How to Start a Screen Printing Business from Home

Screen printing is the process of printing on any material such as paper, cloth or bags. In this screen printing business, you can make money from the customer by printing any picture, logo, text or a drawing or photograph as per the choice of the customer.  Because there is always a desire to customize a particular product and print something on each product so this is a good opportunity for the business. Also, this business is perfect for those who want to create customized products from the comfort of their home.

Therefore, starting a screen printing business at home can be an exciting and profitable business. Also, starting this business requires only a little capital, you can be as creative as you want without that, and best of all, you can do it from the comfort of your home. So, if you are interested in starting a screen printing business from home, but not sure where to start? You are at the right place, in this article, we will explore how to start a screen printing business from home.

Market Scope for Screen Printing Business

 Screen printing is a growing industry worldwide, especially with the rise in demand for custom t-shirts, tote bags, posters, and more. Especially, for corporate branding, events, or gift items, there is a ready market for people to pay for that special and customised logo. According to a report, the screen printing market size was valued at USD 1.6 Billion in 2024 and it is expected to reach USD 5.2 Billion in 2033. Therefore, there is no doubt that there are immense possibilities in the screen printing business in the coming times. Also, the target customers may include but are not limited to, business owners, educators, event planners, and artists. So, you can start small by serving your client base with orders from your town of residence then move to the social media networks such as Instagram and sell on platforms like Etsy.

Licenses and Permits for Business

Generally, in India, to start this type of business on a small scale at home the licensing requirements are minimal but important. If your annual turnover exceeds ₹20 lakh, you will need GST registration, which allows you to legally operate and collect taxes. However, depending on your local area, you may need a business license or home occupation permit to operate a business from your residence. So, you should go to the offices of the municipal corporation, gram panchayat in the area in which he is going to start the printing business and find out whether any type of license is required for this business in that area. Therefore, it is better to approach a local business consultant or government office to confirm the requirements.

Raw materials and Equipment for business

To start this business, you will need a screen printing kit, which includes a screen printing frame, squeegee, screen mesh and stencils to transfer the design, ink and emulsion. You can also invest in a heat press machine to fix the design. For this, you can purchase the equipment from b2 b e-commerce websites like IndiaMART or Alibaba.  or Alternatively, local screen printing suppliers often offer affordable beginner packages. And, lastly, it is more appropriate to use small amounts to see how your designs will hold up to a larger scale. To get these materials and equipment, check the video description, You can get the seller’s link.

Investment for Screen Printing Business

Starting a home-based screen printing business in India requires an initial investment range from ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 or more depending on the area you live in and the scale you are starting with. This includes the primary tools and equipment, the materials you use in the production, and the permission required from the authority.  So you start small and as your business grows you can reinvest the profits into better machines and materials. However, if you want to keep costs down, you can start with manual screen printing and upgrade to automatic equipment as business scales increase.

Space for Screen Printing Business

 After completion of all these procedures, to start a screen printing business, you should keep enough space vacant in your home. And, one of the great things about this home-based screen printing business is that you don’t need a big space. A space of around 100 to 150 square feet is enough for you to store your machinery, drying racks and supplies. or take a shop on rent for your business in a nearby market, then you can run this business easily. But, since you are working with inks and chemicals, make sure the area is well-ventilated.

Process of Screen Printing Business

The screen printing process begins by creating a design and printing it onto transparent acetate film. First, The film is utilised to develop the screen or a stencil. Once size of the screen and mesh count has been determined, material that is photo reactive emulsion is applied on the screen and the design is then reproduced using bright light on the screen. The screen is then dried, the necessary touch-ups are done, and the stencil is now ready for use.

Next, the material to be printed is placed on the printing board, a screen is placed on top of it, and then the screen is lowered onto the board, and ink is poured and evenly distributed using a squeegee. After the ink is transferred onto the material through the open areas of the stencil, a special washing liquid is used to remove the emulsion for reuse. Finally, the printed product is heated to set the design.

Marketing Tips for Screen Printing

Now the last step to make this business successful is marketing. To attract clients, start by targeting, and visiting the schools, and colleges located in your area, and tell them about your business because they need printing of ID cards and t-shirts for the children studying there. And private and government offices need to print various types of envelopes, bags with their company logo, or any special event or program, ID cards and T-shirts for employees. So, you can contact the administration department of these companies. Also, you can make your own pamphlets and distribute them in the houses located in your area. Use social media platforms are powerful tools to showcase your business. So, post engaging content and leverage hashtags to reach a wider audience. Offering introductory discounts and special deals for bulk orders can also help you attract initial customers.

Profit from Screen Printing Business

In India, a screen printing business can generate significant profits due to low production costs and high demand for custom products. For example, if you start a t-shirt printing business with screen printing, a custom printing t-shirt costs around ₹200 including materials, ink and labour, but can sell for ₹500 to ₹600 depending on the design and customer base. As a result, you can get a profit of ₹300 to ₹400 per T shirt. Then, if you make and sell 100 t-shirts a month, your potential profit could be ₹30,000 to ₹40,000. However, as you scale up and get bulk orders, your profits can increase even more. So, starting a screen printing business at home is not only affordable but also highly profitable. With the right equipment, creativity, and marketing, you can build a sustainable business from the comfort of your home.

You Can Also Read:

10 Best Business Ideas with Industrial Printing Machines

How to Start a T-shirt Printing Business at Home

Offset Printing Business: A Beginner’s Guide to Launching Your Business