Online ink refill and cartridge seller

Households and small offices who want cheaper printing and prefer ordering online, including regular repeat buyers.

Margin on cartridges and toner sold through your own site or a marketplace, plus a fee per postal refill. Subscription-style reorders can build repeat sales.

• Careful, tidy hands-on work
• Basic online selling and listings
• Packing and posting
• Clear customer communication

• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council allows trading from home, especially with stock and deliveries
• Online selling rules on returns, cancellation rights and clear descriptions of refilled or compatible products
• Check trademark and patent rules before selling compatible or remanufactured cartridges
• Check rules on posting liquids and used cartridges, and how to dispose of ink waste safely
• Public liability and product liability insurance, and cover for stock
• Competition from big online sellers, so focus on a niche or local service

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £500 to £3,000, depending on your refill equipment, initial stock, packaging and insurance cover. Focusing on a niche or local service can help against big online sellers.

Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council allows trading from home, especially with stock and deliveries. Also check the rules on posting liquids and used cartridges, and how to dispose of ink waste safely.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £3,500, depending on your range, repeat buyers and refill orders. The estimates assume at least about 8 hours a week.