Choosing the Best Location for Your Screen Printing Shop, Part 1

Every business — including screen printing businesses — requires a space to get up and running. The location you choose for your business will, in part, determine the success of your business. That’s why we have chosen to devote our next two blogs to choosing the right location for your screen printing business.

Whether you’re looking to start a screen printing business in your home garage or expand your growing business to a larger commercial space, there’s a lot that you need to consider.

As you start your search for a location for your screen printing business, there are several types of properties you’ll look at, and several elements you will need to consider. Even if you think your home is the right location, you still will need to evaluate the qualities of the property and how they are able to meet your business’s needs. At the most basic level, there are a few things you will need to consider as you begin to look at real estate.

Visibility and accessibility

Everyone knows that real estate is all about location. The location you choose for your screen printing shop will help to support the success of your business. As you search, you will want to look for a space that matches with your business’s goal. At the very least, you will want something that is visible and accessible. Even if you don’t plan to have a lot of walk-in traffic, choosing a location with visibility will help spread the word about your business to local customers. Your signage and your store front will make passersby aware of your business and your services, and it’s especially valuable if you plan on having a retail storefront. Accessibility is another must. You will need a location that gives access to customers who are coming to pick up orders or who are coming in to discuss their product options with you. You also will need to be sure that your shop is accessible to deliveries of supplies and equipment.

Zoning

As you evaluate potential locations for your screen printing shop, you will have to evaluate the zoning of potential properties to make sure your chosen location allows for the legal operation of your business. If you’re looking to open your shop in your home, you will have to see if your local residential zoning code allows for home-based businesses. If you’re looking for a separate business location, you will be looking at commercially zoned properties.

You’ll want to make sure your location can handle your equipment in terms of
space, power requirements and zoning. (Pictured: Anatol’s Vulcan gas conveyor dryer)

Most screen printing shops choose to locate in areas that are zoned for industrial and manufacturing uses, but some screen printing shops, particularly ones that are marketing their own designs or that are looking to allow people to print one-off or small batches of their own prints, choose retail locations. If retail space appeals to you, know that some areas might not allow screen printing in an area zoned for retail. If you are working with a realtor, he or she should be able to give you guidance on choosing a property that permits your screen printing business, but it’s always safest to double check with your city’s zoning office to verify that you will be allowed to use the space for screen printing before you sign on the dotted line.

Cost

You also will need to be sure that the cost of renting and running your selected location will fit within your business’s budget. Rent will be your main cost, but you have to carefully consider all of the costs that go with your preferred location. Factor in electricity, heating and cooling, water, waste disposal and insurance. This will take some research on your part. If you are renting, you should be asking the landlord about what is covered in the rent and the typical costs of utilities. Whether you’re renting or buying, if your location is in an industrial park or commercial plaza, you can talk with the surrounding businesses about their monthly utility and operating costs to help you make your best estimate at the true monthly cost of your potential location.

Choosing a location for your screen printing business is a major decision. There are a lot of different elements to take into consideration; visibility and accessibility, zoning and cost are just the preliminary considerations. Once you narrow down your options, you will want to delve deeper to determine which spaces will work for your screen printing shop. Our next blog will help you know what requirements you will need to look for in a business location.

The custom t-shirt printing market is valued at over 3.64 billion. Custom printed t-shirts are everywhere. But not all custom t-shirts are created equally. 

Custom printed t-shirts offer many benefits. You can make your own shirts to promote your brand, for a trip, or gifts. However, poor-quality custom printed t-shirts can do more harm than good and will likely end up being thrown out. 

So, how can you find the best custom t-shirt printing company to create quality custom t-shirts? Read on to learn the factors to consider. 

Know Your Criteria 

Before you start researching companies, you need to set your criteria. It will help narrow down your choices to find the best custom t-shirt printing for your needs. 

How many custom t-shirts do you need? Some companies have a minimum order quota or only take bulk orders, and some may not be able to complete large orders. 

Also, consider what type of t-shirt printing you want; direct to garment, embroidered, or a screen printing company. Once you determine these factors, you can narrow your search down to a wholesale screen printing company or a t-shirt printing company with low minimum orders.

Options for Custom T-Shirts 

You want to find a company that offers the customizable options you need to get your ideal custom t-shirts. For example, some companies will only offer a limited amount of design options, which might be limiting if you have a specific design in mind. There are also print size limits to consider. 

Other companies may offer customizable design options but check their printing style and graphic capabilities. Ask if they can alter fonts, sizes, alignments, and colors accordingly. You want to make sure your design comes out in hi-resolution. 

Check the printing company can also print on both sides of the custom t-shirts if this is something you need. Also, check the quality of t-shirts or if you can provide your own. Ask about the materials they use and if they add any extra details, such as an inside tag label. 

Custom T-Shirt Printing Experience

Printmaking is an art that takes time to master. If you want quality custom printed t-shirts, ask how long the company has been in business or staff experience with printing. It can suggest how much expertise they have to complete the designs.

Some companies may outsource their custom t-shirt printing. Ask about their in-house team and how they create their designs. 

It can be a good sign if they offer other printing options too, such as on hats. Some companies offer services such as embroidery too. If they also offer different services, it can indicate a good level of experience in the field. 

Customer Service 

Look for a custom printing company that offers one-to-one customer service and has readily available contact details. You want to be able to contact them if there is a problem and know they will also respond accordingly.

Another indication of good customer service is if they provide helpful advice online or over the phone. They should be able to provide design advice but also listen to your ideas and find a way to make them happen. Do not accept a company that pushes a pre-determined design that is not aligned with your ideas. 

If a company seems indifferent to your needs or does not respond promptly to your questions, it is time to look elsewhere. The best custom t-shirt printing company should be there every step of the way. 

Their Reputation 

A company may look like the best custom t-shirt printing option on paper, but does their reputation back it up? Check customer testimonials and the company’s portfolio. It is ideal to find reviews from customers who have similar needs and design requests as you. 

Be sure to check independent reviews too. It is not just the design quality you want to check, but their customer service experience too.

Location

Is the location of the t-shirt printing company important to you? Some people want to visit the custom printing studio in person to follow the design process. If so, search your location, such as ‘screen printer Los Angeles’ or ‘screen print near me’. 

Other people are happy with completing their entire order online. Either way, it is important to pick a reputable company that can deliver. 

Online Functionality 

If you are using an online service to make your own shirts, you want a design platform that is easy to use. If the platform is difficult to navigate or does not have the right settings to customize your shirts, it could be a sign to try elsewhere. 

The checkout and payment process should also be customizable. If you cannot pick a deadline or there are limited payment options, it might not work for your needs.  

T-Shirt Printing Costs 

Check what offers the company has for bulk orders or package deals. The prices should also be transparent. Or there should be clear guidelines as to how costs for items are worked out and if there are any liability fees. 

A cheap company does not necessarily mean a bargain. It could also mean it is of poor quality. Find a printing company that fits your budget other needs and also has a good reputation. 

Delivery Time

Can the company work to your deadline? A crucial factor in picking a custom t-shirt company is if they can work to your timeline. Companies may have a minimum time period to complete certain printing styles or designs. 

If you are on an extremely tight timeline, it is best to find a company that needs you. Search ‘screen print near me’ and find a company with a good reputation. 

The Best Custom T-Shirt Printing Company 

Taking the time to consider your custom t-shirt printing needs will ensure you find the right company the first time. The last thing you want is to start over if the design is not right or the quality of the t-shirts is poor.

If you are looking for the best custom t-shirt printing company, look no further. We have over 35 years of combined experience and use the latest technology to produce custom t-shirts and other products such as custom hats embroidered. Contact us today to get started.