Sign shop with printing and vehicle graphics

Local businesses with vans and trucks, contractors, retailers, property managers, schools, sports clubs, events and community organizations.

Per-job pricing by area, material and fitting time. Vehicle graphics and repeat commercial accounts, such as fleets and multi-site businesses, bring larger and steadier orders.

• Graphic design and print file preparation
• Vinyl application and colour matching
• Quoting and job scheduling
• Selling to local businesses

• Check for a municipal business licence and zoning that allows light industrial or print work
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus cover for customers' vehicles and your equipment
• Printers use solvent, eco-solvent or latex inks, so check ventilation, ink storage and waste rules with your municipality
• Check WCB/WSIB registration rules in your province before hiring an installer or helper
• Equipment and rent are big fixed costs, so test demand before committing to a lease
• Slower winter months and cold-weather fitting can affect vehicle work, so plan for a heated bay

Startup costs are typically estimated around $25,000 to $70,000, depending on your printer, cutter, laminating setup and rent. Equipment and rent are big fixed costs, so test demand before committing to a lease.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $7,000 to $30,000, depending on your client base and the jobs you take on. Slower winter months and cold-weather fitting can affect vehicle work, so plan for a heated bay.

Check for a municipal business licence and zoning that allows light industrial or print work. Also check ventilation, ink storage and waste rules with your municipality, insurance cover, and WCB/WSIB registration rules in your province before hiring.