I realize that a large part of a screen printer's business is generated through word of mouth, but how did ya'll get started with a customer base? Advertising? Sponsorships? Publicity stunts? I suppose it is possible to get started purely on word of mouth. I could tell my mama, and she'd tell her friends, and her friends would tell their husbands who own business, etc. That method seems a little shaky though.
I told a co-worker who happened to have a graduation party
and needed t-shirts. Also he is in a triathlon team and would need at least 600 t-shirts for that event.
Then I told about my business to my mechanic, who ordered 60 t-shirts with his logo. Now he recommended me to some other businesses that he deal with
You could give out some shirts to friends & family. Then they will always think of you when someone starts talking about needing some shirts printed. Do some free shirts for a charity event or church.
I made cards with my info and always have them on me. I just leave them everywhere. Post Office, Gas station, Grocery . I give them to guy at office max print counter....just about anyone I come in contact with. You can't be shy. Act like your families well being depends on it and the fear of rejection goes away. Eventually people place orders and the steam roll starts. At some point everyone knows someone that needs shirts. Good Luck. Persistance Pays.
things have started slow for us as we really started this as a stepping stone to work into full time. but some of the things we have done to get our base is to make and wear many of the designs ourselves including our contracting biz. too my son has sponsered a skateboard event, given away several tees at our local race track as door prizes (they tell all who they came from) even giving a couple to one of the drivers, he also makes vinyl stickers of the biz name and i'd say most ok the skateboarders in 25 miles radius and many much farther as well. this is some of what we have done. gotta go. later
things have started slow for us as we really started this as a stepping stone to work into full time. but some of the things we have done to get our base is to make and wear many of the designs ourselves including our contracting biz. too my son has sponsered a skateboard event, given away several tees at our local race track as door prizes (they tell all who they came from) even giving a couple to one of the drivers, he also makes vinyl stickers of the biz name and i'd say most ok the skateboarders in 25 miles radius and many much farther as well. this is some of what we have done. gotta go. later
pictures of the artists are included in the large article found in the Style and Arts section of todays Boston Globe. Wonderful exposure for them and the industry as a whole. Enjoy!
-regina
Initial Customer Base 
Re: Initial Customer Base 
Huge Boston Globe Story today 7/25/08 
