Setting the right price for screen printing jobs is crucial for the success of any screen print shop. Determining the right balance between covering costs, ensuring profitability, and offering competitive pricing requires balancing various factors. While every shop has operating costs, those can differ depending on your locale. For instance, prevailing wages and rent for someone in St. Louis, MO differs greatly from a shop in Los Angeles, CA. Even with that caveat, use this guide as guideposts to pricing for profitability.
From overhead to material costs, knowing your expenses helps you get an idea of the costs associated with keeping your doors open.
Begin by calculating the cost of materials required for the job. The cost of the blank garments is probably the easiest calculation of this as it is a set price per piece. Your costs for inks, emulsion, chemicals and the other consumables takes a little more guesswork and study.
Factor in the labor costs associated with the entire production process. This includes the time spent preparing screens, setting up the printing press, printing, and post-production tasks. Try doing a time study by timing how long it takes to do each step and then find the average.
Take into account the overhead costs such as rent, utilities, insurance, and other fixed expenses. Divide these costs by the number of jobs you expect to complete in a given period to determine the overhead cost per job.
Amortize the cost of your screen printing equipment over its lifespan. Include costs related to maintenance, repairs, and depreciation. This will help ensure that your pricing reflects the investment in your machinery.
Despite never wanting to admit it, shirts and screens get ruined and need to be re-done. A successful shop will understand the percentage of ruined items compared to the total output. It almost goes without saying but understanding how the waste and spoilage happened and steps you can take to minimize it are critical for profitability. Anticipate the possibility of mistakes or misprints leading to waste. Include a buffer in your pricing to account for potential material losses and the time required to rectify errors. Remember, if you price your goods too low, you remove any profit to make up for errors.
Shops can lose focus on what makes them profitable by chasing after every sale. Focusing on your market and strengths can help you price more efficiently.
Research and analyze the pricing strategies of your competitors. Understanding the market rate for similar services can help you position your pricing competitively. Do you want to be the low-cost printer and compete just on price? Do you offer unique services? Understanding how to position yourself and your shop is advantageous to your pricing strategy.
Identify your target customer base and tailor your pricing strategy accordingly. Consider whether you are targeting high-end clients willing to pay a premium for quality or a more price-sensitive market that requires cost-effective options. Are you trying to serve retail customers who are going to buy what is on the shelf right now or are your customers ok to wait?
Be aware of seasonal trends in the demand for screen printing services. Adjust your pricing during peak seasons or consider offering promotions to attract more business during slow periods.
Once you have figured out your costs and strategic position within the marketplace, put that into practice by pricing your goods accordingly. There are various methods for pricing so figure out what makes the most sense for your business.
Add a markup percentage to your total costs to determine the final price. This straightforward approach ensures that all your costs are covered and allows for a consistent profit margin.
Assess the value your screen printing services bring to your customers. Consider factors such as quality, customization options, turnaround time and other factors outlined in the Market Analysis section above. Price your services based on the perceived value you provide.
Align your pricing with prevailing market rates. This approach ensures that your prices remain competitive, but it may require periodic adjustments to reflect changes in the market. When doing this, it is important to remove that not all overhead costs are the same. If you go with this model, always be looking for ways to automate as shop labor is often the highest cost.
No matter what pricing strategy you choose, client communication is key. People want a sense of where the prices come from. This can often take the form of simple education for the screen printing process. Most people have no idea what it takes just to make a screen. Educate them on the skill and craft you are providing.
Clearly communicate your pricing structure to customers. Transparency builds trust and helps customers understand the value they are receiving for the price paid.
Break down the costs in your quotes to help customers understand how the price is determined. This can alleviate concerns and showcase the fairness of your pricing.
Pricing your goods and services correctly not only keeps you in business but allows for you to expand and grow. Do you need more space, an upgrade to your printing press, or more employees? Making a profit allows for those things.
Set realistic profit margin goals for your screen printing business. Regularly review your financial performance to ensure that your pricing strategy aligns with your profitability objectives.
Continuously seek ways to improve efficiency in your screen printing process. Streamlining operations can reduce labor costs and increase overall productivity, contributing to better profitability.
Consider expanding your range of services to attract a broader customer base. Offering additional customization options or related services can open up new revenue streams for your business.
In conclusion, pricing screen printing jobs is a delicate balancing act that requires a thorough understanding of costs, market dynamics, and customer expectations. By adopting a strategic approach to pricing, communicating transparently with customers, and maintaining a focus on profitability, screen print shop owners can ensure the long-term success and sustainability of their businesses in a competitive market. Regularly reassess and adjust your pricing strategy as needed to adapt to changing market conditions and to position your business for growth.
]]>During the 17th century France began stretching silk over frames. Factories began creating wallpaper and fabric by screen printing.
In the 1910’s screen printers began experimenting with different photo-reactive chemicals. This work revolutionized the screen printing industry. Photo-imaged stencils were introduced to the industry. Squeegees were also introduced to push/pull ink through the screens.
During the 1930’s artists created the National Serigraph Society. This group differentiated between the use of screen printing for industrial purposes and artistic purposes. Screen printed posters were commonly used in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to tout the creation of large infrastructure projects in the United States. In 1938 artists began printing on paper and coined the term “serigraphy”.
The 1960s brought about artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein who made screen printing a very popular technique. Andy Warhol's famous screen prints of Marily Monroe and Campbell's Soup are very famous all over the world. Lichtenstein created screen prints inspired by comic strips. This was the boom time for screen printing. Pop art dominated the art world with screen printing being an integral part of it. The modern rotatable screen printing machine was also introduced in 1967. This screen printing machine was meant to print designs on bowling shirts, but was quickly adopted by t-shirt companies.
Modern day screen printers have the option of creating traditional screen prints or using a method called direct to garment printing (DTG). This method involves using a computer to print an image on a garment using a specially designed printer created for fabrics.
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The first thing you need is a good supplier for tote bags. There are a lot around. We recommend S & S Activewear. Doing a quick Google search can help you find a lot of different suppliers. Make sure that they are reputable and that their prices are reasonable. The prices for totes are pretty low, but they usually require you to require a minimum amount.
This is where totes are different from screen printing garments such as t-shirts. When you screen print a t shirt you create the screen with the image upside down. That is not true with printing totes. You will invert the image for a tote. Otherwise the image will be upside down on a tote bag.
You will insert your screen into the press. Find the center mark. Tighten it down. At this point the logo should be facing you. This is because the tote will be slid onto the platen like you would with a t shirt.
Before you start printing you will need to draw a line on your platen. This will show you how far up you need to pull your canvas tote on the platen each time that you want to print totes. This may take some trial and error to get the exact spot that you want to print.
Add the ink directly to the screen and then lift the screen up. Using a spray adhesive, spray the platen thoroughly. Then slide the tote onto the platen up to the line that you drew in the previous step.
Pull the screen down. Then using a squeegee, you will flood the screen with ink. Once the screen is flooded you will print the tote. Run it through twice so that you compensate for any rough edges on the tote. That’s it.
Screen printing tote bags is not that much different from screen printing shirts. You have to remember to create the screen inverted. The logo should face you. Not away from you. Run the squeegee over the print twice so that you can accommodate for the rough fabric. You will have perfectly designed tote bags.
]]>So obviously a dirty screen is the first item that is necessary to the process. Then you will need paper towels for removing large chunks of emulsion and dried ink. You will also need a brush for scrubbing. A pressure washer is needed as well.
Using a pressure washer on screens can get messy so you may want to consider a spray out tank to collect the excess water and chemicals.
Dip tanks are an optional accessory as well that can be used to clean screen printing screens as well.
Dip tanks are containers that are made from polyethylene which is similar to heavy plastic. The difference between these tanks and something that you purchase at the store is that these containers use polyethylene rather than plastic. Polyethylene will stand up to the chemicals that are in the dip tank solution. The screen printer places a used screen in the dip tank and leaves it for 5 minutes. The ink will become loose and come off in the solution when the screen is removed.
Once the screen is removed then it is sprayed out with a power sprayer to get any final bits of emulsion and ink out of the screen.
Screen printers want their screens to last as long as possible. They don’t want to have to purchase a new screen after each job is completed. They probably wouldn’t be able to stay in business too long if this was the case. That’s why it is vitally important that you clean the screens properly at the end of the day or at the end of a print job. Good screen cleaning and maintenance is part of the job. Protect your investment and your income.
]]>In this article we tell you exactly what Procreate is and give you all of the important details about this exciting software. After you hear about it we think that you are going to consider using Procreate in your business all the time. So let’s get started.
Procreate is a complete art studio that works on the iPad. It was created by Savage Interactive in 2011. The goal of the software is to create digital art using the capabilities of the iPad. With Procreate you can create stunning raster images which can be converted into vectors and used for screen printing.
Procreate allows users with an iPad to create art with a stylus that is incredible, and the best part of it is that it only costs $9.99. That’s right. $9.99. (We're not selling the app, we just want to point out that the price is pretty low for what you get.) That is a one time fee. Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator require monthly subscriptions that can get quite expensive. If you have an iPad then this is the tool for you. It may be the best ten bucks that you have ever spent.
Procreate frees you from your desktop computer to create art. You can sit in a room and create artwork with an iPad. You don’t even need a Wacom tablet. You can create art where you want to create art. The process is similar to creating art on paper.
Procreate was designed with artists in mind. It comes with over 200 different brushes. These brushes are handcrafted to give you amazing textures. There are pencils, inks, charcoals, and many other options to choose from. You can also download thousands of brushes to add to your collection. Plus, you can even create your own brushes. This software is so great, you can even take two brushes and combine them together. It’s even possible to import brushes from Photoshop.
You will have control over the color in your artwork. Procreate allows you to choose new colors without leaving your artwork to go to a new menu. You drag the color panel right onto your artwork. You can even drop colors right onto your artwork to change them.
The iPad is a touch device and the makers of Procreate kept that in mind when developing the software. They have built in the power of gestures to keep the program interactive.
Procreate is fast. The software has a graphics engine built right in. This means that as fast as you can paint it can keep up. It was designed with the iPad in mind and therefore it uses their hardware to get the best results.
One of the most exciting things about Procreate is the ability to create animations. This is a complete art studio. You can create PSD files and GIFs with it. Procreate has features that make animation awesome. Plus Procreate has features to help assist your drawing. If you have issues with drawing the exact thing you want then Procreate is here to help. It will fix shapes for you. You will never have to worry about drawing a perfect circle again.
Procreate has one of the coolest features. It has a time-lapse replay built in. You can record your artwork being designed and play it back. Think of all of the awesome YouTube videos you can make.
You need three things to use Procreate. You need a compatible iPad, stylus (Apple Pen), and the Procreate app.
iPad
According to the Procreate website the current version of the app works with the following iPad models:
Apple Pencil
Procreate integrates with Apple Pencil. If the iPad that you are using is Apple Pencil compatible then it is not compatible with any other stylus. Therefore you should use the Apple Pencil. The newest version of the pencil (Apple Pencil 2nd generation) costs $129. The Apple Pencil 2 only works with two of the iPad models: 12.9 in. or 11 in. iPad Pro. The 1st generation of the Apple Pencil. The Apple Pencil 1st generation is only compatible with the following iPads:
The iPad pencils are pressure sensitive and can tilt. This means that there are a lot of unique effects that can be created with the iPad pencil.
Procreate App
As previously mentioned the Procreate app is $9.99. It is available in 13 different languages and can be purchased from Apple’s App Store.
Procreate supports most major image formats.
File Import Types
File Export Types
Files can be exported for any of the file import types. They can also be exported as PDF, PNG, GIF.
What it does not do is save vector files. For screen printers this is a serious problem. Most screen printers use vectors to create their screen printed designs because they scale up without losing resolution. Which means that if you create a design in Procreate and you want to save it as a vector, you are going to have to export it as one of the other file types and convert it to a vector file in another program such as Illustrator using Image Trace.
There are quite a few tutorials on YouTube plus there are help guides on the Procreate website. In addition to the tutorials there are things such as fonts, brushes, textures, stamps, and patterns that can be purchased from websites such as Creative Market and Etsy.
This software is exciting. It gives you the freedom to get away from your desk and go out and create art in nature. The program is so customizable that you will be able to create practically any art sort of digital artwork that you can imagine. You will love the flexibility of it.
]]>A plastisol heat transfer is a screen print that is created on a piece of transfer paper. Then using a heat press the image is transferred to the garment. It is an actual plastisol print on the shirt.
There are businesses that create heat transfers for themselves, and there are businesses that purchase the prints from 3rd party companies. We’ll discuss both.
One of the major benefits of creating a heat transfer is that you don’t have to place the design on a shirt until you are ready. If you know that you are going to be selling a specific design at an event and you're not taking your entire screen printing setup with you then you can use heat press transfers to place the image on when you are ready. This eliminates waste. You will refrain from printing a lot of shirts that you potentially don’t need. You’ll save money by printing them on the transfer paper, rather than the shirts. When you are ready to make more shirts then you have the transfers ready to go and all you have to do is heat press the design onto the shirt. It takes about 3 minutes.
Another reason this is great is because you may have a very large order, but you are waiting on the shirts to come in. You can print the designs ahead of time and have them ready to go when the shirts come in. Then when the shirts come in your business can create the shirts and your screen printing press will be available for other jobs at the same time.
A business could also print the plastisol heat transfers and sell them to other t-shirt businesses. This is a way you can bring in some additional income and keep your machines working. There are a lot of reasons a business would want to print these transfers. Ultimately it is a business strategy that a business can use in their day to day operations.
When you are first starting to sell t-shirts you may not have the funds to pay for all of the equipment involved in screen printing. You still want your own designs on the shirts, but you don’t want to pay exorbitant prices to create your t-shirts. This is where the plastisol transfers come into play. The transfers can be ordered from 3rd party companies that specialize in creating plastisol heat transfers. You can create your own designs, then upload them to the company's website. Then they will print the designs and ship them to you. You can use a heat press and apply the transfers. Then sell the shirts and keep the profits.
The strategy here is to focus on your designs without focusing on the printing equipment and processes. The cost to get started is considerably less. You only need a heat press as your main piece of shop equipment. You can purchase a cheap heat press to get started, but you should really try to purchase a quality press. We’ve created a buying guide for heat presses to help you choose the right equipment.
A screen printer sets up their work space as usual. They prepare the screen and the press as they normally would. Printing plastisol transfers works best with a conveyor dryer. The reason is that a special paper is used to create the transfers. This paper is called a transfer paper. It is designed to allow the release of the image onto the shirt. The paper needs to be very dry. The transfers don’t work very well with moisture even though most papers have some level of moisture in them. The paper must not have moisture in it. So before the paper is used you need to ensure that it is dry. You do this by running the paper through the conveyor dryer. When the paper comes out it will be crisp and moisture free. Then the paper is placed on the printer and printed as normal. Once the print is complete the print needs to be covered in a special screen print transfer powder. It can get quite messy. Once the image is covered in the powder you want to remove the excess powder. Shake the paper to remove the excess. Give the paper a flick to remove the excess. You want as much of the excess removed as possible because any excess powder can transfer onto the shirt when it is being heat pressed. (Excess powder left on a heat transfer can transfer onto the garment when it is pressed. Once you have removed the excess powder you simply run the transfer through the dryer again.
Warning. Do not use a flash dryer when creating heat transfers. The heat comes out uneven in a flash dryer and may not cure the ink on the paper.
Once the transfer comes out of the conveyor dryer it is able to be used. You can heat press the shirt with the new transfer. Once you have finished pressing the shirt the transfer must be peeled off. There are two types of heat transfer paper: hot peel and cold peel. The difference between the two types of paper comes in when you peel the paper off of the shirt. If it’s hot peel then you peel the paper off when it's hot. If it's cold peel then you peel it off when it's cold. So peel it off at the appropriate time and voila. You have a shirt that looks like it has gone through a normal screen printing process, but it hasn’t.
Plastisol transfers are a great way to create screen printed t-shirts. They look exactly like a regular screen printed shirt. The prints come out looking great and they have the same stretch and feel as a regular screen print shirt. The concept is great for people just starting out in the business or those that have their businesses already up and running. Whatever you choose to do you will find plenty of tutorials and resources online to help you create incredible heat press transfers.
]]>One of the decisions to make is how to create the designs for the shirts. It is possible to outsource the artwork, however a business can run into copyright issues with these methods. Unless a release is signed for the artwork the business will have to continue paying for the artwork over and over. This can get quite expensive. Even purchasing the artwork outright can get quite expensive.
Ultimately the business will want to use design software to create the artwork. The question is which design program should they use. There is a lot to consider when choosing which program to use. How long will it take to learn the program? How much does it cost? What resources are available to help learn the program?
We’re going to take the mystery out of this situation by detailing some of the top programs. We’ll cover everything needed to know. So let’s get started.
This is the most popular graphic design program in the world. So many industries use this program because of how robust it is. Photoshop is an image editing program so it is used to make high quality photos. What the program does not do is create vectors, and vectors are primarily used in screen printing. What can be created are what are called scalable vector graphics (SVG). This file type is just not as editable as a normal vector. For this reason Adobe Photoshop is not a great option for screen printing.
It would be an excellent choice for direct to garment printing. It has the ability to create images with fine details and lots of colors. This is perfect for direct to garment printing because the printers can handle high detail images with many colors. DTG printers are great for printing photos which Photoshop can accommodate.
Photoshop is a program that uses a concept called software as a service (SAAS). Which means that the software is not purchased outright and loaded onto a computer. A user pays a monthly fee to use Photoshop and then download the latest version of the software onto a computer. Because of this, it can constantly be updated which means that the user will always have the most recent version of Photoshop. Currently there are three types of pricing for Photoshop. The user can purchase the Photoshop monthly subscription for $20.99/mo. There is an option to purchase Photoshop and Lightroom for $19.99/mo. This is mainly meant for photographers. Then there is one other option which is to purchase a subscription to all of their programs for $52.99. This includes over 20 desktop and mobile apps. If given the opportunity to purchase the third option then that is the best option, because it includes some great software that includes Illustrator which we are going to discuss later in this article.
The final thing to know about Photoshop is that there is a steep learning curve. The product has been on the market for a long time and keeps getting more robust year after year. The product has a ton of features. This means that it will take a long time to understand the program. This can be alleviated by taking a course on Photoshop, however that course will probably only cover the basics. There are many advanced features in Photoshop. It can take years to become a Photoshop master.
When it comes to screen printing, most screen printers use Adobe Illustrator. The reason is because Illustrator uses vectors as its main image type. When screen printers ask for artwork from clients they ask for vectors. The reason is that vector graphics can be resized without loss of detail unlike a photo. Which means that if a client brings a vector and the shop needs it to be much larger then it can be scaled up to the desired size and it will still look the same. The images can be used with DTG printers as well.
The pricing for Adobe Illustrator is very similar to the pricing for Photoshop, however Adobe only offers two prices for Illustrator. They offer the individual plan for $20.99 or the All Apps plan for $52.99.
The learning curve for Adobe Illustrator is slightly less than Photoshop, but there is still quite a bit to learn Illustrator. It will take a lengthy amount of time to get up to speed with this program.
This software has been around for a long time. It is one of the most popular vector creators on the market. CorelDraw has a lot of tools for designing. Editing photos, laying out pages, and illustrating vectors are all some of the great features of this software. It is also great for editing typography. With so many features it could take some time to get up to speed with this software. As far as price is concerned there is a one time payment of $299 for the software.
Inkscape has so much to offer the beginner screen printer. Inkscape handles editing of vectors. The user will be able to manipulate the artwork and create new objects as well. This is a definite rival for Adobe Illustrator. The best thing about InkScape is that it is free. It is open source software which means that it can be downloaded and used free of charge for whatever purpose the user wants.
There is a learning curve to this software. It takes some time to learn the software, and the worst part is that there are not a lot of resources for doing just that. There are some tutorials on YouTube as well as a few courses on Udemy as well.
This software has a lot to offer. It can manage orders, generate quotes, manipulate artwork and so much more. It is not as robust as Photoshop or Illustrator and is mainly meant for DTG printing. Because of these factors it has a shorter learning curve. It won’t take long to get up to speed with the software. This software was built for t-shirt businesses. Pricing for the product is somewhere between $850 and $900. It is a standalone product and the user only pays once.
There are even more options for designing t-shirts than the ones listed in this post. Our collection highlights some of the top programs. In our opinion the best option for designing t-shirts is Adobe Illustrator. It can be a costly option, but it really is the industry standard when it comes to creating vector graphics. Most t-shirt designers love Adobe Illustrator. If you have the budget for it, we recommend purchasing the entire collection of apps at the higher price. It will give you great tools for creating videos and print pieces along with the vector graphics. If you don’t have the budget for it, then at least opt for the standalone version. To get up to speed on the program we recommend taking a course at a local community college. You will find many of these around the country.
]]>Being eco-friendly is not environmentally harmful. It is reducing consumption and waste that causes hazards for the environment. Eco-friendly people reuse and recycle materials in an effort to leave materials available in the environment. It also means to maintain the environment without polluting it.
The basic concept of screen printing would indicate that it is not eco-friendly. What typically happens with screen printing is that new garments are enhanced with unique prints to be sold for a profit. The method uses plastisol ink and cotton shirts to make develop a screen printed product. Just the fact that the shirts are new is an issue unto itself. The shirts aren’t reused or recycled. They are new.
It takes a lot of resources to produce one cotton shirt. Some estimates state that it takes 2700 liters of water just to produce one plain cotton shirt. Which means that to create cotton shirts for the entire planet there is an enormous amount of water and agriculture used to grow crops to meet the ever increasing demand. It is said that cotton is one of the worst crops for the planet.
Plastisol ink has a base called polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is made up of two ingredients, polyvinyl resin and a liquid plasticizer. Creating plastisol releases chemicals that are harmful to the environment. These chemicals are also potentially hazardous to health as well. Plastisol has an ingredient called phthalates that has been shown to be carcinogenic. These phthalates are also released into the atmosphere and harm the environment as well. Plastisol ink is highly harmful to the environment.
There are also chemicals that are used in cleaning up shop equipment as well. Not to mention water consumption and energy to run the machines as well. Every stage of plastisol screen printing is harmful to the environment.
While it would be difficult to become a completely eco-friendly screen printer, there are numerous actions that can be taken to be more eco-friendly as a screen printer. This will take an examination of each step in the screen printing process.
The most sustainable shirt is one that you already own or thrifted. After that there are shirts on the market that are eco-friendly and sustainable. Shopping for a sustainable shirt is not difficult if you do a simple internet search. There are companies that have developed products that are eco-friendly and biodegradable. Peruse their products and choose a shirt that is perfect for your company to use.
Next consider the type of ink that you use. While plastisol may be environmentally harmful, water-based inks are not. They are made with water and naturally occurring substances for dying. These inks are much more friendly to the environment. However, they must be disposed of properly. If they are not disposed of properly then they can still cause environmental damage.
It is possible to use paper packaging for transportation of goods as well. No plastic bags should be used.
Switching from an automatic press to a manual screen printing press will help save electricity as well as benefit the environment. The one area that would be difficult to substitute would be a dryer for the shirts. If the inks are not cured then the ink could potentially run and damage the shirt. This is why you need the dryer.
Screen printing is hazardous to the natural environment. It causes resource issues and lots of waste. To create a more environmentally friendly planet screen printers have options. They can take steps towards becoming more eco-friendly. It will take a careful look at each individual step in their process and ask themselves “What effect does this have on the environment?, and Are there other alternatives that are more eco-friendly?” Once they do that they will be able to move forward towards their environmentally friendly goals.
]]>Illustrator was released to the general public in 1987. The creator was John Warnock. The original use for Illustrator was to commercialize Adobe’s software PostScript file format which was used for fonts. The software was very popular and soon overthrew its competitors. This was the premiere product by Adobe. In 1990 Photoshop was developed by Thomas and John Knoll. They sold Photoshop to Adobe in 1988. The program was then packaged and sold as a companion to Adobe Illustrator. The thought was that if you purchased Adobe Illustrator we would throw in this little program called photoshop also. Little did they know that Photoshop would eventually outsell Illustrator and lead the company to global domination of the image editing industry.
Photoshop is a raster image editing software. This type of software is used to edit pixel-based images such as photographs. What makes Photoshop so unique is the ability to edit photos on layers similar to using an overhead projector. The software has many tools for selection and editing. The program is so thorough it can be considered complex for a beginner.
Adobe Illustrator is a vector editing software. The software uses lines and shapes to create larger images based on mathematical equations. Illustrator is useful in creating designs that can be enlarged without losing their sharpness. Illustrator is perfect for designing logos and fonts.
As of this writing there is not a difference between the pricing for Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. You can purchase subscriptions to each of the programs for $20.99/month. You can purchase each of the programs individually or you can purchase a monthly subscription to the Creative Cloud. The Creative Cloud is a collection of 20 different design programs which include Photoshop and illustrator. The current price for the Creative Cloud is $52.99. You’ll need to determine what is the best deal for your needs.
When it comes to screen printing Adobe Illustrator completely surpasses Adobe Photoshop. There is a reason for this. Screen printing typically requires vector graphics. While Photoshop has the ability to create vectors, it does not have great capabilities when it comes to editing them. Illustrator has a wide range of tools that can be used to edit vectors.
It is possible to create a vector in Photoshop and use that in screen printing. This image would be scalable. One of the reasons that Photoshop is not widely used for screen printing is that a photo uses a lot of colors in it’s design. Most screen printers use only 4 colors to print with. Screen printing cannot deal with gradients very well so most people use Illustrator as the primary tool for screen printing.
There is another type of garment decoration product called direct to garment (DTG) printing. This type of printing can use full colors and even print photographs. People who use this method of printing can use either Illustrator or Photoshop. They are more likely to use Photoshop.
Both programs are great. Really. They have revolutionized multiple industries. From screen printing to public relations they are great tools for design. The decision comes down to what you are printing. Ultimately if you are going to be working with photos/raster images then Photoshop is the best tool on the market. If you are working with line art/vector images then Illustrator is the program to use. This basic rule of thumb will help you going forward.
]]>The first thing to consider when you think about when you are planning to photograph your shirts is what photographers commonly call composition. In short, what is the scene going to be. Every time a picture is taken the photographer is intending to capture some sort of scene and preserve it with a photo. This is true of t shirts as well. The most common ways that these shirts are captured is using a mannequin, a model, or a hanger. Let’s look at each of these.
Mannequin
A mannequin is a plastic replica of a human. In this case it is probably just the bust of the human, but a photo could be taken with a full body mannequin as well. You can purchase one of these online or at a store supply warehouse. They are not expensive. These are easy to style and can be placed in front of a plain background to easily be shot.
Model
This is an actual human. The photographer will hire somebody to pose in each of the shirts. This may not be as simple as it sounds. There are a lot of considerations when it comes to models. Things like what the model looks like, how they are paid, and where they will change are all issues. Models must be paid. (For that matter professional photographers must be paid so you may want to acquire photography skills and do it yourself.) Not only must models be paid, they must be paid ongoing for the use of the photographs unless a release is signed. A release may need to be created by a lawyer, but there are free photo releases online. Just do a simple search for photo releases online and you should come up with one.
It may take longer to photograph a model because the model will need to be posed and they will need to change in between each outfit. This could increase the cost of your photography budget.
Hanger
This one is really simple. You probably have one hanging around somewhere. However, you may want to consider using a hanger that you purchase specifically for your photography. Choose one that shows off the shirt well. Make sure that it fits in with your brand. Do not use a wire hanger. Even though this is the cheapest option. It will just look cheap no matter what you do with it. The shirt can be hung in front of a plain backdrop.
There is one other option as well. It is possible to lay the shirt on a flat surface. With the shirt flat and spread out it is easy to see. The problem with this presentation is that the pictures will need to be taken from overhead which is not as easy as it sounds. Potentially you will need a ladder and even with the ladder you may still struggle with the correct angle.
Nothing looks worse than a shirt that is full of wrinkles. It just doesn’t look good. Use an iron to make the shirt look presentable. Get every part of the shirt. Iron the shirt, the sleeves, the neck, and the back. Iron the entire shirt. There is no need to use starch, just a hot iron.
This is the key to any great photograph. Make sure that there is enough light to completely illuminate the shirt. It doesn’t matter if you use artificial light or natural sunlight. Both will work. However, you must be prepared if you have a model to alter your plans. If you scheduled a model for a specific day and it was storming your natural light would be missing.
If you are serious about your business and see that you will be shooting photos of shirts often then you may consider purchasing a three point lighting kit. They can be found for around $100 and give you adequate lighting to fit all of your needs.
It is important to consider the background as well. A busy background will distract from your photos. If you are working with a model you’ll need to find locations with backgrounds that won’t distract. Consider using solid walls as backgrounds. If you are in a studio you will want a solid background as well. You can purchase a background for your photo shoots. They are inexpensive and keep your photos looking consistent.
It does not matter whether you use a fancy camera or a cell phone camera. Both options can produce good results. If the lighting is in line then that is half the battle. However, if you are going to use the photos in a printed piece you do need a higher resolution of image. Investing in a camera that can produce RAW camera files may be better. RAW camera files have higher resolutions for images. If the images are for the web then a cell phone camera will work just fine.
Compose the scene first. Make sure everything looks perfect. Then take the photos from multiple angles. People will want to see what the garment looks like from the front, back, and sides. People want to know what they are going to look like from every angle. If you have multiple colors of shirt then you want to take images of each of the different colors. Just describing a color does not accurately capture a color. There are a million different shades of red.
Each website or platform has different size requirements for images. In general websites prefer to use images with a small file type. The files will load faster on computers. Unfortunately, this can make the image quality look bad. Choosing whether to use quality images or website speed is always a dilemma. You want to strike a balance between the two.
You should use an image editing program such as Photoshop. If you don’t have access to Photoshop we’ve written a guide called Free Alternatives to Photoshop that can give you some additional options. Crop the photos to the appropriate size. Enhance the image as you see fit. Do not make the image look unrealistic. You will only be setting yourself up for problems later.
It is preferable to keep your photographs in multiple places such as on your computer as well as an external hard drive. If one set is lost then you can recover the other set. Keep all of the images as well as any of the PSD (Photoshop) files that you use to edit them. Keep them all in one folder and make sure they are very organized by using subfolders. There may come a day when you need to use each of the images again and you need to find them easily.
It is important to give the most accurate representation of your shirts when you are creating marketing materials. If you give the buyer an inaccurate representation of the shirt the customer will likely return the garment. You don’t want that to happen. You also don’t want to make your life a living nightmare trying to find the correct picture for the campaign. Make it simple on yourself by organizing your files.
A shirt will sell if it is just photographed on a hanger as long as it is neat and presentable. However you choose to present your photos, these tips will help you sell more shirts.
]]>A makerspace is a workspace that is shared between members of a community. In the workspace there are tools used to create unique items. Typically the tools that are used are expensive and not necessarily something that everybody would have in their homes. So the tools are shared.
Makerspaces are typically run by nonprofit organizations because they are meant for communities. Patrons of these makerspaces usually pay a fee to use the space for the month or a day. This gives them access to the equipment.
Makerspaces come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are meant for children and teens. These focus primarily on projects that are STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) related. The students learn how to build things and control things. Think robots and rollercoasters in a STEM room for children and teens.
Makerspaces for adults are very different. They are more focused on output. They include heavy machinery, computers, industrial tools, and garment creation tools. People who patronize these sorts of establishments create things to sell or use in their own homes. These are the types of makerspaces that we will focus on for the rest of this article.
There are a wide variety of tools in makerspaces. These can include tools for textiles, plastics, 3D printing, laser cutting, computing, welding, powder coating, metal fabrication, electronics and printing. In fact, this list is somewhat small. These spaces can host a variety of tools and machines. This list is just a small slice of what a makerspace can hold.
If you visit a makerspace website or in person they have lists of their equipment offerings available to communities. Some makerspaces will offer things that other makerspaces don’t offer. This way you know what equipment is available should you choose to pay for membership.
One of the benefits of makerspaces is that most of them offer classes. There are so many pieces of equipment in their facilities and many people don’t commonly use those pieces so they need training to understand their proper function. It is entirely possible to know nothing about a screen printing machine and get completely trained on one in a Makerspace.
Most makerspaces have textile and garment tools. These can include anything from fabric printers to expensive embroidery machines. Sewing machines and sergers are commonly found in makerspaces.
Screen printing equipment can sometimes be found in these facilities as well. It makes sense because the equipment can be costly and somebody who just wants to try the concept of screen printing may want to test it out before they purchase the equipment.
A makerspace that has a screen printer could be used to start a business without purchasing equipment.
The work areas of makerspaces are filled with tables and chairs that are wide open for creating objects.
If you have a creative urge and want to make something then a makerspace is the perfect place for you. If your local makerspace doesn’t have screen printing equipment already it may be something that you bring up to the staff. They fit in well with all of the other garment creation tools and can be beneficial to a community.
]]>Dye migration occurs when a polyester shirt is printed. The shirt is printed as normal. Then the ink must be cured at a temperature of 320 - 330 degrees. This is true of both plastisol ink and water based ink. Unfortunately when a polyester shirt reaches 280 degrees the color will release from the polyester fibers and bleed into the other colored inks on the shirt. This action can happen immediately, but sometimes it takes a few days for it to migrate.
So if you had a red polyester shirt with a white screen printed design the ink could migrate from the red colored fibers and travel onto the ink and it would turn pink. Not the intended outcome.
The process occurs because the heat turns the ink into a gas and that gas floats to different areas.
This is a very common problem. Because it is a common problem people have developed solutions for the issue. They generally fall into five categories: low-cure inks, dye blockers, low-cure additives, printing an underbase, and choosing different garments.
This is the most common method of dye migration prevention. Manufacturers of plastisol ink have developed an ink that does not have to be cured at such a high temperature. Low-cure plastisol can be cured at 280. This has multiple advantages. The first obvious advantage is that the fibers don’t heat so high that they release their color. The second advantage is that you can run your dryers at a lower temperature. This will save money on electricity and it’s good for the environment. This option is a win-win.
These inks are specially formulated for printing on polyester shirts. The ink merely blocks the other shirt dye from mixing with it. These inks are typically more expensive than regular plastisol inks.
This is a substance that you add to regular plastisol ink. The ink then acts the same as a low-cure ink. Low-cure additives are sold wherever you purchase plastisol.
An underbase can be printed and then cured. This is a common practice on dark color shirts. The underbase can be made with low-cure or dye blocking ink, then the top layer can be laid on. The benefits of this method are that you won’t have to deal with dye migration and the colors will appear brighter.
It is possible to find blank garments that do not have dye migration issues and are very similar to polyester garments. They hold their color longer. Steering a customer towards choosing one of these options may be a better option for the customer. It should be noted that these shirts may come with a higher price tag.
It can’t be said enough...test, test, test. Did we mention that you should test. It is much better to discover that your garment has a dye migration issue well before it is printed for the customer. Test the printing and put it in the washing machine. See if it changes over a few washes. Do not wait until a large batch of shirts has been printed. You could end up with an unhappy customer and lost revenue due to a batch of shirts having to be reprinted.
This is a common problem. Many screen printers have been through this and many more will go through it again. It’s almost a right of passage. Just know that you have options when it comes to dealing with the situation. Test your garments and see what works. Then you will avoid the dreaded dye migration dilemma.
]]>Live screen printing events give exposure to screen printers and they can be profitable at the same time. We discuss everything that there is to know about screen printing at live events and give you some helpful tips along the way.
A live screen printing event can be shown almost anywhere. Which means that it is possible to set up live screen printing at fairs, festivals, and even conventions. Anywhere that you can get an audience is a place that you can screen print. Comic book conventions, sci-fi conventions, high school carnivals, and even design conventions have all had screen printers do in person events.. Corporations love to hire screen printers for in-person events. They make for great entertainment. Plus they can give away company swag.
This would work great at rock concerts and flea markets. It doesn’t really matter what the event is. The booth just needs to be in the vicinity of a large group of people.
Contact shows that are looking for vendors. For other events it may be important to contact event planners. They will want specific details so put some consideration into your offerings. Have price lists or sales specifics ready for them. Know the details of space, electricity, storage, setup, and teardown. This will all be important information for the event planners.
With live screen printing a screen printers shop is being taken on the road. And just like in a screen printers shop there are so many things that can go wrong. Screen printing may look simple, but it has a lot of variables that can make it difficult. Let alone making it difficult to perform in front of a crowd. Things break. Supplies run out. There are so many potential problems that it can become quite volatile in the moment.
With that being said, screen printing live is not for everyone. It is part work, part performance, part sales, and part networking. Not everybody is a performer. Not everybody is a screen printer either. When you are screen printing in front of people you will have to be interacting with them. Talking and working is difficult for some people. Let alone working under pressure. Consider whether this is the right thing to do before jumping right in.
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. There is so much that needs to be considered. The screen printer must have all of their supplies plus extra supplies in case they run out. Equipment must be transported and set up. It also needs to be in good working order. A bad machine can hurt the show. Have change when people pay in cash and a way to take credit cards. Ultimately, the screen printer must be prepared. There are so many variables to consider. Start with a list of items that are normally needed in a shop then add things needed to run a trade show booth to the list.
It is important to also have good signage. It would be difficult to explain how a screen printing booth works every time a customer walks by. The focus needs to be on printing shirts. The more people that see the screen printer spinning the more that will want to be involved. Take extra shirts and designs to print while waiting for customers. Keep the machine moving as much as possible. A screen printing machine that is constantly moving will attract potential customers.
Remember to prepare for the long day also. A chair will be needed. A break will be needed. Lunch will be needed. How all of these things happen is up to the screen printer to determine. The day can be long and there will probably be some downtime.
Bring as many designs as stations on the press. If it is a four color press bring four designs. If there are more screens than stations a screen printer will end up swapping out screens often. That will get to be difficult if they have to do it over and over.
This is always a guessing game. Narrow the color choices to a few different colors. Then consider how many of each of those colors to print. If a screen printer is lucky then they will sell out of shirts. If not then there will be a lot leftover. It is better to have leftover shirts that can be sold at a later date. Don’t lose a sale while there.
While a screen printer is there to sell shirts, it isn’t the only thing that happens at these events. There are a lot of people at these events. There are business owners and industry experts who may be in need of your services. Strike up as many conversations as possible. Hand out business cards. There will definitely be customers who have other uses for a screen printer. This is a great place to market a screen printing business.
There are many people who have never seen screen printing before. They are in for a treat. A show can generate more sales. So put one on. Include audience participation as well. It is similar to being a street busker but selling shirts. Talk with everybody.
It is even possible to let people screen print their own shirts. Let them pull the squeegee. Let them make their own shirt.
This is perfect for nonprofit functions, but could work for any sort of large party or corporate event. Sell an entire show that includes the live screen printing and a number of shirts included in the price. That way everybody attending the event will get a brand new screen printed shirt as a memory of the event. The shirts and the screen printers time will already be paid for.
It is possible to take the show on the road. There is money to be made by screen printing live. It just takes preparation So be prepared for all possible things that can happen during the event. Create an experience for the customer that is different from every other attraction at the event. Treat everybody as a potential customer and watch the money roll in.
]]>Glow in the dark plastisol ink works best on light color shirts. It can also be used on dark color shirts as well, but put a white underbase down before using it. It is possible to print it without an underbase, but the ink would not glow as well without it. With this type of ink use a screen with an 80 mesh count.
For this process we will be adding the underbase. Use two screens to print with glow and the dark ink. Print the underbase on the shirt first. After laying down the underbase the shirt need to flash dry. Then lay down the glow in the dark ink. Lay the glow in the dark ink on thickly. The more ink the better the glow. Print the design as like any other shirt, but remember to use a lot of ink on each layer. Glow in the dark ink works better on very bright colors.
Glow in the Dark Plastisol Inks come in various colors, but the most common color is phosphorescent green.
Once the shirt has been printed and then flash dried it is ready for action. The glow is better in very dark rooms. Before the shirt will glow the shirt must be exposed to light for a period of time. Then when the shirt is in the dark it will glow. The shirt loses its glow over time and will need to be re-exposed to the light before it will glow again.
Glow in the dark ink wrapup
Glow in the dark shirts are awesome. Both kids and adults love them. Remember to flood the screen and get a good coating of the phosphorescent ink. It would help to coat it twice.
]]>There is an alternative to the time wasted at the washout booth. Adding a dip tank can save you time and energy. This small addition to an equipment list is the answer to all of a screen printers prayers.
A dip tank resembles a garbage can. It holds a chemical solution that removes emulsion and ink from a screen. The tank typically contains a spigot that allows drainage from the tank as well. Dip tanks come in different sizes and will work with both manual and automatic screens. It is possible to hold many screens at once in a large dip tank. The tanks are made with polypropylene and will not leak if properly maintained.
Using a dip tank is easy. Simply fill the tank with a One-Step solution. Place screens inside of the dip tank for approximately 5 minutes. This will allow the solution to interact with the emulsion and ink. Then remove the screen from the dip tank and wash out the screen in a washout booth. The screen should be easier to clean which will save time and energy.
Normally when a screen printer is trying to reclaim a screen they will spray it with a stencil-removing solution and then scrub the stencil . This is not good for a number of reasons. First, the solution can easily wash off the screen when sprayed. In a dip tank the solution can be used on multiple screens. It is entirely possible to get 200 - 400 screens out of a one-step solution in a dip tank. While the other way sends the solution (along with your money) down the drain.
Secondly, if the frame is allowed to sit with a normal stencil remover on it then it is possible to damage the screen. The image can become locked into the screen and ruin it.
Most aluminum frames are created in such a way that water does not enter into them. It does happen, however. A roller frame can get water into it. It’s easy to know when this happens because the water can be heard inside of the frame. Even using the spray and scrub method will cause water to enter frames. A dip tank remains the better solution.
When it comes to local regulations about chemical disposal it does not matter whether using a dip tank or not. If the chemicals need to be disposed of properly the dip tank can be poured into a barrel and hauled away. This is a more eco-friendly way to handle the waste than sending it down the drain.
Typically the chemicals that are in a one-step solution can be poured down the drain. In most parts of the country one step dip tank solutions are considered drain safe.
The reality of the dip tanks is that they save time and money plain and simple. They are environmentally friendly and a great addition to a screen printing shop. While there may still be some spraying, overall spray time will be greatly diminished. Dip tank reclaim screens and reclaim time.
]]>The first thing that happens is that the machines are calibrated for printing. This depends on how the screen printer normally calibrates their machines. Then each shirt that is to be foiled is loaded onto the machine one at a time. This is no different than how a screen printer normally loads a shirt onto the machine.
An adhesive screen printing ink is applied to a garment. This is applied the exact same way that plastisol ink is normally applied. Use a template for this as you would create for any screen printed shirt.
After the ink has been applied to the garment the ink will need to be cured. This can be done in a conveyor dryer. Check out The Definitive Guide to Curing Ink for more information on curing.
Once the ink has cured, place the shirt with the design up on the heat press. Apply a sheet of foil onto the area that was prepared. Then lower the lid and heat press the foil to the garment. The heat press should be at a temperature of 350°F. Apply the press for 10 - 20 seconds.
Now comes the big reveal. Make sure that the foil has completely cooled. If the foil is not cooled it is possible for someone to be burned during removal. Slowly peel the foil from the design. What is left is a beautiful shiny foil print.
This method is simple, but it does require a heat press to finish the final step of the process. If a screen printer does not have a heat press then this is something they may want to invest in. Here’s a helpful guide about purchasing a heat press. With the additional profit that can be made from the foil added to the shirt a screen printer will be able to pay off a heat press in no time.
One thing to consider is that there are many different colors of foil. Popular foiled shirts to sell are gold foil t-shirts, silver foil t-shirts, and copper foil t-shirts. Let’s face it, if there is a foil that works then print with it. It adds a little something special to any design and can bring a screen printing business additional money.
In this discussion it is important to remember that the colors that designers see on their computer screen are not the same colors on every computer screen. Computer screens are all calibrated differently and so the colors are just different from computer to computer.
When pieces are printed, sometimes they don’t look the same as the original design. The colors may be dull or they may be a shade different than what was intended. This can be quite frustrating when the designer had a specific look in mind. When the piece was printed it came out differently.
A Pantone color is a color that cannot normally be mixed using the CMYK system.
The Pantone Color System is a color matching system. It allows designers and printers to have more control over the colors in a design. Pantone gives a number to all of the colors in its library. When a designer wants a specific color used they choose a Pantone color. Then when the design gets printed the printer knows exactly what the color is supposed to look like because they check the number and they can match that color exactly. In the end, the color will be exactly the same as the original designer envisioned.
To verify that the colors are pantone colors hold the cursor over each swatch. It will have a Pantone color associated to it.
Now when the design is sent over to a printer they will know exactly what color they need to match.
The Pantone Color Matching System is the most popular color matching system worldwide. This will allow you any printer around the world to match the colors. This will guarantee that you get the correct color anywhere you go.
There are other color matching systems. They are less popular and don’t get used very often. They also don’t include as many colors as Pantone.
]]>You see, I make tons of designs all the time. I’ve been using graphic design programs for a long time and I decided that I wanted to make some additional cash on the side. That’s when I found heat press.
When I was younger my mother used to iron pictures onto my shirts to make them cooler than every other shirts. This was a great way for me to have a cool shirt that nobody else had. Once I got older I wanted to do this as a business, I really needed to understand the process.
With heat press transfers you will be able to transfer your own artwork to a t-shirt quickly. If you are not good at creating your own designs then there are places online that you can purchase designs. You will be able to get up and running fast.
The process is not hard, but it does take some time getting used to it. In this guide I will show you how to create the heat press transfers, the equipment that is needed, and how to sell the t-shirts.
To start any business these days you need the right tools. The costs are not astronomical for these tools and there are a variety of retailers that sell them.
Heat Press Machine
This is basically a two plate iron. It is what is used to transfer the image to the shirt. It gets very hot so be careful. A lot of times they are referred to as clamshells.
There are a variety of heat presses on the market. These can be found new or used. Since the cost of a new heat press is reasonable, consider purchasing a new one. This can run anywhere from $200 - $500. Here’s a helpful guide to help you buy a heat press.
Inkjet Printer
An inkjet printer is a printer that prints designs using very small jets of ink. This is needed to print out the designs for the shirts. It is possible to use a laser printer, but it is not recommended. The main reason is price. An inkjet printer is much less expensive than a laser jet printer. Plus, it prints better on the shirt.
One of the considerations in choosing an inkjet printer is the ink. Running a heat press business requires a screen printer to purchase ink constantly. This is an additional cost that must be figured into a heat press business.
When considering which printer to purchase there are many options. The printers can be bought new or used, however this decision can become tricky. So if a new printer is bought it typically comes with a warranty. This is good because inkjet printers are notorious for breaking down. The problem with a new printer is that when it goes out of warranty and it breaks down the cost of parts can be an issue. An older printer may not work very well when purchased and it will need to be repaired. That is fine because by the time a printer becomes older parts will be readily available. However, if the manufacturer discontinues the ink cartridges it could be in trouble.
Inkjet printers are so reasonably priced. It is possible to buy a new one each year. A profit can still be made easily.
Carrier Paper
This is what the designs will be printed on. It is also called transfer paper. There is film on one side of the paper. That is where the design will be printed. Find a quality carrier paper to print the designs on. DON’T USE CHEAP CARRIER PAPER!
Carrier paper can be transparent or opaque. Use the transparent paper when printing on a white shirt. When printing on a black shirt use opaque transfer paper.
Graphics Program
To create designs a graphic design software is needed. A software program such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, or Corel Draw will work. If there is no access to these any of these programs a free solution is the program Gimp. It will take some time to get up to speed on all of these programs.
Select the Artwork for the Heat Press Transfer
To begin the process decide what to print. Use a word or phrase done in some fancy font or an image. Get the artwork ready on the computer.
Reverse the Image
Before printing the image out on carrier paper reverse the image. If this step is not done, the shirt will be reversed when complete. Using Illustrator or Photoshop to reverse the image is easy.
Print the Heat Transfer Image
Print the image on the film side of the carrier paper. This is the side that will come into contact with the shirt.
First and foremost read the instructions that came with the heat press. Pay attention to the safety guidelines. Be careful not to get burned..
Begin by turning on the machine. Then open the press. Shift the platen from the silicon pad. Finally, select the temperature.
To determine the proper temperature refer to the instructions that come with the carrier paper.
Pressure:
To determine the proper pressure evaluate the thickness of the material to be printed upon. Thick materials require less pressure. Thin materials require more pressure. Increase and decrease the pressure until the perfect setting is achieved.
Timing Is Everything
The type of paper determines the length of time that will be used. Set the timer according to the instructions that your paper provides.
Proceed with the Heat Transfer
When all of the preparations are completed the print is ready to begin. Here’s where the magic happens.
Place the t-shirt on the heat press platen and place the garment with the side up that is to be printed. Then place the artwork onto the shirt . Ensure that the artwork is face down. The paper must be inside the area that will be pressed. The pressure must be right on the print. Sometimes the printer comes with a pad made out of silicon. If it does then place that pad on top of the image. If there isn’t a silicon pad then use some light material to place on top of the design.
Once ready, close the press. Pull the handle downward to close the press. Press the start button. Wait until the timer goes off. Remove the garment from the heat press.
The carrier paper will either be hot peel or cold peel. Which means that if the shirt is still hot then the peel will need to be pulled off while it is hot. If it is a cold peel, wait until the shirt has cooled off before pulling the peel off.
Once the peel is pulled off the shirt is complete. That’s it.
When looking for an easy way to start a t-shirt business this is about as easy as it gets. It has a generally low startup cost and can be run by practically anyone. After getting the hang of it, churning shirts out is a breeze. Slap a price tag on it and sell it as soon as possible. Get that money.
]]>Today we are focusing on wood. Decorative wood signs are everywhere. They are a great money maker. Craft people are well aware of this. They are also well aware of their profit potential. Adding wood screen printing to your business makes sense and can make you some money. Let’s see how it is really done.
Getting a great print on a piece of wood depends on how smooth or coarse the wood is. Evaluate the piece of wood that you are going to print. Determine if the wood is coarse or fine (smooth). This will help in deciding what you can print on it.
You can print high detail (halftones) images on wood surfaces if the wood is fine grain. To print on a fine grain surface you need a higher mesh count. This will allow the detail of the image to come through.
Course wood does not lend itself well to fine details. Think large letters or images without fine details. On a coarse piece of wood you need a lower mesh count. This will allow the mesh to flood the ink and sink into the wood.
When printing on wood ensure that the screen does not touch the surface of the wood. The screen must be off contact. For an explanation of off contact, check out our blog post What is Off Contact Screen Printing. The post discusses all there is to know about off contact screen printing.
For coarse wood lay the screen directly on the wood. If using a fine grain wood then use off contact. The screen needs to be about ⅛” off contact. It is important for the screen to snap back after printing. This will give a sharper print.
It is preferable to use a water based ink because it will seep into the wood. Plastisol ink is not recommended because the ink can peel off easily. Make sure the wood is not coated with some form of lacquer. This will prevent the ink from attaching to the wood. The wood must be uncoated.
Rough grain wood prints require a lot more ink than with a finer grain. Flood the screen a number of times and then print. Use moderate pressure. With a fine print flood the screen thoroughly and then when printing it there will only be one shot at printing it. So make sure it is good.
After printing the print onto the wood, remove the screen with one smooth motion.
When printing has been completed simply place it in a conveyor dryer. Set the temperature to around 275°F and run it through a couple of times. Another option is to add a catalyst to the water based ink and let the wood air dry. Read the blog post on curing ink for more information.
Screen printing on wood is not difficult. This technique can add new products or even a new income stream to any screen printers business. Wood products make great gifts. They are decorative and durable. They are perfect for Christmas or Halloween. Businesses use wood signs all the time to advertise their business. There are so many uses for wood signs. Start printing on wood now.
]]>This may not come be something that occurs consistently, but at least having the knowledge will help when the problem arises down the road. The methods are simple and easy to administer. However, it needs to be noted that some of these methods involve toxic chemicals with overpowering vapors. Make sure that the area is well ventilated before attempting any of these methods.
Care must be made to ensure that garments don't get damaged in the process. Scrubbing and scraping may be involved and this could ruin the garment.
Screen printing is the concept of applying a thick ink onto fabric using a screen and a stencil. The ink is not water soluble so it does not wash away in the washing machine. The ink is most often made with plastisol. Most screen printing companies use this method to screen print. It works great for t-shirts and hoodies.
The process usually starts with somebody creating a design. Then the colors are separated on a computer using a graphic design program. Typically it is Photoshop or Illustrator. Once the colors are separated a photo negative is made from the image. This photo negative is then burned into a screen. To burn the image, a screen is coated with emulsion then the screen is exposed to light and the image is burned into it. After it is burned, then the screen is washed in a washout sink. As the washing happens the image is revealed on the screen. Then that screen is affixed to a screen printing machine and a shirt is laid on the plate of the machine. The screen is pulled over the shirt and a healthy amount of plastisol ink is placed at the top of the screen. Then using a squeegee the ink is dragged over the design. Once this is done, the screen is removed. After it is removed the shirt is revealed with the design on it. The ink is still wet so it must be removed and put under a flash dryer or on a conveyor dryer.
It seems king of complicated to explain it, but once the process has been performed a few times it is not difficult at all.
If screen printing seems too difficult there is another method called heat pressing. In this method a heat transfer design is applied onto the garment using a heat press. The heat press applies heat to the design and releases it from its backing and attaching it to the garment. This method is simpler but it cannot produce as many shirts as traditional screen printing.
Both ways are very common and you can fix both when you need.
There are many ways to remove screen printing designs. This depends on what is going on with the garment. What is the size of the design? What kind of fabric? All of these factors must be understood before removal can proceed.
These techniques work whether you are just trying to remove errors or smudges. You’ll be able to remove logos. You can remove horrible designs. You will be able to get rid of unwanted things.
Wear gloves and work in a well ventilated area. The chemicals can be strong. If it is at all possible the work should happen outside. Safety first. Protect the surface.
Finally, understand that when using these techniques that staying away from heat and hot water are important. Both heat and hot water will set the ink. This must not happen.
While this may be a household stable it is actually a chemical called acetone. This can be found at any drugstore. This method needs to be performed in a highly ventilated area. This method will not work on fabrics that are more than 50% polyester. With this method lightly dab a cotton ball soaked in the nail polish remover on top of the design. After a few minutes peel the design away. When finished wash the garment in cold water.
It is always best to do a test on the garment to make sure that the nail polish remover won’t damage the garment.
This method requires an equipment purchase along with the fluid. This may be something that to invest in if a screen printer foresees a lot of mistakes that need to be fixed. In any agency there are bound to be mistakes. This method uses a gun that is filled with a fluid. The gun sprays the fluid at the back of the design. Eventually the design can be peeled away. This is the easiest method to use, but it can also be the costliest.
Plastisol remover has a strong odor. This method definitely needs to be ventilated. The reason this stuff works well is because most of the designs are made from plastisol. This stuff is made for plastisol. The way to work it is to use a soft cloth that has been dipped into the remover. Take the cloth and place it on the design. Leave the cloth for about a half an hour. Then using a soft brush work the ink out of the design. Wipe away any excess ink. Then wash the garment in cold water.
This is the only method of removing the designs that uses heat. This method uses an iron and a brown paper bag. The goal is to melt the design onto the paper bag. You will place the paper bag onto the design and iron right onto the paper bag. The heat will help the design lift off of the garment.
Every time a screen printed garment is washed the design begins to fade. The garment can be washed over and over. It may take 50 times to get the design to fade. Eventually it will go away. The drawback to this method is that it may also fade the color of the garment.
This is simple. You take a small amount of sugar and start rubbing it into the design. This works using abrasion. It gets into the nooks and crannies of the designs and slowly removes the designs. Work the sugar into the design, but don’t damage the garment.
It is common for mistakes to happen in a screen printing business. Customers change their minds. Employees don't read the instructions on a work order correctly. Pinholes in screens happen. All hope is not lost. Garments can be recovered. Damage can be undone.
Be very careful not to damage the garment any further. Test the chemicals in areas that are inconspicuous. Don't scrub the garment too hard. This can fray the material.
]]>Puff ink is actually not an ink, but rather it is an additive for plastisol inks. When added to the plastisol the puff additive gives screen printing designs a raised or expanded dimensional look. When the ink is heated the ink raises up and looks “puffy” in nature.
Some people want that extra something special with their screen printing. Most designers of prints think in two dimensions. With puff ink you are able to work in three dimensions. A puffy appearance is a great option because it adds depth to a screen print. It works great for words. You can use it to simulate a clothing patch.
You can create a raised puff print by including puff ink into a specific area. It is perfect for outlining areas. Raised outlines look great on letters. Even if the garment is one color only. When you keep the color consistent and raise the outline it gives the look depth.
Puff ink can be added to any ink color made with plastisol. This includes support for the Pantone color matching system. You can use more than one color in a puff ink design. It does not crumble easily.
Puff ink is better than high density printing. High density printing is labor intensive which in turn raises costs. Plus you have to add many layers of ink with high density printing to get a raised look. With puff ink you only need one layer.
The first consideration is mesh count. This needs to be lower. With a lower mesh count your screen has larger holes. Larger holes mean that more ink can be deposited. More ink deposit means more additive. More additive means more puff.
Ensure that your screen is clean and has good tension. Make sure the screen is treated as you would any other screen. The emulsion must be dried.
The design needs to have larger details as the puff ink does not do well with fine details. So line weights need to be at least 1pt. Puff ink only works with vector art.
Follow the instructions on the container to add the additive to the plastisol ink. Stir thoroughly. Apply the ink to the garment as you normally would.
At this point the ink does not appear differently. The magic happens when you heat the puff ink. The ink needs to reach a temperature between 300° - 330°F. If you overheat the puff ink it may collapse. You will see the ink start to expand when it achieves a temperature around 270°F.
You can use all types of direct or capillary film systems.
To wash it up you can use any conventional plastisol wash-up system.
We recommend Multi-Puff 109 Puff Concentrate.
]]>With this knowledge a decision can be made whether or not to purchase tag-less shirts and screen print labels on the inside or not. There are a number of reasons that screen printing neck labels is good. The first is branding. A logo can be added into the design, or even better a website address. This will help customers determine who to contact when they want another shirt. Second, you can give exact details on how to clean the shirt. Third, you can get creative with what is on the inside of the shirt. You can be funny or inspirational. You decide.
Having tags printed on the inside back collar of shirts is a fantastic way to interact with your customers, but there are considerations that must be taken into account when adding this to your business.
The first consideration is that this will add an additional step to a screen printing process. It takes time to print these tags into shirts. Not to mention that it also takes additional ink to create the labels. All of this costs time and money. Consideration must be made. Is it worth it?
Technical constraints will need to be taken into account as well. Will the print show through the shirt? Will it be able to be seen on the back through the shirt? When customers wear the shirts they don’t want weird labels to be seen around the neck of the garment. Can this be achieved without the label seeping through the back of the shirt?
Once all of the considerations have been taken into account it’s time to decide the best route for printing the tags.
A sleeve pallet can be to an equipment list. A sleeve pallet can be used for printing sleeves, pant legs, and shirt collars. The pallet needs coated with an adhesive to hold the garment in place. Then hang the shirt over the pallet exposing the inner shirt collar. The screen needs to be at least as long as the pallet. Mark the pallet with the exact location that the collar is to be printed. This will allow the collars to be printed the same way every time.
Then process the tag the way the would with any other design would be processed..
A pocket pallet can also allow a collar to be screen printed. This equipment will allow printing on all sizes of pockets as well as inside shirt collars. (Both the sleeve pallet and the pocket pallet may be items to add into a collection anyways.) After attaching the pallet to the screen printing equipment make sure it is coated with an adhesive to keep the shirt in place. Position the shirt. Mark the pallet with the exact location that the collar is to be printed.
The design should not be heavy. Don’t add a lot of ink to the design. This could seep through the shirt and be seen on the other side.
Test the prints. Adjust anything that needs to be adjusted. Check the ink, the location, the overall process. Make sure it is going to work.
Fine details like small words may be an issue. Consider printing them a little larger.
Don’t use so much pressure. Make sure the ink doesn’t seep.
Don’t print the tag upside down.
]]>There are printers on the market that can print an image on clothing. So it’s just like printing on a piece of paper, but instead of paper you are printing on something like a t-shirt. The image is on a file in your computer and now you are just printing it out directly onto a garment. The ink is still plastisol, but it comes in cartridges like you would find in a normal printer.
You can print the same sorts of images that you would print with a normal screen printer. You can also print pictures. One of the unique features of DTG is that you can have unlimited colors. So with that being the case your options expand. You can print family photos, colorful artwork, and much more. The options expand with a DTG printer. The quality and the resolution allow for very intricate images.
The short answer is no. At least not anytime soon. There are advantages to both types of printing. One must do a cost analysis to see when it is more advantageous to use traditional screen printing as opposed to DTG. It is more advantageous to print large amounts of shirts with traditional screen printing. However, as a business owner you don’t want to turn away small orders. DTG is perfect for small orders. If you have a customer that just needs a few shirts then this is the perfect option.
Startup costs are lower with traditional screen printing. You can easily start with a small press and work your way up. In that respect you don’t need a lot of money. You don’t even need to have a large space to produce shirts. In theory, you can do it on your tabletop at home. However, as your screen printing enterprise grows you will need a larger space. You don’t need expensive machinery to enter the industry. It grows with you.
One of the problems with traditional screen printing is that there is setup time. It takes time to produce screens for screen printing. This can turn into increased costs if you have to pay staff. Making screen negatives and washing out emulsion takes time. This is the primary reason that traditional screen printers do not want to print small runs of shirts. If you are going to take a considerable amount of time to set up a print job then you need to recoup your costs by printing a large number of shirts.
You can keep and reuse your screens, but this means that you will need to purchase new screens when you intend to use your old screens again. This can be expensive, plus you will need a place to store your screens.
There is also the issue of proficiency. It takes time to understand the intricacies of screen printing. From the issues with plastisol to dealing with humidity. There is a lot to learn. Not only would you need to learn all of this on your own, but you would also need to train any future employees to screen print as well. This can take time. Time is money. The time you spend on training a new screen printer takes away time that you can use printing and selling shirts.
We’ve already stated a number of positives for DTG printing. Unlimited colors and catering to small orders are fantastic. You can use DTG printing as a home based business. It doesn’t take up that much space. There is not much of a learning curve to learning the direct to garment process. You can start working immediately.
Storage for your business should be a breeze. All of the images for your screen printing business can sit on your printer. There is no need to have a screen room. You can use a hard drive or even removable storage to hold all of your designs. That makes things easy. When you need to print a new design you just need to load the design and print. Simple.
While there are many reasons that DTG is awesome there are some drawbacks to it as well. Cost is the first consideration. DTG printers are expensive. A decent printer can set you back $15,000. That’s for starters. You may need to purchase additional equipment such as a DTG pretreatment machine or even a heat press. You’ll need to plan on how to finance these purchases. Some dealerships will allow you to finance the equipment, but that is an ongoing bill. Remember that this is a decent DTG printer. There are better DTG printers. Those printers can run up to $250,000. They have higher resolution and increase productivity. That’s a lot of money for one printer. Just remember that you can start small with the cheaper model and it will serve you well. For a home based business this is a great option.
The best option is to combine both traditional screen printing and DTG printing into one business. It can be costly, but you can do both in one business. You start with one and then add the other in. Most people begin with traditional screen printing and then they add the DTG printing in later. It’s a natural transition for a screen printer. A screen printer will start adding up the dollars from the smaller orders that they are turning away and adding a DTG printer will make perfect financial sense.
When DTG printers decide that they want to expand they can purchase a larger DTG printer, or they can move into traditional screen printing to take on larger jobs. This will take more effort, but with more effort comes bigger rewards.
What’s great is that you will be able to take on both large and small orders. You won’t have to turn customers away.
Both options are exciting and can bring you rewards. It is best to determine your ultimate goals and the pathway that best suits you. There is plenty of information on the business of traditional screen printing on this website. If you are looking for additional information on screen printing then head over to LearnHowToDTG.com to find out more information.
]]>In the context of screen printing we will say that curing is a chemical process that hardens a substance. It becomes tough and stable. Plastisol Ink is basically liquid plastic. So to get it to stay on a shirt it must harden, otherwise it will drip all over the shirt. The fundamental process of curing ensures the stability of the ink.
Curing typically involves heating a substance to a very high temperature and as it approaches this temperature the substance gets harder and harder. There are three main types of ink and their curing temps are similar, but not exactly the same. Plastisol ink cures between 300° - 330°F. Water-based ink cures at 300° - 320°F. Discharge ink cures at 320°F.
All that being said there are low-cure plastisol inks. These inks cure at 275° - 280°F. There are a number of benefits to low-cure plastisol inks. Some fabrics are difficult to print on with a higher temperature. It may scorch the fabric. Lower temperatures help prevent dye migration. Polyester shirts won’t bleed if you keep the temperature lower.
Check the ink that you are going to use before you purchase it. See what temperature the ink needs to cure at. Determine if your equipment and your process can handle the method that you are going to use.
One of the cheapest ways to cure a garment is with a heat gun. It does work, but not in all cases. A heat gun is very targeted. If you are looking to cure a very small area then this may be the right tool for you. Heat guns don’t work for large prints because it is difficult to evenly heat a large print with a heat gun.
Most heat guns don’t have temperature settings, so it is difficult to tell what temperature the heat is. That being said, if it’s too hot the ink could boil. If it’s too cold then the ink may not completely cure. With a larger print it would be difficult to ensure that the entire print was cured properly.
When you use a heat gun for drying plastisol aim the heat directly over the plastisol. The garment will be ready when the ink is dry to the touch. Do not use a heat gun for water-based ink. This type of ink requires additional additives to allow it to dry. Do not use a heat gun for discharge inks.
This method of curing lends itself to small runs. You would not want to cure thousands of items with a heat gun. There are more efficient ways.
This is one of the best ways to cure ink. The heat source is usually very even and stable. Many heat presses will have digital temperature readouts that will let you know where you stand in regards to heat. Heat presses are excellent for shops as well. Check out our guide on choosing the perfect screen press.
When curing plastisol with a heat press set the temperature of the press first. Set the temperature 30° higher than the curing temperature of the ink. Lay the shirt on the platen with the design up. Lay a Teflon sheet on top of the design. Then press the heat press and leave it pressed for 10 - 20 seconds. Remove the Teflon and the shirt. Test the shirt by stretching it at the design. If it doesn’t crack the ink is cured.
You can heat press water-based inks as well. The process is slightly different. Set the temperature of the heat press to 330°. Lay a Teflon sheet on top of the design. Then pull the press down but not completely. It needs to be low enough to heat the ink, but do not press it in. Let it hover above the design for 10 - 20 seconds. This will evaporate the water in the water-based ink. Then after the water is evaporated you press completely down with moderate pressure. Hold the press there for 30 - 40 seconds. Open the press. Remove the Teflon sheet and then the shirt.
Discharge ink cannot be cured with a heat press.
One of the most popular methods for curing the ink is to use a flash dryer. Flash dryers are simple to use and a great option for beginners. Essentially, a flash dryer is very similar to a heat gun, but is much more consistent.
So the shirt will remain on the platen after you have printed. Then you swing the platen with the shirt on it underneath the flash dryer. This gives the garment an even blast of heat. Check the temperature of the room before you start and adjust the temperature of the flash dryer accordingly. A flash dryer in a cold room can take longer to cure ink. A flash dryer in a warm room has the potential to warp the platen.
The flash dryer needs to remain around 3 inches above the garment. The flash dryer will heat from the top, but it will also heat from the platen as well. The first step is to print the shirt and remove it from the platen. Then place the shirt on top of the platen and move the platen over the shirt. Using a temperature gun aim the laser in the center of the ink. When the temperature is the same as the cure temp remove the flash unit.
With a flash dryer being similar to a heat gun there is still the same issue with drying water-based ink. An additional additive must be added to the ink to allow it to cure.
Discharge ink cannot be cured with a flash dryer.
A conveyor dryer is great for high-volume orders. Multiple shirts can be cured at once with a conveyor dryer. Production will increase with multiple cures. Before drying starts adjust the speed of the belt. The heat must be adjusted, also.
When the conveyor dryer is ready place your shirts one at a time on the conveyor. Before getting too far into production check to make sure that your printer is completing its curing appropriately. Check the ink on one shirt to see if it is cured. If it isn’t, then readjust the temperature or the speed of the dryer.
If using a water based ink, ensure that the dryer has forced air. If the dryer does not have forced air then an additive will need to be added to the ink.
Discharge ink can be cured with a conveyor dryer. However, because of the water that is in the discharge ink a forced air dryer must be used.
The ink must be cured. There is no way around it. If the ink is not cured the ink will end up cracked and chipping. You will have returns. So make sure it is cured. You must test your prints again and again. You have no option but to get it right. As previously stated, check to see if plastisol inks are cured by stretching the shirt. While you are stretching the shirt you need to check for cracks on the surface. The ink will either stretch, crack or film split. If it stretches you did a good job.
Cracking and film split look similar, but they are not the same thing. Cracking means the ink did not cure. Film split means the ink is stretched well beyond its capabilities. The difference is that cracking ink will be all over the printing. It will be jagged. Film split will not be as prevalent.
Even though you stretch the shirt, all this really proves is that the top layer of ink has been cured. The bottom layer may not be cured. Wash the shirt a few times and see if it stands up to the washing machine. If it looks horrible then it didn’t cure well. Test. Test. Test.
It is easy to think that this is simply drying the ink. It is much more than that. It is part of an overall process. It is important. This may be the most important part. It is the final step. Customers are relying on a screen printer to ensure a great product. It cannot be stated enough, you need to test. Check the temperatures. Check that the underlayers are cured. If you don’t do this you will have problems.
]]>Screen printing kits have a lot of components. However, not all screen printing kits come with everything you need. Depending on who you talk to, they may have a different idea of what basic is. We’re going to define it first.
Basic screen printing kit - A group of screen printing tools that allow the user to print garments at a beginner level.
What this means is that the kit will not include equipment that can do 1000 shirt print runs in one hour. These kits are basic. You are going to print a few shirts to see if you like the concept of printing shirts. Once you have determined that you enjoy screen printing and want to take it to the next level you can purchase additional equipment. For now, let’s just look at the basic tools that you will need.
Screen - These screens can be made of aluminum or wood. They also come in a variety of sizes. With that being the case there are some common sizes for the beginning screen printer. They are 10” X 14”, and 16” X 20”. Most beginner kits do not bother with mesh count. They come with something that is adequate to print many shirts.
Screen Printing Tape - This tape is designed to tape the designed acetate sheet to the screen. It is typically blue. It is similar to painters tape.
Emulsion - A light sensitive coating that you apply to a screen prior to applying a film positive.
Squeegee - A device used to flood the screen with ink. It is used by either pushing or pulling the ink over the stencil. You will need multiple sizes and this depends on the screen size.
Emulsion Scoop Coater - A device used for spreading emulsion onto an empty screen.
Emulsion Remover - A substance spread over a screen that has dried emulsion on it in order to remove
Plastisol or Water Based Ink - You have your choice on which to use. Plastisol is the better choice because it is more durable. These come in a variety of colors.
Screen Printing Press or Clamps - A machine that allows the screen to be lowered onto a shirt. Start with a table-top or bench press and usually only with one color. The press will have a platen probably made of wood. If a screen printing machine is not available then you can use the clamps to hold the screen in place.
Heat Gun - A device forces air at a high temperature onto a substrate.
Acetate Sheets - Clear sheets used to print designs on as film positives.
This is the real question. Most of these items are indeed required for screen printing. However, many people have gotten by without certain objects. For example, a screen printing press is not required. It is just highly recommended. You could lay the screen on the object and print, but it would not be easy. It also doesn’t demonstrate the point of modern screen printing. This is why we’ve included it.
You don’t need a heat gun. The inks must be heat set to cure them. How you achieve this is up to you. A beginner could use a heat gun. However, this may not be a great option for some people. There are a number of ways to heat set and you can test them all out. You could even heat set a shirt in your own oven. Nonetheless, you will need a way to heat set your inks.
The rest of the items are necessary to screen printing.
After you’ve gotten the hang of screen printing with your basic screen printing kit you may want to move on to something a little more advanced. You want better equipment. You want to produce shirts faster or with better quality. You have two options for doing this. The first option is to purchase an intermediate screen printing kit. The second option is to begin replacing the equipment you already have piece by piece.
If you are going to purchase an intermediate screen printing kit then you need a reputable dealer to discuss your options. We recommend Lawson Screen and Digital. Here is a link to all of their screen printing kits.
They also sell individual pieces of equipment as well.
]]>Businesses can be ruthless. They don’t have friends. They are the enemy. Most screen printing companies operate this way. As they skillfully try to corner the market on decorated apparel they take no prisoners. This can be a fatal mistake for the modern screen printer. You can collaborate with your competition. Your business might be fantastic, but it can’t do everything. It might lack space. The expertise might not understand how to handle specific jobs. Cost may be an issue. You know what jobs you can take and what jobs you cannot take. You must contract out those orders that you cannot take. Your customers as well as yourself will be well served by developing a relationship with a competitor. It may allow you to offer more options to your customers.
Here’s a list of examples that screen printers are struggling with.
A good sized order had to be turned away because the customer wanted a ten color logo on their shirt, but the equipment only allowed six colors.
A customer got turned away because they only wanted 5 pieces. The store minimum was 10.
A customer was turned away because they wanted a sign, but the store only handles garments.
Customers get turned away. This happens in every business regardless of the industry. Companies can’t be everything to everybody. So the customer goes searching for a different printer. If you can’t handle a project, you risk losing the customer permanently. A customer might work with you regularly, but that one interaction may have sent your customer packing. If you had a relationship in place to handle the job then you could save the customer relationship. If you spend time working on communication with other screen printers then you may have an associate who could help you out in your time of need.
Find printers who can handle different volume orders. Find printers that can deal with complicated art separations. Find somebody for specialty prints. Make a list of things that your shop can’t do, and go find those people. Contact them when you need questions answered or can get you the help you need. You will have a better chance of keeping the customer if you are ready for a customer that needs something you can’t do.
If you develop a relationship with another business, the temptation to steal is minimized on both sides. If you can trust a competitor with your job, they can trust you with their job. If you can’t take on big orders then contract them out. Offer to take on another screen printer's small runs. If you do signs only, then contract out your garment prints. This may require a sales kit for both you and your competitor. One day you may be able to do those tasks easily, but until that day just keep building relationships.
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