How to Start a Silk Screen T-Shirt Printing Business

In a tumultuous economy where the threat of being laid off looms uncomfortably near, self-employment is an appealing venture. There are a number of business options out there for someone who is willing to put in the time, money, and effort. A silk screen printing business is a particularly appealing option due to its low start-up costs and overhead. If you're considering stepping into entrepreneurship, consider starting your own silk screen printing business.

What is Screen Printing?

Silk screen printing is the process by which you transfer an image (designed either by you or your client) onto a good (such as a tennis ball or bag) using ink. Businesses employ screen printers to create logoed or creative products for resale or advertising. Individuals buy t-shirts and other goods made from print presses for personal use.

Silk screen printing is relatively easy to do. You start with an image, which you then print onto a piece of transparency paper. The paper is then placed on your screen (image transposed), and cured into the screen, which is then placed onto your press. Ink is placed into the screen. Using your press, you press the image from your screen onto the t-shirt. The t-shirt is placed within a flash dryer or conveyor belt. Once dry, your t-shirt is ready for sale. Find an excellent tutorial HERE.

Starting Your Silk Screen T-Shirt Printing Business

Licenses

With any business, there are a number of legalities involved. You'll need a sales tax permit, a business license, and a federal tax ID. You'll also need business liability insurance.

Set Up

Rarely, if ever, will a client need to visit your locale, which is why this business is perfect for working from home. Your silk screen business can easily fit within a small room or garage. You'll need enough room for a table to place your printing press on, room to store your t-shirts and screens, a washing station for screens, a drying station, and space where you can take care of paperwork. Ensure that you have adequate lighting and proper ventilation.

Equipment and Supplies

When starting your screen printing business, the minimum equipment involved is a basic press, ink, emulsion, screens, flash dryer, exposure unit, transparencies, a drying rack, and squeegees. Presses can range from the hundreds to the tens of thousands. The cheaper the press, the more work you'll need to put in and the lower the production rate will be. However, until your business takes off there is no reason to invest in an expensive press. Consider purchasing a complete package which will include nearly everything you'll need to start your silk screen business.

Obtaining Clients

Once you've started your business, get your name out into the community. Take your products to fairs, craft shows, and festivals. Contact businesses in your local area that would benefit from your services, from local musicians looking to design cool t-shirts to sell at concerts to event organization clubs. Create a Myspace store or sell your shirts on Bigcartel.com.