Promotional Products Creation - The Machines
 

Since the PPOT brain trust seems to have no limits, I thought I would tap it with a couple of questions.

Does anyone know a good suite of machines that could be used to apply single and full-color imprints to a diverse line of promotional products like pens, calculators, mugs, flashlights, flat magnets and other odd shaped schwag? I assume more than one machine is required for such tasks.

Who are the quality manufacturers of such equipment?

TIA!!

Best,

Not a great time to be getting into that business if that's what you are thinking.

It's a saturated industry as it is and with the way economics are looking schwag is an easy expense to cut.

Most of the vendors get their stuff from the same sources. You get their catalog, slap your sticker on it and take your "commision".

Wonder if Shaun might know something about this? He does transfers and such on his shirts I believe...

I'm asking for a friend who's been selling this stuff for 16 years. He's got a dedicated following of repeat customers and is now starting his own company. Many of his customers run bars, and folks are still drinking. :D

He has a source now, but would like to cut them out and significantly improve his margins. He's got a good plan, IMO.

I really just need info on the equipment and was hoping someone had first hand experience with it!

Thanks.

Best,

My thought on that, and I'm really not trying to be an a55 here.

If he's been in the business 16 years he knows what he needs. If he does not I would question how good his plan is.

I know a fair amount of people in the business and will be happy to make some calls and see if I can get some info for you.

Well, your not being a total a55. :)

He's been selling in the front office for 16 years, not involved with the machines. He knows who he would hire to run the back-office and knows he's not the one for that. There's obviously more to the story than this.

While I appreciate your concern about the business plan, strategy or other judgments you wish to make, that's not really the advice I need at the moment!

BTW, I am visiting his current supplier's facilities tomorrow and will discreetly learn as much as I can, if you know what I mean.

Still not being an a55 here and really do want to be helpful, sincerely.

If he knows who he wants to run the backend then that person should have the answers you are looking for, otherwise that is not the right person.

If we don't know who the quality manufacturers of the equipment are then we don't know what the machines cost so we don't have a valid P&L.

Honestly you have asked a vague question.

What's his start up volume and growth plan look like? Incidentally this will affect things like sq footage required for the operation, utility costs, HVAC concerns, possibly hazardous waste disposal etc...

That's important in helping us answer your question.

One of the pieces of equip he'll likely need is a Pad Printer, you can get em as cheap as $600 or as high as $10,000 and more depending on what kind of volume he expects.

It's not an easy one dimensional answer.

Regards,
Scott

Thanks Scott.

This is preliminary stuff and I am sure that others he is talking to can provide the answers. I typically try to do my own DD before I meet with the "experts" so that I am not totally ignorant of the subject.

I did not expect specific answers, just something like what you provided re the pad printer. I found a company that makes such printers, "Kwikprint". It's really just a starting point for my education. I want to know how all this works.

Something as general as "monkey printers" imprint magnets, "stomach printers" imprint flashlights and "polhemus printes" are best for irregular objects.

Personally, I have what I consider very good general business experience, but am a complete neophyte re the mechanics of this business. I don't doubt that my buddy and I will consult with people who know much more then us!

Thanks again!

Best,