Hello,
I have been looking into starting up a screen printing opperation. I have done my research and have e-mailed people who are veterans of the screen printing industry, i.e. Robert Jennings. He gave me some prices and for a small business with a 2 color press was about $2500 and for a 4 color press would be around $3000. Both include a flash dryer. Are these estimates correct? Are there things that i could do without for a startup?
Thanks so much for all the help you have me. This is an awesome site.
You will also want to consider buying a dryer, screens, inks, squeegees, an exposure unit, an air compressor, a high pressure sprayer, this is not an inexpensive industry to do it well, JMHO
To clearify, the price above includes the following: 2 or 4 color press(2 color - $1520 and 4 color - $1820), flash dryer($650), exposure unit(materials $50-75), and start up supplies($400).
I wouldn't even attempt to run a commercial business with anything less than something similar to this: Premier Screen Shop Setup w/ 6 Color 4 Station Press. Using only a flash unit to cure, and a single station press will greatly limit your capabilities.
This is an expensive business indeed.
To what you have mentioned you have to add software like photoshop and illustrator, printer for positives, (I assume you already have a decent computer).
I don't think in the package you got the price for includes an exposure unit.
There is a lot of things you have to consider.
BUT if you start little by little, I think it is possible.
At first your shop will look more like a hobbyist than a serious shop, but it is doable.
Good luck
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As Jerry used to say : Profit is not a dirty word.
If you want to avoid start up costs, try contract printing. You will do the artwork and sales work, and your local screen printer will print the shirts for you. This contract pricing is lower because you are providing your own blanks shirts and you will usually provide enough work to keep them busy.
A flash dryer will not make you any money you will be standing there all day hoping that your shirts a cured get a real dryer
Well that is not really true. I used a flash dryer for several jobs until I got a "real dryer", which speed ups production. Many people here uses flash dryers for curing plastisol.
For someone just starting in a budget it is ok.
The first month I started screen printing I would cure inks with a heat gun !!
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As Jerry used to say : Profit is not a dirty word.
That is scary i was just saying if you going to do it buy a dryer to save you time. Also not have to be scared that your make shift table flash dryer doesn't cure the shirts right let alone burn your place down.
Did you really make alot of money with your flash unit?
Are you serious about making a LOT of money just for the fact of having a conveyor dryer? If so I could buy two more on my credit card.
I did say I have a conveyor dryer. But I doubt anyone trying to START might buy a dryer right from the beginning.
It speed up the process. Not doubt about it. And if you are serious about your business, you better get one as soon as you CAN.
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As Jerry used to say : Profit is not a dirty word.
Cost of Starting in Screen Printing 
