Anatomy of a disaster in the works. An email timeline

[Frog]

7/25/2011 6:23 am
Hi,

I got your name from Robert with **** Digital Printing. I am working on a charity golf tournament and I wanted to get a pricing for t-shirts. I want gray and we have a red and blue logo to place on the back and the name of the tournament on the front. I'll probably need around 160 shirts in a variety of sizes.

The tournament has used a different shirt vendor in the past and they're not really happy so I'm trying to find some alternatives for them. Can I get an estimate from you please?

The tournament is October 6 in Southern California.

Thanks,


7/25/2011 2:12 pm
Hi Andy,

I have attached a copy of the logo. Can I get a sample of the shirt to get approval from my client?


*Note, son picked up sample the next day.


8/28/20111
Hi Andy,

I sent the sample shirt off to my client. Can you tell me what brand it was please?

Also, how long would you need to print the job? I would need to have it in Santa Monica by October 3. Please let me know.




From: Frog Prints
Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2011 12:21 PM
To: *********
Subject: Re: Frog Prints: T-shirts

I sold you my standard Gildan 2000 6.1 oz as a sample.

My normal turnaround is ten days, so with two day shipping on top of
that, I'd suggest that you place your order by September 15 to be safe.
Remember that I still need to get the real graphics logo file as well as
what you intend to put on the front. You may want to send that to me as
soon as possible in case there are any problems with it.




8/28/2011 5:06pm
Hi Andy,

I spoke with my client and we would like to go with you for the t-shirts.

I sent an email to the designer with your requests for the logo. I'll send you the file as soon as I get it from her.

Can you tell me how much the XXL shirts are.

What else do you need from me to get the job started?





From: Frog Prints
Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2011 5:20 PM
To: *******
Subject: Re: Frog Prints: T-shirts

XXL run $2 more

To get started, I need a 50% deposit cash or check as I don't take
credit cards.
I, of course also need the art files and answers on the color question.
You can have your designer call me if there are any questions.


8/28/2011 5:19pm
Okay, I'll get you the files, but my client is leaving on vacation tomorrow and won't return until September 8. Can you put together an invoice so I can send it to him and get a check cut as soon as he gets back?


9/17/2011 12:02 pm
Hi Andy,
Attached is the logo for the firefighters. I hope to have numbers and a check to you on Tuesday, 9/20



From: Frog Prints
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2011 10:07 PM
To:******
Subject: Re: FW: SMMF logo

Okay. Now we need to determine the size you want this printed, and stilll, the colors.
Apparently, your artist did not get the instructions of creating this as standard  pantone spot colors. It is set up now for CYMK four color process, not the way that a two color job is generally screen printed.
I need her to pick Pantone equivalents close to the CYMK colors she has. I can not match because there are no straight matches. Since you don't want stock colors, I will use a mixing system that can get fairly close to most Pantone numbers. My formulas reference the "C" versions.

I also still need the design or text for the front.

I also hope that this can get started on Tuesday if not sooner, as we are getting into crunch time since I seem to remember that you also need time to ship these.

Thank you
Andy
Frog Prints


update
Her son hand delivered the deposit check (from her client) last night (9/22) after closing time.
Still no word on size that they want to print the design, or quantities of each size that they wish to run.



This is a prime example of a job that had "too much" time and planning. Almost two months in the works, and now, down to six days (if shipped normally) except that I still can not make screens or order shirts to get started!
 

Also, it's been hot lately, so with that as well as the eventual rush, considering that I am printing this manually, I am at least grateful that this is a WOW on light printing job.
That's if it ever actually makes it on the press, lol!

And don't worry, I will get compensated for the rush.

 

[Dottonedan]

ARRRRRRRH!        Do you know how many times I type up a long post on this forum only to be just about done and something goes wrong with a finger click somewhere and BAM! I lost everything and can't get it back.!  It was good too and you're never going to see it now because I'm too ticked to do it allover again.

[Frog]

I tried to get in the habit of selecting and copying, and sometimes even pasting to WordPad on those, just in case

[Dottonedan]

Yes,  I usually do that...but not this time.

[ebscreen]

I find that if I tell people I need such and such information/money/whatever by September 23rd at 10:15 AM they
will wait until September 23rd at 10:22 AM, or worse.

I therefore frequently build a little fudge time into my requirements, as clients often do to us.
I don't know how many times I've printed for some event that I know takes place on Saturday but
they need the shirts the Tuesday before. Or how many times a due date has passed and the order
is ready but the boxes sit here until the next day.

Or they contact you months in advance, you tell them your turn time and requirements, and they wait until
the exact moment of your required turn time to begin to meet their deadline. People are freaking nuts.

[Frog]

Yep, my suggestion of the 15th gave a four day cushion including two days in transit.

[inkman996]

ARRRRRRRH!        Do you know how many times I type up a long post on this forum only to be just about done and something goes wrong with a finger click somewhere and BAM! I lost everything and can't get it back.!  It was good too and you're never going to see it now because I'm too ticked to do it allover again.

Dan if you use firefox they have an add on that saves your typing up to something like a thousand words at all time, I forget the name of it but it does work great for situations like that.