5 Photo Printing Business Success Stories [2024]
Are you keen on preserving moments and keen on business? Here's an idea for you: a photo printing service. This business centers around printing digital images onto physical mediums - think high-quality paper photos, canvas prints, or personalized photo gifts.
In today's digital age, there's a certain charm to physical photographs, creating a tangible memory people can hold on to. You'll be offering customers a nostalgia-inducing service, bringing their shots to life and enabling them to cherish these moments eternally. Strategizing your business for both online and physical interactions will expand your reach to photo enthusiasts far and near.
Entering the photo printing business might also tap into your creative side, allowing you to experiment with different materials and styles. With the right marketing approach and high-quality service, this business idea could be a profitable venture that allows you to combine passion with profit.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a photo printing business:
1. CanvasChamp ($18M/year)
Jainam Shah came up with the idea for CanvasChamp when his father expressed a desire to frame their favorite family photos in a more artistic way. Shah noticed a gap in the market for high-quality but affordable personalized products and decided to focus on delivering premium products at lower prices. Since its launch in 2012, CanvasChamp has expanded its product range and generates over $1.5 million in monthly revenue.
How much they make: $18M/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 180
CanvasChamp, a custom photo products company founded in 2012, has grown to offer 60+ personalized photo gift products with revenue of 1.5m$+/mo through SEO and successful digital marketing strategies.
2. The Canvas Works ($420K/year)
Patrick Ryan, the founder of The Canvas Works, came up with the idea for his business during the beginning of the digital photography revolution. With a background in advertising, Ryan saw the potential for personalized print products and started the company to cater to the growing demand. Despite facing challenges in scalability and competition, The Canvas Works has grown steadily and is now expanding internationally.
How much they make: $420K/year
Current team size: 5
The Canvas Works, a small, independent photo printing website based in County Cork that specialises in canvas and framed prints, has launched sites in the UK and US and will soon roll out native apps on iOS and Android; founder Patrick Ryan says the Irish company, which has focused exclusively on the domestic market until now, is earning a monthly income of up to $50,000, with "great potential" for growth.
So... can you actually make money with a photo printing business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. CandidShutters ($329K/year)
Pranjal, the co-founder of CandidShutters, came up with the idea for the business after realizing that couples and their families longed for a tangible keepsake of their wedding moments. With a passion for photography and filmmaking, Pranjal saw the opportunity to create custom-designed handcrafted photo albums that would bring these memories to life. Since launching in 2018, CandidShutters has become known for its personalized albums, catering to over a hundred customers monthly through a strong organic presence and word of mouth.
How much they make: $329K/year
Current team size: 22
CandidShutters co-founder Pranjal started an online-only, profitable business in 2018 creating custom-designed handcrafted photo albums that currently averages over 100 albums per month, serving couples and families seeking to create memorable keepsakes.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
