Let’s Talk Graphics

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In the end, what separates one garment/product decorator from the rest is your graphics. So the 2 Regular Guys will be hosting a graphics guru this Friday. Craig Mertens with GraphicsFlow will join us to talk about ins and outs of creating graphics for your customers and being efficient with the process.

Brought to you by: Our Success Group

Our regular listeners know this, but 2 Regular Guys are all about garment decorating, a bit of fun, and no rants or lectures or selling. We are not doing this for our employers, but rather for our industry. Since February 2013, The 2 Regular Guys have been the first and the most listened to garment decorating industry podcast on this planet! We are humbled by all of you tuning in each week. We work hard to bring you information that will make your business better, and our industry better. Take a look at our incredible weekly guest list and you’ll understand where this industry goes for news, interviews, and the heartbeat of garment decorating. Thanks for listening!

News

Dad Joke: What do you call a zombie who doesn’t joke around?

Dead serious.

Graphics

Craig Mertens is the General Manager of GraphicsFlow. GraphicsFlow, formerly known as Digital Art Solutions, is a sister company of Inksoft. Craig has been working in the apparel decoration industry for over 35 years. Prior to co-founding Digital Art Solutions, Craig was a top producing manufacturer’s representative in the imprinted sportswear industry. Craig has spent his career developing products and services that assist in managing graphics, optimizing sales, and growing profitable businesses. Craig has a wide range of expertise in graphics and production for screen printing, vinyl graphics, rhinestone multi-decoration, embroidery, applique, digital printing, and laser engraving. Craig is the facilitator of the GraphicsFlow Academy online education program. This free online training program has helped thousands of apparel decorators and personalization businesses maximize their productivity and grow their sales.

Terry: Before we start the conversation about graphics, can you give us an update about changes in the ownership structure there?

Aaron: What are some of the options a decorator has for creating graphics?

Terry: Why are graphics important to the growth of your business? How do graphics impact a business’ success?

Aaron: What are tools and resources to help me become better?

Terry: What are online tools that make it easier for me to collaborate with clients on graphics?

Aaron: How can I build my business based on graphics?

Terry: From Dot-Tone Dan – Fonts Management programs? What’s new, what’s best?

Aaron: Craig, tell our listeners where to find you.

REGULATOR Q’s – 

*Dot-Tone Dan – Fonts Management programs? What’s new, what’s best?

*Kris Howard – Where do you get stock graphics?

Facebook Live Video

#5Things

5 Ways to Improve the Clarity of Your Marketing or Speaking Message

From William Boardman, The Community Speaker

1. Keep the most important thing, the most important thing. If something takes the spotlight off the most important thing, get rid of it.
2. Your message is more clear if it is well structured. Beginning (get their attention), body (make your case), and ending (summary).
3. Words matter, don’t be vague. If people don’t understand a fancy word, it is vague in their mind.
4. Examples and analogies can introduce concepts that help people understand. Like the Bikini Principle in #5.
5. Less is more. Also known as the Bikini Principle; long enough to cover the subject, yet short enough to be interesting.

Be Part of #5Things

If you would like to present your 5 Things, five quick points on any subject whether it be advice or five instructional steps, we would love to hear from you. You can come on the show and present them yourself, or we will share your list with our listeners or even play a recorded video of you sharing 5 things. Whatever is easiest. https://www.2regularguys.com/5things/ 

Other Events

• The Half – 11:30 AM CST every Friday. Erich Campbell and Aaron Montgomery. 30 minutes of Q&A. And this is the one time in Erich and Aaron’s life that 30 minutes is 30 minutes. Tune in at www.liveosg.com. See past episodes and support the show – thehalf.club. 
• Complete Screen Printing Business Course with Workhorse Products in Phoenix, AZ starting May 21-22, 2022.
• Complete Screen Printing Business Course with Atlas Screen Supply in Chicago starting August 27-28, 2022.
• Complete Screen Printing Business Course with Atlas Screen Supply in Chicago starting November 5-6, 2022.
• Master of Success Inner Circle – The next level for people who are serious about their success. Bi-Weekly Mastermind Groups on top of the industry-leading business training.
• Aaron’s “Small Business Saturdays” #SBS Every Saturday. Check out the Podcast version at SmallBusinessSaturdaysPodcast.com
• Demystifying Next Level Digitizing Make your machine embroidery bolder, more beautiful, and more valuable to customers while making the digitizing process faster and easier. Online Training from Erich Campbell
• Understanding Emblems Digitizing, Production, Styles, and Sales of Patches. Learn from Erich Campbell about digitizing for emblems including small detail tips, creating your own borders, as well as execution for stitching, and more. Online Training from Erich Campbell
• The Take-up with Erich Campbell – Fridays at 2:30 Mountain Time
• Your Style Guide Your Style Guide is a critical recipe. When all of the ingredients are combined, they create a powerful brand that is aligned, consistent & memorable! eBook by Jay Busselle

Trade Shows

• Graphics Pro Expo Denver, CO – April 14-15, 2022
• DAX Chicagoland Tinley Park, IL – April 22-23, 2022
  • Digitizing your First Design – Finding your Foundations – Erich Campbell – April 21, 2022
  • Into Cyberspace: Your NEW On-line Customer Center – Aaron Montgomery – April 22, 2022
  • Specialty Inks and How to Use Them Properly – Terry Combs – April 22, 2022
  • Why is Getting Started in DTG Printing So Confusing? – Terry Combs – April 22, 2022
  • Design Editing and Alterations – Erich Campbell – April 22, 2022
  • 3 Pricing Strategies to Avoid (And what to do instead…) – Aaron Montgomery – April 23, 2022
• Everything Embroidery Market Chattanooga, TN – April 28-30, 2022
  • Friday, April 29th – 3 Pricing Strategies to Avoid (And what to do instead…) – Aaron Montgomery
    Friday, April 29th – Business Owner Mindset – Believe is possible, overcome fear and take action. – Kylene and Aaron Montgomery
    Friday, April 29th – What is Work-Life Balance? Myth, dream or Possibility? – Kylene Montgomery
    Saturday, April 30th – Being Customer-Centric is the Only Way to REAL Profits – Aaron Montgomery
    Saturday, April 30th – Keys to Successful Business Planning – Aaron Montgomery
• Graphics Pro Expo Indianapolis, IN – June 2-4, 2022
• SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference Atlanta, GA – June 20-24, 2022
• Applique Getaway Dallas, TX – July 15-17, 2022
• Graphics Pro Expo Meadowlands, NJ – July 21-22, 2022
• Graphics Pro Expo Long Beach, CA – August 4-6, 2002
• Graphics Pro Expo Charlotte, NC – September 16-17, 2022
  • START HERE Academy – September 15, 4-8 p.m., in Room 219 at the Charlotte Convention Center
• Sublimation Summit Peachtree City, GA – September 22-24, 2022
• Impressions Expo Ft Worth, TX – September 30 – October 2, 2022
• Printing United Las Vegas, NV – October 19-21, 2022
  All dates and events, subject to change

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