How to Start a Silk Screen T-Shirt Business
The Silk Screen T-Shirt Business has grown quickly over the past few decades, often it is referred to as the Imprinted Sportswear Industry. It is possible to start a custom silk screen T-Shirt shop with a relatively small amount of capital. With attention to the details of silk screening (also known as screen printing), a well executed marketing plan, and a keen eye on the bottom line, a hard working individual can create a successful business.
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Things You'll Need
- Work space
- Computer
- Screen printing (silk screen) press
- Squeegees
- Screen printing ink
- Screens (silk screens)
- Screen exposure unit
- Marketing plan
- Capital for equipment
Instructions
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Learn how to silk screen, commonly referred to as screen printing. Commercial screen printing uses a photographic method to reproduce images. A wood or metal frame screen is stretched with a synthetic screen fabric. The screen fabric is coated with a light sensitive photo emulsion. Graphic designs are out put on film positives, which are placed on top of the screen in a dark setting. A strong light is shined on the film and screen. This step is referred to as exposing the screen. When developed with warm water at high pressure, the graphic design appears on the screen. The screen is dried, then clamped into the screen printing press. Ink is placed in the screen and is pressed through the screen onto the T-Shirt using a squeegee.
Take a silk screen course at a local community college, parks and recreation center, art center or art college. The best way to learn screen printing is to put the squeegee in your hands and pull some prints. Visit screen printing shops and ask for a tour. Consider working in the field before opening your own shop. -
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Plan your shop. For example, a small start up shop run by one or two people will need a four or six color manual press, a spot dryer, a small conveyor dryer, inks, squeegee, ink mixing table, squeegees, light table, screen burning unit, computer and printer, phone, large sink, and layout tables for T-Shirts. A shop space of about 800 square feet is ideal for a small start up shop.
Consider an automatic press with at least eight print heads if you anticipate more than $100,000 in sales per year. A larger dryer will be necessary to handle production from such a press, and a shop of more than 1000 square feet will be necessary.
Screen printing suppliers can help plan a shop, but be wary of the oversell. -
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Purchase equipment and set up your shop. Talk to a variety of screen printing suppliers to be sure you are getting the right equipment at the right price. Do not buy equipment that is more advanced than your current needs. A modest start up shop can buy a four to six color manual press, a spot dryer, a small conveyor dryer, squeegees, inks, screens and emulsion for under ten thousand dollars. Consider used equipment, but be sure to try it before purchase. Consider setting up a home made screen exposure unit using halide lights to conserve capital.
Set up shop for efficient work flow. T-Shirts will start on the layout table. From there, they go to the press for printing, then through the dryer and back to the layout table for packaging. The ink mixing station should be adjacent to the press, but on the opposite side from the layout table to avoid messy accidents. Budget space for a separate screen coating, exposing and developing area. -
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Set up your shop and test your equipment. Run some sample jobs to be sure everything is in working order, and to be sure you did not forget a key piece of equipment. Take care of legalities such as liability insurance, and business license. Check to see if you are required to register your business at the city, county and state level. A business license is required to open a business checking account. For states with sales tax, you will need a resale license and will be required to collect sales tax on behalf of the state, or at least keep a record of your clients resale license. For sole proprietors, start an account ledger for your business tracking income and expenses. Sole proprietors are required to file a Schedule C with their tax returns. Study the schedule C to understand what business expenses are allowed. Partnerships and corporations should consider hiring an accountant or a book keeper.
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Create and execute a marketing plan. Consider your target market. Who will you sell silk screen T-shirts to? For example, if you live in a tourist market, target retailers who sell to tourists. For many silk screen shops, a combination of schools, summer camps, bands, bars, restaurants and other organizations are the target market. To succeed, it is essential to have a clear idea of who you are selling to. Spread the word about your silk screen T-shirt business. Try a variety of techniques such as direct mailing postcards, Google ad words, and free online listings. Ad copy should be direct and include a call for action, for example, "Custom silk screen T-Shirts, Top quality at great prices. Call today for a quote."
Create a website and blog to promote your business, along with a print brochure and business card. Successful shop owners know that marketing is an ongoing process. Create a price list based on a fifty percent markup on blank shirt prices, plus a print price. For example, a blank T-Shirt that costs two dollars per shirt can be marked up to three dollars per shirt. A print fee of one dollar per shirt for a one color print is added to create a unit price of four dollars per shirt to the client. Check prices of other shops in your area to see the going rates.
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Tips & Warnings
For short run, full color printing, many silk screen shops use digital imaging transfer technology, as the set up cost for short runs of full color shirts is too expensive.
Many clients will buy based on price. Do not quote a price too cheap or you will be out of business in no time. There is always a market for quality. Concentrate on quality work and service, and the word will spread.
