Home-Based Short-Run Print Studio

Local small businesses, community groups, schools, event organizers, real estate agents and individuals planning parties or weddings.

Price per job or per piece, with higher margins on rush orders, custom sizes and design help. Repeat orders from local businesses are the steady base.

• Basic graphic design software
• Colour matching and attention to detail
• Customer service and quoting

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning limits
• Commercial general liability insurance and cover for your equipment
• Copyright and trademark: make sure customers have the right to print the artwork they supply
• Ink, paper and printer maintenance costs can eat into margins on very small jobs
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,500 to $6,000 CAD, depending on the printer, trimmer and software you choose. Larger or specialty jobs can be outsourced to a trade printer rather than bought as equipment.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $500 to $3,000 CAD, depending on your customers and the jobs you take. Ink, paper and printer maintenance costs can eat into margins on very small jobs.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning limits. Also check commercial general liability and equipment insurance, whether customers have the right to print artwork they supply, and GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold.