Starting a print business at home

You don't need a shop to start. Many print partners begin with one heat press and grow from there. Here are the common starting setups, from simplest to most involved.

1. Heat press + ready-made DTF transfers

Order printed DTF transfers from a transfer supplier and press them onto blanks yourself. You get full-color prints on almost any fabric without owning a printer.

• You need: a heat press (a 15"×15" or 16"×20" press covers most shirts), a Teflon or parchment cover sheet, and blanks.

2. Heat press + vinyl cutter (HTV)

Cut designs from heat transfer vinyl and press them. It's perfect for names, numbers, team shirts and simple text.

• You need: a cutting machine, a heat press, weeding tools and vinyl rolls.

3. Sublimation

A sublimation printer (often a converted inkjet), sublimation paper and a heat press. It's great for all-over, photo-quality prints, but only on white or light polyester.

4. DTF or DTG printer, or screen printing

These setups print in-house and cost more up front. They also need more space, upkeep and practice. Most print partners move to them once their volume justifies it.

Pressing basics

• Follow your transfer's instructions. Temperature, time, pressure, and hot or cold peel all differ between vinyls and DTF films.
• Pre-press the blank for a few seconds to remove moisture and wrinkles.
• Press a test on a scrap or spare shirt whenever you change materials.
• A heat press beats a household iron: even heat and even pressure are what make prints last.

Before your first order

• Wash-test your own work: wash a pressed shirt several times and check for peeling or cracking.
• Keep a small stock of common blank sizes and colors, or know where to get them fast.
• Only accept print methods you can deliver well. On VLCANO you list your methods when you sign up, and you're only matched with orders that fit them.