Full Version: Golf tournament mugs..how do they work?
From: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#1]
27 Jul 2006
To: ALL
Hey all!
Before anyone tells me, I'm sure DSSI probably has a thread on this but for some reason, my blockers aren't letting me on that site.
I am sponsoring several golf tournaments this summer and was interested in doing some sort of sublimated mug on site. My father in law received one at a tournment he played in and it was really sharp. It had a photo on it of the foursome that played in the tournament that day.
Now, my question is, has anyone done this and how does it work? You take the photo before tee off and by the time they are done, the mug is done?
Does anyone have any suggestions for promo ideas for these things? These are my first tournaments like this. I would like to have sponsor giveaways and stuff.
Any suggestions are always appreciated.
Thanks
Becky
From: UncleSteve [#2]
27 Jul 2006
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#1] 27 Jul 2006
Remember, you will need about 18 minutes to cook a batch which can be 4-6 mugs depending on the size of the oven....
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3]
27 Jul 2006
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#1] 27 Jul 2006
Becky,
Many on-site events use videoprint systems, rather than ink jet sublimation systems.
I played in a tournament where the photographer was stationed at the 9th hole, taking pictures of the foursomes as they finished the hole.
Our (cardboard) framed pictures were ready when we finished the round.
EDITED: 27 Jul 2006 by DGL
From: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#4]
28 Jul 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3] 28 Jul 2006
Dave-
I guess what I am wondering, does it make any sense to drag my printer and mug press to the event to try to do this? Have you ever heard of anyone doing it that way? I am looking to this as more of a promotional thing than a moneymaker. If it's too expensive or would be dumb, then obviously I won't.
Thanks for the input
Becky
From: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#5]
28 Jul 2006
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#4] 28 Jul 2006
Your indication was, in your first post, that you are sponsering these golf tourny's.
Then you mention that you are interested in the promotional value of such participation.
Not sure I understand the question. Give it a try. Go for it, at least once. If the power is available, you have the time, you have the help to pull off taking the photos and making the mugs while others are playing golf...all it would take is one customer to see value and place a $100k order for it to exceed any expectations that you may have had.
Seems to me, that, no matter the number of participants, that you should be able to take pictures on either the opening hole or the 9th...and still get the mugs done by the time they are done with the 19th hole!
Doug
Just read your last message...you mentioned using a mug press...not sure you can pull it off that way. Seems that most folks find they can produce more with wraps and oven.
EDITED: 28 Jul 2006 by JDOUG5170
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6]
28 Jul 2006
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#4] 28 Jul 2006
There are people who take ink jet printers on the road, but they usually have a back up printer.
If you experience a persistent case of banding or any another printing problem, (which is more likely with an ink jet printer than a video printer) it's enough to take years off your life.
In a best case scenario (depending on the number of foursomes in the tourney) taking pictures of the foursome, on the first tee, should give you enough time to print the mugs, in time for the dinner/awards ceremony.
Here's an idea for a service to offer:
Videotape each person, teeing off of from the first hole and play the tape at the dinner.
No need to hire a comedian. :-)
Don't ask me how I know. >.<
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#7]
29 Jul 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6] 29 Jul 2006
It sounds like someone is a 'Stunt Golfer' also.
I am safe, never played the game.
From: UncleSteve [#8]
29 Jul 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#7] 29 Jul 2006
Oh, the shame of it all! ;-)
From: gt350ed [#9]
29 Jul 2006
To: UncleSteve [#8] 29 Jul 2006
From: gt350ed [#10]
29 Jul 2006
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#4] 29 Jul 2006
Here's something else to consider...
Assuming 25 foursomes (we see 40 in my neck of the woods) playing in the tournament, that's 100 mugs. Assuming about 5 mins. per mug, with a single mug press, that's 8.33 hours of mug imprinting--constant mug imprinting. And this does not take into account other prep time.
Most golf tournaments take about 5 hours for everyone to complete play.
It seems to me that as the last golfer finishes up his after-tournament dinner and is leaving the parking lot, you stiil will not have finished your last mug.
From: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#11]
29 Jul 2006
To: gt350ed [#10] 30 Jul 2006
Ed -
Thank you for pointing out some of the logistical flaws of doing it this way.
My father in law is an avid golfer and received/bought a mug from a tournament he was in that had a picture of the foursome on it. Not having any idea how anything in our industry works, he has his mind set on doing these mugs for this tournament (you'd have to know him to understand why he has that much decision making power in this process LOL)
I think I will try to come up with something else cool for this tournament. My biggest challenge will be to convince him it won't work LOL
Thanks to you and everyone for your help!!
Becky
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12]
30 Jul 2006
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#11] 30 Jul 2006
With mug wraps and a convection oven, or an additional mug press, you should be able to meet the demand/deadline for the mugs.
Personally, I'd stare fear in the face and accept the event.
I'd also set my printer up, in a secure location, a day or two before the event, to ensure it's functioning properly.
Ink jet printers can be a little finicky, but once they're "dialed in" they run trouble free, for quite some time. Certainly long enough to complete your relatively short run.
What's the absolute worst-case scenario?
Something happens, where you can't complete the mugs on-site. That would be bad news, but not the end of the world.
It would be embarrassing and there may be extra cost in getting the mugs to the participants, but ultimately you can come through on your end of the bargain.
I mean, c'mon! What fun is doing a job, without a little bit of an adrenaline rush, or butterflys involved? B-)
Your father-in-law would no doubt agree. (devil)
From: gt350ed [#13]
30 Jul 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12] 30 Jul 2006
There ARE ways around the issues raised. Frankly, I'd go for it. But with a fallback plan in case something goes wrong...
1. Take your "main" digital camera and borrow a friends as a back-up. Make sure that you can acheive hi-res photos on both. Take a good solid tri-pod and have the site selected in conjunction with the 1st tee if all are going off the 1st tee. If it's a shotgun start, that will be problematic. You need to get the photo when each foursome is all together, but not rushed to get to their carts and get to their first hole. Work it out.
2. Take two printers and, as David mentioned, have the printers there a day or so early. Actually print test onsite to insure all is well.
3. Take two mug presses, if possible. You can speed the process dramatically by alternating between presses. But you DO need to stay focused while pressing. No time for wasted product. Or...
4. Consider mug wraps and a convection oven. If you have not used this, rehearsal will be mandatory; onsite, I'm thinking.
5. Have a plan for how to handle the fact that some mugs might not be ready. As long as you get the prepoderance into most golfers hands, you can simply announce that if they will get you an address, you'll personally deliver them and/or mail them. Frankly, making lemonade out of lemons, this will give you a chance to market other things to these folks directly.
You will gain a tremendous amount of experience and, with planning and rehearsal, you can reduce potential bad publicity such that you can market this to other events.
And your father-in-law will be happy.
Hope this helps. B-)
From: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#14]
30 Jul 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12] 30 Jul 2006
Dave-
So are you trying to turn me into a Stunt Subber? (what's the title for someone who does dye sub? ) LOL
Ok ok so what I am hearing from you and Ed is that this is a do-able thing, I shouldn't be a weiner and just jump in there (after much careful planning and testing) and give it a shot.
As long as it is realisically do-able (and sometimes even when it's not) I will try anything. We live in a small area so I think this tournament won't be real huge or anything.
Thanks for all of your help and encouragement guys!! I will let you know how it turns out!!
You guys know my father in law don't you?!?! He put you up to this didn't he??? wouldn't surprise me in the least
Thanks
Becky
EDITED: 30 Jul 2006 by KIAIJANE
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#15]
30 Jul 2006
To: gt350ed [#13] 30 Jul 2006
The shotgun start is a good point. Most tourneys will use that method, in order to have the majority of players finishing at the same time.
With that in mind, I'd take photos at any one of the most picturesque holes.
The other reason I'm urging Becky to take the plunge on this type of event; she may find she absolutely hates it; she may find she enjoys it thoroughly.
There's only one way to find out. :-)
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16]
30 Jul 2006
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#14] 30 Jul 2006
With so many people struggling to find a niche - especially in small towns - I'd say you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
To use a baseball analogy:
"You can't steal second, until you take your foot off of first base."
:-)
From: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#17]
30 Jul 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#16] 30 Jul 2006
Thanks Dave, for pushing me off the base!!
I tend to be a wimp about stuff like this that I am unsure of or is outside of my comfort zone.
But you are right, I will never get anywhere if I dont' start taking some risks.
Thanks
B
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18]
30 Jul 2006
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#17] 30 Jul 2006
Becky,
Take it from me, working outside of your comfort zone can be nothing less than terrifying. I'm not embarrassed to admit that going into business for myself was a petrifying experience.
Having said that, the more a person steps out of a familiar and predictable space, the wider their comfort zone becomes.
Of course, we can always settle for doing what everyone else does, which puts us in the position of competing, based on pricing that has been established by the masses.
I lost interest in that format many years ago.
Less competiton translates to more money, which translates to a better quality of life.
Go for it! You deserve all of that. :-)
EDITED: 30 Jul 2006 by DGL
From: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#19]
30 Jul 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#18] 30 Jul 2006
Dave-
Thanks bud. You are absolutely right of course and when you put it that way, it actually makes me more comfortable to think about stepping out side of that comfort zone. Because I know now that is where not only the payday is but the greatest sense of satisfaction will be.
Thanks again for everything.
Becky
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#20]
30 Jul 2006
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#19] 30 Jul 2006
It seems that you've comprehended the lesson plan very well.
Class dismissed!
For now. :-)
All kidding aside (difficult for me) please let us know how this foray into uncharted territory goes.
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