For those who print Team Sports Jerseys...

[dirkdiggler]

Whats your policy on, "We need 1 more jersey!" printed both sides with names and numbers.  Seems every team this year wants to add 1 or 2 more after you finished the job.  Its such a pain in the ass we are considering NOT doing any jerseys anymore.  We already turn most of them away.  Thoughts?

[Frog]

Not really any different that any "onesie, twosie, fill-in, add-on" except that for me, at least, almost all of my (youth) jerseys come with the team name already on them, so adding a name and/or number with heat seal is a piece of cake.
Otherwise, as I said, like any job. The process needs to be explained, so that the higher cost is put in perspective.

Ideally, this explanation is done before the fact. Education. Then, it is what it is.
One of the reasons I itemize my screen setups is to show that cost as constant, and how it essentially goes up or down per shirt with quantity.

Fortunately, since most teams have only twelve or so members, screenprinted logos tend to be limited in color and complexity already for this reason.

[jvanick]

we now recommend that our teams (church leagues especially) that they add a 1 or 2 extra L and/or XL's into the order, we can always personalize the back, but at least that way the multi-color front print is done, and they don't have to pay for a setup again.

[whitewater]

i have been trying to steer my customers in getting those sublimated ones from Teamwork apparel..if you order 1 or 50, same price. They are pretty quick too. The customer can pay for rush too.

I also explain that the style will not be discontinued next year if you need a couple more.

BUT for people that want less expensive jerseys this prob is not an option..LOL

We try to make it clear to them when they order, but of course they will not remember.

[Frog]

i have been trying to steer my customers in getting those sublimated ones from Teamwork apparel..if you order 1 or 50, same price. They are pretty quick too. The customer can pay for rush too.

I also explain that the style will not be discontinued next year if you need a couple more.

BUT for people that want less expensive jerseys this prob is not an option..LOL

We try to make it clear to them when they order, but of course they will not remember.

How can you be sure of that? Surely some styles have changed over the years, and for those, there had to be a last year of availability.
You are probably pretty safe with that statement, but I also know how things seem to go for me.
Besides, talking someone into a sublimated option means either white or white, doesn't it?

[whitewater]

Frog, no white  from Teamwork Apparel prosphere..We or the customer goes online and designs there own jerseys with many color combos, number, names, locations..

The only thing that changes the price is the material.

The reason it is not discontinued is because they make them to order...

[Frog]

Wow. Though I've dealt with Teamwork for years, I've never looked into that option, but of course, my clients aren't making pro salaries like it sounds like one needs for these either ! LOL!

[AntonySharples]

We primarily deal with sports teams.  It is something that comes with the territory.  Honestly, I either build it into the price expecting one more to come or I charge them an extra $25 plus shipping on a new jersey.

[Inkworks]

Teams get advised to order extra, the cost associated with printing 1 or 2 more is explained, when we can we'll fill in with cad-cut and digital printed transfers, but at an elevated cost of course.

[tonyt79]

My policy is need 12 pieces with same image. I have some contracts that say 6 pieces but that is all set ahead of time. Only time I allow to add 1 or 2 pieces is if they are back order from the manufacturer

[Fluid]

Two of my clients are shops that cater to the sports industries and local youth sports associations.  This is always goung to happen as kids drop from teams and new ones are added usually right before or after the first game.  To deal with this issue they keep extra jerseys in stock. Not an option for everyone obviously yet enables them to easily fufill the request and retain said customer for repeate orders.  They stock at the begining of the seasons close to 60k in jerseys and uniforms.  Trying to clasify them lime you would a regular t-shirt client is always going to be tough.  You should have add-ons specified as a different price due to the amount of work involved for one shirt.  That way they know before hand that the cost will be signifantly higher.  Knowing this info to begin with will save you and the client the headaches.  The claint may then be abke to pss this info alobn to the association or parents who are the ones signing up their kids and placing the order with the coah, tram mom or association. 

The teams or association usually posts this info online or has an order sheet the parents use to order. When new kids join up, tbey are basing the price of the u iform based on what they were given.   If you already notifoed them from the begining you will cover your costs and make a client happy and most likely a repeate customer.  You wont make great margins yet the hapoy repeate customer is a great thing and they will most likely refer you to others. Which is great as well. 

Richard Reilly - Fluid

[Fluid]

Excuse the bad spelling. Fat fingers and a tiny keyboard on my cell

Richard Reilly - Fluid

[push_pull]

We suck it up and print the jersey. These little teams are the lifeblood of a shop that relies on word-of-mouth/community opinion and I believe that add-ons just come with the territory. Deliver with a smile, complain loudly when they leave.

[dirkdiggler]

We suck it up and print the jersey. These little teams are the lifeblood of a shop that relies on word-of-mouth/community opinion and I believe that add-ons just come with the territory. Deliver with a smile, complain loudly when they leave.

This has been our policy, dont like it though.

[Shanarchy]

We were printing the fronts, heat press vinyl the name/numbers. I am now pushing uniforms to heat press transfers for the very reason Dirk is posting. I explain this to the customer upfront that we no longer screen print them as they will more than likely add players down the line and 1-2 pieces are below our minimum. This way they can always add players and keep the uniforms looking well, uniform. This also eliminates printing expensive poly shirts that are prone to bleed. So far this has been going over well. We have been ordering them from Transfer Express and usually order a few extras to keep on hand. I will probably be printing them in house soon on the Roland.

I am learning more and more that all apparel decorating methods have their place.

Disclaimer. I'm not in uniforms for the money. It's usually is small runs. Often below my 25 piece minimum. What I do want is there merch orders of 50-100 tees at a time. So I consider uniforms a necessary evil.