Cerulean Bee (2005)
Customer
Contact
Phone
Discount
Total Price
Apparel/Item
Base Color
Maximum Colors
Art Location
Cost
Art Location
Cost
Figure 1
Bob Bee is an artist who has chosen to make his living designing and printing
shirts and jerseys for various clubs and events. He named the company after him-
self and his favorite color. Although he has been in business only a couple of
years, it has been successful. Several local clubs sponsor several events each year
and want commemorative apparel that they either give to everyone who registers
for the event or sell as a separate item. Either way, Bob makes money because he
is paid for the work regardless of the number of items that actually sell.
Artwork
Sometimes customers have only a vague idea of the artwork needed. Other times,
they come with computer-printed designs. In most cases, an artist still has to clean
up the artwork so that it will display reasonably well on the desired item. Ulti-
mately, the art must be color-separated so that each color has its own film. The
individual films are assigned to a single print color on the press, and the colors
are placed in layers on the final object. Registration, or matching the color separa-
tions so the colors do not overlap and the separate layers align perfectly, is a key
element in creating a professional product. As shown in Figure 1, an individual
item, such as a shirt, could have art in several locations (front, back, sleeve, and so
on). Each location requires a separate pass through the print process. Each color
requires a separate film and a separate imprint. Although the newer print systems
automatically rotate an object through several colors, each print station requires a
separate setup, so customers are charged by the number of artwork elements and
the number of colors. The total price of the artwork generally includes a setup fee
as well as the per item charges. Some organizations are given discounts, but these
are somewhat arbitrary and determined by Bob. Most customers create t-shirts
associated with some event, such as a festival, race, or bike ride. The artists work
the event's theme into the designs.
Artwork Order
Order Date
Date Approved
Scheduled Print Date
Event
Theme
Colors
Description
Colors
Employee
Date Complete
Description
Colors
Employee
Date Complete
