Screenprinting...

Updated on August 19, 2011
L.P. asks from Uniontown, PA
3 answers

Does anyone out there do screenprinting? Or are there any graphic designers out there?

My husband and I have been considering starting a screenprinting business to include making shirts, signs, decals, magnets, that kind of stuff... we are in the VERY early stages of thinking this through, and just wondered if there was anyone out there who could offer any information? I will be losing my job as of February 2012, and I was thinking of taking some classes to learn the computer graphics program(s) used to make the designs, logos, etc. that I'd need for the business. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Some additional info... my husband already owns his own business, and within the next year, he will be building a building to house his business on our property. The plan would be to add a little extra space to the building to house the screenprinting equipment. There is definitely a market for this in our area... we know a lot of racers, ourselves included, who cannot find a reliable screen printing business in our area to save our lives. Plus, with my husband building racing engines, we would have access to a lot of those individuals who use decals for cars, advertisement, shirts, etc. In our area, this would not be targeted to big businesses. We would be catering to small businesses, teams, schools, sports, etc. And we aren't looking to make a million doing this. We just want to feel confident that we can make a few bucks. We know we'd have to look into the cost of all the equipment (once we figure out what all we'd need - again, probably something for a class - and go from there. We'd have the space, and this would be my 'baby.' And being on our property, I'd still be able to get my son on and off the bus, and my parents live next door, so my mom could watch the baby when needed. (She wants to. :)

Ok, so after 3 responses, I'm now feeling really discouraged.

More Answers

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

L.,
I do graphic design.
And I've bought advertising specialty products for an international corp. for over 20 years...
The thing is, nowadays EVERYONE offers ad specialties and there are so many giant companies that do it. And they all offer free or nearly free graphic design service to the cutomers that need it.
Look into asi.
Not saying it's a bad idea, and there is money to be made, but I think you'll need a "niche" market to really do well.
The ad specialty salesmen that I know are starving.

ETA: See! There's your niche! Car graphics! I didn't mean to discourage you. It seems like what your husband does is a natural lead-in to this type of business.....do some research!

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K.P.

answers from New York on

My HS boyfriend's family did screenprinting as part of their business. They made a ton of money (catered to the FL yachting crowd), but it was really hard work- long hours, trade shows and travel. They essentially personalized anything/everything you could possibly need for your boat or beach house. I used to work the trade shows with them (all through college and grad school) and while they made money doing it, it definitely wasn't a "work from home" operation.

The nice thing is that you can make it as large-scale or small-scale as you want, but check into the cost of the machinery. Consider whether or not you have the storage to buy items in bulk at a lower cost and whether or not there is a market for this in your area. Do you have space in your home or will you need to rent/buy an office?

Definitely take a few classes in the art side of it, but you may want to take a course or two in the business aspect as well! My parents own a retail company (50+ years in the family) and the single deciding factor between small businesses that succeed and those that fail is the owner's ability to engage in the "business" of owning a business! Talent, creativity and cool ideas are great, but if you aren't comfortable with the mechanics of running a small business you could be up a creek!

2 moms found this helpful

K.B.

answers from Milwaukee on

I would look in your area and see how many other compaines in the area offer the same thing, including prices if possible. Personally I would need to get an amazing deal (like 75% off) from a new company to over look a company that has been astbilshed for many years.

Honestly I am a graphic artist and I do screen printing. I do not have the semi professional machines or professional machines because they are pricey. I borrow from another friend, we trade off the random paying jobs we get to make items. Both of us has a degree (FOUR year of college) in the arts and after seven years we are still struggling to get off the ground (have not made a profit yet after seven years, but getting close). We both have other jobs; she is a photographer and stain glass artist (this also has not made a profit for her yet) while I am a part time event supervisor at a local college. So we have other sorces of income.

Now you did not mention if you or husband have an art background degree. If one of you already are in that niche then you have the starting knowlage to build a fondation on, just a few classes in the next few months is not going to give you the same level of expertise that other screenprinting compaines have. There are MANY online compaines I would go with over a new just starting company because I can design for free with them and the quality of their items/design are by far better then a few months of design class.

In the end if this is something you are really passionate about GO FOR IT. Just so you know that it can take 5 years (or more) to turn a profit so plan for that. The machines for professional grade quaility are pricey and takes a few months to really get use to using and making good quality items (trust me a screwed so much up at first because it takes awhile to learn how to use).

EDITED: I am sorry if I discouraged you, that was not my intention. I just wanted you to be ready for what is ahead, I would hate for you to put tons of money into and then stop after a year. It is a lot of fun if you enjoy designing, creating and making the items. Now talking about car graphics that is a whole different area then shirts, not sure if you need a specail/different machine for that then shirts/hats and so on. That is a much larger scale but there is only a handful or less in my area that does that (maybe should look into that area) but those are very specific materials that will need to be used so do look into it. There is no harm looking into it, price things out, figure out what you need, start up cost, cost of materials & supplies and then specail class prices.

Seems you have people you know that would be intrested, you are thinking about it so it might be something you would enjoy so give your idea some more thought and do not be afriad to dream (just look at the whole picture and see if that dream will fit for you, your family and area of buisness).

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