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Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?



 
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Old June 24th, 2008 Jun 24, 2008 5:20:33 PM -   #1 (permalink)
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Default Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

Just wondering. I am not too good with separations, process color etc. I basically do 1 and 2 color jobs every once and a while for local bands and church , etc. What I want to know is if anyone makes money just doing 1 and 2 colors jobs full time for daycares, camps, small companies etc.. I live in a huge metro area with over 3 million people. I figure if I do about 100 shirts a day I can get that extra cash I need to not lose my house this year. And maybe pay my bills on time for a change.
 
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Old June 24th, 2008 Jun 24, 2008 6:05:12 PM -   #2 (permalink)
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Default Re: Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

I am sure it is very possible. Just have to go out there and get the business. everyone wants shirts right?

Seriously there are a lot of places that do only and 2 color stuff around me and they are making money. Just have to ask for th business and let them know you are there if they do not already

Good luck, the economy is tough everywhere right now but just work at it and you will do fine
 
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Old June 24th, 2008 Jun 24, 2008 6:42:01 PM -   #3 (permalink)
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Default Re: Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

you will get rich... .. no kidding...
 
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Old June 24th, 2008 Jun 24, 2008 6:52:02 PM -   #4 (permalink)
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Default Re: Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

Thanks, I'm not looking to get rich. Just pay my escalating Bills on time for once. My mortgage has almost double in last few years and I need to step up my game. Anyone have a good rule of thumb for charging the right amount per shirt to hook the business. I have no problem knocking on doors. How much profit per shirt should I shoot for?
 
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Old June 24th, 2008 Jun 24, 2008 7:14:38 PM -   #5 (permalink)
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Default Re: Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

You have to decide what your time is worth as well as utilities and such
once you come up with what you need to make then go from there, remember do not undercut yourself.
A friend of mine was trying to get a job, not shirts but would end up making $9 I told her if it was me it would not be worth it but you have to decide for yourself. And I am not sure if this happens a lot on here but many times here, people will tell you they plan on buying a lot more later so they can get a good price from the start, do not believe it, tell them when they come back with the other orders you will diso**** it then if you choose to discount.

Ok I have rambled enough, but people will try to get one over on you, but it is not always about being the cheapest. everyone including your client wants to make money or they would not go to work, and that is waht you are doing. Working
 
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Old June 24th, 2008 Jun 24, 2008 10:52:03 PM -   #6 (permalink)
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Default Re: Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

I agree with Chris people always want to beat you down on price. I refuse to allow this and I tell them when they can go to Mcdonalds and negotiate the price of lunch then and only then will I negotiate my price. They say so an so is cheaper,I respond by i understand and you need to do what is best for you. the other one is my last guy charged me this,i always wnder why they just don't go there, their must be a reason. I will close by saying PROFIT IS NOT A DIRTY WORD. ... Good luck.... JB
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Old June 25th, 2008 Jun 25, 2008 12:13:21 AM -   #7 (permalink)
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Default Re: Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

once you figured out your pricing... then you need to stay and "defend" your price....if you give quote to a customer and customer walks away, when he comes back.. quote him double.
 
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Old June 25th, 2008 Jun 25, 2008 12:23:52 AM -   #8 (permalink)
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Default Re: Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by frankiko
if you give quote to a customer and customer walks away, when he comes back.. quote him double.
Or... act professionally like a reasonable adult. Your choice
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Old June 25th, 2008 Jun 25, 2008 5:53:41 AM -   #9 (permalink)
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Default Re: Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Solmu
Or... act professionally like a reasonable adult. Your choice
I agree you don't want to insult a customer for any reason. I have some I would like too. A happy customer will tell maybe 5 people,but a unhappy customer will tell 25 people. Your actions can and will affect your reptutation. .... JB
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Old June 25th, 2008 Jun 25, 2008 10:19:11 AM -   #10 (permalink)
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Default Re: Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

A very vague example is lets say you want to make a minimum of $5 profit per shirt and you make 100 shirts a day Mon-Fri that is $2500 a week profit. Not sure what your business expenses/overhead are but 2500/week isn't too shabby. Its just an example. Good Luck!
 
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Old June 25th, 2008 Jun 25, 2008 11:23:39 AM -   #11 (permalink)
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Default Re: Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

A $ 5 profit sounds great. I was thinking a $ 2.50 profit was great. The big shops charge about $ 5 a shirt for 50 , 1 color shirts. I just wanted to be in the ballpark.
 
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Old June 25th, 2008 Jun 25, 2008 12:18:53 PM -   #12 (permalink)
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Default Re: Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

$5 is doable, if you have to charge that much to get the job and it's worth your time. Average quality T typically costs under $2, and ink isn't much. So you can make your $2.50. Seems like a lot of work for that $2.50 tho. The bigger shops buy much larger quantites, so cheaper shirts, and they use automatic presses, so much faster and cheaper production time.

I specialized in LOW quantity jobs... would even do a single shirt, and it was typically worth while. Our average was more like 6-12 shirts. Of course, I don't make a screen "regular way" either, as I use the XpresScreen setup for 1-2 color jobs.
 
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Old June 25th, 2008 Jun 25, 2008 12:26:55 PM -   #13 (permalink)
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Default Re: Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mnapuran
$5 is doable, if you have to charge that much to get the job and it's worth your time. Average quality T typically costs under $2, and ink isn't much. So you can make your $2.50. Seems like a lot of work for that $2.50 tho. The bigger shops buy much larger quantites, so cheaper shirts, and they use automatic presses, so much faster and cheaper production time.

I specialized in LOW quantity jobs... would even do a single shirt, and it was typically worth while. Our average was more like 6-12 shirts. Of course, I don't make a screen "regular way" either, as I use the XpresScreen setup for 1-2 color jobs.

Glad you mentioned Xpress Screen, I just posted a new thread on that. Do you like it? Any problems creating screens that way?
 
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Old June 25th, 2008 Jun 25, 2008 12:28:51 PM -   #14 (permalink)
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Default Re: Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

I may have already replied in your other thread then...
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Old June 25th, 2008 Jun 25, 2008 12:31:16 PM -   #15 (permalink)
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Default Re: Can You make a descent living just printing 1 and 2 color jobs ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mnapuran
I don't make a screen "regular way" either, as I use the XpresScreen setup for 1-2 color jobs.
What's the xpresscreen setup?
 
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