[20vK]

Hey guys,

There's a chance I may have to move back to the UK. I'm limited for jobs that I can do (I can't sit at a desk for sustained periods before my back collapses and all my qualifications are desk- based), so I may actually have to start back up as a screen printer in Old Blighty!

I'm trying to get my head around the market, as I've been working off US prices mostly, here in the Caribbean.

What do you charge for printing only and screen prep?

I know VAT is probably charged on all supplies, so am just trying to get my head around profit margins to see if it is worth shipping my gear back home.... Or whether I should launch an axe into my epson 4900 printer, throw it in the dump and start a criminal career of some description. (Politics, for example.... Or perhaps work or a domestic spy agency).

Anyhoo, I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences - I'm used to tax free income, so I'm trying to work out if I can actually make a living with a manual press in the UK, or if I should just fold and give up my free spirit. VAT and tax - is it even possible. Tell me, people. Thx..... RR

 

[PatWibble]

Vat limit just under £80k so plenty of scope if customer supplies the garments. Not so good if you want to sell the shirt as well.
Vat is currently 20%.
Tax kicks in at 10k so not so good, but might get you over the first year.
Price wise there are lots of firms offering 100 white Gildan 5000 (about £1+ vat) shirts printed and delivered for £300 including screens and vat, so that sort of sets the price. A few do coloured shirts for that price (£1.30 +)
For print only (100 pieces +) you are probably looking at about £1 for the first colour, plus 50 - 60p for extra colours.
On small quantities (20 - 50) you will probably get £2 or £3 for first colour.
I swallow the screen price, but you may get £10 - 15.

Equipment is effing expensive- American presses cost the same in pounds as they do in dollars (+vat).
Most domestic equipment is average to crap.
Epson 1500 costs about £200+ vat.

 

[PhilR]

Patwibble is about right. My own price for 100 Gildan whites would be a few £ more but only because of courier costs. If you're running a manual press it really is as low as you can go. I don't really give much thought to VAT though. I haven't passed that reporting threshold yet so all VAT costs get passed to the customer by default. Once I do pass that threshold all that will really change is my tax reporting paperwork.

It is true about domestically produced equipment. I was lucky to get a RJennings press and Vastex dryer for good prices. Expect to spend at least 3k for a good, name brand entry leval press such as M&R's new Kruzer model.

 

[PatWibble]

Don't forget about 'Business Rates', the tax you pay on your premises, and 'Council Tax' on your home!
Business rates effectively work out at about an extra 45-50% of the rent ( smaller premises are exempt).
Council tax starts at about £1200pa for a one bed p!sshole above a chip shop, rising substantially for somewhere you'd actually want to live.

Thank god it don't rain!

 

[PhilR]

Lovely country, the U.K. All the **** you can eat.

Still, at least you can die in hospital without bankrupting your family. That comes later, with the funeral costs.

 

[PatWibble]

Are you still coming?

 

[PhilR]

Are you still coming?

I do exaggerate the horrors somewhat.

When looking for business premises you're probably best off looking into properties owned and leased through the local council as these often come with reduced costs.

 

[20vK]

Thanks guys,

That's been really helpful. Pretty hardcore with VAT, council tax and income tax all put together.

Perhaps I'll have to get a day job and re-start as a hobby....... Apart from 9 months where I was a head-hunter, I've always worked for myself (11 years). This is gonna be weird!

Thanks again

 

[PhilR]

I was working full time for most of the first year I started printing. It's certainly not a bad idea to have security while you're working on establishing a customer base.

Business rates in the UK do absolutely suck it is true, it's basically a tax on existing as a business if you need dedicated premises. But not all business premises are subject to them, I work from a large shared business complex in a converted mill building and most of the units aren't subject to rates. There's also various rate relief schemes available for small businesses. Also; local council-let commercial properties pay no VAT.