Often customers enter the world of large format printing with a specific idea in mind.
Some customers already have an established business in a parallel industry such as screen printing.
Some customers have been thinking about purchasing a large format printer to fill what they view as a void in the market, locally or nationally.
Other customers don't really know what they want to use their printer for, they just know that if they had one they could find a way to make money with it.
The first two groups of potential customers have an advantage over the third group.
They are trying to focus their efforts on a specific niche within the industry.
They know they are going to use the printer primarily for vehicle wraps or banners, for stickers, heat transfers, etc.
However they choose to use their printer, they at least have an idea before they purchase their printer what it's going to be used for.
More often than not however, the limitless possibilities of what their large format printer can do are only seen months after they've been using it.
This is when the customer begins to get overwhelmed by possibilities.
If he or she is not careful this could be the turning point between starting a successful business or starting a business doomed from the beginning.
Many new customers will routinely call Advanced Color Solutions with requests for "exotic" materials.
These materials usually have limited uses and the customer feels they need these materials to fill an order from one of their clients.
An example would be they received an order for stickers from a customer who wants to put their logo in the lobby of their business.
The customer calls requesting a price on a specialty wall graphics material.
While this material would serve that purpose, the chances of most new sign shops using this material again is not likely.
Depending on how many stickers this customer will produce from this one order, and thus how much of the material they will actually use, ordering a specialty Wall Graphic Vinyl may turn out to be a waste of money and material simply to fill this one order.
If the customer is standardizing on materials that satisfies a variety of applications it is possible to save the cost of a full roll of exotic media.
In this case a calendered wrap vinyl with inexpensive overlaminate would be a good substitute and while not inexpensive could save hundreds in unused inventory over time.
While this example is relatively simple, this scenario and others occur more frequently than people realize.
There are hundreds of different materials available for most large format printers.
Each material offers it's own advantages and disadvantages.
How thick is the material? Glossy or matte? Is the adhesive permanent or repositionable? With so many combinations this expands the amount of possibilities exponentially.
New customers are easily amazed by what can be done with a large format printer or printer/cutter.
Customers that have not spent time trying to focus their business on a core product or service will end up spending more money on specific materials used for one or two orders.
It's understandable that with a large investment you want to start making a return on that investment right away.
However you need to be smart about what jobs you decide to take.
Don't talk yourself into buying material that you think you might use again someday in the future.
If you really don't see this material being part of your core products or services it may be best to contact your equipment reseller for expert advice.
Resellers have different levels of experience but a quality dealer should be able to advise you on what to carry to make your shop more flexible and profitable.
At Advanced Color Solutions we pride ourselves on recommending stock materials that provide this kind of flexibility.
Here are a few tips to avoiding frustration and purchasing needless materials.
Stick to the basics.
Most sign shops should have no more than two types of banner material, a smooth and a scrim for indoor and outdoor use respectively.
Try to stock 2-3 types of adhesive vinyl of varying thicknesses, finishes (matte or glossy) and adhesive types.
Depending on what your core products and services are this may be all you really need to start.
If you do heat transfers consider two types of printable heat transfer material, one intended for light shirts, the other for dark shirts.
Remember most of all that most of your customers only have an idea what they want.
They are not the experts at making stickers, banners, posters, etc...
you are.
Take control of the situation between you and your customer and give your advice for the best way to accomplish what they are asking for.
This allows you to better control what materials are going to be used - preferably ones you already have in stock.
Possibly, the worst thing you can do starting your business is spending too much startup capital on materials that you don't use regularly.