With each zipper hoodie they order, it seems The Black Dahlia Murder keeps upping the ante. Their latest print, entitled “Phibes” (available at indiemerchstore.com), definitely makes use of a variety of colors and locations. The design uses simple 1-color printing (the hood); to 4-colors (the sleeves); to 9-colors (the front prints); to a massive oversized 12-color print (back of the hoodie). There are seven separate locations used on this zipper hoodie: Left & right chest (which includes the graphic printing over the pockets), an oversized back, left & right sleeves, as well as the left & right side of the hood. It’s great to see the various locations being used, especially when the artwork is so well thought-out in terms of the design as a whole.

Apparel: Tultex Unisex Zipper Hoodie [0331]

Hood print (left and right sides) single color: PMS 7476 C

Left and right sleeves are 4 color simulation: white base, PMS 359 C, PMS 549 C, PMS 5473 C

Front prints are 9-colors simulation: white base, PMS 546 C, PMS 2985 C, PMS 7462 C, PMS 7402 C PMS 7487 C, PMS 5473 C, PMS 179 C, PMS 549 C

Back print is 12-color simulation: white base, PMS 7487 C, PMS 2985 C, PMS 3252 C, PMS 7459 C, PMS 353 C, PMS 631 C, PMS 647 C, PMS 5473 C, PMS 202 C, PMS 179 C, PMS 148 C

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We just finished printing another great t-shirt for The Black Dahlia Murder, this design is being sent out to the retail store Hot Topic. Before the order leaves the shop, we’re running it through a series of vendor compliance stations. Major retail stores (in an effort to streamline purchasing, receiving and inventory) create a common set of rules as to how merchandise should be delivered. Without standardization or rules; stores dealing with hundreds, if not thousands of vendors would find themselves in an unmanageable situation.

The shirt are sent through the folding machine.

A Hot Topic price/size tag is then attached to the left-sleeve armpit.

Stickers are added: both a “Slim Fit Tee” sticker, as well as a size-strap sticker.

When the individual shirts are completed, they are then boxed according to size, and weighed to specifications. The boxes are then sealed with a custom red tape, making it easy to detect tampering while in transit or in the retail warehouse.

That meets the set requirements for this round of shirts. More complex orders may include additional specifications such as belly bands around the shirts, or poly-bagging the final pieces. The important thing with vendor compliance is attention to detail and quality control. The slightest mistake such as missing a hang tag on a shirt can come with heavy fines from the retailer, making this a critical step in the process.

Jakprints has provided vendor compliant merchandise for major retailers such as Nordstrom, Pac Sun, The Buckle, Hot Topic and more.

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Do you know the best way to set up a digital file for die-cutting? It’s a question we often answer for designers and customers alike. It isn’t as complicated as you think, and a lot of it has to do with a tidy and organized file. Our Prepress Manager, Tim Shoda demystifies digital die lines with a quick video tutorial. (It’s high quality so you can see all the details in full screen.)

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Foil stamping is always a fan favorite, due to the elegance and high visual impact that it can provide. Foil stamping (also called hot stamping, dry stamping, foil imprinting, or leaf stamping) can be used to add flair to products like business cards, event tickets, gift & greeting cards, office folders, and a whole host of professional or personal items. Instead of using plates or inks to print words and shapes, foil stamping uses dies, or sculpted metal stamps.

Foil Stamping: How it’s done
The heated dies seal a thin layer of metallic leaf/foil onto a surface. The foil comes in a wide roll, large enough for several passes, backed by mylar. The hot die works similarly to a letterpress. Once it’s heated, the die presses the foil against the substrate material with enough pressure that the foil sticks only in the intended places, leaving a slight imprint.

Foil leaf is available in every imaginable color and pattern. Rarer types of leaf come in matte, pearlescent, holographic, opalescent, or glossy finish. There are also semi-transparent foils that allow an under color to show through. Not only does it provide a uniquely vibrant image with depth, but foil stamping can be applied to a much more diverse selection of substrates when compared to ink. Businesses typically use foil stamping to identify folders, cards, signs, and magnets with their logo. The reflective and unusual treatment is sure to catch the eye of your potential customer! Learn more

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You can’t go wrong with Fun Fun Fun Fest, rain or shine, it’s always a good time. This year, there were a ton of awesome bands, and Austin was packed with plenty of friendly festival-goers. We heard some amazing music, met some great people, and gave away some fun prizes.

Jen (along with her son) who was the winner of our Twitter contest question for free tickets to FFF Fest.

A young skater rocks-to-fakie on the Find-N-Grind ramp, unaware that Josh is about to draw a much anticipated iPod Nano ticket!

The lucky recipients of the Jakprints iPod Nano Giveaway (clockwise from top left): Eric Peterson, Holly Conoley, Elizabeth Dunn and Laura Pineda.

It was nice to walk around the festival and see all of our hard work being displayed. The Black Stage made great use of some of the banners we printed for the Fest.

Holy rave batman! No doubt these two are getting pumped up for Crystal Castles. The experimental electronic band that’s on Josh’s “Best of FFF Fest 2009″ list. (along with Ratatat)

Meme-mixin’: Three-keyboard-cat-moon shirt. ‘Nuff said.

Our FFF Fest EcoGreen stickers never looked so good.

Sunday unofficially became Mud Mud Mud Fest as rain pelted the area, but it didn’t stop any of the fun or good times.

For more pictures, check out Jakprints on Facebook. Thanks again to James and Brendan for their hospitality and putting together another great festival!

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Jakprints is heading to Austin, Texas for Fun Fun Fun Fest 2009! We’re sending Josh, Angie, Dameon and Adrianne down to set up a booth and spread the word about Jakprints, so be sure to stop by and say hello. (You can spot them wearing custom dye-sublimation FFF Fest t-shirts)

If this charismatic group isn’t enough to entice you to visit, we are also going to have two daily drawings for iPod Nanos! (Yeah, I thought that would get your attention.) No strings attached, it’s a free chance to win an iPod Nano just for stopping by. Fill out a ticket, and we’ll be announcing 2 daily winners from our booth at 8pm on Saturday and Sunday (we’ll also let you know via Facebook and Twitter).

In addition, we’re going to be giving away Fun Fun Fun Fest Stickers (while supplies last). These colorful diecut pieces are printed on EcoGreen Stickers, Jakprints enviro-friendly alternative to vinyl.

And if that’s not enough, we are also hosting a Fun Fun Fun Fest Photo Booth in which you and all your friends can get pictures taken in front of an official backdrop, forever immortalizing your Fun Fun Fun Fest experience!

It’s always a good time in Austin, especially during Fun Fun Fun Fest, we hope to see you there!

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What do you get when you mix a pinch of cinnamon, some broken bones, a little voodoo, along with some guts and determination? You get a Big Texas Award that’s what you get!

As Apparel Press Assistant Alex Boyda walked into work, he could sense something wasn’t right. The job he and his pressman were supposed to run was an 11 color print on black t-shirts, for none other than Voodoo Willy, of Voodoo Willy’s Smoke Hut. But strange things seem to happen when you mix voodoo and printing. That’s when Alex’s fears were confirmed, and he realized that the scheduled pressman had come to work with a broken hand, an injury sustained the night before, rendering him useless as a main press operator.

Hoping to break the apparent spell cast by Voodoo Willy, Alex made a Big Texas sized decision. Without hesitation he took it upon himself to run the shirts. Not only did he do a great job printing a difficult 11 color shirt, he did it with a great attitude to boot! Apparently Voodoo Willy was pleased as well, for the gods have smiled on Alex with a Big Texas Cinnamon Roll.

A delicious, frosted, individually wrapped Big Texas Cinnamon Roll: the snack food of printing champions.

Apparel Printing Production Manager Jeff Weisenberg congratulates Alex with a handful of sugary sweetness, as well as a Big Texas Cinnamon Roll.

Voodoo Willy’s Smoke Hut shirts: the catalyst for Boyda’s award winning day. Congratulations again Alex!

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