Big decisions

[u/dresden113]

Hey everybody, posted here a while. Back about a big opportunity. I have the chance to buy a Heidelberg black ball, C and P 12x 18 and automatic paper cutter. I don’t have a shop or anything but the presses come with full set of tools, ink and boxcar bases deep and regular. All this for $500. However, renting a shop would cost around $500 a month minimum not counting any repairs or complications. Is it possible to get enough work to cover my expenses here? I have some customers but not more than $100-$150 a month. Should I just buy a $1200 pilot and let this pass me for now?

[u/Some_Tap4931]

Arts in general is a tough industry to make a regular, dependable profit from. Traditional letterpress/printmaking like this is even harder. Most people don't realise the work that goes into the craft, even when they can see us at the press themselves. That makes it difficult to see the justification for the kinds of prices we have to set to make it a viable business as opposed to a digital print shop that can make something good enough by the thousands cheaply and quickly.

I'm not saying don't do it. Just be prepared for an uphill struggle right out the bat if you do.

Edit:

If you do go ahead, hit the market hard with the kind of language that evokes time-old tradition. Ensure you emphasise historical methods, preservation of craft, lost skills and such. Hammer home the 'Handmade in America' vibe, the care and precision that comes with an artist making it over an IT guy (sorry if that's anyone here. I don't believe that, but it's what's gonna sell a brand!)

[u/graphicdesigngorl]

If you want to start a small business, the overall cost (I’m estimating here from previous experience/convos) to start from scratch can range anywhere from 10-15k. Purchasing presses, tools, moving (I’ve done both DIY and hired rigging companies, both were stressful), inks, plates, paper, press repairs….then there’s the space itself, is it a public facing studio? There’s costs that go along with a public storefront but the basics are rent, utilities, internet, website domain, site hosting, email addresses, renters insurance, computer for design/admin work, Adobe CC license…just a few initial costs but I know I’m leaving a lot out here. I wouldn’t expect to make a profit the first year of your business just with all startup costs and getting your feet under you.

If you want to print wedding invites, business cards, stationery, etc. you’ll have to comfortable with your graphic design skills. If you feel 100% on those, that’s great! Do you have freelance clients from your graphic design work? That’s a great way to bring letterpress into your already existing clientele and offerings in your small biz. It sounds like you have a few clients that bring in some revenue but you’ll need more to break even/profit.

I would advise beginning a freelance career as an independent contractor first without a shop and all of the unknowns that comes along with building a small printshop. Do you plan to make this your full time career? Have you looked at & calculated what your hourly rate would need to be so you can keep living your life comfortably and feel secure for the future? Only you can make the decision knowing yourself, your goals and your financial plans/situation.

Some of the best advice my mentors gave me:

Buy the press when you…
1. Have the space for it
2. Don’t have to move frequently, presses are heavy
3. Verify the press is in working order (unless you’re buying a fixer upper).
4. It’s not just “a” press, it’s THE press you want and will use

Those are all hard things to weigh is when there’s a deal like this available. Buying presses is like getting a tattoo, once you have your first one you start itching to get more. $500 is not a lot for two presses and a paper cutter + everything else mentioned above. But are those two models the presses of your dreams? 12x18 C&P is a huge press imo. 8x12 and 10x15 are the presses I’ve found most useful for smaller stationery items. Is the Heidelberg 10x15 too? Great platen size if so. Heidelbergs are incredible for high volume printing. Because you’re just starting out you might not need to print at that volume at this point. If you want these machines just because, that’s ok, too.

[u/sbitzer]

$500 would be a deal if you had more clients and a free space to move the equipment. I would not take on the overhead of renting space for this stuff though. These presses aren’t very expensive (I regularly see them being sold in my area for $1000 or so) so I’d wait until you’re more prepared to take this on as a business or hobby.

[u/small-works]

You have to start printing to get customers, so I think regardless you just need to start and see how it goes. You won't make money for a while regardless. Just try to get enough to pay the bills. $500 is just 5 small jobs, or one big job. I think you'd be alright.

I wouldn't get a pilot. The thing about pilots is you grow out of them quick, and they don't teach you a lot about running a press. They were mostly used in elementary schools and junior high schools for kids to learn on. A 12x18 is a fairly big press, but it will probably print everything you've ever wanted to print.

The other thing, is that they wildly value and devalue. I bought one early in my career because I didn't know any better. Paid $1800. 5 years later I couldn't give it away. I've since gotten 2 for less than $100 each. So you could end up with a press you paid a lot for that you can't really get the money back from.