Flock Decorating Workshop for Brands and Merch

Clothing brands, universities and colleges, sports leagues, promotional product companies and event organizers who want a premium raised finish.

Per-piece pricing with volume tiers, plus set-up fees for artwork. Repeat contracts with clubs and brands give steadier income, and you can also take on work from other decorators.

• Production planning and quality control
• Artwork preparation and colour matching
• Quoting and customer service
• Managing suppliers and deadlines

• Commercial lease terms, municipal zoning for light industrial use and any business licence required
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Licensed logos, such as leagues or universities, normally need permission from the rights holder
• Workplace safety for hot equipment and chemicals, including WHMIS training for staff where it applies
• Cash flow risk from buying blanks and film before customers pay, so consider deposits on large orders
• Check GST/HST registration and any provincial sales tax rules, and in Quebec check French-language requirements for customer-facing material

Estimates suggest startup typically costs around $12,000 to $45,000, depending on the number of heat presses, cutting equipment and workshop set-up. Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $15,000 in these estimates, depending on order volume and customers.

Check commercial lease terms, municipal zoning for light industrial use and any business licence required. Also check insurance, WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire, permission for licensed logos, WHMIS training where it applies, and GST/HST and provincial sales tax rules.

Useful skills include production planning and quality control, artwork preparation and colour matching, quoting and customer service, and managing suppliers and deadlines. The estimates assume at least about 30 hours a week. Cash flow can be tight, so consider deposits on large orders.