Digital Imaging Service

A digital imaging services transfers personalized images onto any gift item imaginable from T-Shirts to mugs and buttons. Such services offer on site photography or transfer existing images. The mall isn’t the only place you might run into one today, choose between running yours as a vendor or entirely online. You’ll typically be responsible for everything including marketing, photography, image transfer and sales.

Before The Start-Up – Let’s Not Get Ahead Of Ourselves

When starting a digital imaging service you’ll need to decide between a franchise or independent start-up. Little or no expertise is required for the franchise option as training is usually provided. If you decide to open an independent service you’ll need digital photography, printing, scanning and general computing experience.

The Start-Up

Depending on which option you choose be prepared for a start-up of between $15,000 and $35,000 (USD). If you decide to open an independent service you’ll need to decide between opening a kiosk in a high traffic area such as a shopping mall, opening an online specific service or some combination of the two. For a kiosk you’ll need to purchase a mobile stall, computer, printer and scanner as well as specialist transfer equipment.

If you decide to operate an online service a website will be the centre of your business. Get a web design firm to build you an appealing yet very easy to use website with an effective content management system that will allow you to receive photos and process orders. Your online service is best run as a fully fledged e-commerce store with credit card facilities. Read the Work Pad’s article on being an Online Retailer as a supplement to this article.

Making It Work

Prepare yourself for significant quiet periods and non stop work during peak seasons such as Christmas. Save on overheads by closing your kiosk during the quietest periods. If you run an online service consider scaling back your marketing efforts during these periods.

Marketing

For a kiosk based digital imaging service, location is marketing. Put all of your efforts into scouting and landing the best possible location. Keep in mind that gift buying is highly seasonal and optimal locations will usually change season by season.

An online service has a far different marketing challenge. As with most online businesses we recommend a small pay per click campaign to effectively market your website. Google’s AdWords and Yahoo’s Overture are the most popular of these services.

Don’t Forget

Some locations such as shopping malls will charge a rental fee for using their location; don’t forget to factor this in when deciding where to base your kiosk.