Doing prepress work on the side

[Graphicguy911]

Hello everyone~

I’m a experienced production artist who is currently brainstorming a few ideas to do freelance work on the side. I have a few questions about the idea of doing prepress work for printing brokers, and small print shops.

Here is my plan:
• Without paying expensive rate to a graphic designer, I’m able to convert any desktop publishing soft ware such MS word, Excel, Publisher to a printer acceptable format.
• Re-position design elements to fit within the printable area and create bleed.
• Implement custom trapping, create die lines, foil stamp.
• Printer layout for book, envelope conversion.
• Typesetting
• Very fast turnaround

And my questions are:
1. Have you ever paid for a service like this?
2. What’s your typical budget for these types of project?
3. How high of a priority is this to you?
4. What factors are the most/least important to you when deciding whom to hire?
5. What has been your biggest frustration with service provide in the past?
6. What would you do if you were me?

Any advice is appreciated!