For: Embroiderers (100-200)

This workshop is truly a comprehensive learning experience that caters to all of your senses; visual, verbal and tactile. Learn the dynamics of embroidery by seeing, hearing and doing the actual embroidery process in this information-packed workshop. See vivid pictures, videos and graphics that demonstrate the process and hear detailed information that will empower you to start your business or take your existing shop to the next level. Finally, touch the process as you and your classmates create an embroidered, wearable product over the course of this all-day class. This hands-on workshop is a must for any beginner who wants to learn embroidery from the bottom up through the intermediate who wants to hone existing skills with a "return to the basics" educational approach.

You will learn the basics of design creation (digitizing), and learn what makes designs run smoothly. You also will experience the embroidery process from hooping through stitching, into the finishing process. In addition, you will learn about the working mechanics of an embroidery machine so that you can keep your machine in tip-top running condition. By understanding these "stations of the embroidery kitchen," you will be able to diagnose common embroidery problems and run an embroidery shop with ease.

In this session, you'll also learn:
• Everything you need to know about needles, thread, backings and toppings
• How to set thread tensions with ease and confidence
• How to create high-quality embroidery with minimal thread breakage


Embroidery Clinic: A Hands-On Workshop

For: Embroiderers, Digitizers (100)

Sound embroidery design techniques create designs that look good and run well. This class, which is based on proven techniques developed in the instructor's digitizing business and taught to hundreds of students, will teach the fundamental techniques required for achieving high-quality, production-efficient designs, including setting stitch lengths, determining correct densities, choosing underlays, creating corners and doing lettering.

In this session, you'll learn:
• How to properly assign design values that pertain to stitch lengths and densities
• How to determine which type of underlay to use and how to control its properties
• How to develop embroidery objects that run well in production
Basic Digitizing

For: Screen Printers, Embroiderers, Promotional Products Distributors, Graphic Artists, Any CorelDRAW Users (100-300)

This is the computer graphics seminar you've always wanted. Topics range from a review of bitmaps and vectors to the differences in art preparation for screen printing, cutting processes or embroidery — providing an excellent base or a valuable refresher course.
In this session, you'll learn:

• How to use CorelDRAW Basics and CorelDRAW X4
• How to manipulate and edit both text and clipart objects
• How to handle logos and sample projects
Digital Art Camp: Powered by CorelDRAW X4

For: Screen Printers, Embroiderers, Promotional Products Distributors, Decision Makers (200-400)

Is competition driving you nuts? Looking for SPECIFICS and SOLID SOLUTIONS about how to grow your custom apparel graphics sales volume in the face of entrenched competition and looming uncertain market economics? Frustrated about finding your way to "the next level?" Here's your chance to move your business forward as one of the industry's premier marketing gurus reveals the secrets that will change the rules of the game to YOUR advantage! Fasten your seatbelts, as Mark Venit takes off the gloves in this power-packed program that smashes conventional wisdom about who makes money in our industry and how they make it. What you'll take home is the strategic game plan AND the tactical weapons to meet — and defeat — your toughest competitors in ways they never imagined!

In this session, you'll learn:
• How to develop your own strategic marketing model for selling custom apparel graphics
• What magic words and tested techniques to use to transform price shoppers into long-term customers
• How to penetrate corporate accounts, enhance customer loyalty and boost order frequency
Hardball Marketing: How Small Companies get Big

For: Screen Printers (100-200)

Industry veteran Charlie Taublieb shares his many years of experience and knowledge in this 1 ½-day workshop. Learn or improve screen printing skills in this presentation on basic production technology, standard equipment and operating techniques. Participate in the actual production of T-shirts using single and multicolor printing as well as discussions on the machine specifics, attachments and supplies needed for each step.

In this session, you'll learn:
• What basic steps are involved in the screen printing process
• How to troubleshoot and fix screen printing problems
• What forms you need to run a successful screen printing business
The Complete Screen Printer

For: Digitizers, Embroiderers (200-400)

Most of today's embroidery machines are equipped with framing systems to embroider on completed headwear. Are we using this hardware properly and getting the best production from these sophisticated systems? This seminar is designed to explore the various types of finished cap hardware along with the techniques necessary to do high-quality cap embroidery. Learn digitizing techniques developed to compensate for the complexities of this unique framing mode. Also learn about proper product selection, applications and how to work with challenging cap constructions.

In this session, you'll learn:
• How to design and digitize for completed caps
• How to distinguish and embroider different cap constructions
• How to create high-quality embroidery on this unique medium with some minor adaptations
Finished Cap Embroidery

For: Digitizers, Embroiderers, Graphic Artists (200-400)

This seminar answers the many questions you have been asking about automatic digitizing, including: Does it work? And will it work for me? Learn how to turn your artwork into embroidery instantly. Learn how to edit it. Learn how to evaluate the finished product, before running it. Most of all, learn easy preparation that ensures great results.

In this session, you'll learn:
• How to use the new automatic digitizing software
• What role CorelDRAW plays in the process
• How to convert bitmaps to jpegs and other critical processes Automatic Digitizing: Pros and Cons and How-tos

For: Everyone (100-200)

This seminar will teach start-up entrepreneurs and established business owners how to use your existing output devices and inks for transfer work. This includes color-laser copiers and printers as well as inkjet, wax thermal, micro dry resin and dye sublimation printers. These processes provide products for the promotional products, fundraising and photo gift markets.

In this session, you'll learn
• What heat transfers are and how to apply them on different products
• What money-making opportunities exist for heat transfers as a start-up or add-on business
• How to produce heat transfers using your existing output devices

Pricing Embroidered and Screen Printed Apparel - The Shocking Truth

For: Screen Printers (100-200)

Industry veteran Charlie Taublieb shares his many years of experience and knowledge in this 1 ½-day workshop. Learn or improve screen printing skills in this presentation on basic production technology, standard equipment and operating techniques. Participate in the actual production of T-shirts using single and multicolor printing as well as discussions on the machine specifics, attachments and supplies needed for each step.

In this session, you'll learn:
• What basic steps are involved in the screen printing process
• How to troubleshoot and fix screen printing problems
• What forms you need to run a successful screen printing business The Complete Screen Printer