Thoughts with "On Demand" printing

[NoDirectionNick]

Hey guys. Brand new to the forum -- kind of. Always lurked around and have learned a lot. Figured I'd come to you guys with a question. A customer has approached me asking about "On Demand" printing. Essentially, printing his designs as an order comes in; eliminating making a standard merch order. What kind of pricing would go into this -- obviously handling the distribution of orders as well. I told him that it would be much more cost effective to just make a standard merch order. Waiting to hear back on the volume of orders he receives now. I'm guessing it's not many if he's inquiring about doing on demand printing. I guess this bleeds into the distribution field, which I'm not too educated on. Hopefully all this isn't too much on the newbie side. Haha. Much thanks for any help I could get from you guys. Thanks.

Nick

[ebscreen]

No. Plain and simple don't do it. You will get many requests for this, get used to it.

Rather than buying a gallon of milk I would like for the grocery store to sell me a half cup
every now and then (at the gallon price of course) and deliver it to me where ever I may need it.

[Shawn (EIP)]

nightmare customer

[mk162]

on demand is easier if you can go DTG.  I have one and I still don't do it, what does that tell you?

[ScreenFoo]

Yep--I wouldn't touch that crap with a pole.

Quote them for an order of 24, and then quote them the same price, minus the cost of the other 23 shirts for a single.   

[Screened Gear]

No. Plain and simple don't do it. You will get many requests for this, get used to it.

Rather than buying a gallon of milk I would like for the grocery store to sell me a half cup
every now and then (at the gallon price of course) and deliver it to me where ever I may need it.

I agree 100%. If they ask for that it means they have no money and no real direction on what they are going to be selling. They are not people you want to build your business with. Tell them your minimum and stand.

[Frog]

When DTG doesn't cut it because they have previously been screen printed, sometimes it can be handled with plastisol heat transfers run in bulk, but applied as needed, but once again the extra labor and handling must be compensated, and these jokers are often trying to get out of that.

[Sbrem]

It's not good work, plain and simple. Tell then they can order transfers from Stahl's or the like and do it themselves. You can't charge enough to do this kind of thing. We had a customer once who owned a chain of gift shops in airports all around the county. 5 and 6 color designs, 36 each; we couldn't deliver fast enough, and we wanted too much money. "Oh really?" We amicably parted ways.

Steve

[Frog]

And they want fulfillment as well.
These are the folks that buy a design, set up a site, and just count the money that comes in as others do all of the work.
So, hardly any work, hardly any outlay, and they still want to beat you down!
Ya just gotta love it.

A little smaller than your deal, but I had a guy wanting shirts for his old military group.
How much for 36 shirts?
Here's a list of all of their names and addresses, and sizes Can you have them each send you the money, and then ship each one?
What do you mean that that will cost extra?

[NoDirectionNick]

I appreciate all the responses. It definitely seems pointless and like one massive migraine waiting to happen

[Admiral]

if you don't have DTG printers don't do it

we have a couple and do merchandising for several people along with our own retail

it works very well for us


depends how well you are set up and how sure you can be about the amount of work the customer could provide


typically not worth it...

[Im-Magic]

We do on demand for a few large Safety Companies. They contract to say a large builder to supply all staff with shirts an demand so we do Plastisol transfers in lots of 100 or more and then heat press them on On Demand, it has grown to be almost half our business and is very easy once you are set up. We charge a premium for the service and everybody is happy.

[Inkworks]

Quote them for an order of 24, and then quote them the same price, minus the cost of the other 23 shirts for a single.   

  Pure gold!

[Prosperi-Tees]

You definitely have to charge accordingly. I'm finding it way easier to charge more lately. A guy just left our and spent almost 3 bills on a few samples

[Chadwick]

It's OK to say no.
Don't fall for that stuff.