Starting a printing business in this day and age can be an exciting, profitable adventure. What kind of printing company you start will be largely dependant on your printing experience and your capitol. To start a large volume large format printing company you need to have previous printing experience or be able to hire it. Large printing presses sometimes cost into the 100's of thousands of dollars and require very much expensive support equipment and supplies.
For the scope of this article we will look at a small format or "Quickprinter." Many people will look at a town and see a "Staples" or a "Kinko's" and think "there is too much competition here." This may be the case but probably is not. A small quickprinter can offer more personalized service that customers want from this kind of business. Many people who walk into a quick print shop know what they want but not exactly how to ask for it. Many of the chain printers hire young unskilled workers whom in many cases know less about printing than the customers.
Having worked in the printing industry for almost 30 years, I can share some insights to help you get started in a new venture. I have worked on a 40" five color press all the way down to making copies for $.08 each. If I was going to start a new business, it would have a good high volume color copier that is capable of networking with your computer system. Speaking of your computer system you will want an IBM platform computer. I know all the graphic artists use Macs but I can tell you most customers will be working with IBM.
Next I would have at least two high speed black and white copiers also networked to your system. Depending on the volume you are expecting you may want to add more than that. When shopping for copiers look at leasing if at all possible. Technology changes very fast and you don't want to get stuck with an outdated copier that you can't get parts for. A service contract is a must so you don't have to pay for all the expensive parts they like to consume.
Talk to multiple salesmen of differing brands and look closely at what the different copiers can do. Then compare base rates and what they call "Click charges." This is what you get charged for every copy that goes through your leased machine. One tenth of a cent difference doesn't sound like much but when you are doing a million copies a month it really adds up. Don't be afraid to haggle with them. They have some leeway that will enable them to come down on the price or add in an option to close the deal.
Now to where you can really show up the name brand stores. Get a printing press and hire someone who knows how to run it. You will be able to take in all manner of jobs that the copy only shops have to turn away. You also will have a foot in the door for their copying even if you cost slightly more since you are printing their envelopes or invoices. Look into outside vendors for raised print business cards, rubber stamps and wedding invitations. There is a good markup for just taking an order. Things that don't seem to pay off are office supplies or ad specialties, unless you can devote someone to concentrating on that aspect of the business. You will need to get some basic bindery equipment so you can cut, fold, number, shrink wrap, perforate or score the work you produce.
Keep an eye on new technology. You can get free subscriptions to trade magazines and they will keep you abreast of new things to hit the market. It doesn't always pay to be the first to grab something new but don't be far behind. It is a great advertising point to be able to offer the latest and greatest. On advertising get your name out to people but don't over do it. I really dislike seeing the printing company's name in tiny type printed on everything. Radio ads work well since many businesses have a radio running while they are open. I just love hearing our ad when I am in another business. Another plus is that businesses will be your main customers so hit them while they are at work. A good size yellow page ad is also essential.
The key to your success will be providing a better service and gaining customer loyalty.
If you can do this, you can compete with anyone in the printing business.