Take the Hazards Out of Risky Orders
An Ohio contract embroiderer completed an order for 90 golf shirts — cotton lisle beauties, $38 at wholesale (you probably know the brand) — for a promotional products distributor. They are magnificent garments, but a bear to embroider. The design was digitized to run a thin underlay beneath a reduced stitch count (typical for this type work). You submitted a pre-production sew-out, on fabric, for the distributor’s approval —which was given. The customer did not provide the actual garment for the sew-out, and that proved to be the fatal flaw in the process of completing this order.
August 31, 2009

Off the Cuff: Issues in Industry Specific Accounting – Part 2 of 2
In Part One, we looked at accounting philosophies and perspectives, different types of accountants, software considerations and general ledger issues. Now, let’s examine industry-specific aspects of constructing general ledger categories (or accounts). Doing so can give you more insight in terms of monitoring costs, performance levels, and, of course, understanding how key components determine your bottom line.
July 20, 2009

Off the Cuff: Issues in Industry Specific Accounting – Part 1
I have worked with more than 600 industry companies as a management consultant and been involved in the sale or merger of scores of companies. In that time, I have done many industry-specific business appraisals, and have met and worked with hundred of accountants. I can conclude there are two major types of accountants when it comes to counseling the owners of apparel decorating firms —  “mechanics” and “consultants.” Which type of accountant do you have?
July 06, 2009

Patch Perfect
An Impressions reader recently submitted a suggestion for easing the process when making your own patches.
August 31, 2009

Tips for Embroidery on Performance Fabrics
It seems like nearly all new products introduced today are made of some type of moisture-wicking performance knits. The most common shirts are being replaced with these new fabrics. While they may be nice for the wearer, many embroiderers have found moisture-wicking fabrics to be downright wicked to deal with.
August 31, 2009

New vs. Used Embroidery Machines
In tough times like these, people look for savings in every way they can. They move cautiously and take fewer risks. Interestingly enough, it also is during economic downturns that many people become self-employed by launching a new business.
August 03, 2009

Off the Cuff: Selling to Religious Organizations: Part 1 of 2
In our industry we decorate a massive assortment of items by a broad variety of technologies. Then we distribute what we produce to virtually every economic sector in every nook and cranny of society.
September 14, 2009

Diversifying Your Customer Base  
Learn to evaluate and adjust your mix of clientele for optimum profitability and stability.
While the economic lows that many American markets have been experiencing for the past year are certainly painful, they’re also nothing new. Historically, the tide of business success continually ebbs and flows, with one market experiencing a rush of good fortune while another watches its revenue all but dry up. This cyclical nature of business is precisely why decorators must have a diverse customer base that allows them to weather slowdowns — or even meltdowns — in parts of the economy.
September 02, 2009

Tech Tips: Fleece Printing
To successfully screen print on fleece fabrics, there are several variables to be aware of including fleece quality, separation type and whether your design is created using vector- or raster-based artwork. Depending on the type of artwork you use, the type of screen frame and tension also comes into consideration.
July 31, 2009