Online toner and copier paper shop

Small offices, schools, clubs, charities, home workers and small print businesses that reorder regularly.

You buy from wholesalers and sell at a mark-up. Repeat orders, bulk-buy discounts and a 'reorder' reminder email help build steady sales.

• Comfortable with online selling and basic website tools
• Attention to detail, as the right cartridge for the right machine matters
• Customer service by email and phone

• Compatible or remanufactured toner: check you are not breaching brand trademarks or making misleading claims
• Distance selling rules, including customers' right to cancel and return goods; check the current GOV.UK guidance
• Margins can be thin against big suppliers, so work out your profit per order including postage
• Storing stock at home: check your lease, mortgage and home insurance
• Product or public liability insurance, and VAT registration once you near the threshold

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on whether you hold a small amount of stock at home or use a wholesaler that ships direct, and how you set up your shop.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on your range and how many regular customers reorder. Margins can be thin against big suppliers, so work out profit per order including postage.

Check you are not breaching brand trademarks or making misleading claims when selling compatible or remanufactured toner. Also check distance selling rules, including customers' right to cancel and return goods, using current GOV.UK guidance.