Stamp and engraving shop

Local businesses, offices, schools, municipalities, clubs, tradespeople and walk-in customers needing a quick stamp.

You charge per stamp and per related item, plus ink and pad refills. Regular accounts with offices and schools give steady repeat work, and rush service can be priced higher.

• Graphic layout and proofreading
• Running production equipment
• Customer service at the counter
• Basic bookkeeping and stock control

• Check your municipality for a business licence, zoning and signage rules
• Review lease terms carefully, as rent is the biggest fixed cost
• Laser engraving needs ventilation and fume extraction, so check safety requirements and building rules
• Professional seals (for engineers, architects or notaries) may be controlled by provincial regulators, so check before making them
• In Quebec, check French-language rules for signage and customer service
• Get commercial general liability and property insurance, and register for GST/HST once you pass the threshold
• WCB/WSIB coverage may be needed once you hire staff, with rules varying by province

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your premises, lease terms and production equipment. Rent is the biggest fixed cost, so review lease terms carefully before you sign.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $18,000, depending on your location, walk-in traffic and business customers. This is revenue before costs such as rent. Expect at least about 30 hours a week.

Things to check: your municipality's business licence, zoning and signage rules; ventilation and fume extraction for laser engraving; provincial regulator rules for professional seals; French-language rules in Quebec; and insurance, GST/HST and WCB/WSIB coverage.