How to Start a Promotional Design Company

Every business uses some type of promotional products like pens, coffee mugs, caps and calendars to get their contact information in front of their clients.  You may find it interesting to create these products yourself and thus be wondering how to start a promotional design company of your own.

1. Join ASI (the Advertising Specialty Institute).  This is the only way in which you will be able to order items for your customers directly from vendors.  Unfortunately, you will have to pay $1,000 a year for your membership but anyone who is serious about making good money will easily be able to cover this fee.  You will also get 50 percent off of everything that you order from ad specialty companies.


2. Collect a lot of samples and catalogues from ASI vendors.  These are free to both new and existing members.  You will want to have these available to show your potential customers.


3. Create a nice portfolio to show off what you can do whenever it comes to designing your customers’ promotions.  While larger ad specialty shops will usually have an artist or designer on staff, whenever you are getting started you will have to do all your own designs until you earn enough to be able to cover their wages.  Your portfolio will prove to your customers that you can make a good, creative first impression.


4. Contact a professional artist.  It will be good to have him available to work on any special jobs you may have.  You will find that a lot of commercial artists work freelance so you will be able to use their spec samples whenever you land a big client.


5. Continue learning the business.  You may even want to spend a year working for a larger ad specialty firm before starting your own promotional design company.  If you choose to go this route, make sure you don’t sign a non-compete contract.  This will enable you to start your own company right away whenever the year is over and you stop working for that company.