Hi,
Ive been working for 3 years now at a screen printers doing Graphic Design work. While its a job that I don't hate, its wearing thin a bit and I would really love to branch out and spread my wings
I have always wanted to be my own boss. Getting into Graphic Design was an accident, I always thought I'd be doing something with Computers as I am reasonably well versed in them. But I have grown to love Graphics. I love creating artworks in Illustrator and Photoshop - and, not to blow my own trumpet or anything, I think I am quite good at it
I have been thinking for some time now how good it would be to own my own Design and Print business. I know I could do it - but how much setting up is there to do? I am currently reading through "guides" on setting up small businesses, but perhaps someone could give me their opinions and experiences?.
The plan I have in my head is - to Provide to companies, things like Printed Stickers, Car Licence Holders, Posters -anything that can be screen printed or litho printed. Obviously I do not have my own factory with machines to do such things, so the print side would be outsourced (to companies like the one where I work at present). A company could contact me telling me they want a sticker printed to put in cars. I would provide designs, they could select one, then I would send them designs to be printed. I could do this with pretty much anything that needs design work doing.
I know this method works as there are companies that do similar things where i work now - producing artworks for clients and sending them us for printing.
Equipment wise - I have pretty much all of it already. I have two computers (a Dell and a Macbook Pro) that are fast enough to handle Illustrator and Photoshop work. The only thing that I really need is things like a nice big screen to work with, a decent printer for printing artworks/invoices etc, perhaps some external hard drives for saving and backing up work, a fax machine, stationary etc. I could easily convert the spare bedroom into a proper office from where I could work from at home.
So unless there are fee's to actually set a business up on the legal side (banking, legal trading documents or anything like that?) then I would say that if I was to put £5000 into it initailly I would be in a position to start taking orders.
Obviously there is a LOT of research needed and I would need to talk with accountants and advisors - and then there is the whole pricing of things and getting prices off the printers for what they charge etc. But on the whole do you guys think my idea sounds viable? My main concern is getting customers. But thats what advertising is for right?
So yeah, advice? ideas? anyone?!
Ive been working for 3 years now at a screen printers doing Graphic Design work. While its a job that I don't hate, its wearing thin a bit and I would really love to branch out and spread my wings
I have always wanted to be my own boss. Getting into Graphic Design was an accident, I always thought I'd be doing something with Computers as I am reasonably well versed in them. But I have grown to love Graphics. I love creating artworks in Illustrator and Photoshop - and, not to blow my own trumpet or anything, I think I am quite good at it I have been thinking for some time now how good it would be to own my own Design and Print business. I know I could do it - but how much setting up is there to do? I am currently reading through "guides" on setting up small businesses, but perhaps someone could give me their opinions and experiences?.
The plan I have in my head is - to Provide to companies, things like Printed Stickers, Car Licence Holders, Posters -anything that can be screen printed or litho printed. Obviously I do not have my own factory with machines to do such things, so the print side would be outsourced (to companies like the one where I work at present). A company could contact me telling me they want a sticker printed to put in cars. I would provide designs, they could select one, then I would send them designs to be printed. I could do this with pretty much anything that needs design work doing.
I know this method works as there are companies that do similar things where i work now - producing artworks for clients and sending them us for printing.
Equipment wise - I have pretty much all of it already. I have two computers (a Dell and a Macbook Pro) that are fast enough to handle Illustrator and Photoshop work. The only thing that I really need is things like a nice big screen to work with, a decent printer for printing artworks/invoices etc, perhaps some external hard drives for saving and backing up work, a fax machine, stationary etc. I could easily convert the spare bedroom into a proper office from where I could work from at home.
So unless there are fee's to actually set a business up on the legal side (banking, legal trading documents or anything like that?) then I would say that if I was to put £5000 into it initailly I would be in a position to start taking orders.
Obviously there is a LOT of research needed and I would need to talk with accountants and advisors - and then there is the whole pricing of things and getting prices off the printers for what they charge etc. But on the whole do you guys think my idea sounds viable? My main concern is getting customers. But thats what advertising is for right?
So yeah, advice? ideas? anyone?!