How to Start Your Own Printing Business

Printing businesses work with a wide variety of customers. Whether it is printing brochures for a company, signs for a political campaign or business cards for a local sales rep, there is always printing to do and someone to do it for. Owning a printing business can be rewarding if it is successful, but there is often plenty of competition, so you want to be sure you provide the best customer service and prices in town.

Things You'll Need:

• Printers
• Copiers
• Fax Machines
• Supplies
• Storefront

Instructions:

 

1.Choose a space. You want to locate your printing business near a corporate campus or industrial park so potential customers are nearby. If you can't find a suitable location in one of those areas, look for one in a downtown neighborhood to be near potential customers during normal business hours. Choose a space that is large enough to accommodate printing equipment and a customer service area. Make sure the area where you will store your supplies and completed print jobs is moisture-free.

2.Purchase equipment. Include an offset printer, a copier and a duplex printer so you can handle both large and small orders as they come in. You want to be in a position to service everyone who walks in for the first time, so your customers will recommend you to business associates. Having the proper equipment to do different-sized jobs will allow you to meet all customer needs. If warranties or maintenance contracts are available, consider purchasing them so your equipment will be protected. Buy a commercial paper cutter, commercial fax machine and a laminating machine to offer a variety of services to your customers.

3.Research printing supply vendors and establish relationships with several that will meet your needs. You will need colored and white paper of different bond weights, envelopes and business card stock on a regular basis. You will want to have regularly scheduled deliveries so you never run out of supplies. Be sure to have more than one vendor on tap, so if one runs out of the type of paper you need, you can quickly call the second vendor.

4.Develop price packages. Giving discounts to customers who order large print quantities, as well as to customers that regularly use your services, will build a strong customer base.

5.Put together spec jobs. These are samples of each service that you offer. Display the jobs in the store for walk-in customers to see. Make copies of some of the samples to send out to potential customers.

6.Hire staff. If you are going to hire someone to work in the shop, be sure the person has experience with colors, design, types and fonts. Consider hiring a graphic artist to do double duty with customer service when you are not there. A graphic artist will be able to contribute design logos, business cards and stationery for your customers.

7.Establish hours of operation. Keep your potential customers in mind as you decide when to open and close each day. Normal business hours will provide the bulk of your business, but staying open a little later each night to handle special rush jobs will give you added income, because you can charge premium rates for such needs.

8.Set up your accounting software. Choose a package that tracks print jobs, customer information, invoices and payments. Hire an accountant to handle your quarterly tax returns.


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