Print Shops in my country

[Sdrita]

Hi, I am a graphic designer currently without a job and thinking in going solo as a freelancer. These past six years I have been working in different ad agencies (more like design firms to me) but they went out of business. The only thing that holds me back to work only as a freelancer is that people go to print shops and have them do the design bc its easier for them, they dont have to worry where to go to print. Everything is in one place. sounds fair. So my family tells me to put a print shop but the problem is that I have no experience in the printing business. I know about colors, formats, design, layouts, design softwares...all design stuff. They insist saying it is only a machine. What motivates me to put a print shop is that print shop here have no idea when it comes to design, I have seen their work, I could offer awesome designs. Print shop here only use photoshop...or sometimes photoshop and corel draw (which corel draw is a little bit old now) I once had them print a multiple page calendar done in Indesign and they were opening page by page in photoshop (I had save one as pdf jest in case they didn't have indesign) Others would open it adobe acrobat. And the printing didn't come nice and high quality. I don't know why the print came out like foggy or scratched. they didn't know how to fix it (yeah, and they are the experts). All print shops here have PCs. I haven't found one that use Macs (maybe this is not that important) If I would startt a print shop I would offer other type of printing like for instance, printing digital art or large formats...should I use a high end inkjet for this? anyway, I am not sure what exactly I am looking for. Maybe i just need to hear a wise word or motivational word from the experts. whether I should go as a freelancer and stick to this or include printing and learn the business as I go.

 

[Yoga]

Where is this?

 

[Sdrita]

: ) I didn't really want to mention the country just bc i love my country. But I guess it is in my profile. It's Honduras. why do you ask? curiosity?

 

[Yoga]

Nothing but that...

Anyways, could you provide me a link to your portfolio?

Thanks

 

[prepressguru]

Sounds to me like the print shops in your country or area might lack the true skill to get great results. Or it could be the ones you have been dealing with.
People have the miss conception graphic design and printing are sometimes one and the same. They are part of a bigger process of creating printed work. But they both are different sets of skills. If you are having trouble understand why a printed piece doesn't look right then you would have to learn more about the process's involved. At the same time if the competition is lacking skill this could be a great opportunity to setup shop and provide great quality products.

Just some thoughts.

p

 

[Francois]

I would say this: graphic design and creativity certainely require more skills. Printing on paper is fairly streight forward, but don't think it is that easy. You can run into all kind of production problems. The ideal would be to find another couple of people that want to start a business in printing and you bring your design expertise an creativity. It also demands a minimal financial investment and time commitment to your new business. I am not a printer. I have helped printers for 20 years with their machines and technical problems. But I have seen and understand what is involved in running that kind of business.
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