How to Start a Home Printing Company

Get businesses the paper they need.

Printing services are important for individuals and small-to-medium businesses that don't own commercial printers or that need printing done quickly--done and delivered. To start a home printing company, you'll first need to take certain steps any business owner must take: research and write a business plan and a marketing plan, draw up a marketing calendar to outline particular tactics, and write a marketing platform-building plan for how you'll make your business more visible and generate more inquiries. These steps are prerequisites to any successful business venture, and you should only take more specific steps toward running a printing business after completing and reviewing these steps.

Instructions

1. Work with a business-to-business office supplies sales service, such as Office Max Solutions or Quill, to get a high-quality commercial printer that can handle your projected clients' printing, your company's printing and at least 10 percent more, to ensure that you won't encounter an emergency situation. Also stock up on paper, toner and drums.

2. Set rates that cover the cost of paper, toner, drums, Web expenses and mailing, while leaving flexibility for profits and promotional discounts.

3. Create a professional services website to advertise your printing services, share pricing and contact information, and bring search engine traffic to your site. Searchers are potential customers. A good investment of your time and money is to hire a Web designer to create a simple design, and to hire an SEO copywriter to write search engine- and reader-friendly copy that converts. Purchase a Web hosting service plan and register a domain name that is easily branded.

4. Join business networking groups and forums. Throughout all discussions, engage other business owners, share your opinions and answer questions.

References

• Small Biz Link: Better Shipping.