For the Business of Apparel Decorating
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/300837
20 1 4 M ay Printwear | 91 It is a good idea to work with your supplier to ensure that the ink will perform on the garments if the print parameters are fol- lowed correctly. This one performance factor is very dependent on the printer using the proper procedures and recommendations for applying the ink. Ask ink manufacturers for product information bulletins that outline the proper techniques and print parameters for each ink product. Service The last two performance factors for any product center on service. Ask about the support for the product. It's very important to have timely response to questions—you need sound technical advice both online and in person. Any new product should have support from the manufacturer or distributor. Related to service is the supply chain. Can you get the product quickly? Another important factor is availability. Is it local? Is there stock? It is very important to have the product delivered within a timely manner. Working with a distributor on estimated usage strengthens this chain, as it allows for a staged inventory. How should an ink's worth be measured? Is it fair to look at just one feature? Considering only one aspect of a product can be a costly mistake. If any one of these performance factors are lacking, it could cost a lot more than just a few pennies on the piece. pw utilities, and shop costs) by those pieces, and you will see your savings multiply. The chart below shows how the dwell time prolongs the production time spent on a specific order. The faster the job is up and down, the less impact overhead cost has on your bottom line. Are More ScreenS A Better Solution? Many production facilities seem to have no problem in adding an extra screen to help the ink achieve the optimal look. This practice directly affects the cost per print. It is widely accepted that the cost of coating, exposing, and reclaiming a screen is approximately $40 per screen. If an ink requires this screen due to low opacity or color strength, the cost is surprising. If a shop is forced to use the extra screen, they will see an increase in cost per print. additional Costs associated with ink number of extra Screens cost cost Per Print Per 144 Pieces cost Per Print Per 576 Pieces cost Per Print Per 1,000 Pieces 1 40 0.28 0.07 0.04 2 80 0.56 0.14 0.08 3 120 0.83 0.21 0.12 4 160 1.11 0.28 0.16 This chart shows the impact of extra screens to the bottom line. When you consider the "per piece" cost difference between a low- cost ink and a higher-cost ink is between $0.02 and $0.03, you can see how this parameter affects the total cost in greater numbers. PW_MAY14.indd 91 4/17/14 11:24 AM