Running a printing business can be tremendously profitable. However, when you first startup your printing business, you might have encountered many challenges. Getting a business startup off the ground is a tough challenge as it requires all your time and effort. So, below are some of the most common challenges you might face when first starting up a printing business and some business advice for how to deal with them. Let’s check it out.

Lack Of Startup Capital

Lack of capital is one of the most common challenges you might face when starting up a printing business, which is a common reason a small business fails. Lack of capital can result in not having enough money to maintain daily operations, including funding payroll, and paying fixed and varied overhead expenses such as rent and utilities.

Why This Happens:

A lack of capital often stems from mispricing services or underestimating the costs involved in setting up and running a business. Some printing business owners may start by pricing their products too low to attract customers, but this strategy can backfire. Over time, when operational costs exceed revenue, the business struggles to stay afloat.

Actionable Solutions:

• Create a Detailed Financial Plan: Before launching, map out all anticipated costs, including equipment, supplies, marketing, labor, and overhead. A detailed budget will help you identify exactly how much capital you need to secure and avoid financial surprises.

• Seek External Funding: If personal savings aren’t enough, consider options such as:

  • Small Business Loans: Look into government-backed loans like those offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) or local banks.
  • Crowdfunding: Platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe allow you to gather funds from potential customers who believe in your business idea.
  • Investor Partnerships: You can approach investors who are willing to invest in your printing business in exchange for equity.

• Start Lean and Scale Gradually: Consider starting with a minimal viable product (MVP) model, offering a small selection of printing services. Once you've generated revenue, reinvest it into expanding your offerings and upgrading your equipment.

Lack of a brand USP

Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is what sets your business apart from competitors and draws customers to you. If you don’t know why customers should choose you over others, neither will they.

Why This Happens:

Many new printing businesses fail to establish their USP because they try to offer a generic service that doesn’t stand out. They may focus only on price or offer the same services as everyone else without defining what makes them different.

Actionable Solutions:

• Define Your Core Strengths: Analyze your competitors and identify gaps in the market. Your USP could be based on factors such as:

  • Speed of Delivery: Offer same-day or next-day printing for urgent orders.
  • Quality of Products: Use high-quality materials or offer specialized printing techniques (e.g., UV printing, foil printing, or large-format printing).
  • Customer Experience: Provide exceptional customer service with easy-to-use online tools for design, proofing, and order tracking.

• Communicate Your USP Clearly: Once you’ve identified your USP, make it the centerpiece of your marketing strategy. Ensure it’s prominently featured on your website, social media profiles, and all marketing materials.

• Customer-Centric USP: Always keep the customer’s needs at the center of your USP. For example, a printing company could stand out by offering eco-friendly options, ensuring their print jobs are produced with sustainable inks and paper.

Technical challenges

One of the biggest challenges for new startups is staying up to date with the latest technology. As the printing industry is constantly changing, if you want to stay ahead of your competitors, make sure you are using the latest technology and adopting the best equipment.

Why This Happens:

Many printing businesses start with outdated equipment or don't keep up with technological advancements. As a result, they are unable to provide the latest services that customers demand, which puts them at a disadvantage.

Actionable Solutions:

• Invest in Modern Equipment: Stay competitive by investing in the latest printing technology. For example, consider upgrading to digital printing equipment, which offers faster turnaround times and the ability to print small runs economically.

• Leverage Software Solutions: Utilize cutting-edge design and workflow software to streamline production. Software like Adobe Creative Cloud, CorelDRAW, or specialized printing management software helps you maintain high-quality output while reducing errors.

• Stay Informed: Attend industry events, webinars, and workshops to stay updated on the latest printing technologies and innovations. Subscribing to industry magazines or blogs is also a good way to remain competitive.

Lack of data security

The needs of protecting and securing customer data is becoming increasingly critical, and this is one of the common challenges printers might face when starting up a printing business. Print services providers are often in possession of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) that can potentially be stolen. According to Quocirca Print Security Landscape 2022, the report reveals that over the past 12 months, 68% of organizations have experienced data loss due to unsafe printing practices, resulting in a loss of more than £632,000 in data. However, 53% of respondents that IT security still stays on top of the investment priority for the next 12 months

That’s the reason why businesses need to demonstrate to their customers that they are capable of handling all customer data securely and ensuring privacy protection.

Lack of automation

The lack of automated workflow systems is also a major challenge in the printing industry. It means that you have to do the work and control projects manually, which might cause delays, inefficiencies and errors. According to the research Strategies for Leveraging Automation to Enhance Performance, the report results reveal that adopting automation is essential for the printing industry in order to take full advantage of automation. With the broader adoption of automation, it’ll enhance the printing company’s productivity and profitability, from automating printing workflow, support managing operation, handle orders, shipping and billing, and so on.

Also, according to the report, it also shows that respondents who use higher levels of automation accepted more jobs from customers via online submission portals compared to those reporting less automation. Survey participants with highly automated workflows reported that they generate more jobs per day than less automated respondents.

With printing businesses handling sensitive customer data, including personally identifiable information (PII), data security is a critical concern. If customer data is compromised, it could lead to reputational damage and financial losses.

Why This Happens:

Many small printing businesses don’t prioritize data security due to the perceived low risk or lack of expertise. But as businesses grow and process more orders, they become more vulnerable to cyber threats.

Actionable Solutions:

• Invest in Secure Systems: Implement secure encryption systems for handling customer data, especially for online orders. Look for cloud-based storage solutions that offer encrypted data storage.

• Compliance with Regulations: Ensure that your business complies with data protection regulations like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) or CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) if you're handling sensitive customer data. These regulations impose strict penalties for data breaches.

• Educate Your Staff: Make data security a part of your company culture. Provide regular training on safe data handling practices to your employees and set clear policies for accessing and managing sensitive information.

Adapting to a new technology called web to print solution

It can be said that automation in the printing industry is no longer an option. Restrictions on investment in automation mean holding back growth potential. That’s a reason why it’s time for you to invest in a new-age solution called Web To Print, especially for startups and small businesses.

Using a powerful web to print software would help you get all the necessary tools you need to perform well in the market. An all-in-one web-to-print solution will help you streamline your operations, and drive your business processes faster while keeping costs at a minimum. From regulating all the customer data, order details, and approvals to tracking orders and managing inventory, you can have it all just in one platform. If you want to see how it benefits your business, you can visit All About Web To Print Solution here or try the Web To Print DEMO here to discover its features, or contact our support team so they can assist you.

Marketing challenges for printing business

One of the indispensable challenges when starting a printing business is implementing marketing. A primary goal of any marketer to implement marketing strategies is to find leads and then convert them into customers. Lead generation is always a challenge, especially in the fierce printing industry. However, vist our CMSMART's services, where you can find useful marketing services to help you set your target audience and generate more leads. Some of them are also offered for free. Visit CMSMART to experience it now.

Besides, you can read our previous article How to promote a printing business.

You Don’t Hire the Best Team

Running an online printing business would require you to hire people with experience and knowledge of the industry. Gathering the best team can be challenging, especially when you have to find the right resources where their strengths can support your weaknesses and who can give you business startup advice. 

Why This Happens:

New businesses often have limited marketing budgets and may lack a clear strategy for reaching potential customers. Additionally, the printing industry is crowded with many businesses offering similar services.

Actionable Solutions:

• Leverage Digital Marketing: Use targeted digital advertising through Google Ads and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. You can target local businesses, event planners, and designers who may need printing services.

• Content Marketing: Create valuable content related to printing services, such as blog posts on “How to Design for Print” or “Choosing the Right Paper for Your Project.” This will help drive traffic to your website and build trust with potential customers.

• Use CMSMART’s Marketing Tools: Join CMSMART to access a range of marketing tools specifically designed for the printing industry. These tools can help you set up your marketing campaigns, manage customer relationships, and generate leads effectively.

We have just released digital solutions services called CMSMART. Many innovative solutions in web design and development, as well as digital marketing field, are developed readily to bring comprehensive value to customers and help them manage customer business operations better. From now on, customers no longer need to care about the high expenses involved in website development and digital marketing. Besides, some of them are now offering for free. Visit CMSMART to experience it. Have any questions to ask, feel free to leave comments in the section below or create a ticket support for us. We’ll get back to you ASAP.

Final Thoughts: Overcoming Challenges and Building a Successful Printing Business

Starting a printing business presents a unique set of challenges, but these obstacles are far from insurmountable. By proactively addressing each of the issues discussed—whether it’s securing the necessary capital, establishing a strong brand USP, or embracing new technologies—you can position your business to thrive in a competitive industry.

The key to overcoming these challenges lies in preparation, smart investments, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Understand the pain points, plan your strategy, and don’t hesitate to seek external support when needed. By staying focused on your goals, being adaptable to change, and continually enhancing your operations, your printing business can not only survive but grow into a well-established and profitable entity.

Starting up a printing business is never easy, you will encounter a lot of problems when doing it. However, you won't give up because of some challenges, right? Remember, the road to success in business is rarely straightforward, but with the right mindset and tools, you can confidently navigate the journey ahead. Understanding the challenges you will face when starting a printing business will help you have a better overview and make better decisions. Never give up!

If you need further assistance or insights into starting and growing your printing business, feel free to reach out to us. Contact us, we’re here to help you succeed every step of the way.

Best regards,
The Cmsmart Team