Starting a Print Shop (Around 150k Budget for the Equipment)

Hello there,
Firstly I'd like to sincerely thank you for all the information on this website, I found it to be the only place where the know-how let you use their practical knowledge and expertise

My friend and I are going to start a print shop business in BC, Canada with around 300,000 $ (US) capital (It's fair to assume that 150k can be invested on the equipment and supplies) so I'd really appreciate if you could kindly guide me through purchasing the right equipment. ( unfortunately on almost all websites the prices are not mentioned leaving me with a very broad range to choose from and sending too many inquiries without knowing what I should seek for is problematic)

The shop should at least be capable of copying, scanning, various kind of printing for posters, banners, stands, brochures, flyers, business cards, vinyl and etc.

Notes:
1- If the budget allows it, having both offset and digital printers is preferred
2- New machines are preferred to used ones
3- I think the more equipment and subsequently services that could be added to the shop within our budget, the better it is.
4- I'm not sure if it's the right place but my friend had the idea of adding a 3D printer to the shop, I'm not sure if it fits our pocket or the niche

Thanks for reading and answering in advance

 

Lease your digital equipment and see what monthly revenue you can produce.

Add leased machines as needed -- you need to anyway in order to get the best service contract rates.

Put your cash towards offset or finishing equipment.

 

Thanks for the answer
for some reason, leasing the equipment is more trouble than it's worth and if it comes to that I'd be better off without offset. if the business grows enough, offset can be added later on. I was under the impression that 200k should cover it but guess I was wrong.

 

One thing that is a must when starting from scratch is to get the right PRINT FINISHING equipment. There are many choices for items like perfect binding, Paper Drill UV coating, Round corner and Creasing machines. But unless you are willing to take on someone else's headache in the used market, your investment level can be a major part of your cost. I'd like you to look at our website at www.noramfe.com first. Omm Marchetti offers the highest quality { made in Italy} effectively priced, and most efficient print finishing equipment in today's' market. Our consultants work with you to assure that you get the right tools for the jobs, keep your investment level at a minimum and provide you with fast ROI.
Regards.

Omm Marchetti America
250 West Main Street
Moorestown, NJ 08057
856 495 9091
ed@noramfe.com

 

In the USA, opening a print shop with just offset would be a huge mistake. The run size of the average small/mid size business has drastically come down. I highly advise at least a small to mid volume digital machine. Offset printing can't be beat in high volume, but you'll be turning away a lot of potential high volume customers who what to give you a shot with a small job.

The plate making an set up costs will make it tough for you to compete early on.

If you really want top end quality, maybe look into a top end digital machine as your primary "press"
The Kodak NexPress makes for some profound prints when the machine is kept maintained.

In fact, companies Like Minuteman Press international have advised all new shops to start purely on the digital end.

 

While going digital is the best recommendation, buying a new or even slightly used high end press like Nexpress would deplete their coffers. Not to mention maintenance and operating costs. We have been involved selling used and new digital presses and finishing eqt. since 2005. A better alternative would be to analyze the lower to mid priced machines so that funds would be available to fully complement the shop.

 

Well that was my first recommendation
A Canon, maybe Konica machine would be a nice start. I'm not a huge Xerox fan, but that would also be an option.

...I sure do miss working on that ol' NexPRESS though..

 

Biggs:

If you still do work on Digital presses send me your information at ballykea@gmail.com. I often get people looking for installers and tech service.

 

One thing about leasing -- when I started the first contract was a pain; after that it was no trouble. AND the competitors wanted to get me after I had an account with their competitors too! Second and third leases were fast, financing from the connected finance companies with no hassle.

 

please send me your email address to ballykea@gmail.com and I can send you some options

 

Hi
We are the manufacturer of digital printers, with your budget, you can have multiple printers from our company. Form printing hard materials such as pvc card, phone case, golfball, candles, leather, tiles, kt board, drinking bottles, t-shirts etc... to become a more personalised print shop. Nowadays everyone is looking for special personalised items, the market is growing with huge potential. Our customers are doing perfect in EU and USA and we are also looking for the retailers for different countries.

If you are interested in our printer, you can:
Click here for more details
Click here for the YouTube printing video
Click here for the direct WhatsApp contact
Or Email kmbyc26@byc168.com

 

Hi, if you leaning towards mostly digital shop, blueprints and rigid wide formal, like flat bed UV printer could be a very good thing - architects, contractors, even wholesale to sign-shops could be a nice income earner.
I can offer you a practically new Duplo DC-615, unit has processed 13,600 sheets and has total 22 of operationg hours this is a highly automated versatile cutter/creaser/score machine, also have Tech Lighting Tru-Coat 16 UV Coated with automatic feeder and fumes extraction pump, OKI Envelope press if plan on running digital envelopes.
Let me know if any of these interest you.

 

Here i start a new shop and we got a accuriopress c3070 and a duplo dc-616 for finishing and will get a good guillotine cutter and laminator/foiler. Whe also have equipment to make pvc card and this ia the main reason for the digital press.

Later i dream od the mgi jetvarnisg 3d and ifoil.

I also think about a windmill to use for die punch and retro print.

 

There's alot to consider here besides just the press. What is your client base like? What is your expected volume for color and b/w? You could get a great color digital press like the AccurioPress C3080 from Konica Minolta for well under $100k leaving room for maybe a b/w press like the 6120 or even the Pro 1100. These will allow you to handle most short and medium runs, and you can outsource really long runs until you grow into more presses. If you think your volume will be mostly color, at some point you'll want a 2nd digital color press for redundancy because any machine on the market will have some downtime. Besides the presses, you need computer software to manage your business. This MIS software should be able to create work orders, save customer contact info, create invoices, purchase orders, etc. You also need to setup a website with a simple file submission and quote request field because if you're not online, you don't exist these days. You also need basic finishing equipment like a cutter, folder, and padding station. Eventually you will also need a creaser, numbering machine, business card slitter, laminator, etc.

As for which brand of copiers to use, I mentioned KM as an example because that's what we have. Everyone on here will tell you to get the brands they have or have had good experiences with. Ideally, you should check with other local printers in the area to see what they are using and if they are happy with the service. All machines from the major 4 (Konica Minolta, Xerox, Canon, and Ricoh) have great quality, and just about the same types of finishers/features. It ultimately comes down to how well your machine will be maintained. You want to deal with someone who has a local office with local techs that can arrive same day.

Good luck!

 

Focus on learning sales. You can have all the best equipment in the world and all the best employees, but if you don't have customers, you will go out of businesses. To learn this, you could get a job working for a printer in sales, not production. If you want to take a big shortcut, you could purchase a print franchise who will train you.

 

Now that, is good advice. The demise of most printers often falls into not marketing their business well enough, or, not all.
There's and all saying "If you don't market, you won't make it"

 

Absolutely!