How to start a calling card business?

I've been doing some research but still have not found a question to my answer. I'm looking to start a calling card business. I want to produce my own calling cards and sell them to. Any ideas?

How to start a calling card business?
We own a small comercial printing company. If you want to act as a broker, you can hook up with one of these companies: 4over, Carlson Craft Business Solutions, Business Cards Tommorrow. All have web sites that are easy to find with a search. You will need to invest in a decent computer and desktop publishing software such as Corel Draw, Quark Express, or In Design to do the typesetting. You most definately will need to broaden your scope of product coverage from just business cards to also include envelopes, letterheads, forms, brochures, flyers etc. It would be helpful if you are a creative person, but if not, it won't take long to get a good working knowledge of the of basic layout and design. All of the wholesalers I mentioned above have sales kits with printed samples and ordering over the internet. They also have comprehensive pricing tools so you will not have to "fumble" around trying to price your customer. You can go to my web addy at impressiveinkprinting.com to get an idea of product offerings and street pricing.


As far as producing them yourself, you must have a really, really, really good color laser copier that has a RIP (Raster Image Processor) which is also has an interface so that it will act as a printer for your computer. People get by with less, but their quality is the pits. You will need a business card slitter. I print cards 12 up, some people print them 10 up. Your slitter choice needs to accomodate one or the other. There is quite a bit more to learn....but this will get ya started!


Good luck!! Hope this helps ya!