How Small Print Shops Can Market Their Print Services When Business Is Slow
When business slows down, most small print shops assume the problem is demand. Fewer calls, fewer walk‑ins, and fewer banner or poster orders make it feel like customers simply aren’t buying.
While that is sometimes the case, in many cases, the problem isn’t demand at all. It’s visibility.
Across the country, small print shops already have the equipment and ability to produce profitable wide‑format work. They print posters, banners, boards, and signage every day. But most customers walking through their doors have no idea those services are available. If printing is hidden in the back of the store or only mentioned when someone asks, it may as well not exist.
The fastest way to grow print revenue usually starts inside your own store. When customers see large posters on the wall, foam board signs near the counter, or a simple sign that says “Posters, Banners & Signs Printed Here,” it changes the conversation. Instead of you trying to sell printing, customers begin asking about it on their own. Seasonal samples — graduations, school events, real estate, holidays — work especially well because they show real uses that customers recognize immediately.
Some of the best print opportunities also come from customers you already serve. Many people shipping packages are sending materials for events, trade shows, construction sites, real estate listings, or school projects. A short, friendly question about what the shipment is for often opens the door to suggesting posters or banners without sounding like a sales pitch. Shops that train their staff to notice these moments regularly turn everyday traffic into new print business.
Beyond walk‑in customers, steady growth usually comes from local relationships. Schools, sports teams, realtors, contractors, churches, and event planners all order signage repeatedly throughout the year. These customers value fast turnaround and reliable quality more than the lowest possible price. A simple introduction, a price-sheet drop‑off, or a first‑order discount often leads to repeat work that lasts for years.
Many shops make things harder than they need to by trying to offer too much. The most profitable operations usually focus on a small group of high‑demand products like posters, banners, foam board signs, and window graphics. These items are easy to explain, simple to price, and efficient to produce. Mastering a few repeatable products almost always generates more revenue than trying to sell everything to everyone.
Making ordering easy is just as important as attracting customers. Clear standard sizes, straightforward pricing, simple file guidelines, and common materials kept in stock remove friction from the process. When customers know exactly what to order and how quickly it will be ready, they are far more likely to come back.
Speed and consistency become powerful marketing tools on their own. Being able to offer same‑day or next‑day turnaround, print work in‑house, and deliver consistent color with either Epson or Canon large format printers builds confidence and loyalty. Online printers may compete on price, but very few can match local service and fast delivery. And with either the Canon or
At Midwest Inkjet, we work with hundreds of small print and retail shipping shops across the country. The most successful ones are not the ones spending the most on advertising. They are the ones who make printing visible, keep their workflows simple, focus on a few profitable products, and rely on equipment and media they trust.
Slow periods are not always a sign that demand is disappearing. Often, they are simply a sign that customers do not yet know what you can do. With better visibility, stronger local connections, and a reliable production workflow, wide‑format printing can become one of the most consistent growth engines in a small shop.
If you ever want ideas on profitable products, media recommendations, or ways to streamline your workflow, we’re always happy to help you turn slow periods into steady print business.
