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A New and Novel Marketing Idea For The Slowest Time of The Year
Screen printers have forever found new and interesting markets, but this Ohio screen printer has developed one of the funniest new business ideas we have heard in a long time. This screen printer approached a local auto body repair shop with the idea of giving a t-shirt for unlucky customers that have been the victim of a deer-auto collision. The customer would be awarded with a shirt from the auto body shop, like “Official Member of Mike’s Auto Body Antler Club”. Before you laugh this off, automobile accidents involving deer have reached record levels in as many as 35 states in the U.S. as reported by Deer Accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports deer collisions cause over 1 billion dollars in car damage annually. Surprisingly, suburban areas are among the worst places for this to happen, due to lack of natural predators and no-hunting zones for deer. So, in the December through March months, a traditionally slow period for screen printers, print a sample t-shirt, sweat shirt and bumper sticker and call on all the local body shops and new car dealers with auto body shops in your area. There are many more than you think. Show them how the body shop that they can promote their work through their customers throughout the year and have a little fun, too. Don’t forget to tell the body shop to display one in their waiting area. This is a very clever way to reach out to a market that is very busy during the slower December through March months, and sadly not getting any smaller.
GhostBusters Part 2
Now that you have identified the cause of you haze stain (or ghost image) on your screen mesh, you may be able to eliminate entirely the need for additional handling to save the screen mesh. However, if you have failed to chase the ‘ghosts’ from your screen mesh it is important to understand that a haze remover may be the most aggressive chemical in your screen room. With that ‘aggressive’ label comes possible additional shipping costs as it may ship as a hazardous material and certainly more attention to safety when using any have removers. Some companies sell a very fast acting two-part haze remover that is so aggressive that without special safety equipment injuries could result. Easiway does not and has not offered this type of haze remover. The two-part haze removers are an old technology.
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.
The ISS show moves to Orlando February 17 & 18
See the latest products, machines and industry trends for the decorated apparel industry at the Imprinted Sportswear Show (ISS) when it returns to Orlando, Florida on February 17 & 18 at the Orange County Convention Center Map. The ISS Show is produced by the people at Impressions Magazine, an industry standard for the decorated apparel business for over 30 years. All areas of apparel and t-shirt decoration, screen printing supplies, apparel and t-shirt suppliers, machines, embroidery and digital printing will be featured. There are over 110 suppliers exhibiting. This show is a must for new companies or if you are planning a business in screen printing or apparel decoration of any type.
The show will also offer 36 instructional seminars and workshops ranging from introduction to screen printing taught by long time industry veteran and our friend Charlie Taublieb, easy PhotoShop learning by Dane Clement of Great Dane Graphics, many embroidery seminars, digital printing techniques and many more seminars that will instruct and inspire you. Seminar pricing is from $25 for advance registration to single seminars or $99 for a package that allows access to all seminars. On site pricing is higher so register early and save.
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.
GhostBusters Part 1
Do you have ghosts in your building? You know, those nasty images left on screen mesh after you have removed the emulsion resulting in another step to remove them, before you can re-coat them. These ghosts are also known as “haze” or just nasty stains. Before we recommend a stain remover it is important to know something about the type stain. If you know what causes your stain problem you may be able to eliminate life with ghosts without the use of any extra products or steps.
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.
Long Beach Imprinted Sportswear Show 2012 Edition
Easiway Systems will be exhibiting at the ISS Show in Long Beach this Friday, Saturday & Sunday (January 20-22). We will be in booth 1748. We will be demonstrating our “Original Dip Tank System” for reclaiming silk screens. Stop by and see just how fast and economical screen reclaiming can be.
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.
What Time Is It? 5 Timely Seasonal Business Ideas
With the popularity of smartphones increasing among all age groups, more and more people are wearing fewer wrist watches. How is this news for a screen printer? No, this does not explain why your screen maker is always late, it shows a trend in printable t-shirts to pocket t-shirts (so smart phones can easily be carried). Contact your existing business customers and let them know you have pocket t-shirts & apparel, can print on pockets, and how that might suit their employee and/or customer apparel needs for this changing apparel trend.
Other seasonal ideas:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
5 Quick & Easy Post Exposure Screen Reminders
Easiway has long been a manufacturer of a complete range of of screen & press washes and emulsion removers for screen printers. We do not manufacture emulsions, screen mesh or screen printing inks, but we do inter phase with these products daily. Over time we have spent thousands of hours trouble shooting inks, emulsions and screens from the smallest silk screen shops to the largest industrial plants imaginable. Easiway wants every customer to get the most benefit from our products and many times it results in recommendations in procedures that do not directly relate to the Easiway products.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
Back to the Future – Part 2
Why Back to the Future? Returning to the beginning of procedures is the most basic part of quality control. As we previously blogged, a growing and thriving business continues to monitor procedures and views training as an on-going and continual activity. This is true for screen printing companies and especially in the screen room. When procedures are standardized results are predictable job after job. Pin holes are not random occurrences, but simply eliminated when procedures are followed and periodically monitored. It seems the area where personnel changes are the greatest is in the screen room, and this is the area with most variables of procedures.
These are a couple of very simply reminders, and often over-looked that will reduce screen problems.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Back to the Future Part 1
Training and continual monitoring of procedures is key to better prints produced in the fastest time. Many companies already have training in place, but few have a continual review of procedure standards. Easiway receives calls about product performance that in fact are a result of photo-emulsion coating procedures that are not correct or recommended by the photo-emulsion manufacturer. A quick check list of your coating procedures:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Many Thanks for a Great 2011
Easiway wishes all of our customers the happiest of Holidays and a successful 2012. We will be closed for business December 26 and January 2.
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!
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