Within just a few years of arriving in Philadelphia, Franklin established his own shop, printing jobs for many customers and publishing his newspaper, The Pennsylvania Gazette, and his Poor Richard’s Almanack. In addition, Franklin and his wife Deborah, sold stationery and dry goods from a store in front of the printing office. Franklin was honest and hard-working, and his growing reputation soon attracted customers away from rival printers.

To expand, Franklin set up several of his former apprentices with printing equipment and capital, enabling them to start their own businesses elsewhere in the colonies. He also maintained close ties with bookbinders, who helped to distribute his publications. Franklin even invested in several paper mills, and he extended his reach into the German-speaking backcountry of Pennsylvania by financing a German-language printing office.

When Franklin became deputy postmaster, he improved his distribution system by arranging for several of his friends and family to be named regional postmasters. Franklin was soon at the center of a dynamic and sophisticated inter-colonial communications network.