One-man print shop starts with P500 and paint

An order for Sinulog T-shirts for a class reunion set a former draftsman off towards setting up his own printing shop.

Bonifacio Arellano’s Good Prints began with a P500 investment in 2000.

“I used to work in an accessories company as a draftsman, which requires designing and artistry. I was happy with that work but thought that I could do more with my own business,” Arellano told Cebu Daily News.

Arellano started by spending P250 for paint—red, blue, yellow, black and white—and another P250 for green film, silkscreen, wood frames, a rubber squeegee and lacquer thinner.

He accepts orders and prints the designs at home in Escario Street, Cebu City.

For 10 T-shirts with tri-color prints, Arellano charges P1,500. He can print 100 T-shirts a day. Back then, his customers made their own designs.

Then he learned about the “Kapamilya Negosyo Na” project of ABS-CBN television and the University of San Carlos that offered free business training.

Arellano said he attended the seminar so he could pursue his dream of making his own designs.

In the seminar they were taught how to draft proposals and were given individual and group tutorials by businessmen.

“I learned a lot from that. Since I was one of the top 13 in the group, I got cash assistance of P15,000, which I used to start my plans rolling,” Arellano said.

Arellano said he bought more art materials and opaque and embossed paints, which are more expensive than ordinary paints.

In January, Arellano came up with a Sinulog design that a group ordered for their class reunion during the festivities.

Today Arellano works on his own since the business is seasonal. He only hires helpers depending on the volume of orders.

“Last November when I had orders for 500 T-shirts. I had to hire two helpers to deliver on time,” he said.

Arellano has big plans for Good Prints.

He said he wanted it to be as successful as Bisaya Espesyal and Islands Souvenirs but wants to offer religious messages to inspire people.

“I am now talking with church officials in Sacred Heart Parish. They told me that they will build a structure where I can display my products. I hope I can start soon,” he said.

Arellano said his goal to establish his own brand is still far from reach.

But when one has faith and God guiding him every step of the way, he said he will succeed.

“When I started in 2000, I never expected that my P500 would go a long way. Now I want to keep the business going and have a support fund that I can use whenever big orders come in,” said Arellano.