ISS Show - Fort Worth pre-trip

This will be a series as I travel from Phoenix to Fort Worth to the ISS Impressions Expo. https://impressionsexpo.com/fortworth/ (They should really consider a hyphen before expo...).

I've been working this craft on my own and with you all through YouTube for a couple of years and am looking for opportunities to improve existing (screen printing) and expand into other areas (maybe embroidery?). The idea of a trade show sounded like part work and part vacation, and a place to be exposed to new ideas and techniques. Covid threw a wrench into the works last year and one of the first shows to come back open was ISS.

I know my next steps are to improve my transparencies and RIP/separation software, and that will happen, but really my NEXT steps are dealing with limited time and adding speed to my production. I love my existing clients. I also want the capacity to grow with them and be able to take on larger clients too. I think this can be done with an automatic press. This is where the show comes in. There are certain manufacturers at this show who can answer my questions regarding size/space, air compressor, dB/sound issues, training, wet-wet production, etc. I'm the type who needs to gather all the information and stew on it for a while, so I don't think I will be purchasing at the show, but some key decisions can be made there.

Other opportunities: I was on a vacation a long time ago and missed a train leading to another day's stay. That turned out to be the best day of the trip. Since then I make space in my plans and thoughts for unexpected things. As of now, I think vinyl and heat press are logical next steps. Sublimation or Direct to Film (DTF) are possible options, but really, it is what I don't know I'm excited to see/learn. Part of me thinks these shows are all commerce, which is fine, but part of me is hoping it is part worlds-fair with innovations and new products being introduced.

So a blog series seemed appropriate for this trip. I'll keep you all updated. (note. I have no followers at this moment :-))