Reprinting additional shirts after original order

[59Graphix]

I have had a lot of this lately. We print an order, in this case, about 400 pcs. up to 3 colors on front and back and a sleeve print. 3 different designs, on different color shirts. They all got printed 2 days ahead of time and delivered. They went to their camp and when they returned they needed  more shirts. 6 of one design ( 3 color front and back and a sleeve) 6 of another design (3 color front, 1 color back and sleeve) and 38 of a 2 color front and 2 color back.
My question is who prints a small amount on a good customer re-order?
Our policy is 12 piece min., which is expensive, but the re-order is just killing us. That's time for setup and since it's been a couple weeks we don't even have all the screens because there was no mention of more prints later.

Like to hear some of your policies towards this and how you price it or if you do it at all!

Thanks in advance!

Jeff

[Frog]

I run 'm at the higher price, either discounting the screen set-ups as any re-order to even more if they are still kicking around if I am feeling generous.
Hell, I just ran 8 more shirts with no set-up because the screens were actually still on press when they called.

One thing is to educate, and even bring this subject up during the initial order.

Another, is to have a DTG connection. I have even used transfers for these fill-ins when possible and/or appropriate.

[larryk]

In our shop this falls under the heading of "Customer Service" and for us it is worth the extra effort. With 5 other screen printers in a town of 16,000 sometimes you have to go the extra mile. We are by far the busiest shop in town because we will print those extra shirts when they need them...... and most, but not all, customers remember that and keep coming back for more. This was not always our policy but when we had some down time and did reprint for customers we could tell it made a difference and most really did appreciate it. So with our limited customer base we just don't have the luxary of telling them that we can't reprint without some upcharge or other fees. Maybe not a money maker at the time but for us it has paid off in the long run....... of coarse I still grumble, cuss and complain when the office girls start dragging reprints in 2 days after the screens are down, but that's just me!

[Frog]

In our shop this falls under the heading of "Customer Service" and for us it is worth the extra effort. With 5 other screen printers in a town of 16,000 sometimes you have to go the extra mile. We are by far the busiest shop in town because we will print those extra shirts when they need them...... and most, but not all, customers remember that and keep coming back for more. This was not always our policy but when we had some down time and did reprint for customers we could tell it made a difference and most really did appreciate it. So with our limited customer base we just don't have the luxary of telling them that we can't reprint without some upcharge or other fees. Maybe not a money maker at the time but for us it has paid off in the long run....... of coarse I still grumble, cuss and complain when the office girls start dragging reprints in 2 days after the screens are down, but that's just me!

So, to be clear, same out-the-door price (inc set-up)as the initial 288 on 8 shirts with a four color front and six color back?

[JBLUE]

The customer is warned up front of the possible expense of under ordering. The customer service part of it for us is making sure that they completely understand the process. For this job it will cost them.

[Sbrem]

Yes, reorders can be costly, and making that known up front is essential, especially with 3/3/3. We double our reorder set up charges and add $0.50 per color per location. It's really still not enough... Good customer ( the ones bringing in the money) get some special consideration, and they also know enough to not expect us to work for nothing.


Steve

[Dottonedan]

For me, we have given an option of using DTG and this happen already. Sim process job. had a couple BIG guys they didn't order for initially. This option and source is good to have.


It turned out great and the customer knew we went above an beyond with the next day turn time on it. Drove it to their event. It was already pretty close. about 10 miles.

[larryk]

In our shop this falls under the heading of "Customer Service" and for us it is worth the extra effort. With 5 other screen printers in a town of 16,000 sometimes you have to go the extra mile. We are by far the busiest shop in town because we will print those extra shirts when they need them...... and most, but not all, customers remember that and keep coming back for more. This was not always our policy but when we had some down time and did reprint for customers we could tell it made a difference and most really did appreciate it. So with our limited customer base we just don't have the luxary of telling them that we can't reprint without some upcharge or other fees. Maybe not a money maker at the time but for us it has paid off in the long run....... of coarse I still grumble, cuss and complain when the office girls start dragging reprints in 2 days after the screens are down, but that's just me!

So, to be clear, same out-the-door price (inc set-up)as the initial 288 on 8 shirts with a four color front and six color back?

It is rare that something this drastic would happen.... but yes, same price.

[59Graphix]

Thanks guys for the quick feed back. Our policy is to let our clients know ahead of time. Especially an event type like these. Schools are the worst. I try to be flexible with repeat customers but you still need to make a little or at least cover some expenses. Oh well, charge the next guy triple! LOL!

[Prosperi-Tees]

For me, we have given an option of using DTG and this happen already. Sim process job. had a couple BIG guys they didn't order for initially. This option and source is good to have.


It turned out great and the customer knew we went above an beyond with the next day turn time on it. Drove it to their event. It was already pretty close. about 10 miles.

What I would like to see is the side by side comparison of the DTG print and screen print. How close was it?

[Dottonedan]

For me, we have given an option of using DTG and this happen already. Sim process job. had a couple BIG guys they didn't order for initially. This option and source is good to have.


It turned out great and the customer knew we went above an beyond with the next day turn time on it. Drove it to their event. It was already pretty close. about 10 miles.

What I would like to see is the side by side comparison of the DTG print and screen print. How close was it?

First and foremost, you have to understand up front that using a DTG for a resolve to a situation should be conveyed to the customer that it's a FIX and will not be an exact match due to the situation.


2ndly, to answer your question, it depends on the art. For example. When I did this, it was a 4 color process job. The DTG was about 95% accurate to the sim process. Both were good, but slightly different.  Some images and colors will just not be that close, but again, that should be understood up front.


To add to that, it would be similar to the scenario of ordering a digital transfer in place of printing a sim process job again. Although, I think the DTG would be a better option.

[Doug S]

We always tell new customers to please order as many as you need even if it means a few extras because of the cost involved to print a few later and explain why  and most of them will "heck I even give some of them a tour to show them some of the steps involved".  That being said if they don't order extras and they are great repeat prompt paying customers and they order say 250 pieces or more, we will print an extra or two of each size for them while we are printing because it's not costing us a great deal to print those extras compared to resetting up screens and adding ink, squeegees and flood bars later.  They appreciate the extra shirts and I appreciate not having to reset up the job.  We very rarely have to reset
up a  job to print extra shirts for an order we just finished.  Used to it seemed like we were doing it twice a week and I agree it's frustrating and costly unless it's a one color on a light shirt.

[59Graphix]

Thanks again for all the feed back. I almost feel like a whiner after this thread because late Friday we got an email from this order to add 1000 more pcs to the reprint order. I guess they liked the shirts!

Thanks again guys!

Jeff

[larryk]

1000 more pieces on a reprint order..... That's what I was talking about. You were willing to give the customer what they needed and they recognized that and rewarded you with that large order. Now if you would have told them "No Way" when they asked you about that original handfull of shirts someone else would be printing those 1000 pieces. That is also the power of positive thinking.

[3Deep]

We give our customers a two week window for reprints at the same shirt price plus discount setup, after two weeks shirt price goes up and setup back to normal.

Darryl