Starting a printing business, especially as a small scale venture at this period when unemployment rate continues to soar, can be an exciting and a profitable venture. However, the kind of printing business one goes into is largely determined by ones printing experience and available capital.To start a large-volume or large-format printing company, there is the need for a relevant previous printing experience or the ability to hire such. A large printing press may cost several millions of naira and may require very expensive support equipment and supplies.For small businesses, however, a close look at a quick printer is relevant. A small quick printer can offer more personalised service that customers want from this kind of business. Many people who walk into a quick print shop know what they want but not exactly how to ask for it. Many of the chain printers hire young unskilled workers, who in many cases know less about printing than the customers.A small scale printer, Mr. Tayo Sanni says he has worked in the printing industry for almost 10 years. With a vast experience in colour press printing, he says it is very interesting starting his own small printing business with a good high volume colour copier that is capable of networking with a computer system.Sanni stresses that for the sake of good business, having at least two high-speed black and white copiers also networked to the system will be a good strategy, considering the fact that people will come with different job specifications according to their needs. Depending on the level of production volume being targeted by a printer as a result of the market size, Sanni says some businesses may want to add more than what is considered to be average. He says, "When shopping for copiers, it is better to consider leasing, if at all it is possible. Technology changes very fast and you do not want to get stuck with an outdated copier that you cannot get spare parts for. A service contract is a must; so you do not have to pay for all the expensive parts they would require from time to time. Talk to multiple salesmen of different brands and look closely at what the different copiers can do." According to the Managing Director, Tenesse Limited, Mr. Onyekachi Ibekwe, digital printers are the only kind of printers that give businesses edge in this era of innovation. According to him, the reasons for this include the fact that they have no negative environmental effect on employees or the community, and that they have high level of productivity. Ibekwe says in view of the fact that there are counterfeit products that can make the business frustrating, there is the need for entrepreneurs to watch out for counterfeits in printing supplies. He says, "Buyers of counterfeit print cartridges run several risks, ranging from substandard print quality to printer downtime due to damage by inferior counterfeit supplies." He adds that the process of printing is categorised into three major stages namely- Pre-press, Press and Post Press. According to him, these various stages in printing have over time transformed into big businesses. He describes the Pre-press stage as the stage where the conceptualisation of an idea is developed before the actual printing takes place. It involves developing ideas and being creative about what is to be printed. He explains, "Today, this aspect can be sub divided into: developing and writing creative elements (copy writing in the advertising agency); designing the creative (which is done by graphic designers); and transferring designs into substrate (film or plate) that can be used at the press (printing) stage. "The above listed aspects have all become specialisations of their own, just as we have in both the press and post press stage." He describes the Press stage as the actual printing stage with various methods of printing that have also transformed into businesses which include: large format, screen printing, monogramming, direct imaging, light and heavy package printing, digital printing, among others. For the post press stage, Ibekwe says there are also some activities that have become some sort of business, like perfect and spiral binding, saddle switching and lamination, among others. Ibekwe maintains that the result of the above has led to the proliferation of the various aspects of the print business, adding that for any entrepreneur to develop or grow his print business, small units of the business (as they appear) must be developed so that they can meet the ever-changing expectations of customers.
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