Things You'll Need:
- Screens
- Photo emulsion
- Degreaser
- Drying cabinet or dark box
- Exposure unit or light
- Screen printing ink
- Squeegees
- Computer and scanner
- Computer graphics program
- Screen clamps or screen printing press
- Utility sink with pressure washer
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Step 1
Screen printing employs three main elements: a fabric screen stretched over a frame with an image embedded on it, a squeegee and some ink. The screen is placed over the item to be printed, such as a T-shirt or piece of poster paper, then ink is put into the screen and the squeegee is used to force the ink through the screen onto the printing surface. It will be necessary to learn how to screen print in order to start a screen printing company. There are many fine books available on the subject such as Scott O. Freseners "How to Print T-Shirts for Fun and Profit". Check for screen printing classes in your area. It is critical to achieve the ability to produce quality screen printing before opening for business. The basic supplies can be purchased at an art supply store or screen print supply company.
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Step 2
As you learn to print, consider what type of screen printing company you would like to start. Do you want to print and sell T-shirts and sportswear, posters, circuit boards, glass, plastic or metal? Check to see what types of screen printers are in your area. There are more T-shirt and sportswear printers than flat printing (paper) or specialty shops, but the T-shirt industry is a multibillion dollar industry. Your decision about what type of screen printing your company will specialize in will help determine everything from your marketing plan to the equipment you buy.
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Step 3
Simple Screen Exposure Set UpWith the variety of screen-printing equipment on the market, it is possible to get inexpensive, well-designed equipment that can be set up in a garage, extra room or basement. A utility sink or extra bathroom can fill the need for washing out and developing screens. A small startup shop can plan on investing about $2,000 in equipment and supplies. The small shop only needs a few hundred square feet to begin. When planning a larger shop, consider leasing equipment and renting commercial space. Depending on the type of screen printing company you start, you should consider buying or constructing a simple T-shirt printing press or flat printing press. There are also screen-printing machines available for such applications as printing coffee mugs and other odd-shaped items. T-shirt shops will need a textile drying unit, to cure the ink, while flat printing shops will need a drying rack to air dry prints. All shops will need to set up a screen exposure unit. Commercial exposure units are expensive, a simple exposure unit may be set up using one or two halide lights (see illustration). Once the screen-printing business is profitable, consider renting a commercial space for expansion.
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Step 4
Set your price structure by visiting area shops and checking with industry veterans and suppliers. Figure in your labor costs and a markup on the shirts or paper you print on as components of your price. A small or one-person shop will want to create a price structure that pays a $60 to $100 profit per production hour for each press.
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Step 5
Once your shop is set up and the quality of your work is at a professional level, the next step is to attract clients. Who is your target market? For example, if you live in a college town, you can target student organizations. What is your selling proposition? Are you offering the lowest price? The fastest service? The highest quality printing? A general rule of thumb is to offer two out of three. Set up a website to promote your services. Advertise on Google Adwords, targeting your city or geographic area. Try posting a blog about screen printing on a regular basis. Mail promotional postcards to prospective clients. Print business cards and brochures, and network with potential clients in your community. Marketing and selling is best seen as an ongoing process, the smart business person budgets time each week for this. When you are ready to open your screen printing company, send a press release to the local media. Nothing gets community attention like an article in the local paper or coverage on the local news. Be sure to include an interesting fact that makes your company different, and you will increase your chance of coverage.
