Home screen printing studio
Print small runs of T-shirts and tote bags for clubs, events and local businesses from a spare room or garage.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
8,677 UK companies in this field, 19% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 18129 “Printing n.e.c.”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small manual screen printing set-up at home, printing designs onto T-shirts, hoodies and tote bags in short runs, usually from a few dozen up to a few hundred items.
Your first three steps
- Take a short screen printing workshop or practise on a starter kit to learn exposing screens and printing cleanly
- Set up a ventilated space with a manual press, exposure unit and a way to cure the ink, then print sample items
- Show your samples to a few local clubs and small businesses and offer a small first order at a fair price
Who pays
Local clubs and schools, small businesses, event organisers, bands and friends-of-friends who want custom printed items.
How it makes money
A price per printed item, with a set-up charge for each design and colour. Small runs cost more per item, larger orders less.
Skills that help
- Basic design or artwork preparation
- Patience and attention to detail
- Quoting and keeping to deadlines
Watch out for
- Check whether you need permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council to run it from home
- Public liability insurance, plus a check on how your home insurance treats business equipment
- Ink, cleaning chemicals and waste water: check how to store and dispose of them properly
- Ventilation and fire safety if you use a heat dryer or flash unit
- Using logos or characters you do not have rights to print
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: home screen printing studio
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a screen printing business at home?
Startup costs are typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on your press, screens, dryer and starting stock. These are estimates, so also allow for insurance and the supplies needed to store and clean inks properly.
How much can a home screen printer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on how many orders you win and the size of each run. These are estimates, and you could start with around 8 hours a week.
What should I check before screen printing from home?
Check whether you need permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council, and how your home insurance treats business equipment. Also check how to store and dispose of inks and chemicals, ventilation and fire safety, and that you have rights to any logos you print.
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