As screen printing businesses begin to resume production, they face a new challenge of developing guidelines and resources for their staff to ensure safe and healthy working conditions in the wake of COVID-19. As a result of closures, lockdowns, and slow-downs, most print shops are still trying to figure out how they can generate business to keep their companies afloat. Here are a few strategies that your company can implement and use as a screen printers’ resource.
Safety
Printing production might have slowed down or stopped due to the pandemic and related safety concerns. Shop sanitization has now become the norm to reopening. CDC guidelines recommend that employees should wear masks while working to prevent the spread of germs throughout the shop.
If an employee, unfortunately, experiences any coronavirus-related symptoms, a whole new can of worms will be opened. How you manage this is dictated by state and federal employment, and health and safety laws. Regardless, individuals should stop what they are doing and go home and get tested.
Now you have the responsibility of ensuring that the workspace is thoroughly sanitized, being mindful of all touch-points in and around screen printing equipment, workstations, and frequented locations. Frankly, it may require the shop’s closure for a day or two to complete the disinfecting process and ensure a safe space in which to return to work.
To assist in the sanitation process, you should have spray bottles of sanitizer and tissues around all heavy traffic areas in your shop, paying close attention to touch-points. Additionally, proper hygiene posters should be displayed, instructing your workforce on safety practices such as the correct method for washing their hands, among other things. You should also ensure employees check their temperature upon arriving in the shop for work.
The CDC has some pointers for business owners to help prevent the spread of illness that you should implement within your shop:
- Cover your cough and wear a face mask
- Make sure you don’t touch your face or eyes
- Wash and sanitize your hands often, cleaning all supplies you may have used
- Observe social distancing, even at work, where practical
- Stay away from individuals who are sick
- Stay home if you have contracted any symptoms
Following these guidelines will help your business develop a plan of action for monitoring and responding to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as act as a preparatory exercise for the future if a pandemic like this ever hits again. We’re hoping that is a big fat, NO!
New Screen Printing Markets
Even though sales have perhaps decreased for your shop’s traditional markets on account of this pandemic, some shops are finding alternatives to help support their shops. To address short supply and assist a growing demand to curb the spread of COVID-19, print shops have begun producing face masks for local businesses or hospitals in their area while also providing online stores for their customers.
Online Stores
While most businesses have been prohibited from being open to the public, online stores have become even more beneficial for businesses during the pandemic to help produce revenue. Online stores allow potential clients to see all the available designs and products you sell. Marketing your online stores through social media channels will bring new traffic and potential new clients, as well as allow you to respond quickly to the market and provide special incentives during this time.
Developing Face Coverings
Face coverings have become the latest trend in keeping the public safe during the pandemic; many companies, hospitals, and individuals are looking to purchase these to protect those around them. As stay at home orders relax or get lifted, people will likely need more masks. The upturn in demand for face masks has increased the demand for personalization on cloth or fabric masks. Some shops are even moving towards developing plexiglass face shields for hospitals, grocery stores, etc. This is a potential new market for screen printers.
- Custom Masks: Individuals, as well as stores, will turn to print shops to help customize covers for their businesses. Since, as a screen-printer, you likely saw a loss of production during the pandemic, make sure you look into purchasing or developing masks that can be tailored for screen printed art. The tendency for face masks as a fashion statement has risen as their use has become recommended; consumers often turn to print shops for specialty projects such as this.
- Plexiglass Face Shields: There are many different types of face shields that medical workers are looking into that screen-printers can produce if they have the right materials. Face shields are a piece of clear curved plastic suspended by a headband to block out any germs that might spread from the mouth or nose. Health professionals need these face shields to protect themselves and their patients. There are many different ways a screen-printer can look into developing these masks for their community.
Your current focus as a screen printer should be how to guarantee your business’ survival during this crisis. Implementing these simple guidelines and considering new and out of the box ideas can help your company become nimble and essential. It can help you, your town, city, and state combat and protect against a myriad of negative impacts from this pandemic.
Stay in touch for more useful tips and blogs for operating your shop. EXILE Technologies has years of pre-press and printing experience. We are here to help where we are able.
