Shop Hacks

Flag Priority Orders

In every print shop, certain orders demand extra attention—whether it’s a picky client, tight deadline, or special instructions that can’t be overlooked. The TLC labeling...

Invest in People

Investing in people pays dividends no machine can match. Employees who feel supported and valued push harder, think sharper, and stay longer.  The best shops...

Daily Top Ten Tasks

Feeling unproductive at the end of the day often comes from chaos, not laziness. A simple fix: make a daily top-10 task list. Write it...

Force Reply-All

Few things derail shop communication faster than customers who ignore “Reply All.” When multiple team members handle art, pricing, and production separately, skipping others on...

Dog-Ear Screen Tape

When taping the back of your screens, add a “buddy tab” to make your reclaim crew’s life easier. Instead of fighting to peel tape that’s...

Nail Polish Pin Holes

When printing with water-based inks, the screen’s underside often becomes damp, making traditional tape useless for patching pinholes. The moisture prevents tape from sticking properly,...

Table Top Ink Scraping

A table with a built-in screen slot is a simple but powerful addition to any print shop. By cutting a narrow gap between a plywood...

Call Shop Owner References

When hiring someone who’s worked in another print shop, skip the formal reference call—go straight to the source. If you personally know the shop owner,...

Key Interview Questions

When interviewing potential hires, skip the generic questions and focus on what reveals real character and drive. Ask why they left their last job—how they...

New Hire Trial Period

In a print shop, skills can be taught—but work ethic, attitude, and alignment with your team’s values can’t. Give every new hire five days to...

Establish Outsource Options

Partnering with larger contract shops can keep your business running smoothly when demand exceeds your current capacity. Instead of turning down big orders or overworking...

Make Friends with Other Shops

Visiting other print shops isn’t about competition—it’s about connection. Building relationships with neighboring shops can open doors for collaboration, overflow support, and shared problem-solving when...