How to Start a Custom Prints Business

Part 1 - How to start a Custom Prints business - Background

A custom prints business is a “jack of all trades” kind of business. These businesses often focus on printing on everything from business cards to t-shirts. This also opens the door for turning some of your more successful screen printing endeavors into sideline businesses (that focus solely on something like t-shirts, for example).

You may also be interested in additional side hustle ideas.

Our guide is in 3 parts:

• Part 1 - How to start a Custom Prints business - Background
• Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
• Part 3 - Action plan to get started

What are the costs involved in opening a custom prints business?

The costs involved in opening this business varies by how many things you want to specialize in. For instance, one entrepreneur started a business focusing only on custom-printed t-shirts. He used existing apps and web services to help print and ship (such as Printful) his t-shirts. This allowed him to build the cost of new orders into the t-shirts themselves and functionally launch a small business for under $500, with $16 going towards paying for a font on the site, $8 paying for a t-shirt mockup, and the rest going towards the actual printing of shirts.

In the long run, though, you’ll probably want to own your equipment. It is possible to purchase small business screen printing packages, for instance, for less than $7,000. This includes necessary equipment such as the printer, flash cure unit, dryer, vacuum exposure unit, and assorted supplies such as ink, screens, coater, adhesive, temperature gun, and so on. For printing business cards, you can start out for under $2,000, as this primarily requires a high-quality color printer, good card stock, and programs such as Microsoft Publisher. As everything can be done from home, there is no overhead involving buying or leasing separate business space.

What are the ongoing expenses for a custom prints business?

The ongoing expenses of this business are effectively non-existent in the sense that they are built into your prices. For instance, you will periodically need to buy more ink, adhesive, screens, paper, and so on. However, you should price your wares so that when you do buy more supplies (and only when you run out or are close to running out), you will always have adequate funding to do so based on the previous sales.

Who is the target market?

Your preferred clients may vary depending on whether you want to specialize in a particular printing service or not. Generally, though, business people will be your preferred clients because they are likeliest to become steady clients, needing to periodically get more of their original business card designs, to change cards as their employers and information change, etc. Thus, while you would make more per t-shirt than per business card, those buying things like t-shirts are less likely to become repeat customers over the years.

How does a custom prints business make money?

A custom print business takes customer requests and charges money to print customized words and graphics onto different kinds of items.

How much can you charge customers?

How much you charge is typically rooted in how much a customer orders and how complex an order is. For instance, you might charge nearly $8 per shirt for 20-60 one-color t-shirts, but that price might go down to just under $6 a shirt if they order a $1,000. You may consider charging something like an extra twenty-five cents per shirt per extra color that is added. You should also consider charging approximately $2 extra per shirt if they want a double-sided design. You may also consider adding a one-time (per design) setup fee for every color added that ranges between $10 to $15.

For business cards, you may consider charging $3 to $5 for 25 single-sided cards with a basic matte coating and premium material. That price may jump to $35-$50 for ordering over 2,000 cards. If the cards are printed on color filled premium paper, you can charge between $7 to $9 for 25 of them, and a similar price range if the customer wants the cards printed on thicker, card stock material.

How much profit can a custom prints business make?

Obviously, the exact amount of profit that you earn is based on how many sales you make. One screenprinting expert estimates it is possible for this job to net above $100,000 in profits, but this is contingent on having numerous bulk orders (typically for companies and organizations). Realistically, you may need to diversify your printing services and create some dedicated sideline businesses online in order to reach six figures.

How can you make your business more profitable?

One way to be more profitable is to find a niche. To be honest, the market is flooded with t-shirts, so if you can find an area of fandom or pop culture that is underrepresented (or not represented at all), you can effectively corner that market. Also, try to meet people in person whenever possible. It can be easy for a work at home business to feel very isolated, but having face-to-face meetings with prospective clients can help you via traditional networking that leads to long-term business. Finally, don’t underestimate the power of contests. Having online drawings or contests for small orders of t-shirts or business cards helps to build public excitement for your product at a low cost to you, which is great for advertising and public relations.

Day-to-Day and Growth

What happens during a typical day at a custom prints business?

In no particular order, your daily activities may include corresponding with existing customers, reaching out to potential customers, and managing your advertising (including a web page and social media presence). You may periodically clean and perform maintenance on your equipment and, in rare cases, order new equipment and new parts. Most of any given day will include creating your custom printed items and then shipping them to your customers.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful custom prints business?

Prior training and experience with things like art and design can be a major help, as it may give you familiarity with the hardware and software you’ll be using as well as prepare you to help clients with their various requests. Any direct experience you have in designing and printing things like shirts, prints, and cards is helpful for the same reasons.

What is the growth potential for a custom prints business?

There is good growth potential for this business because you can start small and build your way up. For instance, you may start out only printing on certain items, and once you have become successful in that, you can branch out to other printing services. Since you will already have the equipment, you can also sell your own custom-designed shirts and prints through venues such as Etsy, offering you a different revenue stream.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a custom prints business?

While it is possible for your business to grow and supply different printing needs, it is good to start out by focusing on a single, specific need. Also, consider your market: this is one business where you may find more success marketing yourself as an affordable local business rather than a major national business. For selling t-shirts, don’t forget to use your website and social media to showcase how the shirts actually look (as opposed to just showing template designs online).

How and when to build a team

In all honesty, this business will probably never require a team. It is typically run out of your own home, which is where you will be keeping your equipment in order to keep costs down. If business gets to the point where you cannot handle all of the orders on your own, you may consider taking on a family member or close associate as a partner; this can be particularly useful in shipping or delivering everything to its recipients.

Part 2 - Is a Custom Prints business the right fit for you?

Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Custom Prints business in 90 days