Printing Broker

For those who are inexperienced in the world of printing and publishing, a printing broker can be a godsend. Relying on an extensive background in printing sales, a printing broker can actually save the client hundreds or thousands of dollars in printing costs by shopping for the best (and most current) rates. The broker does not work for one specific printer, but represents all of them, in a sense, because he or she will offer a client the best going rate without sacrifi cing quality. Clients could be anyone from advertising agencies to community newspapers and book publishers. To be successful, you’ll need to have a natural sales ability and the technical know-how to get printing jobs accomplished. You’re servicing two sides here: the customer who needs a brochure or book printed and the printing house. If ink is in your blood, this could be a terrific opportunity for you.


Your start-up costs are only $1,000 to $3,000, because you’ll only need to have a basic office setup and some advertising to get things off the ground. With a printing background, complete with contacts, and some heavy shoe action, you could make $35,000 to $50,000 per year, especially if you can build a solid reputation with documented savings for your clients.


Your contacts will make or break you in this business; always be honest and reputable, and you’ll reap the benefits threefold. Why threefold? Because your satisfied clients will tell at least two other contacts about your services and how much money you saved them. On the sour side, you could wind up spending a lot of your own time trying to negotiate deals that don’t materialize. And that means you’ll have to eat the related costs.


Approx. cost of start-up: $1,000 to $3,000


Approx. potential earnings: $35,000 to $50,000


Typical fees: 10 to 15 percent commission on sales


Where to promote: Yellow Pages, trade publications, direct mail, cold calls, referrals


Qualifications:Printing sales background


Things needed: Cell phone, computer, printer, fax, copier


Required staff: No


Hidden costs: Insurance, mileage