Custom Screen Printing

Not ideal in all situations, and the ink can be problematic to work with at times, water based T-Shirt printing can be extremely satisfying. This month has seen a big increase in jobs produced with water based inks here in cornwall UK, some customers have even changed their original ideas to suit the process. Companies requiring Promotional t-shirts for various events this summer have been taking the greener option too, with both OKARMA and Earth Positive T-Shirts doing well.

Water based T-Shirt Printing  

August 4, 2008

20 things to know about T-shirt Printing

• They come in a wide variety of colors, just about any color.
• They come in 50/50 poly-cotton and 100% cotton.
• There are different Qualities at different prices.
• They come in sizes from toddler to 10 XL that’s 10 X’S.
• XXL and larger typically cost more than adult S-XL about 1.25 per size up.
• Youth sizes generally cost less than adult sizes.
• They are unfortunately, not always available in the style or color you wish.
• Even though it says pre-shrunk on some 100% cotton T’s they still shrink sometimes 2%-4% on average.
• Shirts are priced by color: whites the least, lights, darks the most expensive.
• Sometimes it costs more to print on dark shirts because you need a white under base.
• 50/50 T’s are typically priced less than 100% cotton T’s.
• The more you buy the less you pay.
• Common quantity breaks for screen printed t-shirts are 36, 72, 144, 288, 540 & 1000+.
• To save money make the color of the t-shirt one of the colors of the art and you can save a screen charge and reduce your run charges too.
• The weight of the t-shirts can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. A heavyweight t-shirt could be 5.6 oz. With one manufacturer and 6.1 oz with another.
• Colors will vary if you get t-shirts from different companies so be sure to order the same brand on repeat orders.
• T-shirt advertising is a great way to get your message out. Some t-shirts will be worn for years and be seen by thousands of people.
• 100% cotton t-shirts tend to be a bit softer than 50/50 t-shirts.
• 50/50 t-shirts will shrink less than 100% cotton t-shirts.
• Wash you custom printed t-shirts inside out and the printing will last longer.

Screen printing can be easy, but know what questions to ask.

Custom Screen Printed T-Shirts

February 5, 2008

It is ironic that the best screen printers don’t normally make the most money selling T-shirts. If you look in the classified section of your local newspaper on any given day you will find a screen printing company up for sale. It seems like everyone thinks they will make lots of money printing custom t-shirt but very few people actually make it big. Most people will buys some equipment and learn how to print all kinds of cool designs. Where most people fall short is not getting out and marketing their services correctly or even at all.
I am a believer that some of the best screen printers have gone broke because of a bad marketing plan. Take the less traveled road and make sure you pick up the phone and call the local schools. Talk to as many coaches as you can. Each and every one of them needs custom t-shirts for the teams they coach, camps, or coaching staff. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking they will find you because if you aren’t making those painful cold calls, your competition is willing to do it. Any successful print shop is proof of that and if you ask any of the companies up for sale how many cold calls they made in a typical week. I predict the answer is zero. 
When I put on a sales seminar or lead a group discussion on selling a product no matter what the product.  I stress to them. Don’t focus on the sale. Focus on the fact you offer a product or service that will either save them money, time or make their purchasing process easier. The fact is most people that you are targeting are buying your product. If I assume are your at least bright enough to know your target audience. That being said, if you truly believe you will make it easier for them to purchase from you than your competition you are 90% there. If not make it true. In the case of selling custom t-shirts. Offer quicker turn around time. Offer free artwork, Free set up. Any things that will make you stand out from the crowd. Remember if you are just a face in the crowd no one will remember you or change their current buying pattern.
Change is hard for people. Make it easy. One sales person took to heart what he learned at one of my seminars and took it to the next level. He would go cold calling with his lap top and offer to do free artwork on the spot for free. Let me tell you something. If you get into see a decision maker, do the art work for free and get them to okay it. You have a sale! It was remarkable the close ratio he had with this technique. I know not everyone has the ability to create artwork on the spot but you get the idea. Do something unique, stand out, offer to deliver personally. My favorite saying is selling is if you aren’t the lead dog. The view never changes. Get out in front and sell your shirts off.

Mike Thompson
Company: Taylor Made T-shirts
Address: 15816 SE 114th Ave. Clackamas, Oregon, USA.
Telephone: 503 723 3676

October 1, 2007