At Presentation Systems Inc. (PSI), we believe that education isn’t just about lessons in a textbook—it’s about real-world experiences that inspire, engage, and prepare students for the future. That belief is what has driven us since 1989, when we started as a local company with a neighborhood attitude, committed to providing high-quality large-format printer solutions to schools and organizations.

Simply put, PSI is all about good products and great people who care. We’ve built relationships with educators from the beginning, offering exceptional customer service, hands-on training, and innovative solutions to meet their needs. Over time, we’ve expanded our reach, with over 3,300 of our printers now in schools across the country, helping educators and students create posters, banners, signs, certificates, and so much more.

One of the best examples of this mission in action is our Student Entrepreneur Program (STEP)—a hands-on, project-based learning experience that teaches students business, financial literacy, marketing, and leadership skills through real-world entrepreneurship. But STEP didn’t start as a structured program—it began as a simple idea that grew into something bigger.

What is STEP?

The Student Entrepreneur Program (STEP) is more than just a classroom activity—it’s an opportunity for students to build, manage, and operate their own business within their school community using PSI’s ecolor+ Poster Printer System.

At its core, STEP empowers students with real-world business and leadership skills. It provides everything schools need to set up a student-run business, allowing students to:

✔ Learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship

✔ Gain hands-on experience in financial literacy, marketing, and customer service

✔ Foster creativity and problem-solving through graphic design

✔ Build teamwork and leadership skills in a collaborative environment

With project-based learning at its core, STEP helps students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills while also strengthening their confidence as young entrepreneurs.

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The Origin of STEP: How One School Inspired a Whole Program

In the spring of 2019, we heard about an incredible success story from a school in New Jersey. The students there had built a thriving business using PSI’s ecolor+ Poster Printer, acting as the printing resource for their district and even offering printing services to local businesses and organizations in their small town.

We were so intrigued that we visited the school to see this student-run business in action. What we found was a powerful model for hands-on learning—students working together to create, market, and sell custom posters, banners, certificates, and more while learning real-world business and financial skills.

After filming a video to showcase this success, we began sharing the idea with New Jersey principals and administrators. But as we did, we kept hearing the same question:

"Do you have a program that would tell us how to do it?"

At first, the answer was no. But after being asked this question again and again, our company founder had an idea:

"Why don’t we create something that makes it easier for schools to do the same thing that Oxford Street Ink is doing?"

By the fall of 2019, we had begun developing what would soon become STEP. In February of 2020, we officially launched the program—just before schools faced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although the pandemic slowed things down, STEP has been steadily growing ever since, with more and more schools recognizing its potential to prepare students for the future while providing real value to their communities.

How Schools Are Using STEP

Schools that implement STEP quickly realize its potential to transform learning. Here’s how students are using the program to build skills and make an impact:

1. Running a School-Based Printing Business

Students use the ecolor+ Poster Printer System to design and sell high-quality printed products, including:

Posters and banners for school events
Custom signage for classrooms and hallways
Certificates and awards for student recognition
Marketing materials for local businesses and organizations

Through this process, students learn the fundamentals of supply and demand, pricing strategies, customer service, and business management.

2. Strengthening Financial Literacy

One of the most valuable aspects of STEP is its focus on financial literacy. Students take ownership of their business finances by:

Budgeting and tracking expenses
Setting prices and managing profit margins
Making investment decisions on supplies and marketing
Keeping financial records just like a real business

These lessons in money management and financial responsibility are real-world skills that students carry with them beyond high school.

3. Fostering Creativity & Problem-Solving

STEP gives students the freedom to be creative while thinking like business owners. They are responsible for:

Developing new product ideas
Creating marketing campaigns
Solving customer challenges
Adapting to business trends and customer needs

This kind of hands-on, student-driven learning fosters a growth mindset and prepares students for future careers in entrepreneurship, business, and marketing.

Why Schools Love STEP

As a small business with deep roots in the education space, PSI knows what it takes to create programs that truly work for schools. Educators love STEP because it’s:

✔ Hands-On & Engaging – Students don’t just learn business concepts—they apply them in a real-world setting.

✔ Student-driven – From product design to financial planning, students take ownership of their work.

✔ Community-Focused – Many STEP programs partner with local businesses or sell their products at school events.

✔ A Cost-Effective Solution for Schools – Schools save money by producing their own posters, banners, and signage in-house.

The feedback from schools has been incredible. Students are excited, engaged, and eager to take on leadership roles, while teachers and administrators love that it teaches valuable skills in an authentic way.

How to Get Started with STEP

At PSI, we make it easy for schools to launch their own student-run printing business. Every STEP package includes:

The ecolor+ Poster Printer System
Business templates and pricing guides
Marketing resources to help students promote their business
Ongoing support from PSI’s expert team
Implementation assistance & student training
Flexible digital curriculum
Mentor School Network

Our dedicated team is here to walk schools through every step of the process, from setup and training to ongoing support. We’re not just a vendor—we’re a partner, invested in your success.

If your school is looking for an innovative, hands-on learning experience that fosters entrepreneurship, creativity, and real-world skills, STEP is the perfect solution.

Request STEP Info & Pricing

Why PSI Believes in STEP

At PSI, our mission has always been to empower schools and educators with the best tools to inspire creativity, innovation, and real-world learning. We’ve spent over three decades working directly with teachers, administrators, and students, and we’ve seen firsthand how powerful project-based learning can be.

The Student Entrepreneur Program (STEP) embodies everything we stand for:

Quality, creativity, and community engagement
Empowering students with real-world skills
Helping schools bring their ideas to life with high-quality printing solutions

As a small business that values relationships and customer service, we’re proud to support educators in making their vision a reality. We believe that every school should have the tools to foster innovation, leadership, and success—and STEP is one way we help make that happen.

Final Thoughts: STEP is Changing the Game

The Student Entrepreneur Program isn’t just a curriculum—it’s a launchpad for future business leaders, creative thinkers, and problem-solvers. By giving students ownership of their learning, STEP transforms the way they engage with their education.

If your school is looking for a dynamic, hands-on learning experience that builds confidence, business skills, and community engagement, STEP is ready for you.

Let’s empower the next generation—one printer at a time.

Learn More About STEP