Attend any of the free classes at Embroidery Trade Show. You do not need to register to attend, simply show up for the class. Seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. Some of the classes are presented by the National Network of Embroidery Professionals co-founders Susan Ritchie and Jennifer Cox. Check back as we will add the 2014 classes as the details are finalized!
Here is what happened in 2013:
Succeed as an Apparel Decorator – The Most Frequently Asked Questions (Friday at 11:00AM new time)
Presenter: Susan Ritchie, Co-Founder & Vice President, National Network of Embroidery Professionals
Get answers to the most important questions about starting, running, and profiting from an apparel decorating business. This is your a chance to ask questions of an industry expert, so write down your questions before hand and bring them with you!
“We learned so much, especially from your Q & A session. I had solutions to three vexing issues before I left your seminar! Many, many thanks!”
- Sara Cole, Threadwords
Creating the Ultimate, One-Stop Embroidery Shop (Friday at 8:45 AM)
Presenter: John Barber, Johnson Plastics
Failing to pay attention to changing trends in your industry can mean playing catch-up to your competition later. Over the past decade, we’ve seen a highly-skilled collective group of embellishment businesses move from single-craft focused shops to multi-technology “digital plants” designed to produce, process or procure virtually any decorated product. By adding a versatile sublimation system to your existing embroidery line-up and a couple other economical pieces of digital equipment, you can keep up with a full range of customer product demands whether it’s a family seeking photo gift ideas or a Fortune 100 company needing branded signs and identity products, whether it’s a weekend cycling group searching for functional (yet, fashionable) performance apparel or a local non-profit wishing to send a personalized thank you gift to each and every donor. Presented by Johnson Plastics, this business strategy and sublimation-education session consists of a somewhat-formal presentation, liberal use of both decorated samples and anecdotes with a heavy emphasis placed on open class discussion and answering questions.
How to Profit by Adding Custom Transfers to Your Shop (Friday at 8:45 AM)
Presenter: David Shaw, Diane Shaw and Jerri Dyke, Ace Transfer Company
Custom transfers will increase profitability and productivity in the smallest start up to very large screen printing and embroidery shops. For the investment in a heat press machine, less than $1,000, you can be printing and selling garments decorated with screen printing, sublimation, film and rhinestones – even on darks!!
We will discuss the following:
- Why and how could you profit using custom transfers
- What are the different kinds of transfers
- Why would you use different transfers in different situations
- What should you be aware of when purchasing a heat press machine
- Hands on demonstrations
- Trouble shooting
- Handouts and sample shirt provided for class attendees
Price for Profits (Friday at 11:00 AM)
Presenter: Jennifer Cox, Co-Founder and President, National Network of Embroidery Professionals
Learn how to actually understand the numbers for your business. Discover how to set prices so that you earn the profits you want to earn. If you are not earning what you want to now, you will learn why, and what you can do about it. Get a pricing worksheet that you can take home and use to plug in your own numbers.
Increase Your Profits with 2 Easy to Learn Gunold Specialty Threads – Live Demonstrations from Computer Digitizing to Sewouts! (Saturday 8:45 AM)
Presenter: Bill Garvin, Gunold USA & BG Tech Services
A skill enhancement, profit building, watch and learn class! Gunold Poly 60 weight thread should be a staple stock item in every embroidery shop. This thin thread makes small letters and designs look crisp and clean. We have all seen poor results using 40 weight thread on small designs! Poly 60 is complete and easy solution! We start with demonstrating how to digitize a Poly 60 design. Learn about correct needle size, digitizing adjustments, tension issues and more. After the sewout, we will have time for Q & A.
Gunold Filaine 12 Weight Thread is thick thread that gives a beautiful antique vintage look. Added benefits are that this thick thread runs great in your machine and that the thick coverage means fewer stitches and less production time! We will show you large sewouts done in as few as 4,000 stitches. From computer to machine, we will demonstrate this easy-to-use thread and answer your questions.
Adding Screen Printing with Just A Heat Press (Saturday 8:45 AM)
Presenter: Andy Curties, Transfer Express
Don’t turn away screen printed orders! In this hands-on, interactive session we will show you how easy it is to add screen printing to your offerings.
We will start with the art, and have all of you non-artists creating masterpieces! We will show you layouts for sports, companies, schools and fashion that anyone can customize and show their customer what it will look like in seconds. We will go over the different types of screen printing you can offer with just your heat press, including single and multi-colors, glitter, puff and glow-in-the-dark. Attendees will actually use a heat press and apply each of these types at the session. Take home samples will also be provided!
Grow Your Business with Sales and Marketing Strategies that Work! (Saturday at 11:00 AM)
Presenter: Jennifer Cox, Co-Founder and President, National Network of Embroidery Professionals
Is your business growing fast enough? Learn five proven strategies that you can execute for less than $250 to grow your business. Learn a sales technique that will completely change how your customer’s think about logo’d apparel. Master a marketing strategy that will set you apart from you competition.
“I think this is the kind of education our industry desperately needs. I really appreciate your leadership in trying to strengthen the industry this way.”
- Jeff Taxdahl, Thread Logic
Increase Your Profits with Gunold 3-D Puffy Foam! Live Demonstrations from Digitizing to Sewout! (Saturday at 11:00 AM)
Presenter: Bill Garvin, Gunold USA & BG Tech Services
A skill enhancement, profit building, watch and learn class. Gundold 3-D Puffy makes embroidery stand out – it’s crazy impressive! We will explain how much more you can charge your customers when you “puff” your embroidery.
This is an A to Z, step by step presentation. We will start the class by digitizing a 3-D puffy foam design, which teaching proper density settings, stitch lengths and more. We answer what needle size to use, the role of underlay, closing open ends and other important techniques to Puffy success. After it’s digitized, we take the digitized design to an embroidery machine for layout and production. We literally sew out the design in class. Learn a finishing using a heat gun. We will allow plenty of time for Q&A to ensure you are comfortable taking your new and profitable skill back to your shop!
Future apparel decorators between the ages of 14-18 can register for the Trade Show and classes if accompanied by an adult. Please bring proof of age. Children under the age of 14 (including babes in arms and tots in strollers) are not eligible to attend the Trade Show or the classes.
