Digital Print business...where to begin?

**stangn99** · 12-19-2007 11:17 PM

Hi all,
I've been searching to YE site for some information on starting up a digital print business.

I have over five years of experience working with Xerox digital presses, pre-press, and graphic design (as a freelancer). My current full-time job is a mixture of pre-press and IT (ya..weird mix) at a rather large print shop (that started out VERY small). The business has done and continues to do extremely well. We are equipt with the latest machines from Xerox (including iGen's, Nuvera's), and also had two 4 colour offset printers.

Anyway. I've been putting a lot of thought into starting my own little print shop, but not sure where to start. My main questions are (for now):

Whats the cost of leasing production machines? I would def. be going Xerox, and currently thinking about a Docucolor 2060 for colour prints. I would be considering a production b/w machine also.

Basically what I want to do is be able to provide printing services to my current, and future customers who I do Graphic Design work for.

I had an idea of building a website with all the tools to upload a file, proof online, and submit. I recieve the customers file, prep and PRINT AT A LOCAL PRINTER, until I get a feel for how many clients I can gather up in a given time. This way i won't have to dump a ton of $$ into leasing the machines.

My goal would be to provide absolute simplicity for the customer. I basically want to make it so simple of the customer that they won't have to leave their computer. Upload file, proof, I prep, I get it printed at a local shop (for the first little while), and have it shipped to the customer.

Any suggestions? I'm pretty confused as to what I need to do, and the actual process involved.

Oh..one last thing. Does anyone know where I could gather more information on website applications design for print based businesses? I would be looking for something similar to WWW .OVERNIGHTPRINTS. COM

Thanks in advance for any help!

**BizGuy** · 12-19-2007 11:47 PM

Hi there,

I recently answered a question about the digital print business here on YoungEntrepreneur.com.

Go here:

Hey any1 know anything about Printing?

If you have any further questions, please let me know.

If you are looking to get a website quote you can get free competitive quotes by clicking here: http://youngentrepreneur.vendorseek.com/

Hope this helps.

Adam T.

**stangn99** · 12-20-2007 11:20 PM

Thanks BizGuy!
Actually, I read your post about 3 times before I even joined the site

I've been doing some more online research, and even searching craigslist for an idea of what the costs would be to buy over an existing print shop.

I will take a look at the link you provided for the tools I would need. I have A LOT of questions. I just going to take some time to organize them in a meaningful manner.

Thanks so much!

**mbolton2181** · 12-24-2007 03:30 PM

interesting, I'm in the graphic design and print industry as well. Up till now I just outsource my printing, I'd be interested in hearing if you start a firm.

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