[SethDupe]

Starting a small business:

So I'm currently very close to having enough money to purchase my 16x20 MAXX heat press by Stahls and I was in need of some guidance and assistance as to the steps I need to go through on kickstarting my business.

Things I would like to know:

1. What licences I need.

2. How to get a state tax ID.

3. Other Equipment I'll need (besides the heat press)

4. Any Other useful information I would need to know.

Thank you in advanced for any replies I may receive. I'm just looking for guidance to steer me down the right path. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[Doug78]

The licenses and stuff depend on what state you're in. Best bet is to go to your states website and look at the business info and it should lead you in the direction you need to go to get what you need.

The other bit of advice I can offer is research, read, research, read, research, read and then once you've done that a lot and you think you're ready then do it a little more.

This forum and the internet in general have tons of info and will be your best friend in your journey.

 

[BrianHahn]

What kind of pressing are you going to do? Heat transfer vinyl or sublimation perhaps? If heat transfer vinyl, you will need a vinyl cutter. If sublimation, you will need a printer and transfer sheets.

 

[SethDupe]

What kind of pressing are you going to do? Heat transfer vinyl or sublimation perhaps? If heat transfer vinyl, you will need a vinyl cutter. If sublimation, you will need a printer and transfer sheets.

I'm looking to use screen printed plastisol transfers. That way I get screen printing quality without the cost of the whole screen printing machine and all the setup that goes with it...I was thinking as long as I'm going with bigger orders it will save me money and yield more profit.

 

[NoXid]

I'm looking to use screen printed plastisol transfers. That way I get screen printing quality without the cost of the whole screen printing machine and all the setup that goes with it...I was thinking as long as I'm going with bigger orders it will save me money and yield more profit.

This is a smart approach in terms of avoiding a lot of upfront equipment costs and in not requiring a lot of space. If I had gone this route, I would have been selling shirts the past 6 months rather than still building equipment and space and getting all the physical stuff ready. But I was set on using discharge rather than Plastisol, so couldn't take the easier route.

I agree with everything Doug78 said.

I know the cost per unit goes down the more transfers you order, but don't dump too much money into an order of any one transfer until you see how well they print it and how well you are able to apply it. It may take you a while to refine your designs, find a good company to print the transfers, and learn good transfer application technique--so assume you will be wasting some materials and money upfront getting all that dialed in before you start selling anything.

 

[binki]

You can get an EIN for free from the IRS.

Your state may require a sellers permit if there is sales tax.

Your county may require property tax and permits. If you are not a registered entity (DBA, Sole Prop) then you will register with the county. There are some exceptions.

Your city and/or county will want a business license fee.

There may also be other fees/taxes involved from whatever government agency comes along.

Good Luck.

 

[JCS2013]

Thats such a small business to start with you should just skip all that official stuff. Make the cash, keep it, don't do anything else until you really get a leased space and need to show sales.