A Different Question About Printing...

[Idea Design]

So I've done all kinds of research and read a million posts on printers, the whats, the whose, the hows, and I have come to a crossroad.

I have a small sign/screenprinting shop that I run from my house. I have a full time job other than the business, but I don't consider it a hobby, I consider it a business. I have lots of clients in the area here and I was wondering what some of the differing opinions on small, home-based shops jumping into the digital printing world.

When I make the leap, I'll be buying a ValueJet 48" and complimenting laminator and cutter.

I notice that a lot, a L O T, of you talk about how much better life is once you get into the digital printing world; that the market seems to just open up and come apart at the seems in some cases. I find myself saying almost daily, "If I had my printer we could do that."

What about the market for digital printing? If one has achieved fairly good success and reputation by only providing cut vinyl, should one assume that only greater success can be achieved by way of digital printing?

My business, thus far, has been on a cash and carry basis. I don't owe anybody any money, so this is going to be a different experience for me. I'm actually going to have to be making those payments each month.

I'm just looking for general ideas and consensus of how your business outlook or business plan changed and adapted once you got into digital printing.

Thanks all.

[iSign]

those payments will come in handy... there's so much CASH coming in I'm having to learn about IRA's, SEP's, CD's, and various tax shelters, deferments or exemptions... at least you'll have a lease payment to help figure out where to put some of that cash!

[auto graphix plus]

I've been "cutting vinyl" since we opened in 1999 & have done some pretty involved layouts with it. I've decided to add digital printing mainly to keep my labor down as far as overlays. & quicker less tedious production time.I really do not see another way around it , but am not looking forward to the payments either

[Idea Design]

those payments will come in handy... there's so much CASH coming in I'm having to learn about IRA's, SEP's, CD's, and various tax shelters, deferments or exemptions... at least you'll have a lease payment to help figure out where to put some of that cash!

So, Doug, for me is it something you recommend, taking on a big financial obligation working out of the house? I do still put 40-45 hours a week in the home shop, so I don't dare say 'part-time' home shop.

Has anyone that works from home and also has another job taken the leap?

[GXSignCo]

...Has anyone that works from home and also has another job taken the leap?

Yup, doing it right now! I also have a full-time employee now and could really stand to have another.

[wsgraphix]

we were home based, and started having wholesalers print some of the graphics and do a small percentage mark-up, ok not so small... and started to build from that

we moved into a retail space, still just cutting vinyl and subbing out the prints, then one day finally decided to take the leap, and yes it has opened up doors, lots of them kinda drafty at times.....

the only way to make the decision is to look at your books, your current situation and your planned future, if you do not have a plan to grow, i would continue to sub them out... we find ourselves taking on more projects that where to much of a pain to deal with before being we had no control over the prints themselves, now we have full control, and yes the machine will pay for itself if you have the motivation and nothing gives motivation quite like a $500 payment a month

[iSign]

So, Doug, for me is it something you recommend, taking on a big financial obligation working out of the house? I do still put 40-45 hours a week in the home shop, so I don't dare say 'part-time' home shop.

Has anyone that works from home and also has another job taken the leap?

yes, I hoped my sarcasm wouldn't hide my message... the thing practically prints money & people practically line up to buy the prints as if they were money.

If you can come close to the $10/ sq. ft. I routinely charge, enough profit to cover your payment should be easy to pull in the first week of every month, just working evenings.

Hell, if you got the work, you can make that profit in one evening! (on six 2x10 banners for example)

[GXSignCo]

I've had mine for two years [the end of this month] and I've never had a problem making the payment, which is just short of $500.

[Idea Design]

Do either of you guys ever mess with plain cut vinyl any more? Has everything in your shop gone the way of digital?

The market opened itself up upon buying the thing, too, right?

[GXSignCo]

Oh we still do a lot of cut vinyl too. Cut vinyl, IMHO, will always have a place. Some things are simply best done with it. In fact, we just got done doing 3 trucks for this guy...a P/U, a boom truck and a "chipper" truck...all in cut vinyl and overall it was a 3-color job. Normally, I try to print every chance I get - especially with multiple colors, but the design and such simply made more sense to do as traditional cut vinyl.

Granted, I use a LOT more print vinyl than cut, but that's to be expected.

Still, you really should buy some wholesale prints for a while to help ESTABLISH your market PRIOR to buying a machine. It won't take long to determine if it makes financial sense or not, based on your local market.

[javila]

We're in a highly competitive area when it comes to digital printing, and we find it insanely easy to pay the monthly lease payment with 3 or 4 jobs.

Getting a printer is something we haven't regretted yet. Been a little over a year now.

You cut your production time so much. Instead of weeding, masking, and remove transfer tape on a banner, you spend 10 minutes, tapping and grommetting.

Magnets are a breeze. We go through at least two rolls of magnetic material a month. You get about 25 mags per roll. $35-40 a mag x 50 = three months payments.

We still do alot of cuy vinyls, primarly for window and store fronts. But even that we're pushing the perforated film hard as can be, more profit, less labor.

Pickup truck windows are great as well.

The only parts that hurts at first is when you need to buy $200, $300, $500 rolls of materials.

[cdiesel]

I quoted two jobs today, which I'm pretty sure I will get. Between the two of them, there should be around $12k net profit. The printer will run about 3 eight hour days to complete the jobs. It'll take two guys about two more days to finish the banners & posters.

I'll work five days a month for $12k anytime!

[cdiesel]

Oh, and the $600 rolls of material go quick. I remember the shock when we first upgraded to our 54" machine.. We put in an order of 1 of this and 1 of that.. Total was just over $3k. Now we're ordering by the pallet.

[cs2print]

if you plan on doing any vehicle wraps, most people recommend going with at least a 54" printer, 60" is better, as most body panels are less than 60", and your payment will probably not be much higher than the 48".

[jdsignco]

Mad Dog, do it and don't be scared! I was in the same situation as you, home based, full time job, the whole bit. I bought a USED Lynx off of Ebay about 4 years ago, and was one of those "garage guys," that no one likes. In November I broke down and bought a Mimaki JV3-160, and my business had exploded. I am now selling to 3 other sign shops, THAT ARE MY COMPETITORS! I have picked up enough work, that my printer ran for 12 hours straight last week, just on one job. You will not regret it! My only advice is purchase your equipment wisely. As I said, I have a JV3-160, Graphtec FC7000-130, and a GBC Arctic Titan. Oh, almost forgot, for that job that ran 12 hours, my brand new 60" Keen Cut Sabre. That one job easily paid for the Keen Cut, and still had plenty of profit. As Doug said, it prints money! Good Luck!

[Ken]

It's the leap that's got you worried. Sounds like you have a good client base already. I'm still home-based..and will continue with that method.
I was able to buy my sp 300 outright..but that was not an easy choice.
I'm still paying for the machine, but the machine has paid for itself. if that makes sense?
A guy can go a long way with strictly cut vinyl. You can out-source prinitng easily enough.The digital printing ability will open many doors of possibility ( at your control). Go for it.
Ken

[Idea Design]

Thanks you guys for all your input. It's much appreciated.

I'll take heed the advice and keep you posted on the outcome of the printing decision.

:signs101: :U Rock:

[rcook99]

Mad Dog, along the same line I have been doing the cut vinyl for about 18 months, before that I had started with the website selling apparel and have found a large part of my business is embroidery. So I to working another full time job also work out of my home with my business. After looking at what I was paying out to another embroiderer to have the work done it was a very easy decision and last week I purchased an SWF 1501. Based on the work that I sub out it will pay for itself with in 18 months. Good luck on your venture as I hope to be in the same situation you are in with in the next 18 months as I hope to be looking for a printer also.

I would have to agree with Graphix Extreme and maybe you can hook up with some of the merchant members on this board and offer printed material to your clients in this manner until as Chris stated you build your client base to support your purchase. I am currently offering printed material in this same manner, once I build a large enough customer base I will consider the purchase of a printer.