Custom stationery workshop for businesses

Local companies, restaurants, hotels, event planners, schools, nonprofits and independent retailers that want custom or private-label paper goods.

Per-order pricing based on quantity and finish, repeat orders from regular clients, and wholesale sales of your own range to shops.

• Design and layout for print
• Operating printing and finishing equipment
• Quoting jobs and managing customer orders
• Selling to businesses

• Check zoning, business license and fire code requirements for your workshop with your city or county
• Register for sales tax with your state and check which sales need a resale certificate
• General liability and property insurance for equipment and stock; workers' compensation once you hire
• Equipment costs and paper price swings can squeeze margins, so quote with a buffer
• Check copyright and trademark issues when printing clients' logos and artwork

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your rented unit, printer, cutter and binding equipment, and paper stock. Equipment choices will have the biggest effect on your own figure.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many business customers you win, your job sizes and your pricing. The estimate assumes roughly 20 hours a week or more.

Check zoning, business license and fire code requirements with your city or county, and register for sales tax with your state. Also check insurance for equipment and stock, and copyright and trademark issues when printing clients' logos and artwork.