GISH School Store Gets Creative with New DTF Printer
by Abigayle Frazier-Hansen
Thanks to a GIPS Foundation Classroom Grant, students at Grand Island Senior High (GISH) are getting a chance to create custom items at school. The grant was used buy a DTF (Direct-to-Film) printer for the student-run GISH School Store and the Academy of Business and Communications. The printer can be thought of as a hybrid between a Cricut and a screen printer. It prints designs on a transfer paper, then the design can be applied to various products.
With this new printer, students can make custom T-shirts, stickers, decals, and more—all from their classroom. Previously, the store had to order designs from other companies, which took over a week and cost more money. The DTF printer lets students print designs for less than 20 cents each on demand. They can then apply that design to product “blanks”.
Students wanted to be able to create custom gear for students, teachers, families, and clubs. This printer has helped them accomplish their goals. Adam Zlomke, Entrepreneurship Teacher, explained “we've made a lot of different things for different groups. We’ve done T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and some rally towels for sporting events. Anything that's made out of cotton, polyester, anything like that, we can add a design to. We've helped a lot of groups such as the Islander robotics, the Islander track team and the Islander soccer team.” In just it’s first semester of use, the DTF printer has made a huge impact on the store’s offerings.
The printer also helps students learn real-life skills. They talk to customers, design products, and make items people can buy. This hands-on experience is great for students in the Academy of Business and Communications. They can use the printer for projects and classwork. Some students are even creating their own businesses as part of their classes. Now, they can make and sell their own products. This is a great way to help students learn by doing.
Another goal of the project is to help more students show their school spirit. The store can now create shirts and gear for special days, sports teams, clubs, and events at a lower cost than before. Adam Zlomke shared that T-shirts for students can now be sold at just $10. They can also create a wider variety of designs and products, so there is something for everyone at the GISH School Store. According to Adam Zlomke, they hope to have an online store in the future.
The money made from selling items goes back into student projects in the Academy of Business and Communications. That means every sale helps students learn and grow even more.
With the DTF printer and help from the GIPS Foundation, students at GISH are learning how to create, sell, and succeed—one design at a time.
If this story has sparked an idea for YOUR school or classroom, learn more here.
