Businesses are in constant need of professionally printed presentation documents.
Print shops serve a wide variety of customer needs from basic document printing to full print campaigns. When considering a print shop start-up, think about what type of printing services you will offer. Start off small and increase your services as your business grows. Research your local market to determine what print services are in high demand. Businesses in most areas need fast turnaround on basic presentation documents. Focus on providing high quality printing services to local businesses with a faster turnaround than printing shops that offer the full spectrum of services.
Instructions
1. Research your target market carefully to determine best compete. Write a detailed business plan based on your research. The business plan should reflect your business through its first year. Include analysis of the market, analysis of your competition, a marketing plan, financial documents, and any legal documents necessary to start your business. These will include business and tax registration forms as well as lease or purchase rates for property and equipment. Focus on providing exceptional service for a small segment of your market when you first start.
2. Fill out and file the necessary legal and tax documents at your local, state, and federal level. Join your local Chamber of Commerce to take advantage of the experience, resources, and networking opportunities it will provide. Visit your Small Business Association office. They are a government run organization set up to provide free services for business start-ups. If you require more specialized assistance they can refer you to an attorney or accountant.
3. Find a production/storefront for your print shop based on your market research and budget projections. Location for a print shop is critical. Base your location on your market research. A location central to the businesses you will serve will be convenient for your target market. Enter into a lease agreement or attempt to purchase the property.
4. Research printing equipment and your options for purchase or lease. An advantage to leasing equipment is that company you lease with is responsible for the maintenance of the equipment. At the start this may be an ideal arrangement to keep costs down and allow for growth over time. Get the equipment manuals and any training materials from the printing equipment dealer. If there are workshops available on operating the equipment take advantage of those. Otherwise, read the manual thoroughly and ask lots of questions of the dealer.
5. Purchase standard printer, fax, and copy paper as well as card stock in several weights. Purchase stationary in white, linen, and cream. Offer other selections for special order. It is best to start out with basic selections of paper and other stationary. Over time you will become familiar with your regular needs. Purchase staplers, hole punches, and paper cutters as well as a couple of tables to have out for people to assemble their documents.
6. Set up your printing shop. Place the printers and supplies in the back area of the shop. Place the tables, staplers, hole punches, and paper cutters in the front of the shop. This area will be reserved for customer service.
7. Work with a web design company to design a website for your print shop. Use it as a virtual brochure for your print shop. Create a blog to offer print and design tips. Update the blog regularly to keep visitors to your website coming back. Post promotions and updates to your shop on the front page of the website and in your blog. Create an interactive forum to allow clients to provide feedback. Integrate social networking links into your site. Launch the website when you open your doors for business.
8. Advertise with local newspapers to get the word out about your new printing shop. Send out a press release to local newspapers to announce your opening. Join your area Chamber of Commerce to take advantage of the networking opportunities and their collective advertising resources.
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