Screen printing and custom apparel shop

Local businesses, schools, nonprofits, event organizers, breweries, contractors and gyms that order in volume and reorder regularly.

Per-piece pricing that drops as quantities rise, plus setup fees and markups on blank garments and promotional products. Repeat corporate and school accounts give steadier income.

• Operating print equipment and troubleshooting
• Color matching and artwork prep
• Quoting and job scheduling
• Sales and relationship building

• Check zoning, your city or county business license and any fire or building inspections for your unit
• Check state and local rules on chemical storage, air quality and wastewater from screen reclaiming
• Register for sales tax with your state, and check rules on resale certificates for blanks and exemptions for nonprofit customers
• Get general liability and property insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire
• Equipment, rent and inventory are fixed costs, so make sure you have steady orders before taking on a lease
• Late deliveries or misprints on large orders can be costly, so build in proofs and customer sign-off

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your press and equipment, rent and opening inventory. These are fixed costs, so make sure you have steady orders lined up before taking on a lease.

Check zoning, your city or county business license and any fire or building inspections for your unit. Also check state and local rules on chemical storage, air quality and wastewater, plus sales tax registration and resale certificates.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on order volume, how many customers reorder and your pricing. The estimates assume at least about 35 hours a week. Late deliveries or misprints on large orders can be costly.