Supplier recommendations for unisub placemats and coasters

[GoonerGary]

Unisub appear to be a decent company with everything sourced in the USA. An easier sell to customers. Good to know that the issues are manageable.

[UK Printed Mugs]

I don't think that's correct Gary. They license out the coating only but the coasters are made in China. Hence why suppliers like Xpres are finding it very difficult to get them to change back to the old backing as they were trying to cut corners and hence coats with the new backing.

[Andrew]

Really don't think the Chinese are the problem with Unisub. They more or less do what they are told. If they are told by customer to make it cheaper they will. If they go cutting corners on a couple of orders they lose the contract as there is always someone else waiting behind them.

Last time I had dealings direct with Unisub the stock sheets were still being made in US. Directed me to European main distributor though and they weren't as helpful. Netherlands or Belgium think it was.

[GoonerGary]

I don't think that's correct Gary. They license out the coating only but the coasters are made in China.

"Handmade by US producers......Unisub’s manufacturing plant is based Louisville, KY (USA) where all six substrates we utilize are coated."

http://www.unisub.com/bare-substrates

All of our raw materials used in manufacturing including coatings, substrates such as MDF, aluminum or
hardboard, as well as components such as easels and hinges are sourced in the United States.

http://www.unisub.com/wp-content/upload ... sCPSIA.pdf

[bigj2552]

Still with Unisub and going through them in the thousands. Had a few rants at Unisub and brought up with QA at Xpres - they won't be making any further improvements to the backing by the sounds of things.

The key to avoid ripping the backing is to not apply too much pressure or tight sticking using your thumb when applying the heat tape, and remove within a minute of pressing - otherwise your heat tape will more or less weld into the backing.

It's more difficult to avoid this when your image area is 91mm x 91mm, if you increase to 92mm x 92mm (depending on the design) you should get through the stick / press / peel process a bit quicker.

Coasters are my main product so need to be able to pick up a phone at 455pm and have them have them delivered by lunchtime the next day. Xpres have a brilliant dispatch system in place with DPD and are also the cheapest in UK with DSF 10%. Have also considered the BMS coasters but logistically i would be waiting on average 3-5 days for a delivery by Parcelforce.

i take it the discount codes are finished for them ? where are they on here ?
look in suppliers sec but nothing

[GoonerGary]

For Xpres? The code is there. BMS don't do forum discounts.

Your forum membership expired that's why! lol.

[bigj2552]

For Xpres? The code is there. BMS don't do forum discounts.

Your forum membership expired that's why! lol.

ah lol....thats be why i cant see sh*t

will get that sorted tomorrow - cheers m8

[technick]

HQ in USA. Made in China. Shipped to Universal Woods in Belgium. Distributed across Europe.

I very much doubt that any material which forms part of a Unisub product is sent from the USA to China, to then be sent back again - wouldn't be cost effective. That includes their Kentucky stamped boxes.

It's also possible that larger suppliers such as Xpres could order through Belgium and have shipped directly from China.

The most recent batches of Unisub coasters are poorer quality compared to 12 months ago - they are also marginally smaller in size (over a carton of 800 that is a fair amount of material being saved). They may reintroduce a stronger backing in the future however not building any hopes up.

[paul 44]

I got mine from dyesublimation supplies, not had any problem with any that I have printed, hard backed to

[mr-gobby]

I assume the backing problem is when doing them individually but can be overcome by using a jig to hold a number of the unisub coasters?