This guide provides an overview of the GelatoConnect Workflow for Apparel, focusing on key features and operational procedures. The workflow supports a range of apparel printing technologies and is designed to optimize production, enhance quality control, and improve customer satisfaction.
Key Features
Supported Technologies:
Direct-to-Garment (DTG)
Direct-to-Film (DTF)
Embroidery
Sublimation
Workflow Components:
Order Management: Track the live status of each order.
Warehouse & Inventory Management: End-to-end control to avoid out-of-stock or excess stock situations.
Dynamic Sorting: Manage multi-item orders with efficient sorting mechanisms.
AI-Based Quality Control: Reduce errors and improve quality through automated checks.
Configurable Packaging Checks: Customize packaging procedures based on customer requests (e.g., branded inserts).
Introduction
The apparel market is growing rapidly but it is challenging to get started and grow profitably.
GelatoConnect opens up new growth opportunities in apparel with an end-to-end production workflow.
From Inventory to Production
Connect your inventory to the production workflow. Easily print your sticker jobtickets and sort them based on your warehouse configuration to minimize picking time.
Use the QR code in the jobtickets to get your print files directly in your machines.
Quality Control Station
The Quality Control Station is a key part of the apparel workflow, helping ensure that each product meets high-quality standards.
Here’s how it operates:
Scan and Validate: You can scan a product’s barcode to initiate the quality check. If necessary, barcodes can be entered manually.
Product Attributes Review: The system displays product information, such as print area and attributes. You can zoom in on the print area for a detailed inspection.
Shelf Allocation: After the quality check, products are allocated to a specific shelf location. The system supports dynamic allocation and allows users to configure shelves for optimized storage.
Verified Status: Once quality checks are passed, products are marked with a Verified status. If a product is not verified, it will go through the quality control process again when scanned.
Sorting and Packaging
Dynamic Sorting allows efficient organization of multi-item orders, ensuring that items are properly sorted and ready for dispatch.
The sorting station can be used to:
Filter Orders: Sort orders based on print job completion and readiness for packaging.
Delayed Orders: Identify delayed print jobs using color-coded visual cues.
Shelf Configuration: Configure sorting shelves to ensure seamless item dispatch.
Packaging Station is integrated with the workflow to handle packaging tasks efficiently:
Labeling: Once all quality checks are completed, packaging labels are automatically generated.
Packaging Checks: Users can get specific packaging checks at the packaging station, for example, to ensure branded inserts are included or special packaging requests are met. A self-serve functionality to set any custom packaging checks will be available very soon.
Key Operational Steps
Print Jobtickets
Print the sticker jobtickets for a batch of incoming orders directly from Dispatch Overview.
You can download the jobtickets in PDF format or send them directly to your label printer.
Pick Inventory
Sort your jobtickets for picking.
Pick the inventory and stick the jobticket to each blank.
Pre-treat & Print
Scan the jobticket at the printing station to get the file into the machine.
Pre-treat, print, and dry the garment.
Perform Quality Checks
Begin by scanning the product at the Quality Control Station.
Ensure product attributes and print details match the order.
Review print areas and other product details.
If any issues are found, reject the product and initiate corrections.
Allocate Shelf
After passing quality control, allocate the product to an appropriate shelf for sorting (if necessary).
Use the system’s shelf management feature to assign locations dynamically.
Packaging
Once all items in an order are verified, proceed to packaging.
Apply packaging checks as configured, and generate shipping labels.
Dispatch
Ensure that the sorted and packaged items are dispatched in the correct order.
Use the sorting and packaging system to streamline dispatch during high-volume periods.
Best Practices
Integration with Inventory Management
Set up your warehouse and inventory, and get live visibility on stock levels.
Stock levels are automatically updated as new orders come in.
Get automatic stock replenishment recommendations to eliminate out-of-stock instances.
Mobile Integration
Get full visibility from warehouse to shipping at your fingertips with the GelatoConnect mobile app.
Receive automated stock replenishment recommendations "on the go".
Match stock to incoming orders and react to low stock alerts.
Packaging Efficiency Metrics
Get actionable insights to address bottlenecks and improve efficiency.
Understand your packaging speed by product category and packaging station.
See your hourly packaging throughput in real time.
Get insights on how your packaging efficiency compares to benchmarks.
Getting Started
To begin using the GelatoConnect Workflow for Apparel, contact your Gelato representative to gain access. The workflow is currently in beta, with ongoing improvements based on feedback.
For questions or additional support, please refer to the GelatoConnect documentation or reach out to your support team at [email protected].