Home-based banner maker

Local small businesses, schools, churches, sports clubs, event organizers and individuals ordering birthday, graduation or yard banners.

Price per banner, usually by size and material, plus design time and rush fees. Repeat orders from local businesses and clubs are the steady base.

• Basic graphic design
• Attention to detail and color
• Customer service and quoting

• Home occupation permit, zoning, HOA or lease rules for a home workshop; check with your city or county
• Business license and sales tax registration; check with your city, county and state
• General liability insurance, and check whether your homeowner's policy covers business equipment
• Printer ink, solvent and ventilation requirements if you run your own large-format machine
• Copyright and trademark issues when customers supply logos or images; ask for permission to use them

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $500 to $5,000, depending on whether you buy a compact wide-format printer or design in-house and send printing to a trade supplier.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many local businesses, clubs and individuals order and the sizes you produce. This is revenue, not profit.

Check home occupation permit, zoning, HOA or lease rules with your city or county, plus business license and sales tax registration. Also check insurance coverage for business equipment, ventilation if you run your own printer, and permission to use customers' logos.