Would a letterpress shop be profitable?
I am new to the idea of letterpress, and am looking to get my own press. I’d like to get a press for my own use, BUT, I was also thinking that I could use it to earn some money. HOWEVER, I’m not sure how much money I could make. Is there anyone who could offer comments? What kind of mark-ups are there? what have you found good to do to ensure success for your shop. what make/model is best for this type of work? Do you find that you are always competing against the professional shops? or is there a niche for letterpress? I’m in Toronto Canada, a very multicultural city of 2.5m - 4m (depending on the city itself - greater area).
I’d be happy to email off list if you are able to provide specifics but don’t wish to on line.
equitas
Some money? sure. Make a living doing it? a bit dicey.
In regard to the latter, if you don’t have money already to start up and bankroll the operation for a few years (or forever) or have someone who is going to be able to money you out of trouble on a regular basis, you’d probably have a tough time of it. If you dig deep enough you will find that most of the semi-commercial/commercial shops that “made it on their own” actually didn’t/don’t.
Folks have done it without financial security but look at the scenario. You have to have the equipment and the tools, the materials and the supplies, the place to work, and insurance and all the rest of it. And for every dollar you take in, you have to pay taxes on. There is also time and money spent on learning (even “self-taught”) and instruction. Without these you aren’t going anywhere.
If you don’t mind eating over the sink for a good many years, and are okay with that, it could work out, if you are good at survival, hard-headed about it all, and circumstance is extremely kind to you.
Gerald
http://BielerPress.blogspot.com
Don’t get into to letterpress because you think there is money there. It sounds like you have a genuine interest in the medium, and if so, that is what ultimately must sustain you and give you motivation to keep printing.
I am not saying you won’t make money, you may be successful, but a profit is easier made elsewhere.
I see some people start with a passion and a bit of knowhow, and they slowly find a way to make their passion pay for itself, and that is great. I have also noticed that some people seem say “boy, those lettepress cards and wedding invites are pricey. I can design stuff, so why don’t I just get a press and make them myself, and charge a nice profit. How hard could it be?”
I can’t tell you where you fall, you have to know that yourself, but ultimately do it because you want to, and let the rest follow.
good luck :)
At best, letterpress is a honest living. With the exception of a few dynamo business people that are extremely aggresive in their marketing and business sense, it isn’t an industry where you get rich.
I find that most of my competition (yes, even though it is a niche, you will have competition) are either folks that don’t need to make money because they are hobbyists or independently wealthy, or are former die cutting shops cracking whips on undocumented workers for minimum wage. Kind of destroys the image of the microbrew drinking, artisan, cottage industry doesn’t it?
The fact is that when you are operating a viable business, then all letterpress is, is another blue collar industry where the same rules apply as with carpenters, plumbers and landscapers. You will be judged by your ability, reputation, customer service, turnaround time etc. You will need to be prepared to master not only printing, but marketing, networking, insurance and taxes, a possible visit from osha and other fun stuff (like pulling all nighters to please an ungrateful bridezilla) that being a business owner brings.
I don’t mean to be a total downer. I just want to emphasize the importance of going into the business for the right reasons. If you were born with ink in your veins, and wont live a fulfilled life without printing letterpress, the adversities listed above wont even show up on your radar. Success in some shape or form is in your future (success doesn’t neccesarily mean wealth)
But if you see letterpress as a trend you want to cash in on, and are concerned first by the bottom line, then you have a long road ahead of you.
If you have ink in your veins, I’d be happy to discuss business specifics off list if you wish.
Bill
Waldwick Printing Co.