‘Learn the ropes or burn your fingers if going into printing’

For over 10 years, Mr. David Olatundun had been into printing and consultancy services. Olatundun, who runs Dasko Ventures, a printing and consultancy outfit told National Wire that though printing business is lucrative, one must not dabble into it without learning the ropes.

The Ogba, Lagos based printer itemised the various printing hubs in Lagos, the chief of which is Somolu. “If you look at printing in Lagos for instance, Somolu tops the list of the various printing centres. Next to Somolu is Mushin then Ogba before you talk of Iyana Ipaja and Agege.”

The printer however stated that there are numerous challenges in the business. “There are so many challenges, you will notice that the money in circulation is not circulating as expected so there is rationing,” he said, continuing that, “Customers would now tell printers to hold on before they bring jobs. There is no money, so the job is not like before, it is not flowing like it used to.”

Olatundun also noted the advent of Direct Imaging (DI) machine which is already taking over printing operations from the traditional printing method. “There is advancement in technology which is also a factor. You want someone to deliver as fast as possible but with the traditional printing system the person cannot deliver as much. In 24 hours you can deliver a lot with DI and it is neat and easy,” he explained.

He also explained how competition in the printing industry is influencing the business. “There is also competition in the industry which is healthy. You would observe that sellers of printing accessories and printers always cluster in any printing area,” he pointed, explaining further that, “We have to cluster in order to service ourselves. You want paper, ink or any other material, if they are far away it will affect delivery. The competition is good, if you can’t get a job done somewhere you move to another place. It is healthy. The competition is good for us and that is how we work together, it is never a disadvantage.”

On the future of the printing industry in Nigeria, Olatundun who has observed the trend in the past ten years in his forecast said, “The old ways will give way because technology is taking over. Printing is challenging but people will always print. There is no choice, people now print their little things like invoice by themselves using personal computer printers.”

He also noted that the social media is encroaching into the profit margin of printing business. “The internet has greatly enhanced our work and the social media is now competing as well.

He however advised people interested in the trade to learn the rudiments before investing. “In my own case, I learnt on the job, I have been in it for over ten years now and learnt a lot. It is a very lucrative business and capital intensive, but it is worth investing in,” he said, advising that, “People who want to go into printing should learn the ropes and do their homework. They have to seek advice because they can burn their fingers if they rush into it.”