If you run an online store, a print shop, or your own fashion label, SupaDTF might just be the best thing to come along this year. Why? Because with no minimum orders, you can say yes to more opportunities. Here’s just a few to get you started.
Written by Kevin Baumgart, SetSales.co
Building a sales compensation plan? Here’s what you need to know…
Sales commission can be a tricky practice to dial in. I get it though. Most shops haven’t created sales commission plans before. If you’re looking at hiring new sales talent or trying to motivate current team members to go out and sell, it’s probably a good time to dial in sales compensation.
Here are a few key items to keep in mind as you sculpt your sales compensation plans:
This is different for every shop. In order to understand how much to pay a salesperson, you should complete an analysis to figure out what amount of revenue they need to bring in and then base the commission percentages off of that.
Commission should always be tied to quota, or how much they need to sell. Paying on every dollar they sell(or every dollar of profit) isn’t the worst strategy, but I want them to always be thinking about their monthly number and motivated to close that amount every month.
Either way, I think there should be a base salary/hourly component and then a variable commission based payment as well. I see a 60/40 (salary/commission) or 70/30 (salary/commission) as most common in our industry.
Great example that I’ve seen work in shops is this: We have an inside sales person/account manager/order taker that might have the chops to go out and sell and we’d like to motivate them to do so. Why not incent those behaviors by paying a higher commission percentage for bringing in net new opportunities? I’ve seen this work really well in shops. I’ve also seen this not work well as they might neglect current customers to focus on new sales/commission.
Important to note that the best performing sales organizations that I’ve seen in shops have specialized roles. For example, outbound sales focus 100% of their time on closing new clients and then transitions the relationship over to the inside team/account managers. Account managers focus 100% of their time on supporting and driving revenue from their current customers. I’ve seen this separation of duties have a huge impact on revenue.
We talked about quota. Simply put a salesperson's quota is either the amount of profit or revenue they need to bring in during a time period (usually monthly.) It should be clear to the company and the employee what these numbers are. We live in a cyclical business and have seasons where more sales happen. Quota should follow this. We should heavily track both input and outcome metrics. Income metrics being activities like calls, emails, in-person visits or LinkedIn messages. Outcomes being meetings held, new jobs quoted, deals closed, revenue brought in, etc.
The beautiful thing about sales is that it’s a numbers game. Typically, the more activities or inputs, the more sales we get. This takes a diligent approach however. You have to live in the data, communicate it well and work with the team on a weekly basis to track performance and drive behaviors.
Like everything in dealing with people and teams, communication is key with compensation. For strong sales people, compensation is one of the most important parts of their work. Solid communication around the plans, changes to the plans, timeframe, KPI’s tied to them, etc. are all really critical.
We should also regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the compensation structure. Are the behaviors we want to drive improving? Is the plan fair for the team member and for the company? We should be monitoring this on a quarterly basis and making changes if needed.
Earlier in my career, I was interviewing for a head of sales role and toward the end of the hiring process as we were talking compensation the CEO said, “I’ll promise you right now that we will mess this comp plan up. Either it’s going to be too rich for us, or it’s going to be too rich for you. But, I’ll also promise you that we will make it right.” This stuck with me and I’ve repeated it to many sales people that I hired along the way. As we build out these compensation plans for new or existing team members, I think it’s a good message to keep in mind.
Good selling!
At Supacolor, "We help you make it." And in that vein we wanted to inform and introduce our partners to Kevin Baumgart and SetSales. Kevin has helped hundreds of decorated apparel providers of all sizes with sales coaching, consulting and support.
A topic that Kevin often works with shops on is how to measure and compensate sales people in the industry. If growth and increasing revenue is an area of focus for you in 2024, reach out to Kevin here. He'd be happy to help.
If you run an online store, a print shop, or your own fashion label, SupaDTF might just be the best thing to come along this year. Why? Because with no minimum orders, you can say yes to more opportunities. Here’s just a few to get you started.
Expand into customization - offer designs of people’s pets or families, for example.What designs do you have already that you could adapt by adding your customer’s name or image?
Print one-offs or short-runs, like a person’s name on a uniform. It can be a good way to bring new customers in the door, letting you build more relationships that can grow over time.
If you’re not sure how well a new design is going to sell, you don’t need to commit to our usual minimum of 10 transfers for a single design. With SupaDTF, you can order as little as one transfer and even wait until a sale comes in before placing your order. Because we ship within 1-2 days, you won’t even keep your customers waiting.
Offering new designs based on current trends in pop culture is a great way to increase sales. With SupaDTF you can do this with small orders, so you never waste any transfers once the trend has died down.
Looking at your designs on your screen is one thing, but nothing beats seeing them on the fabric. SupaDTF makes it affordable to try designs first before committing to a bigger order.
For projects when you want the design to feel like it’s one with the fabric, SupaDTF is perfect. Because it’s 100% digitally printed, the design is lightweight and Supasoft.
With so much flexibility, it’s no wonder SupaDTF is proving so successful for small businesses. After all, you can maximise opportunities with minimal investment. So, how will you use SupaDTF for your business?
Ready to get started?
As a garment decorator, the more tools you have in your toolbelt, the more jobs you can take on. With our SupaReflective heat transfers, you can add reflective designs, expanding your range with no extra effort.
SupaReflective is a great way to attract new clients with the prospect of helping their staff be seen in low light conditions. For companies who have staff working night shifts - security guards, parking attendants, maintenance etc – it improves safety, while boosting their own brand. Think about what clients you already have that would benefit from reflective designs.
Reflective elements are already popular in the sports world. Think running, cycling, skiing and snowboarding – you’ll find reflective elements and logos everywhere. SupaReflective makes it easy for you to capitalise on this booming trend. If you’re not already making activewear, now’s the time.
Beyond safety and functionality, SupaReflective can also add a distinctive aesthetic appeal. The reflective elements catch the light, and the eye. Reflective designs have been used by everyone from designers like Alexander McQueen to labels like Anti Social Social Club and Off-White. We’ve made it Supaeasy to do the same.
Cotton, polyester, or the mix in between – SupaReflective doesn't play favorites. It bonds seamlessly with all fabrics, giving you the flexibility to experiment across a range of materials. From casual tees to high-performance gear, SupaReflective is a versatile workhorse you can count on. Oh, and they’ll last at least 30 washes too, and still come out shining.
If you’re already using reflective designs, chances are, you’re using vinyl. Raise your hand if you've got better things to do than painstakingly weed out tiny bits of negative space. We got you. Like all Supacolour heat transfers, you just press and peel, with no wedding. Imagine how much time that’ll save you on a uniform run of 30 pieces! (Note, this is a cold peel – our first!)
By adding reflective designs to your toolbelt, you can capitalise on opportunities across safety gear, activewear and fashion – all without investing in any extra gear. Just order SupaReflective transfers. Your world of creative possibilities awaits. We can’t wait to see you shine.
You have options to choose from when it comes to heat transfers, and when it comes to full color heat transfers, Supacolor has set the bar high. When choosing your heat transfer, there are certain qualities you should be sure to look for.
On the surface, one of the things about direct to film printing is that it can be great for small quantities, such as one or two-unit test runs and small orders. This certainly has its place, but how does it compare to Supacolor overall? In this article, we’ll take a look and explain why it’s either Supacolor or it’s not.
Here’s the product differences:
Color Vibrancy and Consistency
Supacolor’s 6-color process involves a combination of screen printing and digital printing. This delivers unmatched vibrancy and consistent color from order to order.
Opacity
Supacolor screen prints its white based ink when creating transfers. By screen printing the white base it allows your prints to stay consistently vibrant on light and dark garments.
Washability
Supacolor is lab tested and certified to last 70+ washes without cracking or fading. Read the lab report results HERE.
Certifications
It’s a part of our brands promise to be eco-friendly and chemically safe. Supacolor is kid safe, and our certifications include Prop 65, CPSIA and Oeko-Tex. So, make sure your transfer company is safe for both your customer and the environment.
Durability and Stretchability
Supacolor features a supasoft hand feel and industry leading stretchability.
By using the screen-printing process in combination with the full color digital, Supacolor has unmatched durability. This means that when stretched, our transfers rebound better than any other product on the market.
Wide Application
Supacolor offers specialized transfer types for virtually any fabric and different bleed levels. When using a one size fits all solution, the consistency and durability of application remains inconsistent.
Low Minimums
Supacolor has the lowest minimum among full color screen printed transfers, at just 10 pieces. This allows you to deliver your customers high quality, long lasting, durable full color prints with as low as 10 pieces.
Turnaround Time
Supacolor has a Supafast, industry leading turnaround. With factories all over the world, most orders ship within a few business days, no matter what the quantity.
Price transparency and the true cost of ownership
Supacolor prices are as advertised. Supacolor requires no printing equipment, inks or technical skills outside of a heat press.
At Supacolor we take all the upfront and ongoing investment cost, as well as the time investment for maintenance out of the equation. You send us your artwork, we send you Supacolor, no maintenance necessary.
We also take out the requirement for a skilled workforce. Pressing can be taught and therefore scaled quickly, with confidence.
Emerging Technology
Supacolor is always innovating and working supahard to bring you the highest quality transfer. We will continue to add the equipment and technology necessary to better our product and service.
At Supacolor, we value the garment decorating community and we think it’s fantastic that the heat applied transfer industry is finally starting to hit the mainstream. We firmly believe that heat transfer printing is an important part of every professional printer’s toolkit when it comes to decorating garments. The flexibility that transfers give you to make products on-demand, fulfill small orders and say yes to your customer’s requests that screen printing, embroidery or DTG can't handle, makes heat transfers an important part of the future of garment decorating.
At Supacolor we don't take shortcuts. We know that when you put a Supacolor on a garment it’s important that the colors are right and that you have the confidence that the print is going to last. We know that you build your reputation on our products, and that’s a responsibility we take very seriously. We believe that the best transfer manufacturing process must include screen printing, this is the foundation for Supa vibrant, eye-popping colors that last.
There is only one Supacolor. We help you make it.
You have options to choose from when it comes to heat transfers, and when it comes to full color heat transfers, Supacolor has set the bar high. When choosing your heat transfer, there are certain qualities you should be sure to look for.
On the surface, one of the things about direct to film printing is that it can be great for small quantities, such as one or two-unit test runs and small orders. This certainly has its place, but how does it compare to Supacolor overall? In this article, we’ll take a look and explain why it’s either Supacolor or it’s not.
Here’s the product differences:
Color Vibrancy and Consistency
Supacolor’s 6-color process involves a combination of screen printing and digital printing. This delivers unmatched vibrancy and consistent color from order to order.
Opacity
Supacolor screen prints its white based ink when creating transfers. By screen printing the white base it allows your prints to stay consistently vibrant on light and dark garments.
Washability
Supacolor is lab tested and certified to last 70+ washes without cracking or fading. Read the lab report results HERE.
Certifications
It’s a part of our brands promise to be eco-friendly and chemically safe. Supacolor is kid safe, and our certifications include Prop 65, CPSIA and Oeko-Tex. So, make sure your transfer company is safe for both your customer and the environment.
Durability and Stretchability
Supacolor features a supasoft hand feel and industry leading stretchability.
By using the screen-printing process in combination with the full color digital, Supacolor has unmatched durability. This means that when stretched, our transfers rebound better than any other product on the market.
Wide Application
Supacolor offers specialized transfer types for virtually any fabric and different bleed levels. When using a one size fits all solution, the consistency and durability of application remains inconsistent.
Low Minimums
Supacolor has the lowest minimum among full color screen printed transfers, at just 10 pieces. This allows you to deliver your customers high quality, long lasting, durable full color prints with as low as 10 pieces.
Turnaround Time
Supacolor has a Supafast, industry leading turnaround. With factories all over the world, most orders ship within a few business days, no matter what the quantity.
Price transparency and the true cost of ownership
Supacolor prices are as advertised. Supacolor requires no printing equipment, inks or technical skills outside of a heat press.
At Supacolor we take all the upfront and ongoing investment cost, as well as the time investment for maintenance out of the equation. You send us your artwork, we send you Supacolor, no maintenance necessary.
We also take out the requirement for a skilled workforce. Pressing can be taught and therefore scaled quickly, with confidence.
Emerging Technology
Supacolor is always innovating and working supahard to bring you the highest quality transfer. We will continue to add the equipment and technology necessary to better our product and service.
At Supacolor, we value the garment decorating community and we think it’s fantastic that the heat applied transfer industry is finally starting to hit the mainstream. We firmly believe that heat transfer printing is an important part of every professional printer’s toolkit when it comes to decorating garments. The flexibility that transfers give you to make products on-demand, fulfill small orders and say yes to your customer’s requests that screen printing, embroidery or DTG can't handle, makes heat transfers an important part of the future of garment decorating.
At Supacolor we don't take shortcuts. We know that when you put a Supacolor on a garment it’s important that the colors are right and that you have the confidence that the print is going to last. We know that you build your reputation on our products, and that’s a responsibility we take very seriously. We believe that the best transfer manufacturing process must include screen printing, this is the foundation for Supa vibrant, eye-popping colors that last.
There is only one Supacolor. We help you make it.
If you run a print shop, you'll know there are three big things you need to succeed: efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction. So, it’s not surprising that more and more print shops are adding Supacolor heat transfers to their toolkit – they help with all three.
Here’s how Supacolor heat transfers help print shops grow their business:
We take the hardwork out of artwork. Forget about the complexities of color separations, setting up screens, or the nightmare of minimum order quantities. From the moment you upload your design to the time your transfers arrive at your doorstep, the process is Supaeasy. We even help with low-res files or incorrect file types so you don’t have to. Say goodbye to wasting time fixing designs and hello to focusing on what matters most.
Time is money, and we know it. You can't afford to have downtime on your heat presses. But with our easy application, there’s less setup time and quicker production. From small batches to tight deadlines, Supacolor keeps your hustle smooth and efficient.
This is where Supacolor really shines. Complex jobs with high color counts can take forever to screen print, and it’s not worth it for low volume orders. Don’t spend time counting colors and prepping screens - Supacolor lets you do it fast.
We take color seriously. Like, Supa seriously. We have 7 color print presses, our own proprietary ink formulation and an advanced color management system. What this means is you get vibrant, true-to-life colors that meet the highest standards. Your clients will be impressed, and you'll earn a reputation as a quality color maestro. Best of all, Supacolor gives you the same consistent colors, every time. Even if it’s months between runs.
Our heat transfers are made specifically for the fabric you’re printing on, and they’re proven to last and last and last (we stopped counting after 80 washes).
Print shops need partners they can rely on, and we never forget that. We look after you, so you can look after your customers.
As Andrew from Atomic threads says, “Supacolor is THE best – Customer service first and foremoste – these guys and gals will take amazing care of you. Quality as well; they are all about it. If something isn’t right, you can bet they will make it right for you. Big up, Supa!”
Justin from Anytime Tees says, “Supacolor has great products and excellent service. Issues are not common, but when they come up, this team takes care of them IMMEDIATELY. They are a great partner and I have absolutely no reason to go anywhere else.”
In an industry rife with additional charges, we stand out with our transparency. No setup fees, no rush fees, no surprises. Just straightforward pricing that lets you quote jobs quickly and easily.
So, if you’re running a print shop and haven’t tried Supacolor yet, hit us up for a free sample kit.
There’s nothing to lose, except for artwork headaches, inefficient workflow, inventory hassles... you know, all the things you wish you could get rid of. And now you can.
Supacolor is certified with the coveted STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® - the gold standard for textile product testing for harmful substances. This label certifies that our transfers have been rigorously tested for toxicity against up to 350 chemicals.
We really want you to love your heat transfers, and we think part of loving Supacolor is feeling good about how they’re made. Producing products responsibly and safely is something your customers not only deserve but demand.
Sometimes in the heat transfer industry, manufacturers develop new ways to make things faster and cheaper, but if they're not careful, they can cause problems. At Supacolor, we're all about helping you find the best products out there and ensuring you have all the info you need to make smart choices regarding heat transfers.
"Supacolor's commitment to consumer safety is essential in our mission to manufacture the world's best heat transfers. Every ingredient we use, starting with water-based inks, is with you and your customers in mind."
- Rum Walia, President of Supacolor
STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® is a certification system that tests textile products to prove they are safe from harmful levels of toxic substances from exposure during product manufacturing. Testing is important because the safety of textiles cannot be determined from visual inspection alone. Products that carry the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® label give consumers confidence about product safety.
Since the dawn of time, people have been fascinated by other people’s stories. Whether it was a tall tale told by a campfire, an article in a newspaper or magazine, a book, a play, or a movie…we seek to understand and connect with other people through stories.
What we need to hear more about right now is your story. While you may feel that you are not good enough, famous enough, or interesting enough to stand up and say something, I’m going to argue that this viewpoint isn’t valid.
Usually, that mindset is based on FEAR. And by FEAR, I mean the acronym.
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
Your insecurities tell you that nobody is interested or you aren’t good enough. But I can tell you that I want to hear your story. So, there is at least one person out there. If there is one, there probably is more. I’ll bet your customers, employees, and vendors are interested too. We want to know.
Let’s spend a few minutes unlocking the types of stories that you can tell, and you’ll see that it isn’t as scary as you think. When reading these, jot down a few notes about the story you might tell. By the way, stories can become excellent marketing tools for your business.
Why are you doing what you do? I don’t care who you are. Everyone has an origin story. At any networking event, one favorite question I ask is, “How and why did you get into what you are doing now?” It is always captivating to hear about their journey. Therefore, one place to start is with your “Why.”
Why are you doing what you are doing now? Simon Sinek has a fantastic TedTalk video that has been viewed over sixty million times. If you haven’t watched this, do yourself a favor and invest seventeen minutes in some of the most profound thinking that will supercharge your brain.
Then, consider telling your origin story inside out, as Simon explains. Why to How to What.
People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. That is your Origin Story. Your “Why” needs to be told and is the foundational element of your marketing.
“We help you make it” is Supacolor’s version of their “Why.”
Get to know your “Why.” Be able to express it and lead with it. If this article could have a flashing neon sign, it would read “Start With Why.” That’s a story I want to hear. So does everyone else.
As humans, we can relate to people overcoming obstacles and smashing through walls. That “Ah-Ha” breakthrough moment. This shows up all the time.
As they say, “the struggle is real.” What have you learned along the way? Don’t be embarrassed or shy away from your history. Instead, embrace it. What did you learn from the struggle? How has that helped you achieve your success today?
The Struggle Story is relatable as we all struggle. Everyone makes mistakes. The golden nugget with the struggle is expressing how that championed your current level of achievement.
Any type of redemption story is popular in fiction and media. Failure stories work because they also educate. You can even get others to join by sharing their Struggle Stories and engaging with your company with a relatable comparison.
Sometimes, a story can teach. In your business, what is complicated or complex? Do your employees, customers, or vendors need to understand something? What isn’t connecting as it should?
Instead of listing a series of rules or steps, what if you gave an example? Then, when you illustrate the complex with a story, it can break it down into relatable chunks.
In your business, what educational stories should you be telling?
Like your sixth-grade teacher expressed, tell the story by answering these questions - Who, What, Why, Where, When, and How. Get the details of what you are trying to accomplish organized, and then use a story to illustrate what matters.
These types of stories work because they help deflect common sales objections and refute any misconceptions that may be out in the marketplace. But, of course, any real-life examples should be shared, especially if customers tell them.
Many people are fascinated by how things are made and the processes that go into something. What is fun in this industry is that many people own t-shirts, but few know how they are decorated.
What goes into creating an online store? Can you tell the story of how that event shirt was designed? How is the garment decorated and shipped?
The behind-the-scenes story is your tool to show your quality and care. Sometimes folks DO want to learn how the sausage is made. The “Behind-The-Scenes” story is your chance to make a great impression.
You can humanize your brand, as you can share how many people are involved in the process. What’s their story? Why are they working for you? Do they bring something unique to the process?
This is not the cleaned-up version of what you do, but the messy and sweaty part. Show your truth regarding what you do, how you do it, and why it matters. People respond well to authenticity.
Does part of your “Why” story involve a higher purpose? For example, giving back to others, raising money for philanthropy, or helping with a cause or mission? That is a story worth telling.
Even if you don’t do that all the time. For example, let’s say that on Earth Day, you helped clean up the neighborhood on the streets around your business. Why did you do that? Share the story of your action and the reasons why you got involved.
You may be raising money for a charity by participating in a walk. Tell that story too.
Many businesses participate in movements such as the 1% for the Planet, becoming a B-Corporation, or getting an SGP Sustainability Certification.
You could even feature stories that are simple “routine acts of kindness” where someone in your company did or achieved something remarkable.
These are the stories that make people stop and think. After reading or hearing about your company with a higher purpose story, people may regard you differently.
This is not the cleaned-up version of what you do, but the messy and sweaty part. Show your truth regarding what you do, how you do it, and why it matters. People respond well to authenticity.
Did something extraordinary happen? You may have celebrated your first year in business (or even your fiftieth!). You also could have won an award or achieved a milestone. While that may be fantastic news, you didn’t do it alone. You had help. Someone supported you along the way, and that’s the story to tell.
Maybe someone lent you a hand when no one else would. Or, after the hurricane, some amazing people pitched in to help you repair your business.
Give thanks by telling the story of that occurrence. What happened, and why did it matter? People respond to that grace when you say thank you and acknowledge your customers, employees, a supplier, or some other organization that helped you along the way. I know I do.
A standard tool in the marketing playbook is sharing a success story. You’ve read these before, I’m sure. A rags to riches story. The unbelievable comeback. The “one crazy night there was an epiphany” story.
People love these stories, as they are aspirational. What they don’t want to hear is bragging. You must be careful with the success story, as it must hit the right note. An audience wants to learn more about something they can relate to, not a pretentious tale that leaves them feeling inferior.
The point of this article is to illustrate that you need to share more about yourself and your company. People absolutely want to hear your stories, but you have to be brave enough to tell them.
Your stories can be told in a blog article, an infographic, or even a video. This can be placed permanently on your website and shared on social media. That way, it becomes part of the breadcrumb trail leading everyone back to you.
After all, when someone types a phrase into a Google search window, do you appear as one of the results? You can control the narrative regarding your company by sharing your best stories with the world. I want to hear them, and I’m sure others do too.
Years ago, I heard this gem of a phrase regarding money and business, “You don’t get paid what you are worth; you get paid what you negotiate.”
The agreeable value of what you sell is always in the other person’s eyes. It doesn’t matter what it is. It could be your time, as with a job. Maybe it is with a product, such as a decorated t-shirt. It might be with software, a subscription service, or an hour with a coach to learn a new skill.
When people agree to purchase something, it often is less about the list of benefits and more about the emotional connection to something. So the difference between buying and not buying may come from a feeling about something.
Why do you own your particular car or blue jeans or like your favorite restaurant? I’ll bet there is an emotional connection locked into place that far outweighs the money being spent. It is a fact that people will pay more for an emotional connection because of its perceived value.
Sure, there is a baseline that has to be delivered. The thing has to work or provide the primary function of what is being purchased. However, people will line up around the corner for things that trigger an emotional response.
Low price is the safety net for people who don’t know what they are doing.
Newer people or shops in the industry seem to always begin their journey by low-balling the market on price. When you don’t have confidence in what you do or the value you bring to the sale, it seems logical.
The problem is that it usually spells disaster for the new business, as there isn’t enough money available to scale. This is a no-win strategy for growth and profitability as it only attracts customers whose sole focus is cheap prices and not much else.
If you are stuck on the pricing question, try organizing your business based on selling what your customers VALUE instead.
Trust me. Anyone can decorate a t-shirt or slap a logo on a polo. It’s not that difficult. But why be a commodity? Instead, ask better questions to your customers to uncover their problems and the emotions tied to those problems. That’s a gold mine.
Hank is the head football coach for one of the local high schools. He has been on the job for two years now and is entering his third year coaching the Lions. Hank was an assistant and took over after the legendary football coach retired. They are prepping for a tough year as the cross-town rival is already ranked in the top ten in the state, and he mostly has a team full of younger players.
Challenge question: What is Coach Hank’s problem?
Of course, you would ask him many questions to uncover this, but for the sake of argument, let’s say we have the answers already.
Coach Hank wants to make his mark. He knows what it is like to have many years’ worth of successful teams, as he has been part of that with the former coach. Now it is his turn, and he has a lot of pressure to deliver. His legacy is starting now.
There is a challenging year ahead, and he is coaching a group of underclassmen. He knows he can coach but needs some tools to motivate the players.
What he doesn’t have is time. He needs to be studying game film and working with his team, not worrying about t-shirt orders and designing. This is where you come in.
The first step is to update the classic school Lions logo with a more modern, aggressive look. Coach Hank’s new motivational motto this year is “Lion Pride,” so a bold graphic is created. This not only becomes a helmet sticker and jersey patch but is worked in as a neck label for all of the apparel for the team and fans.
The team colors are Red and White, but unique Black versions of the apparel are made for special “big-game” usage. New versions of the logo are on everything, as well as the bold Lion Pride graphic. In addition, a unique “Hall of Fame” line of apparel is designed for former players and coaches, creating social media buzz.
An online store is created both for the team and for the fans. This helps get the sizing right for the team and is a fundraiser for the school’s boosters. In addition, the new logo and colors increase sales because students and fans suddenly look out of fashion with the old version.
Look at the list of the ten emotions above.
How many emotions play a part in the value-based decision-making for Coach Hank? When you present your ideas, this is what you talk about. Price matters, but not as much as saving the coach time or motivating his team and fanbase. Those are the selling points that get the coach excited and moving forward.
Solving these emotional challenges is what builds a strong relationship that can’t be beaten. When you deliver for a customer and start hitting these emotional traits, that’s when customers sing your praises.
Don’t forget to get Coach Hank’s testimonial video for your marketing reel later!
Maria is the HR manager for a large building contractor, employing over 1,200 people in four states. Her time is spent on safety, new hires, payroll, and employee legal problems. The marketing department has recently rebranded the firm, and now Maria needs to overhaul the business uniforming from scratch. Unfortunately, she has a large budget, a deadline, and not much else.
Challenge question: What is Maria’s problem?
Maria needs dependability. Her reputation is on the line with her decisions, and she can’t afford to make mistakes. She needs assurance, safety, and proven data that indicates the decision she makes is a good one.
The value that Maria is looking for is trustworthiness. With the rebranding, so much is at stake that she can’t afford a misstep. She knows the trust she seeks may even come at a higher price for the items, which she will gladly pay.
This is where sharing stories of past successes with similar employee uniform and merch stores, customer testimonial videos, and a solid guarantee can ensure the deal goes through.
Maria’s emotional trigger is Fear. Trust is gained by being transparent and complete with how the program will work, answering all of her questions, and demonstrating professionalism. She is searching for a partner that can automagically drive the program without a lot of daily involvement by Maria.
Your expertise with garment sizing, fit and finish makes a big impression. As you know that Maria has to deliver this program, your preparation pays off as you confidently answer every question. Then, it is simply a matter of working out the details of the program and executing it as orders flow in.
Of course, we could write plenty more scenarios, but you get the idea. Both Hank and Maria are not isolated customer cases.
Your customers right now are looking for the things that they value most. How often have you asked your best customers, “Why do you do business with us?” This is critical information when thinking about selling on value.
If you asked 20 or 30 of your best customers why they do business with your company, what do you think the most popular answers might be? (Hint: This is your homework for today.)
Customers want to align themselves with companies that are like themselves or fill the need for that emotional trait.
What can make you unique in your market is to demonstrate the emotional traits that your customers value. This means that you must be situational aware to recognize what your customers value most.
The purpose of marketing is to cause change. In this industry, the best idea is to quit trying to find customers for your product or service. Instead, flip the script. Build products or services for your best customers that they value already. Word gets around. A little marketing helps too.
Incorporating a heat-pressing department into your screen-printing business can change the way you think about your operations. Taking on low minimum jobs and high color counts can evolve from being an inconvenience to a great way to increase your revenue. But where do you get started? Don't worry; we're here to help.
Whether you're adding a heat-pressing department to your large-scale venture or looking to start a business from the comfort of your home, there are tools for every budget and every garment decorator. With the right equipment, you'll be well on your way to increasing your business's bottom line.
Manual heat presses have basic, yet essential, features that require the operator to use physical force to open and close them. Manual presses have limited functionality, but they are a great way to get in the game because they are available at a lower-cost entry point. When buying a manual heat press, look for one that has an auto-open feature, as this will eliminate some of the necessary physicality.
Utilizing optional platens helps to solve the problem of printing on awkward items. You can swap out platens for different jobs, such as garments with zippers & buttons, as well as shoes or bags. This will make heat pressing different items a much easier process.
Specialty presses are available for pressing headwear, neck labels, bags, shoes, and other items. Specialty presses can help you further build your decorating business by giving your shop enhanced customization capabilities. Don’t be limited to just printing t-shirts; you can charge an even higher premium for printing unique items.
Air-operated presses run off compressed air and do all the heavy lifting. These presses feature programmable settings that your machine will be able to memorize. With the click of a few buttons, the press platen will drop, apply consistent pressure and heat, then rise when the dwell time has been completed. Air-operated heat presses help avoid operator fatigue and repetitive injuries that can be caused by manual heat presses. They allow your employee to maintain focus for longer and achieve greater productivity. Air-operated heat presses come in single station, dual station, and multi-head station setups. The more stations, the more volume produced.
A temperature gun uses an infrared beam to detect any discrepancies in temperature on different areas of your heat press. Cold spots on your platen may cause inconsistencies in your print quality, so it’s important to ensure the temperature is evenly distributed.
If you’re just starting out, or if you need to secure your transfer onto an awkward shape, heat tape will keep things locked in the position you desire. Eliminate mistakes caused by shifting transfers by using tape specifically designed to withstand extreme temperatures.
These special pads can be positioned on the bottom platen of your press and will act as the surface for your garment. These are useful when dealing with bulkier items as they help distribute the pressure more evenly.
Heat Transfer Warehouse, Pro World, and Heat Press Nation all are reputable vendors that sell a variety of heat pressing equipment and accessories. Good luck with your heat pressing venture, and let us know how else we can help you make it. Email us at hello@supacolor.com