Sorry I need to blow off some steam.

[studog]

What am I doing wrong in trying to find a good printer. One that shows up to work, sober, works a full day for a full days pay, cares about their work, and doesn't blame everyone else. I had my first printer for 7+ years. He's an alcoholic. Works great when sober. Gets in trouble with the law , drinking every 9-12 months. Have helped him out on many occasions, free legal help, ect. Finally let him go last April as he had a drinking in public ticket and I knew he was going to jail at least 30 days. Hir another one. Used to own his own business. He has 2 speeds, slower and stopped. Tell him something and doesn't do it unless he feels like it. Attention to detail is non-existant. He just printed on the pockets of 6 youth small hoodies and said well the artist said it would fit. It does fit but as always he blames others. Shows up around 8 and nothing seems to get printed until after 9. How do I go about finding a good printer. I have asked ink reps, posted on BB, craigslist. I know we pay well for the area, its a fun shop. We have lots of work but I can not keep going on with the way things are. I am not going to babysit an employee..........HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks I feel a little better but a mojito would even help more.

[mk162]

It is very hard, you will have to go through a few to find a good one.  The problem is that the skill involved and the pay it earns don't match up.  Screen printing has become more and more detailed over the years and frankly, more difficult, yet the pay hasn't increased much at all.

[whitewater]

A good tip..

Find a female that was a stay at home mom and now her kids are in school.

They have probably not worked in a bit, they are more than likely be responsible and trustworthy and will do their best.

I found one to work on saturdays and could not be happier!

[mk162]

And, usually you can pay them in benefits...at least that is the deal I have worked out with our HR manager.  Of course, I am married to her as well.

[studog]

And, usually you can pay them in benefits...at least that is the deal I have worked out with our HR manager.  Of course, I am married to her as well.

The married part won't work for me as I am going thru a divorce after 28+ years of marriage. And dating employees will get you  all sorts of headaches. 

[mk162]

Especially when you are married.   

Sorry to hear that.

[Shawn (EIP)]

So MILFS are better to hire? 

I come to work to get away from dealing with women.

[bimmridder]

I don't know if you can really find a good printer...I think you have to make them. Just my opinion.

[Printficient]

Simple Employee Application.
Give prospective employee a pen and piece of paper.
Ask them to write the word "Squeegee"
If they spell it right, thank them and show them the door.
If they misspell it. Hire them on the spot.
1 week in reclaim.
If still there, you have a keeper.
This way no "habits" to deal with.
Train them your way.

[Fresh Baked Printing]

Ask them to write the word "Squeegee"

There's two e's at the end of Squeegee? I'm so fired.

[Gilligan]

Ask them to write the word "Squeegee"

There's two e's at the end of Squeegee? I'm so fired.

No no no, you can go work at Fresh Baked Printing now.  He said if they CAN'T spell it to hire them.  Meaning they have never worked in a shop before and have no "bad" habits.

Quite clever actually.

[Dottonedan]

Ask them to write the word "Squeegee"

There's two e's at the end of Squeegee? I'm so fired.

Squeegee is a french word so....spell it Sqauxzee Pas  Everyone knows that.

[mk162]

Great, now it's called pulling a freedom.

[Prosperi-Tees]

I have trouble spelling that out, it always looks wrong lol

[alan802]

I agree that finding a good printer might not be the right way to go about it, make one.  We've done it both ways, hired people with experience then we've hired with no experience.  The one's without experience have turned out way better overall and much easier to manage when it comes to doing things the right way.  Over the last year or so, I've managed to find my way into more than a few local shops and I am absolutely amazed by all the dumb stuff I see printers doing, and most of these printers have been doing this for way longer than I have.  They've been taught bad habits, or perhaps they've read the wrong book, I don't know.  But I see way too many people double stroking black ink onto a white shirt and know that this industry is inundated with bad habits and techniques and I wouldn't want any of those people in my shop. 

Sorry for the rant, and I'm sorry if I offended anyone, but damn people, it doesn't have to be that hard.  Thanks for reading.