SGIA Offers Free Webinars for Graphics Providers in 2014

SGIA has released its 2014 schedule of free Webinars, which SGIA says presents unique information and fosters important discussion about industry topics in 60 minutes or less.

SGIA WebinarsThe upcoming Webinars cover a variety of topics, including: Business management, sales advice, 3D printing techniques, color management, garment decorating methods, setting up and creating screen printing artwork, wide-format dye sublimation, installing window films and more.

The 2014 Webinar series starts with the session Finding Savings Before & After the Print on Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. ET. SGIA’s Dan Marx will moderate a discussion panel between industry experts on the topic of how companies can differentiate themselves and carve out a competitive advantage by looking to become leaner and seeking new profit opportunities.

Here’s the SGIA Webinar schedule in 2014…

  • 3D Embellishment Technologies: Jan. 29
  • Way To Grow: Feb. 12
  • Who is Responsible for Correct Color? Feb. 19
  • Water Based Garment Inks: Feb. 26
  • Creative Art for Screen Printing: March 5
  • Seven Highly Effective, Low-Cost Marketing Habits: March 12
  • Top Ten Sign Code Considerations: March 19
  • QC for Curing of Screen Printing Inks: April 9
  • Steps for Wide-Format Dye-Sublimation Success: April 16
  • Pricing the Print: April 23
  • What is Your Break-Over Point? April 30
  • Navigating the “Green” Jungle: May 7
  • Selecting the Right Sales Compensation Plan: May 14
  • UV LED Curing Case Studies: May 21
  • Understanding and Installing Window Films: June 11
  • OSHA Came to Call – And Found A Problem! June 18
  • Digital Textile Finishing Technologies: June 25

All Webinars are subject to change and free unless otherwise noted. Webinars are 60 minutes long, beginning at 2 p.m. ET and broadcast online. A complete schedule can be found at SGIA.org.

Simplifying Sales and Sidestepping Sign Restrictions with Perforated Window Film

Sears Auto Center Window Graphics by AW Artworks
Nothing fancy here, but these window graphics, printed on LexJet Aqueous Perforated Window Vinyl (70/30) by AW Artworks, get the word out about all of the services this Sears Auto Center provides.

On-premise signage is arguably the most effective way to get the word out about your business to a mobile audience, especially given the fracturing of media through this, that and the other app and social media.

Many businesses struggle with restrictive sign codes or shopping center guidelines that make it difficult to stand out from the crowd. In the case of a Sears Auto Center in Madison, Wis., the mall in which the center is located doesn’t allow much outside of a main ID sign.

The Auto Center tried various types of banners and even a large Michelin Man blow-up, all of which had to be taken down per the mall’s signage rules. So the Auto Center’s owner turned to Andy Wredberg, owner of AW Artworks, based down the road in Sun Prairie, Wis.

Though this type of project is not in AW Artworks’ wheelhouse, as Wredberg puts it, he wanted to help and try something outside his wheelhouse, which is primarily fine art and photo reproductions.

“They had some mismatched vinyl lettering on their garage doors and wanted something more attractive to draw more attention to the variety of services they offer,” explains Wredberg. “I talked to Rob Finkel at LexJet and he recommended LexJet Aqueous Perforated Vinyl (70/30), so we ordered a sample and tested it on the window. We ordered a roll of it, laid it out, printed it, sprayed it with a clear, water-based poly and installed it today. It went on easily and it looks sharp. They wanted to be able to see out and it provides some shade inside as well.”

Car Window Graphics
With the leftover window perf material from the Sears project, AW Artworks produced these popular stickers for the back windows of cars for Wisconsin-proud people. Andy Wredberg reports that they’ve sold about a dozen of these.

Now this type of project is squarely in AW Artworks’ wheelhouse, and Wredberg plans to use it on the studio’s sidewalk-facing windows to promote this additional product line. Based on similar window promotions AW Artworks has done in the past for banner stands and canvas wraps, AW Artworks should see more of this type of work in the future.

“I was a little concerned at first because we don’t normally do this type of application. I thought installation would be beyond my skill set, but I just pulled the release liner off a couple of inches to get it started, smoothed it down and was really easy. It only took about an hour,” says Wredberg. “It’s very readable from far away. They’re really a full-service auto center and I don’t think a lot of people realize the capabilities they have, so this will help them.”

Creative Applications with Dee-O-Gee on the Windows

Dee-O-Gee is actually the name of the establishment that sports a creative application of inkjet printable vinyl to advertise and inform customers and passersby about its natural pet supply store in Bozeman, Mont.

Originally reported on this blog earlier this year, the project by Ink Outside the Box is ongoing and changed slightly depending on the season. As the photos show, Ink Outside the Box embellishes the original images, printed on LexJet Simple Low Tack White Vinyl with an HP Designjet 35500 flatbed UV-curable printer, with removable bits and pieces that coincide with the season.

“We thought it would be a great idea to print ornamental images on a repositionable material to dress up that same image. Then, they can peel those off and save the materials for the following year,” says Justin Lind of Ink Outside the Box. “The material we use from LexJet is perfect, because of the consistency you get for the price. Every time I get a roll of material, one roll is the same as the next. I like the adhesive with the 24-hour cure that you can pull back up and stick back down again during application and then it sets within 24 hours.”

Lind adds that this particular project has helped loosen up the sign codes in Bozeman a bit. He says it’s simple economics.

The original window graphics project for Dee-O-Gee before the Christmas additions by Ink Outside the Box. The dog photos are by Loneman Photography in Bozeman.

“This one client has increased his walk-in business by 35 percent just by having those murals on his windows. We took this information to the city and told them that we’re trying to help businesses survive during tough times, and this helps the city’s tax base,” explains Lind. “The way we advertise now is so different than what we did even five years ago. The window graphic is a great solution because it’s right there, it tells a quick story of who you are and what you do, plus it’s economical.”