When thinking about how to start your own business, without investing a substantial amount at the initial stage, think about organizing a modest enterprise producing original souvenir products.
It is about drawing patterns on clothes, mugs and textile bags. If you like the idea, then consider a business plan. Printing on T-shirts is only the beginning of the way, in the future you can well increase production capacities.
What is the benefit?
For all the seeming frivolity, this business brings a good income. Many young people love T-shirts and sweatshirts with funny inscriptions and stylish designs. This allows you to be individual and stand out from the crowd. And it’s impossible to make such a thing at home. So you have to look for small workshops in which they will help to transfer the image you like on the fabric.
In addition, printing on T-shirts and mugs is in demand among tourists. They want to take a souvenir from your place with them as a souvenir.
And in general, such products are considered good gifts. Lovers order T-shirts with their joint photographs, T-shirts with thematic drawings and humorous remarks present to birthday men, caring mothers and fathers, newlyweds. So without customers you will not stay.
Registration of the business
So, you decided to launch your line of souvenir products and made a business plan. Printing on T-shirts must be issued by registering as an individual entrepreneur. Organization of a limited liability company will cost you much more. And in the early stages, this approach is irrational.
At the same time, visit the tax office and register there. Consult a specialist regarding the selection of a suitable tax system.
We select a place
In order for the business to begin to pay off sooner, you need to choose the right location for your business. Clearly, the more crowded this place is, the better. If you are located in a popular shopping center, then they will quickly find out about you even without additional promotion. Good results are given by proximity to hotels, favorite tourist places.
You will not need a large room. Highlight the corner under the equipment for printing on t-shirts. Set up a table. Organize a space to receive visitors. So it will be easier for you to take orders. Keep your supplies at hand. The rest of the raw materials can be kept at home. In the future, with the growth of the enterprise, you will already think about the allocation of space for a warehouse, and about building up technical equipment.
T-shirt printing technology
Undoubtedly, you will need certain knowledge and skills. You must understand the types of print. This will help you make a list of the necessary equipment. And you will avoid many mistakes. After all, do you need a marriage at work?
So, there is a direct print on t-shirts. This method is widely used in replication. But you need to purchase a special screen device. The principle is that an image is applied to the t-shirt in series, layer by layer.
Since special paints are used in production, the output is products with an abrasion-resistant pattern. Such application of paints allows you to work with drawings of any complexity.And additional effects, for example, the use of luminous paints, metallic paints, foaming species, add to the attractiveness of things.
Another method is called "thermal transfer". He assumes that first the image is printed on a special medium. After that, a thermal transfer press is used. It is he who transfers the drawing to the fabric.
Transfer from the printer is the most popular technology. It is affordable, economical and allows you to work with photos, transferring them to T-shirts without loss of image quality.
In thermal transfer, the transfer source is either special paper or film. When working with the latter, you need a plotter.
The use of sublimation inks in the manufacturing process makes it possible to produce a print that is not afraid of washing, exposure to sunlight and abrasion. Sublimation printing on t-shirts has some limitations. It is used only when transferring the pattern to a synthetic light fabric. The content of synthetic fiber should be at least 60 percent.
We buy equipment
The cost of technical equipment of the enterprise is the largest. Equipment for printing on t-shirts includes:
- computer;
- inkjet or laser printer;
- replaceable cartridges;
- thermal press.
This list contains only a minimum of devices. It all depends on what printing technology and how much work you are aiming for.
If your task is not only the quick release of souvenirs, but also the replication of high-quality products with exclusive multi-color prints, then you will need to install an additional unit.
The direct printing on t-shirts already mentioned above is made on special equipment of the carousel type. The point is that the T-shirt is fixed on the table motionless, and then through the rotating forms on the product begin to apply colorful layers.
The main thing is to combine them correctly. This method allows you to run product replication. At the output, you get from fifty to one hundred thousand products. The cost of printing is low, but the quality is impeccable.
For printing on mugs, a conventional thermal press is not suitable. Need a so-called electric grill. Using a printer, an image is printed on media. A mug is placed in the electric grill bowl, and then, using high temperature, the drawing from the medium is transferred to the surface of the dishes.
When choosing equipment, carefully study the offers of suppliers. It is better, of course, to invest in professional devices from manufacturers. So you insure against possible downtime that may occur during unexpected breakdown of units.
Printing on T-shirts as a business requiring the smooth functioning of devices does not suffer time delays. The client who ordered your corporate logo shirts will not wait until you find the technicians for repairing thermal presses, order spare parts and make repairs.
He just finds another printer. But you will lose money and lose the reputation of a reliable partner. Therefore, carefully read the item on service and warranty service of the devices that you purchase.
And do not forget to get comfortable office furniture. Table, chairs, shelving for materials. Buy a graphic editor for the designer.
Consumables
Embed an article on supplies in your business plan. Printing on t-shirts is impossible without buying these same t-shirts. The wholesale price of simple base models is low. And it is better to immediately stop at a reliable supplier that guarantees quality goods, inexpensively and on time.
In addition, paints (cartridges) will need to be regularly purchased. As well as carriers for thermal transfer: paper or film is consumed quite quickly.
Staff
At the initial stage, two people will manage the enterprise.But if you intend not to stop at the level of a modest printing point, but to grow further, you will have to accept a manager on staff who will take orders and coordinate their execution. In addition, you will have to hire a designer to design exclusive drawings and inscriptions. And the number of technical personnel with the growth of production will have to increase.
Implementation methods
If you open a point for quick printing of orders, this is one thing. But if you intend to make big profits through sales of finished products, then consider ways to sell the goods. Their description should contain your business plan. Printing on T-shirts on an industrial scale will require the establishment of sales of manufactured products either through an online store or through the supply of goods to existing retail outlets that sell youth clothing. In addition, you yourself can open a souvenir shop or a boutique in which you will begin to sell T-shirts, T-shirts and sweatshirts with an original print.
