If you're a new screen printing business owner or hobbyist, you may wonder why screen printing companies require minimum orders. As you dive deeper into screen printing, you'll find this requirement is quite common, and for a good reason.
First, it's important to understand that setting up each job requires time, materials, and labor. From creating the design, coating the screen, and printing the actual product, a lot of behind-the-scenes work goes into each order. For businesses to remain profitable, they must use their resources and supplies efficiently.
Another reason for minimum orders is that it can greatly impact the efficiency of the custom screen printing process. The more items in an order, the more efficiently the job can be done. As a result, it's more cost-effective for companies to focus on larger orders rather than smaller ones. It preserves screen printing supplies and streamlines the process.
While it may seem inconvenient for small business owners, screen printing minimum orders can benefit your business. Here's what to know about how to set and manage your minimum order quantity.
What is Minimum Order Quantity?
Custom screen printing involves several steps, including creating a stencil, mixing the ink, and setting up the press. These are all time-consuming and labor-intensive tasks that require a high level of expertise.
With MOQs, screen printing businesses can optimize their production process. How so? They're reducing overhead costs per item. This translates to more cost-effective pricing for their customers. While that's great regarding your screen printing supplies (and how much you have to order), it also translates into the following benefits.
Efficient Use of Resources
In addition to reducing overhead costs, having a print minimum helps screen printing companies make the most out of their resources. For instance, using equipment and materials to print a small order may not be worth it. By setting MOQs, a screen printing business can efficiently use its resources, reducing waste and improving the bottom line.
Better Customer Service
Screen printing businesses with MOQs can ensure that their customers get the most value from their investment. Screen printing businesses can offer discounted prices and better service by requiring customers to order a minimum number of items. The customers, in turn, are assured of quality products, timely delivery, and excellent customer support.
Higher Customer Satisfaction
Finally, MOQs can also lead to higher customer satisfaction. By streamlining their production and optimizing their resources, screen printing businesses can provide their customers with high-quality products at more affordable prices. Customers who are satisfied with their order are more likely to come back and refer others to the business, helping the company grow and thrive.
How to Set Screen Printing Order Minimums
As a new screen printing business, it can be challenging to determine your screen printing order minimums. On the one hand, you don't want to turn away potential customers by setting the number too high. On the other hand, you don't want to take on orders that will cost you more in time and materials than they are worth. So, how do you strike the right balance?
First and foremost, consider the cost of your screen printing supplies. You should aim to cover the cost of the materials and labor needed to complete each order and make a profit. A good rule of thumb is to set your minimum order quantity at a level that will give you a profit margin of at least 20%.
Next, think about your time investment. How much time does setting up your equipment for each print run take? How long do screen printed orders take? Factor in the time it takes to communicate with customers, order supplies, and ship products.
Based on your calculations, you may need to adjust your screen printed orders and minimums to ensure you are making enough profit to justify the work involved.
Finally, keep an eye on your business growth. As your screen printing orders increase, you may be able to lower your minimum quantity to attract more customers. Alternatively, increased demand may mean raising your minimums to manage your workload.
By considering your costs, time investment, and business growth, you can establish print minimum quantities and rules to help your screen printing business thrive.
Order Screen Printing Supplies Accordingly
Ensuring your screen printing shop is well stocked with screen printing supplies and equipment is crucial to the success of your business. However, when it comes to ordering screen printing supplies, it can be confusing and overwhelming, especially if you're just starting.
How do you know what to order and how much you need? And how do you avoid overspending or understocking?
Start by estimating your average order size to order screen printing supplies accordingly. Look at your past orders and determine what the average quantity is. Once you have this number, add a buffer of about 25% to ensure you have enough supplies in case of unexpected orders or mistakes. This buffer should also account for the number of supplies you need for sample prints.
When ordering supplies, prioritize the essentials such as:
- Ink
- Emulsion
- Screens
You can also consider purchasing bulk blank t-shirts or other garments. In the long run, this can save you money on larger screen printing orders. It can also ensure that you always have stock available.
Buy From Holden Screens
In addition to ordering the right amount of screen printing supplies, you also need to consider the quality of the supplies. Investing in high-quality supplies can reduce costs in the long run by ensuring that your prints are consistent and long-lasting.
At Holdens Screen, we offer high-quality supplies for various machines and processes. Order from us to experience the quality difference. If you have questions about our products, please contact us!