Home screen printing studio for local clubs and teams

Print small runs of T-shirts and hoodies from a garage or basement for clubs, teams and local events.

Startup costC$1.5k to C$6k
Monthly revenueC$500 to C$3.5k
Time needed8+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • C$1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.

What it is

A small manual screen printing setup in a garage, basement or spare room. You print designs onto T-shirts, hoodies and tote bags in short runs, usually 12 to 100 pieces per order.

Your first three steps

  1. Take a short screen printing course or work through trusted tutorials, then practise on test garments until your prints are consistent
  2. Set up a ventilated workspace with a manual press, exposure unit, screens, squeegees and a flash dryer, then price a simple one-colour job
  3. Offer a discounted first run to a local team or club and ask for photos and a referral
Who pays

Minor sports teams, community clubs, school groups, local events, small businesses and families planning reunions.

How it makes money

Price per printed item, with a setup fee for each design and colour. Larger runs cost less per piece, and you can mark up the blank garments.

Skills that help
  • Patience and attention to detail
  • Basic design or artwork preparation
  • Quoting and customer service
  • Comfortable with hands-on, messy work
Watch out for
  • Check your municipality's rules and whether you need a home-based business licence, including zoning and noise or fumes
  • Ventilation and safe storage and disposal of inks, emulsions and cleaning chemicals; check local waste rules
  • Copyright and trademark: avoid printing logos or team marks you do not have permission to use
  • Home insurance may not cover business equipment or stock, so check commercial general liability and contents cover
  • Winter garages can be too cold for inks to cure and dry properly, so plan heating

🔒 Full research report for Canada

Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.

Coming soon

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a home screen printing business in Canada?

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on the press and equipment you choose, your screens, inks and blank garments, and how much you spend on heating or ventilation.

How much can a home screen printing studio earn?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many small-run orders you win from teams, clubs and events and how many hours you work. A starting point is about 8 hours a week.

What should I check before screen printing from home in Canada?

Check your municipality's home-based business licence, zoning, noise and fumes rules. Also check ventilation and disposal of inks and chemicals, permission to print logos, whether home insurance covers business equipment, and heating for winter curing.

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