Totally new and completely lost

[shirtgirl]

Hello and HELP!

We decided to start a embroidery and screen printing business in February. We now think this might have been the stupidest decision we have ever made. Embroidery has gone well but the screen printing is going horribly. I have never struggled to learn something so much in my life, and I had to take College Algebra for Calculus 3 times in college before I passed so what does that tell you??

We have invested a small fortune and purchased all new machinery, supplies and are renting a space. The urgency to get this business rolling and making some money is serious and it seems every time I feel like I have made progress with screen printing something happens, such as washing/drying a shirt I made and the ink coming off. (So frustrating!) Starting to feel like one step forward, two steps back. I cannot blame the machinery as it is all brand new. I watch video after video online and it all looks so simple but it's not.

I'm not sure the reason for my post as I don't even have a single question to ask I'm so overwhelmed. I guess I just needed to vent my frustrations and am looking for a little bit of misery-loves-company. If things don't go better soon I'll have a full system for sale in Mid Gulf Coast of FL.

[Frog]

First off, welcome.
Perhaps you need to spend a little more and take a class. I don't know of ones nearer you than Printer's Bootcamp in Kentucky, but it sounds like it would be a great investment.
Their next session is August 21-23. http://www.printersbootcamp.com/

[jvanick]

SGIA is a great option too... check out their 'totally t-shirts' class at sgia.org

[Sbrem]

Unfortunately, a lot of sales people and youtube videos make it look a lot easier than it is. You need to start at the beginning, and know the basics of each step; art, films, screens, press set up, mixing colors, printing, drying (properly so it doesn't wash off) boxing up and delivery. If ink is coming off your shirts, then the ink isn't cured, meaning it wasn't in the dryer a) long enough to achieve the proper temp or b) the dryer wasn't hot enough. If you go slowly over each step of each part of the process, you'll be able to pin down where a failure occurred. If you're just guessing about everything, you will continue to be frustrated. The good part is, there are millions of shirts being printed successfully every day, so you know it can be done. Ask your new friends here, we'll be glad to help.

Steve

[jamiem]

there are also industry consultants that you could bring in for some hands on work. 

[244]

Hello and HELP!

We decided to start a embroidery and screen printing business in February. We now think this might have been the stupidest decision we have ever made. Embroidery has gone well but the screen printing is going horribly. I have never struggled to learn something so much in my life, and I had to take College Algebra for Calculus 3 times in college before I passed so what does that tell you??

We have invested a small fortune and purchased all new machinery, supplies and are renting a space. The urgency to get this business rolling and making some money is serious and it seems every time I feel like I have made progress with screen printing something happens, such as washing/drying a shirt I made and the ink coming off. (So frustrating!) Starting to feel like one step forward, two steps back. I cannot blame the machinery as it is all brand new. I watch video after video online and it all looks so simple but it's not.

I'm not sure the reason for my post as I don't even have a single question to ask I'm so overwhelmed. I guess I just needed to vent my frustrations and am looking for a little bit of misery-loves-company. If things don't go better soon I'll have a full system for sale in Mid Gulf Coast of FL.

Who is your equipment supplier? Have they offered to train you?

[Colin]

First question:

What screen printing System did you purchase?

Some are definitely better than others......

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

At 7 years and counting, (and a couple of decades of 1 and 2 colored flat stock) a bloodied lip isn't that rare, especially on performance fabrics. Cotton tees are your friend at this point.

If you are motivated, you CAN do this.

We had a great relationship with our main vendor at the time, and wow!...I can't believe how much knowledge a great sales staff can muster. All the basics, and some higher end stuff even.

I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed. It's hard to even know what to ask, if you don't know what you don't know. But there is LOTS of stuff on this forum.

And yes, WELCOME!

[mooseman]

screen printing is not that complicated if you take it one element at a time.
Think of it as a chain all wadded up in a heap on the floor. You can't make heads or tails of it BUT if you straighten it all out and take it one link at a tine it becomes a whole bunch simpler when you realize screen printing, I mean chains are the same thing over and over again.

You tube can be a good source for an overall exposure to any topic kind of like the chain piled on the floor.
From there study the videos that address you particular trouble issues that will straighten the chain out in a logical path for you.
this guy is quite prolific, not always right in my mind but he puts out a ton of the basics of the process.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=catspit+screen+printing
here is another source https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtLvG0X3_JU I think thi guy is a bit around the bend but many on here respect him so I am sure he has value to the industry.

Eat the elephant one bit at a time and in the mean time stop taking orders you can't fill until you get your act together.
mooseman

[pwalsh]

Hello and HELP!

We decided to start a embroidery and screen printing business in February. We now think this might have been the stupidest decision we have ever made. Embroidery has gone well but the screen printing is going horribly. I have never struggled to learn something so much in my life, and I had to take College Algebra for Calculus 3 times in college before I passed so what does that tell you??

We have invested a small fortune and purchased all new machinery, supplies and are renting a space. The urgency to get this business rolling and making some money is serious and it seems every time I feel like I have made progress with screen printing something happens, such as washing/drying a shirt I made and the ink coming off. (So frustrating!) Starting to feel like one step forward, two steps back. I cannot blame the machinery as it is all brand new. I watch video after video online and it all looks so simple but it's not.

I'm not sure the reason for my post as I don't even have a single question to ask I'm so overwhelmed. I guess I just needed to vent my frustrations and am looking for a little bit of misery-loves-company. If things don't go better soon I'll have a full system for sale in Mid Gulf Coast of FL.

Shirtgirl, I’m sorry to hear that you are having so many challenges getting your garment screen-printing business established.  Unfortunately our industry suffers from the perception that printing shirts is an easy business to get into, and to some extent that perception is real.  Which is why real garment decorating companies find themselves competing for business with "hobbyists" with poor quality equipment, limited skills, and ability in producing a quality product.  From your post it sounds like you have made some significant investments in developing your business, and what you need right now is some education and instruction in the key areas of the business to include;   Artwork and Design, Pre-Press and Screen Making, Press Set-Up, Ink and Chemical Selection, Printing and Curing the Garments, and the biggie; “Pricing to be profitable and market competitive. 

You’ve already received some advice in this thread to consider engaging a Consultant and/or to attend a Screen-Printing Application training session.  These are both good ideas, but they’re not what I would recommend.  You have a strong Screen-Printing Supplier Community in Florida that you can leverage to help improve your business. I recommend that you contact the primary supplier(s) of inks and other screen-printing consumables for your company, and ask them to send in one of their technical application specialists to meet with you. Your supplier has access to a wide range of technical assistance from the manufacturers they represent, and they should be motivated to help you grow your business because it ultimately benefits them as well.

The other thing that you should ask of your supplier is the name and the introduction to an experienced and competent screen-printer from a non-competitive business to you in your area, who would be willing to come and work with you at your shop for 6 – 8 hours per week.   You might end up paying this person $20 - $25 per hour, and need to have them around your shop for 6 to 8 weeks to get the process under control but I guarantee that it will be worth it, if you get the right person.  One other really smart thing that you have done is to join the community at www.TheShirtBoard.com There’s a bunch of really good people on this site that will do all that they can to help you be successful.

 

[head north]

Great advice in this thread and you are definitely in the right place as far as receiving help/knowledge goes.  Tackle your problems one by one and you'll get the hang of it.

We're in the St. Pete/Largo area, so if you're in that part of the FL Gulf Coast let me know and you'd be welcome to set up a time to stop by, show you around, answer questions, etc.

[jsheridan]

ouch..

Have you considered hiring a consultant?

I'm serious, if you are, contact me and we can have you up and running smoothly in as little as two weeks.

[larryk]

When we first started printing about 2 decades ago we were just as clueless as you and started with used junk. So at least you have a head start over where some of us started..... First thing I did was buy a book called "How to print T shirts for fun and profit".  Not much fun and even less profit to start out with but that book was a priceless tool for us at the time. I'm sure it is still available if you look..... and remember. Google is your friend!

[nakaapparel]

Yes, it can be very daunting when starting out - everyone here has been through it. You made a significant investment with your equipment - hopefully you got some good equipment. Perhaps now you can think about investing in some training.


Class = Much more generalized, takes longer to get up and running but less $
Consultant = Get up quicker, get answers to specific questions and will show you the process but more $


Whichever way you decide to go, good luck with it and hope the business starts rolling in for you. We all know the pressures of needing to generate revenue quick.