Custom screen printing is a popular method of creating personalized t-shirts, hats, and other clothing items. This technique involves using a method of transfering a design or image onto the fabric. While this particular method offers several advantages, it also has some disadvantages to consider. In this article, we’ll explore both the pros and cons and compare it to other popular methods, such as DTG and DTF applications

Advantages:

1. Cost-effective: it’s a cost-effective method of producing t-shirts and other clothing items in bulk. The cost per unit decreases as the quantity of the order increases, making it an ideal choice for large-scale orders.
2. Durable: Screen printing designs are more durable than other methods, such as DTF. The ink used in this type of application is thicker and more concentrated, resulting in a design that is less likely to fade or peel over time.
3. Vibrant colors: It can produce vibrant and bold colors that are difficult to achieve with other methods. This is particularly useful when creating custom t-shirts or other items that need to stand out and grab attention.
4. Versatility: It can be used on a wide range of materials, including cotton, polyester, and nylon. This makes it a popular choice for creating custom patches and logos that can be attached to different clothing items.

Disadvantages:

1. Limited detail: It’s not the best option for designs with intricate details or small text. The process involves creating a stencil of the image, which limits the amount of detail that can be included in the finished product.
2. Time-consuming: It can be a time-consuming process, particularly for large orders. Each color in the design requires a separate set up, which must be created and aligned properly before running the actual T-shirt.
3. Large minimum orders: Many shops have a minimum order requirement, which can be a disadvantage for those who only need a small quantity of items.

DTG Printing vs. Custom Screen Printing

Direct-to-garment printing is an alternative to conventional methods that uses a specialized ink jet head to apply the designs directly onto a tee shirt or other garment. While DTG printing offers several advantages, including the ability to apply highly detailed designs, there are also some drawbacks to consider.

Advantages of DTG Printing

1. Highly detailed designs: Direct to film applications can produce highly detailed designs that are difficult to achieve with conventional methods. This is because the ink jet head can print in much finer detail than other methods.
2. Short turnaround times for digital: DTG and DTF can be a faster process than regular methods, particularly for small orders. The design is applied directly onto the garment, eliminating the need for a separate set up.
3. No minimum orders: Many companies do not have a minimum order requirement, making it a great option for those who only need a small number of items produced.

Disadvantages:

1. Limited color range: This method is not as effective at producing vibrant colors as conventional methods. This can be a disadvantage when creating custom logos or designs that need to stand out.
2. Less durable: It does not last as long because the design is more likely to fade or peel over time.
3. Limited material range: It is generally only suitable for applying onto cotton or other natural fibers. It is not suitable for putting it onto synthetic materials or fabrics with a high polyester content.

In conclusion, both methods offer advantages and disadvantages. One is a more cost effective and durable method of producing large quantities of t-shirts and other clothing items, while the other offers highly detailed designs and short turnaround times for smaller orders. When deciding between the two methods, it is important to consider factors such as the level of detail in the image, the number of items being processed, and the materials being used.

Another advantage of custom screen printing is the ability to create custom patches and logos that can be attached to different clothing items. This is particularly useful for businesses or organizations that want to create a consistent look across different products, such as t-shirts, hats, and jackets. Custom patches and logos can be screen printed onto a range of materials, including cotton, polyester, and nylon, allowing for versatility in product design.

Overall, the decision to use custom screen printing or DTG printing will depend on the specific needs of the project or order. Both methods offer advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to consider factors such as cost, turnaround time, and design complexity when making a decision. Regardless of the method chosen, custom printing can provide a great way to create personalized clothing items and promotional products with a unique touch.

When working with a Columbus custom printing and embroidery company, it is important to provide clear and detailed specifications for the design, including the colors, placement, and size. This can help ensure that the final product meets your expectations and is of high quality. Additionally, it is important to work with a reputable firm that uses high quality materials and equipment to ensure the longevity and durability of the printed design.

Both of these options are a popular and cost effective method for creating personalized clothing items and promotional products. While it may have some limitations in terms of detail and minimum orders, it offers several advantages in terms of durability, vibrancy of colors, and versatility of materials. When deciding between these methods, it is important to consider the specific needs of the project, including the level of detail, quantity, and materials being used. With the right approach and attention to detail, both can provide a unique and effective way to promote your business or organization, or create personalized products that are sure to stand out.

When it comes to both of these alternative methods, there are a few important tips to keep in mind. First, it is important to choose the right colors and design elements to ensure that the final product is eye-catching and effective. This may involve working with a professional graphic designer to create a design that is tailored to your specific needs and goals.

In addition, it is important to consider the placement of the image on the garment or product. Depending on the item, there may be limitations on where the logo can be placed or how large it can be. By working with a Columbus, OH embroidery professional you can get expert advice on the best placement and sizing for your project.

It is also important to consider the environmental impact both these methods have on our earth. Many of the T-shirt companies use environmentally friendly and sustainable methods, such as water-based inks and organic cotton, to reduce their environmental impact. By choosing one that prioritizes sustainability and eco-friendliness, you can help minimize your carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

In conclusion, alternatives offer a range of advantages and disadvantages for creating personalized clothing items and promotional products. Whether you are looking to create custom t-shirts, hats, jackets, both provide a cost effective and versatile solution that can meet your needs and exceed your expectations. By considering factors such as design complexity, quantity, materials, and sustainability, you can choose the best printing method for your needs and create a product that is sure to stand out and make a lasting impression.

When it comes to custom Columbus t-shirt printing, there are a variety of methods to choose from, including embroidery, screen printing, and digital DTF applications. Two of the most popular methods are direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-film (DTF) heat transfers. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of using each.

1. High-Quality Results: DTF heat transfers offer high-quality results that are comparable to conventional methods. The process uses a special film that has the design and then applied to the garment using a heat press. The film allows for precise detailing and vivid colors that may not be achievable with DTG applications. This is particularly important when it comes to intricate designs or logos that require high levels of detail.
2. Greater Color Vibrancy: With DTF heat transfers, you can achieve greater color vibrancy than with direct to garment. The transfer film is printed using a solvent ink, which is absorbed by the film more efficiently, leading to brighter and more vibrant colors. This is particularly important when applying it on dark or colored fabrics, as colors can appear washed out with a DTG method.
3. Cost-Effective: Heat transfers are a cost-effective alternative for, particularly smaller orders. It can be expensive for small runs, as it requires specialized equipment and ink. This way on the other hand, only requires a heat press and transfer film, which are more affordable and accessible.
4. Quick Turnaround Time: This digital application offers a quick turnaround time, particularly for smaller orders. The process is relatively quick, and the film can be produced and applied to the garment in a matter of minutes. This is particularly important for businesses that require a fast turnaround time, such as those in the event or promotional industries.
5. Versatility: Direct to film offer’s versatility in terms of the types of garments that can be printed on. Unlike Direct to garment, which can be limited to certain types of fabric, It can also be applied to a wide range of materials, including cotton, polyester, and even leather. This makes it a great choice for businesses that require custom applications on a variety of items, such as patches or hats.
6. Durability: Both offer excellent durability and longevity, making them a great choice for high-quality, long-lasting images. The transfer film is made from durable materials that are resistant to fading, cracking, and peeling. This makes it a great choice for businesses that require a long lasting application that can withstand regular use and washing, such as sports teams or promotional products.
7. Eco-Friendly: both these methods are an eco-friendly option instead of conventional screen printing and embroidery. The printing process uses water based ink, which is made from natural materials and is biodegradable. This makes them eacha great choice for businesses that want to reduce their environmental impact and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
8. No Minimum Order Quantity: Both alternatives, allows businesses to produce small orders without the need for a minimum order quantity. This is particularly important for customers that are just starting out and want to test the market with a small run of custom t-shirts. Each option enables you to produce as many or as few itemsas you need, making it a cost-effective option for businesses of all sizes.
9. Customization: Both options, allows for complete customization of each application, making it a great choice for customers who require personalized or custom designs.
10. The process allows for full-color images with no color limitations, which means that you can create unique art work that stand out and grab attention.
11. Ease of Use: Either one will allow for easy use and requires minimal equipment, making it a great option for businesses that are just starting out or don’t have a large production facility. The process is straight forward and can be done in a small space.

Each method can lend itself to high-quality results, greater color vibrancy, cost-effectiveness, quick turnaround time, versatility, durability, eco-friendliness, no minimum order quantity, customization, and ease of use, These both are a great choice for businesses that require custom t-shirt printing services. Whether you’re looking in the Columbus area for custom logos, intricate designs, or personalized garments, consider either of these two options for your next project. By following these tips, you can achieve the best possible results with and create high-quality, customized apparel that meet your specific needs and requirements.

Remember to call us for all your Columbus screen printing and embroidery requirements as well.

If you are looking to create custom t-shirts, one of the most important decisions you will need to make is what type of ink to use for your custom screen printing process. Two popular options are plastisol and water-based inks, each with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will compare the two and help you decide which one is better for your specific needs.

Plastisol Ink

This is a type of ink that is made from PVC particles that are suspended in a liquid plasticizer. It is normally used for conventional screen printing but not digital DTF direct to film applications and has been around for over 60 years. It is known for its durability and opacity, making it an excellent choice for dark fabrics.

Advantages of Plastisol Ink:

1. Opacity: This ink is known for its ability to provide solid, vibrant colors that will not fade or wash out over time. This makes it an ideal choice for dark fabrics applications.
2. Durability: It’s also known for its durability and ability to withstand multiple washings without losing its color or vibrancy.
3. Ease of Use: This is very easy to work with and can be used on a wide variety of fabrics. It also has a long shelf life, which makes it an excellent choice for large-scale production runs.

Disadvantages:

1. Environmental Impact: This material is made from PVC particles and is not an eco-friendly option. It requires the use of chemicals for cleaning and disposal.
2. Feel: It can leave a thick, rubbery texture on the fabric, which some people may find uncomfortable.

Water-Based Ink

This is a type of ink that is made from water and dye or pigment. It has gained popularity in recent years due to its eco-friendliness and softer hand feel.

Advantages of Water-Based Ink:

1. Soft Hand Feel: Water-based material has a softer hand feel than and is less likely to leave a rubbery texture on the fabric.
2. Eco-Friendly: It is also an eco-friendly option as it is made from water and is free from harsh chemicals.
3. Vibrant Colors: Water-based products provide vibrant colors and can be used to create a range of effects, such as distressed or vintage looks.

Disadvantages of Water-Based Ink:

1. Opacity: Water-based products are not as opaque as others and may require multiple passes to achieve the desired level of opacity.
2. Durability: It is is not as durable and may fade or wash out over time.
3. Difficulty in Use: It far more difficult to work with and requires specialized equipment and expertise.

Choosing between plastisol and water-based ink for your t-shirt printing needs will depend on your specific requirements. If you need to print on dark fabrics and require durability, plastisol is a great choice. If you are looking for an eco-friendlier option with a softer hand feel, water-based may be a better choice. Ultimately, it is important to do your research and test both options to determine which one will work best for your needs.

It is also worth noting that some shops use a hybrid approach, combining the benefits of both. For example, they might use a base layer of one for the opacity and durability, and then add a top layer of the other to achieve a softer hand feel and create a vintage or distressed look.

Another factor to consider is that water-base is a better choice on certain types of fabrics, such as tri-blend fabrics or 100% cotton. On the other hand, plastisol is better suited for applying on polyester or other synthetic fabrics.

When it comes to printing custom t-shirts, what you choose can have a significant impact on the final product. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of both options, you can make an informed decision and select the option that will best meet your needs. Remember to test both types of ink and experiment with different fabrics to determine which one will work best for your specific project. With right techniques, you can create custom t-shirts that are not only visually appealing but also durable and long-lasting.

In addition to choosing which Columbus screen printing and embroidery company to use, it is important to work with an experienced and reputable person who can help guide you through the process. They can provide advice on which method to use based on your specific design and fabric, and help ensure that your final product meets your expectations.

It is also worth noting that some shops out there offer additional techniques, such as embroidery, patches, or digital T-shirt printing, which can be used to add more depth and texture to your design. By working with someone that offers a variety of techniques, you can create a finished product that truly stands out.

In conclusion, when it comes to shopping for a Columbus embroidery provider who can meet your needs, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your specific requirements and the look and feel you want to achieve. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each different process, and working with an experienced individual, you can create a finished product that is both visually appealing and long-lasting.

Quality of Embroidery: The quality of ones work is probably the most important factor that sets one company apart from another. Ours is equiped with high-quality embroidery machines, skilled operators, and a rigorous quality control process will produce a finished product that is superior to one produced by a company with lower standard equipment and fewer quality control checks.

Design Capabilities: The design capabilities of a custom embroidery and screen printing company can very often set it apart from all the many others in the Columbus area. Some have in-house designers who can create the designs, while others rely on pre-made art. We have a very strong design team that will be able to provide customers with unique and creative art that sets them apart from the competition.

Turnaround Time: The turnaround time is another key factor that sets one firm apart from another. Some may have a longer turnaround time, while others can complete an order in as little as a few days. We can offer a fast turnaround time which we found is more likely to attract customers who need their items quickly.

Customer Service: The level of customer service provided by a digital T-shirt printing and embroidery company can also set it apart from others. Ours is equiped with a friendly and knowledgeable staff who are always willing to help and provide guidance can have a positive impact on customer satisfaction.

Price: The price of services is another factor that can set it apart from others. Some may charge more for their services, while others may offer competitive pricing. We have found that those who offer high-quality work at a reasonable price are more likely to attract customers.

Range of Products: The range of products offered by a digital T-shirt printing and embrodery company is another factor that sets one apart from another. Some may specialize in a certain type of product, while others may offer a wide range of products. One with a wide range of products is more likely to meet the needs of a diverse group of customers.

Technology: The technology used can also set it apart from others. Some firms may use state-of-the-art equipment and software, while others may rely on older equipment. Those that invest in the latest technology are more likely to produce high-quality work and stay ahead of the competition.

Experience: The experience of an operator is another factor that sets one operator apart from another. One with years of experience is likely to have a better understanding of the industry and be better equipped to handle a wide range of embroidery projects.

Reputation: Reputation is another key factor that often sets one Columbus embroidery company apart from another. If you have, a good reputation for quality work, excellent customer service, and fair pricing you are far more likely to attract customers.

Location: The location of a company can also set it apart from others. Some may be located in areas with a large customer base like Columbus, while others may be located in areas with a smaller customer base. Those Columbus T-shirt printing and screen printing companies located in the city with a large customer base are more likely to attract a higher volume of customers.

In conclusion, there are many factors that can set one firm apart from another. Those that focus on quality, customer service, technology, and experience are more likely to be successful in the industry. Additionally, companies that offer a wide range of products and competitive pricing are more likely to attract.

Adding a personal touch to your clothing can make it more meaningful and unique. Embroidery and decorating t-shirts are popular ways to achieve this, with several options to choose from. In this guide, we will explore the various techniques for embellishing t-shirts and help you select the right one for your needs.

Stitching Designs

One method of decorating t-shirts involves using a needle and thread to stitch a design directly onto the fabric. This method, commonly known as embroidery, is best for simple designs with a limited number of colors, such as logos or text. Embroidery provides a durable and long-lasting finish, with the stitching unlikely to fade or crack over time.

Pros:

Durable and long-lasting
Good for simple designs

Cons:

Limited to simple designs
More expensive than other options
Not ideal for detailed or multi-colored images

Direct Printing

Another method of t-shirt decoration involves using specialized printers to apply the design directly onto the shirt. This process, known as direct-to-film(DTF) printing, is best for high-quality, detailed designs with a large number of colors. DTF printing is a good choice for small orders or multi-color images.

Pros:

Can produce detailed and multi-colored designs
Good for small orders or complex orders

Cons:

Can be expensive
Not as durable as embroidery

Transfer Printing

Transfer printing is another option for embellishing t-shirts. This method involves printing the design onto transfer paper, which is then heat-pressed onto the shirt. Transfer printing is a cost-effective choice for small orders and designs with a limited number of colors.

Pros:

Good for small orders and simple designs
Cost-effective

Cons:

Not as durable as embroidery
Limited to light-colored shirts
Design may peel or crack over time

Choosing the Right Technique

When selecting the right technique for decorating your t-shirt, consider the following factors:

Design: The complexity of your design and the number of colors involved will determine the best technique to use. Simple designs with a limited number of colors are best suited for embroidery, while detailed designs with a large number of colors are better suited for DTG printing.

Order size: If you are ordering a large number of shirts, embroidery may be the most cost-effective option. For small orders, DTF printing or transfer printing is a good choice.

Shirt color: If you want to decorate a dark-colored shirt, embroidery or transfer printing may not be the best choice, as the design may not show up well. In these cases, DTF printing is a better option.

No matter which technique you choose, the result will be a one-of-a-kind t-shirt that showcases your personal style. Whether you opt for embroidery, DTF printing, or transfer printing, the final product will be a unique and meaningful addition to your wardrobe.

If you are looking for a quality printer and embroiderer, please give us a call in Columbus, OH.

The evolution of screen printing on custom t-shirts has been impressive. Since the 18^th century, it has gone through several transformations to emerge as one of the most versatile clothing garments. It’s a long tradition that began as casual apparel to its recent role as an optimal style statement. With time it has modified from a means of cover to individualism and an essential asset in anyone’s clothing regime wow also allowing one to express themselves and their own unique way.

It’s quite gauche to take some thing that has nothing more than a foundation for your outfit and transform it into something very special. They can also be conveniently customized for occasions or jobs for a chic look. It is the perfect outfit to be worn on evenings to the bar or the Columbus OH Comedy festival without causing you much of a hasslle.

Below we’ve mentioned the most popular ideas to style a tee as a modern twist without losing its aesthetics.

1. Opt for Jeans:

Pairing a basic top with dark denim jeans, a wide black belt, and ankle boots utterly provides a trendy and classy look that dresses up your tee for a night out without compromising on comfort. Another comfy option is to go for mom’s jeans with your favourite sneakers and a basic shirt. For a formal look, leave the belt off.

2. Slay your top with a ladylike skirt:

The quickest way to get a glam look in a t-shirt is to dress it up with a skirt. An exquisite, vibrant floral design using an embroidery or screen printing pattern over a t-shirt paired with a nude skirt can help create a flawlessly chic look.

3. Spice it up with a fancy blazer or a wrap:

A structured layer that you can drape across your arms will make you look infinitely more elegant; opt for a silk wrap that instantly provides a chic look. Experiment with different lengths and styles of a blazer. Match a chunky shiny necklace that fits more snugly.

4. Stand out with the right shoes:

No matter what kind of garment you opt for, shoes never disappoint you when transforming the basic appearance. The shoes are the representatives of your outfit; heels are always a good bet for a glam look because they offset the formal vibe of a custom t-shirt and add an immediate tender finality to your look.

5. Add Statement Jewelry:

Oftentimes, a top appears too boring or too casual for a glam look. However, the accurate choice of accessory can make a big difference. For a scooped neck, try a mini, floral coloured necklace that rests above your neckline.

6. Go with embroidery on pants:

Graphic tees with printed pants look ravishing. It’s even better to go to a Columbus, OH digital t-shirt printing company and tell them you want to get fancy to create something really unusual yet fashionable that you could easily pair witha nice pair of pants. Formalize your graphic top, and pair it up with trousers and tuck it in. You can wear it to the workplace on weekdays and still feel ready for the evening brunch. Pair it up with stilettos and a statement bag with a prominent colour that pops.

Let’s pick up where we left off. Last time I believe we were talking about being proud of what you’re representing. I believe that there is nothing to be proud of claiming to be the cheapest St Louis screen printing company around. Any one can give it away, but it takes a real salesman to actually sell it and create a perceived value in the customer’s eyes. In fact, if I was the least expensive custom t-shirt printing company out there, I’d be embarrassed. That would in my opinion convey that you’re not very proud of what you do so you have to refer to being the least expensive embroidery business around.

The lesson here is this. Do not sell yourself short. You’re in business to make a fair profit margin just like anyone else who’s an entrepreneur. If you can’t do that, then why are you even in business in the first place? I actually have turned a lot of business away simply because I felt it was not profitable. I can’t tell you how many times when a potential customer would reach out for an estimate and I would reply with what I felt was a fair price. One where I felt that I was competitive and would create a scenario where I was as excited to actually do the job as the buyer was having me do it for them. This is an excellent way to do business. I would then receive a reply saying one of my competitors was willing to do it for less. I would politely tell them that if they’re willing to do the work for that ridiculous price, then you should jump on it right away before they change their mind. Then I would tell them, there’s more to dealing with a Columbus digital t-shirt printing company then just getting the lowest price available. We are not the only company that is great at what we do. There are some others that I would recommend, but in my opinion, what we do far better than anybody else is simply communication. In my business, you’re lucky if anybody happens to even answer the phone when you reach out to call them. Most everything is done via text or email and the human element has been all but eliminated.

It seems that in this digital age, nobody actually wants to audibly talk to anybody. Normally if you do happen to reach out to them by phone, you’re probably going to get some type of voicemail that directs you to an email address and tells you to use that to convey whatever it is you’re requiring. It then takes a while for them to even get back with  you, if they happen to reply at all. The reason I choose this approach of wanting to talk to people is that I grew up in a day before technology changed our lives. Most business was conducted either over a phone call or in person.

There’s an old saying that a candle burns brighter in a cave than it does anywhere else. By this example, I mean that when everybody else in my industry is doing things where they don’t actually have to talk to anybody, people are taking back when I actually receive their call and talk to him specifically regarding what their job entails and what needs to be done in order for us to make it a good fit for us to work together. That’s a huge advantage and his proven itself time and time again to be highly effective.

So we’ve been talking about the advantages of having automation in your shop in order to try and reduce some of the human component often required for processing your orders. We mentioned that unlike people, superior digital t-shirt printing equipment not only out works the folks that would normally be standing behind it, but it never gets injured. It never complains and it never gets sick. When you add up all these factors of what you’re paying your employees and all the other criteria mentioned, the right tools to do the job is by far, the least expensive part of the equation and typically will give you less aggravation as well.

We also touched on the fact that you can typically acquire a used piece of machinery for a fraction of what it would cost to go out and buy brand new. This strategy is one that I would highly encourage that you consider, especially if you’re brand new to the industry and trying to start up a Columbus t-shirt printing company.

We also spoke about not getting the cart before the horse. By this I mean, I recommend strongly that you don’t go and take out a huge business loan until you know what you’re doing and realize what you’re getting into. So many people make this mistake. The fact that I believe marketing and sales are the most significant part of the equation in any business endeavor, make sure you’re going to be able to have enough customers to sustain your monthly overhead before you proceed. This approach is so much less stressful and could potentially save you a lot of sleepless nights and aggravation. By taking the step by step approach I mentioned, it will allow you to grow at your own pace instead of forcing something that’s not actually established yet.

I’m talking about the American dream here. This is the ability to work for yourself and be your own boss. The key here to achieving this is just going about it the correct way and arm yourself with the necessary knowledge required before you get over your head. I don’t want to mislead you and make you think that it’s easy. It’s normally far from easy and there’s a learning curve to it. It often has to be tweaked over time. Just like most things that are good, there’s also a potential downside. Although there are no limits to how much income you can acquire but with that being said, there’s also no guaranteed paychecks at the end of the week like you have on a typical nine to five job. Here’s an example of what I’m referring to. When most people leave their day job, they go home to their families and don’t give it a second thought. Friday comes, and they look forward to a nice relaxing weekend where the last thing they’re going to think about is job related.

I’ve been self-employed the majority of my entire adult life and I often thought to myself, how nice it would be to just shut it down and not think about business at the end of the day or on the weekends. My reality as a successful custom embroidery and digital t-shirt printing company owner was probably just the opposite of that. I never knew when my phone was going to ring and had to make myself available pretty much 24 hours a day. I was always thinking about how I was going about doing things and if I could potentially improve and if so, how that was going to happen. I also started out with financial overhead responsibilities that I knew I had to meet. That’s a heck of a lot of pressure for a young guy who didn’t have any financial backing or help to incur on his own.

So once again, I don’t want to mislead anybody and say that it’s as simple as following a recipe. Do this and do that and you should end up with this result. It might all make sense on paper but that’s not real life reality as again, if it was easy everybody would be doing it and everybody would be successful.

So we’ve been talking about the advantages of having automation in your shop in order to try and reduce some of the human component often required for processing your orders. We mentioned that unlike people, superior digital t-shirt printing equipment not only out works the folks that would normally be standing behind it, but it never gets injured. It never complains and it never gets sick. When you add up all these factors of what you’re paying your employees and all the other criteria mentioned, the right tools to do the job is by far, the least expensive part of the equation and typically will give you less aggravation as well.

We also touched on the fact that you can typically acquire a used piece of machinery for a fraction of what it would cost to go out and buy brand new. This strategy is one that I would highly encourage that you consider, especially if you’re brand new to the industry and trying to start up a Columbus t-shirt printing company. We also spoke about not getting the cart before the horse. By this I mean that I recommend strongly that you don’t go and take out a huge business loan until you know what you’re doing and realize what you’re getting into. So many people make this mistake.

The fact that I believe marketing and sales are the most significant part of the equation in any business endeavor, make sure you’re going to be able to have enough customers to sustain your monthly overhead before you incorrect. This approach is so much less stressful and could potentially save you a lot of sleepless nights and aggravation. By taking the step by step approach I mentioned, it will allow you to grow at your own pace instead of forcing something that’s not actually established yet. I’m talking about the American dream here. The ability to work for yourself and be your own boss.

The key here to achieving this is by just going about it the correct way and arming yourself with the necessary knowledge required before you get over your head. I don’t want to mislead you and make you think that it’s easy. It’s normally far from easy and there’s a learning curve to it. It often has to be tweaked over time. Just like most things that are good, this also a potential downside. Although there are no limits to how much income you can acquire, there’s also no guaranteed paychecks at the end of the week like you have on a typical nine to five job. Here’s an example of what I’m referring to. When most people leave their day job they go home to their families and don’t give it a second thought. Friday comes, and they look forward to a nice relaxing weekend where the last thing they’re going to think about is job related.

I’ve been self-employed the majority of my entire adult life and I often think to myself how nice it would be to just shut it down and not think about business at the end of the day or on the weekends. My reality as a successful custom embroidery and digital t-shirt printing company owner was probably just the opposite of that. I never knew when my phone was going to ring and I had to make myself available pretty much 24 hours a day. I was always thinking about how I was going about doing things and if I could potentially improve and if so how that was going to happen. I also started out with financial overhead responsibilities that I knew I had to meet. That’s a heck of a lot of pressure for a young guy who didn’t have any financial backing or help to incur on his own. So once again, I don’t want to mislead anybody and say that it’s as simple as following a recipe. Do this and do that and you should end up with this result. It might all make sense on paper, but that’s not real life reality.

If it was easy, everybody would be doing it and everybody would be successful.

We last touched on the fact that although state of the art screen printing equipment can be a very large investment, it’s considerably less expensive when you weigh the benefits that it offers compared to the alternative. This type of press can not only out work a manual machine but it removes much of the human element. In other words, and experienced operator can put out three to four times the amount of custom t-shirts then a conventional press. It also gives you consistency, that a manual machine is not capable of. Why not? Because every stroke of the squeegee going across the apparel is going to be consistent regarding the same speed and the same exact trajectory and squeegee angle. This is something that even the most trained operators cannot offer.

By doing the work of two or three individuals, it greatly removes much of the human element out of the process. We also mentioned that unlike the operators, the Machinery shows up every day for work and never gets hurt. It’s never late, and it never requires a bonus or a financial compensation for doing a superior job. We’re all familiar with carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a real potential problem for an operator who has to be doing that repeated movement constantly throughout the work day all year long. Eventually, this can really wear your wrists out and resulted employee downtime and a workman’s compensation insurance claim. In addition to that, when you take into account the hourly wage that you’re paying your personnel, and then add in the fact that you’re matching the Social Security on that individual along with insurance, the machinery normally is a fraction of that cost.

When it comes to acquiring the right screen printing or custom embroidery equipment, I recommend that you do your research before you go out and incur such an expensive investment. I also suggest that you consider the possibility of acquiring used opposed to new. More than not, you can typically acquire a used embroidery machine for a small fraction of what it might have cost brand new. A lot of people who want to be entrepreneurs in the Columbus Ohio area want to break in to the digital t-shirt printing industry, and they proceed to take out a huge loan before they are even certain that they’re going to be able to make a go of it. This is a huge mistake in my opinion. Why not shop for used? As long as it’s been well maintained, it’s not uncommon for a used dryer or digital printing press to perform just as well as a new one, but you can often acquire it for a fraction of the cost.

Once you develop the necessary clientele base large enough to be able to meet your overhead and pay your monthly bills along with developing the confidence needed to be assured that you can actually make it in this competitive industry, then you can go out and potentially make a more sizable investment in order to try and automate in an attempt to speed up your production.

I’m sharing this information because I feel that knowledge is of paramount importance when launching such an endeavor. Someone once mentioned that experience is the best teacher but that person was probably never a business owner. I would much rather avoid the mistakes than make my own. I say this in order to try and help you to avoid making the same mistakes that I made when I first started out. Looking back in hindsight, I wish I would have had a mentor like myself – someone with decades of experience that’s willing to share it. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for those who share an entrepreneurial spirit. I certainly hope much of what I said will be helpful to them.