Having spent about a year on a job and making small business deals, I decided I would go into the paint making business. This business seems to thrive in my part of the world and the prospects in it has led to a high number of people engaging in it. However in spite of this thread, only a relatively small number of people are into the business in my region. Consumers from my region get their supplies from other regions. Having done an extensive survey of the paint market, I realised it will be highly profitable for me and hence enrolled for a training program which has been scheduled to begin next month. The program mainly covers the process of paint production which I believe isn't all I need to thrive in the business considering the fact that I'm venturing into a market dominated by some major brands. Therefore I decided to get as much tips as I can from professionals across the globe. Please any advise, tips, warnings etc would really go a long way in helping me. Thanks in anticipation that I would get responses from you askmehelpdeskers.

Do you mean house paint, exterior and interior? Not artists' paints?

Do you mean to manufacture it, or put your label on paints from an existing manufacturer, which is what well known designers do?

Do you have the financial means to cover the HUGE start up costs to do this?

I should have been more specific. Yes I meant house paint and I mean to manufacture it myself. As for the financial implications, I have what it takes to start up a small scale production which a veteran estimated at about $7000 (machine and materials). I would be specifically making Emulsion and Textcoat paints for now.

Is this you, by any chance?
Text Coat Vs Emulsion Paint - Properties - Nairaland (http://www.nairaland.com/1326104/text-coat-vs-emulsion-paint)

Not at all. Besides my enquiry is completely different. I seek tips on manufacture of paint while he seeks info that will enable him choose between 'using' texcoat or emulsion.

Simply put, I'm starting up a small scale, machine based, commercial, house paint production and I need tips for success in that line of business. Thanks

So sorry!
I can't advise on starting this venture in your part of the world. Here in the US, it would take vast amounts of money, still with no guarantees that a new brand name will catch on.
As a buyer of paint, I am most interested in one coat applications and am willing to pay for good paint. When I sold paint, I liked Pratt and Lambert the best. Now as a buyer I usually buy Benjamin Moore.
As for textured paints, most Americans hate it now, and it's harder to sell houses that have it. People pay to have it scraped smooth.

I really appreciate your sincerity but really, I think you are in a perfect position to help, considering the fact that you have been both a buyer and seller of paint.

As a buyer, what factors were behind your choice of Benjamin Moore? As a seller, why did you choose to sell Pratt and Lambert?
Such factors are part of the tips I need.

As for the issue of finance and brand survival compared to what's obtainable in the US, things are quite different here. Small scale enterprises with prospects are higly appreciated especially when they offer products of good quality.

Pratt and Lambert is not as available as Moore, probably because it's more expensive. Moore is costly enough! Both are excellent. P&L can be like a lacquer for furniture, and the polyurethane goes on oak floors with excellent coverage (although now water based urethanes are used for the most part, because they dry fast and don't smell). I like the Moore color choices, and the displays they provide to stores are very enticing. Most buyers think of color choices first, I think. It isn't easy to prove coverage, durability, and long lasting. You can try, with samples applied to small pieces of various materials, and give a speech on comparisons. People will listen to a speech as long as it isn't too long.

Those were very helpful. Thanks a lot

I'm still open to more tips from other members too. Thanks