Quick Slip Pad Protector Video

Check out why it’s important to use a Quick Slip Pad Protector with your Heat Press.

By Bruce Weiandt, GSSA Rep

Quick slip pad protectors make production runs a lot easier. If you already have a quick slip, you know what I mean. For anyone who doesn’t you are missing out on a simple yet valuable tool. Quick slip pad protectors do all that the name implies. They are made of Teflon® and fit tightly to the lower platen of your heat press. It protects the foam padding on the lower platen of your heat press which can cost over $100 to replace. It also keeps the edges of the pad from wearing down or pulling up and loose as you load and unload shirts. It will take quite a while for a corner to come loose but all the same, there’s no point in ever having to replace it if you don’t have to.

The best part about the protector is how easy it makes loading and unloading shirts. You will no longer have problems with the shirt trying to grab a hold of the lower platen which can make positioning difficult. With the quick slip, the shirt will slide freely over the lower platen. This is especially helpful when using clam models.

Another benefit to the quick slip is how easy it is to clean. Since it is made of Teflon, if you should happen to get a die or ink on your lower platen, just simply wipe it off with a wet rag and you will be back in business right away.

It’s simple, easy and will save you a lot of time. Check out the Great Garment Graphics video below.

Pressure Sensitive Vinyl Application Video

Learn the basic method for Pressure Sensitive Vinyl application.

By Patrick Seward, GSSA Rep

I’ve found that many customers that currently use a vinyl cutter are not using Pressure Sensitive Vinyl because they are unsure how to use it. The basic application can be intimidating if you haven’t used the product before. This video shows two different methods of applying the graphics, wet and dry.

Small designs can usually be accomplished using the dry technique.  For larger designs, I recommend a wet technique. The wet application allows the graphic to move around a bit and helps with the removal of air bubbles. This video gives a recipe for making the perfect spray solution from basic household materials, and goes on to demonstrate both styles of application.

This video also goes into detail with the weeding and masking processes that occur before the application.

Pressure Sensitive material is very inexpensive for the customer and I believe it is one of the best investments a business can make to expand their current offerings, dollar for dollar compared to anything else. Enjoy the video!

Vinyl Cutter Online Training Video

Save time & money with a test cut on your vinyl cutter.

By Patrick Seward, GSSA

Avoid the oops with a test cut.

The “test cut” is overlooked by 50% of end-users but it’s the most important step when using a vinyl cutter. The test cut occurs when the vinyl cutter is configured and the heat transfer material is loaded for the first time that day. The test cut allows the user quickly find their configuration error and correct it. From my experience, it tends to be the force of the blade. Typically it will need to be increased or decreased.

If you do decide to skip the test cut altogether, for example when switching material, sometimes it works out.  When it doesn’t, things can get messy and you’ve wasted time and material.

This online training video features the GX-24 vinyl cutter and provides instructions on how to do a basic test cut. This ten second check will save you time and money. Trust me, I know from experience.

Congrats Bartley’s Sporting Goods!

Celebrating 100 years in business.

By Mark Schwarb, GSSA

Rarely, in this day and age, do we get an opportunity to congratulate a business celebrating “100 years in business“. Even rarer do we find that business to be owned and operated continuously by one family. August 10, 2010 marks just such a milestone for the fine people at Bartley’s Sporting Goods in North Fort Myers, Florida. Loring and Steve Strickland, along with numerous younger generation family members, carry on the traditions of customer service, community involvement, and sound business practices upon which Loring’s grandfather Mr. Henry Bartley founded his business in 1910!

Through all those decades Bartley’s has evolved with the changing markets. Starting originally as a bicycle shop and then adding fishing supplies and repairs they began team uniform outfitting in the relatively recent 1970′s. With that change came a vendor – dealer relationship with Stahls’. What a wonderful irony that each of these fine family owned businesses would continue to push forward, together, for more than four decades.

Today Loring gives modest credit to the store’s ability to personalize on-site as one of the reasons for its endurance. Bartley’s in-house services include screen printing, embroidery, numerous heat presses, and an Ioline cutter to help provide traditional tackle twill decorating. Lettering, numbers, and equipment from both Stahls ID and Transfer Express have provided Bartley’s staff with the tools to produce 1000′s of uniforms from tee ball to professional teams like the Boston Red Sox and everything in between.

It has been my privilege to service the Bartley’s account for the last three years, and I am sure I speak for the entire industry in congratulating them on 100 Golden years in business as well as wishing much future success. 

Read more about the Bartley family business.