Currently I do vinyl graphics and digital printing. We are moving into a new shop, with a lot more space and even room for expansion. We were thinking about expanding the business and wonder if screen printing might be the way to go? Could anyone give us a bit of insite
Thanx Glenn
Posted by Diane Crowther (Member # 120) on :
I guess it depends upon what you'd be screenprinting. Maybe textiles are different, but we got into digital printing on vinyl specifically to get out of screenprinting due health and environmental considerations. If you've never been exposed to vinyl printing inks, I suggest you visit a shop that uses them before you decide.
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
Hey Glenn....I tried screenprinting a few years ago. The smell is very strong. When I left my shop...my kids could always tell when I got home if I had been silkscreening as I smelled just like the ink! I didn't like it, but was glad I tried it. I have 2 good friends who had screenprinting businesses who got out of it for health reasons.
Posted by Chuey (Member # 2112) on :
if i had the extra room (and time) i would go the embroidery route. nice margins and a heck of alot cleaner. chuey
Posted by Diane Crowther (Member # 120) on :
Chuck, embroidery came to my mind too.
Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
Hi Glenn, There are times when screen printing can be a real nice and fast profit maker. The setup costs are not that great and it is a fairly simple process to learn and train people to do.
It is great to have as an auxiliary operation since you have the room. Yes, you will be working with odorus inks that want ventilation considerations. I find enamel inks no more stinky than enamel paints we use all the time. Vinyl Inks are another story, but again, there are some jobs where they are ideal and can make great money - just do them last thing in the day and then leave.
Like all processes, I think the only pitfall would be if you were relying on it as a sole-source for income and may find yourself forced to take on volume, underpriced, or wholesale jobs just to keep a crew occupied. If you watch out for low pricing you should be fine.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
All good answers there. I started as a screenprinting only operation (existing business I bought) got the vinyl department up to speed, gradually moved away from so much screen printing, because ofseveral factors. As a one man shop I had to close up shop to print, or only print at night after closing. That worked ok for the early years when I wanted to work 24/7 but not as well now. I got a Gerber Edge & most of my screen printed decal work was short enough runs, that I could switch over to edge work for same price. I also exploded with new decal work because of the ease ofmulti-color work, & just because I wanted it more then I did when it was a toxic mess.
On the other hand, I worked half the night last night printing campaign signs,
Posted by Print Wright (Member # 850) on :
Hi there Ditto the replys wrt smell & chemicals. We are currently moving out of screenprinting because of this. There is reasonable money in it but looking in the crystal ball digital printing will or has chopped away at the small run sticker market and to be competive in the long run stickers, auto or semiautomated equipment may be the way to go. In Australia the corflute market (real estate signs) is so competitive that its not worth while chasing Kerry Print Wright Australia
Posted by Jon Aston (Member # 1725) on :
Hi Glenn.
I don't think your choice of graphics production process is anywhere near as important of a consideration as what are your opportunities?
From a marketing perspective, the best Return On Investment (ROI) will come from selling new products to existing customers...because you have a relationship with them. What other graphics-oriented products are they buying? Labels? Promotional magnets? "Destructible" or indestructible decals? Posters? Promotional flyers? The best thing you can do to start with is ask them (your existing customers).
What sorts of "graphics" products they are buying?
From whom?
What are they paying?
How are they produced?
If there was one thing that could be improved (product by product) what would it be?
When you can answer these questions, you will be in good position to consider which production process(es) can produce the greatest number of these items in the most cost effective and satisfactory (for your customer) way. If all of that seems like too much, skip all of the research, go with the percentages and buy a Gerber EDGE.
Extremely versatile (dozens of products)
No harmful solvents (or other chemicals)
No set-up costs, perse
Very cost effective
Excellent ROI (Return on Investment) in the right hands.
You will also find that printing multiple colours is far more cost effective than is cutting, weeding, premasking and applying several colours of vinyl. Don't trust me (I sell them)...Ask ANYONE who owns a Gerber EDGE.
Posted by aaronssigns (Member # 490) on :
right about now a nice little coffee shop would sound even better to me!!!! LOL!!!
If screen printing is what you love to do and you have a market for it then go for it!!! but if your only into it for the all mighty doller and you dont like it then I would think twice before jumping in...life is to short to be unhappy
Posted by Glenn Thompson (Member # 1851) on :
Well I thank everyone for their replys. I think that I'll stay away from doing the screening in house, I already have a good wholesaler for it. But I was just looking at the amount I have been using them, and thought it would be worth at least looking into. I already do digital up to 60" and bullet proof digital decals up to 48", but one always has to keep an open mind to new opportunities or possibilities.
Thanx
Posted by Jon Aston (Member # 1725) on :
Glenn:
If you don't mind me asking, who do you outsource your screenprinting to?
Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :
NO! (that's my answer to the original question) Posted by Glenn Thompson (Member # 1851) on :
I use Accent Screen Printing out of Mill Bay on Vancouver Island
Posted by Jon Aston (Member # 1725) on :
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