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The modular components described here share
several factors that will appeal to the owner of a smaller
T-shirt enterprise. Foremost among them is the low cost.
Only $265 worth of materials were used to build this entire
setup (not including the heat press, compressor, or cash
register). In addition, each of the components is lightweight.
You can move them in and out of a shop very easily by yourself.
They're also compact in size—fitting into an area of about
6 feet square (which includes the tiled walking space between
the easel and the cash-wrap counter), this setup can fit
almost anywhere. Finally, they are all low-maintenance items
designed from the start to be easy to clean and maintain
with a minimum of effort and time. All things considered,
this setup is really all it takes to get started in the
T-shirt airbrushing business.
THE CASH-WRAP COUNTER
The "cash-wrap counter" is the name commonly given
to the counter where business matters are transacted. It's
where you do your bookwork, write up orders and invoices,
and (best of all) ring up sales at the cash register. |
| The register is positioned on the counter
so as to leave adequate space next to it to write orders,
cut stencils, and so on. The heat press also finds its home
on the countertop. The top shelf of the counter where the
heat press rests is recessed down behind a lip. This keeps
little hands out from under the press. On the bottom shelf
of the counter is a stencil bin. This is a separate piece
that slides into this space whenever the counter is set up
for business. With six slots, it should hold quite a few stencils.
Right next door is a multipurpose space for your trash can,
paint bottles, or toolbox. Handles are mounted on the ends
of the counter to make it easier to move the unit. |
| THE T-SHIRT EASEL
The elongated easel is designed so that more than one
shirt may be worked on at the same time. If just one or
two shirts are being painted, there will still be space
available at the easel for an assistant to set up another
shirt and prepare it for painting.
The easel is covered with a white-faced type of masonite
board commonly called "snow- board" (available at most building
supply out- lets). It is typically used as a low-cost wall
covering in bathrooms. It can be cleaned easily with window
cleaner and will stay looking nice for a long time. Formica
is an equally durable, easy- to-clean material that you
can use to cover the easel.
Notice that the battalion of paint bottles is standing
front and center for easy access and identification. The
shelf that the paints sit on is also covered with snowboard
for easy cleaning. It has aluminum rails to keep the paint
bottles from falling off the edge. Aluminum is used for
easy cleaning. |
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Immediately below the paint storage shelf is a spray-out
trough built the entire length of the easel so that no matter
where you may be painting, you just point down and shoot
to clean out your gun between colors. This trough slides
out so it that can be cleaned or removed entirely when the
easel is being transported.
VENTILATION A low-cost but effective ventilation system
is a big plus for this setup. Ventilation is achieved by
using an attic fan with the air flow directed upward. It
draws the air through two 12-by-24- inch furnace filters
(available inexpensively at any home supply store) and blows
the fil- tered air back into the workspace through the duct
on the top. The exhaust can be directed outdoors if necessary,
but we have opted to recirculate the filtered air into the
shop so as not to blow our expensive heated or air-conditioned
air outside. This helps to keep operating costs down. The
vent unit has a pad on the back that lag-bolts into the
wall studs above the work area. A hard wire and plug drop
out the bottom to a wall outlet. A cord cover is used to
hide the cord along the wall.
 
AIR COMPRESSOR COVER
We use a small wooden box lined with insulation to
cover the air compressor and muffle the noise. Air flow
around the compressor comes from a small utility ventilation
fan pulling air through the box from raised footings on
the bottom. Handles allow the box to be lifted on and off
the compressor for maintenance. Overall this simple but
effective low-cost setup meets all of its objectives. The
linoleum floor underfoot allows for easy cleanup of paint
drips and spills. The artists at West Coast Airbrush Company
use this setup at trade shows, Christmas shows—whenever
a nice effective work- space is required.
Along with all its other benefits, it looks
great and conveys a professional image for your airbrushing
business. Add a nice display, and you are ready to roll!
Feel free to click on the pics below
to get the full specs of these components. |
