Ink refill and printer supplies shop

Households, students, home offices and small businesses such as accountants, schools and tradies' offices.

Margin on each refill and on cartridge sales, plus paper and accessories, with repeat business from regular office accounts.

• Hands-on and tidy with ink and toner
• Basic knowledge of printers and cartridges
• Friendly customer service
• Stock ordering and pricing

• Shop lease terms, fit-out costs and council or landlord approvals for your premises
• Public liability and stock insurance
• Rules on storing and disposing of ink, toner and empty cartridges, check with your local council and state environment authority
• Australian Consumer Law: be honest about refilled or compatible products and honour refunds for faulty goods
• Some cartridges have chips or patents that limit refilling, check you are not infringing intellectual property
• Falling home printing may make steady office customers important

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on your lease, fit-out and opening stock. Shop lease terms and fit-out costs are worth checking carefully before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $25,000, depending on your location and customer mix. Steady office customers may matter, since falling home printing could reduce household demand.

Check your lease, landlord and council approvals, and insurance for public liability and stock. Also check rules on storing and disposing of ink, toner and empty cartridges, Australian Consumer Law obligations, and whether patents or chips limit refilling certain cartridges.