We'll tell you when to order! Would you be put off by this?

[Lucan Unlordly]

Having printed clothing for many years, we withdrew from the market a few years ago, technology having stolen a march on us, along with the foibles of small order local business customers expecting double quick turnaround, we felt like we'd escaped from Colditz.

Technology has moved on again so we can bring everything in house whilst offering a better product and we're looking to throw our hat back in the ring, the aim being to have a week when we're printing, just once a month. All orders in, done, out the door. We'll send emails the week prior inviting/telling regular customers to place orders for any additions to 'This Month's Run'. Outside of this they'll have to wait.

There will obviously be some exceptions but I think many of our former customers will appreciate the reminders. Would you?

 

[LPB 123]

It seems like a long time to wait if you order just after you've done your weeks run for the month. Would it not be a better to do the printing 1/2 days a week, every week, so customers are only waiting a week rather than potentially a month for an order.

 

[fisicx]

It could work. We get clothing for our car club and order in advance so would be quite happy to have a deliver date next month.

 

[kulture]

I suspect that it depends on your target market. Many individual customers expect next day delivery and don’t read websites and don’t see the huge letters that say it can take a month.

Business customers have different expectations and will be happy to schedule sensibly when they get a better price/service as a result.

So the real question is, are you better than your competitors?

 

[Picture Bute]

What are you intending doing ? DTF/DTG/Printed Vinyl/Cut Vinyl or a combination of all ?

Are you expecting your customers to be clubs and societies or members of the public wanting 3 t's with 'Samantha's Hen Night' on them ?zx

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

It seems like a long time to wait if you order just after you've done your weeks run for the month. Would it not be a better to do the printing 1/2 days a week, every week, so customers are only waiting a week rather than potentially a month for an order.

We'd build in a workaround when needed most of our former customers 'intended to come and see us weeks before' but forgot, ran out of time etc., I also want to do a single wholesale order to take advantage of free delivery.

It could work. We get clothing for our car club and order in advance so would be quite happy to have a deliver date next month.

I suspect that it depends on your target market. Many individual customers expect next day delivery and don’t read websites and don’t see the huge letters that say it can take a month.

Business customers have different expectations and will be happy to schedule sensibly when they get a better price/service as a result.

So the real question is, are you better than your competitors?

I attended a festival at the weekend that we'd printed the shirts for. I bumped into two former customers who'd not found a better supplier and who pleaded for me to run them a few more garments. Alongside them a lady who'd overheard the conversation asked if I could print a copyright design, album cover or similar onto a t-shirt she'd supply..............which quickly reminded me why individual customers will be a no-no!

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

What are you intending doing ? DTF/DTG/Printed Vinyl/Cut Vinyl or a combination of all ?

Are you expecting your customers to be clubs and societies or members of the public wanting 3 t's with 'Samantha's Hen Night' on them ?zx

We'd been cad cutting vinyl for years, which as you know is a laborious and time consuming process, moved towards bought in DTF transfers for worthwhile quantities.

Now looking at a DTF printer to produce own designs and pick up some old cad-cut customers, this time offering to keep a small stock of transfers. Target market, local businesses and nationally, clubs and societies that already use us for other services.

The Hen Night market was one we left behind. A bottle of Prosecco round 'Samantha's house' ordering online became the norm. They never appreciated the offer of FREE fitting anyway?

 

[NickGrogan]

the aim being to have a week when we're printing, just once a month. All orders in, done, out the door.

Seems like a good idea, get rid of all the awkward customers and keep the good ones.

 

[SillyBill]

Seems an odd way to approach business in terms of communicating a lead time. I don't expect to be told when to place an order. Just tell me what the lead time is. What you've just described is lead times as 1-5 weeks unless I am missing something? You run work once a month. We do product runs like a lot of manufacturers where we run certain "types" of product through the plant all at once, not unusual, and the frequency of the run determines a quoted lead time. I've seldom had customers complain about lead times in our game (3 weeks minimum) and if they have, they're no longer customers as the business model we have hinges on running in a particular way. Next day is a different business model, you can't be all things to all people. Don't see why it can't work if customers like the quality and/or you/your business. Lead times won't be an issue then.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Seems an odd way to approach business in terms of communicating a lead time. I don't expect to be told when to place an order. Just tell me what the lead time is. What you've just described is lead times as 1-5 weeks unless I am missing something? You run work once a month. We do product runs like a lot of manufacturers where we run certain "types" of product through the plant all at once, not unusual, and the frequency of the run determines a quoted lead time. I've seldom had customers complain about lead times in our game (3 weeks minimum) and if they have, they're no longer customers as the business model we have hinges on running in a particular way. Next day is a different business model, you can't be all things to all people. Don't see why it can't work if customers like the quality and/or you/your business. Lead times won't be an issue then.

No not 5 weeks. You order anytime from the 1st to the 20th of the month, it will be printed and ready for collection sometime during week commencing 22nd. I'm hoping to replicate the contact we have with our packaging supplier who calls every month or so to see what we need. Good old fashioned asking for the order which helps folk like me with poor memories

 

[SillyBill]

No not 5 weeks. You order anytime from the 1st to the 20th of the month, it will be printed and ready for collection sometime during week commencing 22nd. I'm hoping to replicate the contact we have with our packaging supplier who calls every month or so to see what we need. Good old fashioned asking for the order which helps folk like me with poor memories

I do understand the system, we are only really talking semantics between us and how we manage customer expectation, the end result is the same between this method and the way another business like mine would handle it i.e. quoting a 1-5 week wait. Dependent on what day I as the customer decide I want material it is a 1-5 week wait. If I wake up one morning and I decide I want something from you on the 21st, I'd take note of your "system" (your business, your rules) but it'd still be c. 5 weeks wait (WC 22nd of next month). Granted and noted, your internal policy is to disallow a customer from ordering during 21st-31st, that doesn't bend space time unfortunately though, we'll simply have to wait until the 1st to get the ball rolling. Obviously if we're not too put off by the fact that for 1/3rd of the month the supplier doesn't process orders. Communication of lead time on order enquiry is a tried-and-tested way to manage expectations IMO, if someone phoned us on the 21st we'd politely advise a customer it is a 5 week wait because we wouldn't be making it until 22nd of the next month, if the lead time is too long we'd understand. We therefore (also) don't deal with the customers who want it yesterday with this approach. Never had any issues with this system incidentally. Appreciate this may be an old fashioned way of doing business; I haven't yet experimented with providing windows of time within a month to accept orders so as to reduce quoted lead times, which is in effect what you are proposing. Good luck with it any case.

 

[MOIC]

It can work, but your customers and quantities will be reduced, as it won’t suit some.

Will it still be a viable business, given the fixed overheads will remain the same?

Test the system for a year then tweak as necessary, that’s really the only way to see if it works for you and your customers.

You have a lot of competitors out there, speed often being the deciding factor.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Granted and noted, your internal policy is to disallow a customer from ordering during 21st-31st, that doesn't bend space time unfortunately though, we'll simply have to wait until the 1st to get the ball rolling

I think your taking the concept too literally. They can order whenever they want but if they want to order 3 vests they'll have to wait for delivery. If they want 50 vests we'll not lose the order if time is of the essence. Our previous selling points were high quality, fair price. Amongst friends it was known that you'd invariably have to wait primarily as we'd worked out that wanting quickly and needing quickly were polar opposites.

It can work, but your customers and quantities will be reduced, as it won’t suit some.

Will it still be a viable business, given the fixed overheads will remain the same?

Test the system for a year then tweak as necessary, that’s really the only way to see if it works for you and your customers.

You have a lot of competitors out there, speed often being the deciding factor.

This an add on to a viable business so the overheads are more than covered. I don't have to do this but being a little older, a lot wiser, with some returning customers and a bit of effort, as long as it doesn't take time away from other projects and life in general, all should be good.

 

[MOIC]

What are the benefits to old, existing and potential new customers?

Can your quality and attention to detail be found elsewhere?

Will there be any new investment for machinery and components?

Will the staff (and time) required to do the one week print run, mean other areas of the business will be affected or sacrificed?

 

[DontAsk]

No not 5 weeks. You order anytime from the 1st to the 20th of the month, it will be printed and ready for collection sometime during week commencing 22nd.

Order on the 21st and wait for sometime during the week of 22nd the following month.

That's a month plus one week. Sounds like "5 weeks" worst case to me.

If you are going to do this you need to at least set customer expectations correctly.

 

[pentel]

Order on the 21st and wait for sometime during the week of 22nd the following month.

Complicated even more when the 22nd doesn't fall on a Monday. If the 22nd falls on a Saturday is the production week start date the 25th or the 18th? Probably best to quote something like: Our normal lead time is 5 weeks, please ask if this doesn't fit with your requirements.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

What are the benefits to old, existing and potential new customers?

Can your quality and attention to detail be found elsewhere?

Will there be any new investment for machinery and components?

Will the staff (and time) required to do the one week print run, mean other areas of the business will be affected or sacrificed?

Quality, Price, Knowledge.
Yes, but not the knowledge.
See earlier post: Now looking at a DTF printer to produce own designs and pick up some old cad-cut customers,
I am 90% of the staff. The very reason for operating like this is so that interruptions don't affect other areas of the business.

Order on the 21st and wait for sometime during the week of 22nd the following month.

That's a month plus one week. Sounds like "5 weeks" worst case to me.

If you are going to do this you need to at least set customer expectations correctly.

Yes, worst case scenario but I won't be ordering 3 vests in order to reduce a deadline if it costs us?

Complicated even more when the 22nd doesn't fall on a Monday. If the 22nd falls on a Saturday is the production week start date the 25th or the 18th? Probably best to quote something like: Our normal lead time is 5 weeks, please ask if this doesn't fit with your requirements.

Again, your taking it literally. Our 'normal' lead time wouldn't be 5 weeks if the customer orders before we place our wholesale order with supplier.

 

[MOIC]

Try it for a year. Worst case scenario, you can sell the DTF printer if it’s not viable.

Not too much ventured and hopefully a lot gained!

 

[Chris Ashdown]

My advice is to KEEP IT SIMPLE

Get a DTG printer (Direct to Garment) which cuts down the time and offer a 7 day turnaround

Companies have new staff and want things quick, if your so slow take on part time staff. the world has changed people expect next day service, obviously prepared to wait a short time but not a month. you are looking a a easy life where as your customers want SERVICE

 

[The Byre]

The last time I ordered this kind of thing it was for a political campaign and was for a few thousand hats, bags and T-shirts, i.e. it was planned weeks in advance. 50 T-shirts or hats sounds like a one-off small event like a birthday party or company event, so a quick turnaround might be an advantage there. But pukka B2B will always be planned well in advance.

 

[BustersDogs]

I probably wouldn't mine waiting a month for the print run and delivery, if there were other reasons you were the best choice to use (not necessarily the cheapest). But I would want to order when I was ready. Not when you were ready.

 

[pentel]

Again, your taking it literally. Our 'normal' lead time wouldn't be 5 weeks if the customer orders before we place our wholesale order with supplier.

So what would be the MAXIMUM time I would have to wait if I ordered at any time of the month (worse case scenario)?

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

My advice is to KEEP IT SIMPLE

Get a DTG printer (Direct to Garment) which cuts down the time and offer a 7 day turnaround

Companies have new staff and want things quick, if your so slow take on part time staff. the world has changed people expect next day service, obviously prepared to wait a short time but not a month. you are looking a a easy life where as your customers want SERVICE

Yes, I want an easy life I cannot think of any of our previous customers who wanted a quick turnaround other than because they'd forgotten to order. Our reminders will help them immensely.
I can buy a product for £3.50, sell it for £10 and make money. Others sell the exact same item for £15-£17.99 because they claim to offer a quick service.

The last time I ordered this kind of thing it was for a political campaign and was for a few thousand hats, bags and T-shirts, i.e. it was planned weeks in advance. 50 T-shirts or hats sounds like a one-off small event like a birthday party or company event, so a quick turnaround might be an advantage there. But pukka B2B will always be planned well in advance.

Looking at small local businesses, t's sweatshirts, jackets, hi-viz for a local tiler, landscaper, carpenter, keep fit instructor, play group. No point going after the big stuff. I was asked to quote for 1000 pieces the other week. A nailed on order via a family member but i'd have to farm it out for screen printing - which I have done many times before. They'd had a great job done by a previous supplier and all I'd have done was nicked a few pennies and hoped my guys could do the same, in time etc., etc., Experience gained by doing stuff for international cosmetic companies, blue chip financial houses tell me it's wasn't worth the risk or hassle.

I probably wouldn't mine waiting a month for the print run and delivery, if there were other reasons you were the best choice to use (not necessarily the cheapest). But I would want to order when I was ready. Not when you were ready.

You can order when you like, just don't expect to receive it quickly, UNLESS you genuinely need it. I've a customer that always orders what initially appears to be 'late' but puts the event date 2 weeks before it actually is. I call them, tell them they can have it so long as they pay the supplier delivery costs (we get free delivery for larger orders from supplier so group them together).
PS: I've also had customers who've called at 4.30pm on a Friday for items needed for a Saturday event and complained that the Postman woke them up at 7.30am?
I'm trying to avoid the above dictating our lead times by being honest.

So what would be the MAXIMUM time I would have to wait if I ordered at any time of the month (worse case scenario)?

How long will you wait?
I had an enquiry/order placed in November 2021 for an event in May this year. He got his goods in May this year? There were specific reasons for making him wait that were to his benefit.

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

We order branded clothing for giveaways and staff use, I would have no hesitation in working this way and if anything might appreciate the monthly reminder to check our stock, and possible opportunity to place a small order piggybacking off other peoples printing?

To be honest we almost work this way already to a point - we deal with a one-man band who's semi retired so I am used to him being on holiday for a couple of weeks at a time or taking longer with some orders than others if he has a few bigger jobs in etc. Doesn't bother me, for our stock of workwear we're always ordering well in advance before the stock runs down and with specific things for staff it's usually if we're going to exhibitions or trade shows and again it's all planned months in advance and ordered in plenty of time.

Agree it would be no good for your one-off hen party stuff where they want to go online and get it tomorrow but B2B I think would be fine and people would appreciate the old fashioned personal touch.

 

[Picture Bute]

My advice is to KEEP IT SIMPLE

Get a DTG printer (Direct to Garment) which cuts down the time and offer a 7 day turnaround

Companies have new staff and want things quick, if your so slow take on part time staff. the world has changed people expect next day service, obviously prepared to wait a short time but not a month. you are looking a a easy life where as your customers want SERVICE

Not 100% sure DTG is keeping it simple.

Every DTG printer (as in people/companies) I've ever known always had problems with temperamental results from pre-treatment on darks. DTF is a bit of a faff, but every method of garment printing has weaknesses and strong points.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Not 100% sure DTG is keeping it simple.

Every DTG printer (as in people/companies) I've ever known always had problems with temperamental results from pre-treatment on darks. DTF is a bit of a faff, but every method of garment printing has weaknesses and strong points.

DTG requires an understanding of what can and cannot be printed. Polyester is a no, no unless you have a machine set up with the right ink. From all my investigations there may be a slight compromise to be had when doing DTF in terms of the design sitting on rather than merging in with the fabric, but I'm told that adjustments can be made.

 

[Picture Bute]

DTG requires an understanding of what can and cannot be printed. Polyester is a no, no unless you have a machine set up with the right ink. From all my investigations there may be a slight compromise to be had when doing DTF in terms of the design sitting on rather than merging in with the fabric, but I'm told that adjustments can be made.

I know, I already do a bit of DTG, wide format sub etc. I haven't personally done DTF but the folks I know who do, say it's like all other methods. It has it's strengths, weaknesses and temperamental areas. Every method is a compromise in some way

 

[campbeji]

Hi,

In response to your original question, I think it is important how you phrase your emails.

If I received an email saying I had to order by a certain date or I would need to wait an extra month then the email would be heading to the bin. If I however had an email that reminded me that if I placed an order by the '20th' of the month I would be able to get delivery by '26th' of the month (or whatever) and to also remind me that you have a special offer on a specific item this month, and also here is an interesting story/article that you might like, then that isn't going to offend me.

I am considering a similar idea, however, I will be continuing to do the 'next day' type stuff, but offering a discount on orders with a two-week lead time. Still early days so I don't know exactly yet.

Good Luck
Jim

 

[davesworkwear]

Hi I know I'm a bit late to the thread but I've only just joined the forum

When I started my workwear printing business just over a year ago, I did all my printing on a Friday (sometimes I've give myself a head start on Thursday). This gave me the rest of the work to focus on getting orders in. Worked a treat!

Now I pay someone to do my printing for me and it works really well. And obviously when using DTF your labour cost is super low, so you can afford to your staff (or subcontractor) a handsome hourly rate.

One mistake I'll never make again is running a physical SHOP. That's a no-no. Randoms coming in off the street are a massive pain in the backside. All my customers come from the hours I put into building my customer base on social media. And of course through recommendations. As a workwear printer specialising in looking after trades businesses, it works well because every plasterer knows a plumber, electrician, roofer etc.

Once a month.... I wonder how you got on. Once a week mate... give it a try. If you haven't already thrown in the towel, of course.

Plenty of business to go around!

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Hi I know I'm a bit late to the thread but I've only just joined the forum

When I started my workwear printing business just over a year ago, I did all my printing on a Friday (sometimes I've give myself a head start on Thursday). This gave me the rest of the work to focus on getting orders in. Worked a treat!

Now I pay someone to do my printing for me and it works really well. And obviously when using DTF your labour cost is super low, so you can afford to your staff (or subcontractor) a handsome hourly rate.

One mistake I'll never make again is running a physical SHOP. That's a no-no. Randoms coming in off the street are a massive pain in the backside. All my customers come from the hours I put into building my customer base on social media. And of course through recommendations. As a workwear printer specialising in looking after trades businesses, it works well because every plasterer knows a plumber, electrician, roofer etc.

Once a month.... I wonder how you got on. Once a week mate... give it a try. If you haven't already thrown in the towel, of course.

Plenty of business to go around!

Slight change of tack, we didn't buy a DTF printer. During the course of my enquiries I fell upon a trade printer who was running 100's of metres a week, offering no minimum order, mixed transfers on a single sheet, good prices and close enough to collect!

Been printing small but worthwhile orders for our own promotions, some local events and a bit of workwear for long term customers whilst getting my head around what works well artwork wise.

It's working out well and sits nicely alongside the main business, but I've not pushed it to a point where we have to worry about weekly runs or deadlines.

Is everything you print DTF?

 

[davesworkwear]

Slight change of tack, we didn't buy a DTF printer. During the course of my enquiries I fell upon a trade printer who was running 100's of metres a week, offering no minimum order, mixed transfers on a single sheet, good prices and close enough to collect!

Been printing small but worthwhile orders for our own promotions, some local events and a bit of workwear for long term customers whilst getting my head around what works well artwork wise.

It's working out well and sits nicely alongside the main business, but I've not pushed it to a point where we have to worry about weekly runs or deadlines.

Is everything you print DTF?

It's all DTF and it's all from a local guy with a DTF machine, just like you

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

It's all DTF and it's all from a local guy with a DTF machine, just like you

I'm slowly getting my head around the extremes of what DTF can do...

Lets say a screen printed T-shirt with a pop art image or any other that gradients into very small pieces works, providing they don't drop off the transfer first, but I'm not convinced of the life of the such designs if washed and worn a lot.

 

[davesworkwear]

I'm slowly getting my head around the extremes of what DTF can do...

Lets say a screen printed T-shirt with a pop art image or any other that gradients into very small pieces works, providing they don't drop off the transfer first, but I'm not convinced of the life of the such designs if washed and worn a lot.

Worry ye not! DTF prints will stay on the t-shirt long after humans are all wiped out. It will be cockroaches, ants, and DTF prints