Hello I am thinking about starting a T Shirt business and I am doing some research. I am curious to find out if there are any other business opportunities out there such as Press A Print? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I'm familiar with Press-a-Print and while they are a great company with lots of friendly people, I feel their products are sub-par and their services are way overpriced. As far as something similar, it really depends on what your main objectives are. Press-a-Print and similar companies specialize in promotional products. You mentioned that you wanted to start a t-shirt business. The best options for you really depend on exactly what your plans are. If you could be a bit more specific, I'm sure plenty of folks here would be glad to give you their opinion.
I know of their operation. I would suggest you do a little research here for what you need and get a load of info. I know people who spent a ton of money that could have gone for other things. Thay are a great way to get into business if you don't want to do a little work first to get info. Just be careful.. Lou
__________________ There is a center to everything.. I found mine at.. www.heatpressessentials.com TEE SQUARE IT, LOGO IT! TEE PAD IT!www.tbiz101.com (New)Heat Transfer Education
I am a press a printer as well, and yes they are more expensive but they do have good customer support and tons of people that belong that help each other out.
I agree you need to decide what you want, but for me if it had not been for press aprint I would not be where I am today. Now I do the screen printing (with the press a print equipment as well as pad printing) sublimation, direct to garment, vinyl and just got the versacamm. I am very happy with my decision.
I am glad that I went with them, they do tell you up front that there is other stuff out there and that they are not the cheapest but they do tell you mainly what you are buying other than the equipment and getting started is the customer support and other benefits that we get.
Thank you all for your responses I really appreciate your feedback. I guess what intrigues me most about Press A Print is the support and training they offer. I am sure i can get the equipment at a better price than by going with PAP, but if I dont know how to use the equipment than it does me no good. I owned a business for several years and had to learn a lot of it as I went along so I guess I am trying to shorten that learning curve somewhat.
I bought from Press-A-Print a few months ago. If you are looking for support and training they are the way to go. I attended a week long training at their facility in Idaho and it was so informative and hands on. If you ever have problems rather it be art questions, printing issues, finding specific products - they have staff that will assist with all this and lots more. I had never screen printed or pad printed prior to this but now I can do it all and I know that if I have problems they are there to help me. It is quite pricey, but it is well worth it when you consider all the support that comes with it.
Again, what is it that you are specifically wanting to accomplish? There are ALLOT of options in this industry, and while I have no experience with PAP I think you should explore pretty deeply before you spend your money.
Do you have a business plan? That's a good place to start, then make sure whatever you purchase fits the plan. I know some people create their business plans around a particular piece of equipment, but I tend to think it's better to define you're market and your products first, then find equipment that fits well with that plan.
I know alot of you PAP members love it and that is fine...I have a customer that also bought into that business...I'll just say that when he came to Lawson to take our training-he really didnt know much about printing-He took the training from PAP, he said he wasnt impressed and calls me with questions for his printing and sublimation now...He said he wishes he found us first.
Yes, PAP is just a preference. I too have gone through the training at Lawson and that is when I really decided I wanted to get into screenprinting. It was a great class! However, that was many years back and financially I couldn't do it at the time. Now it was an issue of the space required for all the equipment and PAP fit the bill. Lawson's has reasonable pricing on there equipment. I will be using them for supplies.
I've heard that PAP is pretty expensive for what you get. I do understand the space issue, anyone who is planning to do printing should really research everything really well before spending the $$$ I dont know about PAP's support...but Lawson's is really great, trust me, I am one of the support people, and I've taught Textile Tech, I have customers call me every day for help with artwork and technical questions, I have had people struggling with artwork and most of the time if they cant get it right, I do it for them. Will PAP do that? I dont really know much about them, just what I have seen on the website-and what my customer has told me.
Thank you all for your time, input, and opinions. I truly do appreciate it and its why I am truly thankful I found this site. I guess to answer some common questions: I am looking to do heat transfers (both custom and ordered), vinyl applications (decals, signs, and t-shirts), and basic screen printing initially. Priced individually I am sure I can find them at a less expensive price than going through PAP. But they have said their value is in what they offer other than equipment. Its the training, support, ability to outsource at preferred rates, website, and to have better buying power by being a part of their group. I am a hands on person when it comes to learning and the training offered by other sources would almost nulify the savings on the equipment. I am still researching on all avenues that is why I posted originally. Who better to ask than people who have done it already? Thanks again everybody!!!
I've heard that PAP is pretty expensive for what you get. I do understand the space issue, anyone who is planning to do printing should really research everything really well before spending the $$$ I dont know about PAP's support...but Lawson's is really great, trust me, I am one of the support people, and I've taught Textile Tech, I have customers call me every day for help with artwork and technical questions, I have had people struggling with artwork and most of the time if they cant get it right, I do it for them. Will PAP do that? I dont really know much about them, just what I have seen on the website-and what my customer has told me.
They really do help. I was glad I went with them, I do know of someone that went with them and then got started really good and then bought other equipment (auto) but they print about 250,000 shirts just for one company.
Press A Print 
