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.
- 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 printers with Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS) loaded with 100ml of ink (6 color ink printer for best quality printouts)
- Digital Printing Software (prints 3R size, 3R wallet size, 4R size & 4R wallet size)
- 3R photo paper (500 pcs.)
- 4R photo paper (500 pcs.)
- Paper cutter
- Flatbed scanner
- 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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gano pa kadami ang na priprint ng isang 100ml ng ink?
Tanong ko lang sa mga nakapag set up na nito,, or meron na silang business na ganito.. kasi so much interested ako sa ganito business kaso alam naman natin na mababa ang ibang bigayan ng mga nag franchise ng machine as low as 2.50 ang 3R.. If we compete sa 2.50 per 3R meron pa bang Tubo or Kita sa ganitong set up?? Please Email or answer here… ngaun plang maraming salamat sa mag ko comment!!
@kim, check mo sa cd-r king.
uhm.. kuya,, tnong ko lng… sn po b pede mkbili ng murang photo papers and ung digital software po??? thanks… nid rep asap.. uhm txt nio n lng po ako.. tnx.. 09196361886.. urgent lng po.. mrming slamat..Ãœ
Hi! Interested din po ako mag-put up this kind of business. Saan po makakabili ng mga printing supplies like refill inks and photo papers na competitive ang price niya. I also need the software for photo printing saan po makakadownload nung program? Please send to my email
Hi! Interested din po ako mag-put up this kind of business. Saan po makakabili ng mga printing supplies like refill inks and photo papers na competitive ang price niya. I also need the software for photo printing saan po makakadownload nung program? Please send to my email jimvinuya@yahoo.com Thanks very much!
Nice article Joel! My wife and I are interested in setting up a low cost photo-printing business in our province. I am just curious though if what type of ink do you use for your printers. Did you experience problems like fading?
Thank you.
hi joel, thanks sa info.. I considered it on putting up my own but how can start if i don’ have the knowledge on digital photo printing especially on technical aspects. I consider on hiring someone who knows technically but it is better if i still have the knowledge db?Is there any seminars/trainings you know that will help me?how much is your investments?by the way, i’m from bicol also..thank you very much and more power!
hello po.
as this post said, there’s no need for franchising co’z parang wala naman yatang nagpa-franchise ng ganito, photolabs meron pero heavy ang puhunan. i guess kung talagang manipis ang capital pwede na kayo mag start sa isang pc and a good photo printer, bluetooth device (for cps) and flatbed scanner. in my shop we’re using epson r230 and best for now is r290 naka ciss pareho. kung bwelo ang funding the above materials are ok dagdagan nyo na rin ng good digital camera for walk-in rush photos. for simplier photo editing software try iPhoto Plus usually bundled for sa mga mustek scanners and maybe you can download it.
for materials as well as ready to use epson printers with ciss try nyo po sa DIGIMAGE, im not recommending pero dyan kami kumukuha ng materials, good din ang services ang store po nila nasa katabi ng Corona Enterprises #384 e. rodriquez ave.corner betty go belmonte st. QC. sana po makatulong sa inyo. good luck po! ^_^
joel
tinyjoeb@yahoo.com
I’m interested of putting up a digital photo printing in my place but the problem is I don’t have knowledge needed. I’m thinking of franchising rather putting up my own. Please help me find a franchise that gives better services but in affordable one.
Thank you very much.
@dan, you don’t need to buy very expensive photo-editing softwares like photoshop or settle for a pirated one, you can download Gimp, an open-source software with the same features and functions like photoshop.
Im very much interested of putting up a simple digital photo printing. But i need a photo printing software, where i can start right away. pls provide me one. Thank you……
hi sino po dito ang may mga tindahan ng gamit para sa digital phot services gaya ng ink paper etc. kindly mail me ng mga list butongpakwan@gmail.com thanks
This is a great article on Photo Printing Set up.
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Am interested to put a rotisserie chicken business. I overheard San miguel chicken rotisserie, they will provide you rotisserie oven and marinated chicken.How and where to contact them? how much is the investment?
Would appreciate sharing your knowledge on my inquiry.
thanks and more power!