LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Thanks
for reading Stitches Embroidery Business
Insights, our bi-monthly e-newsletter that’s
dedicated to bringing you news from around the
industry and product releases. If you’ve
got company or personnel news, or product releases,
we’d like to feature them here.
In this
edition, read about the consequences of sending illegal e-mail messages, and
watch me show you some of the year’s hottest sleepwear and accessories
in “Your Stitches.”
Please e-mail
me your news and product releases at nrollender@asicentral.com, subject
line: For EBI,for possible inclusion in an upcoming Stitches Embroidery
Business Insights.
Regards,
Nicole Rollender
Editor, Stitches
nrollender@asicentral.com
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VIDEOCAST: Don't Hit
Snooze on Sleepwear
Sleepwear (pajamas and robes) and
related accessories (sleep masks,
blankets and pillows and more) are
hot sellers these days. They're great
alternatives for the traditional
executive gifts; they're ideal for
gifting to top performing salespeople
who are headed off for a yearly rewards
trip; and hotels, resorts and cruise
lines stock all kinds of robes and
pajamas in their gift shops.
Here are some additional ideas for embroidery shop owners eager
to start pitching sleepwear:
* An employee safety program that
stresses the importance of a good
night’s
sleep for maximum productivity.
* Any service provider that wants to advertise to customers how they’ll “never
lose sleep with quality service” or the promise of “tireless performance.”
* The promise of serenity and restoration – think travel destinations,
spas and resorts as potential targets.
And, Stitches’ sister
publication, Wearables Business will
cover sleepwear, including hot
products and how to sell them in
September. Check it out online at www.wearablesbusiness.com. Don't
miss it! |
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FEATURED ARTICLE
Illegal
Spamming Could Cost Senders $2 Million
By Amy Lucas
Charles Machion, vice president of senior counsel
at ASI, reminds suppliers, distributors and decorators
that hefty fines await those who fail to adapt
e-mails in accordance with the Controlling the
Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing,
or CAN-SPAM, Act.
Common
violations under the act include messages deceptive
in nature (including false identity headlines
or subject lines not related to the body of
the message) and using e-mail addresses harvested
from the Internet. And while e-mails that solicit
are permitted, senders should make sure each
message includes a statement that ensures the
message is an advertisement, the physical address
of the building it’s sent from
and an opt-out or an unsubscribe button that
can discontinue the messages.
Machion
says the Federal Trade Commission can seek
civil penalty for each violation of $11,000
and the Department of Justice can add criminal
charges for providing false information, for
example. In addition to federal penalties,
Machion says offenders can also be punished
on the state level. “Specifically, a state attorney
general can sue an individual or company $250
for each illegal e-mail that is sent for up to
$2 million,” he says.
A full listing of the CAN-SPAM Act rules and
regulations is online at www.FTC.gov.
AMY LUCAS is associate editor
of Stitches magazine. Contact: alucas@asicentral.com.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE INDUSTRY
EmbroidMe
Franchise Opens West Virginia Store
Last month, West Palm Beach, Florida-based
EmbroidMe announced that it opened a new store
in Morgantown, West Virginia.
The 2,400 square foot store is EmbroidMe’s first West Virginia’s
location and has a showroom and an in-house production facility.
Local
owners Richard Grove and Pete Hornsby
are
excited about the new business. “We’ve
lived here for more than 14 years and are looking
forward to servicing our community and providing
Morgantown with unparalleled customer service and
high-quality products at a competitive price,” they
say.
PremiumWear
Announces End of Burk’s Bay Affiliation
Minnetonka, MN-based PremiumWear
Inc. said that as of October 1, 2007, it will
no longer serve as the sales and marketing agency
for Nucom Ltd./Burk’s Bay.
“We’re
grateful for the many years together and see
bright futures ahead for both
companies,” says Tim Klouda, president
of PremiumWear promotional products division. “The
decision to part companies was made in the best
interest of both organizations, and we wish our
friends
at Burk’s Bay all the best in their future
endeavors.”
PremiumWear
will continue to provide Burk’s
Bay customer service through September
30, after which it’ll transition to Nucom
Ltd.
PRODUCT RELEASES
Imprintables
Warehouse Releases Dura-Cut Material
Decorators
wanting to get the look and feel of screenprinting
without the hassle can try Imprintables Warehouse’s
DuraCut material that allows users to create
one-color letters, numbers and shapes to
decorate any garment.
 Ideal for small runs, the material can be cut
with a digital cutter and heat applied in a one-step
application process.
DuraCut comes in 10 colors and sheet sizes measure
14 by 18 inches. A sample package is also available
which includes three sheets in assorted colors.
For more information, visit www.imprintables.com
Stahls
Introduces InkTra Stretch Paper
St.
Clair Shores, MI-based Stahls’ has
added InkTra Stretch flexible transfer paper
to its produc t
line.
Providing a soft hand with the ability to stretch,
the paper allows users to apply photos or graphic
designs to light-colored garments and accessories
made of cotton, poly/cotton blends, spandex and
Lycra.
InkTra Stretch should be hand cut with scissors
and heat applied. A gentle pulling/stretching
motion applied to the fabrics after removal of
the backing sheet will help the transfer settle
into the fibers.
The paper is available in 8.5 inch by 11 inch
and 11 inch by 17 inch sheets.
For more information, visit www.stahls.com
Tajima
USA/Hirsch International Releases Shoe Clamp
Hauppauge, NY-based Tajima USA Sales & Support
by Hirsch International has added a shoe clamp to
its product selection which will enable embroiders
to apply lettering and logos on a variety of footwear.
Manufactured by EMS/Hoop Tech, the clamp features
a thumb screw that allows the operator to securely
lock a shoe into place so the production process
can be completed. The sewing area measures approximately
1 inch by 2.5 inches.
For more information, visit www.tajima-hirsch.com
EmbSupplies.com
Offers LB5 Lubricant
 Tampa,
FL-based EmbSupplies.com has released LB5 lubricant
designed to keep embroidery machines running
at peak performance.
Specifically
designed for equipment with moving parts such as
rotary hooks, thread trimmers and needle bars,
the lubricant has a metered nozzle and delivers
exactly 3,900 doses without running or dripping.
There’s also an extension tube that allows
users to access hard-to-reach areas.
LB5
sells for $9.95 for a 300 milliliter can.
For
more information, visit www.embsupplies.com
Hotronix
Offers Commercial Air Swinger
Carmichaels, PA-based Hotronix
has released an air swinger designed for high-production
shops. The 16 inch by 20 inch press features
dual time settings, an emergency release button,
user-safe, two-hand operation and an LCD timer
with automatic reset and instant tack mode.
The
swinger also has a ¾ inch think platen
and stationary lower platen that can be interchanged
to heat seal items like caps, sleeves and pockets.
The machine is UL/ULC/CE/ROHS approved and weighs
165 pounds. A premium warranty is included, and
a pedestal stand is also available.
For more information, visit www.stahls.com
Ask Phil
Dear
Phil,
I
am a home-based embroiderer and recently got a
contract where I’ll need blank
name tape. I’ve been searching, but haven’t
had much luck. Any ideas?
Nancy
Nancy,
you know, I was really ready to throw in the
towel and tell you that I couldn’t find
this. But, I had a hunch, I followed it, and I
found you name tape. And, I know for a fact I’ve
told other readers I couldn’t find this.
So, go to Rothco, 3015 Veterans Memorial Highway,
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 or (631) 585-9446; www.rothco.com.
This company has all things military, including
name tape, which is also called branch tape, I
learned. Product number 1200 is the digital patterned
branch tap with hook and loop backing, and product
number 1523 is tan tape; finally, product number
1503 is the drab green blank tape. So just be sure
to ask for branch tape rather than name tape, and
you’ll get just what you’re lookin’ for!
So glad I could help!
Got a question
for Phil? If you can’t find
what you’re looking for in the Embroiderers
Sourcing Guide, write to: Stitches, Attn:
Phil Stitch, 4800 Street Rd., Trevose, PA 19053.
Or fax your question to: (215) 953-3107. For the
quickest response, e-mail askphil@asicentral.com.
For RN inquiries, visit www.stitches.com for
the RN Database link. Although I try my best, I can’t
always answer every request, so please continue your
search on your own. Remember, if you call the companies
that I mention, tell them you heard about them here! |
