Startup Screen Printing - How to start and grow a screen print business

Hosted by Jesse Poteet

Business Entrepreneurship Education

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Jan 2025

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Some of the biggest players in the screen print industry started out in a garage or basement shop. Each year, more and more people try to experience the same journey by launching their own diy screen print company at home. But how do you market and grow a screen print business when you're just getting started and budgets are tight? Follow me, Jesse Poteet, as I build my own print company. I'll share my own tactics and strategies I am using to grow my business, as well as failures and lessons learned along the way.

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17 recent

January 25, 202548 min

How Ashore App Revolutionizes Proofing for Screen Printers | Interview with Cody Miles

Discover how the Ashore app is transforming proofing for screen printers! In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Cody Miles, founder of Ashore, to explore why he built this powerful proofing platform and how it’s helping creatives and screen print businesses streamline their approval workflows.Tired of juggling emails, PDFs, and scattered customer feedback? Cody shares how Ashore simplifies the entire proofing process, offering features like automated workflows, real-time collaboration, white labeling, and detailed checklists. Plus, Ashore’s free plan is one of the most generous in the industry, making it accessible for screen printers of all sizes.Cody also reveals why having a dedicated proofing tool beats built-in features of shop management software, like Printavo. If you’re ready to boost your efficiency, improve customer communication, and look like a pro in front of clients, this video is for you.Use the code STARTUPSCREENPRINTING for 20% off your Ashore plan forever. Set up an account first, then use this link: https://sea.ashoreapp.com/billing?c=STARTUPSCREENPRINTING🔥 Join the Print for Profit Challenge and take the next step toward building your successful screen printing business! Learn more and register here ➡ https://ssp.ink/print-for-profit🚀 See my curated collection of screen print equipment and supplies from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/startupscreenprinting👉 Download my FREE guide – “Top 5 Mistakes New Screen Printers Make (And How to Avoid Them)” here and start building a business today: https://shop.startupscreenprinting.com/b/top-5-mistakes-new-screen-printers-make💰 Learn how to grow a profitable business: https://ssp.ink/course🔥 Curious about all the products, services, apps, etc. I use to run my successful screen printing business? Take a look at my toolbox at https://ssp.ink/tools✅ Support the channel on Patreon for exclusive content: https://ssp.ink/patreon😎 Join The Print Crew for FREE ➡ https://ssp.ink/print-crew💯 Get my pre-registration template ➡ https://ssp.ink/reg-template🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast ➡ https://ssp.ink/podcast📷 Follow me on Instagram ➡ https://ssp.ink/instagram☕️ Buy me a coffee: https://ssp.ink/coffee

August 29, 202445 min

Learning to love the process and try new things with Jennifer Sanderson of Pigskins & Pigtails

Screen printing isn't easy and there are a lot of variables (and opinions) to consider when you're learning how to print. Jennifer Sanderson of Pigskins & Pigtails (https://www.pigskinsandpigtails.com) wasn't afraid of the challenges and has paved a way for crafters and beginner screen printers to learn screen printing through her content and tutorials and her new screen printing press that she partnered with Ryonet to create (https://ssp.ink/pigskinspress). I really enjoyed this chat with Jennifer and I'm excited to share it with you all. She's doing great things for the craft and screen print industry and we're lucky to have her. In this interview we talk about her experience, how she got started, how she learned screen printing, why finding your ideal customer is important, and how to enjoy the process and love facing new challenges head on. ------------------------------------------💰 Learn how to grow a profitable business: https://ssp.ink/course✅ Support the channel on Patreon for exclusive content: https://ssp.ink/patreon😎 Join The Print Crew for FREE ➡ https://ssp.ink/print-crew?utm_source=yt💯 Get my pre-registration template ➡ https://ssp.ink/reg-template?utm_source=yt🧰 The Screen Printing Toolbox ➡ https://screenprintingtoolbox.com?utm_source=yt🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast ➡ https://ssp.ink/podcast📷 Instagram ➡ https://ssp.ink/instagram☕️ Buy me a coffee: https://ssp.ink/coffee------------------------------------------🔥 Companies & Products I trust and use in my screen printing business ⬇️⃗⃗✅ All my cabinets & tables are from Sam's Club - https://ssp.ink/seville-classics✅ Best screen printing supplies and equipment - https://ssp.ink/ryonet✅ Best cleanup wipes to have in the shop - https://ssp.ink/wipes✅ Best film printer under $250 - https://ssp.ink/ip8720✅ Design and art graphics - https://ssp.ink/retrosupply✅ Quietest air compressor - https://ssp.ink/air✅ Best screen frames for home print shops - https://ssp.ink/ecoframes✅ Best bookkeeping and invoicing software (FREE) - https://ssp.ink/zohobooks✅ Best laser engravers - https://ssp.ink/xtool✅ Legal terms for your website - https://ssp.ink/termly✅ Best website hosting - https://ssp.ink/dreamhost✅ I only use Green Galaxy water based ink - https://ssp.ink/greengalaxy✅ I manage my life and business with Notion - https://ssp.ink/notion✅ I use Airtable for my pricing calculator - https://ssp.ink/airtable✅ I print on a Riley Hopkins 300 - https://ssp.ink/riley300✅ I host my podcast with Transistor - https://ssp.ink/transistor✅ I get all of my domain names from Namecheap - https://ssp.ink/namecheapNOTE: Many of the links above are affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links.

August 14, 202434 min

Using digital marketing to grow your business with Jonathan Musgrave

What is marketing? How can digital marketing help you grow your screen print business? In this episode of the podcast I sit with with my friend Jonathan to talk about digital marketing strategies, Facebook advertising, social media marketing, and just marketing in general. ------------------------------------------💰 Learn how to grow a profitable business: https://ssp.ink/course✅ Support the channel on Patreon for exclusive content: https://ssp.ink/patreon😎 Join The Print Crew for FREE ➡ https://ssp.ink/print-crew?utm_source=yt💯 Get my pre-registration template ➡ https://ssp.ink/reg-template?utm_source=yt🧰 The Screen Printing Toolbox ➡ https://screenprintingtoolbox.com?utm_source=yt🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast ➡ https://ssp.ink/podcast📷 Instagram ➡ https://ssp.ink/instagram☕️ Buy me a coffee: https://ssp.ink/coffee------------------------------------------🔥 Companies & Products I trust and use in my screen printing business ⬇️✅ All my cabinets & tables are from Sam's Club - https://ssp.ink/seville-classics✅ Best screen printing supplies and equipment - https://ssp.ink/ryonet✅ Best cleanup wipes to have in the shop - https://ssp.ink/wipes✅ Best film printer under $250 - https://ssp.ink/ip8720✅ Design and art graphics - https://ssp.ink/retrosupply✅ Quietest air compressor - https://ssp.ink/air✅ Best screen frames for home print shops - https://ssp.ink/ecoframes✅ Best bookkeeping and invoicing software (FREE) - https://ssp.ink/zohobooks✅ Best laser engravers - https://ssp.ink/xtool✅ Legal terms for your website - https://ssp.ink/termly✅ Best website hosting - https://ssp.ink/dreamhost✅ I only use Green Galaxy water based ink - https://ssp.ink/greengalaxy✅ I manage my life and business with Notion - https://ssp.ink/notion✅ I use Airtable for my pricing calculator - https://ssp.ink/airtable✅ I print on a Riley Hopkins 300 - https://ssp.ink/riley300✅ I host my podcast with Transistor - https://ssp.ink/transistor✅ I get all of my domain names from Namecheap - https://ssp.ink/namecheapNOTE: Many of the links above are affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links.

June 12, 202410 min

The dangers of printing art you don't have permission to print

In today's episode we talk about the importance of not printing designs that you don't have permission to print and the risks you're taking if you do. It could cost you everything and it's not worth it, besides, it's stealing.-----------------------------------------☕️ Buy me a coffee: https://ssp.ink/coffee✅ Subscribe on Patreon for bonus content: https://ssp.ink/patreon💯 Get my FREE registration template ➡ https://ssp.ink/reg-template?utm_source=yt🧰 The Screen Printing Toolbox ➡ https://screenprintingtoolbox.com?utm_source=yt😎 Join The Print Crew ➡ https://ssp.ink/print-crew?utm_source=yt🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast ➡ https://ssp.ink/podcast📷 Instagram ➡ https://ssp.ink/instagram------------------------------------------Companies & Services I trust and use in my screen printing business Ryonet for screen printing supplies and equipment https://ssp.ink/ryonetConvertKit for email marketing: https://ssp.ink/convertkitEcamm Live for recording video and live streaming https://ssp.ink/ecammStickerMule for stickers and packing tape https://ssp.ink/stickermule

March 30, 202435 min

Get To Know Retro Supply Co: A Chat With Founder Dustin Lee

Had a great time in this discussion with Dustin Lee of Retro Supply Co. Dustin shares more about his journey as a graphic designer and and his insights from his own experience launching and growing a profitable business. We also talk about the value in picking a niche for your business rather than being a serve-all type of shop. Lot's of great insights from Dustin in this episode and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed speaking with him.Be sure to check out https://retrosupplyco.com for more about Dustin's business and the resources he creates for designers.The next cohort of my business course opens soon so join the waitlist at https://startupscreenprinting.com/resources/business-course------------------------------------------💯 Get my FREE registration template ➡ https://ssp.ink/reg-template?utm_source=yt🧰 The Screen Printing Toolbox ➡ https://screenprintingtoolbox.com?utm_source=yt😎 Join The Print Crew ➡ https://ssp.ink/print-crew?utm_source=yt🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast ➡ https://ssp.ink/podcast📷 Instagram ➡ https://ssp.ink/instagram------------------------------------------Companies & Services I trust and use in my screen printing business Ryonet for screen printing supplies and equipment https://ssp.ink/ryonetConvertKit for email marketing: https://ssp.ink/convertkitEcamm Live for recording video and live streaming https://ssp.ink/ecammStickerMule for stickers and packing tape https://ssp.ink/stickermule

February 20, 202439 min

Essential Steps For Starting A Business

In this episode of the Startup Screen Printing Podcast I have a great discussion with Darryl Shaper of Fixed Fee Law Firm (https://ssp.ink/fixedfeelaw) about the legal steps every entrepreneur should take when starting a business. From filing an LLC to creating a contract, Darryl explains everything you need to know to get your business started off the right way.We mention several services for things like domain names, hosting, and terms & conditions, so here are those links:For domain names, few services beat Namecheap: https://ssp.ink/namecheapFor website hosting, use Dreamhost: https://ssp.ink/dreamhostFor landing pages and link-in-bio pages, use Carrd: https://ssp.ink/carrdFor website terms & conditions, use Termly: https://ssp.ink/termlyFor invoicing & bookkeeping software, use Zoho Books for free: https://ssp.ink/zohobooks------------------------------------------💯 Get my FREE registration template ➡ https://ssp.ink/reg-template?utm_source=yt🧰 The Screen Printing Toolbox ➡ https://screenprintingtoolbox.com?utm_source=yt😎 Join The Print Crew ➡ https://ssp.ink/print-crew?utm_source=yt🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast ➡ https://ssp.ink/podcast📷 Instagram ➡ https://ssp.ink/instagram------------------------------------------Companies & Services I trust and use in my screen printing business Ryonet for screen printing supplies and equipment https://ssp.ink/ryonetConvertKit for email marketing: https://ssp.ink/convertkitEcamm Live for recording video and live streaming https://ssp.ink/ecammStickerMule for stickers and packing tape https://ssp.ink/stickermule

September 1, 202325 min

S1E10 - Using social media to promote your screen print business

In this episode I talk about using social media to promote your screen print business. There is no right or wrong way, but if you're looking for a way to grow your business through social media, I've got some great tips and insights to share that I think will truly help your business.------------------------------------------💯 Get my FREE registration template ➡ https://ssp.ink/reg-template?utm_source=yt❓ Leave me your questions for the podcast by submitting an audio question ➡ https://ssp.ink/questions🧰 The Screen Printing Toolbox ➡ https://screenprintingtoolbox.com?utm_source=yt😎 Join The Print Crew ➡ https://ssp.ink/print-crew?utm_source=yt📧 Sign up for my newsletter ➡ https://ssp.ink/go🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast ➡ https://ssp.ink/podcast📷 Instagram ➡ https://ssp.ink/instagram------------------------------------------Companies & Services I trust and use in my screen printing business Ryonet for screen printing supplies and equipment https://ssp.ink/ryonetNamecheap for domain name registration https://ssp.ink/namecheapDreamhost for website hosting: https://ssp.ink/dreamhostConvertKit for email marketing: https://ssp.ink/convertkitEcamm Live for recording video and live streaming https://ssp.ink/ecammStickerMule for stickers and packing tape https://ssp.ink/stickermule

June 29, 202330 min

S1E9 - Deep dive into everything that goes into a screen print pricing formula

In this final episode on the topic of screen print pricing, we finally take a deep dive into what exactly goes into the pricing formula. Keep in mind, this is just one formula and may not work for your situation, but if you're wondering where to start with pricing, give this a shot then change it to fit your shop.I use airtable as my pricing calculator and quote tracker. https://ssp.ink/airtable💯 Get my FREE registration template: https://ssp.ink/registration-template------------------------------------------📧 Sign up for my newsletter: https://ssp.ink/go🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast: https://ssp.ink/podcast📷 Instagram: https://ssp.ink/instagram------------------------------------------Companies & Services I trust and use in my screen printing business Ryonet for screen printing supplies and equipment https://ssp.ink/ryonetEcamm Live for recording video and live streaming https://ssp.ink/ecammStickerMule for stickers and packing tape https://ssp.ink/stickermuleCanva for creating video thumbnails and social posts https://ssp.ink/canvaPrintful for print-on-demand items and stores https://ssp.ink/printfulNamecheap for domain name registration https://ssp.ink/namecheapTransistor for podcast hosting https://ssp.ink/transistorSetapp for awesome mac apps https://ssp.ink/setapp

April 13, 202311 min

S1E8 - Don't price with fees. Keep your screen print pricing strategy simple.

It's been common for decorators to price their work as a combination of prices given to the customer rather than one single price. For example, a screen fee, a setup fee, etc. However, this only complicates things for your customer. Keep your pricing simple. Give them the price total that gets them out the door with the finished product.Get my FREE registration template: https://ssp.ink/registration-template------------------------------------------📧 Sign up for my newsletter: https://ssp.ink/go🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast: https://ssp.ink/podcast📷 Instagram: https://ssp.ink/instagram------------------------------------------Companies & Services I trust and use in my screen printing business Ryonet for screen printing supplies and equipment https://ssp.ink/ryonetEcamm Live for recording video and live streaming https://ssp.ink/ecammStickerMule for stickers and packing tape https://ssp.ink/stickermuleCanva for creating video thumbnails and social posts https://ssp.ink/canvaPrintful for print-on-demand items and stores https://ssp.ink/printfulNamecheap for domain name registration https://ssp.ink/namecheapTransistor for podcast hosting https://ssp.ink/transistorSetapp for awesome mac apps https://ssp.ink/setappAirtable for my screen print pricing calculator and other databases https://ssp.ink/airtable

March 28, 202314 min

S1E7 - Should you mark up your apparel price?

Continuing our conversation on pricing strategy by looking into whether you should mark up your apparel price or not. Many shops do markup the apparel price and for various reasons. I have recently decided not to do that in my pricing, but instead added a different type of handling fee. How do you. handle apparel markups in your pricing? ------------------------------------------📧 Sign up for my newsletter: https://ssp.ink/go🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast: https://ssp.ink/podcast📷 Instagram: https://ssp.ink/instagram------------------------------------------Companies & Services I trust and use in my screen printing business Ryonet for screen printing supplies and equipment https://ssp.ink/ryonetEcamm Live for recording video and live streaming https://ssp.ink/ecammStickerMule for stickers and packing tape https://ssp.ink/stickermuleCanva for creating video thumbnails and social posts https://ssp.ink/canvaPrintful for print-on-demand items and stores https://ssp.ink/printfulNamecheap for domain name registration https://ssp.ink/namecheapTransistor for podcast hosting https://ssp.ink/transistorSetapp for awesome mac apps https://ssp.ink/setappAirtable for my screen print pricing calculator and other databases https://ssp.ink/airtable