- Looking for profitable but low-cost printing business ideas that you can start today? Check out our list of custom digital printing ideas that might help you!
Marketing and advertising are always crucial parts of promoting a brand. This is why a lot of businesses keep on searching for reliable printing companies that can help them increase their brand reach.
Due to this, the demand for printing businesses has always been high across the globe, especially online printing businesses that offer customized printing. In fact, the market size for digital printing has been forecasted to grow from $24.8 billion in 2021 to $34.3 billion by 2026 at a 6.7% CAGR.
This is why small printing shop ideas have the potential to grow exponentially if you start with the right business idea. Let us help you find the most profitable print on demand business ideas and paper printing business ideas through our meticulously compiled list below:
#1 T-Shirt Business Ideas and Screen Printing Business
T-shirts are widely popular among all genders of all ages. In fact, the T-shirt market is expected to grow at a 9.7% CAGR from 2021 to 2028. So if you want to have good revenue, designing and selling T-shirts would be your best option.
Investment Range to Start
- $1,000 and above for standard T-shirt printing
- $15,000 and above for screen printing
Niche Market and/or Business Ideas
- Online T-shirt business
- T-shirts printed with funny slogans for nurses, doctors, dog owners, and other specific niches
Why Choose This Business
- Simplest printing business that you can do online
- T-shirts are highly popular worldwide regardless of age and gender
- It can give you good revenue
- It can be done by both newbie and veteran entrepreneurs
- You can print in a small space at home
- Very profitable
#2 Mug Printing
Source: Unsplash
Custom mugs are one of the best gifts someone can give to another person to show their appreciation or affection. Just like T-shirts, personalized mugs are also very common nowadays which makes mug printing a good business to start today. You only need blank mugs, printing equipment, and a mug heat press.
Investment Range to Start
- $500 and above
Niche Market and Business Ideas
- Mugs with quality designs and fascinating quotes to help showcase messages
- Corporate gifts for vendors and employees
- Birthday gifts
- Wedding gifts
Why Choose This Business
- It is among the top printing business options aside from T-shirt printing
- It only requires little investment
- Fewer materials needed for mug printing
#3 Photo Printing Business Ideas
Source: Unsplash
Photo booths have always been a hit in weddings, birthday celebrations, corporate parties, proms, reunions, and more. A photo printing business would be another great idea because the photo printing market was projected to grow at an 8.3% CAGR from 2020-2027.
Investment Range to Start
- $5,000 – $10,000
Niche Market and Business Ideas
- Printing wedding photos and partnering with bridal shops, wedding planners, and caterers
- Printing newborn photos (check out birthing centers, obstetricians, birthing coaches, and private hospitals)
- Other special occasions
- Aside from photo printing, you can also offer personalized services like:
- Photo editing
- Custom borders
- Various paper designs, textures, and styles
Why Choose This Business
- Low overhead
- Minimal camera skills if you will only offer printing services
- A wide market
#4 Labels and Stickers
Source: Pexels
If you are excellent at designing, then selling labels and stickers would be very profitable. You just need to design once and then sell them over and over. The global demand for warning stickers and labels alone is expected to rise in the next 4 decades. As for the print label market, it is projected to expand at a 4.2% CAGR from 2021 to 2026. The die-cut stickers market, on the other hand, will grow at a 5.2% CAGR from 2021 to 2026.
Investment Range to Start
- $1,000 – $3,000
Niche Market and Business Ideas
- Warning stickers and labels
- Custom labels and stickers
- Packaging and product labels
- Shipping and mailing labels
- Promotional and event stickers
- Campaign and political stickers
- Bumper, tile, floor, wall, and hard hat stickers
Why Choose This Business
- Easy to start
- Very little capital
- Various market to choose from
- High customer retention rates
- Scalable
#5 Signs, Banners, and Posters
Source: Unsplash
Posters, banners, and signs play a major role in advertising. They are the most trusted ways in promoting a business by boosting visibility as well as giving a professional and polished look. Aside from promoting sales, they can also be used for advertising events and more. This makes a banner and signs printing service business an excellent choice for B2B customers.
Investment Range to Start
- $5,000 and above
Niche Market and Business Ideas
- Sidewalk signs
- Real estate signs
- Informational signs
- Promotional signs
- Retractable banners
- Table banners
- Fabric banners
- Backdrops
- Pop-up display
Why Choose This Business
- Banners, signs, and posters are among the widely used types of advertisements so you will have a large market
- Very profitable
- Easy to do
#6 Brochures
Source: Unsplash
Professional brochures help represent a business’s products and services. By starting a brochure printing business, you can help a lot of businesses stand out by creating vibrant marketing materials. This is because brochure marketing is a vital component for any business.
Investment Range to Start
- $1,000 and above
Niche Market and Business Ideas
- Offer various paper finishes and stocks as well as different features and options such as the following:
- Full-color printing
- Double-sided brochures
- Multiple folding (e.g. gate fold, accordion fold, half-fold, z-fold, tri-fold, etc.)
- Use common brochure formats (8.5 x 11, 8.5 x 14, 11 x 17, 11 x 25.5)
Why Choose This Business
- In-demand to B2B customers because brochures are proven to be effective in capturing the attention of customers
- Low-investment business
#7 Business or Visiting Cards
Source: Pexels
Business cards can help in creating a good first impression and every business is expected to have one of these. They are among the ultimate ways to enhance brand image effectively. This created a huge demand for business cards, so it would be a successful business idea that you can explore.
Investment Range to Start
- $1,000 and above
Niche Market and Business Ideas
- Personalized business cards
- Business cards in different shapes (slim, square or slim rounded corner, folded, circle, half-circle, oval, etc.)
- Offer single-sided, double-sided, and full-color options
- Different paper stock like silk laminated and pearl metallic
- Matte or high-gloss coating
Why Choose This Business
- Very common in businesses
- Huge demand
- Increased customer base
- Enhanced revenue
#8 Postcards
Source: Pexels
Marketing by using postcards (postcard marketing) helps businesses reach their target market through printed promotional pieces like announcements, coupons, and offers. Postcard marketing may seem old school in this modern world. However, many rapidly growing brands are starting to include it in their marketing strategies.
Postcard marketing still works and in fact, is even more effective compared to popular digital methods. It even has a higher return on investment. This is the best time to take advantage of this trend and offer postcard printing services to businesses.
Investment Range to Start
- $1,000 and above
Niche Market and Business Ideas
- Promotional products
- Folder, spot UB, metallic, silk, velvet, and other types of postcards
- Postcards for introducing a business, new product launch, sales, grand opening announcements, etc.
Why Choose This Business
- Rising demand for postcards for marketing purposes
- Postcard marketing brings tremendous results to businesses and even outperforms many digital channels
#9 Flyers and Leaflets
Source: Unsplash
Flyers and leaflets that can easily capture a customer’s attention are among the most used marketing materials nowadays. They are easy and effective ways in raising brand awareness. Thus, there is a great demand for these printed materials for businesses worldwide to survive in a competitive market. In fact, you can see them anywhere and it’s very rare for a business not to have one of these.
Investment Range to Start
- $1,000 and above
Niche Market and Business Ideas
- Sales promotion
- Schools or work announcements
- Amplifying charity or any cause
- Promoting new products
- Advertising events
Why Choose This Business
- In-demand and highly beneficial to startups
- Easy way to generate revenue
- Profitable business
- The demand is always high
#10 Invitation and Greeting Cards
Source: Unsplash
Invitation and greetings cards have become important whether in corporate functions or not. Customized cards are becoming highly in demand, especially during festive seasons to help customers express their affection and best wishes to a loved one. And for sure, you are aware that there are a lot of occasions in one year. This ensures that you will generate income all year round.
Investment Range to Start
- $1,000 and above
Niche Market and Business Ideas
- Personalized cards with exceptional design and message
- Birthday cards
- Wedding cards
- Other festive seasons and occasions
Why Choose This Business
- Lucrative business idea
- Low investment but very high profits
Other In-Demand Printing Business Ideas
Aside from the ones we have mentioned above, below are other printing ideas you can try:
- Bookmarks
- Door hangers
- Envelopes
- Forms
- Letterhead
- Magnets
- Manuals
- Newsletters
- Presentations
- Rack cards
- Reports
- 3D printing
- Cellphone and laptop covers
- Logo printing on promotional products
- Calendars
- Car magnets
- Catalogs and menus
Also Read:
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Best Future Business Ideas From 2020-2030
-
Manufacturing Business Ideas
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Small Town Business Ideas and Village Business Ideas
-
Beauty Business Ideas
Conclusion
Choosing the right business to start with is important in guaranteeing the success of your entrepreneurship journey. Also, it is better to focus on your B2B customers if you are in the printing industry. This is because bulk orders are essential in running a profitable printing business that is ensured to flourish. We hope that you were able to find your ideal printing business on our list.
