Sandblast glass etching studio

Restaurants, salons, offices, interior designers, builders, awards suppliers and homeowners.

Quoted per job or per square foot for trade work, plus per-piece pricing for gifts and awards. Repeat trade customers give steadier income.

• Design and vinyl stencil preparation
• Measuring and installing or handling large glass safely
• Quoting and dealing with trade customers

• Silica and glass dust is a health risk, so check ventilation, dust extraction and respirator requirements with your provincial workplace health and safety body
• Check zoning and any business licence for a workshop with your municipality
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus coverage for customers' glass while in your care
• Heavy glass is a handling and breakage risk, plan how you lift, store and transport it
• WCB/WSIB coverage may be needed once you hire, check the rules in your province
• Compressors are noisy and may affect neighbouring units

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $6,000 to $25,000, depending on your rented unit, sandblasting cabinet, compressor and glass handling equipment. Get quotes for your own setup to see where you fall in that range.

Silica and glass dust is a health risk, so check ventilation, dust extraction and respirator requirements with your provincial workplace health and safety body. Also check zoning and business licence rules with your municipality, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your mix of trade clients, signage jobs and personalized pieces. The estimate assumes roughly 20 hours a week or more of work.