I’m trying to look back and think about some of the things that were the highlights but to be honest with you, one day he seems to just flow into the next and with just the blink of an eye another year has passed. Here are just a few examples of some of the changes that I have seen. Digital T-shirt printing seems to have progressed significantly as the equipment is becoming much more efficient and faster. It’s even becoming a bit more user-friendly, although there is definitely a learning curve to running these machines. It’s much more involved than simply acquiring the equipment itself.
Automated screen printing equipment seems to also have made some advances. These machines used to be so large that only the larger St. Louis T-shirt printing companies that have big facilities were able to accommodate them. Although they come in all different sizes ranging from just six stations to as many as 20. The manufacturers have found a way to scale these down in order to cater to the smaller shops who, up until now, just didn’t have the room to accommodate them. They also seem to have gotten a bit more affordable. This has enabled many of us to be able to take the leap from the basic manual press to the automated ones which enables us to quadruple our output without having to hire more employees. This is a huge advantage because when you calculate the cost of an operator’s hourly wage and then you have all the other factors like having to match their Social Security and having to pay for their Workmen’s Compensation insurance, it ends up being quite a bit less than your monthly payment that you are making towards that equipment purchased not to mention that eventually that press will be paid off in a few years. It also comes with a lot less aggravation because your machinery shows up for work every day, it doesn’t get sick, it doesn’t get hurt, and it doesn’t complain. In other words, there is a lot of wisdom and having the right tools for the job. Although there is a substantial outlay of money spent to acquire it, it certainly pays off and productivity not only in the short term but in the long term as well.
Custom embroidery machines have evolved a bit also were they are steadily becoming faster with some being able to apply more than 400 stitches a minute sewing up to 12 colors at a time. It’s exciting to be a St. Louis custom T-shirt printing company with all the advantages we can now. I think I have a greater appreciation for all of these advances then the young folks who were just trying to break into this industry. They have a tendency to think that it’s always been this easy because as far as their limited life experience has taught them, it always has been. Please remember us for all your screen printing, digital, and custom embroidery requirements. We are confident that we have the right approach towards putting together a deal that is going to be mutually beneficial for everyone involved.