New here, hi.

[Stinkhorn Press]

Drew here. I don't know that I know anyone on here.

Bought a small town, small shop in mid-Ohio in April of 2011. Bought the -space rental agreement, customer list, employees (all left, whoops), equipment. Mostly the name/goodwill/known return customers. Probably overpaid. Never would have been a business owner without buying what someone else built first though, too lazy.

Before that was briefly a printer in a fly-by-night waterbase/discharge all-over printing shop. Before that was printing my own tees in a basement on a internet special (YouTees) press and curing with a kitchen stove. And before that it was a totally different life.

I tend to lurk, but I've got a lot to learn, so maybe I'll pipe up here.

Production is effectively one manual press(American Rototex II). One semi-skilled printer and one helper (screens, flop, fold). One front desk guy (retail space as well, major headache). I do the art and the forum lurking and pay the bills. Spot color stuff. Decent art if needed. Discharge/WB if customer knows to ask for it.

Things I think I've got a handle on - setting up this one press. scheduling. pricing.
Things that need improvement - printing skills (wet on wet, etc). marketing/sales. basic know-how.

Hi.

[Denis Kolar]

Welcome from NE Ohio.

[Sbrem]

Welcome. Sounds like my first job. We closed the retail space after a couple of years. We have an 8 color Rototex here for our manual, solid as a rock, you have a good machine. Ask away, there's a great group of folks here, which you must have noticed in your lurkings...

Steve

[cvreeland]

The Rototex is a quality machine. I still miss mine. Welcome!

[Frog]

Glad to see you Stinky.

Besides the technical advice that is so prevalent here, someone is bound to share their business acumen as well to help you work smarter and not harder.

[Printhouse]

Welcome......  Mansfield Ohio here.

[Stinkhorn Press]

Hello hello hello. Ohio is well represented on here.

I would love to close the retail front. We've killed a large number of our options one-offs, lees than 12 pieces needing embroidery, heat transfers for the local high schools (exceptions all around for screen print repeat customers).

The more I look to see what options exist to add a 2nd press, the more I find I like in my Rototex.
Minor complaints only. No cheap platens. Heavy to swing. Could use a tighter system for the E/W micro. Platen swapping requires tools. No off the self off-press registration system.

[Denis Kolar]

Minor complaints only. No cheap platens. Heavy to swing. Could use a tighter system for the E/W micro.

If you are in Strongsville area, stop by, I'll let you try my Antec Legend.
It is the lightest press, and it is almost effortless to spin.

[Sbrem]

Hello hello hello. Ohio is well represented on here.

I would love to close the retail front. We've killed a large number of our options one-offs, lees than 12 pieces needing embroidery, heat transfers for the local high schools (exceptions all around for screen print repeat customers).

The more I look to see what options exist to add a 2nd press, the more I find I like in my Rototex.
Minor complaints only. No cheap platens. Heavy to swing. Could use a tighter system for the E/W micro. Platen swapping requires tools. No off the self off-press registration system.

Their weight is what makes them good. Our production manager Christine uses one every day for years and years. She's 5'1" and weighs about 110 lbs. soaking wet. And I wouldn't piss her off... (actually, I do all the time, lol)

Steve

[blue moon]

Hello Drew,

welcome aboard from Cleveland. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and say "Hi!".

pierre

[Stinkhorn Press]

If you are in Strongsville area, stop by, I'll let you try my Antec Legend.
It is the lightest press, and it is almost effortless to spin.

and

Their weight is what makes them good.

I've heard people say the Antec Legend is top notch - but coming from the Rototex, that lightness scares me - those weenie little bolts hoping to hold everything tight... I'll for sure take some of these visits up at some point.

[ebscreen]

Welcome!

I'm assuming you are familiar with the fungus that shares your name?
Certainly an odd looking lifeform.

[Stinkhorn Press]

I am aware of the fungus, stinkhorn. Lacy and phallic. And stinky.

I'm certainly open to anyone willing to stop by and take a look at what we do/say hi as well.
Open invitation. At this point it's most probable that you'll be more informed than I, so it certainly can't hurt!

[mavgraph]

Welcome! Where exactly in OH?

[Stinkhorn Press]

Mount Vernon