How to avoid purchasing mistakes

By Phil Age and Jean K. Dilworth

Kurt Lisk of Windfeathers in Pensacola, Fla. spent two years researching equipment before deciding what equipment to buy. Lisk says,” Considering the different factors between the fabric, ink, printer, and software we heard there was a huge learning curve.”

Lisk worked with Mike Terlizzi, VP of sales at ITNH (www.ITNH.com). Terlizzi’s company serves as an integrator of all the necessary components. “The core of what we do is putting the right products together. We really have to understand what the customer’s goals are. People can very easily buy the wrong machine and spend too much money,” reports Terlizzi.

Why not do it yourself? Terlizzi offers, “It’s the old saying you don’t know what you don’t know. What makes us so valuable? It’s not some magical answers; it’s just that we have done it over and over and learned the hard way a few times.”

Lisk suggests looking into an integrator before making an equipment purchase. “It really takes a lot of the guesswork out of it. We expected a learning curve of six months and a waste factor of a minimum of 30%. In reality we were selling print jobs within two weeks.”

Phil Age is an associate professor and lab coordinator in the Digital Printing, Imaging and Web Technology concentration at Eastern Illinois University. Dr. Age holds professional memberships and leadership positions in numerous industry associations including SGIA, DPI, IFAI, FSCT, and PIA/GATF. Jean K. Dilworth is a professor at Eastern Illinois University teaching textile print and apparel design, and visual merchandising that includes interior and exterior signage. Dilworth serves on state and national standards committees for textiles, apparel, interiors and furnishings.