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Misprint Monday: GRRRR… Tell me what is wrong

By Rick Roth

One of our most popular series here at the Ink Kitchen is “Misprint Monday.” The philosopher Immanuel Kant once said, “…in the misfortunes of our best friends there is something which is not altogether displeasing to us…”

I don’t want you readers to get the wrong impression from our articles on how to do things “correctly” that we always do things correctly here at my shop. I’ll share a few infuriating details so you can feel superior to us today…

I ask, “did you do a wash test to see if the ink is cured?” I get back, “oh, somebody said that the washing machine is broken..” GRRRR. Is it broken or not? If broken here is a new one that I find in 30 seconds that will cost $50 and a new one is $350 and will last at least five years.

The allegedly broken ink curing testing device (i.e. washing machine.)
The allegedly broken ink curing testing device (i.e. washing machine.)
The washing machine we could go get today, probably for $50. Found in a 30 second search on craigslist.
The washing machine we could go get today, probably for $50. Found in a 30 second search on craigslist.
Or a brand new washing machine I could pick up on my way to work for $300.
Or a brand new washing machine I could pick up on my way to work for $300.

Did you get temperature readings with the donut probe? “Oh, I think the battery is dead and it has a loose wire…”  What about the other one? “Oh, a probe wire came loose.”

Donut probe with broken wire, thanks for letting me know.
Donut probe with broken wire, thanks for letting me know.

Is the dryer at only 309 degrees? What the hell? “Oh, the reading isn’t correct.” Were you going to tell me about it? Do you have a plan to fix it? Blank stares.

This should be reading about 350 degrees and either the probe has an issue or the gauge. Unlikely it will fix itself...
This should be reading about 350 degrees and either the probe has an issue or the gauge. Unlikely it will fix itself…

The lesson for today is to get your people to tell you when things are broken so they can be fixed. How to make that happen will be the subject of another day.

 

 

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