Home studio stationery maker

Gift buyers, craft market shoppers, online customers and a few local gift shops that stock handmade goods.

Sell individual items and bundles at markets and online, plus small wholesale orders from independent shops at a lower price per item.

• Design sense and attention to detail
• Basic printing, cutting and binding
• Photographing and describing products
• Keeping track of costs and stock

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and what zoning allows
• Only use artwork, fonts and images you own or have a licence to use commercially
• Check if you need to register for GST/HST once sales pass the small supplier threshold
• Paper and printing supplies add up, so watch stock levels and cash tied up in unsold items
• Check with your insurer that home business equipment and stock are covered

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $3,000, depending on whether you print yourself or outsource, and what binding and cutting tools you buy. Paper and printing supplies add up, so watch your stock levels.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $200 to $1,500, depending on your products, prices and sales channels such as online, markets and local gift shops. This is revenue before supplies and fees, not profit.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and what zoning allows. Also check you only use artwork, fonts and images you own or can license commercially, GST/HST registration once sales pass the small supplier threshold, and insurance cover for equipment and stock.