Print gu-rus ... help please :)

Back story:

I am thinking of starting my own small business out of home to make some extra money while I'm in graphic design school. I don't know much about professional printing, so I'm asking for help on a few forums I frequent. :)

I'm good at image manipulation, so I thought I could create invitations, cards, and announcements from client's photographs. It was actually my sister's idea. A neighbor of hers used a similar service to create birth announcements of her son and my sister found out who did them for her:

http://www.chouettedesign.com/

They're very nice, but I think I could do better.

I was reluctant about the idea because what little savings I have is for when Rob and I buy our first house. I was even more skeptical when Steph said she thought that Mom would be willing to invest. My mom is the LAST person on earth I would ever ask to borrow money from because in the past she has always said no. I love her for that because it's forced me to grow up and figure out some pretty touch situations on my own.

As it turns out, Steph's hunch was correct. My mom said she's proud of me for going back to school and pursuing something that I love. She's been telling me my whole life that I have potential, but this is the first time I've ever been serious about doing something with it, so she is willing to help me get a business started if I intend to stick with it. :heart Moms are great. :love

So anyhow, money to buy a professional printer, scanner, paper cutter, software and supplies isn't an issue.

NOW ............... what to buy?

I don't know very much about professional printing services beyond the basics of output resolution and color, etc. I emailed the designer of Chouette, told her I was a graphic design student and asked her if she would answer a few questions about her business.


BAH whatever.

OKAY .......... so does anyone know where I should start looking for what type of printer I need to buy? I want my results to be as professional as possible. I don't want the finished product to look like someone printed it at home.

-What type of printer?
-what type of scanner?
-what type of paper cutter?
-what type of software aside from Photoshop?
-Should I print on pre-cut card stock or trim after images are printed?
-I will build a website, but should I have an in-site shopping cart with payment functions, or just direct folks to pay via paypal?
-What do I need to do to legalize a small business name, taxes, etc?

Any help that anyone can offer is GREATLY APPRECIATED!

I've thought about this as a side job as well. I personally wouldn't want to mess with the actual printing of the product. I would much rather a professional printer print it for me. I do all the work for the company I currently work for, and I've been fortunate enough to make a few contacts at printing companies. If you plan on doing a lot of work, they might be willing to make you a good deal on projects. You might want to look into a printer that has a digital press. It is done without the 4 color plates and can be done a lot cheaper than traditional printing and the results are very nice.

I'm not up on printers, I use our color copier / printer here at work for roughs, so I cant help you there.

Get the best scanner you can afford to get. Minimum you want to scan is 300 dpi...minimum. I usually scan higher, and scale down.

If you do the printing I would print on pre cut stock, just to reduce hastle.

I would start off with paypal, and if you get more and more, business, then maybe add the shopping cart. Although a shopping cart is bound to look more professional.

Other then Photoshop, look into Quark Express or Adobe's version of Quark....Indesign.

I'd offer more suggestions but I have a crisis at the moment. Will reply tomorrow or later tonight.

I've thought about this as a side job as well. I personally wouldn't want to mess with the actual printing of the product. I would much rather a professional printer print it for me. I do all the work for the company I currently work for, and I've been fortunate enough to make a few contacts at printing companies. If you plan on doing a lot of work, they might be willing to make you a good deal on projects. You might want to look into a printer that has a digital press. It is done without the 4 color plates and can be done a lot cheaper than traditional printing and the results are very nice.

I'm not up on printers, I use our color copier / printer here at work for roughs, so I cant help you there.

Get the best scanner you can afford to get. Minimum you want to scan is 300 dpi...minimum. I usually scan higher, and scale down.

If you do the printing I would print on pre cut stock, just to reduce hastle.

I would start off with paypal, and if you get more and more, business, then maybe add the shopping cart. Although a shopping cart is bound to look more professional.

Other then Photoshop, look into Quark Express or Adobe's version of Quark....Indesign.

I'd offer more suggestions but I have a crisis at the moment. Will reply tomorrow or later tonight.

I've started looking into this myself. The legalization for the company name etc differs from state to state but you should be able to find out something from your local state's website. I haven't gotten much farther than that and a general idea of what packages I would offer because just as I started getting into it, I got knocked up ;) I part way agree with Rik...I happen to know that the big colour printers they use at say kinkos cost $40,000 (because we have a couple here at work) and even the inkjet that offer the same kind of quality cost a small fortune. Plus you can't get the right paper types into most of those smaller printers. You can always charge your client the printing costs.

As to paper cutters, if you do decide to inhouse all the production work and don't opt for the pre-cut paper options, get the kind of cutter that's a slicer...and as big of one as you can afford. I think the one we have here at work cost about $80 so it's not the most expensive of the equipment you need...but a good papercutter definitely reduces the pain and time of the production.

I've started looking into this myself. The legalization for the company name etc differs from state to state but you should be able to find out something from your local state's website. I haven't gotten much farther than that and a general idea of what packages I would offer because just as I started getting into it, I got knocked up ;) I part way agree with Rik...I happen to know that the big colour printers they use at say kinkos cost $40,000 (because we have a couple here at work) and even the inkjet that offer the same kind of quality cost a small fortune. Plus you can't get the right paper types into most of those smaller printers. You can always charge your client the printing costs.

As to paper cutters, if you do decide to inhouse all the production work and don't opt for the pre-cut paper options, get the kind of cutter that's a slicer...and as big of one as you can afford. I think the one we have here at work cost about $80 so it's not the most expensive of the equipment you need...but a good papercutter definitely reduces the pain and time of the production.

Thanks, gang. :)

Any and all expertise or personal experiences are useful to me right now. Keep 'em coming!

Thanks, gang. :)

Any and all expertise or personal experiences are useful to me right now. Keep 'em coming!

There's a printing company next door to me and I walked in and asked a few questions. Unfortunately they're a large scale printing company so they use those uber big printer thingies. They recommended going to a place that actually sells those types of printers for advice =/ I shall google and see what else I can come up with =)

There's a printing company next door to me and I walked in and asked a few questions. Unfortunately they're a large scale printing company so they use those uber big printer thingies. They recommended going to a place that actually sells those types of printers for advice =/ I shall google and see what else I can come up with =)

If you plan on high volume go ahead and set up a merchant account since paypal charges you out the ass for transactions.

You should also look in to online advertising. Just because you have a website that doesnt mean people will find you.

Take a look at google adwords and overture.com

Set a budget and make sure you get tracker put on your site to see where the traffic is coming from. That IBM commercial from 5 years back really mislead people about starting online businesses. You will have to pay for traffic at this point if you want an inkling if a chance of making money. I would start with a budget of $200 a month on clicks and go from there. I sold web development/advertising for 5 years.

S

If you plan on high volume go ahead and set up a merchant account since paypal charges you out the ass for transactions.

You should also look in to online advertising. Just because you have a website that doesnt mean people will find you.

Take a look at google adwords and overture.com

Set a budget and make sure you get tracker put on your site to see where the traffic is coming from. That IBM commercial from 5 years back really mislead people about starting online businesses. You will have to pay for traffic at this point if you want an inkling if a chance of making money. I would start with a budget of $200 a month on clicks and go from there. I sold web development/advertising for 5 years.

S

A cool name helps too. TELL THEM THE NAME!!! :teehee

A cool name helps too. TELL THEM THE NAME!!! :teehee

Oh yeah!

Here are some names that Roz and I were tossing around on AIM last week:

Doodling pencil
Doodles N Stuff
Doodles N Design
Doodles N Ink design
Chubby Pencil Design
Chubby Pencil Ink
Ink N Doodles

I'd like a fun name that can cover a broad range of design work, not just invitations and cards.

Also, here are some website designs that I enjoy and may draw inspiration from when I design my own. I want it clean and fresh:
http://www.tkwhimsy.com/
http://www.shabbyprincess.com/default.asp
http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/Scripts/homepage.asp
http://www.heatheranndesigns.com/

Oh yeah!

Here are some names that Roz and I were tossing around on AIM last week:

Doodling pencil
Doodles N Stuff
Doodles N Design
Doodles N Ink design
Chubby Pencil Design
Chubby Pencil Ink
Ink N Doodles

I'd like a fun name that can cover a broad range of design work, not just invitations and cards.

Also, here are some website designs that I enjoy and may draw inspiration from when I design my own. I want it clean and fresh:
http://www.tkwhimsy.com/
http://www.shabbyprincess.com/default.asp
http://www.theshabbyshoppe.com/Scripts/homepage.asp
http://www.heatheranndesigns.com/

I vote for Chubby Pencil Design

I vote for Chubby Pencil Design

chubby pencil design!! I can see the cutest possible logos for it too, very fun!

chubby pencil design!! I can see the cutest possible logos for it too, very fun!

Brainstorming more business names with my sister:

The Inky Edge
Doodles Edge
Inky Lady Designs
Cheeky Ink
Madam Ink
Dabbler ink
Ink Dabbler

I kinda like Cheeky Ink