Software Needed to Start a Screen Printing Business

A complete list of all the software you need to start a screen printing business.

So you’re thinking of starting a screen printing business? Congratulations! The decorated products industry is lot’s of fun and super rewarding. 

Your timing is perfect, with restrictions easing and the world finally getting back to ‘normal’ we predict a boom in demand for printed and promotional products. 

When it comes to your defining your process and which software tools you’ll need, you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed. I’m guessing you’ve been surfing the web for a while now trying to find the middle ground of what software you actually need right now.

Well, look no further, we’re going to break down everything you need to know and keep it relevant to you as a startup. 

As a start-up, you’re in the best position to set yourself up for success. Our advice; take the time and invest in good software now. There’s nothing worse than getting 5 years down the track and having to clean up an array of disorganization and chaos. 

So what software do you need to skyrocket your new screen printing business to success?

We’ve broken down your business process into 4 categories. These are the essential aspects of business that your new promo shop relies on.

1. Awareness
2. Marketing
3. Business Management
4. Accounting

1. Awareness: 

The first thing on your to-do list should be to build a website. 

Almost 46% of all Google searches are seeking information about a local business. 88% of which call a store they searched within 1 day. It goes without saying, but having a website gives your customers a place to find your business and gives them an platform to buy from you. 

Building a website now-a-days is easy, you don’t even need to know a single thing about coding.

Our tips: 

• Choose a modern website builder that plays well with integrations. The last thing you want, is to sink your time into building a website that turns into a bottleneck. 

• Prioritise SEO. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is how you organically get your website on the first page of Google. It’s worth its weight in gold so consider paying a local SEO expert to help build your new site.

Best website creation software platforms:

• Shopify
• WooCommerce
• BigCommerce
• WordPress
• Magento 2

2. Marketing

Marketing software is how you drive traffic to your website. It helps you grow your inbound leads and keep your customers flowing. The easiest, most cost effective and best marketing for a startup is email marketing.

 Tips: 

• Build a strong database. Every single new lead you capture should be added into your database immediately. 

• Send content frequently. The goal of email marketing is to stay at the top of your customers mind so when the need arises, you’re the first business they think of. 

• Keep content simple and to the point. You only have a few seconds to grab a prospective customer’s attention and convince them that you’re the best. Cut the fluff and get to the point. 

Best marketing software: 

• Mailchimp 
• Active campaign 
• Send pulse 
• Hubspot

3. Business Management Software

This is the biggest and most important piece of the puzzle. Business management software is how you make more sales, work more efficiently, and make your life at work easier. 

Business management software is what powers your entire business. It saves you time and makes everything easier. Inside your business management software you’ll find features such as CRM, catalog management, quoting, invoicing, artwork approvals, ordering, receiving, job tracking, internal communication and reporting. You simply can not run your business without it. 

Tips: 

• The promo industry is unique, choose a business management software such as Hoops that is purpose built specifically for print, promo and embroidery businesses like yours.

• A sign of a good software is that it is always evolving, listening to your feedback and releasing new features.

Best business management software: 

• Hoops

Try Hoops for free: Start a Free 7-Day Trial

4. Accounting

Accounting software helps you get your books done faster. By using accounting software, you’ll be confident in your numbers and get paid faster. 

Tips: 

• It’s best to choose an accounting software that integrates with your business management software. For example, In the case of Hoops, data entry for invoices and purchase orders can be entirely automated through integrations.

Best account software:

• Xero
• Quickbooks Online

Give your new screen printing business the best chance of success

Hoops is a business management software built specifically to help print, embroidery and promo businesses save time, drive efficiency and grow.

Here’s the top 3 things it can do for you:

1. Complete catalogue management. All your catalogue products from Australia’s leading suppliers are all in one place and kept up to date for you. You’ll never have to manually update pricing or products again!

2. Faster quoting. Hoops is the fastest, easiest and most advanced quoting platform in the industry. You convert more quotes when you use Hoops. 

3. Job tracking. Hoops gives you a simplistic yet granular view of everything you have going on. You’ll eliminate mistakes, meet more deadlines and make more customers happy. 

To see the full list of features head to hoopscrm.com

Try Hoops for free: Start a Free 7-Day Trial