Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Lopez.
Hi Crystal, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Crystal, and I’m the owner and creator of Cali Mint Co. We’re a DTF, UV DTF printing and educational company that offers various products, including shirts, bags, and hats. However, our specialty is providing custom printing and teaching others how to create their own custom items at a lower cost. We’re a local San Diego business that loves giving back to the community and empowering people to build their own brands and find ways to save money on school/ sports /parties.
I’ve always been creative and entrepreneurial. After graduating from SDSU’s hospitality Management program, I worked as a restaurant manager for many years. I eventually opened and operated my own custom cake business, but due to family changes and my son’s birth in 2015, I started a new career in insurance for the 9-5.
Despite this, I’ve always wanted to own a business again where I can be creative and control my own destiny. I knew the cake business boom had passed, and my skills were outdated. So, I began exploring other business ideas.
One craft led to another, and I found myself selling sublimated items as a side hustle to my day job. In 2021, I was on my kids school PTA board that year, so I decided to turn it into a legitimate business in order to sell products to them. That’s when Cali Mint Co was born! I registered it as a sole proprietorship and started building it into what it is today – Cali Mint Designs LLC (DBA Cali Mint Co).
I started making shirts and hats with sublimation prints but soon discovered DTF Prints, which are press-on vibrant prints. I decided to buy my own printer and with the help of my husband embarked on an extreme learning curve, running both DTF and UV DTF printers. I will say from experience that these printers are not for the faint of heart, requiring significant investment in time, money, and tears. After much struggle, we became proficient printers.
I realized we were one of a few local commercial printers and should sell our prints to other crafters. To be honest, I was terrified to sell prints at first. Like knots in my stomach scared. Fearing my prints would let them down and it would be their brand name on the line. However, I overcame the fear and took the leap and started with a few regulars, which grew into more. Slowly, I added shipping, and it became clear I was destined to be a printer.
I then pivoted my business model and became a printer & educating others wanting to make the switch. We do still provide final end products such as shirts, hats and more, but the main focus is printing/design/education. I absolutely love it!
Running Cali Mint Co gives me the freedom to express my creativity, entrepreneurial side, the ability to attend my kids’ school events, and help others in the community!
My background in hospitality has been invaluable in this print & educational field, as it emphasizes customer service and building relationships.This combination of hospitality and superior printing has been key to our family’s success. We attend pop-ups, teach online, create free YouTube videos, teach in-person classes, and genuinely enjoy helping others bring their ideas to life and helping them learn the skills to enable them to make their own creations!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s common to face struggles, especially when starting a business. The biggest obstacle is fear, especially the fear of the unknown and the potential for negative feedback. Selling a shirt directly as my own was one thing, but selling part of a process to create someone else’s apparel and represent them- was another. I’m proud of our prints’ quality and service to this day after endless perfecting of our products.
The biggest business struggle specially was learning to run and maintain the machines. They’re complex and require working with overseas suppliers and tech overnight due to their hours. Many people don’t understand the behind-the-scenes process and the stress of machine issues or incorrect printing. Second largest business struggle has been building my brand. I do a lot of promotions and marketing. I believe if I can get a sample in their hands, they will love the quality and be back!
The balance of juggling a daytime job, kids, marriage and building a side business is also hard but, possible through dedication. Just have to keep remembering your why.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Cali Mint Co we specialize in DTF and UVDTF printing and educating! We teach people how to make custom items at a fraction of the cost with simply investing in a heat press for about $130. Whether it’s a side hustle, reducing school/team costs, or fun parties, our goal is to make DTF and UVDTF printing easy and affordable for them . With the hope of becoming their choice printer, of course.
Cali Mint Co Services:
DTF/UVDTF Printing:
We offer DTF and UVDTF prints in individual sizes and gang sheets with no minimum. DTF (direct to film), is where specialized ink and equipment create an iron-on transfer for fabrics. You do need a heat press with at least 35 pounds of pressure to hold and compress the transfer properly.
While UV DTF prints ( permanent decals) that can be applied to hard, smooth surfaces like water bottles, phones, cars, laptops, and more.
Dropship DTF/UVDTF printing:
-Available for folks looking to sell prints to others but without the hassle of running the machines. We offer wholesale pricing and ship directly to their customers.
Design work:
-we offer thousands of free designs to use in your print selection. Along with custom design and editing services.
Final custom items:
-we do offer completed items such as shirts, bags, hats, cups, and more.
Partnerships with schools and organizations.
-We offer custom webpage on our site with special pricing for custom spirit gear for local teams.
What sets us apart and proud of:
Cali Mint Co. enables me to bring people’s visions to life by editing and printing their designs. I’m an official printer and educator! I host a free Facebook support group where you can ask any questions. (@DTF Prints by Cali Mint )You can learn about art, the trade, and even watch a bunch of free YouTube tutorials that I’ve created. I don’t gatekeep my services; I’m self-taught and open to teaching others. I believe there’s enough for everyone, and we can help each other succeed by lifting each other up.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If you have the desire to start your own business-take the leap!
I took a leap of faith and left corporate America to pursue my small business full-time. As the primary provider for our family, it’s a significant risk with our kids, but I’m resolute in my belief. If you don’t seize opportunities when they arise, you’ll always regret it. There’s never a right or wrong time to pursue your dreams. You’re never too old to start fresh and choose a new path for yourself. This is my third career, or perhaps fourth, depending on how you count my bakery. Two for corporate America and two of my own, and this one, by far, excites me the most. I’m thrilled to see the new chapters that my business will unfold given the expansion of forming an LLC.
I credit the following 3 rules to my success in all aspects of my life:
1. If you don’t go, after what you want, you will never have it.
2. If you never ask, then the answer will always be no.
3. If you don’t step forward then, you’ll always be in the same place.
Pricing:
- DTF prints as low at $0.02 a square inch
- UVDTF prints as low as $0.04 a square inch
- Individual DTF and UVDTF prints starting at $1
- Free gang sheet builder with thousands of free images
- Custom shirts starting at $15 each
Contact Info:
- Website: https://calimintco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calimintco?igsh=MWRkOXN1MXhlNHRtdA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calimintco/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dtfprintsbycalimint?si=WpJvhWoc-sRg0v7o
- Other: https://m.facebook.com/groups/363698949624789/?ref=share&mibextid=wwXIfr
