Custom Prints Business

How Profitable Is A Custom Prints Business? (Updated for 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: October 6th, 2024

How Profitable Is A Custom Prints Business? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start a custom prints business?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are custom prints businesses actually profitable?”

With a market size of $7.9B - there’s plenty of business to go around.

Especially considering:

You could start a custom prints business with as low as $999
Based on our data, custom prints businesses generate an average of $5.46M per year

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a custom prints business.

Let’s dive in!

Is a custom prints business profitable?

Yes, a custom prints business is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $5.46M per year with an estimated gross margin of 40%, you could expect to recover your investment within 7 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your custom prints business.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your custom prints business is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is a custom prints business worth it?

If you’re wondering if a custom prints business is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With custom prints businesses, you have the potential to earn $5.46M per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $7.9B, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a custom prints business to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful custom prints businesses case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Custom Prints Businesses

Here are a few examples of profitable custom prints businesses, and a few more details about them:

1. Underground Printing ($36M/year)

UGP co-founders Rishi Narayan and Ryan Gregg started their business in 2001 as a t-shirt company called A-1 Screenprinting. They focused on providing exceptional customer service to college students and quickly expanded their production capabilities by acquiring another screen printer, which led to a name change to Underground Printing. They opened their first retail storefront in 2008 and have since grown to 35+ locations nationwide, generating over $1 million in revenue in their first year. Their commitment to customer service and investment in manufacturing and technology has propelled their success.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $36M/year

How I Started A $3M/Month Custom Printed Apparel Company

National custom printing apparel and promotional products provider, Underground Printing, shares their start-up success story which has led them to be ranked amongst Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest-growing companies for three years running, with a customer-centric business model driving strong word-of-mouth promotion.

Read this case study

Read by 9,455 founders

2. Ryteprint ($300K/year)

Olawale Awani, after working in the print industry and facing challenges with long payment terms and price wars, decided to start his own online printing business in Nigeria. By offering upfront payment and focusing on providing excellent customer service, Awani found success and now has an average monthly revenue of $25,000 with a net profit margin of 20%.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $300K/year
How much did it cost to start: $400K

How I Started A $25K/Month Online Printing Business In Nigeria

How a Nigerian-based online printing business servicing over 5,000 active customers generates an average $25,000 monthly revenue and a net profit of 20%, with a monthly order fulfillment of approximately 500 and 45% YoY growth.

Read this case study

Read by 5,158 founders

Learn more about starting a custom prints business:

Where to start?

-> Custom prints business plan
-> How to finance a custom prints business?
-> How much does it cost to start a custom prints business?
-> Pros and cons of a custom prints business

Need inspiration?

-> Other custom prints business success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a custom prints business
-> Custom prints business slogans
-> Custom prints business names

Other resources

-> Custom prints business tips

How much can you make with a custom prints business?

With a custom prints business, you can make an average of $5.46M revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $999. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 7 months.

How much does a custom prints business make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a custom prints business ranges around $114K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $455K.

To know if your custom prints business achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your custom prints business.

How much do custom prints businesses owners make?

The income of a custom prints business owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established custom prints business is about $114K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as a custom prints business owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Custom Prints Business Profit Margins

Generally speaking, a custom prints business can expect profit margin of around 40%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of a custom prints business, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, custom prints business owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, custom prints business owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Custom prints business owner salary

The salary of a custom prints business owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established custom prints business, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $45.5K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a custom prints business may be a promising business to start - but the success of your custom prints business mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable custom prints business.

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Starting A Custom Prints Business: Everything You Need To Know

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