wanting to setup a printing business

[jase1985]

Hi all, first off, I've spent the last few weeks scouring the web looking for information on running a small canvas printing business to no avail. I did, however, come across a thread on here about someone in a similar situation wishing to set up a small business for flyers etc. and the support from other users of this site was great so I thought i'd give it a go.

So here it is...

I have a small budget of up to £1000 and I would like to setup a business for canvas and poster prints. I previously had a very small venture making A5 canvas's using a standard hp printer, home made frames, a4 canvas paper and a staple gun which was extremely popular with the young market it was attracting. Now i've got some funds together I would like to start producing these on a larger and more professional scale, from looking around the web I know that I will need:

a wide format printer
inks
cloth tape
stretcher bars
canvas pliers
canvas rolls
hangers
postage and packaging supplies / gift wrap etc.
trimming knife / guillotine
giclee varnish

What I really need is advice on buying the right printer for the job with only £800 of the funds. I am unsure of what size, specifications etc and would really appreciate guidance on this matter.
Also, if anyone who has done / doing this sort of thing could shed some light on the running costs of the printer, inks, maintenance etc it would be great. I have some ideas but this is all very new to me.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

 

[Deleted member 59730]

I think that £800 is a bit low. Where are you? I might have a secondhand machine.

 

[Mike tells it like it is]

What is your target market ?

How are you going to get customers ?

Do you have budget for getting customers?

I assume you meant you had £1000 for equipment and a further budget for other things.

 

[jase1985]

I'm in staffordshire atmosbob. What sort of machines do you have?

My target market is the general public on a local level to begin with. I'm able to produce a website myself with ecommerce integrated. I was going to start with friends and family, word of mouth and then progress to flyer distribution, advertising with local businesses and take it from there.
I have a sideline source of revenue which will help to kick start the business marketing.

thanks for the replies guys.

 

[usertesting123]

I think £1800 would be enough for starting business. But you have to buy some old machines also.

 

[Jet Virtual]

Why take the risk of buying material, equipment etc?

Outsource to another print company to start with and use the money on marketing. Once you gain a steady number of clients you can always bring it 'in-house'

 

[BusinessDeli]

Another endorsement for outsourcing! There are so many places to get them printed it seems daft to shell out so much cash if there's no need.

 

[Simon-M]

I think part of the beauty of a little business like this is the actual running of the whole thing. The printing is probably one of the bits that gives the most amount of pleasure. Craft businesses like this are often more about the love of the job than they are about making instant profits.