Jun 15, 2009 0
8 Ways to Win at Contract Printing
Justin Clark, a shirt design veteran, shares what he looks for when choosing a contract printer.
1. Clear Standards
Ultimately it’s the client’s responsibility to provide a proper print-ready file, but not all know what that is. A great print shop will know what they need and have clear standards for what they will accept. (A low-quality .jpg proof is not a proper file for a shop to try to separate and print, but surprisingly I’ve had some printers burn screens from my .jpg proof instead of the .eps file I provided along with it.)
2. Offer Oversize
Full shirt prints are in. (Who knows for how long?) Providing it is a perk you can promote.
3. Flexible Color Palette
Shops have a set palette that they use to reduce time and costs. Tell clients exactly what colors you’re working with. If a design specifies a non-standard color, let us know. (Don’t “sneak in” replacement colors. We will notice.) Being willing to mix custom colors, for an additional cost, is another service to market to designers.
4. Open your Mind
Be willing to experiment. If a client gives you permission to trying something out of the norm, why not take that chance? You may discover techniques and opportunities for future projects. So what if printing on a collar or a zipper causes a break in the design? If the client and designer are open to experimentation, the printer should be too.
5. Know the Techniques
There are lots of ways to get a design on a shirt, help by suggesting techniques that complement the design. Even if you don’t do it all, educating on what’s out there will foster a relationship that keeps us coming back. FashionLab is a good place to start.
6. Hit Deadlines
There is never, ever, ever an excuse to miss a deadline. A deadline is a promise. Missing deadlines is the quickest way to severe relationships and ultimately kill your company.
7. Confirmation is Key
I always include a proof that shows placement, size, color, and all other necessary information about the job. For those that don’t, go the extra mile and provide mock-up of how their shirt will look. That way everyone knows exactly what to expect.
The most frustrating thing to a designer is specifying the exact colors, size, and placement; and having the shop completely disregards it. If the client asks for as close to the collar as possible; don’t center over the stomach. This has happened to me several times, and I still don’t understand it. (Some of this may come down to poor communication within the shop itself.) Which brings me to my last point…
8. Give a Hoot
It really comes down to one thing. Care. If you honestly care about your customers and the quality of the work you’re providing; you’ve already beat 90% of the competition.
