hobby

I have a question for someone who has had some success. If you were starting right now and under a budget what type of printing would you start with and then hopefully build upon. Would you start with a heat press and transfers, vinyl? I have some ideas that I believe can get me some free publicity and therefore business once I get started.

Concerning credit cards I can recommend verisign.

 

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Artwear By Alida

Quote: Originally Posted by hobby I have a question for someone who has had some success. If you were starting right now and under a budget what type of printing would you start with and then hopefully build upon. Would you start with a heat press and transfers, vinyl? I have some ideas that I believe can get me some free publicity and therefore business once I get started. Concerning credit cards I can recommend verisign.

I personally, having worked in the biz since the time of the dark room and the Andy Warhol method, would buy one of those inkjet type printers which injects the ink right into the shirts...there is also getting to be more affordable organic cotton clothing on the market and then go to some of the trade shows first before you buy. Make sure you can get parts, see how much the inks cost, and make a business plan (you can buy business plan software). A business plan is essential.

Most small businesses fail in the first five years because of undercapitalization.

I just love the inkjet shirts...they are soft and don't crack. If I love a t-shirt, the worst thing is having the thing crack over time.

And you can do them in a small space instead of needing space for four + color printers.

Most people want to throw their t-shirts in the dryer...and a dryer is a killer to plastisol and heat press printing.

Make sure your workspace is vented properly so you don't breathe in all the fumes.

A great deal depends on who your target markets are going to be.

And also, what software you are going to use with your equipment...Corel Draw, Illustrator, whatever....

But, that is what I would do. I hate it when I see a cool t-shirt at the Goodwill store and it's all cracked up and it's a classic t-shirt like the Rolling Stones "Sticky Fingers".

A business plan is totally essential and working within the budget.

Get thee to a trade show.
Go check out different successful printing companies.
See what they are doing.

It's always best to have worked for a company before you get into the business.

But, that's just my two cents worth.

And your illustrator has to be good.

Without a really good graphic designer, I don't think anyone does well in the long run.

Good luck.

__________________
"The t-shirt is my canvas."

 

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maddog9022

Quote: Originally Posted by Artwear By Alida I personally, having worked in the biz since the time of the dark room and the Andy Warhol method, would buy one of those inkjet type printers which injects the ink right into the shirts...there is also getting to be more affordable organic cotton clothing on the market and then go to some of the trade shows first before you buy. Make sure you can get parts, see how much the inks cost, and make a business plan (you can buy business plan software). A business plan is essential. Most small businesses fail in the first five years because of undercapitalization. I just love the inkjet shirts...they are soft and don't crack. If I love a t-shirt, the worst thing is having the thing crack over time. And you can do them in a small space instead of needing space for four + color printers. Most people want to throw their t-shirts in the dryer...and a dryer is a killer to plastisol and heat press printing. Make sure your workspace is vented properly so you don't breathe in all the fumes. A great deal depends on who your target markets are going to be. And also, what software you are going to use with your equipment...Corel Draw, Illustrator, whatever.... But, that is what I would do. I hate it when I see a cool t-shirt at the Goodwill store and it's all cracked up and it's a classic t-shirt like the Rolling Stones "Sticky Fingers". A business plan is totally essential and working within the budget. Get thee to a trade show. Go check out different successful printing companies. See what they are doing. It's always best to have worked for a company before you get into the business. But, that's just my two cents worth. And your illustrator has to be good. Without a really good graphic designer, I don't think anyone does well in the long run. Good luck.

if your talking dtg printig, that isn't a good solution for a budget.

what fumes are you talking about. i have never heard or had to deal with any fumes.

i have also never had problems with plastisolor vinyl cracking.

 

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