Hello

[socialgiraffe]

Hi Andrew

We have diversified simply because that is what our customers wanted, they are very loyal and basically send us everything (except garments) and tell us to get on with it. Most of the time they do not even ask for a quote!, it also massively helps me with machine downtime. I would love my Versacamm to run stickers all day everyday, but there is not enough demand, by making sure my machines can adapt I can keep them running and earning money. It also makes the job interesting as you never know what is coming in next!!! Even had one customer who asked if we could print on 30,000 pieces of sliced bread!!!!! Screenprinting is a very steep curve and am here to help in whatever way I can, trust me you are going to need it One thing I will say, once you have cracked it, the mug profit is superb. We undercut the "big boys" and I still can't believe how much I am making per mug (I am not saying this to brag, but simply to encourage you to give it a crack). As an example a standard Cambridge mug sets you back about 34p, a screen costs about £5.00 max for that size screen. Set up time is about 15 mins (once you have used the machine for a while), ink is expensive but lasts for ages so I would estimate about 1-2p per mug. 250 mugs per hour printing. Based on a small order (this is where the money is) of 108 mugs @ £1.50 approx a unit (plus screen @ £20) means you are making around £80.00 per hour (have rounded theses figure up and down and taken off a bit for delivery etc but they are not far out). Give 'em a black mug which is 10p dearer and you can add a further 30p per mug! Bigger orders are nice but the figures are not as attractive, I have one client that wants us to take on a contract for 6000 1 colour mugs per month @ 58p per mug, but you still make about £45 per hour and you know its coming in each month. I hope I have given you enough info to wet your appetite and please do not hesitate to ask for any info/advice. If I can not answer it (I am more a digital person) I know my screen printing manager can.

Kind regards

Simon

[socialgiraffe]

Hi David

Thank you.

Have been through quite a few wide formats in my time! UV, Solvent, Aqueous etc etc. Am currently using a Versacamm print and cut machine which is simply the best piece of kit I have ever used. Entry level is about 9k but if you have the customers you can earn that back inside 6 months easy. Have been using the current one for 10 months, I think I could count on one hand how many times a roll of media has jammed, and even less if you remove operator error!!!! Also love the versatility of it, as I mentioned earlier, on Tuesday I printed 2000 stickers (kiss cut), some heat transfers for dark garments and some others for light garments, a bucket load of transfers for cotton shoppers, 6 canvas prints and a few small banners. All this from one machine, one pirce of software and 1 set of inks. The other bonus is the cost of the raw materials, ink is pretty reasonable and available from loads of suppliers, its on board ink management is very efficient so they last a long time and the media is cheap as chips!!! As an example I just purchased some 24" by 18 meter canvas off an Ebay shop for £16.00. Can only be used in solvent printer so perfect for this machine. I have an Epson 42" Wide format that I used to run the canvas through, this was £30.00 for the same width but 3 meters shorter. It is a serious piece of kit, but for this style of machine I personally think that the price is too cheap, although I am certainly not complaining!

[Andrew]

Diversifying is good if you have a ready made customer base. We've actually gone the other way and largely concentrate on mugs these days but there might come a time when we get the pad printer going for other products.

Not sure yet when we will get into screened mugs with probably waterslide an easier first step. Still got plenty of growth on sublimation mugs to pick up but I'm turning down orders all the time for the other methods.

[David B]

Hi Simon

Sounds good. I print canvas on a Epson 9800 44" which is great quality but the Aqueous Inks are expensive and as you said the canvas is dearer. A mate of mine has 3 Mimaki CJV30 printers. 2 print and cut and one just print. At the moment he is doing 1000 canvas's a week and specialises in pop up banners. With your turnover you must have a few on the payroll. Anyway good luck and well done.

Kind regards
David

[socialgiraffe]

Hi Andrew

I wish I was as brave as you I would love to concentrate on core lines, but am always worried about what happens if we do not get any work as the demand has dissapeared.

If you ever need a quote for screen printing mugs let me know, I can give you a good enough discount so that we both make money

[socialgiraffe]

Hi David

1000, crumbs!!!! What does he think of the Mimaki? I did see one in action but ended up going with the Roland because Xpress sold it and I trust their technical side of the operation. We have a Epson 10600 here which survived an explosion at the Buncefield Oil disaster (which flattened our building). So I have a softspot for Epsons because straight after the explosion it was the only thing I could turn on and operate and earn money out of. I always give it a gentle pat every now and then as it pretty much stopped me from going under

Too many on the payroll in my opinion LOL!

Kind regards

Simon

[Andrew]

I wish I was as brave as you I would love to concentrate on core lines, but am always worried about what happens if we do not get any work as the demand has dissapeared.

Well I guess we still do it a similar but the opposite way around. Whilst I concentrate on a core line I have a varied customer base to make sure work doesn't dry up. You on the other hand sound like you have a core customer base but more varied product option. Horses for courses. As long as it works for you that's great.

The cost I would need screenprinted mugs I doubt would ever be viable for me to outsource. In-house would be my only option due to my customer/competitor base. Thanks for the offer though.

[GoldRapt]

A late welcome to Simon from me,
Some very interesting exchanges of info . I woud love to know more about waterslide and screenprinting.