Ink, presses and deadlines.
Property and equipment breakdown, customers' goods, general and product liability, cyber and workers' comp for quick print, commercial print, screen print and embroidery shops.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Machines, solvents and other people's shirts
A print shop's value sits in its machines: offset and digital presses, wide-format printers, screen printing dryers and multi-head embroidery machines. A breakdown or a fire from solvent-soaked rags or a conveyor dryer stops production on jobs that have hard deadlines.
Screen printers and embroiderers also hold blank garments that customers drop off, and every shop prints art someone else supplied. I put together property and equipment breakdown, coverage for customers' goods, general and product liability, cyber for customer files, and workers' comp.
- PropertyPresses, dryers, stock and improvements.
- Equipment breakdownElectrical and mechanical failure of presses.
- Customers' goodsGarments and materials left with you.
- Business incomeLost income while a press is down.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Shop: address, square feet and owned or leased.
- Work: offset, digital, screen print or embroidery.
- Equipment: main machines and their values.
- Flammables: inks, solvents and how they're stored.
- Sales and payroll: annual figures.
- History: current policies and claims.
Print shop insurance, answered
What if I print a design that infringes someone's trademark?
Most general liability policies exclude intellectual property claims, apart from narrow advertising injury. Have customers confirm in writing that they own or license the art.
Are customers' shirts in my shop covered?
General liability excludes property in your care. Customers' goods coverage can cover fire or theft of blanks and finished orders while they're with you, subject to the policy.
Is a misprinted job that has to be redone covered?
Redoing your own faulty work is generally not covered by general liability. Proofs and signed approvals are the main protection.
Do my solvents affect coverage?
Insurers ask how flammables are stored. Approved cabinets, metal cans for oily rags and a clean dryer area help with both safety and placement.
Do you offer print shop insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. Sam Alishahi is licensed in 48 states and Washington, DC and places policies there directly. In Florida and Washington, where Sam's licenses are still being issued, a partner agency in your state helps in the meantime. The shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Quote your print shop
Tell me what you print, what runs the jobs and what customers leave with you. I'll place property and liability together.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued.
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(877) 711-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
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