Start a home embroidery studio

Local clubs and schools, small businesses wanting branded workwear, and individuals ordering personalised gifts.

A price per item based on stitch count and quantity, plus a one-off digitising fee for turning a logo into a stitch file. Repeat orders from the same customers keep income steady.

• Patience and an eye for detail
• Learning embroidery software and digitising
• Customer service and quoting
• Basic computer skills

• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to business use at home
• Public liability and product insurance are worth checking, especially for items sold to businesses
• Do not stitch other people's logos or branded designs (such as football clubs or cartoon characters) without permission, as copyright and trade marks apply
• Machine noise and space needs, plus the cost of blanks and thread bought in advance
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC and keep records of income and costs

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on the machine and software you choose. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at £300 to £2,500, depending on order volume. Blanks and thread are also bought in advance.

Things to check: whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council must agree to business use at home, public liability and product insurance, and permission before stitching other people's logos or branded designs, as copyright and trade marks apply. Register as a sole trader with HMRC.

Patience and an eye for detail help, along with learning embroidery software and digitising, quoting, customer service and basic computer skills. Estimates suggest at least 8 hours a week. Check machine noise and space needs at home.