I need help!

elitercerossp · February 12th, 2007, 06:20 PM

Hey everyone!

My name is Elias Tercero. I am a graphic designer from Los Angeles, CA. I will like to start making my own T-shirts, I have over 7 different brands I want to produce, I need a home base silkscreen setup, I'm thinking to put it in my garage, what should I buy to get started? I don't have much money to invest, but I really would like to start printing my own stuff. What do you guys recommend?

Check out my stuff!

Links to my sites!

http://10x777.com/

http://www.trndsetr.com/

http://infms.com/

http://sightboxstudios.com/

Greg hamrick · February 15th, 2007, 07:50 AM

Well Elias...If you mean to have different brands...you had better save-up. Screen printing at any scale will cost you. I get allot of e-mails about it and everytime someone wants to start small, it still turns-out that they need several thousand more than they have. Too print quality prints, you need quality tools.
I wish that I could give you better news about it, but the bottom line is just that. If you don't have it...you can't give it.
You can however start small. But that will dictate what the quality of the end product will be. I do wish you luck...but look around and check out some prices on used equipment and then think of the overhead you'll need to get started.

Please don't take this as negative, but as food for thought.

Greg

JuBilee · February 15th, 2007, 10:05 AM

I would have to concur on that one. The quality of the product is directly affected by the quality of the machines. Used equipment is a great place to look. I would definitely hit one of the SGIA shows or any screenprinting show for that matter and look at the machines and see what manufacturers you like and dislike. Most of them use alot of the same features that they have been using for years. They also offer "Show Specials" on new equipment and will usually sell the demo equipment from the show for a song and sometimes a dance.
Do the leg work now, because once you have the machine in your shop, it's hard to change if you don't like it.

johnshamblin · February 15th, 2007, 08:49 PM

Do what I did after almost fifteen years with a screen print shop; get everything ready (design, color seps, trapping.. all that), then shop it around to existing screen printers. Believe me, it's more profitiable than trying to have your own shop unless you want to do contract printing for others.

Shambles
www.shamblin.net

Portland Web Design · March 1st, 2007, 01:35 AM

good luck with your business
cool sites