Opening a coffee shop requires a business license

How to Open a Coffee Shop

Need help determining if a coffee shop is the right business venture for you? Understanding the time, effort, money, and challenges you will face to open a coffee shop will help you determine if this is the right business.

webandprintteam.com gathered the following information and tips on what you will need to successfully open a coffee shop.

What is a Coffee Shop Business?

In the coffee industry (coffee shops are part of the specialty eatery industry), LLCs are common and are recommended by most business experts based on the scale of most coffee businesses. When you form an LLC, you’ll get a straightforward business structure that protects you and separates your personal and business assets through “the corporate veil.”

Note: The corporate veil is crucial in business ownership because it protects business owners, shareholders, and partners by shielding them from paying for corporate debts, liabilities, or lawsuits with their own money or assets.

Steps to Start a Coffee Shop

Opening a coffee shop requires getting permits and licenses

The following simple steps will help you understand and navigate the requirements and obstacles you may be challenged with when starting a coffee shop:

Step 1 – Business Research

Research will reveal if there is a need for coffee shops in your area, if you can compete with existing locations, and if you can afford to own a commercial business in your area. Pay attention to competitor research and see if coffee shops in your area are franchises or independent.

Note: An independent business may successfully compete with franchises but not with other independent coffee shops.

Step 2 – Concept Development

Your concept is your cafe’s theme, and a well-planned concept will give your business a competitive edge over other area coffee shops. Consider the following:

What is your target demographic? – Do you want to serve gourmet coffee to millennials or appeal to busy office employees and executives?

Will you offer food? – If you want to add food, pastries, or snacks to your menu, where will you source the food (bakery, in-house, etc.)?

What are area customers willing to pay? – If your coffee shop is located in a working-class neighborhood, it may be challenging to persuade customers to pay $5 or $6 for coffee.

Note: Start planning what your menu will look like and determine the decor you want. A strong and well-conceived concept in this stage will help strengthen your coffee shop’s appeal.

Step 3 – Source Your Coffee Beans

Opening a coffee shop requires sourcing beans

Your coffee shop’s identity and popularity will hinge on the coffee you serve. Typically, coffee shops purchase their beans wholesale from a local or regional coffee roaster, You should be specific when seeking a roaster to source your coffee beans. Consider the following when sourcing coffee beans:

Where is the roaster located? – Purchasing from a local roaster is an excellent way to interest customers while supporting local businesses.

Is the coffee fair trade? – Fair trade promotes the ethical pay and treatment of coffee producers. Look for coffee roasters with fair trade certification.

Coffee varieties and flavors – Does the roaster have the types of coffee you want?

Do you like their coffee? If you like the roaster’s coffee, you will find it easier to sell.

Tip: Choose your roaster wisely. High-quality coffee is the most crucial element of running a successful coffee shop.

Step 4 – Develop a Coffee Shop Business Plan

A business plan helps finalize your concept, plan ownership structure, and project finances, create your menu, and lists your competitive research. A coffee shop business plan is necessary when seeking startup funding. You should develop and include the following 7 components:

  • Executive Summary
  • Company Overview and Description
  • Market Analysis
  • Services and Products
  • Management Plan and Ownership Structure
  • Marketing and Advertising Strategy
  • Financial Projections

Tip: A business plan can be applied to ongoing business operations by keeping the executive team on the same page for strategic actions and on-task for meeting company goals.

Step 5 – Startup Funding

Opening a coffee shop requires securing startup funds

Starting a coffee shop is costly. You need to secure enough funding to afford the equipment and supplies your business needs and cover operational expenses for the initial 6 to 12 months.

Note: It can cost $100k to $600k (or more) to open a coffee shop, depending on its size and location.

Tip: Seek government-backed loans and funding options at usa.gov/funding-options

Step 6 – Secure Commercial Space

The right commercial space is crucial. A good location will ensure your business sees a steady flow of customers coming in. Complete a location analysis considering the following:

  • Area Demographics
  • Target Demographic Proximity
  • Competition
  • Crime Rates
  • City and Municipal Regulations and Zoning

When choosing a space, you should consider the neighborhood and the physical space’s attributes.

Step 7 – Get Your EIN

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a Federal Tax Identification Number used to identify a business entity. This is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service.

For further information, instructions and to apply online, visit – Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online

Note: You need an EIN to pay federal taxes, hire employees, open a bank account, and apply for business licenses and permits.

Step 8 – Permits and Licenses

So you’ve decided to open a coffee shop. While you begin developing your marketing plan, business plan, and optimized website, you’ll need to focus on securing the following permits and licenses before serving your first customer:

Business License – Coffee shops need a business license to legally operate in the United States. Your city or county will dictate how to apply for a business license and what will be required to remain in compliance with local zoning ordinances.

Tip: Get started on your city’s website, searching for “business license application.” You may be required to apply at the state level.

Cost: Business licenses typically require an annual flat fee ($50 to thousands of dollars).

“Doing Business As” License (DBA) – You may need a Doing Business As (DBA) license if you plan to operate your coffee shop under a different name than its legally registered name. While DBAs are typically registered with your county clerk, depending on your state, you may be required to register your DBA at the state level.

Cost: DBA license fees typically vary from $10 to $100 or more (your location and business structure determine the cost)

Retail Food Service License – Typically, your state’s department of health or other local public health agency regulates the issuance of retail food service licenses (depending on your location, you may need county and city licensing).

Note: The type of retail food service license you need will depend on if you open a sidewalk cafe, a street cafe, or a mobile coffee shop.

Cost: Retail food service licenses cost $100 and up.

Resale License for Sales Tax – If you are situated in a state that charges sales tax to the end consumer, you may be required to obtain a resale license for sales tax.

Tip: Contact your state’s revenue department for state-specific information and requirements.

Cost: Typically, states do not charge for a resale license. You must keep this license current by filing your tax returns annually and submitting collected sales taxes to the state.

Signage Permit – Every city has a set of requirements for regulating a sign’s size, location, lighting, and visibility.

Tip: Check your city’s website for sign permits, regulations, and application instructions.

Cost: Minimum $50 (will depend on size and location)

Building Health Permit – All restaurants typically need an inspection to prove it is in a sanitary condition and fit to serve food.

Tip: Cities, counties, and states have different requirements for building health permits (avoid surprises by vetting all three).

Cost: $50 to $1,000 (varies by location)

Opening a coffee shop requires food handler certifications

Food Handler’s Permit – Employees must have a food handler’s permit to serve food to your customers, showing they are trained and qualified to serve food.

Tip: Your state’s health department or your county’s health safety office will issue food handler permits. Employees will likely need to complete a food safety course to obtain this permit.

Cost: Approximately $100 per employee (varies by location)

State, County, and City Permits

Except for federal taxes, there aren’t any federal regulations for a coffee shop that you’ll have to worry about (coffee shops aren’t regulated by any federal agency).

According to the US Small Business Administration, the licenses and permits you need from the state, county, or city depend on your business activities and location. Industry requirements often vary by state.

Tip: Visit your state, county, and city’s websites to find out which permits and licenses you need.

Step 9 – Attain Coffee Shop Insurance

It is critical for your coffee shop to have the proper protection against property damage or employee/patron injury. State law typically requires many insurance types for coffee shop owners to carry. Consider the following insurance policies:

General Liability Insurance – General liability covers you (as the owner) if you, your employees, your coffee, or other food products accidentally cause harm to a patron.


Property Insurance – Keep your coffee shop’s interior and exterior covered in case of accidental damage.  


Workers’ Compensation – State law typically requires workers’ compensation insurance to protect your employees.  


Commercial Auto Coverage – Planning on a mobile coffee shop? Or will you use a company vehicle to transport supplies? If so, you will need a commercial auto policy covering your company vehicle and its operator in case of an accident.

Step 10 – Get Coffee Shop Equipment

Opening a coffee shop requires securing equipment

High-quality coffee equipment is crucial for your coffee shop to succeed. Consider the following essential coffee shop equipment:

  • Coffee Grinder
  • Coffee Brewers
  • Frothing Pitchers
  • Frothing Thermometers
  • Airpots
  • Espresso Machine
  • Hot Water Dispenser
  • Reach-in Refrigerator
  • Ice Machine
  • Display Case
  • 3 Compartment Sink
  • Tea and Coffee Mugs
  • Espresso Cups
  • Cup, Lid, and Straw Organizers
  • Employee Aprons

Tip: Refer to your business plan when compiling your equipment “shopping list” and invest in whatever your operations require.

Step 11 – Staff Hiring and Training

Consider your management style and whether you want to train “fresh” employees or seek experienced baristas.

Tip: Hire an outside industry professional to train your employees on the finer coffee and brewing aspects. This will save you time that can be invested in other efforts while opening your coffee shop.

Step 12 – Marketing

Before officially opening, advertise your new coffee shop on social media platforms, in local publications, EDDM, and other campaigns to generate interest. Offering discounts, grand opening specials, and customer loyalty plans can encourage customers to visit your coffee shop regularly.

Tip: Your business’ marketing strategy should include multiple ways to reach your consumers; learn how to do this by reading, How To Grow Your Business with Marketing.

Step 13 – Open Your Coffee Shop

Opening a coffee shop requires marketing

After you’ve written your business plan, secured funding, found a location, acquired necessary permits and insurance, and stocked it with equipment and staff, you’re ready to open your coffee shop.

DISCLAIMER: This content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, accounting, tax, HR, or other professional advice in any way. You are accountable for your own compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. You should contact a business attorney or other relevant advisor for advice specific to your circumstances.

What You Need to Know to Open a Coffee Shop

In this article, you discovered essential information about what it takes to successfully open a coffee shop and get your piece of the pie in this growing industry.

Knowing the essential requirements and potential pitfalls of starting a coffee shop will help you get your business off to a good start, giving you a clear path to success.

Not knowing the requirements to open a coffee shop will expose you to legal troubles, costly fines, and potential business failure.

Sources:
usa.gov/start-business
sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/apply-licenses-permits
irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/starting-a-business
uagc.edu/blog/how-write-business-plan-step-by-step

Pulling off a successful trade show includes creating an appealing and comfortable booth

7 Helpful Trade Show Tips

Avoid looking bad, wasting money, or failing to attract trade show attendees to your booth. Knowing what captures attention will help get your idea or product to potential customers and investors.

webandprintteam.com gathered the following information and tips to help increase your presence at a trade show while creating more business opportunities with trade show attendees and other participants.

Trade Show Goals

Before you start inviting everyone in your contacts and planning your booth design, you should establish specific goals for your trade show presence. Ask yourself:

  1. Are you trying to create new business associations?
  2. Are you attempting to make an impression on current customers or convert new ones?
  3. Are you trying to establish your brand as an industry leader, build your brand in a new industry, or promote a recently launched product?

Answering these questions will help guide you in all trade show planning decisions, from your booth’s design to pre- and post-trade show marketing. Consider the following show promotion tips:

1. Bring Business Cards and Brochures

Nearly everyone you meet will want to exchange business cards and brochures. Avoid running out by bringing 1.5 times the amount of expected attendees.

Your business card is a reminder of who you are and an invitation for an extended professional conversation post-trade show. Your brochures are reminders of your company and what your product is. Without business cards and brochures, people are less likely to take you and your product seriously.

2. Become an Event Speaker

Pulling off a successful trade show includes becoming a speaker to assert your command in the field

Contact the trade show’s organizers well in advance and convince them you have something relevant and valuable to offer (as a speaker or panel member). By seizing such an opportunity, you can position yourself as an authority in your industry and at the trade show.

If you speak at the event, avoid promoting your product or company (you’ll likely lose credibility). Offer the audience relevant industry information, giving them real value. If time and scheduling permit, encourage attendees to come talk to you one-on-one.

Note: Don’t dismiss the need to attend other lectures and panels.

3. Include Seating or a Lounge Area at Your Booth

A comfortable place to rest and recharge is often absent or difficult to find at trade shows. You can set yourself apart from other presenters by creating such a space.

A lounge space will attract more traffic to your booth and persuade potential customers to hang around longer. Such a space creates a relaxed atmosphere where you can casually chat about your product over a cup of coffee.

Note: Serve beverages like coffee, tea, or refreshments and light snacks like cookies, pastries, and chips.

4. Live Webcast or Utilize Social Media to Your Advantage

People that are unable to attend the trade show, but interested in seeing what they missed can be used to your advantage. Simply recording, posting, or going live at the trade show can bring significant viewership to your product and social media. Your social channels (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok), a live stream of the event, or hosting from any of these virtual event platforms are ways to stream and engage parties that will otherwise miss the show.

Trade shows typically use official hashtags and keywords you can use on social media. Maintain your regular social media posting routine while using the event’s hashtags and keywords for all relevant posts and stories.

Note: Use social media platforms to immediately network with other attendees you associate with throughout the event. This will make your follow-up process significantly easier.

5. Bring Your Best Team Members

Your trade show team can significantly impact how the event unfolds for your company. In some cases, the people working your booth will be the “first contact” of your business. For this, you need friendly, professional, motivated, and outgoing people to represent your company and engage attendees.

Keep employee specialization in mind when assembling your trade show staff. Bring team members that complement each other’s skill sets. For example:

  • A PR rep can field inquiries and make statements to the press
  • A tech specialist can answer any technical inquiries
  • A salesperson can convert leads

Be prepared to answer attendees’ questions and ask follow-up questions of your own. Everyone staffing your booth will likely be asked about company or product specifics.

Note: Make sure your team is ready to go by creating a list of potential questions and role-play before the event.

6. Give Away Free Swag

Everyone loves free stuff, and trade show attendees expect to score a lot. You can attract a sizable crowd with promotional items like pens, posters, hats, notebooks, water bottles, etc. Try to offer something relevant to your brand and the trade show theme.

Don’t be shy when handing out swag. The more attendees see your goods, the more eager they will be to find your booth and see what all the buzz is about.

Note: Hand out big stickers, oversized hats, bracelets, pins, light-up trinkets, bright t-shirts, or other wearables and turn it into a friendly game. Those who wear your swag are entered to win a special prize at the show’s end.

7. Follow up

Pulling off a successful trade show includes using social media to follow up with attendees and make announcements

This is one of, if not the most crucial part of attending a trade show that is often abandoned. Remember the ultimate goal: turn trade show attendees and participants into long-term and beneficial business relationships.

Reach out to those you met, referencing your notes (you should be taking notes on those you meet) to craft personalized messages addressing that person’s concerns and desires. Do this within 72 hours of the trade show for the best results.

Bonus Tip: Know Who Will Attend the Trade Show

Contact event organizers to see if attendee lists are available in advance. Research which contacts may be interested in your business, and send them an introductory email.

Let them know you’d love to meet them, and encourage them to frequent your booth. However, you should refrain from spamming their inbox by trying to sell your services right away. Keep first contact light and personal; this makes you more approachable.

Trade Show Success Tips

In this article, you discovered valuable information and pro tips on creating a more beneficial impact on fellow trade show exhibitors and attendees.

Being well-prepared for your trade show participation will increase your opportunities to make new business associations and increase your customer base.

Ignoring the need to be prepared at a trade show will leave attendees and potential business associates seeking more exciting and well-informed booths.

Sources:
academia.edu/35825757/Trade_Show_Tips_for_Small_Companies
nyfa.edu/student-resources/five-tips-for-exhibiting-your-game-at-events/

Growing a business includes defining clear goals and milestones

How To Grow Your Business with Marketing

Prevent your business from stalling as your marketing falls off track, or because you don’t know the best avenues to market and grow. Knowing how to reach out, gain more customers, and increase your business volume will help you grow your business regardless of the economy’s state.

webandprintteam.com gathered the following information and tips on how to efficiently grow your business, tend to your customers, and increase your revenue.

Marketing Your Business

Your business’ marketing strategy should include multiple ways to reach your consumers. Emphasize or invest in effective marketing methods and dial back spending on the less successful methods. Only through continuous testing will you find the optimal vocabulary, imagery, and strategy that will significantly increase conversion rates. Here are several marketing strategies to get you moving towards a growing, successful business:

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)

Growing a business includes advertising and direct mail campaigns

Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM®) is a targeted bulk mailing strategy offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS), allowing your marketing strategy to reach an entire neighborhood of potential customers without creating a mailing list or knowing their actual addresses. It’s simple; choose the mailing routes you determine as priorities (by neighborhood, city, or ZIP code), and your flyers / postcard mailers will be delivered to each active address on those routes.

You can orchestrate your EDDM mailings in three easy steps:

Step 1 – Define Your Marketing Strategy and Goals
Step 2 – Create or Use an Existing USPS.com Account
Step 3 – Design and Print Your Mail Pieces

Consider these advantages:

  • Direct mail is interactive, attractive, and tangible
  • EDDM is easily shared between household members and friends
  • Your Mailers can be creative and unique
  • Direct mail campaigns pair nicely with follow-up or interactive digital campaigns

Note: There are 2 types of EDDM®, one being “retail” and the other “Business Mail Entry Unit.” EDDM® Retail won’t require you to have a mailing permit, is limited to standard flats (postcards), and permits a maximum of 5,000 daily pieces. EDDM® BMEU (Business Mail Entry Unit) requires bulk-mail permitting and provides more flexibility regarding what material may be mailed. Check that your printing company can handle printing and potentially mailing for your EDDM campaign.

Guerilla Marketing

In advertising terms, guerilla does not refer to animals, rebellions, or conflict. Guerilla marketing is an unconventional marketing tactic meant to build brand awareness without interfering with the target audience.

This strategy promotes publicity by utilizing methods designed to stir up wonder, surprise, or shock among the general public. There are four types of tactics. Consider the following:

Indoor – Indoor tactics may include additions in preexisting environments. These add-ons can be strategically placing temporary artwork or putting something removable on a structure or statue. These instances occur indoors, like shops, public buildings, or public transportation vehicles and stations.

Outdoor – Outdoor guerilla marketing uses the same concept as indoor, but it takes place in outside areas, like parks, on the street, or in public plazas. Consider integrating promotional swag, giveaways, and functional promo materials (pens, pencils, branded post-its, etc.) as a tactic to further stretch your business’ exposure and produce a more impactful impression.

Ambush Event – Marketers can select a space or location that is guaranteed to have an audience. In-progress occurrences, like sports games or concerts, are commonly used (with the host’s express permission). The brand promotes its product or services in an impactful way, like a flash mob, giveaway, or audience plant.

Experiential – This type of guerilla marketing combines all of the above and encourages your audience to increase interactions with your brand.

Before investing in these efforts, be sure to have a marketing funnel set up and a strategic plan to capture and convert any new customers and attention you attract.

Social Media Platforms

Growing a business includes using social media to expand advertising and marketing reach

With more than half the global population using social media platforms, it is no longer an option for companies to have an online presence. Businesses of all sizes utilize social media to grow their online presence, gain followers, and directly connect with their audiences. However, the number of platforms available and their different uses can make building your online brand feel like an overly challenging task. Whether you are new to this or well-seasoned, there is always room for improvement. Consider these 5 tips to better your social media performance and successfully market your brand.

1 – Create a Strategy inclusive of your image, online frequency, keywords, hashtags, and overall presentation.
2 – Be Consistent in your online engagement, postings, and audience interactions.
3 – Create Engaging & Interesting Content that your audience is attracted to and wants more of. Posting a story in parts will keep your audience coming back repeatedly.
4 – Engagement is a key factor in your online popularity. Your audience is following you because they relate to you or your product, and they will tell you their thought if you reach out to them.
5 – Track and Analyze Metrics is an absolute must in determining what is works and what falls flat or below expectations.

Creating a targeted and effective social media marketing strategy will help improve your performance online. Utilizing unique ways to interact with your audience will increase your reach. And most importantly, analyzing your metrics will help you determine whether or not you are using the right marketing tactics.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search engine optimization (SEO) is an essential component of all forms of digital marketing success because online consumers are conducting trillions of searches each year to learn about people, companies, products, and services. SEO is the process of making incremental website improvements that increase visibility following user search queries related to a website’s business, keywords, or topic. Best SEO practices include relevant keyword research, developing superior-quality content that matches consumers’ search queries (efficiently answering their questions), linking to and from high-authority websites, and meticulously tracking results.

The stronger your website’s visibility is to search engines, the stronger your digital properties will perform in attracting attention, commanding a higher level of engagement, and driving revenue. Just consider these statistics:

  • Search engines are the starting point for nearly 70% of all online experiences.
  • Organic search drives over 50% of all website traffic.
  • Google owns over 91% of all search engine market share.
  • A #1 organic position on Google can result in a click-through rate (CTR) of nearly 35%.

Brands and business owners appreciate SEO marketing because it is an intentional, data-driven approach to matching consumers with companies that can meet their needs and expectations. SEO, undoubtedly, is the most cost-effective way for marketers to reach their consumers in the moments that matter, delivering on the promise to provide answers.

Growing Your Business

In this article, you discovered essential information and tips on several ways to efficiently and quickly grow your business.

Marketing your business directly to your audience with the intention of answering their questions or solving their problems will help you convert more of your audience into paying customers and provide the resources for your business to grow.

Haphazardly throwing out flyers and business cards is not a strategy and will leave your business vulnerable and without the revenue you had hoped.

Sources:
usps.com/business/every-door-direct-mail.htm
federalregister.gov/documents/2012/10/15/2012-25059/every-door-direct-mail-retail
uspsoig.gov/tags/eddm
ooligan.pdx.edu/how-to-guerrilla/
bu.edu/prlab/2022/03/01/5-tips-to-successful-social-media-marketing/
degree.lamar.edu/articles/undergraduate/search-engine-optimization/

Starting a screen printing business requires skill and planning

How to Start a Screen Printing Business

Avoid wasting your skill and time working menial print jobs for others. Applying your talents and opening your own printing business will help you advance personally and professionally.

webandprintteam.com gathered the following information and pro tips on how to open your own screen printing business.

Screen Printing

Screen printing is a globally popular printing method, using a technique that presses ink through a stenciled mesh screen to create a printed design. This printing method is used in a wide range of industries to create custom clothing, memorabilia, canvasses, artwork, posters, and more.

Starting a Screen Printing Business

Starting a screen printing business requires space and significant financial investments

There is much more to starting a screen printing business than just registering it with the state. The following steps will help ensure that your new business is well planned out, correctly registered, and legally compliant:

  • Write a business plan for your screen printing business
  • Form your screen printing business into a legal entity (city and state)
  • Register your business for taxes (county, state, and federal)
  • Open a business bank account and credit card
  • Hire an accounting firm for your screen printing business
  • Secure the necessary city and state permits and licenses for your screen printing business
  • Develop your marketing and customer acquisition strategy
  • Get business insurance
  • Define your business brand
  • Print your business cards, flyers, announcements, letterhead, etc.
  • Create your screen printing business website
  • Set up your business phone system

Tip: Hire or consult an accountant to guide you through your city’s and state’s application and licensing processes (most of which can be completed online).

Costs for Opening a Screen Printing Business

Starting a screen printing business requires investing financial resources

It is relatively inexpensive to open a fully-functional screen printing business. Consider the following:

  • The specialized printer you need will typically cost around $10,000 or less
  • The supplies you need to start, including shirts and other substrates to print on, can typically be secured for less than $5,000
  • This type of business can be operated from your home, eliminating the need to lease a separate space
  • Spend $500 – $1,000 to design a professional website
  • Invest +/- $5,000 on traditional advertising, like radio ads, newspaper ads, flyers, business cards, and direct mail

Note: These opening costs do not account for any ongoing business operating and supply expenses you may incur.

Benefits of Owning a Screen Printing Business

Opening your own business has multiple benefits that include:

  • Everybody has and loves t-shirts. There is a strong and continuous market for small and medium jobs that larger companies don’t want.
  • You can print t-shirts in a small location and earn hundreds of dollars an hour in your own home.
  • As a middleman, you can order and print what the customer has actually ordered (eliminating excess stock and storage).
  • Carry little to no inventory – Local distributors can deliver blank shirts in 1 day.
  • Higher quality “brand name” shirts can add recognition to your business and what you sell.
  • Municipal, state, and federal tax benefits can help reduce your tax expenses.
  • You get to be your own boss and make your own schedule.

Note: Since you will control the tempo of your business, you can grow at whatever pace you are comfortable with and invest your resources where you deem it necessary.

Mistakes To Avoid When Starting a Screen Printing Business

Starting a screen printing business at home can be lucrative. With a relatively small startup investment, motivation, and a well-defined marketing plan, you can launch your own screen printing business and quickly turn a profit. However, you should avoid focusing solely on the screen printing process while forgetting about the business side of things. Consider avoiding the following:

Buying equipment without fully understanding the associated expenses and learning curve – The skills and knowledge required to successfully screen print cannot be learned and perfected overnight (which inks and mesh to use or efficiently operating your equipment). There are many aspects of screen printing that you have to practice and master to achieve professional results.

Not establishing relationships with school, charity, and community groups – Establish a presence in your local neighborhood and city markets. Consider the following:

  • Print sample shirts for a local high school sports team
  • Offer company or event planner shirts for a fundraising event
  • Sponsor a contest for designers to upload t-shirt designs on your website

Sponsoring events, promotions, and special occasions will drive traffic to your website and fortify your brand awareness.

Starting a Screen Printing Business

In this article, you discovered information, tips, and advice on opening your own successful screen printing business.

Knowing how to open a successful screen printing business will help you achieve your financial, personal, and professional goals.

Remaining employed by another company will leave you dependent on your employer’s processes and employment terms while keeping you from attaining a higher level of success and financial freedom.

Sources:
freefreehand.org/how-to-start-a-t-shirt-printing-business/
sbdc.uh.edu/sbdc/Start_Your_Business.asp
wgu.edu/blog/how-to-start-business-small-business-checklist1907.html

Cheap flyers and business cards printing companies

Best US Printing Companies and Their Specialty Products

All print shops are not created equal. When your marketing project depends on high quality printing, superior expertise, and exceptional customer service, do you know who to turn to?

The print shop you hire to produce your business or marketing materials should deliver timely results with consistently high-quality Products that attract attention.

In an effort to connect locals with printing experts, we researched, discovered, and analyzed six of the best printing companies nationwide, and highlighted their most unique specialty printed products.

Best Print Shop in Atlanta

Clash Graphics – While headquartered in Atlanta Ga, Clash Graphics is a local printing company with national reach. Their in-house design team produces high-quality printing from concept and design to print and delivery nationwide.

Clash’s two unique specializations are the premium finish on all of their printed material and their stunning work with aquafoils finishing which can transform any project into a stunning work of art. Customers rave about their same-day business cards and cheap flyer printing

business cards atlanta cheap printing

For further information, contact them at:

Clash Graphics

2140 Peachtree Rd NW #301 AtlantaGA 30309
(678) 235-3464

www.clashgraphics.com
info@clashgraphics.com

Best Print Shop in Dallas

East Dallas Printing – Whether it be sourcing paper from tree farms, using biodegradable inks and toners, reducing overall energy consumption, East Dallas Printing strives to be as eco-friendly as possible in all business aspects while maintaining their superior quality printing. EDP encourages customers to join the efforts by using their digital ordering system,

From business cards to brochures, and full-color posters, East Dallas Printing provides a fast turn-around and a graphic designer on site to bring their customer’s vision to fruition.

For further information, contact them at:

East Dallas Printing

The Urban Towers Bldg – 1st Floor

222 Las Colinas Blvd W #131

Irving, Texas 75039
(214) 324-2290
www.eastdallasprinting.com

Best Print Shop in Los Angeles

Printing Fly – Started by two dedicated entrepreneurs with backgrounds in marketing and graphic design, their goal was to make it easier for business professionals to get high quality sales and marketing materials at a one-stop-shop.

Printing Fly specializes in corporate and small business printing and shipping services. Their professional team, incredible workmanship, and cost-saving strategies take any project from concept and design, to ship ready efficiently, while keeping costs at their minimum.

los angeles stationery printing

For further information, contact them at:

Printing Fly

10586 W. Pico Blvd. Los AngelesCA 90064
(310) 287-9982

www.printingfly.com
info@printingfly.com

Best Print Shop in Las Vegas

Prisma Printing – The business card experts in Las Vegas, Prisma dedicates itself to the consistent production of high-quality full-color printing, always keeping customer satisfaction in mind.

Aside from their top quality business cards, Prisma specializes in and produces custom digital full-color vehicle wraps printed on the best substrates available. Their high-end printers produce incredible life-like and eye-popping imagery.

For further information, contact them at:

Prisma Printing
1620 S. Decatur Blvd. Ste B
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 922-7138
www.prismaprinting.com
support@prismaprinting.com

Best Print Shop in Miami

Miami Printing – This Miami based print shop is committed to providing its customers with the most affordable services possible. Whether publicizing the grand opening of a Miami business or ordering invitations and signs for a world-class corporate event, Miami Printing has the state-of-the-art equipment and talented technicians to make it all happen.

Miami Printing’s quality is second to none and specializes in its ability to provide the market’s fastest turnaround times without compromising the product’s quality.

For further information, contact them at:

Miami Printing
223 E Flagler St #505
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 358-0017
www.miamiprinting.com
info@miamiprinting.com

Best Print Shop in New York

Print Mor – Since 1987, this full-service print shop has been 100% dedicated to handling any of its customer’s printing needs. From large catalogs to small presentation packages, Print Mor’s staff sees that all jobs flow seamlessly from prepress through delivery.

One of Print Mor’s signature specialties is business cards. As one of the most premier online printers, the company has established a variety of printing options and high-quality paper card stocks to guarantee that your brand is well represented.

For further information, contact them at:

Print Mor
636 Broadway Suite 714

New York, NY 10012
(212) 777-7624
https://printmor.com
info@printmornyc.com

Local Printing Companies Custom Products

As you can see, the above-listed print shops all have high customer service standards while guaranteeing their lines of products. Whether you are in their city or not, their online ordering and product shipping services make their products easily accessible to order on their respective websites from anywhere in the US.

Business cards and flyers atlanta printing company

Whether you need business cards, banners, corporate invitations, full vehicle wraps, or full-color brochures, the printing company you contract to produce your marketing materials and products should deliver timely results without sacrificing quality, and provide superior customer service.

As with any other business decision, when selecting a print shop, be sure to check their online reviews, get a free quote, and compare these with samples of past work to ensure you contract the best printing company.

Digital web campaign and free online tools

Improve Your Campaign With These Tools

Web and print campaigns are a combination of branding, social media, quality content and website analysis. It is essential that you effectively tailor your processes to enable you to manage a multimedia campaign. Fortunately, there are various tools that can be of help.

Because there are quite a lot of options you could try, and without the time to completely test them all, settling for one can be quite difficult. Below are six easy tools that can improve your campaign.

1. Free Photo Sites (Copyright-Free Photography)

Finding a quality photo that was copyright free at the same time used to be like finding a needle in a haystack in the past. However, with the option of a quality free stock image website, your photo design options are virtually unlimited. We found a gem, and the artistic quality the photographers display and are willing to freely share is remarkable.

Royalty free stock photo images from unsplash

For great quality images that are copyright free, visit https://unsplash.com

2. Stock, Royalty-Free Graphics & Vectors

When designing, a good selection of vector files and fonts can be time-saving resources you would likely use frequently. However, finding them is another herculean task of its own. Some sites have free vectors but are lower quality. Then there are some nice PSD graphic sharing sites, but these are generally a designers personal site. Finding high quality PSD abd AI vector files in one place saves you a boatload of time.

Adobe royalty free images stock graphics and vectors

For a complete selection of stock, vectors and graphics, visit https://stock.adobe.com

3. Social Media Sharing Plugin

A blog, no matter how good, is virtually no good if nobody reads or visits it. hence, including social share buttons is one way to put your blog out to the world. This will make it possible for you to drive traffic to your site, in addition to increased social signal and brand exposure.

Monarch social media sharing plugin for wordpress

Visit https://www.elegantthemes.com/plugins/monarch/ to start sharing now.

4. Email Opt-In and Lead Generation Plugin

Email marketing is thought to be more effective and important than social media engagements. Bloom is a useful tool that allows you target specific posts and ages and also displays unique offers based on visitor interaction and location.

Wordpress plugin for email opt in

Make your Visitors your Fans at https://www.elegantthemes.com/plugins/bloom

5. Website Analytics Software

Realizing and knowing how users interact with your data and web content is extremely important.Website Analytics Software will help you optimize the performance of your website and deliver more of what your visitors are looking for. In addition, with website analytics, you can measure exactly how your website is fairing through analysis of your visitors behavior and engagement.

Website data through google analytics

It’s easy to get started at https://www.google.com/analytics/

6. Call Tracking Services

Call tracking allows you to assign a unique phone number to each of your marketing campaigns. These numbers can be diverted to your main business number, this will make it possible for an extension to answer any call made to your direct line. With this method, you can measure which marketing strategies are most effective by monitoring the lines that receive the most calls.

Tracking and management of phone calls with call rail

Find out more at https://www.callrail.com

Grow Your Business With These Tools

Virtually all small business owners need easy and simple tools to get their campaigns moving. A reasonable number of digital tools today are mainly for enterprise businesses or require a budget that far outweighs any reasonable ROI. However, the tools mentioned above are low-cost tools that are effective and easy to integrate. Get your campaign rolling today!

For more web, design, and print-related tips, visit www.webandprintteam.com

flyer printing

Flyer Printing – Sizes, Paper, Design

Flyers are one of the oldest marketing tools out there, and there are quite effective due to their versatility and affordability. Before you set out to get flyers printed, it is important to know some basic information about flyer printing.

Popular Flyer Sizes

The appropriate flyer size depends on your content and intended use of the flyer. Some common flyer sizes are:

  • 3 x 4
  • 3 x 5
  • 4 x 6
  • 5 x 7
  • 6 x 9
  • 1/8 page
  • 1/4 page
  • 1/2 page
  • full page

flyer printing atlanta

Source: Flyer Printing Atlanta by Clash Graphics

The 4″ x 6″ and 5″ x 7″ are the industry standard flyer sizes and are typically the most popular sizes available. Although, if you plan on running a USPS direct mail campaign, the Post Office requires your flyers to be a specific size. It’s important to know their requirements before printing your flyers.

Flyer Paper Stock

Flyer printing also involves choosing the right paper stock. Your flyer paper stock will depend on your specific needs. Here are the common paper stocks for flyers:

12 pt card stock – They are glossy and recommended for cost effective promotions such as promotions on the streets. They are similar in thickness to the normal printing paper.

14 pt card stock – They are high quality, glossy paper recommended for cost-effective flyer printing and direct mail advertising. They are thicker and more durable than 12 pt.

16 pt card stock – Very high quality, glossy paper. They are ideal for high-end flyers used to promote luxury items, trade shows and other promotion that require tremendous first-time impression.

Typical Flyer Printing Turnaround Time

For many printing companies, turnaround time begins calculating from the time the order is placed and the printing files have been uploaded, attached and approved. The turnaround time will depend on the magnitude and urgency of the work.

However, if you need the printing completed within a shorter turnaround time, you might have to pay an extra fee. Similarly, orders with longer turnaround time are cheaper. Turnaround time varies from company to company and may be same day, next day or 2-5 days.

Uses of Flyers

Flyers are quite versatile can be used by all types of businesses; whether big or small. Here are some common uses of flyers:

  • Driving traffic to a website.
  • To promote an event like a party.
  • To promote participation in a competition.
  • To promote attendance in a conference or a trade show.
  • To let customers know about special offers.
  • Activist groups or organizations use flyers to pass a word to the public concerning a specific issue.

Flyer Design and Layout Tips

Make Your Business Card a Beneficial Marketing Tool

A business card is such a simple little thing designed to help share contact information with others, but that’s not all they can be used for. A good business card will also be a form of marketing for your business. A properly designed business card will offer information as well as help market you and your business to better help grow your business, while setting you apart from the rest.

The first part of a card is you. To make it easier for someone to remember you and relate you to your brand add a picture to the card. A picture can help make your card stand out against cards with only text, and it offers a personal touch that will help link your image with the brand or business.

business card design with photo

Source: Just Creative Design Business Card by Jacob Cass

Keep your card on task by making sure you do not include too much on the front of the card. Make it easy to see your name, your information, and your business without a lot of extra designs or elements that can take away from the main information that you want to share with others. This will allow people to quickly identify who you are and what business you are with as well as the easiest way to get a hold of you.

Finding out who uses your card or make use of your card is hard unless someone directly contacts you. An excellent solution in today’s world is to include a QR code that is small enough to not detract from the overall card, but can take a person to a website. Offering specials for those that use the QR code can entice people to use it, and a little reminder to someone to get in on those deals will also give you a chance to track who ends up using the code. Those that engage will be easier to spot as the QR will offer you statistics of how many people are checking it out, and making uses of your offers or information.

Remember that the card has two sides and make uses of that. With one side being the all business side with information, use the back side to make your card a bit more unique. You can do this by adding a cool design or by adding little factoids or your support of a charity or cause. This can help engage the person on the other end and make your card more memorable to them.

Finally remember to give them out not just face to face but whenever it makes sense. If you are sending out invitations to an event, sending out invoices or when you ship a product make sure to pack that card in to give you extra exposure.

Business Card Design Resources:

Business Card Designs and Templates

poster printing design tips

Poster Design – Quick Tips for Creating a Successful Poster

Posters are a popular advertising method that are affordable to produce and easy to distribute. With a few easy touches they can look professional and draw attention to whatever is being advertised. Even when the goal is not to turn it into a piece of artwork, attention should still be paid to its quality and what details it will take to help it be seen.

Obviously any images used, whether it is of a logo or a photograph, should always be of the highest quality. It is important to be certain the original image is able to be enlarged enough to be in scale with the overall poster design and still remain clear. All fonts should be bold and easy to read and the layout should be such that people can immediately know what it is being advertised.

Colors should be appealing, but not so bright that they make the poster difficult to read. It is suggested that black be used as the font color, particularly for any lengthy descriptive text because it is more comfortable for people to read. Make certain the topic of the poster is visible from several feet away to encourage readers to come closer and view the remainder of the information.

As for size, posters can be printed in nearly any size, but there are several suggested sizes that seem to work best. Something too large can be overwhelming, while a poster that is too small will easily be overlooked. This is why the standard poster sizes of 11×17, 18×24 and 24×36 are the most common.

poster printing paper sizes

The smaller sizes are used for advertising community events, announcement for school boards and advertising for non-profits events. They are also the most commonly ordered sizes people purchase for personal use. This can be as enlargements of favorite family photographs, but also as announcements for special family events like birthday parties.

Larger posters are best when the advertising will be mounted outside. These are used on businesses advertising their own services or to market something new or unique they now provide. These sizes are also used by theaters to promote upcoming plays, movies or concerts. A good printing service can assist with choosing the correct size and layout and make it possible to have an eye-catching, high-quality product even on a small budget.

offset printing digital printing

Offset and Digital Printing Explained

Offset Printing

Offset Printing or Lithography can print images on a variety of surfaces such as cardboard, plastic, and paper. Offset printing is typically used to print mass amounts of products including newspapers, posters, books, and stationary. Offset printing is usually used for printing promotional materials such as brochures and posters.

But how does offset printing work? The process begins as the aluminum printing plate inks a plate to be printed. Only the inked image is printed, and is then transferred from the aluminum printing plate to a rubber blanket. The image can also be offset during this step in the printing process. Lastly, the image is transferred from the rubber blanket to the surface that it is going to be printed on (either paper, cardboard, plastic, ect.)

The offset printer consists of four sheetfed printing presses each specifically used for a certain color. Normally, the printed image is printed in steps of colors. The black color contained in the printer press located at the far end of the printer is printed first, then cyan, then magenta, and lastly yellow. The printed sheets of paper are kept in front of the printer usually under the monitor and press control. Rolls of paper are used in these printers to enable them to perform printing high volumes in industrial uses such as books, magazines, and newspapers; however Digital Printing is starting to replace offset due to the declination of physical printing.

Digital Printing

In the economy the use of digital printing is beginning to look better due to the declination of printing promotional products, and the increase in digital media. The two main technologies in digital printing are inkjet and xerography.

Inkjet is simply the process of images being printed through ink drops being strategically propelled to create an image. Inkjet can print on multiple surfaces, and is mainly used for printing posters, signs, photo books, and books.

Xerography is used in laser printers which is simply strategically sending a charge to a drum that attracts toner particles that are then transferred to the printing surface. These printers are usually used in offices and in homes, and are typically used to print books, documents, and promotional products such as brochures.

Both offset and digital printers print images on the same types of products. However, an offset printer is more expensive and older. Digital printers make more economical sense due to the decreasing in physically printing products. Also, digital printers are smaller; and sometimes faster containing usually more color options than an offset printer.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Offset vs Digital Printing