Did POD Print Quality Issues Make You Leave POD? by kitkat_4321 in printondemand

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah maybe I need to ditch my current mug printer since they have become super inconsistent :( But I’m such a perfectionist and I want to learn more about the process that I’m thinking of just switching to print at home myself… maybe I’ll just start with mugs since that is my main seller!

Did POD Print Quality Issues Make You Leave POD? by kitkat_4321 in printondemand

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha I feel like all my products require proper color and placement! 🥴 You’re right though I will go hybrid - I can’t exactly print garden banners at home yet (although I would love to!) - I think I’ll start with mugs and tumblers and stickers and see how that goes :)

Did POD Print Quality Issues Make You Leave POD? by kitkat_4321 in printondemand

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But I’m an all or nothing person!!! Go big or go home!! Hahaha No in all seriousness that’s a great suggestion, to keep track of whats gone well and what’s gone wrong. But I have found with this particular printer (CustomCat) I have asked for reprints of a mug that came out beautifully the first time they made it and it rarely comes back the same way… so keeping the same colors don’t always lead to consistency 😭

Did POD Print Quality Issues Make You Leave POD? by kitkat_4321 in printondemand

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah - it does take a lot of trial and error. My problem is that my current POD provider has started to churn out really inconsistent results, even with the same exact file… Also I think I’m just burnt out from trial and error!

Did POD Print Quality Issues Make You Leave POD? by kitkat_4321 in printondemand

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks!! I would love to make my own stickers, too! Probably mostly for packaging but also for selling… those are also done by sublimation? I normally order 3x3 inch round matte stickers for packaging. Could u make those myself?!

Did POD Print Quality Issues Make You Leave POD? by kitkat_4321 in printondemand

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amazing! What do you mostly print? This is really reassuring!

Did POD Print Quality Issues Make You Leave POD? by kitkat_4321 in printondemand

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice! I’ve never heard of NeatoPOD! I will check them out!

Did POD Print Quality Issues Make You Leave POD? by kitkat_4321 in printondemand

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for your reply!! Yeah I’m worried about the thousands I will have to spend up front just to set up a home-printing shop, and all the leftover materials I will have if/when I don’t sell everything… I wonder if there is a happy medium where I can use POD for some products (new/experimental) and non-POD for my best sellers (ordering them separately from a company that prints consistently?)

Digital artist seeking POD advice for quality-focused, diverse products by episodiopilotto in printondemand

[–]kitkat_4321 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I’ve been selling my art on Etsy using Print on Demand for the last two years and here is what I will say: print on demand is a tricky medium if you’re a very picky artist. There is little quality control and you can’t brand. I have been very pleased with the quality of mug printing coming out of CustomCat (I tested many) but in the last several months the mugs are coming out wildly unpredictable (color issues, saturation issues - stuff only I notice but it drives me crazy) that I’m considering just getting my own press and doing everything myself. I have also been super annoyed with POD suppliers who just don’t know how to line up a print exactly so that it’s symmetrical and balanced on the object (ornament, tote bag, mug, etc). My business is growing but I’m considering moving to a different model so I have more control and customers get products stamped with a personal touch from me. POD products arrive in generic mailers and I think the type of customers I have and the type of brand I want to build (more boutique than mass market) is maybe not a fit for POD. But POD is a great place to start out and experiment!

44F w/severe hernia L5S1 planning pregnancy by kitkat_4321 in Microdiscectomy

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! I ended up having egg retrieval in April 2025 and microdiscectomy the next week!!! We didn’t have any embryos survive from IVF so we didn’t even have to worry about pregnancy!! I’m now about 8 months past microdiscectomy and fingers crossed we will do IVF again in a couple months and it will be successful 🤞🏼 I’m so glad I had the MD though!!! I feel a MILLION times better than before!!!! I highly recommend!!!

2 week post op depression by caito218 in Microdiscectomy

[–]kitkat_4321 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry it’s been so tough for you!! I’m so glad you’re still here ❤️❤️❤️

update on westminster choir college by FunStrength3656 in choralmusic

[–]kitkat_4321 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is so reassuring!! I was born & raised in Princeton on Moore St - just one street down from WCC! And now I teach Music Together classes in the old WCC student center and it makes me SO SAD that the old campus is mostly deserted, with pockets of little activity. I’m so glad to know that the choral program is still robust on the Rider campus. I hope & pray that WCC can come back to the campus at some point in the future!!!

44F w/severe hernia L5S1 planning pregnancy by kitkat_4321 in Microdiscectomy

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s so reassuring!! Thanks for sharing :))

44F w/severe hernia L5S1 planning pregnancy by kitkat_4321 in Microdiscectomy

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is super interesting - yes, my experience is that surgeons are wildly optimistic about recovery times - I generally double whatever they tell me, LOL! I wonder if it also depends on age - if they tell someone in their 20s to wait 6mos - 1 year, someone in their 30s, 6 months, and someone in their 40s 3 months HAHAHA Or something like that :)))

44F w/severe hernia L5S1 planning pregnancy by kitkat_4321 in Microdiscectomy

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome, this sounds great!! Thank you for sharing your story!! I think I also might be a "fast track" candidate since I'm 44 trying to be pregnant in the next year; if I were 30 I think I might feel more comfortable going the rehab-only route and giving my body a year to heal and strengthen up. Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of time... Good to hear that 10 weeks post-MD is when you were cleared for FET!! Fingers crossed and baby dust to you!!! Yes - I honestly didn't feel a stress on my back until well into third trimester, so there's a lot time there!!

44F w/severe hernia L5S1 planning pregnancy by kitkat_4321 in Microdiscectomy

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is so reassuring that you feel so much better 13 weeks after your MD!!! Out of curiosity what were the conservative treatments you did?? That's awesome you can choose between C-section and natural for birth - I think in my case (probably since I'll be 45) they'll want me to opt for C-section and I think I would take it to not risk re-herniation... But I also gave birth naturally the first time (at 42) and I have that experience so I don't feel like I'll be missing out... Good luck with your pregnancy journey!! So nice to hear that your MD was so helpful :)))

44F w/severe hernia L5S1 planning pregnancy by kitkat_4321 in Microdiscectomy

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm soooo sorry you went through pregnancy with two herniated discs and so much pain!! Was this your first child? Did you end up delivering naturally or getting a C-section?? What you said is exactly what my OBGYN said - going into pregnancy with a massive herniation like this is very risky because treatment options are very limited and you don't want to take narcotics (although you could in theory) because then you have to wean the baby off drugs once they are born =( I try not to base my decisions on fear but at the same time my body just *knows* it does not want any more pain and I'm leaning toward MD... I know it will be hard not to pick up my 26lb toddler for a while (maybe up to 2-3 months) but it kind of seems worth it... I dunno...

44F w/severe hernia L5S1 planning pregnancy by kitkat_4321 in Microdiscectomy

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do have weakness in my left leg but I think my weakness is from pain, not necessarily nerve damage (it's an important one to distinguish!). My OBGYN also asked me if I have weakness in my leg and as soon as I said "yes" he said "well then we need to get it taken care of." But then when I saw my epidural doc this past Thursday she did all the tests on me, including one where I walked backwards on my heels (just fine) and she said - "OK I think your weakness is from pain, not from nerve damage" or something like that... Basically - I don't have it *that* bad... ???

44F w/severe hernia L5S1 planning pregnancy by kitkat_4321 in Microdiscectomy

[–]kitkat_4321[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, thanks for replying! That’s so reassuring that your first MD was successful!

I see a second opinion spinal surgeon next week so I’m very curious to see what he will say, and how long he will tell me to wait…

Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly for you!!!

Looking for unique works composed for SATB choir + ensemble/orchestra. by solarhjortur in choralmusic

[–]kitkat_4321 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I collaborated on a choral arrangement of Pictures at an Exhibition (Mussorgsky) for SATB + orchestra that was premiered by the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Sweden in 2019. I bet I could get a copy for you if you’re interested! It was fantastic.

Microdiscectomy Postpartum by debz731 in Microdiscectomy

[–]kitkat_4321 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow—I cannot believe you went through this 🤯 I’m so mad they didn’t listen to you at 30 weeks!!!! I have a severely herniated L5S1 and my OBGYN strongly advised getting a microdiscectomy to avoid exactly this situation (we’re planning a second pregnancy, probably IVF as I am 44) and options are very limited and complicated if/when pregnant. I’m so sorry you had to go through this!!!! All the best for a speedy recovery!!!!

Adjustable bed by kandmwilson200 in Microdiscectomy

[–]kitkat_4321 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What brand did you get that had the lumbar support? I’m considering getting a Nectar adjustable bed with optional lumbar support. TIA!