Just making an observation. I saw an ad on CL for 100 screen printed Tees for $300 with no setup, screen or shipping fees. That's $3 each. I've seen a few ads like that on CL and eBay and also noticed the local screen printers are almost working for nothing.
I sold my screen printing equipment to focus on digital and sublimation because there was just no money in screen printing. I figured I'd use plastisol transfers for any screen printing jobs, but I'm finding that the local printers are printing shirts cheaper than Ace is printing transfers. First Edition has much better pricing, but it's still hard to compete with the local printers unless quantities are over 50.
Comments? Are price wars cutting into your profits in your area?
I don't know that you could ever compete with screen printers with only a heat press. But you can do things with a heat press that they can't. Maybe you should focus on selling ones and twos instead of huge quantities.
But yes, screen printing is a cut throat business. The best thing to do in any cut throat business is to find a niche market and stick to it.
__________________ ScreenPrintH2O.com - An Online Community of Waterbased Screen Printers SignAmigo.com - An Online Community of Sign Makers.
I let those people cut each others throat. Most the stuff they print is crap. We specialize in specialty inks, lots of discharge and other soft hand styles, and a QUALITY PRINT and On TIME. The other people can nickle and dime each other to oblivion.
Maybe you should focus on selling ones and twos instead of huge quantities.
That's exactly what I've decided to do. With the economy in a downward spiral, I was Just wondering if other areas of the country are seeing the same thing.
I let those people cut each others throat. Most the stuff they print is crap. We specialize in specialty inks, lots of discharge and other soft hand styles, and a QUALITY PRINT and On TIME. The other people can nickle and dime each other to oblivion.
This was my approach with screen printing as well, but people are more concerned with price these days than quality. I've seen some of the cheap prints and they are pretty bad, but the customers keep going back for the price. A friend is having 6 colors on gray and black shirts done for $4.50 each in lots of 72.
Really, that price isn't bad if it's a 1 color print and it DIDN'T include shipping or set-up.
Really, 100 shirts would take about 30 minutes to count, set-up, fold and get out the door. Now, of course art is extra, but not with these people.
Yeah, they are cutting their throats, but hey, let them work for nothing, I have money to make and a house to pay for.
I do love people that cherry pick a few items and claim there is no money to be made in screen printing anymore. THE SKY IS FALLING!!! We seem to be doing just fine.
Well, some of them know what seconds or irregs are, remember that Seinfeld episode where George keeps trying to give that sweater with the red ink dot on the inside as a gift. Busted...every time.
Fred's probably right, it's a leader. You'll still make money at that price, but not what you could make if you sell them on a bunch of add-ons.
Screen Printing Competition 
Re: Screen Printing Competition 
