Online custom invitation shop

Couples and party hosts across the country who want custom invitations without visiting a print shop.

Per order, priced by design, quantity and paper, with add-ons such as envelope printing, foil or digital proofs. Margin comes from the gap between your price and print and shipping costs.

• Graphic design
• Online selling and basic marketing
• Customer service by email
• Organizing orders and proofs

• Register your business as required in your state and check your state's sales tax rules for online sales of printed goods
• Make sure fonts, graphics and templates have commercial licenses
• Quality and shipping delays from print partners can lead to unhappy customers during busy wedding seasons
• Check marketplace fees and rules, which can reduce margins
• Proofreading errors are costly, so build in a proof approval step before printing

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $300 to $2,500, depending on whether you use a print partner or print in your own workspace. Monthly revenue is typically around $200 to $3,000, depending on orders and how you market the shop.

Check your state's business registration requirements and sales tax rules for online sales of printed goods. Also check marketplace fees and rules, and make sure fonts, graphics and templates have commercial licenses.

Estimates start at around 8 hours a week, depending on order volume. Useful skills include graphic design, online selling and basic marketing, email customer service and organizing proofs. Build in a proof approval step before printing, as errors are costly.