Please find some links and notes from the 2 Regular Guys Podcast. Chris Freeman will be joining our show today. Chris has a long experience in multi-machine DTG production. We’ll discuss this concept, and how this same information relates to the single machine shop. Get some great insight from someone who has been a part of one of the largest Direct to Garment Production based decorating companies in the country.

Sponsored by: SGIA.org | ThreadX - Palm Springs, CA February 25-28, 2018

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Thank you to the Veterans!

Direct to Garment Production

Terry: Chris, tell us about your journey through direct-to-garment printing.

Started with 26 Kornits, half of them in existence. Year 1 was testing, Anajet, MSI, brother, Sawgrass, Brother is still there running.  Had the first 3 machines from Belquette, curing problems, pretreat problems, ink problems.  Anajet was early to the Ricoh game and now has real engineers.  Bob Marino and a crazy test a day.

Aaron: It sounds like your DTG experience is on the larger scale side. Does what you do translate to a smaller DTG operation?

It all comes down to control.  Garbage in garbage out.  Most problems are caused by changing situations you didn’t know where changing.  Go use the equipment at a trade show and don’t be shy.  

Terry: You’ve had your finger on the pulse of DTG for quite a while now. Where are we going from here?

Back to the future multi-station?  Single headed consumer machines?  New chemistry?

Aaron: Any surprises we should expect on the DTG front in the short or long future?

It’s not about the machine, it’s about the content and the relationship.  

Terry: What advice would you offer someone just now contemplating or just stepping into the DTG arena?

Have someone like Eric over at Scalable Press make your work for you until you make enough money to buy a decent used machine. There is so much to learn

Aaron: Talk to our listeners about your new business

Web based preflighting.

Terry: Who can benefit from this technology?

Anyone who wants to save time...

Terry: Chris, let’s shift gears completely and tell us about the work you and your wife are doing in Tanzania.

Chris Freeman is a Kentucky native, computer programmer, and Process Engineer. He is a digital printing expert with ten years of experience as an Engineering Director at cafepress. He currently operates a print production consulting business providing advice and software for the print industry. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville Speed School of Engineering. He has spent his career creating unique and automated processes to address the challenges of complex short-run work.