ChrisUCSB

Hi, great site you have here. Very informative.

My name is Chris and I attend the University of California, Santa Barbara. I'm involved in my school's Associated Students and our current project is developing a T-shirt printing business as a cheaper alternative for student organizations and made for students by students.

My part of the business plan is to figure out the finances involved in this project. I have all the accounting and money handling procedures outlined already but the price pointing should be is my main trouble. Here's what I have right now:

-The printing equip will cost about $2500-3000

-Our campus is very socially (and fashion) conscious and we wanted to use American Apparel. My search on the forum has shown that they should cost just a shade under $4 each wholesale. I couldn't find anything about Gildan's wholesale pricing and the representative I had on the phone was not too accommodating.

-Our campus is also strives very hard to be environmentally friendly. I was wondering, how many prints can a quart of ink do and what would a good quality ink cost per quart/shirt?

Basically I wanted to find out a pricing breakdown of all the components and how much a printed shirt would cost when done and how MSRP should be set.

Thank you for all your help and I will continue searching for answers on this awesome forum!

 

Reply With Quote

denck

Chris, Lets start off by answering one one your questions right off the bat-
1."how many prints can a quart of ink do?
That all depends on what type of print your doing ( big back- small front ) and what type of mesh (110 230 355) your going to use.
2. I know your looking for the best price on t-s so try these guys out.
www.sanmar.com www.bodeck&rhodes.com www.broderbros.com.
Set-up an account and like with any big business the more you order the better your prices are going to be. I know that if something cost you $4.00 it probably will cost me $2.00.

Screen supplies
http://www.midwestsign.com/locations/CA/california.asp
Midwest 1800- 824-2468 located in Hayward

3.What printing equipment are you buing? I know theres several printers in your area that probably have some equipment that their not using anymore or that can show you how to make something work
.
Homemade press--2 door hinges screwed down to a table top and attached to a screen..

Light table-- 500 watt worklight, some pvc pipe and a piece of glass.

Dryer
Propane shop heater
Hot plate
Heat gun
Hope this helps

__________________

 

Reply With Quote

ChrisUCSB

1. It will vary but for the purposes of the business plan, we'd like to get an estimate of a medium sized, front print. I believe we are looking at a 230 mesh.

2. Awesome sites, thanks! The majority of our orders are going to be ranging from 25 to ~150 providing mostly to student organizations and Greek life. Should we be keeping a small stock of the more generic colors? (Black, white, couple others)

3. We are going to be using a 4 station silk screen carousel. All the machine stuff is pretty much fixed cost I'm just mostly inquiring about the variable costs such as how long a quart would last for a medium print, 230 mesh.

Thanks so much. Any more info is greatly appreciated and welcome.

 

Reply With Quote

raziemlutto

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisUCSB Hi, great site you have here. Very informative. My name is Chris and I attend the University of California, Santa Barbara. I'm involved in my school's Associated Students and our current project is developing a T-shirt printing business as a cheaper alternative for student organizations and made for students by students. My part of the business plan is to figure out the finances involved in this project. I have all the accounting and money handling procedures outlined already but the price pointing should be is my main trouble. Here's what I have right now: -The printing equip will cost about $2500-3000 -Our campus is very socially (and fashion) conscious and we wanted to use American Apparel. My search on the forum has shown that they should cost just a shade under $4 each wholesale. I couldn't find anything about Gildan's wholesale pricing and the representative I had on the phone was not too accommodating. -Our campus is also strives very hard to be environmentally friendly. I was wondering, how many prints can a quart of ink do and what would a good quality ink cost per quart/shirt? Basically I wanted to find out a pricing breakdown of all the components and how much a printed shirt would cost when done and how MSRP should be set. Thank you for all your help and I will continue searching for answers on this awesome forum!

Hey Chris

Im a student at UCF in Orlando, Florida. although I already have a small shop setup. Im wondering if your business is something officially acknowleged by the school. in terms of vendor approval, logo licensing, approved by purchasing and business services.

I had an idea like yours, to be an official school t-shirt printer and not a "vendor" type. we do have a paper/poster print shop here that everyone at school has to go for printing, and thats what I want to be.

 

Reply With Quote

ChrisUCSB

Yes, it is officially recognized by the school as it is a start up under the Associated Students on campus. It's the student government that disburses money to student organizations and the like.

Logos are owned by the Regents of UC but since we are part of the school, it shouldnt be a problem getting them. The long term goal of this shop is to eventually provide and print every piece of apparel in the University Bookstore lowering overall prices and recycling money back into the school.

I have a couple friends out in UCF, Kirk and Walker. If you know them, send them my greetings

 

Reply With Quote