screen printing > Newbie

Order extra blanks?

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Gilligan:
When ordering shirts do you guys recommend I order extra blanks in case I f' up some shirts?

Obviously I'd rather not waste money BUT  I don't order very often and don't want to waste even more money on shipping for a couple of shirts.

If it IS recommended that I order extras what should I order?

Maybe the size with the most and then print that size first banking on that I'd probably mess it up while first getting into my grove/stride?  So order a couple of that size.  Or maybe the top two sizes one of each and if I mess up one then switch to the other sizes, hoping again that I get in a groove and not mess up again?

sweetts:
I figure my spoilage to be around 2-3 % so I will order an extra for every size, so if the order has 4 different sizes thats 4 shirts.  I figure an extra shirt is ordered every 33 shirts. I do figure that cost into the quote so I am not out anything, and if they want one or two more shirts added later its gravy.

Shawn (EIP):
Running down to the store to by them retail sucks, aways have a few in size on hand, why not?

tpitman:
I used to. Now I've got probably $200 to $300 worth of one- and two-off blanks stuffed into plastic bags in a storage unit. Eventually I'll use 'em up for set-ups, then cleaning rags, but I had almost 200 misprinted shirts from about 4 years ago that I'm still using for set-ups and cleaning. With 3 shirt wholesalers in town, frustrating as it is to screw up one shirt and have to go buy a replacement, I buy only what the job calls for. The exception is if it's something odd I have to order out of town. I just bear down on getting everything right before I start printing on the new blanks, then enter a zen-like state of oneness with the squeegie (or malted barley stupor, whatever) to print each one correctly avoiding mistakes.
Spend your time getting the press set up, add a bit of choke or trap to art to cover any hairline alignment problems (not as a crutch to hide slop) and use plenty of platen adhesive. Truthfully, about the only mistakes I make anymore are pulling a shirt off the platen before all the colors are down, and that's not that often.

Fresh Baked Printing:
I generally don't order extras. By the time I start printing, I've already ran numerous test prints first on scraps.
I do have a local distributor so on the rare occasion I do mess up, it's no big deal to get a replacement right away.
If it's a brand that comes from out-state, like Alstyle or American Apparel, well, I just order the exact number I need and so far, so good....

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