Dorkface

If you love crafts you’ve probably thought about making it into a small business once or twice. Whether you’re a painter, knitter or general DIY-er, starting a side business based on your hobby is a great idea. But if you don’t already have a printer, you might be wondering whether you need to invest in one to get set up.

While a printer isn’t essential to start a crafts business, it can be really useful. This blog will run through some of the reasons why it’s worth the investment. Make sure you stock up on canon pixma ts3100 ink before setting up shop though – you don’t want to keep your customers waiting!

Creating products

If you’re selling prints, cards or bookmarks, you’ll be able to make them all in your own home. There are lots of companies that will do this for you, but it may be more expensive. You’ll also have to buy in bulk, which can be an issue if sales don’t go quite as planned. What’s more, you won’t be able to put your own personal spin on the process or quality check the final result. Printing your own products is an incredibly rewarding experience and, while it might take some trial and error, it will be the best way to build your brand in the long run. Remember, if you are printing products, you’re going to want to invest in a quality machine and paper.

Shipping labels

Once business picks up you’ll probably struggle to write out every shipping label by hand. It’s much easier to print off a prepaid label and stick it to the front of your parcels. Not only is writing addresses time consuming, but it also leaves room for lots of mistakes and means you’ll have to pay for postage at the post office. This can be incredibly chaotic for both you and the staff, especially if you have a lot of orders with you and there’s a queue of people waiting behind you.

Invoices

Similarly to shipping labels, invoices are one of those essential parts of running a business that nobody thinks about. While you will send your customers an e-mail invoice, it’s always good to include a paper invoice with each person’s order to remind them of exactly what’s inside and how much it cost. There’s really no efficient way of including this without your own printer.

Flyers

If your business is a local one, then you can use your printer to create leaflets that you put through letterboxes. You might be able to join in with a craft fair or sell your crafts to local shops – but advertising your business is key. Printing your own flyers is a great way to launch a small-scale marketing campaign without investing too much money.

Get your printer today

A printer is a small price to pay for the amazing experience that you’ll have by launching your own small business. Invest in a machine that suits your needs as soon as possible.