Educate yourself on printing franchise opportunities for beginners if you plan to enter the world of franchises. Determine the ins and outs of the business and learn the industry lingo before making any serious investments.

Finding out which sort of questions to ask and analyzing existing copy shop franchises gives you an edge when it comes to your own business decisions. Getting a basic education pays in the long run as you save time and money by understanding the inner workings of the business. Some ways to obtain an education on printing franchise opportunities for beginners include the following options:

1. Read articles on what's involved in setting up franchises, including print shop franchises.

2. Consult with an expert to determine printing franchise opportunities for beginners.

3. Surf the web for sites targeted toward printing business opportunities.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read articles to learn about investing in a print shop franchise before you take the plunge

Before grabbing at the opportunity to invest in a printing franchise for sale, consider all the aspects you have to deal with once you own a business. Online articles offer insight into the franchising industry and provide education on areas you should question.

I recommend: Suite101.com offers detailed information on starting a franchise. It gives statistics and definitions while outlining pre-purchase considerations. The Bibby Group offers a series of articles for business people interested in starting a franchise. It covers topics such as why franchises fail, relationships, what to watch out for and advantages versus disadvantages.

Garner advice from experts about working with printing franchises

Whether you plan to start your own printing franchise or you want to invest in a pre-existing franchise, consulting with an experts gives you an inside view of the industry. Let an experts guide you in the optimal choice for your printing franchise plans and opportunities.

I recommend: FranNet works with you one on one to determine the best route for starting your own franchise. It takes you through the process from purchasing to education on costs and training and financing options. Guidant Financial Group offers free advice for those seriously interested in learning more about setting up a printing franchise. It also recommends the best printing franchises for investments.

Start with websites that offer printing franchise opportunities

Find prospects for investing in copy shop franchises and printing franchises from websites dedicated to this industry. Learn about opportunities and business strategies for business novices.

I recommend: Find a broad range of copy shop franchise and printing store franchise opportunities from Franchise Direct, a member of the International Franchise Association. Instant Imprints Franchising instructs interested parties on franchising opportunities and logistics. It talks about training and discusses why you might want to invest in a copy shop or printing franchise.

Printing franchise opportunities can satisfy your desire to own a business and simultaneously offer you built-in assistance, guidance and training to help ensure success. Owning a printing franchise puts you in a market set up for success, because so many businesses outsource printing tasks like hard copies of presentations, invitations, booklets, pamphlets, postcards and lengthy written reports intended for distribution. Besides other businesses, your customers will include volunteer groups, nonprofit organizations, clubs and individuals. You will never lack customers for your copy shop franchise or printing franchise.

Most copy or print shop franchises contain multiple revenue streams like signs or banners, print/copy/fax, document finishing, graphics design and pack/ship. Some franchises only offer 1 or 2 of these services; others offer all of them. As you research starting a printing business, keep the following in mind:

1. You must commit to working harder than you probably did in your last job if you want to be a successful printing franchise owner.

2. Protect yourself by hiring a franchise lawyer to review contracts/agreements for available print or copier franchises.

3. Learn about the costs involved in buying a copy shop franchise before leaping in to the franchise fray.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Exercise due diligence when deciding among printing franchise opportunities

If you don't want to fail when starting a copy and/or printing business, you must fully accomplish due diligence to protect yourself and to avoid wasting unnecessary time and money on a franchise that's not right for you. Read all you can find on copy shop franchises and print shop franchises. Talk to current owners of printing franchises that interest you, and talk to their customers as well. Act as your own secret shopper to collect information on a particular franchise.

I recommend: Start your research with the Franchise Aptitude Quiz at Francorp Connect. You can always seek professional guidance in your search for the right printing franchise opportunities. Contact The Franchise Builders for information about consulting services and specific franchise opportunities. Register for free consultation services at FranChoice.

Understand the financial resources required for starting a printing business

Buying a copy shop franchise requires liquid capital, so you need to understand your own current financial situation, all fees and costs associated with buying and owning a franchise and different avenues available for financing your print shop franchise.

I recommend: If you want to get at quick glimpse at the liquid capital required to start specific printing franchises, go to Franchise Gator. Consider the free franchise financial analysis available at FranchiseGiant.com. For increased understanding about finance and accounting issues, register for and take one of the SBA's free online courses.

Consider some of the more popular copy and print shop franchises

As you begin your search for the copy or printing franchise opportunity that best suits your needs, finances and personality, check out some of the more popular ones to start.

I recommend: Visit Minuteman Press to learn more about their philosophy, training, support, required liquid assets, marketing information and more. For a franchise with instant nationwide name recognition, learn more about The UPS Store franchise opportunity that provides copy and document services in addition to pack-and-ship services. Check out the steps to getting an Allegra Network printing franchise. You can also request a free franchise information kit for AlphaGraphics, a business center that provides graphics design, copy and printing services, document finishing and mailing services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In addition to small business loans available through or guaranteed by the SBA and other sources, some copy shop franchises and printing business opportunities offer financial assistance as well.
• •  Adequate and appropriate training by the franchisor will greatly contribute to your success as a copier franchise owner. Make sure you review the training provided in each franchise's Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC). Among other things, the UFOC spells out what and how much training and support the franchisor will provide you.

There has never been a better time to invest in a printing franchise. With industry innovations and technology advancing all the time, new opportunities for printing businesses abound. Owning a printing franchise offers the benefits of brand recognition, standard printing techniques and practices, employee training programs, access to top-notch printing technology, quality assurance and the franchise's invaluable experience and knowledge in the printing industry. Before diving into the world of franchising, first learn the essential printing franchise opportunities key terms.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Printing and imaging franchise

A printing and imaging franchise specializes in full-color and graphics printing for businesses of all sizes. They print things such as signs, brochures, banners and other marketing and advertising tools.

I recommend: Find out more on printing and imaging franchises by reading about one of the largest, Allegra Network.

Print and copy franchise

A print and copy franchise focuses on fast and efficient printing and copying of documents in large quantities. Many also include simple document finishing services like spiral bookbinding.

I recommend: Visit PostNet to find out more information about franchising a print and copy business.

Ink cartridge refill franchise

An ink cartridge refill business refills and re-manufactures ink cartridges for printers. This includes all home, business and industrial printers, fax machines, and copy machines.

I recommend: Visit CartridgeWorldUSA, the website of one of the industry leaders. Learn more about franchising an ink cartridge refill business.

Screen printing franchise

A screen printing franchise uses the screen printing technique to print text, logos, images and designs on everything from t-shirts to signs to mouse pads. These franchises serve single customers, schools, businesses or any other organization.

I recommend: Learn more about a screen printing franchise like Instant Imprints.

Initial investment

The initial investment, initial start-up fee or franchise fee for a printing franchise is the amount of money required up-front to buy the rights to use the printing franchise name. Depending on the franchise, this may include extra things like standard interior decor, employee training, national advertising and marketing.

I recommend: Get a better understanding of what a franchise fee entitles you to at Entrepreneur Media.

Royalty fee

An annual royalty is required by almost all printing franchises to retain the right for continued brand name use. The royalty fees vary amongst printing franchises, but usually ranges between 3 and 12% of annual profits.

I recommend: Read more about paying royalty fees at FranchiseFetch.com.

Copy shop franchises have popped up all over the country, not to mention the entire world. Rather than having to spend thousands of dollars on home office equipment that is cumbersome and bulky, these copy shops house the industrial machines that are perfect when someone is trying to attempt a large-scale project that involves graphics and printing.

Whether you own print shop franchises or you're looking to invest in printing franchise opportunities, it's imperative that you keep up on the latest printing franchise opportunities news and trends so that you can stay ahead of the competition. Here are some quality resources which will allow you to stay ahead of the curve on the information flow of the print shop franchise business.

1. Visit franchise buying websites for news and articles about print shop franchises.

2. Check out websites for franchise expos for printing franchise news and trends.

3. Locate franchise associations which carry news articles about print shop franchises and starting a printing business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Go to websites that sell franchises for news about a printing franchise

Going to a website that provides printing franchise opportunity links is a great way to locate the latest news and trends. This is because these websites that broker the franchises want to provide you enough information so that you'll buy the franchise. The more page views and clicks they receive, the more money they generate. Use their search engines to locate printing business opportunities and read their associated articles.

I recommend: Visit the website for Franchise.com. They have a special section dedicated to "small business news" where you can read articles about franchising inclusive of printing franchises. Simply place "printing" in the search engine. The Franchise Mall also offers articles on the news and trends of their business. Type in "printing franchises" into the search engine and a myriad of articles will appear.

Locate the websites for franchise expositions for more information on printing franchises

There are a multitude of franchise expositions that occur throughout the country and world. Each of their official websites is another great source for information on the news and trends of various franchise businesses including a printing franchise. This is because the exhibitors and companies that are offering franchises want news and information about their brand to hit the marketplace. Subscribe to their newsletters, read their news archives and go to their events for more information on printing franchise opportunities.

I recommend: Visit the website for Franchise Info and go to their events for the latest news on copier franchises and other printing business opportunities. This is a multi-tiered resource where printing franchises exhibit at their shows, and there is also a news archive with articles on printing franchises. Simply search by the appropriate month to find articles. Franchise Works also has a news section as well as hosting franchise expo events from time to time.

Find franchise associations which publish articles on print shop franchises

When it comes to the franchise business, there are several national and international associations which bring people involved in all aspects of the franchise business together. They publish newsletters, hold events and cover 'the business of the franchise business.' Printing franchises are no exception. Search these websites for news and trends about the industry.

I recommend: Visit the website for the International Franchise Association for more information on news and events hitting the franchise printing industry. They have special section dedicated to "news." From there search "printing" or other associated words to locate articles. Also check out the website for The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers. They have a search engine as well which will direct you to your news and events regarding printing franchises.