Printing Services Broker Business Plan: the Ultimate Guide for 2024

7 min readJun 21, 2023

Last Updated: 12/17/2023

Are you thinking about becoming a printing services broker? As a printing services broker, your job will be to connect printing companies with clients who need printing services. This can be a great way to make a living and provide a valuable service to businesses and individuals. However, before you get started, you’ll need to create a solid business plan. A good business plan is key for any successful business, and it’s especially important for the printing industry. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to write a comprehensive business plan for a printing services broker in 2023. We’ll cover the most important parts of a business plan and give you tips and examples to help you get started.

Why is a Printing Services Broker Business Plan So Important?

If you want to start a business in the printing industry, you absolutely must put together a detailed business plan. A business plan will give your company direction and structure, help you set goals, and show potential investors what your business is all about.

Without a well-thought-out business plan, you’ll struggle to successfully start a printing services broker business. Your business plan should include an in-depth market analysis, a step-by-step plan of action, and financial forecasts for your company’s future. You should also describe the services you offer, how your business will operate, and what gives you a competitive advantage.

Your printing services broker business plan is your roadmap to success, so it’s critical to make sure it’s as comprehensive and accurate as possible. Doing so will give your business the best shot at making it in an increasingly competitive market.

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How to Write a Printing Services Broker Business Plan

A solid business plan is a must for any new business, especially a printing services broker. Putting together a good plan can seem overwhelming, but with the right help, you can create a plan that will set you up for success. Here are the key parts of a business plan for a printing services broker:

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary is the first part of your printing services broker business plan. It should briefly summarize your company, services, and mission.

The executive summary should cover:

● A quick overview of your business concept

● A description of the services you offer

● A summary of your target market

● A description of the competition

● A short summary of your financial forecasts

The executive summary should be concise but give potential investors enough info to make an informed decision about your business plan.

It should also clearly state your company’s goals, priorities, and competitive advantages.

Finally, it should briefly summarize your action plan for achieving your goals and priorities.

2. Company Description

This is where you fully introduce your company in the business plan. Start by including your business name, location, contact info, owner details, and the owner’s experience.

The second part of the company description should cover the legal structure of your business and your short-term and long-term goals. Also include a quick market analysis showing you understand trends in the printing industry and why your business will succeed. Describe the services your company will offer, e.g. printing, graphic design, web design, or related services. Discuss how your services will stand out from competitors.

3. Market Analysis

A key part of any successful printing services broker business plan is a thorough market analysis. This should include an overview of the industry, an in-depth assessment of your target market, an analysis of competitors, and an evaluation of opportunities and threats affecting the industry.

3.1 Industry Analysis

The printing services broker industry includes service providers who act as middlemen between printing clients and printing companies. The industry is booming, and the number of printing services brokers is expected to increase in the coming years.

3.2 Target Market Analysis

The target market for printing services brokers usually includes small and mid-size businesses that need printing services. These businesses could be in any industry, from retail to professional services. It’s important to understand their needs and how you can meet them.

3.3 Competition Analysis

Competition in the printing services broker industry can vary a lot depending on the area. It’s important to know who your competitors are, what services they offer, and how they differ from you. This will help you develop a plan to stand out.

4. Services Offered

Once you’ve decided what printing services you want to provide, you need to list the services you’ll offer and explain how you’ll provide them. Think of the services as the “products and services” part of your business plan.

Start by listing all the services you could offer, e.g. business cards, postcards, flyers, brochures, booklets, etc. Also include related services like graphic design, logo design, web design, etc.

Describe your printing process, including materials, timelines, and quality. Mention any rush or custom services you offer. Include additional services like mailing or shipping. This will give potential clients a better idea of what to expect.

5. Business Model

Your business model is the foundation of your printing services broker business plan. It’s critical to determine the best structure for your business’s success.

First, choose a business entity like sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or corporation. Each has pros and cons, so consider what’s right for your business.

Decide which services you’ll offer and how you’ll price them. Factor in the costs of each job to determine fair pricing. Also consider if you want to focus on certain types of printing or serve any customer.

Determine how you’ll market your services. Consider traditional advertising vs digital marketing. Will you offer volume discounts? Have a website and social media presence? Consider all this before writing your plan.

6. Pricing Strategy

Your printing services broker business plan should include a pricing strategy with service costs and what you’ll charge clients. Start by listing each service and its associated cost.

Consider what competitors charge for similar services. Your prices should be competitive and reflect your quality. Charge more for higher quality. Charge less for lower quality.

Consider any discounts or special offers for clients. This could attract customers over competitors. Remember additional fees like delivery or setup charges. Include all this in your pricing strategy.

7. Suppliers

Reliable suppliers are key to your printing services business’s success. Research different suppliers to find the most reliable, certified, and cost-effective options. Building relationships with suppliers is also important. If they know you, they can provide better service.

In your business plan, include a section on suppliers. List:

● Suppliers’ names and contact info

● Products they supply

● Certifications

● Services offered

● Turnaround times

● Pricing

● Delivery methods

● Payment terms

Thorough research and reliable suppliers will ensure your business is equipped to serve clients well.

8. Advertising and Promotion

For advertising and promotion, consider the best way to reach your target clients. Determine your message and how to convey it. For small businesses, consider local print ads. For large corporations, consider digital ads and social media campaigns.

Marketing materials are also important. Consider creating brochures, business cards, etc. Factor in the cost of creating and distributing these materials in your business plan.

Include an advertising and promotion budget. This will give investors a better sense of your future spending.

9. Financial Plan

A financial plan is crucial for a printing services broker business. Without it, you won’t know where money is coming and going or how much to invest in the business.

Create a budget showing income, expenses, debt, and cash flow. Look for ways to cut costs and boost revenue, e.g. partnering with other brokers or offering client discounts. This will maximize profits and help you stay on top of market changes.

Factor in the cost of outsourced services like printing or shipping. Include these costs in your budget and financial plan.

10. Exit Strategy

The exit strategy section of your plan should explain how and when you intend to leave the business. Explain if you plan to keep running the business, sell it, or transfer ownership.

If selling or transferring ownership, the plan should outline how to attract buyers or investors through ads, industry events, networking, etc.

Include details on valuing the business, e.g. current worth, projected sale worth, other factors. This will guide potential buyers on your asking price.

Finally, include a timeline for exiting the business. This will give potential investors an idea of when they could take over.