PM where they could greet and individually thank these people for their support throughout the year.

They also said it was great to have this event in the slower time of the year to utilize their staff for an extra special clean-up.  The event always ended in someone placing an order later in the month.  They got the idea from a promotion they had seen in another town that was a ‘Buy Local’ campaign.

After some thought they decided they wanted to personally thank about 150 people that were important to their business.  This is a simple but very clever way to thank people that are always the most important people in every business, the customers they already have.

Great idea from a very clever screen print business owner!  Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

After asking callers why are they asking, most replied that they are being told by their current suppliers that they are out of stock because of a world wide shortage of the components used to manufacture commercial emulsion removers.  We can tell you it might be easy to tell a customer that we are out of stock because of shortages, but Easiway is not experiencing a shortage of materials.  After being in business for 30+ years we plan & purchase our raw materials many months (and sometimes years) in advance.  We have maintained strong relationships with our suppliers primarily through loyalty and prompt payments.  If other chemical companies are telling customers this, the shortage is not industry wide for Easiway and our customers.

There is no shortage of emulsion removers at Easiway.

See our complete range of emulsion removers.

What is it: A rockin’ fun party organized by Mirror Image and Jakprints and sponsored by Hanes along with secondary sponsors including Rutland, Kiwo, Hirsch, Printwear, Easiway Systems and more.  Immediately following the SGIA show, right across the street from the convention center, and all proceeds to benefit the New Orleans Musician’s Clinic.

When: October 20, 5pm to 8pm (right after SGIA) across from the convention center at the club they call the Howlin Wolf.

Music:The legendary New Orleans treasure Irma Thomas (wow!) The Hot 8 Brass Band (One of the hottest bands right now in New Orleans and the rest of the Country, featured on Treme, the HBO series.)Davis Rogan (The real life man who the main character in Treme is based on. He doesn’t play perform often, this is a special occasion.) Other musical guests TBA

Eats: Good home style red beans and rice and Jambalaya

Cause: Your ticket purchase will benefit the New Orleans Musician’s Clinic which keeps the music alive in Lousiana.

Don’t miss out-get your tickets here.

Easiway will be debuting our new SoftMark ID System.  This is the solution for textile and garment branding!  Now every shop can offer labeling of garments without tags!  The SoftMark ID System will be running right on the show floor.  This is a simple and easy way to offer what your customers want, an end to unsightly labels.  Offer SoftMark ID labeling and develop customers and income opportunities for your company.

We will be also be showing, for the first time ever, the Easiway 4810 Squeegee & Flood Bar Recirculating washer.  This machine is an air-driven recirculating system that will be running our PlastiSolv 842 On Press Cleaner.  This is a must for every shop that wants to reduce chemical use and speed cleaning of print tools.

After years of research and development Easiway is introducing a new, innovative chemical for ink & emulsion removal in a single product.  EasiSolv 1028 Ink & Emulsion Remover will be demonstrated in our booth.  UV printers have wanted this product for many years, and textile printers didnt believe it was possible. We are proud to show this single-action solution that will save you on labor, screen handling and chemical usage.

If you have a specific time you need a demonstration of these new products please call us at (800) 950-3279 or contact us here and we will set a time to demonstrate our products to meet your schedule.  We hope to see you in New Orleans!

A simple re-usable exposure calculator is made by Stouffer Industries.  The exposure calculator (step wedge) best for screen shops is the is the model T-2115, 21 step exposure calculator.  A simple test will calculate the proper exposure time for your exposure unit (easy instructions included). It is a very inexpensive way to give your screens long life, but yet the easiest to reclaim.  This is truly a win-win for any shop, less screen breakdowns and less handling with a minimum amount screen chemicals.

Some high-end printers actually use a calculator on each screen as a precautionary check of each screen processed.  Remember even though your exposure unit emits light, it will have less UV potency after each exposure. At the minimum this should be done weekly to know when you will need to add more time to your screens, as your exposure unit ages.

Thanks Jeff for a tip that saves money and increases productivity.  Follow us on Twitter #WhatsNewWithJeff

Wondering who is Jeff? Read our earlier post on Jeff.

Jeff Proctor began his career in screen printing in 1977 working for a small printer and moved to production manger for both large and small textile shops.  Jeff  has worked with Advance Process,  Wilflex, PMI split tape and Union Ink Company.

Jeff visits many shops and attends almost all the national trade shows and has a very unique perspective on what is happening in the screen printing and digital imaging business.  Jeff also is a regular speaker and article contributor to both Impressions Magazine and Printwear Magazine . We are looking forward to his insights, experience, how-to knowledge, and humor on our blog.

We will also hashtag with Twitter #WhatsNewWithJeff for updates.  If you have an idea for Jeff please drop us a line in our feedback area.

The screen printing and digital imaging industry is a relatively small group of individuals and companies.  As suppliers we are generally friendly to each other and try whenever possible try to support each other.  As you know the 2011

SGIA Show is in New Orleans October 19-21.  One of our oldest supplier friends in the business, Great Dane Graphics in located in New Orleans.  When Hurricane Katrina effectively destroyed his business and house he was displaced and moved near us.  Great Dane Graphics has now moved back to New Orleans and will be at the SGIA in booth #3126.  We are happy they are back and stronger than ever with some of the industry’s finest royalty free designs.

We are offering a download code for a free design from the Great Dane Graphics library ($34.95 value).  All you need to do is call us and ask for your free code.  No strings attached, just call (800) 950-3279 for a download code.  We are trying to support one of the truly nice guys in the screen printing & digital imaging business.

Easiway is in booth #3145 at the SGIA 2011,  this is right down the aisle from Great Dane Graphics.  If you print this blog page  and bring it to the Easiway booth (or show it to us on your smart phone) we will give you  another download code.! That is 2 free downloads total just for following us!!

These award winning designs are high resolution raster designs complete with separations ready to output to films.  They even include screen instructions for screen printers.  They are great for apparel, sublimation, desk top publishers, or signs & banners.

Easiway & Great Dane Graphics hope to see you at the SGIA!

The responses were encouraging.  These ideas and feedback suggestions are ways the internet and our web site can help us serve your needs better.  Thank you for both the feedback and the ideas.  Please keep the communications coming.

Follow Easiway Systems on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EasiwaySystems.  We will be starting some Twitter specials later this year.

We are expanding our web site with video tutorials and instructional ‘how-to’s.’. Our customers use our products better and correctly when they can see proper use through demonstrations.  We will be adding videos regularly to assist your understanding of our screen reclaiming and chemicals.  These videos can also be used for new employee training.  Some show proper dip tank usage. Others show the ease of using our California Compliant C99 Press wash.

See them all at www.easiway.com/videos and on our Youtube channel www.youtube.com/user/EasiwaySystems .

SoftMark ID System

Our latest video is a quick demo of the latest trend in apparel, SoftMark ID.  Now you can have a fast and easy way to create labels without unsightly tags, in your own garments without sewing in custom labels, heat transfers or screen printing.  The SoftMark ID System is a pad printer that works with specially designed inks that dry in seconds.  It is a great way to brand your garments with every order.  Wouldn’t you like to have your web address on every shirt?  Think of all the potential customers you could reach, after every order is delivered?  SoftMark is as easy and fast as the the video we have posted.  The SoftMark ID System does not take special skills and will fit in an area about the size of a large desk.  Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words!

If you suggestions for hew videos please leave that at our Contact Page.

1. If you don’t have a web page, get one!  Update it regularly.  While no one knows the exact methodology of the Google search algorithms, it is known that if your site does not change in say a month or so, Google will omit it from searches for a length of time (unknown) and return in the future for searches.  Get in the search game.
2. Facebook Pages.  This is not your grandmother’s Facebook.  Facebook Pages are designed for business.  It is free and can easily be maintained with no need of web designers.  Keep your information fresh.
3. Does your building have a prominent sign showing your web site or showing your Facebook Page?  One customer of ours has a sign on the door that says, “sorry you missed us,  please visit our web site at www. Your business . com”.
4. Business cards are still central to networking, but is your business card current?  Does it have your web address and email large enough to see?  Personal contact and business card needs to clearly link to your 24 hour tools.
5. Review your sales invoices and brochures.  Make sure that your web site and Facebook Page are clearly shown.

These tips are simple but not always done, even by industry veterans.  Selling and promoting 24 hours a day has never been easier.

The show is the largest in the USA and is only held once per year.  Whether you are just beginning in a screen printing or digital business or whether you are a veteran, this show is not to be missed.  There will be over 500 exhibitor booths and many seminars from the latest trends to tutorials on many subjects.  The Easiway booth will be #3145.  Stop by and see our range of screen cleaning & reclaiming products.  Easiway also has a complete line of chemicals designed to be used in California-where VOC limits are the strictest.

New Orleans has hosted many industry events and we know that New Orleans is not just for working.  Part of the magic of New Orleans is the food.  There are some well kept secrets and bargains at locals joints outside the French Quarter.  Two of our favorites are:

Deannies, 1713 Lake Ave. Metairie

New Orleans Seafood & Spirits 210 Metairie Hammond Hwy.

Both have French Quarter restaurants but the ones in Bucktown are better and cheaper and worth the 20 minute drive.  In the French Quarter try lunch and carry-out muffalettas (slightly smaller than a manhole cover) at Central Grocery.  It is prime season (October) for Oysters and we like both Acme & Felix’s.  Now you really have a reason to join us at the SGIA in New Orleans!

1)     Press wash selection: There is always the possibility of press wash / emulsion incompatibility. When this happens (usually when press wash is chosen for its low cost), the result can be a “lock up” or “freezing” of the emulsion resulting in a very difficult stencil to reclaim. Once this happens and the printer cannot readily reclaim, the following sequence of events inevitably plays out; another application of re-claimer is applied, when that fails a caustic haze remover is applied and scrubbed into the mesh. This adds material and labor costs and can additionally greatly reduce the mesh life. The further bad news is that it may, or may not be successful in removing all of the locked in emulsion.

The way to avoid this nasty and expensive exercise, is to use a high quality press wash (designed to clean the specific range of ink products used by the printer) and test it for emulsion compatibility. Very simple idea, very big savings, huge reduction in screen room agony!

2)     Under exposure of stencils: Either because they are in a hurry or have had deterioration in their light source, screen makers can cause MASSIVE issues by underexposing the emulsion. While there may or may not be a poor image caused by the underexposure, there is always the very real risk of the stencil material being left “solvent sensitive”. In this case the emulsion reacts with the press wash and becomes highly resistant to cleaning and reclaiming.  This phenomenon is not unlike the poor press wash reaction described earlier.  Keep in mind that even the finest chemical cleaners and solvents will not avoid this problem. It is just something that can happen with underexposed screens.

The resulting extra effort and cost at reclaiming the screen can easily be avoided by establishing a thoughtful and regular check of stencil exposure with an exposure calculator.  These are readily available from you emulsion supplier and are worth their weight in gold.

3)     Use of over aggressive solvents in screen cleaning:  Human nature leads many to think (wrongly as it turns out) that faster evaporative, ink dissolving solvents deliver cleaner screens faster. The counter-intuitive truth is that this is rarely correct. More often than not, the faster the solvent evaporates the more solvent you will use (having to re-wet the rag many times during wipe down).   Faster evaporation (lower vapor pressure) means more VOC’s into the air quicker. This increases the percentage of the airborne solvent rather dramatically and quickly, depending upon you air make-up system. Fire and other health related considerations can be very real in these circumstances.

Slower evaporative cleaners and/ or dip tank methods in particular, not only clean the screens extremely well, but will greatly reduce the amount of airborne VOC’s.  In most cases where a proper, slower cleaner or dip tank is used, the actual production speed is enhanced and costs per screen cleaned are dramatically reduced (less rags, chemistry and labor required).

4)     Letting your stencil remover dry in: This is a huge no-no and has been as long as screens were reclaimed though the user of oxidizers.  Oxidizers, either iodine or hypochlorite based, react with emulsions in a specific way and produce, for lack of a better term, a liquefied product. When this liquid is allowed to dry, it forms crystals that are highly resistant to attack by the rather weak and specific oxidizers used to “melt” them in the first place. In fact it becomes resistant to removal by almost everything except razor blades! Again, this is not the chemical manufacturers fault for making a weak reclaiming solution; this is a chemical reality that you must accept.

Sometimes such screens can be saved by the use of aggressive caustic pastes, but as in previously mentioned cases, this is expensive, time consuming and hard on the mesh used.

The proper solution is in the avoiding of the drying in problem to begin with.  Either instituting                                                                          a procedure that is geared towards quick screen reclamation or using a non-time sensitive method like a dip tank, can assure this “drying-in” does not occur. This will save you time, chemicals, money, mesh and a lot of angry words.

5)     Abrading mesh to enhance emulsion adhesion: This is the use of ultra fine particles being scrubbed into the mesh to create microscopic tears in the threads. The idea was that the emulsion would better adhere to this roughened surface. This is a dated, and mesh-life reducing practice. In the distant past, this use of “micro-grit” was actually encouraged to help enhance the adhesion of water soluble FILMS onto nylon and polyester meshes. Modern mesh is produced with surface treatments to accept emulsions quite readily without the abrading and shredding of its thread.

Proper screen prep (before coating) involves simple degreasing to remove lubricants on the mesh left from the weaving practice and/ or oils and dirt which have come in contact with the mesh during handling.  Make sure you have a good commercially produced degreaser and thoughtful procedures for its application. If you feel further steps are required to assure better coating of your emulsion, use a screen prep chemistry designed for that purpose.  Ours is called “Screen Perfect” but I am sure others are available as well.

6)     Poor chemical application methods: How you apply a chemical often has an effect on how it works and a very dramatic effect on how much it can cost you per screen (the real value).

Big splashing, mop like brushes can apply far more wash and re-claimer than required to do the job, resulting in a clear and potentially expensive waste of product.  Using sprayers can not only apply too much chemistry, but by partially atomizing the chemicals under pressure, almost certainly assures the undesired inhalation of the chemicals by the operator and those around them.

Most chemical manufacturers have purpose made brushes and applicators that make proper use easy for the printer. Many manufacturers have dip tank processes and these assure a complete and virtually fool proof application of chemical products.

The world of screen print chemicals is filled with options for the printer. Printers want to do the right thing, but are often misguided by price, habit or inefficient procedures. The unintended and very expensive consequences of such misguided behavior can be avoided by working closely with their chemical vendors in reviewing all such applications.  You may very well be surprised at the improvements you realize as a result.

Written by Kevin Lewis, Easiway Systems

1. Give your business a face that will seen by mobile media users.  These people use their iPhone and like devices continually.  Be a part of this mix.
2. Don’t just shamelessly sell you products.  Communicate about your community and things of interest around you.  Tweet tips and calendar events.  No one will continue to follow you if all you do is blow your own horn.
3. When promoting your company Twitter is an excellent medium to target special offers.
4. Ask your followers what interests them.  Interact, don’t just spout.
5. Build your company identity.  Inform followers about what you are about.  Show the human side of your business.
6. If you blog, share updates to your blog with links to your blog.
7. Promote others in your space.  Whether it is in your community or your industry it is not bad to direct your followers to good and interesting things.
8. Twitter is easily managed with products like Tweetdeck or Twhirl.  These products allow you to schedule and archive your Twitter messages.
9. Ask questions.  Find out what your followers are talking about.  Screenprinting has always followed social trending and Twitter is on the front line of social trends.

Twitter has millions of users and with a little thought, no money and a little time (less than 10 minutes every other day) you can can promote yours business, support your customers, invite customers with special offers, and learn what is around you.  Get in the game www.twitter.com

You can always stay up to date on Easiway News by following our Twitter.

1. Everyone knows about athletic booster clubs, but not every booster club is fresh with ideas.  As an example present the club with a fundraiser for the new season with a ‘white-out’ shirt promotion.  A ‘white-out’ is simply taking the school color and making it into a season opener show of support by every booster and fan fan wearing a design with the color of the school. A Red-out, Blue-out, etc
2. Think of the ‘other’ clubs at schools.  Everyone thinks of the football boosters, but band boosters are hungry for club ideas and fundraisers.
3. Middle schools are rarely contacted, but are a rich source for clubs and fundraiser opportunities.
4. Know your fall sports!  Girls soccer is expanding rapidly and are very good for both booster and team apparel, beyond uniforms.  Travel teams will wear t-shirts & sweat shirts supporting their team.
5. Class shirts.  Senior shirts for new seniors are always remembered, but juniors are quick to remind the world they are the class of 2013.

When fall business begins to pick up don’t be negligent about farming new sources of business.  Don’t forget that when you make a presentation it will be a contact for a future sale.  Many times someone from your presentation will refer another person or contact you later in the year.  Nothing beats meeting people and making presentations of ideas.  Don’t wait for your phone to ring, make a presentation and more sales will happen both at the presentation and later in the year

For more business tips visit Easiway News.

The Printwear show is brought to you by the NBM (National Business Media Group).  They also publish Printwear Magazine, Sign & Digital Graphics Magazine, and Awards & Engraving Magazine that are available at no cost for businesses in either print or digital formats.  The Printwear show also offers over 40 classes presented by industry professionals with ‘real world’ experiences.  They are great for employee training.  Nothing beats seeing hands-on demonstrations like these classes offer.  Classes start on September 7 and run thru September 10.  For a complete listing of class topics and times go to the Printwear site at: http://thenbmshow.com/baltimore-2011 .

If you are within a comfortable drive to Baltimore, the Printwear show offers an excellent  opportunity to learn from industry speakers, meet with suppliers, find products, meet other business owners, and see the latest industry developments. Attending shows is a great investment in your business’ future and are the best way to keep from losing contact with industry trends.  Customers will gravitate to trend setters.

The Baltimore inner harbor area is a great weekend getaway, too.  Visit the Visit Baltimore site for lodging deals http://bit.ly/qz6yLr

*Don’t forget, Easiway keeps an updated industry show schedule, for your reference-check it out!

It seems there is never enough time for your business.  However, if you you want to stay informed about industry trends, new products and events you can make time for this important information with industry publications.  Some are sent at no cost and some are paid subscription. Either way these resources allow you a window to all things screen printing and imaging on your schedule. Five minutes here and ten minutes there will keep you fresh and competitive for your customers.  These are three publications we like:

Impressions.  This magazine has been around since the late 1970’s and covers all things apparel, decorating, printing & imaging, and is a great resource for apparel manufacturers and suppliers.  It is available at no cost in print or digital formats.  They also produce and promote the Impressions shows.  Find them at: http://www.impressionsmag.com

Screen Printing Magazine. This magazine is part of the ST Media group and has been published since 1953.  They publish many great books, too.  Available in both digital and print subscriptions at a cost.  http://www.stmediagroup.com

Printwear. This publication is from the National Business Media group.  They also have publications in the the Sign and Trophy markets, too.  Their publication is available in both digital and print subscriptions at a cost.  Find them at: http://printwearmag.com

These three publications are a great way to continually monitor industry trends, new products and sources.  Even for the busiest person, these publications allow you to stay informed on your schedule.  Stay informed or slowly fall behind.

Always carry new and fresh business cards.  You never know when you will have a ‘marketing moment’ and who is better at promoting your business than you?  Make sure you have current information so you don’t have to scratch off the old information and hand write current information (don’t be one of those guys!).

If you have a web site make sure it is prominently displayed on your business card.  If you have business location make sure you have the web site near your business hours sign.  A message like ‘Sorry you missed us during business hours. You can visit us 24 hours a day at www.easiway.com.

Set up a regular schedule (put it on your calendar!) and update your web site, add content, and delete dated information from your web site.  The Google search engine will not effectively search your site if your content is stale and unchanged.  Google has many helpful business tools at: http://bit.ly/nkTOZ9

Samples.  Always carry samples of your work with you.  A chance encounter with a customer is marketing gold for your business.  When the moment presents itself have your best work within reach and ready for a customer to inspect.

When a customer picks up an order or the order is sent out, use the box as a marketing gift!  Place literature in the box.  Other people can see your work and most importantly know the work is from your company.  A clever company in the Southeast US actually has hang tags of their company info printed and attached to each garment.  A business card will work too.

These are simple things that require little or no money.  They only require a little re-focusing and scheduling discipline.

Why?

1. Size. In marketing size does matter.  Foursquare currently has over 10 million users and is growing every day.  Harness the popularity of Foursquare for your business.  These users are highly mobile users that network freely in social media.  Word of mouth has now gone digital.
2. Communication. Foursquare users leave tips about your business.  Foursquare is a great way for customers to build interest with other customers from their feedback comments.
3. The Price Is Right! Foursquare costs you and these millions of users nothing.  Thats right nothing.  Marketing experiments can cost your business dearly, but with Foursquare it does not cost you like the traditional advertising mediums.  Think outside the box and try things.  Its alright if you have fun doing these trials, too!
4. Connect Directly. Offering specials via Foursquare lets you customize specials for this group of customers.  These specials are displayed and offered when Foursquare users log onto any business in your area.  If a customer checks in with your business and also uses Twitter you can also contact them via Twitter.
5. Information. Your control panel in Foursquare helps you understand your customers better.  Customers time of check-in, frequency, male or female?  All this data helps you customize your ongoing digital marketing efforts.

Foursquare has a great informational area expressly for business.

Why spend 10 minutes for a ‘Quick Inventory?’

1. Save hundreds of dollars each year in emergency shipping costs.
2. Learn consumption patterns of the products you currently purchase.  This information can be used to buy some products in larger package sizes to also save dollars.
3. This ‘Quick Inventory’ sheet will allow you to buy products in groups of products from your suppliers, again saving in freight costs by reducing the number of shipments to your facility each year.
4. Suppliers generally do a great job inventorying products, but on occasion they too fail.  Keeping your re-order points at a level less than, ‘hey boss, we are out of press wash level’ you will reduce the dependence on suppliers always being in stock for your emergencies.
5. Strange consumption patterns will also target misused products for you, so that education of proper use of supplies can be quickly address, again saving you dollars.

Where to begin?  Ask yourself, ‘what are aspects that bring us business?’  Price?  Performance?  Product? Convenience?  Why don’t you ask those who bring the business, the customers.  Now you know what all those ‘customer feedback’ cards are.  They inform businesses of areas that need improvement and also help businesses direct their resources to their best qualities or specialties.   Why is it important to define specialties? Defining your specialties help you get away from price as the only sales feature your company provides. Once you begin to define your strengths, or ‘tell your story’ you can focus your advertising and promotional campaigns to target customers that better understand your unique strengths.

For example, if quality or fast delivery defines your company, the customers that value that specialty will have more incentive to work with you.

If you don’t ‘tell your story’ clearly, consistently and loudly, your company is just another company and low prices will be the only decision customers can used to make a buying decision.

Where do you begin?  Define who you are and begin to focus your marketing efforts to maximize potential business.

One great resource in helping you begin ‘your story’ is SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives).  They have many nationwide business resources and programs at low or no charge. SCORE also has a great mentor program consisting of 13,000 mentors ready to help you.  Find a chapter near you and create ‘your story’, http://www.score.org/ .

One of the most common questions we receive at Easiway Systems is ‘What are MSDS sheets?’  These four letters are an acronym for Material Safety Data Sheets. Below are 5 important facts to know about MSDS sheets.

1)    In the USA, MSDS sheets are a requirement of OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) to make information available to all employees of the properties, safe and proper handling of products and /or potential hazards of all substances within a company. These documents are also required by your fire department and emergency management agencies, in some cases for both local emergency planning and state agencies.  In a practical sense, MSDS outline correct workplace safety and provide information for proper handling of products.

2)   MSDS sheets must be current for all products in your building, including samples.  An annual inventory of products is recommended, to insure corresponding MSDS sheets are current and up to date.

3)   MSDS sheets must be located in a central location known to all employees.  This also provides quick access for government agencies or emergency response.

4)   An extension of the MSDS requirement is to properly display safety information on all products as they are used throughout your building.  This includes intermediate containers, like ink buckets.  This is one of the most common safety violations of OSHA.

5)   MSDS sheets are not intended for consumers but are a requirement of business & industry as a safety precaution.  They are intended to create a safe working environment and proper handling of all products in your business.

For an example of a MSDS sheet, check out Easiway’s EasiStrip Supra One Step Ink Cleaner & Emulsion Remover, and you will see a button for a .pdf download or viewable MSDS sheet. All MSDS sheets of Easiway Systems products are available on our website, conveniently located with each product for easy availability.

Remember, next time you add a new product or test a sample to your inventory, always update your MSDS sheets and include a date of entry on each MSDS sheet, too.

Trade shows are one of the best ways to see new products, product demonstrations, seminars and even take advantage of special pricing; all in one place.  The very largest companies in all industries always know who and where secondary suppliers are.  Trade shows also keep your supplier information fresh and allow your business to be progressive and well informed for your customers.  Face to face meetings of other screen printers are an invaluable resource, too.

The Printwear Show in Long Beach, CA is the next trade show on our upcoming show schedule. This regional show is held on August 11-13, 2011.  It is hosted by The National Business Media Group. They also publish Printwear Magazine. The cost for entrance to the Exhibitor booth area is $10.00 and is an investment worth every penny.  Continuing to enrich your knowledge base will separate you from your competitors and is an investment in your company. A full year industry calendar can always be found on our site here.

Many of the questions we receive at Easiway revolve around using our screen cleaning and reclaiming products properly.  We send thousands of lit sheets and technical data sheets each year, but the phone calls and email questions repeat.  “How do I use this or what is the mix ratio for that”.  It is for this reason that we have began to use HD video to show step by step instructions and answer these frequently asked questions.  Easiway has always believed that when our products are used correctly you will get the best results, the job will be done quickly and you will also save money.  When our customers save money they are happy, continue using Easiway chemistry and share their experience with others.

Most of our videos will be shown with titles that highlight a particular method or use.  They are perfect for training new employees or simply reviewing procedures to insure maximum performance.  In the present economy reviewing use and procedures in your business is always the best way to lower costs.

These videos are continually being updated, so check back frequently to our video gallery.  Simply click on the ‘Videos’ tab on our home page, or see us on YouTube.

These are just a couple of the demos available to view now:

EasiSolv C99 Low VOC Press Wash (California Compliant), which is a revolutionary product that removes ink while staying within the California VOC Limits (which have now been changed again).

Save time & Money by removing Ink & Emulsion in a single step with EasiSolv EasiStrip Supra.

If you have a suggestion or would like help us build our Video Library contact us at sales@easiway.com.

Don’t forget sign up for email notifications & specials.

Did you know you can even follow us on Twitter & Facebook!

5 great reasons to become a member of SGIA

What is SGIA?

SGIA is our trade association, the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association which represents all areas of Specialty Graphic Imaging; from t-shirt printing to billboards to circuit boards to digital posters and everything in between.  The SGIA also serves as an unbiased source of laws and regulatory updates needed by everyone.  It is not a privately owned entity reliant on magazine advertising or the endless stream of regional trade shows.

1. The SGIA connects your company with networks of other trade associations worldwide providing the most current information, insights and trends to your company.
2. As a member of of SGIA your company will enjoy shipping discounts from freight companies, along with other special discounts.
3. As a member of SGIA you have access to a ‘live’ technical support line.  Technical problems, locating products & product support or finding out-source companies are at your finger tips.  Nothing beats talking to someone ‘live’.
4. Many webinars are provided by the SGIA as a source of education for personnel training at a fraction of the cost of individual consulting or training.
5. The SGIA maintains a world class web site for immediate answers to hundreds of questions, immediate industry press releases & member to member networking.

Easiway Systems has been a supplier member for many years because of these great benefits and many more. We believe that a membership with SGIA  will assist any Specialty Graphic Imaging company from the individual owner to the large industrial printer.

The SGIA has a very large trade fair each year. This year it will be hosted in New Orleans, October 19 – 21. You DO NOT have to be a member to attend.  If you do decide to attend the show this year, please stop by the Easiway Systems booth #3145 and say hello.

More information on the SGIA & its many resources & benefits can be found at: www.sgia.org.

Read below what Schluter has to say about the evolution of screen cleaning!

You can find Easiway in booth #229-make sure to stop by so you don’t miss out on the following:

• The unveiling of our new tagless label printing machine!!
• Live dip tank demos
• Cash and carry dip tank packages available…at a special show price$$
• W-36 washout booths at a deeply discounted price! (On display and ready to take home with you)

A few of the Easiway team members just returned home from sunny Long Beach, California for the 2011 Imprinted Sportswear Show. The Long Beach Convention Center was packed full of information hungry attendees, many of whom were on the hunt for the newest in green technology-and Easiway was there to feed their hunger. It is a great thing that the want for a safer alternative in the reclaim area is becoming so predominant.  It is in part, due to the new VOC regulations. However, the earth concious team at Easiway Systems would like to think screen printers are looking for eco friendly screen cleaning chemicals because they want to better the environment, not just because the laws are pushing them… No matter the reason for the search, we have the solutions for a VOC compliant Press Wash, Screen Wash, Emulsion Remover or Degreaser!

Dave Renton Screen Printing Supplies will be exhibiting The Easiway Product Line at the Printwear & Promotion LIVE Show February 27 – March 1, 2011. Make sure to stop by The NEC Birmingham where you can discuss Easiway products with Dave Renton himself!

Easiway Systems, manufacturer of the EasiSolv, Plastisolv and VersaSolv line of environmentally approved chemicals for the screen printing and graphic arts industry, has announced the addition of a new, revolutionary, liquid, emulsion remover concentrate, which ships non-hazmat.  EasiSolv 500 Stencil Remover Concentrate is engineered to quickly and aggressively dissolve all direct emulsions, capillary and high density films with ease.  This is the lowest cost emulsion remover on the market.

EasiSolv 500 is the most flexible concentrate in the industry.  It can be mixed at ratios from 1 part EasiSolv 500 to 50 parts water, down to 1 part EasiSolv 500 to 10 parts water, which provides the ultimate in reclaiming economy. It does not ship as a hazardous commodity, is biodegradable, eco friendly, renewable and work place approved, which allows compliance with the strictest standards for employee exposure, air emissions and effluent disposal. It is packed with additives and it degreases as it dissolves stencils, eliminating the additional step and expense of degreasing chemicals.

EasiSolv 500 is conveniently packaged in quarts, gallons, 5 gallon pails and 55 gallon drums.  For more information visit our new website or contact your Easiway screen printing supply distributor.

• EasiSolv C99 Press Wash
• EasiSolv C29 Ink & Emulsion Remover
• EasiSolv C35 Screen Wash & Stain Remover

Easiway Systems, Inc., Delano, MN, manufacturer of the EasiSolv and PlastiSolv lines of environmentally approved chemicals for the screen printing and graphic arts industry, has announced the addition of a new, eco-friendly, concentrated screen wash.  VersaSolv™ Concentrated Screen Wash is an environmentally approved, highly concentrated screen wash that mixes with water, providing ultimate economy.  This product has low VOCs, is extremely quick penetrating and fast acting and is designed to dissolve and clean plastisol and UV screen printable inks from printing mesh without the hazards and odors usually associated with aggressive solvents. When mixed with water this concentrated screen wash conforms to the restrictions on solvent based screen cleaning products in California (100 G/L VOC or less). VersaSolv™ exceeds the performance of existing water reducible screen washes when used manually or when used in automatic machinery to remove ink from printing mesh.

VersaSolv™ is conveniently packaged in quarts, gallons, 5 gallon pails and 55 gallon drums.  For more information, contact your nearest screen printing supply distributor or Easiway Systems directly; on our new website www.easiway.com, by phone: 800-950-3279 or by email: sales@easiway.com.

Easiway distributor Dave Renton, of NESMS discusses how to clean screens, save money and help the environment by using Easiway.

“Using traditional methods, it can take up to an hour and a half to wash out five screens and have them ready for production. But what if that could be reduced by 70 per cent? According to Dave Renton, of NESMS, all modern screen print shops should consider the Metro Eco Friendly Dip Tank for two key reasons – money and the environment. “

Read the rest of the article.

Easiway Systems, Inc. announces launch of new website

Easiway Systems, Inc. announces the launch of a new website offering tools, support, distributor info and e-commerce.

Delano, MN, September 15, 2010 – Easiway Systems, Inc. (the industry leader in the development of innovative, high performance, green products for the screen printing and graphic arts industry ) has launched a new website www.easiway.com. This website will provide Easiway users in the graphic arts industry an additional avenue to product info, support and e-commerce.
Sara Broghamer with Easiway Systems, Inc. says “Easiway has entered the global market; and our representation on the web will assist us in this move and will provide great value to our distributors and customers worldwide”.

The functions of www.easiway.com are; to provide existing Easiway customers with helpful tools and customer support, to provide future customers with information on why they should use Easiway products and how to get into contact with an authorized Easiway distributor, to project our unique concepts, systems and chemical processes to the graphic arts community World Wide and e-commerce to provide a purchasing avenue for small scale, out of reach customers who desire to use Easiway products and may not be within a geographical location of a distributor.

Over the past 30 years EasiWay Systems, Inc.’s dedication to quality, safety, and understanding of the market needs, combined with the industry’s most qualified people have provided the screen printing and graphic arts industry with superior, cost efficient products and systems to address their environmental and workplace needs.

###

Easiway Systems Website Features:

• E-commerce for products and equipment
• Photos, MSDS sheets, pricing, details and more on products
• News section with ability to subscribe via RSS or email
• Video section for training and product information
• Social media integration of our Facebook and Twitter accounts
• Distributor search and map feature

We look forward to your feedback on the new website and helping you get even more value from your Easiway relationship online!