Starting a small digital print shop.

[aKarma]

Hi All,

Propabably this is not the right place to ask , but still i am giving it a shot.

"I am starting a small digital print shop in my area.There is a lot of jargon being thrown at me like JDF , workflow systems , and so on , which is quite confusing.
Can someone give me a pointer as to where I can find some best practice document or manual for starting and managing a digital print shop (from a software as well as hardware perspective)."

Thanks in advance.

[Bart]

And our cut of the profits?

The three most important things in starting any new business are:

1. Cashflow
2. Cashflow
3. Cashflow

The rest you pick up as you go along. Talk to your equipment suppliers about how you get the most of your kit. It doesn't necessarily mean you have to buy extra 'nuts and bolts'. Just use what is already there.

Good luck to ya!

[prepress_brillance_43]

Originally Posted by Bart

And our cut of the profits?

The three most important things in starting any new business are:

1. Cashflow
2. Cashflow
3. Cashflow

The rest you pick up as you go along. Talk to your equipment suppliers about how you get the most of your kit. It doesn't necessarily mean you have to buy extra 'nuts and bolts'. Just use what is already there.

Good luck to ya!

1.ditto
2.ditto
3.ditto


I would think you would want to get in as inexpensively as possible with a REAL plan to pay off the initial debt, keep your overhead as low as possible and your revenue as high as possible..

..things to remember:

1. a little extra time on the front end can REALLY save your ass on the back end.

2. there are two things that can ruin a company-growing too FAST and growing too SLOW.


just my .02

[Raiderfrog]

Why are you starting a business in an industry you seem to know nothing about? What is your background? Not being rude, but that would be the first red flag.

[Peon]

Originally Posted by Raiderfrog

Why are you starting a business in an industry you seem to know nothing about? What is your background? Not being rude, but that would be the first red flag.

I agree, especially since printing is a very highly competitive field. People will leave you in a heart beat if they can save 5o cents. I wish you all the luck in the world 'cause you're gonna need it.

[Bart]

Originally Posted by Raiderfrog

Why are you starting a business in an industry you seem to know nothing about? What is your background? Not being rude, but that would be the first red flag.

Bollox!

This chap here started off about seven/eight years ago, straight from school, knowing nothing about print.

http://www.printweek.co.uk/news/inde...b-d49a656e787a

There will always be people like him who can make it happen. Don't diss them for trying.

[Peon]

Originally Posted by Bart

Bollox!

This chap here started off about seven/eight years ago, straight from school, knowing nothing about print.

http://www.printweek.co.uk/news/inde...b-d49a656e787a

There will always be people like him who can make it happen. Don't diss them for trying.

I'm not blaming them for trying, in fact, I hope they make it. All I'm saying is that it's going to be a long rough road. I've heard, and I don't know how true it is, that very little profit is made the first five years of business. With the right equipment, sales technique and outside venders, you can succeed. I feel the most important thing about starting a new business is capital, and possibly a silent investor that can be bought out when things start rolling along pretty well.

[Peon]

I think a Mac G5 and all the popular applications like Photoshop, Indesign, Quark, Word, Publisher, ( just kidding on the last 2, if a customer brings that in send them home and tell them to use a real application). As far as digital machines, we're using Ikon high volume copiers for B&W and an HP Indigo 5000 for the color jobs. Hope this helps.