We’ve been into the printing business for 24 years
starting our enterprise in 1992. The business has evolved over the years from
letter-set machines and graphic designers studiously arranging our art work.
To advanced computers and laser jet printer
revolutionized the industry. Even the huge offset printing machines became
smaller and smarter.
The capital requirements depend on the size and scope of the
operation. A large press start-up capital goes from $30,000-$100,000.
It will cost around $10,000-$50,000 startup funds for a
small to middle sized operation. There is room for freelancers with little or
no funds to cash in on the venture.
The venture is relatively easy once you understand the
rudiments and workings of the enterprise.
To get started in the print industry you need to understand the stages
and methodology of the art.
Let’s first focus on how printing works before delving
into the business aspect.
How does
it Work
Most jobs follow basically the same process and
procedure. There might be slight variations but they are generally the same.
It does not matter if the subject matter is a handbill,
poster, business card, billboard, book cover or pamphlet. The general processes
will achieve the same result.
The Art
Work
The printing process starts with the art work of the job
you receive. In the past graphic artist used light boards to cut and paste
words and letters to form a template.
The job was back braking and caused eye problems because
of the fluorescent bulb used in the process. A single art work of a
complementary card could take an entire day to arrange. Even company logs were
done by other artists before adding it to the design.
Then, we had the computer, Microsoft Word, PageMaker and
Corral draw. What took days became possible in a matter of minutes.
Once a job is accepted the computer is used by a graphic
designer to create the art work. The art work represents how the finished
product will look before going through the press.
Once the art work is finished it goes down the production
line. Are you interested in design learn more about graphic design businesses.
Lithography
The art work needs to go through the lithography process.
The process involves converting the art work into a plated form.
These are special plates that receive the image through
heat transfer. Lithography is similar to taking a photograph and developing it
in the dark room.
For the process to work the lithographer takes an image
of the art work with a special camera. The negative is then placed on the plate
and exposed though light and heat transfer. The plate is then washed with a
special chemical and a gum or fixer is applied.
The Camera
The camera used to expose the film is similar to regular
cameras because it also has a lens. The art work is taken to the dark room a
photo taken and exposed unto a film.
The process of taking the photograph is about five
minutes. The lithographer then washes the film with special chemicals. The exposed
film is then affixed to the plate and placed on the plate making machine.
Plate
Making Machine
The process of applying light and heat to the plate is
done by the plate maker. The film is exposed unto the plate and the image is
impressed. The lithographer then washes the plate with a base chemical to
reveal the impression.
The Offset
Machine
There are different specifications of plates from the 201
to cord plates. The same applies to types of printing machines and the size of
plates they accommodate.
Regardless of the size or type of machine the plate goes
through the same application. The operator affixes the plate to the machine
applies color and the machine prints out the paper.
There are four basic color groups used for printing the
yellow, magenta red, blue and black. Although there are other colors the major
colors are able to produce any printout.
Handbills, complementary cards, letterhead papers and
posters go through this process. Once the printing is done the paper is left to
dry then the cutting and trimming.
Cutting
Machine
The cutting machine is a heavy duty machine that cuts and
trims paper. It is capable of cutting an entire rim of paper in half. The
machine works through high voltage electricity, wheels, pedals and knobs to
arrange and cut paper.
The Modern
Method
Printing has developed even further than heat transfer
and plating. There are some computers that send signals to machines jumping
straight to impression.
The impression is the printing stage of the process. The
machine does direct transfer and is best used in making banners and posters.
Digital
Printing
Printing has gone digital making it easier to do with
less capital. The press owner needs less skilled staff to operate the
enterprise.
The smaller equipment's are manageable, easy to handle and
cost less than former offset printers. All
that is required is a computer and the digital equipment.
Planning
To start the enterprises consider the location,
equipment, staff strength and marketing. You need capital to run the business
for at least six months.
You can source funds from bank loans, a core investor or
personal savings. Your office should have a secretary, computer graphic artist
and print operator.
You need to register your business with the corporate affairs
commission as a limited liability company. Join any association that has to do
with printing or publishing.
Chose
a Niche
Printing business is broad based and has may niche
groups. You can choose to do offset print, digital or screen print which is manual
impression of negative to different surfaces.
Screen
printing
Screen printers convert art work to negative films. The negative
films are then exposed unto a special mesh then impressed on a surface manually
with ink.
Screen print niche covers impression on cups, plates,
buckets handkerchiefs and plastic containers. The tools used in screen printing are basic
cheap and easy to handle.
You need a little practical experience to develop the
simple skill. The screen printer needs only two equipment one to create the
negative and the mesh.
Offset
Printing
Offset printing has been explained earlier and is capital
intensive. Many printing firms prefer this mode of printing because of its
ability to produce large quantity of printed material.
Handbills, pamphlets, posters and letter headed paper are
items commonly produced through offset method. Offset printers need lots of
office space for their large machinery.
Equipment used includes computers, lithography machines,
and offset machines.
List
of things needed to start the enterprise
1
You need an office
2
Rent a large workshop for your machines
3
Buy a lithography machine
4
Buy an offset machine
5
The camera
6
You need a plate making machine
Pricing
The price of the job is based on different parameters. Every
stage of the production process is calculated and included in the final bill.
When calculating the price of jobs consider the typesetting,
graphic work and cost of plate. Other things added are cost of impression,
paper, transportation, cutting and labor cost.
Once you have done the arithmetic’s you add 28% of the
overall figure to the final estimate. It looks a little complicated but you will
get the hand of it eventually.
Quality
of Work
You need to produce high quality work to attract
customers. Create beautiful designs and use high quality machinery to print
your jobs.
Try to meet deadlines because some jobs are time
sensitive. Such jobs are obituaries, birthdays, wedding programs, anniversaries
and corporate events.
Marketing
The best marketing you can do is locating your office in
a busy area. To attract customers use billboards and sign posts in front of
your building.
Other methods are newspaper advertisements and hand
bills. Offer your services to religious groups like churches or schools and missionaries.
Another way is to build a website or blog to have an online presence.
Conclusion
To start the job find a good location and decide on you
niche. Hire staff, buy equipment and do effective marketing to attract
customers.
Freelancers take the job and use established press houses
to produce the finished product. They pay for every step of the process from paper,
computer graphics, plate, impression and trimming.
Here is an article on business without money
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