How to Equip a Home Office for Screen Printing, Imprints & More

click to enlarge

Business flyer printing is just one of the jobs it might take on; others include brochure printing and in some cases even screen or litho printing. It is apparent that the entrepreneur going into business – starting perhaps with little more than a standard printer – soon recognizes the need to upgrade, especially when clients demand custom orders.

Starting a home based printing business requires the owner/operator to think outside the box and away from merely paper and cardstock. Imprinting "tchotchkes" -- commonly golf balls, pens, letter openers and other useful items that can bear a company logo – is a popular business order that thus far went to professional printing houses.

Equipping the small home business with an imprinting machine makes it possible to take on these jobs. Costs vary by machine. For example, an Imprintor Business System costs about $2,200 (as of 2010). Other models may features varying components, and as such costs differ greatly. For the small business owner just starting out in the home based printing business, it is a good idea to look for used machines whenever possible.

Traditionally considered an Internet home business in its own right, t-shirt screen printing is a function that is perfect for becoming an adjunct to a printing business. Doing the process manually takes a lot of time and does result in subtle differences in the finished product.

Using a dedicated screen printing system – Printa is one company that offers this machine – automates the process, speeds it up and promises even results. Its 770-series model requires 50 square feet operating space, and the small business owner setting up a home office will do well to take this requirement into consideration to allow productivity even when this printer is not in use.

While imprints and screen printing might be novelties, printing business cards and letterhead are most likely the kinds of services that initially bring clients to the small business. Opportunity to shine in this area requires the use of the latest gadgetry. Good examples are the Hewlett Packard Color Laser Jet Multifunction Printer or the HP Officejet 8500.

• Imprintor: "Business System" at http://www.imprintor.com/machines.html (accessed May 30, 2011)
• Printa: "770 Series Screen Printing" at http://www.printa.com/products/screen-printing-equipment/ (accessed May 30, 2011)
• Hewlett Packard: "Color Laser Jet Multifunction Printer" at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/669708-REG/HP_Hewlett_Packard_CC436A_ABA__CC436A_Color_LaserJet_CM2320nf.html (accessed May 30, 2011)

Photo Credits:

• "Home Office" by AgnosticPreachersKid/Wikimedia Commons at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:22_West_-_home_office.jpg
• "On-demand book printer" by Dvortygirl/Wikimedia Commons at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:On_demand_book_printer_1.jpg