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A small workshop that prints original or customer designs on plain T-shirts and fabrics using heat transfer or screen printing, sold through shops, fairs and online.
Where it fits:SyriaTürkiyeMoroccoNigeriaIndonesiaYemenThe Gambia
Services
A small workshop that prints original or customer designs on plain T-shirts and fabrics using heat transfer or screen printing, sold through shops, fairs and online.
Where it fits:SyriaTürkiyeMoroccoNigeriaIndonesiaYemenThe Gambia
Printing on clothes has become a popular trade among young people because it brings good returns at low cost. The idea is to buy plain clothes or fabrics and print different designs on them, either the maker's own or one the customer brings.
The work leaves room for creativity, and original designs help the business stand out. A good path is to start with heat-transfer printing (heat press and printer) for small, custom orders, then add screen printing for larger runs, which is the method used in the original study.
It can start from a room at home with one or two people.
The original study mentions about ten workers for a larger operation; a small start needs one to three people (estimate).
Check with your municipality, trade registry or local crafts chamber about registering the workshop. Do not print logos or trademarks owned by others without permission.
| Equipment | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing heat press (38 × 38 cm or larger) | 1 | ≈ $250–450 (estimate) |
| Inkjet printer (sublimation or with transfer paper) | 1 | ≈ $300–600 (estimate) |
| Laptop or desktop computer | 1 | If not already owned; ≈ $350–600 (estimate) |
| Screen exposure unit | 1 | ≈ $100–250 (estimate) |
| Screen frames and squeegees | 5–10 | ≈ $60–150 (estimate) |
| Dryer (flash dryer or heat gun) | 1 | ≈ $80–300 (estimate) |
| Printing tables with pallets | 2 | ≈ $80–150 (estimate) |
| Semi-automatic steam iron | 1 | ≈ $50–150 (estimate) |
| Sewing machine | 1 | Optional for print-only work; ≈ $120–250 (estimate) |
| Overlock machine | 1 | Optional for print-only work; ≈ $200–400 (estimate) |
| Ink cabinet and simple hand tools | 1 set | Scissors, heat tape, rulers; ≈ $70–140 (estimate) |
Clothing heat press (38 × 38 cm or larger)
Quantity: 1
≈ $250–450 (estimate)
Inkjet printer (sublimation or with transfer paper)
Quantity: 1
≈ $300–600 (estimate)
Laptop or desktop computer
Quantity: 1
If not already owned; ≈ $350–600 (estimate)
Screen exposure unit
Quantity: 1
≈ $100–250 (estimate)
Screen frames and squeegees
Quantity: 5–10
≈ $60–150 (estimate)
Dryer (flash dryer or heat gun)
Quantity: 1
≈ $80–300 (estimate)
Printing tables with pallets
Quantity: 2
≈ $80–150 (estimate)
Semi-automatic steam iron
Quantity: 1
≈ $50–150 (estimate)
Sewing machine
Source: Wholesalers and garment factories
Cost: $2–5 a piece (estimate)
Polyester suits sublimation; cotton suits screen and transfer paper
Source: Printing supply shops
Cost: $10–25 per kg (estimate)
Several colours
Source: Printing supply shops
Cost: $15–30 a tub (estimate)
For preparing screens
Source: Printing and fabric shops
Cost: $5–10 per metre (estimate)
For screens
Source: Printing supply shops
Cost: $0.15–0.50 a sheet (estimate)
For heat-transfer printing
Source: Packaging shops
Cost: $0.05–0.20 a piece (estimate)
Adds value to the product
İktifa buys the equipment in the owner's name and presence, up to about $2,000. No cash changes hands.
The project starts working before any repayment, with mentoring through the first year.
Instalments follow a schedule agreed with the owner, based on the feasibility study.
Repayments, and 15% of profits to the local fund, equip the next skilled person.
Exact amounts and schedules are agreed for each project after the feasibility study.
Take the customer's order or choose a design and prepare it on the computer at the right size and colours.
Heat transfer for small runs and multi-colour designs, screen printing for large quantities.
Print the design on transfer paper, then press it onto the garment at the right heat and time.
Stretch organza mesh on the frame, coat it with photo emulsion, expose the design and wash it out.
Fix the garment on the table and print one colour after another.
Dry and heat-cure the ink, then check the quality.
Iron and pack the pieces, then deliver them to the customer or display them for sale.
Applicable countries
Demand for printed clothes and school or association uniforms; printing supplies are available.
Large textile market with easy access to plain garments and supplies.
Active clothing market with demand for events and uniforms.
Active clothing market with demand for events and uniforms; plan for power backup.
Active clothing market with demand for events and uniforms.
Power cuts and some supplies are hard to find; a backup power source is needed.
Power cuts and some supplies are hard to find; a backup power source is needed.
Use this project model as the basis of your in-kind support application. Adapt it to your local market and capacity.
Printing on clothes has become a popular trade among young people because it brings good returns at low cost. The idea is to buy plain clothes or fabrics and print different designs on them, either the maker's own or one the customer brings.
The work leaves room for creativity, and original designs help the business stand out. A good path is to start with heat-transfer printing (heat press and printer) for small, custom orders, then add screen printing for larger runs, which is the method used in the original study.
It can start from a room at home with one or two people.
The original study mentions about ten workers for a larger operation; a small start needs one to three people (estimate).
Check with your municipality, trade registry or local crafts chamber about registering the workshop. Do not print logos or trademarks owned by others without permission.
| Equipment | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing heat press (38 × 38 cm or larger) | 1 | ≈ $250–450 (estimate) |
| Inkjet printer (sublimation or with transfer paper) | 1 | ≈ $300–600 (estimate) |
| Laptop or desktop computer | 1 | If not already owned; ≈ $350–600 (estimate) |
| Screen exposure unit | 1 | ≈ $100–250 (estimate) |
| Screen frames and squeegees | 5–10 | ≈ $60–150 (estimate) |
| Dryer (flash dryer or heat gun) | 1 | ≈ $80–300 (estimate) |
| Printing tables with pallets | 2 | ≈ $80–150 (estimate) |
| Semi-automatic steam iron | 1 | ≈ $50–150 (estimate) |
| Sewing machine | 1 | Optional for print-only work; ≈ $120–250 (estimate) |
| Overlock machine | 1 | Optional for print-only work; ≈ $200–400 (estimate) |
| Ink cabinet and simple hand tools | 1 set | Scissors, heat tape, rulers; ≈ $70–140 (estimate) |
Clothing heat press (38 × 38 cm or larger)
Quantity: 1
≈ $250–450 (estimate)
Inkjet printer (sublimation or with transfer paper)
Quantity: 1
≈ $300–600 (estimate)
Laptop or desktop computer
Quantity: 1
If not already owned; ≈ $350–600 (estimate)
Screen exposure unit
Quantity: 1
≈ $100–250 (estimate)
Screen frames and squeegees
Quantity: 5–10
≈ $60–150 (estimate)
Dryer (flash dryer or heat gun)
Quantity: 1
≈ $80–300 (estimate)
Printing tables with pallets
Quantity: 2
≈ $80–150 (estimate)
Semi-automatic steam iron
Quantity: 1
≈ $50–150 (estimate)
Sewing machine
Source: Wholesalers and garment factories
Cost: $2–5 a piece (estimate)
Polyester suits sublimation; cotton suits screen and transfer paper
Source: Printing supply shops
Cost: $10–25 per kg (estimate)
Several colours
Source: Printing supply shops
Cost: $15–30 a tub (estimate)
For preparing screens
Source: Printing and fabric shops
Cost: $5–10 per metre (estimate)
For screens
Source: Printing supply shops
Cost: $0.15–0.50 a sheet (estimate)
For heat-transfer printing
Source: Packaging shops
Cost: $0.05–0.20 a piece (estimate)
Adds value to the product
İktifa buys the equipment in the owner's name and presence, up to about $2,000. No cash changes hands.
The project starts working before any repayment, with mentoring through the first year.
Instalments follow a schedule agreed with the owner, based on the feasibility study.
Repayments, and 15% of profits to the local fund, equip the next skilled person.
Exact amounts and schedules are agreed for each project after the feasibility study.
Take the customer's order or choose a design and prepare it on the computer at the right size and colours.
Heat transfer for small runs and multi-colour designs, screen printing for large quantities.
Print the design on transfer paper, then press it onto the garment at the right heat and time.
Stretch organza mesh on the frame, coat it with photo emulsion, expose the design and wash it out.
Fix the garment on the table and print one colour after another.
Dry and heat-cure the ink, then check the quality.
Iron and pack the pieces, then deliver them to the customer or display them for sale.
Applicable countries
Demand for printed clothes and school or association uniforms; printing supplies are available.
Large textile market with easy access to plain garments and supplies.
Active clothing market with demand for events and uniforms.
Active clothing market with demand for events and uniforms; plan for power backup.
Active clothing market with demand for events and uniforms.
Power cuts and some supplies are hard to find; a backup power source is needed.
Power cuts and some supplies are hard to find; a backup power source is needed.
Use this project model as the basis of your in-kind support application. Adapt it to your local market and capacity.
Quantity: 1
Optional for print-only work; ≈ $120–250 (estimate)
Overlock machine
Quantity: 1
Optional for print-only work; ≈ $200–400 (estimate)
Ink cabinet and simple hand tools
Quantity: 1 set
Scissors, heat tape, rulers; ≈ $70–140 (estimate)
Quantity: 1
Optional for print-only work; ≈ $120–250 (estimate)
Overlock machine
Quantity: 1
Optional for print-only work; ≈ $200–400 (estimate)
Ink cabinet and simple hand tools
Quantity: 1 set
Scissors, heat tape, rulers; ≈ $70–140 (estimate)
Syria
Türkiye
Morocco
Nigeria
Indonesia
Yemen
The Gambia