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bubba35 · October 15th, 2007

Sounds like fun Fred.My first builing was an old bank built in the 1890's.Leaked like a flour seive when it rained.But for $125 a month, couldn't cry too much.

Have left the bank and the roaches behind.But still keep that overhead low.

Scrnprntmom · October 19th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by embloom


	I'm sure you know that you are being helpful to those of us who are just starting up. But, I think you may not realize to what degree. The first hand knowledge & advice you offer is so truly invaluable to so many; and not just monetarily. Think about all the trials & tribs and stress you're sparing the inexperienced. You're doing a good thing and I'd like you to know it's noted and appreciated. Mike

I totally agree! This site is invaluable. I might also suggest...DON'T do a 4 color job as your first job and, even if you need the $$ don't take on too many jobs on too tight a deadline. Trust me, I know!!

karlking85 · October 22nd, 2007

I wish I had known about this forum a couple years ago.

I wish I had learned more about web design and SEO when I set up my first website a few years back. But I pretty much just slapped it together and said, "Ta-dah!" lol Not pretty.

batikdruid · October 27th, 2007

One thing I didn't count on was my merchant account/cc authorization company (maybe the biggest one of all) ripping me off of almost $1500.00. Even though I paid every month for their ccard authorization and fraud protection, apparently they wanted me to pay their new much higher monthly price to ACTUALLY curb that little 'fraud' thing. Just beware, if they allow attempts and attacks on your account, you have to pay the transaction fees, they won't do anything about it, so keep a close eye on any attempts to have robots or hacks attack your account.

authenticboricua · October 27th, 2007

Some good info here. My advice is to start out with a small amount of designs, maybe 10-15. Get them printed in a small qty. Do some test markets. Find your market/niche. You'll need approx 10K in start up cost. Should def. do a business plan. Get your clothes into stores on consignment etc. . . .

SevenKrew · October 30th, 2007

Its seems as if i can invision the shape of things to come. I believed at first the production of T-shirts and Selling wouldnt be that hard. But from posts I have read, now realize that there is a pyramid of information that begins at my head and travels upside down above me, growing daily. Im gonna need more cash...

Scrnprntmom · October 30th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by SevenKrew


	Its seems as if i can invision the shape of things to come. I believed at first the production of T-shirts and Selling wouldnt be that hard. But from posts I have read, now realize that there is a pyramid of information that begins at my head and travels upside down above me, growing daily. Im gonna need more cash...

You will ALWAYS need more cash!!!

Solmu · October 30th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by SevenKrew


	Im gonna need more cash...

That's pretty much standard for starting any business

allan46 · October 31st, 2007

Having been on the journey of selling t-shirts for about one year. Several things are clear to me given what my experience has been. Some of which has been already stated.

Pre- planning is critical. Talk to as many people as possible who have experience.
If your intuition tells you, this business or person is not where I need to buy my supplies, don't.
Run the other way if they try to pass off products that are inferior.
Again , run away fast if they continue to miss deadlines. Continuing to believe that it will get better, means it usually doesn't and you are paying the price!
For me, I should have worked another job, and started out more slowly to avoid cash flow crunch.
Find yourself a mentor. This forum is unbelievabLE ! but find someone you can talk to on a regular basis who has experience and knowledge and is a person who is open to advising ,it is CRITICAL !
Learn about Guerilla Marketing.
Do regular assessments of where you and the business are . This needs to be set in stone. Regualar intervals and asking the rights questions.

dan-ann · November 1st, 2007

Why are you questioning your choice off starting with a heat press? I have my own embroidery business and am considering adding a heat press and transfers to expand my business

dmm26 · November 1st, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan-ann


	Why are you questioning your choice off starting with a heat press? I have my own embroidery business and am considering adding a heat press and transfers to expand my business

I originally thought rather than get a whole bunch of shirts screen printed and find out they don't sell. It would be better to get a press and do transfers that way I'm only out the cost of the transfers if they don't sell.

Now I have a ton of transfers sitting around and I'm running out of space to put them. It's not that they aren't selling I've just been adding new designs and ordering more transfers.

I think all in all a heat press is a good way to go.

Again I'm glad to see that this has helped so many people.
I really didn't think me venting my frustrations would help so many people.
I was so pissed off when i started this thread because of a shipment I had been waiting for, for like 3 weeks had been shipped back to the factory because of an error on the factory's end. I then had to wait another 3 weeks

Schizm · November 2nd, 2007

I have been researching and thinking about "going for broke" with the t shirt business for years now. On Oct. 1, I woke up and got off my ***.

Funny, of all times, I have a beautiful fiancé(e) who is 8 months pregnant with my first and only son. On top of that I'm in a band that is fairly well know here in FL and, add to the fact that we are in the studio recording right now.

Got off subject there....but anyway, I just rented a 1250 SF warehouse with a bay door. I did this to start the company, and to have a professional recording studio for our band.

I am around 20K deep right now and haven't printed a thing in my life. (Just waiting for my Ryonet 6 station). Only thing is, when I set my mind to something, I do it. Full bore. I am (was) not worried about "coming in hot" to this business. This thread and the site, has put me, not so much in check, but, made me even more confident that I have done things right up to this point. I have been successful in other large businesses, and the info that the others are giving on startups, is so correct.

I have general business knowledge, but NO screen printing knowledge, other than ALL of the research that I have done for years. With this site though, nothing is out of reach.

There are Pros in here. I can see it. I only hope that, after all of my trial and error, I can gain the knowledge and respect of the majority of the previous posters.

You have to will it, and be adamant about success. Giving up is for puss**s.

Unless you go broke.

I will be strictly web based with my own dedicated site that will go live before 11/24/2007.

I TRULY appreciate all of you here and look forward to reading more, as I have been for the last 3 days non stop.

Not kissing ***, just showing respect.

Peas,

Schizm

bubba35 · November 3rd, 2007

Go for it!!! I did the same thing.I only had a basic knowledge of screen printing when i started 10 years ago.

To start,dont spend money advertising in the local market. You cant compete with the pros yet.Use word of mouth, and network among friends and aquaintances.

Keep your work simple.If a customer brings you something you cant do,be honest and send them elsewhere.

Dont rely on the web.Network your friends,as they will bring you repeat business.

Scrnprntmom · November 3rd, 2007

Agree 100%. We're forced to go for broke, as my dear hubby lost his job and we have a family of 6 to support

. Thank God for credit cards. But we're slowly doing it. Word of mouth, baby, word of mouth and flyers...so far, so good.

kippygirl12 · November 9th, 2007

Hi, I agree, great post!

I started my t-shirt business in March of 07', here are some things I learned as well.

1) I set an initial investment of $3000 and yes, ended up spending $6000 in the first 6 months. , the remaining $3000 from profits turneed back into the business. It goes without saying.

2) The larger sizes sell the most, L, 1X, 2x, so stock extra of those.

3) I keep all my shirts seperated in white plastic tubs and each tub labeled for easy access. This works great!

4) Start with only doing WHITE shirts, to keep cost down, then add color shirts later as you progess.

5) Buy supplies in large amounts to save on shipping charges, such as t-shirts and transfers.

6) Economize where you can...such as kids shirts don't require an entire full transfer sheet, divide it...and create 2 designs, save the other one for a later sale in a plastic bag/tub.

7) I order t-shirts from Jiffy.com, great place to get them from and Transfers from ProWorld.

I have both an Ebay store and Website and average approximately $1200/month in sales being a newbie. I specialize in Nurse, Student Nurse, Respiratory therapy t-shirts. My sales increase monthly. Plus, I sell outside the website to friends and nurses.

It's easy, fun and you can be creative. I create all my own designs and graphics and have put approx. 2500 hours into doing this and 944 different designs. It was fun and relaxing coming up with new ideas...now, I just sit back and wait for sales to roll in while I sleep and while at my day job. It's my RETIREMENT funder! Or, buys the gas for my car...hahaha.

My profit generally works out to $10 a shirt, after figuring in t-shirt, transfer, ink, mailer, shipping etc. It is usually always $10 profit. Not bad for approx 1 minute of work per shirt.

I recently added a little shop on Cafepress.com and UGH! Their system is NOT user friendly, the profits are poor and adding shirts to the system is a ONE SLOW PROCESS. I gave it up and have no regrets.

Any questions? Hey, I'm easy going and would love to help anyone that needs help. I'm a nurse by day.

Gail

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