Home glass engraving studio

Individuals buying wedding, birthday and anniversary gifts, plus local clubs, small businesses and event organisers wanting keepsakes or awards.

Price per item based on design complexity, with extra for custom artwork. Selling blank glassware with engraving adds margin, and bulk orders from clubs or firms bring repeat work.

• Steady hands and an eye for detail
• Basic design or lettering skills
• Customer service and taking clear orders

• Glass dust and fumes: check you have suitable ventilation, eye protection and a dust mask or extraction
• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to business use at home
• Public liability and product liability insurance, especially if you sell items as well as engrave them
• Copyright and trademark issues if customers ask for logos or branded designs you do not have permission to use

Startup costs are typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on whether you choose a rotary tool, laser or sandblasting kit and how much glassware and packaging you buy. These are estimates, so price your own equipment before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around £200 to £1,500, depending on your prices, the hours you work and how well you find customers. The estimate starts from about 6 hours a week. Revenue is not profit, so allow for materials and costs.

Check you have suitable ventilation, eye protection and a dust mask or extraction for glass dust and fumes. Also check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council must agree to business use at home, and what insurance and logo permissions you need.