Small-Press songbook and choral music publisher
Produce printed songbooks and choral or band series and sell them to music shops, schools and choirs.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- From home
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
You publish a series of printed titles, such as songbooks, choral octavos, method books or band pieces, working with composers and arrangers. Copies are produced in short print runs and sold through music shops, direct orders and school or choir buyers.
Your first three steps
- Choose a focus, such as Canadian choral music or beginner band, and plan 3 to 5 first titles with composers or public domain sources
- Get quotes from two or three printers for short runs and compare with digital printing
- Contact independent music shops and school music teachers with sample copies and wholesale terms
Who pays
Independent music shops, school music departments, choirs, church music directors, private teachers and individual musicians.
How it makes money
You sell copies at wholesale prices to shops and at full price direct. Each title earns over time, and you pay composers a royalty or fee.
Skills that help
- Music notation and proofreading
- Working with composers and printers
- Selling to shops and schools
- Basic bookkeeping and stock control
Watch out for
- Written agreements with composers and arrangers covering rights, royalties and territories
- Licences for any song still in copyright, which you should check with the rights holders before printing
- Cash tied up in printed stock, so start with small runs
- Legal deposit and ISMN or ISBN rules, which you should check with Library and Archives Canada
- Sales tax registration, and commercial general liability insurance if you sell at events
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: small-press songbook and choral music publisher
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a small music publishing press?
Estimates typically put startup costs at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many titles you print and the size of your print runs. Cash is tied up in printed stock, so starting with small runs is worth considering.
How much can a small music press earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on your catalogue, your sales to music shops, schools and choirs, and your direct orders. These are estimates, and results vary.
What agreements and rules should I check before publishing printed music?
Check written agreements with composers and arrangers covering rights, royalties and territories, and licences for songs still in copyright. Also check legal deposit and ISMN or ISBN rules with Library and Archives Canada, plus sales tax registration.
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