To start a screen printing and sales business, you'll first need to investigate the different types of screen printing processes and products they produce. Popularly known as a T-shirt printing process, screen printing companies produce signage, store displays, advertising and promotional products, patterned bulk fabric and paper and a number of other products. Screen printing "job shops" print on customer-supplied products such as machine and product parts, emblematic and decorative jewelry, household goods, art prints, electronics, toys, games and a host of other items.
Instructions
1. Familiarize yourself with the screen printing industry by contacting trade organization such as SGIA (Specialty Graphic Imaging Association) and the American Screen Printing Association. These associations offer resources and information you'll need to make intelligent screen printing business decisions.
2. Decide on which sector of the screen printing you'd like to be involved in and begin contacting equipment and supply distributors for price quotes. Distributors can be found through screen printing associations and online.
3. Prepare a screen printing business plan, perform market research and secure financing with help from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Service Corps of Retired Executives. These organizations will guide you through the business startup process with free or low-cost services.
4. Make your screen printing business legal by obtaining a local business permit from your town hall. You will need to register your business and obtain a sales tax and use certificate from your state department of revenue (if applicable) and apply for an employer identification number from the Internal Revenue Service. You'll also need to register your business and fill out forms for your particular business structure with your secretary of state.
5. Purchase your equipment and secure a location for your screen printing business. Apply for any local occupancy permits, safety inspections, zoning and planning variances as required by your town hall. Since the printing industry is regulated by environmental agencies, consider having your plant inspected by your local Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to ensure legal compliance. Inspections are free, and they will save you from potential non-compliance fines and penalties.
6. Develop screen printed product lines or service offerings, samples and price lists for your sales people to use. Ensure that all sales and ordering processes are in place such as forms, computers, telephones, faxes and other tools used to run the business. When sales start coming in, you'll need to be ready.
Tags: printing business, screen printing, screen printing business, screen printing, Environmental Protection