Decorator Profile and the online shop.
“We did it so we can help make people’s visits a proper experience.” It also comes with unexpected benefits, both for the bar and the band playing.
“Because we have the equipment, we can react to tastes quickly. We can turn a vector file into a finished shirt in less than an hour.
“We even do emergency printing for touring bands from Canada who can’t bring merch across the border due to customs.”
A huge investment
Speaking of equipment, it was decided that if the bar was to do this, then it would do it properly and make sure to leave no expense spared when deciding on its equipment. Its talent buyer, Michael Gill, therefore referred Gus and Eric to Vastex, where they very soon after purchased a V2000HD six-colour/six-station manual press, an EconoRed-II-30 infrared conveyor dryer and a RedFlash flash cure unit. It also spent big in pre-press equipment from Vastex, acquiring an E-2000 exposure unit, a Dri-Vault 10-screen drying cabinet and a VWB- 3627 washout booth.
Eric said: “We got the best stuff you could buy for what we’re doing. “We worked with Vastex from ground zero. We have “Big Red,” the dryer, and a vacuum screen for the emulsion.
“We use a manual pallet machine that is a fabulous machine; it has the capability to do 100 shirts an hour if you have the manpower.”
New opportunities
The process has been such a success that the bar has even produced unofficial merchandise for major events in the city, with a recent celebration of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl win on February 8. It will also be looking to capitalise on the World Cup coming to America, as tourists from around the world will fly in to watch their teams compete for the most coveted global trophy. With the bar being a stone’s throw away from Lumen Field, the home of its MLS franchise team, Seattle Sounders, Eric feels they are in a prime location to help enhance the
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk May 2026 | 37 |
experience for those attending. He said: “With the World Cup coming to Seattle, they project about 750,000 people will visit.
“When we have events that big, like when we won the Super Bowl, and a million people showed up for the parade, it’s difficult to do business because you can’t move around. But it’s a good problem to have.
“For the World Cup, we aren’t going to outthink people with kitschy soccer themes. The international fan wants something authentic from the location. “We have a high-definition projector and a great screen, so people who can’t get tickets can come in, drink beer, watch the game, and buy some merch while they are here.”
Central Saloon is a shining example of how a major business decision that seemingly appears a bit odd can help boost revenue, overhead, and the experience for its customers. In a world full of technology and AI, businesses are leaning more heavily on technology and outsourcing work, but for a business like Central Saloon, it is all about the experience; that is something you can’t take away and something it
Completing the print of a T shirt
tries to highlight in its printing. Eric ended: “We consider ourselves the ‘anti-AI establishment’ because AI can’t take away the experience of coming in for a beer, a shot, and some music.
“We want to provide a community where people can represent that they’ve been part of it, whether they are in Seattle or anywhere else in
Shirts and hoodies available at the bar
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