The Big Orange Owner/Operators

Welcome to the "The Big Orange" Owner/Operator Forum -

Member Introductions

This is a great place to start! You can make your first post here just to say "Hi" and introduce yourself.

Vendors

A forum to discuss the numerous vendors that are available to the promotional industry. Please do not discuss specific pricing.

Preferred Vendors

Get to know our vendors! This section is a place for "The Big Orange" Preferred Suppliers to introduce themselves, their products, and talk one on one with their customers from the forums. You are also encouraged to provide feedback on your experience with our Preferred Suppliers so we can all make educated decisions when choosing a supplier.

Promotional Products Sales

Marketing

Discuss the fun task of marketing a promotional products business. Where to advertise, link building, word of mouth, press releases, search engine marketing, keyword advertising, magazines, etc.

Ecommerce Site Design

Discuss website design for ecommerce sites, useability, navigation and other development considerations

Business and Finance

This section of the forum is for discussing the business and finance issues of the promotional products industry. Which business structure to use (sole proprietor, LLC, S Corp, etc), how to handle billing, where to register your business and get the proper licensing, etc.

Graphics and Design Help

Get help with creating your graphics. Discuss design software, special effect techniques, or other topics related to creating a design for your promotional products on your computer.

Ideas

Have an idea on how to promote a realtor, dentist or auto-body shop? Post your ideas or request for ideas here.

Product Requests

Saw a product at the PPAI conference and can't remember who sold it, have a client looking for a specific pen? This is the forum to request help from our fellow members.

General Sales Discussions

This is the catchall topic for promotional products sales discussion. Not sure where to post your question about selling? Start here.

Application Specific

Embroidery

Discuss the various aspects of embroidery services: stitchcount, DST files, machinery, garment selection, etc.

Sublimation

Discuss the various aspects of dye sublimation printing: printer selection, press time, durability, new technologies, etc.

Direct to Garment

Discuss the various aspects of direct to garment printing. DTG printers include Brother, T-Jet, Flexi-Jet, DTG Kiosk, Kornit, Mimaki, Tex-Jet and others! Discuss and learn about this up and coming printing technology.

Vinyl Cutters (Plotters) and Transfers

Discuss the various aspects of heat pressed vinyl transfers. Popular and new types of vinyl media, suppliers, vinyl cutters /plotters, press times, quality, how to instructions and more can be found in this heat press sub forum.

Heat Press and Heat Transfers

Discuss the various aspects of heat press technology. Transfer paper, inks, plastisol transfers, vinyl cutters, printers, commercial usage, durability, suppliers, etc.

Screen Printing

Discuss the various aspects of screen printing. Inks, speciality printing, print locations, durability, etc.

Pad Printing

An forum dedicated to discussion surrounding Pad Printing. Topics to include products, inks, techniques, tips/tricks, etc.

Graphic Applications

A forum to discuss, ask questions, vent, etc about graphic applications. Included applications may include, Corel Draw, Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Quark, etc.

"The Big Orange" Community

Referals and Recommendations

Looking for a contract vendor in your area? Need a referral to a high quality screen printer, embroiderer, Direct to Garment Printer, Dye Sub or Heat Transfer printer? Post your request here and our members will try to recommend someone they know that might meet your needs. Members may recommend their own services if they are relevant to the request.

Making "Work" Easier

Have a tip on how to make our jobs easier? Maybe a new software, or product? Tell us about it here.

"The Big Orange" Lounge

Relax a bit in "The Big Orange" Lounge and talk about "other" offtopic subjects like family, work, movies, books, etc (no political or religious discussion please :)