Online envelope and stationery supplier

Small businesses, charities, schools, wedding and craft sellers, and online shops that need packaging and mailing supplies.

You buy in larger quantities and sell in smaller packs or boxes at a margin. Repeat orders from regular business customers help keep sales steady.

• Comparing supplier prices
• Basic online shop setup
• Order handling and customer service

• Check whether you need to register for VAT as your turnover grows
• Storage space at home, as boxes of envelopes are bulky and heavy
• Postage and courier costs can wipe out margins on heavy orders, so check rates first
• Check the terms of your home insurance and any landlord or mortgage rules if you store stock at home
• Consider product liability or public liability insurance and check what your supplier agreement covers

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on your supplier, how much stock you hold and how you set up your web shop. Check supplier terms and postage rates before ordering stock.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on your product range, order sizes and postage costs. Around 6 hours a week is the estimated minimum time needed to run it.

Check whether you need to register for VAT as your turnover grows, and whether you have space for bulky, heavy boxes. Check postage and courier rates so margins are protected, plus home insurance, landlord or mortgage rules if you store stock at home.