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Member since 7/23/07
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Posted on: 11/24/09 9:19 AM ET
So I've decided, after a great experience last year, that traveling for both pleasure and training is the way to go.

I've been thinking of a t-shirt/bag biz for a while now and I have turned to you guys.

Can anyone recommend a screen printing workshop with the following criteria, if possible:

- Screen printing techniques on t-shirt, canvas, other surfaces;
- 7 days or less;
- Affordable ($200-$4000 though I have no idea what they cost);
- Business information also included : how to start, cost efficiency etc.

I picked NYC, DC, maybe MD or FL because I have relatives there so that would cut out hotel cost. TIA.
  
Member since 8/23/07
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Posted on: 11/24/09 9:57 AM ET
In reply to lakaribane
I've not heard of one ~ but you can teach yourself the basics.

Most screenprint shops are "manual" which means the same basic technique is used in doing it at home with a kit as it is in the shop atmosphere ~ the big difference being a bigger machine with more screens ready and inked (whereas at home, you usually have one screen that you recycle and re-ink). There's also a mechanism that holds the T-shirts more firmly on a commercial press.

There are other differences between a kit and a commercial press, but they're along the lines of increasing productivity and not a matter of "technique."

For one of the bigger commercial presses (6-8 screen capacity) I'd imagine that you'd pay upwards of $4K for one (that doesn't include the inks or screens ~ those are EXPENSIVE). I'd think that you could buy out an existing business for about $12K (that would include the current inventory, the press, list of clients, etc).

Just bear in mind that most of your clients would be local shops, teams, organizations, etc. Owning a S/P biz ain't exactly the most lucrative biz you could go for.

OTOH, you could always produce one-of-a-kind fabric instead. The press would be different (the presses I mentioned are specific to RTW garments and accessories), but the cost would be roughly the same ~ unless you have someone handy who could build most of it.
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Connie in Panama City Beach, Florida :)

"And these children that you spit on, as they try to change their worlds, are immune to your consultations. They're quite aware of what they're going through" ~ David Bowie, "Changes"

http://www.imsewverycreative.blogspot.com
  
Member since 8/23/07
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Posted on: 11/24/09 10:02 AM ET
While I'd not buy something like this from eBay, here are some general pricing on the equipment:

Press forFabric (not T-shirts) ~ these are long machines.

Press for T-shirts ~

I forgot to mention that the reason why you usually have several screens on a press for T-shirts is so the shirt being printed can "take turns" ~ like on an assembly line. Screen #1 is the first color. Screen #2, next over, is the second color, and so on.

Also, bear in mind that you'd also need what's called a "Flash dryer" ~ it sets the ink and makes it permanent. Those are expensive, too. :/
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Connie in Panama City Beach, Florida :)

"And these children that you spit on, as they try to change their worlds, are immune to your consultations. They're quite aware of what they're going through" ~ David Bowie, "Changes"

http://www.imsewverycreative.blogspot.com
  
Member since 1/21/06
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Posted on: 11/24/09 11:20 AM ET
In reply to lakaribane
Marcy Tilton is in Oregon--but her work is amazing!

  
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Posted on: 11/24/09 12:19 PM ET
In reply to CSM--Carla
Carla, we're on the same wavelength. Marcy does workshops both in Oregon and elsewhere.
  
Member since 7/23/07
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Posted on: 11/27/09 3:33 PM ET
@SewVeryCreative: Wow, eye-opening indeed! But I'm not giving up. Maybe I can buy one next door, used even?

@Carla and Marec: I checked it out, she has some cool screens for sale indeed!

I'm still looking...
  
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Posted on: 11/27/09 4:29 PM ET
In reply to lakaribane
Oh, goodness!! I wasn't trying to discourage you ~ only give you an idea of what's typical ~ in terms of what you'll need, how much to pay, start-up costs, etc. And that, really, the techniques that you can teach yourself with a $30 set-up in the privacy of your own home will be similar to what you'll be doing professionally.

T-shirt printing isn't glamorous or easy ~ but then, neither is graphic design (what I do) ~ but if you LOVE what you do, then THAT'S what matters.

From my biz relationships, I know that T-shirt screenprinting CAN be a hard-scrabble biz ... so one thing you need to do, if you want to be successful, is toot your own horn and remember to market yourself. Which you CAN do, if you love what you do ~ after all, we love to sew here, so isn't that what we end up talking about most?! :)

PS ~ Yes, Marcy Tilton is VERY talented ~ however, screenprinting Tees and screenprinting yardage are two completely different animals at the very core of things. The techniques for getting a good print are NOT the same. Nor are the kinds of inks used (one is more of a heat-set while the other is usually pigmented ink and set chemically).

At least, that's what I remember from my early apprentice days. :/
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Connie in Panama City Beach, Florida :)

"And these children that you spit on, as they try to change their worlds, are immune to your consultations. They're quite aware of what they're going through" ~ David Bowie, "Changes"

http://www.imsewverycreative.blogspot.com
  
Member since 8/7/08
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Posted on: 11/27/09 5:54 PM ET
In reply to lakaribane
I just recently took a silkscreening class. I have a list of all the materials and brand names used and the basic processes involved. Did you want me type some basic info up for you?

Its acutally quite simple with each process involving different steps and lengh of time. And it is very easy to set a station up in your house and basic materals depending on what technique you use and screens cost less than $70 CAD.
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I've lost count now, the walls are now fabric.

  
Member since 7/23/07
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Posted on: 11/29/09 7:15 AM ET
In reply to Reverie
Hi Reverie! I would really appreciate all the info you would be willing to give me.

Please email me at [email protected]

BTW, did you get the first issue of your Manequim subscription?
  
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