Digital Printing Solves Problems

Close Up of DTG Print - Car on White Shirt

There has been many articles written expounding the virtues of digital garment printing over the years.  Most just discuss why it’s a good thing, or compare it to traditional screen-printing.  Not many articles are available discussing exactly what problems a DTG printer can solve though.

So, let’s address why using a digital printer could solve that tricky problem for you, and if you use Visual Impressions, make you more money with that order.

Tight Turn-times

Regardless of how many colors your image uses, using a digital printer to push that order out might be just the trick for those crazy rush ideas your client throws your way.  With traditional screen-printing, there is a production delay as the art has to be approved, and then the screens burned, washed out, dried and made ready to register on press.

With digital, we can handle the art and get the shirts printing with a push of a button.  When your client says “I need these shirts ASAP”, and you are scrambling to figure out how to get it handled…this is the perfect answer.

Photos on a T-shirt

Your client really wants to get that head shot enlarged and printed on a lime green t-shirt.  With any type of screen-printing you are faced with using halftones to replicate the image.  Halftones have that inherent quality problem though in that they are composed of a series of dots, and sometimes these don’t look so hot on a t-shirt when printed.

To make matters worse, occasionally other, less quality-minded  printers that don’t use computer direct to screen imaging systems can get a moiré pattern introduced, and that just never looks right.

Digital prints always make photographs look fantastic because they don’t use halftones as part of the printing process.  If you want to wow that customer, use digital printing instead of screening.  You won’t regret it.

Trade Show Product Shot

Your client is introducing that new gizmo at the next trade show and needs some t-shirts to give away.  How are you going to make that gizmo look fantastic on a t-shirt?  Digital of course.  Remember, there’s no halftones, so you can get a magazine quality photograph on the shirt.

Imagine the high-fives you’ll get when you pull that one off.

High Color Count, Low Order Volume

Fifteen color job for 24 shirts?  Sounds like a perfect DTG order.  Why?  Well, start counting screens and throw in those screen charges and it’s easy to see that either that art has to be drastically changed, the client disappointed, or someone is eating some of the cost.

That doesn’t have to happen…just print it digitally as there’s an unlimited color count as everything is printed CMYK.  Need one more shirt the following Tuesday because someone forgot to register for the event?

No problem.  We can whip one more out in no time, as the art is already saved on our printer server.

Managing Inventory for a Catalog Program

Don’t want to preprint a bunch of shirts and have to sit on that money?  Why not just do them digitally as needed and have them drop shipped to the end user?  Talk to us about what you need to help your customers, we can assist you in building a seamless program.

 

 

So How Does Digital Printing Work at Visual Impressions?

Simple.  Just like any other order, you would send us the art and Purchase Order for the job.  We’re on the PSST network with SanMar, alphabroder, and S&S so you can drop ship us the inventory for free.  We’ll put the order in and schedule the work.  The goods will be received and we’ll print your order and ship.  You’ll get an shipping tracking number automatically sent to you.

If you need help with art, pricing or just simply understanding this stuff we’re here for you.  Our job is to make you a success in the eyes of your client.

Want to see some examples of what we’re describing above?  Click here.

We use a state of the art Kornit Avalanche digital printer, and use a gas powered dryer to cure the inks on the shirt.  Like everything else at Visual Impressions, we do things with best industry practices and the utmost quality.

Want a quote or to learn more?  Click here.

 

Boost Your Sales Revenue with Contract T-shirt Printing

Auto Press Squeegee Stroke with Light Blue Ink

According to the December 2015 issue of Wearables Magazine, 2016 is going to be “the year of the t-shirt”.  So, if you are a promotional item sales person what exactly does that mean to you?

If you do it right, basically more money in your pocket.   Want to learn how?  Here are some tried and true methods that come across our shop on a daily basis:

Use a trendy shirt.

Right now that’s a heathered tri-blend.  The incredibly soft feel of this type of shirt, partnered with a creative piece of artwork can really get things going for you.  Want to really add some value?  Let us relabel the garment with a custom tag or neck print, and then polybag the shirt for easy distribution at that trade show or event for your customer.

?What else is trending right now? Performance t-shirts.  This is a tricky blank to print on, so if you’ve been burned before by a printer that didn’t know what they were doing…why not use the shop that other’s turn to for this type of job?

It’s all about the art.

Did we mention our team of rock star designers?  Let us loose with a creative direction and we can bang out some killer concepts that will win you orders.  All we really need is an in-depth conversation and some basics on what’s needed.  Add some creative ideas and shake.  Boom.  More sales for you this month.

Get funky.

We’re the experts at thinking things through and adding some pizzazz to your program.  Ever think about adding foil to your art?  What about a high density gel or other specialty ink idea?  Thinning the inks out for a softer or more retail look?  What about a side wrap placement or something off-center?  Funkify your customer’s look for something show-stopping that’s bound to get the smiles you want.

Sustainable Printing

These days your corporate clients are looking for ways to tighten up their supply chain by going “green”.  Has anyone reached out to you about this?  It’s more involved that just using a t-shirt made from recycled plastic water bottles.  Visual Impressions has worked hard to achieve their sustainability certification from the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership.  What does this mean to you?  The value is that we’re a trusted source to help you navigate these waters and guide your client into making better decisions.  Why stop short with just ordering an eco-t-shirt?  Why not use a sustainable printer too?

Click here to learn more about our sustainability program.

Custom finishing.

Sometimes there’s more to an order than just printing the shirt.  Folding, poly-bagging, hang-tagging and adding custom neck labels or hem tags are essential for some programs.  Want to add a retail ready, high-end value to your client’s orders?  Get some help solving the challenge with the A-Team that has the skills to make it easy.

Drop shipping.

Who has a distribution center anymore?  These days that 5,000 piece order has to be broken down into 1,473 drop ships from a spreadsheet.  Who is doing that pack out?  You?  Why not let the same pros that decorate the shirt handle the drop shipping program too?  We can send these out in your packaging, on your third party account, and still hit your deadlines.   Ssshhh.  We won’t tell anyone that you didn’t do it.  So while you are closing more deals, or rounding the back nine at the club…we’re getting that order ready to ship.

Multiple Production Locations

Our main 100,000 sq ft production facility is located in Milwaukee, WI.  We contract screen-print, digitally print and embroider apparel for promotional item distributors all over the United States.  Although we can handle just about anything thrown our way, we’ve also just opened up a 10,000 sq ft production facility in St. Louis, MO.  Our goal is to make it easier for you.

We’re on everyone’s major PSST list (Pack Separately Ship Together) – so if you order your goods from SanMar, alphabroder or S&S they will ship free into us in one day ground usually.

 

Want to see more?  Take a quick tour of Visual Impressions by checking out our Pinterest page – just Click Here.

 

If any of the above sounds like something that you’d like to partner with us on, please give us a shout and let’s get the party started!

(800) 291-8337