Impressions - May 2021 - 18

Getting Clear
on Workflow
A huge part of a shop's success is integrating
its e-commerce system into its production
workflow. When Tyrone M. Robinson III,
owner of Opportunities 2 Serve, works with
decorators, he first maps every decorating
process - including customization options
- end-to-end in the shop and identifies
bottlenecks as they appear.
" This visualization helps leaders and employees understand their roles better because
they see what's happening and how they interact with their software, " he says. The most
common bottlenecks are the same as the solutions: people, process, systems and technology.
" [Success involves] almost always tweaking
a mix of those. "
To get started in your own shop, analyze
the next job that comes in the door. " Look
at each step and determine the time it takes, "
Brother Intl. Corp.'s Bagley says. " See where
you can decrease time in certain steps and if
software tools can help with efficiency. Finally,
complete a return-on-investment analysis to
see if it makes sense to invest in the software
based on your shop's specific needs. "
Since POD and one-offs are standard in
e-commerce, Bagley suggests finding ways
to automate artwork preparation to be more
profitable with short runs, while also increasing production of customized shirts per hour.
" The time it can take to prepare the artwork
to be printed, pressed or embroidered on the
garment is usually the same for one garment
as it is for hundreds or more, " he says.
Even smaller garment-decorating shops
can benefit from automation software, Bagley
says, especially when it comes to deskilling
the tasks to lower the learning curve for new
employees. " Software tools can help create
and apply shop settings for specific garments
and tell the equipment what to do if you scan
a barcode, " he says. " This makes it easier to
train new employees and decrease misprints. "
Brother offers its customers different software tools - whether coded internally or
through authorized third-party companies
- that provide workflow automation to its
DTG printers. " With our GTXpro series of
printers, we provide a software design kit that
allows shops to create their own software
tools, " Bagley says. 
Nicole Rollender is CEO and co-founder of New
Jersey-based Strand Writing Services. For more
information or to comment on this article, connect
with Nicole at strandwritingservices.com.
P.18

New Innovative Products
7. Brother DTG Digital Line High-Volume
Pretreatment Machine
All-in-one pretreating system featuring three

hoodies  Dimensions allow thicker muff pocket
to lie below the platen on the bed of the printer
 Removable insert allows zipper to move away

from the print head
Use Info⋅Action #308 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction

components  Synergy pretreating unit has

10. J. America Epic Sherpa Blankow

nozzles in three widths to spray a large area

The company's Epic Sherpa blanket (style 8449)

 Firefly conveyor dryer has a 27 " x 45 " chamber

now folds into a pillow  Made of 9.5-ounce, 100%

monitored by a thermal camera system  Heat

high-loft polyester Sherpa fabric  Unfolded, it

press unit features a 16 " x 20 " heating element and

measures 84 " x 54 "  Available in four colors

lower platen with a pneumatic lift

Use Info⋅Action #309 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction

Use Info⋅Action #306 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction

11. Tri-Mountain Packable Waterproof Jackets

8. RhinoTech RhinoDARK and RhinoCOLOR
Heat-Transfer Systems
Two-paper laser systems  RhinoDARK allows
brilliant transfer images that pop off black bags
and T-shirts  RhinoCOLOR allows metallic and

Styles J1990 and JL1990  Spokane and Seneca
packable waterproof jackets with concealed
hoods  Pack into pockets with carrying straps
 Available in black, navy and red

Use Info⋅Action #310 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction

neon effects, with 20 colors  Both systems

12. Epson SureColor F10070H 76-Inch Dye-

require no cutting or weeding

Sublimation Wide-Format Printer

Use Info⋅Action #307 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction

Multiple ink configurations, including light cyan and
magenta or fluorescent pink and yellow  Six new,

9. Equipment Zone EZ Ultimate Platen

user-replaceable 4.7-inch PrecisionCore print heads

Designed for the Epson F2000, F2100 and

and UltraChrome DS6 ink technology  Replaceable

F3070 DTG printers  Eliminates print friction

ink-pack system holds 20 liters per color

surrounding hooded pullovers and zippered

Use Info⋅Action #311 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction

I M P R E S S I O N S M A G . C O M MAY 2021

14-18_IMP_0521_Innovation_E-Commerce_Feature.indd 18

4/15/21 3:52 PM

http://www.impressionsmag.com/infoaction http://www.impressionsmag.com/infoaction http://www.impressionsmag.com/infoaction http://www.impressionsmag.com/infoaction http://www.impressionsmag.com/infoaction http://www.impressionsmag.com/infoaction http://www.strandwritingservices.com http://www.IMPRESSIONSMAG.COM

Impressions - May 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - May 2021