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Overview
Starting a business is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences a person can undertake. A small printing business can be an excellent way to test the waters of your entrepreneurial resolve. You can take an artistic approach with a small four color press or go digital. -
Research and Equipment
Step 1
Decide whether you want to go the route of the four color printing press or a digital printing press. The four color printing press is better suited to long-run projects and is known for its better image quality. But the four color process is a bit of an art form and has a large learning curve.
Digital printing presses are much easier to set up and are better for short-run projects. This means that you can be competitive with your pricing for 50 to 5,000 business cards.
Step 2
Purchase either new or used printers, based upon your budget. New printers have the benefit of a warranty and a "state-of-the-art" label, but these can come at a premium. Prices vary from $2500 to $250,000 for digital and four color printers.
Step 3
Buy paper cutters. You can get basic, guillotine style paper cutters or pneumatically controlled cutters that are capable of cutting hundreds of pages at a time.
Step 4
Buy ink or toner. You need ink with a four color press and toner for a digital printer. Ink and toner both come in the following colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (or key). Make sure you have enough ink or toner to cover your current projects and then a little extra.
Step 5
Purchase paper. You need basic office paper, but consider some card stock paper as well.
Commercial Locations
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Step 1
Decide whether or not to work out of a home office or to acquire a commercial office. Home offices allow you to grow slowly, but limit your space and may not be legal in some cities. Commercial locations are more expensive, but can jump start your business. -
Step 2
A home office will likely limit your space and you may need a permit to work out of your home since customers will be driving through your neighborhood and using your restrooms. Handicap parking and other considerations need to be carefully thought through. -
Step 3
A commercial location can be ideal for networking with local customers who are literally a few yards from your office. Start with a real estate agent who specializes in commercial leases. -
Step 4
Schedule a "Grand Opening" through your local Chamber of Commerce as a way to generate free press and get your first few potential customers in the door.
- Skill: Moderately Challenging
- Ingredients:
- Business entity filings
- Doing Business As (fictitious name)
- Printer
- Computer
- Various Paper Types
- Paper Cutter
- Toner/Ink
- Tip: Consider working through a franchise if you have never owned a business as this will give you access to a support system and team who can help you avoid major pitfalls.
