Home Studio Bookbinder and Book Repairer

Private customers with sentimental books, students, authors, small community groups and local second-hand book dealers.

Quoted price per repair or binding job, plus sales of finished journals and albums through markets and online shops.

• Patience and fine hand skills
• Attention to detail
• Basic bookbinding techniques (learned through a course or workshop)
• Clear quoting and customer communication

• Check whether your council requires approval for a home-based business
• Public liability insurance, especially if customers visit or you sell at markets
• Treat customers' valuable or rare books with care and agree in writing what you will and will not do
• Glues, solvents and cutting tools need safe storage and good ventilation
• An ABN is needed, and GST registration applies once turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on the tools, materials and equipment you buy and how much you already own. These are estimates only, so price your own setup before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $300 to $2,000, depending on how many repair and binding jobs you take on and how you price them. The estimate assumes from about 6 hours a week, and revenue is not the same as profit.

Check whether your council requires approval for a home-based business, and consider public liability insurance, especially if customers visit or you sell at markets. You will need an ABN, and GST registration applies once turnover reaches the threshold. Agree in writing what you will do with valuable books.