Small press for printed songbooks

Music teachers, schools, music shops, choirs and bands, plus individual players buying online or at events.

You sell books at a retail price direct, or at a trade discount to shops and distributors. Profit depends on print run size, unit cost and how much stock you actually sell.

• Music notation and page layout
• Editing and proofreading
• Basic budgeting and stock control
• Selling to shops and schools

• Copyright: only publish music you own, have commissioned or have written permission to print. Check the status of any public domain editions.
• Printing ahead of sales ties up cash, so start with a small run
• Check how to get ISMN numbers, and the legal deposit requirements for printed works
• Public liability and product insurance are worth checking if you sell at events
• Check whether you can store stock at home under your tenancy or mortgage terms
• Register as a sole trader or limited company, and watch the VAT threshold as sales grow

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on print runs and layout needs. Printing ahead of sales ties up cash, so consider starting with a small run and check storage terms for stock at home.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £2,500, depending on your titles, print costs and how well you sell to teachers, shops and schools. These are revenue estimates, not profit.

Only publish music you own, have commissioned or have written permission to print, and check the status of any public domain editions. Check how to get ISMN numbers, legal deposit requirements, and the VAT threshold as sales grow.