Before the Computer Age, you can hardly find computers in Nigeria the way you see them today. Corporations, businesses, firms and different organisations do not have access to computers the way they have now.

Printing then involves the use of chemicals and the digital printing business was yet to be found in Nigeria. Nevertheless, the case is different today as schools, parastatals now have to print one thing or the other using a digital printing system.

Printing business is one of the profitable business you can start in Nigeria. If you are looking for a business idea to make money in Nigeria, venturing into printing industry is a good option. The process of printing involves the use of printing Machines which may not be affordable to many people. This places a huge demand for printing business in Nigeria.

See Also: 10 Advantages of Digital Printing

In this article, you will learn how to start a printing business in Nigeria, requirements and opportunities in the printing business.

Printing Business Opportunities in Nigeria

Indeed, there are many opportunities in the printing industry in Nigeria.  Many primary, secondary and tertiary institutions scattered everywhere whose students and their staff need to print one documents or graphics.

Again, there are printing opportunities in printing materials like flex for advert purposes, brochures, textbooks, invitation cards, wedding card, wedding programme, funeral programme, conference programme, ID Cards, business card and many more.

One of the reasons for the high demand for printing services in Nigeria is the decline of the old ways of printing. It is now possible to print PDFs, images, Word documents and different illustrations in photographs, Vinyl sign, fabrics, with other types of materials using digital printers

Digital printers make use of data information, toner or what is known as liquid ink. Customers can customise their products using those printers. These things were not there before this Computer Age. It is now possible to print coupon codes, addresses and names using digital printers. This method of printing is affordable and you don’t have to spend a lot of time to process them or make use of plates for printing. Plating is gradually fading away with the advent of direct image (DI) printing.

Kinds of printing system

There are different kinds of Printers. They include LaserJet, Deskjet, Chord, DI printer, Laser Printers, Solid Ink Printers, LED Printers, Business Inkjet Printers, Home Inkjet Printer, Multifunction Printers, Dot Matrix Printers, 3D Printers and many more

All these kind of printing systems uses the printer and the kind of printing will determine the printer you use. Basic printers include offset, laser screen and inkjet. If you intend to put vinyl signs you may need label inkjet printers.

However, if what you are printing are business cards, choose a laser printer since an offset press will reduce costs for printing larger quantities of documents. You will need a screen printer for fabrics like shirts.

Steps to Start Printing Business in Nigeria

Follow the following steps to start a printing business in Nigeria:

Market survey

The first step is to carry out a market survey. The Market survey will help you in analysing the market opportunities of printing business in your location. You will get to know the basic requirements for starting printing business during the market survey.

You will also discover the cost of each printing equipment, estimated cost of starting the business and daily or monthly profit in the business. All these, you will factor in your business plan and it helps you plan ahead of time.

Training

You need skills to be able to handle printing business. There are many things to learn about in printing business. You need to learn how to use printers and other electronic gadgets which are used in the printing business. You have to be conversant with quality and printing in colours using Dots Per Inch (DPI) or any type of colour printing. You have to study how to operate different types of software and printers. This is why you may opt for our training.

What determines the nature of training you will go for is the area of your interest in printing or niche.

Choosing Printing Niche

A niche refers to a branch of the printing business. There are different niches you can operate. some of the niches are flyers, t-shirts, almanacs/calendars, books, magazines, complimentary and business cards. You may select a series of printing methods that use just one kind of printer depending on your capital.

Get a business plan

Your business plan will tell you what you need for starting the business. It will tell you the equipment, office rent and the costs of starting the business. It is from the business plan that you know the capital required to start the printing business in the country.

Your business plan should include the cost of stationery, bills for electricity and the rest of the miscellaneous expenses. Your business plan will show you your projected annual profits in the business.

If you cannot draft an attractive business plan, you can pay an expert to draft a good business plan for you. This is because how good your business plan is, determines how successful your business will be. With a good business plan, you are close to your success in the business.

Get a Suitable Location

Choose an office location that customers can access. When choosing an office location, choose a place you can stay in long term. A site that is accessible and close to your target market. In this case, it depends on the people you are targeting as your customers.

Since school students and office workers are mostly people that need printing services, it is preferable to have your printing business close to schools and offices close. These are the right locations for printing business in Nigeria. You can also site the business in a concentrated area of printing businesses to leverage on your competitors’ customer base.

Buy printing equipment

Equipment like computers, Printing machines, cutter, tables, chairs, UPS, and generators are necessary for running a printing business. You can buy them from the market after you’ve conducted a market survey. The market survey you conducted will help know you where to buy the equipment from and cost of each equipment.

Printing machines in Nigeria varies. For example, the machine for printing car stickers and billboard is not the same with those used in printing documents like foolscap, A4 and A3 paper. So, there are different varieties of printing machines you need to buy. However, this depends on your capital and your level entry into the business.

Hire relevant staff

You may need to hire a computer operator if you are not the one operating the computer in the printing office. You need receptionist or clerk for receiving clients and in handling other relevant information pertaining to your customers. You also need the services of a good graphic designer. You may need 2 or 3 graphic designers for a start.

The number of staff you will hire will depend on your capital and your printing business capacity. However, no matter the number of staff you may hire make sure they are well trained in your area of printing business.

Executing the job

Modes of printing lets you use different series of papers and custom links. You may use dry inks, metallic ones or white ones for your printing. It takes less time, costs and has high quality.

You can customise your content for different applications, utilities and markets. The methods of printing products consisting of custom envelopes, labels, advertisements, postcards, brochures and flyers, magazines, CD covers, wedding invitations, catalogues, booklets, legs and financial documents.

It is possible to print promotional products, backpacks, and T-shirts.  All this will depend on what printing equipment you have. You can use a proposition that targets your customers.

Print according to the needs of your customer. Trim and cut the papers and pack them accordingly. After delivering the job, the next is to collect the balance of payment.

Advertising and marketing

Advertising helps to let people know about your business. When you advertise or promote your business, it creates awareness that you are into the printing business. You can advertise your business online, offline or with word of mouth.

We live in the Computer Age now and many businesses are beginning to see the need for online presence. You may use platforms like WhatsApp, website, Facebook and other online mechanisms to tell people that you are into the printing business. Satisfying your customers should be the priority of every business and the printing business is not an exception.

Ensure that you print according to the needs of your customers. You may bring in different kinds of printers and printing systems like the use of printing billboards and 3D printers that are larger in size.

The use of sales email can be an efficient way to reach out to new people and organisations. Send sales emails to organisations and parastatals about your printing business.

Read Also: 10 helpful tips in starting a profitable computer business centre

Equipment Needed for Printing Business

The following are basic Equipment needed for printing business:

1. Design and computer software

In order to print for clients, a computer and software are required. The computer and software you choose depend on the printing category. A simple desktop program for documents, business cards, graphics and other programs will serve. Ensure that the computer program you choose operates smoothly. Ensure that it has many fonts for customers to pick from.

2. Printing stock and inventory

Something to print on is a requirement whether it is business cards, document printing, assorted items, vinyl signs and t-shirts printing. Get enough inventory and enough types for customers. Ensure that there is adequate card stock for customers to pick their texture and font.

3. Cutting equipment for vinyl or paper

Get a cutting system for printing business cards, a hand-operated cutter or using a hydraulic cutter that will cut the cards. A cutter that is able to cut out the graphics and letters from vinyl with adhesives.

4. Software for accounting

Track inventory, expenses and sales and this may involve using accounting software. Some of these software are available online.

5. Generator sets

Because of the epileptic power supply in Nigeria, you can not rely on power holder (NEPA) for electricity all the time. If you must succeed in printing business, you need a high voltage generator set. The capacity must be high enough so that it can carry all the high-power consuming printing machines.

6. Photocopiers

You also need a photocopier for your printing business. This machine can also contain a printer and scanner as well.

7. Other printing equipment

Other types of equipment needed to start printing business include printing cords, binding machine, lamination machine, fax machine, plating plates and desks

Conclusion

The printing industry is a profitable business sector in Nigeria anyone can start. However, the business is capital intensive especial if you are venturing into large scale printing business. The cost of purchasing printing equipment – printing Cord, DI printing machines, Blister and many more are dear.

It is always easy to start with a computer business centre and later on move into printing industry. On the other hand, you can start with a small budget and expand later

To save cost, if your home is in a suitable location it can serve as your office pending when you get an office. However, you need to let people know that you are into printing business and types of document or graphic you print.

However, if starting printing business will be much challenging, you can access our business ideas section to discover other businesses you can with little capital and are less challenging.

FAQ

1. What equipment do I need to start a printing business?

You need the following equipment to start a printing business:

2. How much is a printing machine?

The price of good printing machines ranges from N250,000 -N5000,000+ in Nigeria. In some cases, production printers can go as high as N10,000 000 or more but this is very rare. It depends on the type of printer you want to buy.

3. Is a printing business profitable?

Yes, the business of printing is a profitable business. Industry statistics have shown the average printer’s marginal profit is between 2-5 %. If your firm, make more than this then your lucky; you are ahead of the game. According to our survey, almost 75% of people who buy prints materials believe printers are making over 10% net profit.

4. What is the best machine for printing T-shirts?