[Royaltees]

This is my first post and I have to say, this is an awesome forum!

I own a coffee shop I want to screen print my own t-shirts. I just want a very basic package consisting of a 6 color, 1 or 2 station screen printer, exposure unit, cure unit and some supplies.There are quite a few manufacturers out there and I was wondering if anyone had any advice on which one provides the best package for the money?

 

[HelpRunMyShop]

Question you just want to print your shirts or print shirts for a living?

 

[Royaltees]

I want to do it just to print the shirts for my coffee shop, however, the employee that I have that wants to do it wants to help supplement his income and possibly do it for a living.

 

[HelpRunMyShop]

Screen Printing can be a big learning curve you could spend alot of money before you turn a profit. If you just want shirts for your shop i would look for a screen printer in your area to do them.

 

[kylerogers]

I just financed a Brown Pony Xprs. You get probably the nicest entry level conveyor dryer in the market, and then the press uses the dryer for it's base. The press is about a grand cheaper than similar presses from other companies, since it doesn't have it's own base. Plus it takes up only half as much room, since they are stacked on top of each other! They upgraded my dryer to include forced air for only $100 extra too, so I'll be able to do discharge inks.

They have a variety of full packages, plus they'll come down a lot on the price if you go to a show and talk to them in person.

I started out with a $1,000 startup package last August. It included a 2 day class in Atlanta and a bunch of supplies, and some hobby grade equipment. I also bought a cheapo Logos press. I wanted to try it out for a while before I bought something big.

 

[tpitman]

I want to do it just to print the shirts for my coffee shop, however, the employee that I have that wants to do it wants to help supplement his income and possibly do it for a living.

I'd let the employee buy the press, then pay him to print your shirts if he ever learns to do it decently.

I bought my press from an "employee" whose boss set him up with probably $15,000 worth of equipment, all bought at a show. They must've been like kids in a candy store. When the employee got tired of the t-shirt business because "it was hot and they were too tired at night from their real job to print", they sold off the equipment and their boss, who put up the money, took it in the shorts. I got a 4-month old $4500 press for $3000. They sold a $3500 dryer for $2500. If I'd been the boss and put up the money, the "employee" would've been looking for a new "real" job.

Just a word to the wise.

 

[HelpRunMyShop]

Screen Printing is so messy i just dont see a coffee shop and screen printing shop in the same building working out

 

[knifemaker3]

You might also want to check with your health inspectors if you have any to make sure you can do that in your location. As has been said, printing is messy, not to mention the chemicals used. Not sure inspectors would like that around a place selling beverages to the public.

Just a thought to hopefully keep you out of trouble.

Craig

 

[Royaltees]

You might also want to check with your health inspectors if you have any to make sure you can do that in your location. As has been said, printing is messy, not to mention the chemicals used. Not sure inspectors would like that around a place selling beverages to the public.

Just a thought to hopefully keep you out of trouble.

Craig

Oh no, I'm not going to do it at my shop. It is way to nice of a place. I was going to let him do it in my shed in the back of my house. I was also just looking at a very simple 6 color/ 1 station press, curing unit & exposing unit package for around $2500.00 by Ranar. Nothing too elaborate.

 

[tpitman]

You might want to look for a used press, a used flash dryer and make your own exposure unit. Check out craigslist, the classifieds here and those over at Screenprinters.net. You could probably set yourself up for around $1500 or less with some decent used equipment.