25-30K screen printed transfer hats. How to handle this?

[im_mcguire]

I recently got a new client that is in the need of high volume screen printed transfers on hats.  We would have to do all of the pressing ourselves.

I was wondering if anyone here has dealt with this qty of hats, and had any advice.  The client wants to keep the labor in the U.S. (even though the hats aren't made here).

This will be a reoccurring project, about 100K hats per year. 

Thanks for any help.

[XG Print]

After they paid me up front on this job I would buy about 4 hat heat presses and hire some temp guys or put 4 of your people in there on them.  Would probably take in the neighborhood of a week and a half to 2 weeks to complete with 4 dedicated bodies.  Good hat presses are fairly inexpensive and I would imagine you could rake a pretty nice little profit from this deal.  Having said this I would hate seeing those coming.  Are you providing the hats or is the customer?  If you are this is a great job!!  My .02

[Frog]

Is there any way that these could be done as directly screen printed fabric then cut and sewn?

[mk162]

I would get myself a Geo Knight Dual Cap Heat Press.  Pick up a few of those and you are golden.  I used the flat one on some bag transfers and it went so much faster.

[im_mcguire]

Is there any way that these could be done as directly screen printed fabric then cut and sewn?

We are getting more information on the job, but I will look into that.

[im_mcguire]

I would get myself a Geo Knight Dual Cap Heat Press.  Pick up a few of those and you are golden.  I used the flat one on some bag transfers and it went so much faster.

This was my initial thought. Get 3 of those and run them all day.

[Sbrem]

I like the Knight Double idea (we have a real old one) but get someone else to make the transfers so you don't have to worry about powdering or any of that. Transfer Express' Goof Proof are good...

Steve

[Colin]

Like Frog said.

The hat companies take large custom orders all the time.  We do quite a few here.

Reach out to them and get turn times and pricing!

[whitewater]

buy 4 hat presses and get your guys and gals a few 8 balls and your good to go.

[ericheartsu]

you guys could make your own transfers. It's really easy to do.

[Squeegie]

That order is a perfect candidate for printing flat stock on an auto and then sending the material back to the cap manufacturer for assembly.

[willy35]

In my place I would get a strong full automatic double platen cap press. (full automatic is very important !!)




We don"t know much about the design that need to be transfer, if it is simple 1 color I would make them myself.
If it were more complicated, I would subcontracted the transfer making.

1 guy, pressing 8 hours shift, 10 seconds, can hit 1500 - 2000 pces per shift, so it will no be "that long" to make the 25 - 30k
The press will pay for itself.
I would ask the customer a deposit so It cover at least the press expanse. 

Anybody can do it, no need for highly trained people.

[willy35]

I would get myself a Geo Knight Dual Cap Heat Press.  Pick up a few of those and you are golden.  I used the flat one on some bag transfers and it went so much faster.

This was my initial thought. Get 3 of those and run them all day.

Good luck with that, I think after 10 days your employees will hated you.

Full automatic, more confortable, you will go faster, and you will not burn your hand of have the heat on your face.

[ericheartsu]

In my place I would get a strong full automatic double platen cap press. (full automatic is very important !!)




We don"t know much about the design that need to be transfer, if it is simple 1 color I would make them myself.
If it were more complicated, I would subcontracted the transfer making.

1 guy, pressing 8 hours shift, 10 seconds, can hit 1500 - 2000 pces per shift, so it will no be "that long" to make the 25 - 30k
The press will pay for itself.
I would ask the customer a deposit so It cover at least the press expanse. 

Anybody can do it, no need for highly trained people.

what's the price on something like this?

[willy35]

in Europe
circa $5,000