Home embossing studio for paper and card

Small businesses, wedding and event stylists, boutique brands, designers and printers who need finished pieces but don't own a press.

Charge a one-off setup fee for the custom die, then a per-piece or per-batch price. Repeat clients re-order using the same die.

• Attention to detail
• Basic design and artwork preparation
• Comfortable with small machinery
• Quoting and customer service

• Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a business from home
• Public liability insurance, and check your home insurance covers business equipment
• Presses can pinch or crush fingers, so set up a safe workspace
• Custom dies are made by outside suppliers, so factor in lead times and costs
• Check you have permission to reproduce clients' logos and artwork

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on the press you choose, custom dies, materials and insurance. This is an estimate, so get supplier quotes, including die lead times, before you buy.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on how many clients you win, your job sizes and your pricing. These are estimates only, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.

Things to check: whether your local council requires approval to run a business from home, public liability insurance, and whether your home insurance covers business equipment. Also set up a safe workspace for the press, and confirm permission to reproduce client logos.