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Setting-up a Cheaper Digital Photo Printing Business

May 12, 2008 by Leo   20,329 Views

88 Comments

The “digital revolution” entails a lot of promise for enterprising individuals, and going into the digital photo printing business is a wise option. It is now emerging as a profitable market boosted by the advent of affordable camera cellphones and digital cameras.

If you are interested in putting up a Digital Photo Printing Business but cannot afford the prices for the machine being used by other digital printing companies like Photoline, Kodak, Picture City, Tronix, Digiprint, etc., here’s a cheaper and simple alternative. The items below are necessary and part of the system that you will need for the Digital Printing Shop to be fully operational. All you need is the business site.

  1. A PC set with at least the following specifications:
    • Pentium IV or AMD equivalent processor with 1GB Ram
    • 17″ monitor
    • Floppy and optical drive
    • Bluetooth
    • Infrared/WiFi
    • Card reader
    • USB connections/hub
  2. 2 printers with Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS) loaded with 100ml of ink (6 color ink printer for best quality printouts)
  3. Digital Printing Software (prints 3R size, 3R wallet size, 4R size & 4R wallet size)
  4. 3R photo paper (500 pcs.)
  5. 4R photo paper (500 pcs.)
  6. Paper cutter
  7. Flatbed scanner
  8. Table, chairs and office supplies

Approximate total investment: P100,000 – 120,000
ROI: 5-6 Months

Pricing:

  • 3R size = P5.00
  • 3R wallet = P5.00
  • 4R size = P6.00
  • 4R wallet = P6.00

Approximate Computations

Given:  Gross Sales for a 1 PC, 2 printers and 1 employee set-up, and shop operation is 10 hours.

  • Gross monthly sales = P54,900
  • Average daily sales = P1,800

Less Expenses:

P6,000 – Rent/Electricity
P13,000 – Photo Paper
P2,500 – Ink
P8,000 – Employee salary
P600 – Others (office supplies)
——————————————
P30,100 – Total expenses

Net Income = 54,900 – 30,100 = 24,800

The salary may vary depending on how much you will pay and number of employees. The material cost of the inks and photo paper will also vary depending if you can get the supplies cheaper.

Note: The estimates above is based on the actual digital printing shop. Amounts may vary depending on your shop location and rental rates.

Update: Nov. 4, 2009 – Additional Tips from Ricachu:

I’m into this business for 4 years now and this is what I can say, if you really want hassle free digital photo printing, go for a minilab like the one used by Kodak, Fuji or Noritsu, the price is rather expensive but the quality of prints are far better than any inkjet photo printer… maintenance wise, it is also less hassle.

As with using inkjet printers, setting up the entire thing does not ensure a smooth operations. not unless your costumers are not so picky and they are ok with pictures which are sometimes bluish, reddish or with some fine lines showing, then you can go ahead. But otherwise if you want quality and professional results, you should know how to set the hues and intensity of the ink against the model and brand.

First of all you have to know how to install or repair CISS yourself while in action because sometimes just a wrong twist of the tubes inside will cause the printer to function abnormally.

You should also learn how and when to clean and deep clean your printers or else you will end up wasting so much ink smudging many photopapers. It is also a must that you know how to reset your printers. Printers have built in counters such that when the counter reached the maximum print count, it will automatically give an error message and will refuse to print.

I can’t say it can’t be done but based on experience, it’s not super easy at all. So if you really have the capital, go for the minilabs. meantime, if cash is not readily available then I guess inkjet will do fine in small volumes.

photo from doculand.net


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Comments

88 Responses to “Setting-up a Cheaper Digital Photo Printing Business”
  1. ricachu says:
    November 4, 2009 at 3:54 pm

    i’m into this business for 4 years now and this is what i can say… if you really want hassle free digital photo printing, go for a minilab like the one used by kodak, fuji or noritsu.. the price is rather expensive but the quality of prints are far better than any inkjet photo printer… maintenance wise, it is also less hassle…

    as with using inkjet printers, setting up the entire thing does not ensure a smooth operations. not unless your costumers are not so picky and they are ok with pictures which are sometimes bluish, reddish or with some fine lines showing, then you can go ahead. but otherwise if you want quality and professional results, you should know how to set the hues and intensity of the ink against the model and brand. first of all you have to know how to install or repair ciss yourself while in action because sometimes just a wrong twist of the tubes inside will cause the printer to function abnormally. you should also learn how and when to clean and deep clean your printers or else you will end up wasting so much ink smudging many photopapers. it is also a must that you know how to reset your printers. printers have built in counters such that when the counter reached the maximum print count, it will automatically give an error message and will refuse to print.

    i can’t say it can’t be done but based on experience, it’s not super easy at all. so if you really have the capital, go for the minilabs. meantime, if cash is not readily available then i guess inkjet will do fine in small volumes.

    Reply
  2. cris says:
    October 30, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    hi .. good day may I ask what is the best printer in this business and is it okey if by refill ang inks or it has to be original ink? …. I wanted to try this business .. thanks you !!!! u can email me through … christine_bumacod@yahoo.com

    Reply
  3. Catherine says:
    October 20, 2009 at 11:22 am

    HI Leo, thanks for sharing, your info is so helpful. I am interested in this business as well, would you please give me a little bit more info? thanks

    Reply
  4. Lhiza says:
    October 14, 2009 at 2:02 pm

    Good day!Sir I have started my photo printing services in my computer shop..I have used HP K5300 with CISS kaya lang po in 2 months nag mulfunction na un CYAN color nya so di ko na siya nagamit sa photo printing, then I used Brother DCP-150C with CISS pero lagi nman siya nagpe paper jam. ang dami ko po photo paper na nasasayang… Meron po ba kayong maire recommend na photo printer with ciss na pde kong gamitin at magkano po kaya un.

    thanks,
    Lhiza Corral
    UP Los Baños

    Reply
    • Jan Quintans says:
      October 14, 2009 at 3:02 pm

      Hello Lhiza Corral,
      May i know where you in Los Baños and i will try to visit you to your place and talk about your problem in photo printing or you can send me a message on my YM ID jqkiller_smile to give details. thank you

      Reply
    • Leo says:
      October 15, 2009 at 11:25 am

      @Lhiza, most of small digital printing shops i know uses epson printers for ciss. the printer cost 2,500+2,800 CISS conversion with ink na.

      Reply
  5. alex says:
    October 7, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    gd day! I’m planning to install CISS on my EPSON CX2900… How much it cost? Ask ko lang din, ano pag kk iba ng UV DYE at PIGMENT ink? … for personal document and photo printing po application ko… free ba ang intallation? pls. advise. alexarriega@gmail.com

    Reply
  6. Rolando Vargas says:
    September 21, 2009 at 8:27 pm

    we have added photo printing to our internet cafe started small as demand grows
    we will add the info above is legit and it works do not forget to advertise i get my paper from CD Ring every SM has one and we make a good profit/ thanks joel brutas for the great info

    Reply
  7. Pabs Repita says:
    September 5, 2009 at 2:19 pm

    Hi, sir Leo
    Greetings;

    I’m intested on mini lab photo printing can you recommend or supplied me the software for printing Various sizes ex. 3R, 4R also with template and how much is the CD.

    Thanks more power

    pabs

    Reply
  8. neah says:
    September 5, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    im planning to put up business… and i think its perfect for me cause i love photos and maybe i will love this business .. pa send naman po ng detail pano ko makakapag start.. thanks.. send details to neyah_marcos@yahoo.com thanks po

    Reply
  9. DCnuebe says:
    September 2, 2009 at 11:23 am

    Hi! If you need Tips and guide you can visit my blog anytime

    Reply
  10. edgar says:
    August 24, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    hi,

    i’m interested in this kind of business. meron po bang seminar para sa ganitong business.

    thanks.

    Reply
  11. LadyGlenn says:
    July 21, 2009 at 11:13 am

    hello Mr Office…. would like to know if u have online web.. thanks

    Reply
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