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Coming back to close up the series on starting a decoration business in 2024, hosts Terry and Aaron dive into the crucial topic of equipment selection. Drawing from their extensive experience in the industry, they offer valuable insights and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to invest in the right tools for success. This week it is about digital equipment. DTG/DTF, heat printing, and sublimation, they explore the latest advancements and considerations in each decoration method. Join us as we discuss key factors when choosing equipment, including budget, scalability, and technological advancements. Whether you’re launching a new venture or looking to upgrade your existing setup, this episode provides essential guidance for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of decoration business equipment.
Our regular listeners know this, but 2 Regular Guys are all about garment decorating, a bit of fun, and no rants, lectures, or selling. 2 Regular Guys was not created 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 improve your business and our industry. 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!
Ready to have clarity and confidence in your business? Attend FUNdamentals Live on June 7th and 8th in O’Fallon, MO.
News
If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to info@2regularguys.com. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”
Dad Joke
Terry: Know what to put on the form at work when it says Emergency Contact?
The police, EMTs, fire department. If it’s an emergency what the heck is my mother going to do?
If I Knew Then What I Know Now.
Sublimation – Aaron
- If you are new, avoid the 3rd Party Ink systems
- Find something that has a full warranty, and high-quality inks
- Not all inks are the same, and with sublimation, even with the most expensive cartridges, ink is one of the smallest costs of the process.
- If I were starting today, I might look harder at a wide format system. Maybe not a 44”, but 24”
- If you do go wider format so you can make use of roll printing, invest in a RIP – Nesting
- We will cover it shortly, but the heat press really matters with sub more than any other method
- Even heat and pressure are key to easy production
DTG/DTF – Terry
- As I mentioned in screen printing, I’d at least start with a DTG printer to do both DTG and DTF while I build my business… because I’m a screen print snob… and because DTG printers can be more forgiving on how often they run
- As a side gig, I’d probably start by jobbing out DTF transfers
- I would steer clear of repurposed paper printers as my DTG option (It’s like a heart transplant)
- Most stand-alone DTF printers use Epson I3200 print heads. That’s as close to purpose built as we are right now.
- Don’t base your purchase decision on size of the machine, but on the throughput of the machine
- DTF is an ideal decoration method since it’s a short learning curve and you can adhere to almost any fabric, but this as your only option can be tricky in a competitive and more and more crowded market
- I would purchase/subscribe to an online store option… DTG and DTF are the perfect decoration method for this selling technique
- I’ll jump back to Erich’s point from last week, I would buy from someone who offers real training and real support… this is all fairly new, even DTG at 20 years old
Heat Presses – ALL
- Terry: Buy a good quality heat press!
- Crucial for Sublimation
- Aaron: Difference Between the Styles
- Clam | Swing a Way | Drawer
- Erich: Ergonomics – Have it at the right height for you.
- Aaron: Don’t sleep on Air Operated Presses
- Erich: Contract plastisol transfers, DTF transfers, patches, etc. Your business is your heat press and your UPS driver.
The Secret Sauce
We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar. Remember, the right tip at the right time can be just the secret ingredient you need for success.
OTHER EVENTS
Achieve Greater Profit with Fewer Sales – Are you ready to achieve a greater profit with less effort? Join the masterclass designed for dedicated business owners like you.
September 5th, 2024
9 AM Eastern | 8 AM Central
7 AM Mountain | 6 AM Pacific
- Rising Tide Talks! – Wednesdays at 5 PM Central Time and then available to watch any time.
- Start Loving Your Business Today ❤️
The FUNdamentals of Business Success Book - Master of Success Inner Circle – Bi-Weekly Mastermind Groups on top of the industry-leading business training.
- Complete Screen Printing Business Course with Atlas Screen Supply in Chicago June 8-9.
- Complete Screen Printing Business Course with Workhorse Products in Phoenix, AZ, May 4-5.
- Demystifying Next Level Digitizing Online Training from Erich Campbell
- Understanding Emblems Learn from Erich Campbell about digitizing for patches.
- The Take-up with Erich Campbell – Fridays at 2:30 Mountain Time
- Radical Goal-Getters – Facilitated 6-Month Mastermind and Goal Achievement Group
TRADE SHOWS
- Graphics Pro Expo Long Beach, CA – June 13-15, 2024
- How to Master Pricing for Profit. June 15, 2024, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm PT
- Graphics Pro Expo Greater Philadelphia (Oaks), PA – July 10-12, 2024
- How to Master Pricing for Profit, July 11, 2024, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm ET
- Printing United Expo Las Vegas, NV – September 10-12, 2024
- Targeted Success: Finding Your Ideal Customer Sep. 10, 2024 | 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
- AI Marketing Mastery: Leveraging ChatGPT for Business Growth Sep. 11, 2024 | 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm
- Graphics Pro Expo Indianapolis, IN – October 3-5, 2024
- How to Master Pricing for Profit. October 5, 2024, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm CT
- Impressions Expo Ft. Worth, TX – October 24-26, 2024
- Graphics Pro Expo Charlotte, NC – November 7-9, 2024
- Impressions Expo Long Beach, CA – January 23-25, 2025
- DAX Kansas City KCI Expo Center, Kansas City, MO – February 21-22, 2025
- DAX Nashville Farm Bureau Expo Center, Lebanon, TN – May 9-10, 2025
- DAX Chicago Schaumburg Convention Center, Schaumburg, IL – May 30-31, 2025
- DAX Twin Cities Hilton Doubletree, Bloomington, MN – August 1-2, 2025
All dates and events are subject to change
