If you’re running a print shop and still trying to be everything to everyone, you might be burning yourself out and leaving money on the table. That’s not just my take—it’s the real-world lesson from Leah Grubb of Green Bolt Printing. She’s proving that a printing niche is the key to efficiency, profitability, and sanity. In a recent episode of Let’s Get Printing, hosted by Zach Dewhurst, Business Development Manager at DecoNetwork, Leah dropped some serious knowledge bombs about why focusing on a niche isn’t just a good idea—it’s a game changer.
Why Your Business Needs A Printing Niche
Too many print shop owners get caught in the trap of trying to serve everyone—from schools to corporate clients, sports teams, hospitals, and random one-off orders. It’s chaotic, inefficient, and, let’s be real, exhausting. Leah knows this firsthand. Before she locked in her niche, she was running herself ragged trying to serve everyone under the sun.
Then she honed in on the automotive repair industry—a field she already knew from experience. That familiarity gave her an instant advantage: she spoke their language, understood their pain points, and could predict their needs better than some rando print shop that just slaps logos on T-shirts.
Focusing on one industry means:
- Better communication: You get what they need, and they don’t have to explain it.
- Faster workflow: No more reinventing the wheel for every new client.
- More repeat business: Clients stick with you when you “get” them.
- Higher profits: You become the go-to expert in that industry.
The result? Less stress, more efficiency, and a business model that actually scales.
Online Stores Are Your Secret Weapon Your Printing Niche
If you’re in the print game and not using branded online stores, you’re missing out. Leah’s approach isn’t about flashy storefronts for random customers—she builds ordering portals for businesses that need apparel and promo products on demand.
Why does this work? Because businesses don’t want the hassle of tracking sizes, storing inventory, or chasing down employees for shirt orders. They want a streamlined process. Leah sets up custom portals for each client, so their employees can hop on, place an order, and boom—it’s done. No more three-page emails with size charts, no more back-and-forth headaches.
And the best part? DecoNetwork makes it ridiculously easy to set up and manage these portals. Shops can automate orders, keep everything organized, and scale without adding chaos to their workflow.
This is the future of custom apparel—not one-off orders, but frictionless systems that lock clients in long-term.
How To Price Smart And Work Smarter (Not Harder)
A lot of decorators get caught up in bulk pricing vs. on-demand pricing. Here’s the reality: on-demand orders are usually way more profitable than big bulk runs. Leah has cracked the code by balancing contract work with single-piece orders, ensuring that her shop stays busy without the massive upfront investment or risk.
- Bulk orders? Contract them out when needed.
- On-demand orders? Price them right and make bank.
- Promo products? Partner with trusted suppliers.
The takeaway? You don’t have to do it all yourself. Print shops that leverage outsourcing, automation, and strategic pricing are the ones that scale without burning out.
Focus, Automate, Dominate Your Printing Niche
At the end of the day, Leah’s success isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter. She locked in a niche, built an efficient ordering system with DecoNetwork, and mastered pricing strategies that maximize profitability. So, if you’re still juggling a million different customer types, it’s time to rethink your approach. Pick a niche, streamline your systems, and start building a business that runs like a well-oiled machine.
For more insights like this, check out all the Let’s Get Printing episodes on YouTube.
