11 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
11 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Do you sell printing ? leaflets, biz cards etc

by depp12
9 replies
Hi,

Just wondering when your calling around to companies people are going to ask if you do printing eg business cards, leaflets, brochures etc and even the likes of promotional products.

Do you sell these as an extra service and is it worth it the time ?

Where do you send the design work out to ? fivver ?

Any reccomended suppliers ?

Just wondering if this area is worth the hassle ?

Sorry for all questions and any tips in this area would be great as I am just starting in offline. Just to say I can put up a basic wordpress site using studiopress so maybe i could offer a basic website offer ?

Thanks for your help. I know its about having confidence too as well.
#biz #cards #leaflets #printing #sell
  • Profile picture of the author VantagePro
    I only offer printing services to existing clients. Occasionally we will throw in some business cards or brochures when a new customer makes an initial order for one of our direct mail products.

    Fortunately, we have an in-house designer that handles all of our print design.

    I would never try to make a businesses out of selling printing services. It's a volume game and that's just not my bag.

    If you are genuinely interested in becoming a print broker, look into some of the trade printers that offer re-seller type accounts. I think gotprint does this as well as several others.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7868058].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author depp12
      Originally Posted by VantagePro View Post

      I only offer printing services to existing clients. Occasionally we will throw in some business cards or brochures when a new customer makes an initial order for one of our direct mail products.

      Fortunately, we have an in-house designer that handles all of our print design.

      I would never try to make a businesses out of selling printing services. It's a volume game and that's just not my bag.

      If you are genuinely interested in becoming a print broker, look into some of the trade printers that offer re-seller type accounts. I think gotprint does this as well as several others.
      Thanks. I am just trying to get my services together at what i can offer really as i am only starting off and then just thought "what if someone asks me for printing ? do i say no or yes.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7868072].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author VantagePro
    Whether you say yes or no depends on what your personal goals are and how much work you want to put in. In my experience, when a new prospect (I am a marketing program developer by the way) asks if we offer print, they generally want a couple hundred business cards or brochures. On small orders like that, the profit margin doesn't justify the amount of work that goes into fulfilling the order.

    I wouldn't turn away the extra business if it's an add on or an upsell, I just wouldn't sell printing as a stand alone service.

    Do a search for BobRoss and download his easy print profits guide. That should get you looking in the right direction.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7868110].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author deu12000
    I've had several clients ask me to design business cards and things like that for them. I usually tell them it would be cheaper to get it done by someone who specializes in that. I have done designs for clients in the past but only as a favor or because they spent a decent amount of money with me. I don't do any of the printing I do help them upload it and make an order from an affordable print service. I've never charged for this, especially considering the local print shop will print out a few thousand cards for $100, online you can get 5000 for $60 and most don't charge for the design (some do charge like $20).

    I can see it if you have upscale clients but the bulk of mine are service industry blue collar companies.
    Signature
    The online/local digital marketing agency mastermind. Lifetime deal.
    Offliners, Online Marketers Get Instant Leads - More than 100,000 Fresh Leads Added Weekly
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7868133].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ilovemedia
    Printing services are usually best left to the professionals in the trade, those with the equipment and experience to handle anything a customer may request to be printed. Alternative to doing printing on the side for your customer, you can partner up with a local commercial printer and set up a deal that would make everyone happy--sending over clients to the printer in for discounted rates, for example.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7880125].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author bob ross
    I sell a lot of print/design services and I think it's a great way to break into the marketing biz. I can't count how many big clients I've gotten simply from selling them a few hundred business cards at first.

    A good designer (particularly one who arranges printing) is hard to find and considered a pretty valuable relationship for most business owners. They tend to get hooked on print/design and it's not uncommon to be getting order after order from them once they get the products in their hands. They'll want biz cards, then stationery, then brochures, flyers, rack cards, posters, all sorts of stuff.

    The profit can be really good, especially once you get everything systemized and your outsourcing in place. You will be able to severely undercut your local competition and you'll still be able to make a healthy profit while doing almost nothing. Lastly, word travels REALLY fast and referrals come easy for this kind of stuff.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7880230].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author purpleswizzleswirl
    Printing can be a nice upsell if you know how to price & design quality work. If you have little experience and don't know how to manage colors and bleeds you are in for a world of hurt an money loss. With the web a revision is only a few clicks away but with a print job you need to print and print and print. A big money loser if you make a mistake.
    Signature
    Need Help with your E-Commerce/WooCommerce Website? PM ME!


    RugSale.com - Area Rugs On Sale
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9118425].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
    Originally Posted by depp12 View Post

    Hi,

    Just wondering when your calling around to companies people are going to ask if you do printing eg business cards, leaflets, brochures etc and even the likes of promotional products.

    Do you sell these as an extra service and is it worth it the time ?

    Where do you send the design work out to ? fivver ?

    Any reccomended suppliers ?

    Just wondering if this area is worth the hassle ?

    Sorry for all questions and any tips in this area would be great as I am just starting in offline. Just to say I can put up a basic wordpress site using studiopress so maybe i could offer a basic website offer ?

    Thanks for your help. I know its about having confidence too as well.
    look up web to print services, they have ordering/storefronts already set up for you and they do the printing for you and private label so you can extend your own brand.

    i'm probably doing a deal w/ this one soon.
    Private Label Corporate Print Shop - www.ourprinter.com
    Signature

    In a moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9118899].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      I personally use printed materials as an upsell when selling websites. You got to get the word out about your new site... business cards flyers letterhead. ALL business printed goods should have the web address, it would be like leaving the phone number off.. just crazy! I use gotprint.net exclusively, fast cheap and great quality!
      Signature
      Success is an ACT not an idea
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9119066].message }}

Trending Topics