By Bruce Weiandt, GSSA Rep

Quick slip pad protectors make production runs a lot easier. If you already have a quick slip, you know what I mean. For anyone who doesn’t you are missing out on a simple yet valuable tool. Quick slip pad protectors do all that the name implies. They are made of Teflon® and fit tightly to the lower platen of your heat press. It protects the foam padding on the lower platen of your heat press which can cost over $100 to replace. It also keeps the edges of the pad from wearing down or pulling up and loose as you load and unload shirts. It will take quite a while for a corner to come loose but all the same, there’s no point in ever having to replace it if you don’t have to.

The best part about the protector is how easy it makes loading and unloading shirts. You will no longer have problems with the shirt trying to grab a hold of the lower platen which can make positioning difficult. With the quick slip, the shirt will slide freely over the lower platen. This is especially helpful when using clam models.

Another benefit to the quick slip is how easy it is to clean. Since it is made of Teflon, if you should happen to get a die or ink on your lower platen, just simply wipe it off with a wet rag and you will be back in business right away.

It’s simple, easy and will save you a lot of time. Check out the Great Garment Graphics video below.

By Patrick Seward, GSSA Rep

I’ve found that many customers that currently use a vinyl cutter are not using Pressure Sensitive Vinyl because they are unsure how to use it. The basic application can be intimidating if you haven’t used the product before. This video shows two different methods of applying the graphics, wet and dry.

Small designs can usually be accomplished using the dry technique.  For larger designs, I recommend a wet technique. The wet application allows the graphic to move around a bit and helps with the removal of air bubbles. This video gives a recipe for making the perfect spray solution from basic household materials, and goes on to demonstrate both styles of application.

This video also goes into detail with the weeding and masking processes that occur before the application.

Pressure Sensitive material is very inexpensive for the customer and I believe it is one of the best investments a business can make to expand their current offerings, dollar for dollar compared to anything else. Enjoy the video!

By Patrick Seward, GSSA

Avoid the oops with a test cut.

The “test cut” is overlooked by 50% of end-users but it’s the most important step when using a vinyl cutter. The test cut occurs when the vinyl cutter is configured and the heat transfer material is loaded for the first time that day. The test cut allows the user quickly find their configuration error and correct it. From my experience, it tends to be the force of the blade. Typically it will need to be increased or decreased.

If you do decide to skip the test cut altogether, for example when switching material, sometimes it works out.  When it doesn’t, things can get messy and you’ve wasted time and material.

This online training video features the GX-24 vinyl cutter and provides instructions on how to do a basic test cut. This ten second check will save you time and money. Trust me, I know from experience.

By Mark Schwarb, GSSA

Rarely, in this day and age, do we get an opportunity to congratulate a business celebrating “100 years in business“. Even rarer do we find that business to be owned and operated continuously by one family. August 10, 2010 marks just such a milestone for the fine people at Bartley’s Sporting Goods in North Fort Myers, Florida. Loring and Steve Strickland, along with numerous younger generation family members, carry on the traditions of customer service, community involvement, and sound business practices upon which Loring’s grandfather Mr. Henry Bartley founded his business in 1910!

Through all those decades Bartley’s has evolved with the changing markets. Starting originally as a bicycle shop and then adding fishing supplies and repairs they began team uniform outfitting in the relatively recent 1970′s. With that change came a vendor – dealer relationship with Stahls’. What a wonderful irony that each of these fine family owned businesses would continue to push forward, together, for more than four decades.

Today Loring gives modest credit to the store’s ability to personalize on-site as one of the reasons for its endurance. Bartley’s in-house services include screen printing, embroidery, numerous heat presses, and an Ioline cutter to help provide traditional tackle twill decorating. Lettering, numbers, and equipment from both Stahls ID and Transfer Express have provided Bartley’s staff with the tools to produce 1000′s of uniforms from tee ball to professional teams like the Boston Red Sox and everything in between.

It has been my privilege to service the Bartley’s account for the last three years, and I am sure I speak for the entire industry in congratulating them on 100 Golden years in business as well as wishing much future success. 

Read more about the Bartley family business.

By Patrick Seward, GSSA

Who doesn’t want to save money? This YouTube video demonstrates the basics to cutting pieces of heat transfer vinyl with the GX-24 vinyl cutter.

New users often save the scrap pieces for future use, but never get around to using them.  I’ve also found that some veteran users don’t use any of their scrap materials. They think it can be more trouble than it’s worth (time=money). They trash the smaller pieces.

This training video is a great “refresher course” how to cut your heat transfer vinyl scraps. You’ll learn; pinch roller placement, and proper settings for cutting the scrap materials using the GX-24 vinyl cutter.

By Patrick Seward, GSSA

Use of a Cap Press on the sleeve.

Any transfer design that is smaller than the heating element can be heat applied using the cap heat press. The lower platens can be interchanged allowing the user to take full advantage of the 4×8 platen size. Other platen sizes are available to accommodate different cap sizes, if they are needed.

These units also heat up much faster and use roughly 1/3 rd the power of a 16×20 heat press.  The quick heat up and low power usage  is a good selling point. Use the cap press to decorate small transfer designs on sleeves, necks, umbrellas, baby clothing, and more. Check out the YouTube video below for a demonstration on how to use a cap press for more than just caps.

Enjoy!

By Bruce Weiandt, GSSA

Now that we have made it through Spring and All Star Season, some heat printing companies are seeing a little break in the action. Although at this point a break sounds really nice, this is the prime to grow your business! A little down time provides a great opportunity to call on customers you have not heard from in a while, re-visit jobs that were quoted but never came to pass, call on new prospects, change displays around for a fresh new look and introduce new ideas to some of your established customers.

What new products are you offering for the upcoming school season? Have you been considering appliqué or some other new process but have not had time to try it out yet.

If you are looking for something new and profitable, contact your GSSA Rep. In the past couple of years there have been a multitude of new products and services introduced that your customers will love! We keep on top of the latest decorating trends so that you don’t have to.

Also keep an eye on Great Garment Graphics. There is a full schedule of webinars and training videos that are packed with great ideas to keep you busy this summer!

By Patrick Seward, GSSA

I was going through some videos on YouTube.com and came across a Great Garment Graphics video tutorial that’s old, but should not be forgotten. In fact, if implemented, it can make your business stand out and increase profit!

Great Garment Graphics demonstrates a way to incorporate a mascot or graphic into an existing text. They make it look so easy, and with the aid of CadworxLIVE. I was impressed with the end result of the graphic.  This is the type of design customers love. The design is very unique and will get the creative juices flowing in the customers mind. I plan to show off this video in the future to stir up both their imagination as well as their business. Hope you enjoy the video! Don’t forget to check out the other training videos from Great Garment Graphics, Equipment, Software, Heat Printing.

Are you looking for inspiration and fresh ideas for your customers? Have you heard all about the newest products in our industry? Would you like advice to keep your T-shirt business or sports uniform shop running smoothly?

Even though things are probably very busy in your shop right now, I’d like to share a helpful resource that can help you with all of those things.

We’ve been publishing our blog for a few months and it is already packed full of educational articles and tips for your garment decoration business. Topics include:

Working with your heat press and vinyl cutter

Tips for troubleshooting and avoiding mistakes

Suggestions on how to save time and money

Garment decoration ideas and inspiration

Advice on pricing, making samples and organizing your store

Information on new products

Tradeshow information and events

The GSSA Blog is a great way to stay up to speed on our industry’s latest offerings and features articles from the entire GroupeSTAHL Sales Alliance.

For example – One recent post had all the information you need to work with Super FILM, our newest material for performance fabrics:

The Perfect Film for Performance Fabrics

So take a moment to read up on what’s new and please, leave your comments and questions for us. We want to be a resource for your business.

And remember, “Before you tell your customer no, ask your GSSA rep!”

Sincerely,

Bruce Weiandt, GSSA Representative

Part 2 of 2

By Bruce Weiandt, GSSA

So, now that I’ve convinced you in Wednesday’s post to try appliqué – want to hear the best news yet?

If you shop around, you will find out that appliqué commands more money than direct embroidery. It’s all about perceived value. Due to the rich look of appliqué, consumers just assume it will cost more.

When you consider the labor involved in direct embroidery and how long fill stitch can tie up a machine, versus the cost of appliqué, they work out to be about the same. The benefit to appliqué is you will find yourself moving product out the door faster. It takes a lot less time to sew a full size appliqué than it does to do the same logo in direct embroidery.

Also when working with appliqué, use your heat press! Heat press your appliqué after you sew it out. It will activate the adhesive in the appliqué backing and create a very professional-looking solid bond. Heat pressing the design will also erase the memory of the stitches. After thread is stitched it tends to want to return back to the shape it held when on the spool. Heat application erases this memory and relaxes the stitches. This makes a big difference when you wash the garment. You will notice a lot less puckering.  Not only will appliqué itself separate you from your competition, but the professional look of heat pressing after sewing will make you the best!

Editor’s Note: Our friends at Great Garment Graphics have put together an excellent video that shows, step-by-step, a very common appliqué project – applying a name to the front of a button-up baseball jersey. Watch it here. And, Stahls’ ID Direct has a technical sheet with instructions for applique which can be downloaded in PDF form.