Sublimation Printing Business Plan

If you are starting a Sublimation Business, I encourage you to do your due diligence and check the requirements for your state, county, and country. Disclaimer *I am not a lawyer, and this should not be considered legal advice. Please get in touch with your lawyer with any questions or concerns.

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Sublimation Printing Business Plan 

The power of computer sublimation is impressive, to say the least, and the possibilities are endless. Dye sublimation printing is as easy as 1-2-3 and allows you to offer custom products to potential customers in your area. Be sure to research your target market because you want to be successful, not try to be everything to everyone. This Sublimation Printing Business Plan started as a simple way to help everyone build their business. 

But then, as I added things here and there, I decided I needed to have a little more in-depth knowledge about Sublimation Printing and other topics to help you along your way. I’m not sure where you are in your journey, but every business should have a Business Plan, which is why the Sublimation Printing Business Plan e-book is a MUST-have resource. It was the one resource I wish I had when I started my Sublimation Printing Journey. 

sublimation printing business plan pdf

The Sublimation Business Plan is essentially a business plan that you can fill out to take to the bank to borrow money and/or plan your business. Included in that are 15 pages with things such as an executive summary, products you will sell, tag lines, and so forth. It has a page that includes everything you should list as an example, then a blank one for you to fill out. I keep mine in a notebook and update it regularly with new additions, things I want to add, and important notes.

A Sublimation Business Plan should be a comprehensive working document that grows with you and your business. Remember to project your growth rate and adjust accordingly.

About the Sublimation Business Plan PDF

The following sections are included in the Sublimation Business Plan PDF.
About the Business
Product Plan
Weekly Sublimation Plan
Monthly Sublimation Plan
Quarterly Business Goals
Expenses Records
Notes section
This is your #1 resource for your Dye Sublimation Business Plan. Purchase your Business Plan for Sublimation Printing today to get started with your profitable business!

Sublimation Process

If you have questions about the sublimation process, check out How does Sublimation Printing Work?

I print out a sign for the table at local craft fairs to explain what Sublimation is to my customers there. 

Sublimation Marketing Ideas

A Marketing Plan for a Sublimation Business includes things such as a logo, advertising, packaging supplies, sublimation business cards, and of course, “thank you gifts.” I also believe that you should always include branded care cards for the sublimation products you sell.

Create A Need

For example, if you are selling a t-shirt to a particular school, you could say, hey, I also make keychains, car coasters, and other “related” products. This way, you are creating a need for them to come back to you for other items. 

Sell the solution

Sell your customers the solutions they are looking for. Are they looking for a unique t-shirt? A fun air freshener, or possibly a new tumbler. Help show them what they need, so they make the purchase toward something they want and need. (See what we did there?)

Raise The Perceived Value

Make your products pop and make sure they are high-quality products. Thus you will be able to raise the perceived value of your items. Use the Sublimation Pricing Calculator to help you set your prices. It takes the guesswork out of pricing and helps set a baseline for what your customers will pay. 

If it is a brand, suggest they put their logo on the mousepads you can sublimate on. That way, they are getting advertising and branding, and you are retaining them as a customer, allowing you both to make more sales. 

Design one-of-a-kind products that people want to own. Everyone wants to have personalized items at their fingertips, and sublimation printing allows this to happen affordably. 

Just remember to bring your potential customers your best product, and you will have a profitable business built with return customers. 

Package & Presentation

Packaging and presentation are equally important when it comes to making the sale of sublimation products. Set up your packaging nicely, describe it well, and ensure you are delivering quality products vs. large quantities. Remember, it’s all about the power of perception and the perceived value that determines the price someone’s willing to pay.

Is Sublimation Printing a Good Business?

Sublimation printing is a good business if you put in the work. There are thousands of individuals that make money with dye sublimation. There are thousands of sublimation products you can make as well as sell. From selling digital prints to physical prints and even finished products, the possibilities are really endless.  

Plus, Sublimation Printing allows you to make personalized products for family members and community groups. You can sell them online, in stores, at a local craft fair, or even on Facebook. Again, the places to sell your products are only limited to your imagination. 

Pick up your copy of the Sublimation Printing Business Plan PDF today to help you get your business up and running.

Basic Equipment needed to start a Sublimation Business

What supplies do I need to start sublimation printing?
Sublimation Printer
Sublimation Ink
Design Program/Software
Computer for Software
High-quality print files – Graphics in PNG/SVG files work great, but the choice of imagery or design you use must be high-quality.

Sublimation blanks
Sublimation Paper, sometimes called transfer paper
Heat Press or a variety of heat presses depending on your business type
Heat Tape
Heat-Resistant Gloves
Butcher Paper/Blow Out Paper
Packaging Supplies
Bags
Shipping Supplies

Printing Sublimation Prints

If you want to print your own designs, you will need a sublimation printer, sublimation ink, as well as sublimation paper/transfer paper. You will also have to have a Sublimation Design Program. Then, in order to make finished products, you will need sublimation blanks, a heat press, heat tape, heat-resistant gloves, and butcher paper. Don’t forget packaging supplies for your finished products and bags for shipping and/or craft fairs. 

Research. Research. Research. 

What type of Sublimation will you specialize in? Printing Designs and shipping to customers?

Are you offering a specific product? T-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, tumblers, the possibilities are endless (really)!

Will you have retail prices and wholesale prices? Or will you offer discounts on larger orders that can be mass produced?

T-Shirt Business

If you are going into the t-shirt business, there are lots of decisions to be made as well. Examples include 

Will you sublimate on the back of a shirt, the front of the shirt, or both? Will there be different prices for each of those options? 

How will you display the finished product? How is the t-shirt going to be packaged?

What t-shirt designs are you going to offer? Do you have a way to display those, or are you going to have printed t-shirt designs ready for pressing?

Have you considered setting up your t-shirt business plan? You can use the Sublimation Business Plan PDF and just focus on t-shirts to save yourself extra steps. Will you have a lot of space for the storage of t-shirts? How will you organize them to maximize your square footage and inventory?

Will you offer custom shirt sublimations on the spot, or will those be custom orders? 

Will you have a variety of sizes on hand at all times, or will you order t-shirts as you need them and grow your inventory?

ORDER FORMS

You MUST have Order forms to save your sanity, whether you choose to do it the old fashioned pen/paper way or go with online editing you must be organized.

Online or Storefront?

Will you sell your products online or offline? Will you have a storefront or office space? Will you have an online store or an online business? Or will you be an online business with a storefront? Or maybe you want to just run an eCommerce store. All are options to consider when opening your own Sublimation Business.

Will you work out of your home? (Is it zoned for that?)

Most sublimation businesses are home-based businesses because a small amount of space can often times be used to get started. Then as your business starts to make a good profit, you can consider growing into a building. 

Naming My Sublimation Business

Brainstorm your list of business names. Some ideas to include are: 

Use words like my or give your business a personal feel, ex. My Creative Moments *just make sure you aren’t breaking any copyright or infringement laws. 

Creative Dye (was made because I felt like “creative” describes the process of making items, and Dye because Sublimation is like a dye.  

Make it unique to you but easy and short for your customers to remember. After you have decided on a name and contacted your lawyer it’s time to register your business with the Secretary of State, Get your Employer Identification Number (EIN), and register for taxes on the local, state, and federal levels. 

Purchase the domain name, and secure all social media profiles, once you have your LLC. Examples include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat, etc. 

Set up your email marketing strategy (need help? Email me at heidi@creativedye.com.)

For a low investment, we will start growing your email list, so those customers keep returning. As well as get brainstorming along the way, you will present your social messages. 

Payment Methods

What kind of payment methods will you be accepting: 

Cash

Checks

Credit cards

Debit cards 

Venmo

PayPal 

Stripe

Square

Gift Cards or Gift Certificates

Will you be offering discounts and/or a rewards program or running exclusive deals for current customers? These are all very important pieces of your Sublimation business that you need to decide on when setting up your business plan template. 

Growing Your Business

Later down the road, you might decide it is time to grow your Sublimation business. Adding additional sublimation machines and sublimation printers is a great way to expand an already thriving sublimation business. Or maybe you want to expand into custom shirt sublimation productions or add on to your eCommerce store. There are lots of ways to grow your sublimation business, but if you want to expand, even more, you could add something like screen printing. 

Screen Printing is more for mass production of the same items. Especially if you are going to be doing garment customizations in mass quantities. Screen printing soaks into the fabric and lasts longer than heat-transfer designs, but not as long as sublimation printing. Read more about the main differences between screen printing vs. Sublimation here. 

You could even offer digital printing of sublimation prints, print-on-demand services which could include finished products people ordered, or even just the designs printed out. A laser printer could be added for “printing” items in bulk, but not for Sublimation printing. Or you could add other traditional printing methods or focus on building your own custom t-shirt sublimation company. Or maybe you want to start shipping your own blank products, including things like t-shirts, water bottles, ceramic tiles, neoprene coasters, and hundreds of other possibilities. The next step you take is a great place to go, no matter which direction you go. You will find sublimating success especially if you set up your sublimation printing business plan at the start.

Download the Sublimation Printing Business Plan PDF today!

Is sublimation business profitable?

Start-up and production costs are lower than other businesses when starting a Sublimation business. However, it should take less than$1,500.00 to get your sublimation business going and turn a profit.
Keep in mind that an entry-level printer and inks start at around $500. Start a sublimation printing business in the comfort of your own home today.

Does it cost a lot of money to get started in Sublimation?

Start-up and production costs are lower than other businesses when starting a Sublimation business. However, it should take less than$1,500.00 to get your sublimation business going and turn a profit.
Keep in mind that an entry-level printer and inks start at around $500.

What is the best price to sell sublimation products at?

That depends on different factors. Check out the Sublimation Pricing Calculator to help you determine your best price.

What type of paper does it take for Sublimation?

Sublimation takes Sublimation paper and blowout paper.

What different products can I sublimate on?

There are hundreds of products you can sublimate on. Check out the Time & Temperature Chart for an extensive list of sublimating blanks.

How do I come up with a business name?

Be Creative, Be Concise and Be Original.

Do I need graphic designers to do sublimation printing?

No, but you need graphic designs. Purchase Sublimation Images here.

What's the first thing I should do when starting a sublimation business?

Set up your business plan template and form an LLC and register with local, state, and federal governments.

What's the first step in the Sublimation process?

Printing the sublimation print.

Does Sublimation take a lot of time?

Sublimation does not take a lot of time. However, there is a learning curve.