How to Start a Stationery Business | The Simple 8 Step Guide

 

A stationery business produces custom printed and designed paper products for events such as weddings and baby showers, as well as personal announcements. Find out how to start a stationery business and if it's the best fit for you.

 

8 Steps to Start a Stationery Business

1. Plan your Stationery Business
2. Register your Business
3. Establish a Business Bank Account and a Credit Card
4. Find a Location
5. Get the Permits and Licenses 
6. Marketing 
7. Make a website for your stationery business.
8. Get your business phone system up and running.

You've discovered the ideal business opportunity and are now ready to take the next step.

There's more to starting a business than merely filing paperwork with the government. Therefore, these processes will ensure that your new firm is well-planned, legally compliant, and correctly registered.

 

STEP 1: Plan your Stationery Business

As an entrepreneur, you must have a well-thought-out strategy. It will assist you in mapping out the details of your company and uncovering some unknowns. 

The following are a few key points to consider:

• What are the initial and continuing expenses?
• Where will be the demographic of your target market?
• What is the maximum amount you can charge customers?
• What will you call your company?

 

Investment Required

Your overhead can be pretty modest if you start your small business from home. If you decide to operate a store or rent office space, your monthly expenses might rise from INR 1,50,000 to INR 4,00,000. 

You'll need the following items, regardless of where you set up shop:

• For designing and generating designs, a computer with high processing speed is required.
• A design suite subscription, such as Adobe
• A website, as well as technical assistance
• For shooting product images for your website, you'll need a camera and a tripod.
• Business cards, stickers, and print examples are examples of your promotional materials.

 

STEP 2: Register your Business

The private limited company registration online, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership and one person company are the most popular business structures in India.

Like any other stationery store, register the business as any of these depending on the scale of business and what are your future plans. 

Collect the necessary trade registrations and stationery shop permits, such as a Shop and Establishment Act licence. 

You may need to apply for a PAN and TAN, as well as file taxes like GST and VAT.

 

STEP 3: Establish a Business Bank Account and a Credit Card

Personal asset protection necessitates the use of distinct business banking and credit accounts.

When your personal and corporate accounts are intermingled, your personal assets (such as your home, car, and other possessions) are put in danger if your company is sued. 

Furthermore, learning how to develop company credit can help you obtain credit cards and other funding in your business's name (rather than your own), lower interest rates, and increase credit lines, among other benefits.

Opening a bank account for your business can help you with various benefits like:

• This keeps your personal assets separate from the assets of your firm, which is vital for personal asset protection.
• It also simplifies accounting and tax preparation.

Also, get a credit card for your business.

• By keeping all of your company spendings in one location, you can easily distinguish between personal and business expenses.
• It also establishes your company's credit history, which can help you raise funds and attract investment in the future.

Understanding your business's financial performance requires keeping track of your numerous expenses and sources of money. Maintaining precise and complete records also makes annual tax filing much easier.

 

STEP 4: Find a Location

Your retail business's location can make or ruin it. The kind of your firm, whether it's retail or wholesale supplies, will play a big role in determining where to go.

Clear client access, strong store frontage, and proximity to a marketplace are all elements to consider when choosing a retail shop location, as is the provision for suitable product storage.

A wholesale/online firm can operate out of modest office space (even your home), but stocks should be stored in a separate warehouse (in the case of wholesale).

 

STEP 5: Get the Permits and Licenses 

To lawfully operate your stationery business in India, you'll need to secure a few permits, just like any other firm.

Once your firm is registered as a lawful business structure, it becomes a separate legal entity in the eyes of the government. 

Transferring ownership becomes a lot less complicated in this instance, and you have minimal liability. However, before making a final choice, contact your attorney.

The Shop and Establishment Act licence is the next licence you should apply for. It's a state-issued certificate that takes 30 days to arrive. However, you must renew it every year.

If your annual turnover exceeds $20,000, you must register for GST. 

However, regardless of the number of sales, if you have an online e-commerce site (which you should), you must register for GST.

Other permits, such as Import Export Codes, Gumastha Licenses, and Udyog Adhaar Registration, may be required depending on your business model.

 

STEP 6: Marketing 

Your company's brand is what it stands for, as well as how the general public perceives it. A strong brand will set your company out from the competition.

As previously stated, the internet and social media will be crucial in introducing you to your next client. 

Align yourself with other organisations and businesses that are also engrossed in this festive environment. Wedding planners frequently partner with dependable and reasonable firms since joint collaborations can be beneficial for cross-promotion. 

You should also think about setting up a stand at a trade show or a local company fair. 

Any exposure is good exposure, and having the opportunity to connect with semi-captive audiences boosts your chances of acquiring new customers.

 

STEP 7: Make a website for your stationery business

The next stage in how to Start a Stationery Business is to construct a website for your business after you've defined your brand and designed your logo.

While developing a website is an important step, some people may believe it is out of their grasp due to a lack of website-building skills. 

While this may have been a valid concern in 2015, web technology has advanced significantly in recent years, making the lives of small business owners much easier.

The following are the key reasons why you should not put off developing your website:

Websites are required for any reputable business. When it comes to getting your business online, it doesn't matter what size or industry you're in.

Social media accounts, such as Facebook pages or LinkedIn company profiles, are not a substitute for having your own website.

Website builders, such as the GoDaddy Website Builder, have simplified the process of constructing a basic website. To build a website that you can be proud of, you don't need to hire a web developer or designer.

 

STEP 8: Get your Business Phone System 

Getting a business phone is one of the most effective strategies to keep your personal and professional lives distinct and confidential. 

That isn't the only advantage; it also aids in the automation of your organisation, provides respectability to your company, and makes it easier for potential consumers to locate and contact you.

Entrepreneurs that wish to set up a business phone system can take advantage of a variety of services. 

We compared and ranked the top firms based on price, features, and simplicity of use.

 

Conclusion

In India, the stationery industry is a lucrative alternative for entrepreneurs and it is easy to learn how to Start a Stationery Business. It's inexpensive to start, you don't need a large crew (or any at all), and there's a lot of demand. 

Simply determine what type of stationery business you want to start, find some suppliers, apply for company registration online, build an online or offline store, and you're ready to go. Maintain a customer-centric approach and take marketing seriously to be successful.