Start a screen printing shop with an automatic press
Run a rented unit with an automatic press to handle bigger team, school and business orders.
- $15k-70k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
5,854 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year
NAICS 323113 “Commercial screen printing”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A full-time print shop in a small industrial unit, with a multi-color press, exposure unit, washout area and conveyor dryer. You handle larger runs and may add embroidery or vinyl later.
Your first three steps
- Work or train at an existing print shop, or take an equipment supplier's training, to learn production workflow
- Write a simple plan with equipment costs, lease terms and the monthly order volume you need to break even
- Line up your first accounts, such as a school, a league and a few local businesses, before signing a lease
Who pays
Schools, sports leagues, companies ordering staff uniforms, event organizers, breweries, bands and local retailers.
How it makes money
Per-piece pricing that drops with volume, plus setup fees and rush charges. Reorders from schools, leagues and businesses give a steady base.
Skills that help
- Press operation and color matching
- Production scheduling
- Sales and customer service
Watch out for
- Check zoning for your unit and any city or county business license required
- Wastewater, ink and chemical disposal rules, which vary by city and state, so check with your local sewer authority and environmental agency
- General liability and property insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
- Equipment is a major cost, so compare new and used presses and financing carefully
- Sales tax registration and resale certificates, as rules vary by state
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: screen printing shop with automatic press
Researched with live web search for United States: 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 open a screen printing shop?
Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on whether you buy new or used presses, financing, and your unit. Equipment is a major cost, so compare options carefully.
What rules should I check before opening a print shop?
Check zoning for your unit and any city or county business license. Check wastewater, ink and chemical disposal rules with your local sewer authority and environmental agency. Also look at insurance, workers' compensation once you hire, and sales tax rules.
How much can a screen printing shop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your order volume and customers such as schools, leagues and companies. The estimate assumes at least about 35 hours a week.
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