{"id":3339,"date":"2020-06-16T10:00:45","date_gmt":"2020-06-16T15:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/?p=3339"},"modified":"2024-02-23T00:24:07","modified_gmt":"2024-02-23T05:24:07","slug":"how-to-start-screen-printing-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/how-to-start-screen-printing-business\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Start a Screen Printing Business: The Ultimate Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"newPost\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3341\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/How-to-Start-a-Screen-Printing-Business.jpg\" alt=\"How to Start a Screen Printing Business\" width=\"830\" height=\"541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/How-to-Start-a-Screen-Printing-Business.jpg 830w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/How-to-Start-a-Screen-Printing-Business-300x196.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/How-to-Start-a-Screen-Printing-Business-768x501.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve ever dreamed of ditching your regular job in favor of being your own boss, you certainly aren\u2019t alone. In fact, as of 2016, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smallbizgenius.net\/by-the-numbers\/entrepreneur-statistics\/#gref\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">25 million Americans launched or were already running their own businesses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. And around the world, there are more than 582 million entrepreneurs. Joining their ranks takes plenty of hard work and dedication, though. Being a business owner isn\u2019t for everyone, but for those who have the passion and drive to make it work, it can be incredibly rewarding in many, many ways.&nbsp;<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you are ready to walk away from your current job entirely or you are thinking about starting something on the side to earn some extra cash, there are a lot of options to choose from. It\u2019s possible to start a business doing just about anything, but it\u2019s important to keep in mind that lack of demand is the most common reason small businesses fail.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you want to start your own business and are looking for a relatively safe industry to break into, screen printing is a solid option. Screen printing services are always in demand, and even if there are other printers in your area, you can always cater to a specific niche your competitors don\u2019t. As a screen printer, you can also build mutually beneficial relationships with other businesses, organizations, etc. to ensure you always have orders coming in.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3344\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-printing-always-in-demand.jpg\" alt=\"Screen printing always in demand\" width=\"830\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-printing-always-in-demand.jpg 830w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-printing-always-in-demand-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-printing-always-in-demand-768x416.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best part?&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting this type of business is easier than you might think. Keep reading to learn how to start a screen printing business!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Start with a Plan<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No matter what type of business you\u2019re starting, you need to have a plan. Even if it\u2019s not<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sba.gov\/business-guide\/plan-your-business\/write-your-business-plan\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">formal business plan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you need to, at the very least, come up with a detailed plan outlining your startup and operational costs, what niche you\u2019ll be targeting and what your ideal customer looks like and what supplies and materials you\u2019ll need to invest in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3345\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-printing-done-on-a-budget.jpg\" alt=\"Screen printing done on a budget\" width=\"830\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-printing-done-on-a-budget.jpg 830w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-printing-done-on-a-budget-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Screen-printing-done-on-a-budget-768x416.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the great things about starting a screen printing business is that it\u2019s something that can be done on virtually any budget. If funds are tight and you\u2019re looking to start small, it\u2019s possible to get the basics for less than $500. If you\u2019re looking to launch a full-service screen printing company and plan on investing in high-quality automated equipment and leasing a space, you can usually get the job done for around $15,000 or less. And while $15,000 is a hefty sum of money, it\u2019s significantly less than the startup costs associated with many other types of businesses.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep in mind, after you are up and running, you\u2019ll still need to continually purchase blank garments to customize, silk screens, ink and other daily supplies. If you\u2019re leasing a space rather than working from home, you\u2019ll also need to think about rent and utilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider who you\u2019ll be targeting. Are you going to offer custom screen printing services for large businesses or are you planning on screen printing your own artwork onto t-shirts to sell? Thinking about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/how-to-make-money-by-screen-printing-wholesale-apparel\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">offering wholesale t-shirt printing for resellers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? Or do you, perhaps, have another idea? Whatever the case may be, do your homework to find a niche where there is demand.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ctaBtn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/t-shirts\/\">Browse Our Collection of Bulk Wholesale T-Shirts<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Take Care of the Legalities<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you have a plan of action, taking care of legal issues is your best next step. If you fail to operate your business legally, you could face some major, potentially business-destroying problems later on. While it certainly isn\u2019t the most fun or exciting part of starting a business, addressing the legal stuff early on is highly recommended.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start by forming a legal entity, such as an LLC. This protects you from being held personally liable if your business is sued. Familiarize yourself with the different <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/howtostartanllc.com\/choosing-a-business-structure\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">types of business structures<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and choose the one that\u2019s right for you. If you\u2019re not sure, consult with an attorney.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From there, you\u2019ll want to register for taxes. Again, it\u2019s not a whole lot of fun, but neither is an angry letter from the IRS when they find out you haven\u2019t been paying your fair share. To register for taxes, you\u2019ll need to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/businesses\/small-businesses-self-employed\/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">apply for an EIN<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This will then allow you to register for state and federal taxes.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, obtain the proper licenses and paperwork. The requirements vary from state to state and even from city to city, so you\u2019ll need to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sba.gov\/business-guide\/launch-your-business\/apply-licenses-permits\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">do some research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to determine exactly what you need to do.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider your business insurance needs. Investing in insurance is highly recommended for all business owners, and if you hire employees, purchasing workers&#8217; compensation insurance may be a legal requirement.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, open up a business bank account and credit card. In addition to protecting your personal assets, having separate accounts for your business makes it much easier to track your income and expenses and makes accounting much easier.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Establish Your Brand<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your brand is your business\u2019s face to the world. It\u2019s what your company stands for and how it is perceived by the public. While your brand may begin with a logo and a color scheme for your website, it\u2019s much more than that. It encompasses your products, services and values. A good brand is very much a living thing that changes and evolves over time.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building a strong brand in the beginning is a crucial step in building awareness of your business and making it recognizable. Over time, it becomes virtually everything your business is known for. Establishing, growing and maintaining your brand is something that should always be at the forefront of your mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Invest in Supplies and Materials<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, you are ready to start shopping for everything you need to get your business off the ground. This step can be a lot of fun, but it can also be pretty stressful. Before you spend a single cent, make sure you have a detailed list of everything you need to get started and a budget. At the very least, you\u2019re going to need <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/anatol.com\/essential-supplies-and-equipment-you-need-to-start-a-screen-printing-business\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">screen printing equipment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, of course, and blank apparel on which to print.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3342\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Make-a-detailed-list.jpg\" alt=\"Make a detailed list\" width=\"830\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Make-a-detailed-list.jpg 830w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Make-a-detailed-list-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Make-a-detailed-list-768x416.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you may offer a number of screen printed products, it\u2019s likely custom t-shirts will make up a large portion of your business. For this reason, it\u2019s crucial to score the best possible prices on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blank-t-shirts\/adult\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blank t-shirts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Rather than buying in individual quantities, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/t-shirts\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">look for bulk wholesale t-shirts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Doing so will save you a bundle of cash and ensure the highest possible profit margin on your products.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"ctaBtn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blank-t-shirts\/adult\/\">Check Out Our Assortment of Quality Blank T-Shirts<\/a><\/p>\n<style>.ctaBtn {background:#075f96;display:block;text-align:center;padding:10px 20px;max-width:500px;color:#fff;border:2px solid #075f96;transition:0.3s;margin:20px auto;border-radius:7px;}.ctaBtn:hover {color:#075f96;background:#fff ;transition:0.3s;}<\/style>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re shopping for materials, consider offering some unique products in addition to the ones likely to be your bestsellers. Something as simple as having <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/t-shirts\/long-sleeve\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plain long sleeve shirts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to customize in addition to the usual short sleeve offerings could set you apart from your competitors. Keep in mind that it\u2019s possible to screen print on almost anything, so there\u2019s no need to limit yourself to apparel.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Start Marketing Your Business<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By now, you should have just about everything you need to get started. If you plan on actually selling products to your customers, though, you\u2019re going to need to start marketing. Working with a professional marketing agency is always a solid option, but not everyone\u2019s budget allows for such expenses\u2013especially in the beginning. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to market your company on your own without spending a fortune.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3340\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Silk-screen-Printing-shirt.jpg\" alt=\"Silk screen Printing shirt\" width=\"830\" height=\"554\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Silk-screen-Printing-shirt.jpg 830w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Silk-screen-Printing-shirt-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Silk-screen-Printing-shirt-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In today\u2019s market, the internet is always the best place to start. At the very least, you\u2019ll need to have a strong presence on social media and a professional-looking website. Even if you plan on opening up a physical location where you\u2019ll sell your products, having a solid online presence ensures potential customers will be able to find you.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve set up your social media profiles, share content regularly. Now is a great time to let people know who you are and what your business is all about. It\u2019s also a great time to show \u201cbehind the scenes\u201d glances of how the process of launching your business is going or provide sneak peeks of the products you\u2019ll be selling. Engage with your followers to start building relationships with them. Consider investing in some paid advertisements, too. It\u2019s possible to advertise on social media on nearly any budget and doing so is a great way to build awareness of your up-and-coming business.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use your website as a means of showcasing your products and services and building an email list. Encourage prospective customers to sign up by offering a small discount on their first purchase once your business officially launches. Once they\u2019ve enrolled, you can send updates, promotions and more directly to their inbox.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about embracing some traditional advertising methods, too. Traditional newspaper and radio ads are still highly beneficial if you plan on selling your products locally. Sending out home mailers or setting up a booth at a local event can help as well. As always, consider your target audience and how its members would most like to be marketed to.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start building relationships with other businesses and organizations. You may be able to find other people who are willing to promote your business in exchange for you promoting theirs. Or you might find business owners who would be open to advertising your services in exchange for you providing them with some free hats or shirts. Get creative! In many instances, the most unique business partnerships turn out to be the ones that are the most lucrative. Of course, you can also generate awareness of your products and services by simply volunteering to print new shirts for a local team or organization and including your logo.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3346\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/screen-printing-on-clothing-fabric.jpg\" alt=\"screen printing on clothing fabric\" width=\"830\" height=\"554\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/screen-printing-on-clothing-fabric.jpg 830w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/screen-printing-on-clothing-fabric-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/screen-printing-on-clothing-fabric-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Launch and Keep Your Customers Coming Back for More<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve followed our advice up to this point, you should now be ready to officially launch your business. You should have all the supplies and materials you need, a strong web presence and a following of people with whom you\u2019ve already built relationships. Now, you need to take all the time and effort you\u2019ve put into your business so far and turn it into a profit.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you are opening a physical location or launching an online business, create some hype around your grand opening. If you\u2019re opening a storefront, schedule a weekend event where customers can see your new shop, check out your products and learn more about your business. Offer some sort of freebie to entice people to come in. Even if you\u2019re just offering cookies and coffee or a hot dog and a soda, people love free stuff! If your budget allows, you could also give away promotional merchandise or hand out valuable coupons.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re launching an online business, create hype on social media by planning an event for the moment the site goes live. Offer a special incentive for the first few customers or offer a discount on all orders placed within a certain period of time, such as your first day, weekend or even month. Think about offering some sort of referral incentive. Something as simple as providing a 10 percent discount to anyone who refers 10 other customers could turn out to be quite lucrative!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3343\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Put-customers-first.jpg\" alt=\"Put customers first\" width=\"830\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Put-customers-first.jpg 830w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Put-customers-first-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Put-customers-first-768x416.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve started making sales, remember to always put your customers first. Treat them with kindness and respect, and do everything you can to make their experience a positive one. Even when dealing with challenging customers, provide the best customer service you possibly can. Word of mouth and online reviews can make or break your screen printing, so you may need to swallow your pride at times and do what it takes to keep your buyers happy. It might be frustrating in the moment, but in the long run, it\u2019s definitely worth it.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Wrapping Up<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting a screen printing business doesn\u2019t have to be difficult, and it\u2019s something that can be done on even a limited budget. When you follow the suggestions listed above and rely on The Adair Group for blank apparel and accessories, you can start a lucrative business and experience the joys of being your own boss.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<style>.newPost p, .newPost, .newPost span, .newPost p span {font-size:16px !important;line-height:28px !important;} .newPost h2, .newPost h2 b {font-size:25px !important;line-height:30px !important;}article.post {background:#fff !important;} .newPost img {border:none !important;max-width:100%;}.aligncenter  {display:block;margin:0 auto;}<\/style>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you\u2019ve ever dreamed of ditching your regular job in favor of being your own boss, you certainly aren\u2019t alone. In fact, as of 2016, 25 million Americans launched or were already running their own businesses. And around the world, there are more than 582 million entrepreneurs. Joining their ranks takes plenty of hard work [&hellip;]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5,21],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3339"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3339"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3339\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4437,"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3339\/revisions\/4437"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theadairgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}