Stationery Business

How Profitable Is A Stationery Business? (Updated for 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: October 5th, 2024

How Profitable Is A Stationery Business? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start a stationery business?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are stationery businesses actually profitable?”

Especially considering:

You could start a stationery business with as low as $100
Based on our data, stationery businesses generate an average of $339K per year

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a stationery business.

Let’s dive in!

Is a stationery business profitable?

Yes, a stationery business is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $339K per year with an estimated gross margin of 35%, you could expect to recover your investment within 10 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your stationery business.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your stationery business is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is a stationery business worth it?

If you’re wondering if a stationery business is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With stationery businesses, you have the potential to earn $339K per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a stationery business to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful stationery businesses case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Stationery Businesses

Here are a few examples of profitable stationery businesses, and a few more details about them:

1. Sheedo Paper ($480K/year)

Gonzalo and Gala, founders of Sheedo, came up with the idea for their sustainable paper business while researching plantable tags for an espadrilles brand. They realized that no one was producing printable plantable paper in Spain, so they took it upon themselves to create it. Now, Sheedo has grown into a successful business, generating around 40K€ per month and working with big brands like Coca-Cola and Sony.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $480K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0

How Our Sustainable Corporate Merchandising Became a $40K/Month Business

Spanish-based startup Sheedo is making waves in the traditional merchandising industry with its seed-infused, tree-free and non-toxic paper concept and pulling in €40k in monthly revenue, supplying customers including Coca-Cola, Inditex, Sony, Deloitte, and Air France.

Read this case study

Read by 6,177 founders

2. Seniman Calligraphy ($156K/year)

Ruth had a passion for creating things with her hands, especially during the holidays when she loved to give gifts. She picked up modern calligraphy as a hobby and soon discovered that making bespoke custom wedding invitations allowed her to combine all the things she loved. After three months of regular practice, she decided that her skills were good enough to do calligraphy work for others, so she started the business.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $156K/year

How I Started My Own $13K/Month Custom Stationery Design Studio

An inspiring case study of how one woman turned her passion for calligraphy and bespoke wedding invitations into a successful business that now grosses an average of $13,000 a month, using Instagram as the main driver for attracting and retaining customers.

Read this case study

Read by 13,775 founders

3. Ferrotype Ltd ($240K/year)

Dominic and his sister Jo launched Ferrotype after being asked to start again by one of their suppliers. With a ready-made customer base and a focus on premium stationery, the company has worked with major tech companies like Google and Microsoft. In their first year, they have achieved flexibility, a solid base with $150,000 in revenue, and are now focusing on attracting new customers through PPC advertising.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K

How We Started A $30K/Month Business Selling Branded Corporate Stationeries

Learn how a new branded stationery business achieved a profitable first year with almost no office costs and flexible work arrangements, focusing on premium stationery for corporate clients, and plans to expand into sustainability and offline marketing strategies in 2020.

Read this case study

Read by 6,107 founders

Learn more about starting a stationery business:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a stationery business?
-> Pros and cons of a stationery business

Need inspiration?

-> Other stationery business success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a stationery business
-> Stationery business slogans
-> Stationery business names
-> Stationery business Instagram bios

Other resources

-> Stationery business tips

How much can you make with a stationery business?

With a stationery business, you can make an average of $339K revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $100. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 10 months.

How much does a stationery business make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a stationery business ranges around $7.06K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $28.3K.

To know if your stationery business achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your stationery business.

How much do stationery businesses owners make?

The income of a stationery business owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established stationery business is about $7.06K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as a stationery business owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Stationery Business Profit Margins

Generally speaking, a stationery business can expect profit margin of around 35%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of a stationery business, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, stationery business owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, stationery business owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Stationery business owner salary

The salary of a stationery business owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established stationery business, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $2.47K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a stationery business may be a promising business to start - but the success of your stationery business mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable stationery business.

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Starting A Stationery Business: Everything You Need To Know

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