Letterpress and Foil Printing: Should you DIY or Outsource?

If you are curious about learning letterpress or foil printing, it’s important to consider the advantages and challenges.

You can absolutely learn both letterpress and foil and start in-house printing anything from greeting cards to wedding invitations to art prints.

However, depending on your business and personal preferences, it may be wiser to outsource your printing.

It’s crucial to carefully consider what aligns best with your goals and passions, as this will guide your decision-making process.

In-house printing gives you greater control, faster turnaround times, and the satisfaction of seeing your ideas brought to life from start to finish.

But it also requires a significant investment in equipment, time, and space.

When I graduated college, I got a job in advertising. I was so excited about the job stability, routine, and happy hours with coworkers.

But it didn’t take long to realize that this path wouldn’t work for me in the long run.

I was in a cubicle, staring at a computer screen, all day.

And while many of my classmates in design school loved working at their computers and could do so literally all night long, that was never the case for me.

I craved stepping away from screens and working with my hands.

Here’s the thing: most of us start our businesses to escape the 9-to-5 grind, avoid corporate burnout, and find something that brings us joy and fulfillment.

So, the most critical question to ask yourself if you’re considering in-house printing is this:

Will it make you happy?

Do you love digital work?

Do you thrive on setting up systems, workflows, and creating designs for as many clients as possible?

Then, outsourcing your printing might be the best route. Let the experts handle the production while you concentrate on what you enjoy most.

Or…

Do you desire to step away from the computer?

To create tangible items with your hands, get messy, and experiment with various creative ideas?

Then you should definitely learn to print!

Because the truth is, printing is not for the faint of heart.

It’s a significant upfront investment in both time and money, and it’s something you should pursue only if you’re genuinely passionate about it.

Yes, bringing printing in-house can save you some costs in the long run, but I firmly believe that time is money—and in-house printing will consume a lot of your time.

Key points to consider:

Is it a yes? Here’s some tips to make it work:

If you are like me and in-house printing is a “hell yes, I must do this”, here are some little tips to make it work!

1. Outsource non-printing tasks

   1. Printing takes time, so I highly recommend getting help with other parts of your business (specifically ones you don’t enjoy). Here are some ideas: an accountant, virtual assistant, graphic designer, Pinterest and blog manager, production assistant, or digital printer. Outsourcing these things allows me to spend more time on what I love: printing!

2. Beginners: Take a course!

   1. I might be biased since I offer these courses, but taking an online course can save you a ton of time. It’s a smart investment in yourself because courses will cover everything you need to know, giving you a solid foundation without the hassle of figuring it out on your own.

3. Start small

   1. If you’re starting out, I wouldn’t recommend rushing into a studio space lease or agreeing to turn around 300 invitations for a client next week. Find a small, tabletop press to learn with that you can set up in your home. Start with some fun projects for friends and work your way up as you get more familiar with the process.

4. Have a system

   1. If you are doing invitations like me, you must get a CRM system! I have used Dubsado for years and its’s a game-changer. You can automate your entire process with canned emails, templates, forms, and workflows. It will save you so much time in the long run. (PS: that link gets you 20% off your first year)

In Conclusion

Deciding whether to bring printing in-house will be more emotional than logical. Follow your gut.

If the idea of learning foil or letterpress lights you up inside, you have to try it! If you love hands-on creativity, experimenting, and problem-solving, in-house printing can be incredibly rewarding.

On the other hand, outsourcing may be ideal if you thrive on efficiency, enjoy digital work, and prefer to focus on client management and a more fast-paced environment.

Ultimately, the choice should reflect what brings you the most fulfillment and supports your creative goals.