Custom Branded Souvenirs from a Small Workshop

Tourist attractions, tour operators, hotels, festivals, conference organisers, sports clubs and shops that want their own branded products.

Per-item pricing on bulk orders, with design and setup fees. Repeat contracts with attractions and organisers give steadier income than one-off jobs.

• Operating production equipment
• Basic graphic design
• Quoting and managing orders
• Meeting deadlines

• Check zoning and the lease for the unit, and your municipality's business licence rules
• Laser engravers and heat presses need good ventilation and fire safety, so check local fire code requirements
• Get written permission to use clients' logos and make sure customers own or have rights to the artwork they supply
• Check provincial WCB/WSIB requirements once you hire staff
• Check labelling rules, including bilingual requirements where they apply, and Health Canada rules for products sold for children
• Large orders can tie up cash, so ask for deposits
• Consider commercial general liability and product liability insurance

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on the production equipment you buy, such as a laser engraver or heat press, and the unit you lease.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the size and number of client orders you win. Large orders can tie up cash, so it is worth asking for deposits.

Check zoning, your lease and municipal business licence rules, plus local fire code requirements for ventilation and fire safety with laser engravers and heat presses. Also get written permission for clients' logos, and check WCB/WSIB requirements once you hire staff.