Print finishing and lamination unit

Print shops, sign makers, exhibition and event companies, schools, retailers and local businesses needing durable, weatherproof finishes.

Charge per square metre or per job for lamination, mounting and cutting. Trade accounts with printers and sign makers give steadier work than one-off walk-ins.

• Machine operation
• Accurate cutting and trimming
• Sales and building trade accounts
• Organising jobs and deadlines

• Check planning and business use rules for your unit, and any lease terms
• Public liability insurance, and employers' liability insurance once you hire
• Heavy rolls and hot rollers, so check manual handling and machine safety
• Equipment can be a large cost, so test demand before buying new
• Large trade customers may pay slowly, so agree payment terms in advance

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on the equipment you buy and your unit. These are estimates. Equipment can be a large cost, so it is worth testing demand before buying new machinery.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on how many trade accounts you win and how busy your unit is. These are estimates only, and large trade customers may pay slowly, so agree payment terms in advance.

Check planning and business use rules for your unit, plus any lease terms. Also check public liability insurance, employers' liability insurance once you hire, and manual handling and machine safety, since you will deal with heavy rolls and hot rollers.