Starting a print shop in 2020, is it worth it? - vlog 315 - Print Shop Updates

[@michellemartincreative]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge so openly! It really helps newbies like me.

[@ttms]

Happy to help.

[@philanderson1200]

I started in offset printing in 1985. I’ve owned my printing company for the last decade. I only have 5 employees but we’re busy. Covid slowed us down a bit but we bounced back. We have a mailing for the county sheriffs department coming up. That’s 60,000 envelopes and full color letters printed envelopes inserted and sealed. Then addressed and sorted in zip code order for the post office. Just be sure you have the work coming in to pay any loans or payroll you have.

[@gmstabloid]

Thank you for sharing the precautions to take. I am starting out as side gig and was about to make those same mistakes. Too fast to hard... (Y)

[@ttms]

Best of luck, keep me posted on your progress.

[@nicholehoag7482]

Great points made! Adding too many pieces too fast makes it hard to dedicate the time to each to grow that product/service. I've made the same mistake and had to pull back on things to focus on what I'm best at.

[@ttms]

I'm glad I learned it now, even though I could have learned the lesson a different way.

[@davidl890]

My wife and I are looking at purchasing an existing print business. We currently own a laundromat and looking to expand into something different. Would you do the print business again?

[@Smarsh721]

Love the transparency.

[@ttms]

I want to be honest so people understand the work and money that goes into this. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows 🙂

[@noonereallyknows6643]

Thank you for taking the time to share your story as well as sharing all of the advices. I'm wondering how do you set up your clients payment plan ? Are most of them 30 day net invoicing or you have their payment on file or it's a combination of the two? I guess I'm struggling figuring out how I should bill certain customers.

[@philanderson1200]

At my printing company I have every new customer pay upon completion. Large established customers I have on 30 day term. Target direct bulk mailing services I do has to be paid in full before delivery to the post office

[@seanlevere9252]

I feel your pain 🤦🏽‍♂️ 4 years, but still trying to move forward

[@karllagerfeld3137]

Thanks bro. Very accurate advice. I wish you the best.

[@mariebourn8317]

Here's a question that is peeking my interest about outsourcing. What about freelancers? They work for a fraction of the price.

[@ttms]

You could for artwork, but for print work, you need trade only vendors.

[@nathantaylor680]

1st hahahaha... good advice on the biz start up. Thx for the video

[@ttms]

*second 🤣. Thanks, glad you like the vid.

[@ArmandoRodriguez-hb3yy]

This video is better! Bro You’re inspiring don’t forget!!! I might need some help i have a lot of questions i just got my print shop running. How can i hit you up? Thank you

[@Shadows68756]

What would be a good printer to buy for canvas printing? I was looking at the HP T210. Any suggestions would be great! Also I like the videos, keep them coming!

[@fifiearthwanderer]

i appreciate your videos. They are so helpful. How did you start getting clients? Or how do you get new clients now? All my clients have been online but I want to start doing some face to face and try getting bigger accounts.

[@1busymom]

Hi! TY for the vid. How do you like the SWF (Bach). I'm comparing brands to decide which to finance. Will be focusing on kids shirts & hats. TY

[@ttms]

I do like it and really like the quick swap on the hat driver and regular driver.

[@celenehall2651]

Thank you so much. Which printer do you recommend buying first ? For flyers and business cards .

[@ttms]

That's kind of like asking what car you should buy. That said, I love my Konica. It is expensive, but to me, worth it. You could also start out with something like the Oki HWC for less upfront cost, but more per page. I would just make sure you can print at least 130lb cover. That's what most business cards are on.

[@celenehall2651]

@@ttms thanks a lot !

[@SHOCKANDAWTV]

This Dude is not the tiger king but the yawn king 🤣🤣🤣

[@ttms]

Yes, yes I am. 🤣🤣

[@watchdaride]

i want to start a part time priniting flyers and note pads . Whats a good printer for runs about 5k-10 k sheets . black and white only .

[@ttms]

I'd just get an office copier like a bizhub from Konica.

[@Kim-learns-to-fly]

So helpful, thank you!

[@ttms]

You're welcome

[@angrydavegaming4429]

Appreciate the advice and Testimony. Keep it up! Thx

[@ttms]

Thanks. Happy to help.

[@CrossMediaSuccess]

I’m a little unsure why you felt like you needed to buy such a wide variety of equipment due to the fear of losing a customer to somebody else. You said you started your business outsourcing everything, so why not continue to outsource those areas that you have not already brought into your shop?

[@mutebalgow9709]

Hey so I have started new business in Saudi Arabia and I was woundering should I start big or take it step by step and also what are the programs that I should use!

[@ttms]

I would go step by step. Build on line of products at a time and slowly add them once you're making decent money with one.

[@timzurko4050]

I miss the channel when it was starting out small and edited by Cam

[@ttms]

Me too. Things were much more simple then.

[@MusicArtlIfeQ676]

new to printing, any advice on business card printing in gloss? for example the 130lb cover I have is not glossy, can you purchase thick glossy paper like this for printing or do you have to manually gloss? appreciate your help

[@ttms]

What most people consider gloss is really UV coating. You can get a UV coater, or a laminator with glossy film.

[@oscarmattias9331]

Great tips!

[@ttms]

Thanks

[@oscarmattias9331]

I’m looking into getting in the printing business I need some advice.😀

[@MagnetikCult]

Thanks for the great tips you provide in all your videos. How would someone that is barely starting in this business find companies that will drop ship custom order? Any recommendations on companies you worked with when you first started that did the drop shipping for you? Thanks

[@ttms]

You're welcome. Usually the easiest way is to search online for " ___________ wholesaler". That will help you find some companies that are wholesaling. It may not be the best price but it will get you started. Remember, that the value of something is what someone is willing to pay for it. If you pay $50 for business cards and can resell them for $100, it doesn't matter that they can go somewhere else to get them for less. They purchased them from you for that price. If you wanted a cheatsheet for suppliers, I have the ones that I use that's available to all patreon members.

[@wendyrossman3756]

Awesome business advice.

[@ttms]

Thanks, Wendy.

[@registeredtravelers9288]

Hi. What printer would you recommend for starting out? I am thinking of starting a small print shop out of my home mainly for homeschoolers. Very basic printing, nothing fancy. Any suggestions?

[@ttms]

You can get a basic Toshiba, Ricoh, or Konica that would all do great for basic home school stuff. I'm partial to Konica 🙂.

[@registeredtravelers9288]

@@ttms Thank you!

[@automategames]

fighting the yawns really hard haha

[@Rythom_]

What’s the best way to start selling business cards (printing)? I can’t figure out the best way to print them

[@ttms]

I print them my Konica or you can out source them to someone. I started selling to insurance agents and worked my way to other businesses. I also started by finding businesses that use punch cards. They are always ordering cards.

[@Rythom_]

@@ttms that is so smart! Do you have a video that talks about this in more detail :/ sorry for all of the questions lol

[@ttms]

You're just fine. Ask away. My vlog has nuggets all throughout, but I'll see if I can record some market type videos.

[@MJayOC]

great video

[@ttms]

Thanks

[@mariebourn8317]

I have done nothing but yawn. I have to watch this over again.

[@ttms]

😬😂🙂

[@juancguerra7566]

Hi, I still need help finding a supplier for the Versa D blade, any luck?

[@ttms]

I'm working with a company to try and have them carry them. I'll keep you posted.

[@AzraelPercussionNEO]

There are too many around and they are not making money business wise. I think the serect to this industry is social media

[@ttms]

I think referral is key, not just on social media.

[@mikeabc5355]

What is the most common print job that you are getting? What printing machines are biggest earners in your shop? Would Epson 20,000 be a good investment?

[@ttms]

I wouldn't get that printer, but only because I'd rather have one that does adhesive products really well, and not one that is geared towards photos. Biggest in house seller is things from my HP Latex. I have a video coming soon with my top sales categories.

[@mikeabc5355]

@@ttms Thank you.

[@NerdLantern]

So what are easy stuff to start with

[@ttms]

I'd probably start with stickers or 100% outsourcing. Lots of people want stickers with their brand or for products. Outsourcing can help you find products you like without any upfront investment. I would try to focus on one or two items. Doing too many things can be it's own bottleneck.

[@RayfordRaySiegel]

@@ttms, Can you explain what you mean, by outsourcing? I thought you meant for having a printing business print your own designs that you want to sell, but from this statement, it seems like you are referring to taking in orders of what other people want made, then having another business print the order and ship it. If I don't have the means, financially or knowledge-wise, how would it be best for me to get into this (slowly enough), but still make money, on the side? It would be nice to expand it into my own business (without employees, or just one), someday. I know nothing about it. I still need to learn design, though I have ideas & some actual designs to print and sell.

[@ttms]

@@RayfordRaySiegel I mean you get the sales, but have someone else fulfill the orders for you. I just mad a course showing how to do it with large format products. You can use the code founder for a discount - timetomakesomething.com/product/large-format-selling-course/

[@RayfordRaySiegel]

@@ttms, Oh. I don't really understand that, or how that works. I don't know if that's for selling other people's designs or also just your own, & I wouldn't know how to get to that point. Is that course for taking orders for other people's designs, or for getting orders for your own, and what exactly do you mean, by "large format"? I know nothing about this stuff.

[@nerdyfab476]

Hey if I wanted to outsource work to you or get pricing on what you can do, where can I find that? I saw the businesscardsonly.com but I have other things I may want done as well

[@ttms]

Shoot me an email at [e-mail] I’m more than happy to look

[@RamzWorld]

Thank you for sharing your opinion , I already Press It! If you can find some time, please do visit in my house & I will be happy to have you Keep it up & more power!

[@ttms]

Thanks, Ramz. I hope to be able to visit others in the future.

[@samwilson6033]

I guess you do not do books

[@ttms]

Not in house.

[@robertwagnon9770]

Technically 3rd. It was late today ;(

[@ttms]

Yes, yes it was.

[@TheButtcheekBetty]

Hello! My husband and I are thinking about starting a unique print shop ourselves. Can I get your contact info so we can pick your brain? It would make our life! Thank you so much!

[@jaimendonsa8557]

First

[@ttms]

Nice work.

[@rigoduran5494]

Hey Daron, what's your Facebook group?

[@ttms]

facebook.com/groups/2451205601855536/