The printing business is a highly lucrative business aspiring entrepreneurs should begin to give attention to. The printing business is not a new business, it’s been in existence for decades and it keeps evolving.

Over time, the printing business has proven to be one of the businesses that cannot go into extinction anytime soon. Individuals, government, and corporate organizations need printing services at one point or the other.

Therefore, anyone considering venturing into the printing business is not mistaken. But, you must note that printing is not one of the businesses you dive into without prior knowledge of the basics of the business.

A certain level of expertise and experience is a huge plus in this line of business. Printing is wide and this is why some tertiary institutions are beginning to offer it as a course of study.

• What Is a Printing Business?
• Is a Printing Business Profitable?
• How Much Will it Cost to Start a Printing Business?
• What Equipment Do I Need to Start a Printing Business?
• What Are Some Printing Business Ideas?
• How Can I Start a Printing Business?
• What Format is Best For Printing Business Cards?
• Is T shirt Printing Business Profitable?
• How Much Does it Cost to Start a 3D Printing Business?
• How Much Does it Cost to Start a T-shirt Printing Business?
• Is Screen Printing a Dying Business?
• How Much Does it Cost to Start a Screen Printing Business?
• What Are The Best Online Business Card Printing Services?
• Is 3D Printing Business Profitable in India?
• What Equipment do I Need to Start a T-shirt Printing Business?
• How do You Layout Business Cards For Printing?
• How Much Does it Cost to Start a Printing Business in Philippines?
• What Equipment do I Need to Start a Screen Printing Business?
• How do I Start a Printing Business From Home?
• How Can I Learn Printing Business?

What Is a Printing Business?

On average, a printing business owner can earn around $100,000 a year. This isn’t guaranteed and there’s no promise of success, but like any business, there’s a chance you can earn this or much more if you play your cards right.

Printing businesses or printing shops are places where people can go to print materials. Some printing shops only specialize on certain types of prints.

Read Also: How to Build Brand with WooCommerce Designer Tool

For example, most printing shops may only offer printing on papers, posters, or business cards. Other printing shops can print on t-shirts, mugs, and other souvenirs. And more specialized printers offer 3D printing services to create 3D objects.

Is a Printing Business Profitable?

A printing business, whether big or small, will always be an in-demand business. In fact, there are a lot of commercial printing services available to cater to the needs of their clients.

For example, printing businesses that offer regular printing services can be successful if they establish a shop next to a school or office building. Printing shops near offices can also take advantage of souvenir printing, especially if they can print on items like t-shirts, pens, and notepads.

There will be at least one printing service that will cater to different types of businesses and industries. Plus, it does not require years of experience or investing in a large amount of capital to build a printing business.

The printing industry is also simpler to create. With just a few printer units, printing materials, hiring a couple of printing personnel, and some training in using the printer, you can now be all set in starting your own printing business.

Aside from traditional printing, customized printing is also in demand nowadays. It gives clients the opportunity to have customized outputs that satisfy their personal and commercial printing needs.

How Much Will it Cost to Start a Printing Business?

Although it may seem like operations are fairly simply, setting up a print shop isn’t fast or easy. Like any smart business, it’s important to layout a business plan, discover your business’ strengths, and plan ahead for its potential weaknesses.

The cost of opening a printing shop can start at $146,000 and reach up to $400,000, though it may be higher depending on factors like your location, how much supply you expect to use, and what kind of printing services you offer. This investment should get you:

• A location to start your business;
• Electrical upgrades;
• Equipment (aside from the printer, this also includes computers, copiers, laminators, and other equipment found in a print shop);
• Editing and printing software;
• Marketing and advertising;
• Business insurance;
• Website & social media;
• Franchising (if you want to use the name or operate under an already existing printing shop brand, you will have to pay a franchise fee; once operations begin, a percentage of your profits will go to royalties).

Once you begin operations, expect the following to be a part of your ongoing expenses:

• Software upgrades or if your software has a monthly renewal fee;
• Equipment leasing fees (if you choose to rent equipment instead of buy it);
• Maintenance and repair expenses;
• Marketing fees;
• Supplies and materials (e.g. paper, ink, folders, staplers);
• Utilities;
• Payroll costs;
• Insurance premiums.

What Equipment Do I Need to Start a Printing Business?

Operating a printing business requires a few specialized pieces of equipment, and can be operated as a home-based, storefront or online business. Printing businesses can be specialized and cater to different needs.

Types of printing businesses include vinyl sign printing, screen-printing t-shirts, printing of business cards, brochures and documents, election ballots. Know what type of printing you want to specialize in and plan accordingly.

Type of Printing System

Probably the most important investment you can make for your printing business is the printer. The type of printing you plan on performing will dictate the type of printer you need. Basic printers are divided into inkjet, laser, screen and offset. If you are wanting to print vinyl signs, you may want an extra-wide sign and label inkjet printer.

If you are printing business cards, it may be better to select a laser printer while an offset press will lower your costs if you are printing a large volume of high-quality documents. A screen printer is necessary if you plan on printing to fabrics, such as shirts.

Computer and Design Software

To design print items for clients, you will need a design software and a computer that can run it. Your choice of software and computer will depend on the type of printing that you intend on specializing in. Your options can range from simple desktop programs – good for designing business cards and documents – to high-end specialized design programs – for drawing graphics.

Whichever program you choose, make sure your computer can run it smoothly. Also make sure it comes with a wide variety of fonts. Customers may be picky on their font and it can lose you customers if you have a limited selection.

Inventory and Printing Stock

You need something to print on, whether it be document printing, T-shirt screen printing, vinyl signs, business cards or any assortment of items. You must have enough inventory on hand, and enough variety, to meet customers’ needs. For instance, if you are printing business cards, you should have enough variety of cardstock to allow customers to select the quality and texture they are seeking.

Cutting Equipment for Paper or Vinyl

You will need to have a cutting system. If you are printing business cards, you will need a hydraulic cutter or a hand-operated cutter to cut the cards. If you are printing vinyl signs, you will need a cutter that can cut out letters and graphics from adhesive-backed vinyl.

Accounting Software Program

Whether you are running a business from home or from an office, you need to keep track of your sales, track expenses and inventory as well as make accurate quotes. To do this you will need an accounting software program. If you choose to operate over the Internet, you should pick software that can integrate with a website, allowing you to take orders online.

What Are Some Printing Business Ideas?

Before starting a printing business, it is important to do your own research first. There are a lot of resources online to give you an idea of how a printing business works. Most of the time, these ideas work and prove profitable. Here are some printing business ideas you may want to try.

T-shirt printing

You may have found yourself in awe with some t-shirt designs and how it was designed and printed. T-shirt printing won’t go out of style anytime soon. After all, who doesn’t wear at least one t-shirt in their lifetime? Definitely, everyone owns at least one t-shirt. As a t-shirt printing business owner, you can experiment with designs and printing process that your customers will surely love.

Screen printing

This is a versatile printing solution that can cater to all printing business owners. Aside from t-shirt printing, you can also use screen printing on shopping bags, paper, metal, glass, ceramic, and other kinds of printing materials. The more options you offer, the more customers you can have.

Mugs and promotional items

Printing on mugs and other promotional items are very much in demand, especially in the corporate business sector. For one thing, a lot of corporate companies opt to provide customer freebies bearing their logo, contact details, and services provided in an attempt for customer awareness and retention. At the same time, items such as mugs, key chains, eco-bags, and more are practical items that can be used every day.

Paper prints

This includes company business cards, greeting cards, post-its, notebooks, stickers and decals, signage, and banners among a few. There are many design options you can apply and paper materials you can choose to use for printing. It also helps in creating brand awareness among customers. Plus, it’s affordable and practical to use.

These are only some of the most popular commercial printing applications being used nowadays. It can help other businesses in terms of brand awareness and recall. At the same time, these items can be practical for use in our daily lives. Indeed, commercial printing is a win-win situation for both the service provider and its clients.

How Can I Start a Printing Business?

You’ll need to be trained and experienced – in traditional and digital printing methods – if you want to set up as a commercial printer. The following points will help you start up and run your own printing business.

Research your target market

Estimating demand

It is very important to find out whether there will be a demand for the printing services you propose to offer.

If you are planning to target a local market you will need a ‘pool’ of potential customers to whom you can advertise your services. For example if your works will be located in a town or city there will be many businesses nearby who are likely to need printing services on a regular basis.

In addition there will be local authorities, colleges and other organisations who may also be prepared to put work your way. Graphic design firms are often keen to build up a long term relationship with a reliable printer.

You could make up some samples of your work, together with a price list, and approach as many businesses as possible to let them know about your new business and the services you can provide.

Bear in mind that many will probably already deal with a printing firm so it will be important to demonstrate to them that you can provide a superior service. You might, for example, have installed digital printing equipment that allows you to fulfil orders very quickly and to be able to offer short runs economically.

You could also contact businesses that provide help to start-ups – for example, accountancy practices – so that they pass your details on to new concerns that need letterheads and other business stationery.

Members of the public also want printing done from time to time, for example, personal stationery, wedding invitations, function tickets, raffle tickets and so on. If you want to attract this type of customer your premises will need to be located in an area that gets a lot of passing trade.

Think too about offering other services to customers, like website design and creation, or database services.

Remember, rather than trying to compete just on price, it is better for the profitability of your business if you can persuade customers to choose your firm because of the excellent service, reliability and quality that you offer. You might choose to stress that you offer papers from sustainable sources.

When you are showing your samples to your prospective customers, you could take the opportunity to discuss:

• the minimum value or volume that applies to orders (if any)
• what their requirements are likely to be – this would give you the opportunity to make contact with trade printers or finishers if necessary who could do work that you won’t undertake in-house
• how frequently they are likely to require printing services
• how quickly they would want the order fulfilled
• whether they would welcome a delivery service

You could also ask them:

• what they think of your proposed services
• what they think of your pricing and terms
• whether they have any suggestions for improvements or enhancements to the service you have outlined to them

Your market research will help you to identify:

• whether your printing services are likely to be in demand
• the price that people would be prepared to pay for printed items
• the value of a typical order

To estimate your annual sales income think about how many customers you are likely to have and how much each of them will spend each time they place an order.

Establish your customer profile

Your market

Your customer base will depend on which sector of the market you are targeting and which services you propose to provide. Your customers might include:

• local businesses and organisations
• other printers for whom you do outwork like finishing work
• graphic designers
• members of the public

If you offer web-to-print services your customers may come from all over the country.

Payment method

Many of your customers will settle their accounts with you by cheque, credit or debit card, but you might also receive payment direct to your bank account by BACS if you make regular supplies to a major customer.

You might receive some payment in cash, for example for jobs that you do for members of the public. It’s vital to make sure that you have good security systems in place if you handle cash regularly.

If you offer web-to-print services then you’ll need either an internet merchant account to accept card payments online, or a third-party merchant account provider to process the payments for you.

Special offers and discounts

Because the printing industry is very competitive it’s important to be aware that your larger customers in particular may want sizeable discounts from you in return for volume purchases and regular orders.

They might expect you to throw in finishing work free of charge. Where you have long-standing contracts in place it’s very important to monitor your costs at regular intervals to make sure that your profit margin is not being eroded by increases in wages, energy costs and the price of raw materials.

During periods of economic downturn major customers are also likely to insist on longer credit terms – for example 60 days instead of 30.

Customer service

Recent research has highlighted how important it is for printing businesses to provide excellent customer service to their clients. Print buyers want their printer to take an interest in their business and to help them make sure that things go smoothly. You can download various Best Practice studies from the BPIF Vision in Print website to help you to identify ways in which your business can improve the service it provides.

If your business achieves Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody Certification because you use paper from well-managed sources, your customers can benefit from having this indicated on the paper products you print for them. This enhances their image as well as yours. You can find out more on the FSC website.

Which printing services

There are many different sub-sectors in the printing industry and firms generally specialise in a certain sector, for example, book or journal printing, carton printing, packaging work and so on, or offer the range of general printing services that are normally required by businesses and local organisations.

For example letterheads, invoices, compliments slips, business cards, brochures and leaflets, envelopes, posters and tickets, NCR duplicate or triplicate pads, membership cards and so on. Don’t overlook the growing number of businesses – like eBay and Amazon Pro traders – that sell goods online.

This type of business might be interested in a range of pre-printed mail boxes in different sizes. As a first step, decide on the nature of the work that you will accept so that you buy or lease the appropriate machinery.

Outwork

Many small printers put out some jobs or parts of jobs to other, specialist firms because they do not have the necessary skills, resources or machinery to undertake them. Examples of work that might be subcontracted out include graphic design, complex four colour jobs, wedding stationery and many finishing jobs such as stitching, binding, folding and so on.

It is important that you establish a good working relationship with any firms that you put work out to so that you can rely on them to complete jobs to a high standard and on time. You also want their charges to be reasonable to allow you to make some profit on each job.

Quality standards

Whatever the nature of the printing services you will offer, it’s important to be aware that the industry is very competitive and your customers are likely to demand high standards, low prices and quick turnaround times. You are unlikely to retain customers if the jobs you produce are late, contain errors, are badly printed or are carelessly packaged.

A first class service

Because there is keen competition in the printing industry it makes sense to do everything possible to make your business indispensable to your customers by providing them with a first class service as well as top quality printing. For example you could offer to store bulky print jobs for customers and to deliver as much as they need at periodic intervals.

You could get in touch with customers every few months to make sure that their stocks of essential business stationery are not running low – as well as keeping that valuable contact with your customers this tactic may also help to prevent the last minute panic that puts you under pressure when businesses realise that they are about to run out of stock.

Think also about ways in which you and your customers can make use of the internet to make things easier and more efficient for both of you.

It is worth being as proactive as possible with your customers and establishing with them from the outset how and when they want goods supplied. Having agreed this with them it must then be a priority to ensure that you meet their requirements.

Advertising your services

Whichever services you decide to offer, it’s essential that your potential customers know about you. There are a number of things you might do to promote your business:

• mailshot and send samples to local businesses and organisations
• leave leaflets with any organisations or firms (for example, accountancy practices) which advise new business start-ups. Most new businesses will need some printing done and it might be worth offering an introductory pack of basic business stationery
• advertise in local newspapers, trade journals, yearbooks and directories
• contact any local associations to announce your launch – possibly with an introductory offer
• sponsor local events
• create your own website – don’t forget to highlight the fact if you use recycled or responsibly sourced papers
• use social media like Facebook and Twitter to display examples of recent projects and tell customers about special offers
• use telemarketing to contact potential customers
• send customers (and potential customers) useful items like calendars at Christmas time. Don’t forget to print them with your contact details!

What Format is Best For Printing Business Cards?

Before you carry / upload your business card design to a printing company, find out their file format preference. Almost all print shops accept materials in the PDF and TIFF formats. Swift Publisher for example, allows you to save your card in both these formats, with the required quality (the standard for high quality printing is 600 dpi resolution).

When you export your business card to PDF, all fonts are embedded automatically. Nevertheless, they may sometimes display incorrectly in the print shop (depending on the software and equipment they use). If you wish to insure yourself against such problem, save your card to the TIFF format.

The quality will remain the same, and the text will look exactly as you want it to. Even better if you bring the material in both PDF and TIFF formats, and let the printing company choose which one works best for them.

Is T shirt Printing Business Profitable?

T Shirts are popular items of clothing and are not phased out seasonally. Trends may come and go but t-shirts remain.

Whether it is a plain t-shirt, oversized t-shirt, close-fitting t-shirt, or a customized t-shirt, t-shirts have always ruled the clothing market and are popular among all age groups.

According to the report by Statista, the t-shirt market is expected to grow annually by 9.6% from 2020-2025.

Initially, you can earn a profit, but to sustain in the market where competitors are just a few clicks away requires loyal customers. In this relentless competitive market, it is tough to gain customer loyalty. Only by satisfying customers, you can gain customer loyalty.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a 3D Printing Business?

The 3D printing market value increased on average 25% per year over the last five years. Its increased market value generated a boom of interest in setting up a 3D printing business. The 3D printing industry offers different niches in which to develop a business.

While each type of 3D printing business will have specific requirements to start, there is general information that can make setting up any form of 3D printing business easier.

The actual cost of starting a 3D printing business depends on the type of focus you choose. However, the cost of setting up a 3D printing business ranges from $1,000 to $10,000.

This cost will be affected by the type of 3D printer that you choose, utilities, rent (if you choose to not work from home), software, and marketing. The cost of a 3D printer changes based on the size, capabilities, and quality that you wish to produce.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a T-shirt Printing Business?

The main piece of equipment you will need for both methods is a heat press. Make sure you get a quality heat press to make sure that you always get a good application. A good heat press starts at about $700.

If you choose to get a vinyl cutter as well, small craft cutters start at about $200.

No matter which method you choose, you will always have costs of the blank apparel and the cost of the decoration, whether it’s screen printed transfers, heat transfer vinyl, plastisol inks, embroidery thread, etc.

Screen printed transfers and/or heat transfer vinyl give you the fastest and easiest way to print your own apparel with little investment and maximum profits. Not only are these fast and easy ways to decorate apparel, but they don’t take up a lot of space so you can do it right from your home.

In the end, it will cost you about a minimum of $1,000 to start a t-shirt business out of your home. This is a very small investment compared to other decorating methods such as direct screen printing equipment or embroidery machines, which can both cost thousands of dollars each.

Most heat presses and vinyl cutters are also available in starter packages that come with other accessories as well to help you get started.

Is Screen Printing a Dying Business?

Most of the time, people fail to succeed as a screen printer is because of their incompetence in the business side of it. Not necessarily because of their incompetence as screen printers. With growing popularity of screen printing business nowadays, more people are considering this profession seriously.

A well thought out plan is a must for any business. You should know and determine beforehand if it is going to be a big industry or a small one. And plan all the financial, marketing, purchasing, and operational details accordingly. If you intend to start a big industry than you need to hire an experienced business and market consultant.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Screen Printing Business?

It is relatively cheap to open a screen printing business. The specialized printer you need can typically costs $10,000 or less; the supplies you need to start, including many shirts to print on, can typically be obtained for less than $5,000.

Such a business can be operated from your home, so there is no need to lease a separate space. Instead, you can spend about $500 to design a professional website, and about $5,000 on traditional advertising, including radio ads, newspaper ads, and a combination of fliers, business cards, and direct mail.

The ongoing expenses for this business are variable because you may have to order more materials in some months and fewer materials in other months. Generally, you will spend about two dollars per t-shirt, and about $1.50 per silk screen you create.

If you buy pre-made silk screens, they cost about $25 a piece, and ink costs amount to about five cents per shirt. Beyond this—and the need to pay a hundred dollars or less per year to host your website—you don’t really have any ongoing expenses, as extra costs such as shipping are billed to the customer directly.

What Are The Best Online Business Card Printing Services?

Printing business cards online has some great benefits. More often than not, the process from start to finish is going to be quicker and easier. It will also be cheaper for you to print business cards online than it would for you to do it somewhere else.

The reason is that so many of the best online business card printing services offer all sorts of deals and free shipping.

Having the ability to design and print business cards from the comfort of your home or office is also very ideal. No waiting in lines, and no having to go out and find a local print shop to haggle with.

1. Vistaprint

Vistaprint offers a very wide range of online business card printing services. They have dozens of online template designs that you can work with. You can also upload your own design and have them print that off as well.

If templates are not your thing, and you haven’t designed a business card to upload, then Vistaprint also gives you the option to work with one of their in-house designers. They will get the design you want in place and ready to print.

The Vistaprint name has been around for quite some time, and the number of services they offer is just about unmatched by other online card printing services out there.

From a wide range of different paper thicknesses and paper stock to a number of different business card finishes including foil, the site gives you everything you need to create amazing business cards. This includes things like embossed gloss, plastic, and pearl, on top of the traditional matte or gloss.

Vistaprint also offers a number of other unique design layout options for those of you who do not want the traditional rectangle layout design.

2. Moo

Moo is another one of the best online business card printing services that you will find out there today. They are an excellent option for anyone who needs a custom business card that will stand out from others.

Moo is specifically known for its high-quality, as well as their huge selection of different sizes and styles for business cards that they have available. Standard, square, mini, and rounded are just a few of the options available from Moo.

They have business card dimensions and sizes that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Their pricing is more expensive than most other places. However, the quality speaks for itself, and you will be hard-pressed to find a higher-quality printed business card anywhere else.

They also allow you to design your own card online. However, if you don’t want to do that, then you can also upload your own custom design or choose from a pre-made template.

Standard business card pricing is fair, albeit a little more pricey. Moo does offer a system where you get much lower pricing if you buy in bulk.

3. PsPrint

PsPrint offers a little of everything in the business card niche. That being said, they are popular and respected because of the pricing, design tools, and overall business card printing service. Matter of fact, PsPrint comes in highest for actual print service.

The pricing comes in at the lowest for all the providers on this list.There are some instances where value and quality are mixed well and you get a refreshing return on your product.

The PsPrint design tools on their website are also some of the best you will find. Add to that the fact that they are not overly complicated to use, and you have the ability to design some of the best business cards online you will find.

4. Staples

Staples does a lot of things well. Perhaps the most attractive part of their service is that you can get your business cards in almost no time at all. You can actually get your business cards designed, printed, and in your hands, on the same day if you use the “same day pickup” option from your nearest Staples store.

The design tool is not quite as complex as some of the other tools on this list, and it is very straightforward and easy to use.

You can easily upload a card design from any of your cloud storage spaces you might be using. This includes Google Drive and Dropbox. Staples is also a little more lenient on the file type that you can use, which gives many people more options.

Pricing at Staples is very fair, and again, with same day pickup available, it makes it a very attractive option for people who are trying to get quality business cards printed up fast and easy.

5. Elite Flyers

If your business is a little larger, or you are trying to put in a high-volume order for business cards, then Elite Flyers may be the right choice for you. If you need to order in bulk for either yourself, your staff, or an event, then Elite option offers some of the very best bulk pricing and discounts available.

They also provide a very wide range of business card styles including silk, linen, foil, spot UV, and more. Paper style comes from thick to soft-touch, which means they have just about anything you want available. Variety is not a problem.

Pricing for smaller orders will vary, but again, bulk pricing and turnaround time is incredible. They do have a minimum order of 1,000 cards. However, they can also accommodate large orders of up to 25,000 cards and provide you a 3-5 day turnaround time.

Is 3D Printing Business Profitable in India?

The huge application scopes, and impressive demand in the market has allowed business experts to predict that the 3D printing sector will double in India. As these printers were not available in the Indian market, companies had to import these. They had to sign patents for this as well.

But currently, many such contracts had already expired or will become obsolete soon. It will leave enough scope for Indian organizations to come forth with their 3D printing machines. It will give a positive boost to the industry, and many independent startups will emerge.

In 2014, the industry had already managed to touch the $600 million mark in India. It is expected that in recent future it will only grow.

What Equipment do I Need to Start a T-shirt Printing Business?

When a custom t-shirt business starts up, they need commercial screen printing equipment. There are many different types of printers and accessories that they could buy, but the basic equipment is all the same. Below you’ll find the most important items to have on hand when starting up this type of business.

1. Printers. The printer is one of the most important items you’ll need. You can do a lot with just one printer, but the best businesses have several different kinds to choose from. The four types that printing businesses use are inkjet, laser, sublimation, and solvent printers. Solvent printers offer the best graphics, but they are very pricey and might be too much for a very small business.

2. Computers. You’ll need a PC or Mac to use with a graphics and cutting program. You’ll also need it for payment, inventory, and ordering functions. Our suite of software is ideal for helping you manage your business.

3. Graphics programs. Graphics programs are essential to creating custom images and art for the shirts and other media. CorelDraw and Photoshop are two very good programs for this.

4. Transfer paper. You need quality transfer paper for transferring the images from the printer to other materials. This requires the use of a heat press.

5. Heat press. You’ll need at least a 16’x20″ heat press for transferring graphics over onto shirts.

6. Cutter. You’ll need a cutter and the program included in it to create stencils for screen prints. The cutters cuts out what you design on the cutter program.

How do You Layout Business Cards For Printing?

Your business card is also a lasting impression and often is kept for future use. Therefore, creating a card that will leave a positive impact on prospects is of vital importance. One way to do this is to print your business cards with a full bleed.

Printing with a full bleed means that your background color or image and any other graphics desired will extend beyond the edge of the card. Without full bleed printing, your business card will contain an unprofessional white line between graphics and the edge of the card. Make sure that your cards are printed correctly with full bleed by following certain layout requirements.

Step 1: Design your card to be 3.75″ x 2.25″

Your printer will print your design the size you design it, and once the card is printed, it will then be trimmed down to the standard 3.5” x 2.” This extra step will ensure the highest possible edge quality.

Step 2: Keep all text and important graphics 0.125” away from the trim line.
Your text and graphics must be within 3.25”x1.75” to be sure that it will not be trimmed off the business card. That means that your title and logo must be far enough away from your edge so that they look right when the 1/8” bleed area is cut away to create the final card size.

Step 3: Convert to CMYK color mode
Make sure to save your design file in the CMYK color mode. If you use RGB to design your card, simply convert it back to CMYK before it goes to the printer.

Step 4: Upload your design and order
After choosing your printing options on the order form, upload your finished design on printplace.com. Remember that you can always design or check the dimensions of your design with our easy to use templates before uploading.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Printing Business in Philippines?

Printing machineries cost from P10,000 to P200,000 depending on the amount of printing you are going to do in day. Worry not, you can opt for a smaller printing machine at first. Eventually, when you are able to afford a bigger machine, you can upgrade then.

Printers have four types: laser, inkjet, offset, and screen. Inkjet printers are good for labels and signages. Laser printers are better for business cards. For large amounts of documents (businesses), the offset printer is good at handling large loads without reducing quality in the print. Screen printers are made to print ink on fabric such as t-shirts.

Additionally, a computer is needed to run the printing software on. You don’t need the highest performance in the market: a simple one will do, provided that it is tailored for business.

What Equipment do I Need to Start a Screen Printing Business?

To start a professional Screen Printing business for printing, you must have these items. Be ready with the screen printing equipment list before started. They are as follows:-

• Screen printing press
• Exposure Unit
• Pressure Washer
• Scoop Coater
• Squeegees
• Computer and inkjet printer
• Vector software like AI/Coreldraw
• Ink
• Emulsion
• Ink Scoops
• Press Wash
• Emulsion Remover
• Inkjet Film
• Spray tack
• Scrubby pads
• Spray bottles
• Cold running tap water
• Drainage

Some other things you are possibly going to need like a heat gun, infrared temperature gun, rags, chemical resistant spray bottles, scrubby pads, masking tape, markers, sharpies, scotch tape, and a ruler.

How do I Start a Printing Business From Home?

While the Internet may be taking over many aspects of printing, some things are still preferred on paper. Banners, programs for special functions, birthday and holiday greetings are all still popular on paper.

It’s not exactly socially acceptable to hand someone a laptop to look at when they enter the church for a wedding, after all. Niche printers, those who specialize in certain areas and create unique and interesting designs, are also becoming more popular.

1. Research your local market. Find out if there is a demand for printing services in your local community. A lot of competition does not necessarily mean you shouldn’t start your printing business, but you may want to narrow your focus or try to do most of your business nationwide on the Internet.

2. Call your county or city clerk’s office. Find out if you need a license to operate a business from your home. If you won’t have a lot of traffic coming to and from your house and won’t need a lot of parking, this shouldn’t be a problem.

3. File your business name with the Secretary of State. You should be able to find this form on your Secretary of State’s website. If not, give the office a call, and it can send you the appropriate forms to fill out when filing a new business. In Harris County, Texas, you need to walk into the county clerk’s office at 201 Caroline St. in Houston or download a copy of the Assumed Name (for a business) off the county clerk’s website.

You and any other owners of the business need to bring government identification, such as a driver’s license, and you can fill out the form at the clerk’s office. As of June 2010, there is $15 fee for the first owner and 50 cents for any additional owner. You can also have the completed form notarized and then mail it to: County Clerk, Harris County, P.O. BOX 1525, Houston, TX 77251-1525. No other licensing is required for a printing business in Texas.

4. Purchase your equipment. At first, you may not be able to afford a lot of equipment, so you will need to create a relationship with a local or Internet-based commercial printer. This is essential if you will be selling banners and other large printed items.

However, for smaller items, you will be able to perform your duties with a computer and the necessary design software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. A digital printer will be expensive but the most valuable piece of equipment you own.

Not only will you be able to print your proofs, but many small jobs can be done from there. You will also need toner, paper, a paper cutter, other tools and materials if you personally cut or design the paper.

5. Build a portfolio. You can start sending the word out about your business by volunteering to do print work for area organizations and charities. Offer to create and print their newsletters, business cards, invitations and event programs. Ask if you can use what you’ve created in your portfolio. This will give you experience as well as something to show potential clients.

6. Promote your new business with your expertise. Create and print your own business cards, newsletter, brochure and flyers. Use these to promote your business. Hand them out to friends and family, and bring them to events that you participate in. Advertise in local publications to promote your design and printing skills.

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Perhaps develop an insert to go inside your paper to really illustrate what you can do. A website will also be valuable, particularly if you create interesting and unique announcements, programs and invitations. You may need to consult a web programming professional to enable your customers to input their specific information and order online.

How Can I Learn Printing Business?

Printing requires a lot of colour separation, color match and colour recognition. This is not something you want to guess your way around. In addition, you have to be familiar with the processing of CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) which is the four primary colors in printing.

The best way to learn these is to go to a printing environment and learn how it is done. But, if you have prior experience in the printing industry, you can skip this step

Final Thought

Without mincing words, the printing business is one of the ways to amass wealth. If you are interested in venturing into the printing business, the best time to start is now.

As you begin your business, pay attention to trends in the industry so, that you don’t become obsolete. As with every business, you need to work hard and be determined to succeed.