Vehicle and shopfront graphics studio

Tradespeople, delivery firms, shops, cafes, offices and drivers wanting personalised or branded vehicles.

Fixed quotes per job based on materials, design time and fitting. Van sign-writing packages and repeat business customers bring steady income.

• Design software such as Illustrator or CorelDRAW
• Careful, steady fitting skills
• Quoting and customer service
• Basic machine maintenance

• Public liability insurance, plus cover for customers' vehicles while in your care
• Check unit lease terms, business rates and any planning or use-class limits with your council
• Check rules on vehicle graphics, such as reflective materials or covering windows, before fitting
• Printers and vinyl are expensive, so check financing costs and how many jobs you need to cover them
• Poor fitting leads to peeling or bubbles, so agree what you will redo and when

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on your printer-cutter, plotter, unit and materials. Printers and vinyl are expensive, so check financing costs and how many jobs you need to cover them.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £2,500 to £12,000, depending on your customer base and the size of jobs. This is revenue, not profit, so allow for materials, rent and equipment costs.

Check public liability insurance and cover for customers' vehicles while in your care. Also check your unit lease, business rates and any planning or use-class limits with your council, and rules on vehicle graphics such as reflective materials or covering windows.