How do I start a printing press business?

Author: Ingrid

Mar. 07, 2024

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Tags: Packaging & Printing

How to Start a Printing Business: 5 Equipment You Should Have

Being in the printing business means investing in printing equipment and supplies. But if you want to keep your expenses manageable, you need to know which pieces of equipment to invest on. Don't worry. We've done the research for you. Here are the 5 equipment you need to start a printing business.

No matter how big or how small, starting any business means getting some equipment. Even freelance writers need a computer. If you want to start a printing business that offers a fairly full range of services, though, that means a lot of equipment.

Sorting through all the options can prove daunting.

So, keep reading and we'll help you pin down five kinds of equipment you'll need.

1. Printers

Printers are your most important equipment, but you'll face some choices. If you're on a tight budget, you'll probably start with professional-grade laser and inkjet printers. These offer you a lot of flexibility for standard size documents.

You can branch out from there with wide format printers for banners or posters.

Another small printing business equipment option is a garment printer. Again, this gives your printing business some flexibility. You can even offer garment printing as part of a bundle for corporate clients.

If you can swing the cost and space, you might even consider commercial grade offset printing press. These enable large-scale print runs, but the equipment is very expensive.

2. Laminator

Certain types of customers will want lamination services.

A business that orders new IDs for all of its employees, for example, will likely want them laminated. Say a local group plans on handing out bookmarks with their organization logo on it. They might ask for lamination on the bookmarks to improve durability.

Lamination might not make up a big portion of your business, but it's practical to have a laminator.

3. Cutting System

Owning a printing business means that you'll cut a lot of paper. After all, you print those business cards in sheets.

Cutting systems come in a few flavors, but you'll probably start with a manual cutter. Once your bottom line can support it, though, you can always upgrade to a semi-automatic or fully automatic cutter.

4. Computer and Graphic Design Software

You'll need at least one higher end computer in your shop for graphic design work. Graphic design work soaks up a lot of your computer's resources. Look for a computer with a powerful CPU and graphics processing unit, as well as lots of onboard RAM.

The Adobe suite of software is generally considered the standard for graphic design work. The pitfall is that you can only get the newest versions of the software through a subscription. That can get expensive over time.

If you aren't ready to bite that bullet, there are open source alternatives.

5. Binding Equipment

Binding equipment isn't an absolute necessity, since not every print shop offers binding. You have several options if you decide that you want to offer binding services, such as:

  • comb binders
  • wire binders
  • thermal binders

Comb and wire binding let you get into binding at a lower price point. Thermal binding equipment costs more, but you can also charge more for offering a high-end service.

Parting Thoughts on Equipment for Starting a Printing Business

Starting a printing business means investing in a lot of equipment.

For a bare-bones operation, you need pro-grade laser and inkjet printers. You'll also need a cutting system and a good computer with graphic design software.

For a well-rounded operation, you can add a commercial offset printer, laminator, and binding equipment to the list.

Triumph Cutter specializes in cutting systems. If you need some help deciding what kind of system you need, get in touch.

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.

How do I start a printing press business?

What Equipment Do I Need to Start a Printing Business?

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