Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:11:32 — 60.1MB)

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This week, Warren Werbitt, The Print Whisperer, is back to talk about something nearly everyone in the print industry has been guilty of: making things more complicated than they need to be. Whether you own the shop, sell the work, run production, manage a team, or are simply trying to grow your career, there are always distractions pulling your attention away from what really matters. New equipment, pricing pressure, customer demands, internal drama, shiny new technology, and plenty of opinions about what you should be doing next. Warren joins Aaron and Terry to talk about putting the blinders on, focusing on what you can control, making smarter decisions, and taking ownership of your role in the business. We’ll get into sales, profitability, people, technology, PRINTING United Expo, and some of the dumb decisions we all make along the way. Sometimes the biggest improvement is not adding something new. It is getting clear about what matters, simplifying the noise, and doing your part better.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:44 — 46.9MB)

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With Aaron and Terry away at a trade show, Cassie Green from Apparelist steps in to co-host alongside Producer Erich Campbell for a conversation all about better color, stronger workflows, and getting more from PRINTING United Expo. Their guest is Shelby Sapusek of ColorCasters, a color management consultant and trainer, G7+ Expert, and two-time PRINTING United Expo All Star. Shelby helps print providers take the confusion out of color management and build practical systems that create more consistent, repeatable results. During the episode, Shelby will break down what a color management workflow really looks like, the common mistakes shops make, and the simple improvements decorators and print providers can start using right away. The conversation will also explore how changing printers, inks, software, and substrates are affecting color management, along with what shops should be paying attention to next. Shelby will also share details about the G7+ Exchange, her role as a PRINTING United Expo All Star, and how attendees can use the All Star program to navigate the Expo, find the right resources, and avoid feeling overwhelmed on the show floor.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:32 — 58.3MB)

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Growth sounds exciting, but growing the wrong way can create more stress, smaller profits, and a business that controls your life. This week, Terry and Aaron welcome Colin Sinclair McDermott, The Online Print Coach, to explore the common mistakes print and apparel businesses make while trying to grow. Drawing from his experience running print companies, overcoming business failure, and coaching hundreds of industry professionals, Colin will share how owners can approach growth more strategically in today’s rapidly changing marketplace. We’ll discuss outdated sales and marketing habits, poor planning, inconsistent systems, customer relationships, accountability, and the difference between simply getting busier and building a stronger, more profitable business. Whether you are preparing to grow or already feeling the pains of expansion, this conversation will help you recognize the warning signs and make better decisions before expensive mistakes slow you down.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:35 — 52.4MB)

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Sustainability is becoming a bigger part of doing business in the promotional products industry, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. This week, Aaron and Terry welcome Liz Wimbush, PPAI’s Director of Sustainability & Responsibility, to help make the topic practical and easier to understand. Liz shares how PPAI is supporting members at every stage of their sustainability journey, from businesses just getting started to those already leading the way. The conversation covers available tools and education, the Carbon Intensity Study, packaging Extended Producer Responsibility regulations, emerging textile legislation and the upcoming PPAI Responsibility Summit. Whether you are a supplier, distributor, or decorator, this episode will help you better understand what sustainability means for your business, what changes may be coming, and what steps you can begin taking now.

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:42 — 53.7MB)

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Is it time to buy a DTF printer, or are you better off continuing to outsource your transfers? In this episode, Terry and Aaron look at the decision from both sides. Terry brings the production perspective, while Aaron focuses on the numbers, cash flow, and business planning behind the investment. They will discuss order volume, staffing, available space, maintenance, turnaround time, equipment costs, and the real impact of downtime. They will also explain why the best answer may not be choosing one option over the other. For many decorators, a hybrid approach can provide the right balance of control, flexibility, and backup capacity. Before you invest in equipment or assume outsourcing is holding you back, this conversation will help you understand what factors should drive the decision.

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